Chapter 13, yay!
Review Responses
Son of Pluto14- Sorry, no Peranca in this. Just a Perzoe. But I'm planning to write a new story where it may be Percy and Bianca.
Renu- I had a lot of fun writing the babies part.
greekmythfreak- I double checked and there were 13. You might have skipped Hayden or Amy. Check through this list to see if you missed any. Hayden- Ananke, Ethan- Nyx, Max- Gaia, Alabaster- Ananke, Paul- Nyx, Oliver- Gaia, Perseus- Thalassa, Amy- Ananke, Mia- Nyx, Imogene- Gaia, Holly- Ananke, Keira- Nyx, and Willow- Gaia.
Disclaimer: All rights to respective owners.
Previously on Mount Olympus,
"Ready?" Fern asked once they stood outside the silver doors. The doors swung open, revealing the throne room. Together, they walked into the council of the gods.
Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations. All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall. To a demigod, the Olympian council would look quite intimidating. But once you have stood in front of the primordial council and the creator, Chaos, nothing quite reaches that level. Well, Tartarus taking selfies with Eros helps calm the nerves along with the fact that the Primordial council practically raised them.
"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.
"Mooo!" A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble. Jillian, Leo, and Grover knelt at Zeus's throne, as if they'd just been giving a report. Leo however was fiddling with screws and bolts, probably not helping with the report.
The lord of the sky looked up as we entered. Zeus gave a nod to the two demigods and a satyr and they rushed over to us.
None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled. Grover gave Annabeth and Thalia big hugs. Jillian too hugged her friends while Leo flashed them peace signs.
"Heroes," Artemis called. The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward the group, looking much like the girl who came out of the woods at Westover except now she wore silver robes instead of a hunter's outfit. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.
"The Council has been informed of your deeds," Artemis told us. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."
There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods, as if they weren't all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.
"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said. "My brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…"
She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?"
She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-striped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautiful woman with brown hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacock feathers, Lady Hera.
On Zeus's right was Poseidon. Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus. Hermes winked at them. He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceus mobile phone. Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, but he took them off.
"I feel a haiku coming on," He said dramatically. All the gods rolled their eyes.
"Heroes did come back,
They really rescued my sis,
Aren't I so cool?"
"Apollo," Athena said. "Heroes did come back is not proper grammar."
"It doesn't matter," Apollo said. "Because all the ladies love the poetry. Right Zoe?"
Zoe glared at him and went to summon her bow, but nothing happened. Artemis looked at her lieutenant, white faced, truth finally becoming apparent like a storm about to hit.
"My blessing, Zoe, it's gone," Artemis said.
The look of fear on Zoe's face was horrible. Jackson looked at her, noticing the lack of silver glow. Why hadn't he noticed it sooner? Before she could speak, Zeus began the meeting. "So we must discuss the fate of these heroes and the monster."
"All in favor of not disintegrating them?" Apollo asked. A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite.
"Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and Jillian. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—"
"Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "They are worthy heroes. We will not blast my daughter to bits."
"But they pose a threat to Olympus and my- I mean our rule," Zeus countered.
"Are you suggesting you kill your own daughter, brother?" Poseidon asked.
"It would be safer for Olympus," Zeus began, then stopped at a glare from Artemis. "My daughter has done well," He said grudgingly, not sounding convinced of the fact.
The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter's bravery too. But there is a security risk here with the other two."
"Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you say that after all they've do-"
Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic," By the hearth, Hades kept his face clear of emotion. "As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods… such as Thalia and Jillian… are dangerous. As thick headed as he is, Ares has a point."
"Right!" Ares said. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin'—"
He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down.
"Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later."
Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?"
Dionysus gazed down at us wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?"
"I do not pass judgment," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."
"I will not have them punished," Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."
"Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."
"Don't call me sis! I will reward them."
"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"
A lot of nodding heads.
"Bessie? You want to destroy Bessie?" Jillian asked.
"Mooooooo!" Bessie protested.
Poseidon frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"
"Dad," Jillian said, "He's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him."
"Yeah," Leo agreed. "If Bessie wasn't in the water so much, we could totally be best buds and hang out. We would go to McDonald's and get the best flurries. They have a flurry of the month. It's mint with a ton of m and m's..." Leo trailed off when he saw everyone staring at him funny. "What? It's good."
Poseidon shifted uncomfortably. "Jillian, the monster's power is considerable. If the Titans were to steal it, or—"
"You can't," She insisted, looking at Zeus. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as… as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!"
Zeus seemed to consider this. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn thirteen tomorrow and sixteen in three years just as the prophecy says."
"You have to trust them," Annabeth spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them."
Zeus scowled. "Trust a hero?"
"Annabeth is right," Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, cannot retain my blessing. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."
Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear. And then Artemis turned.
"I shall have a new lieutenant," She announced. "If she will accept," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"
Stunned silence filled the room. Thalia looked a sad Zoe, who slowly nodded. "I will," Thalia said firmly.
"I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again," She knelt before the goddess and began the hunter's oath. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."
Thalia hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. Then she even hugged Grover, who looked ready to pass out. Thalia went to stand by Artemis's side.
"Now for the Ophiotaurus," Artemis said.
"This girl is still dangerous," Dionysus warned, pointing at Jillian. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare her—"
"No," Jillian protested. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him."
"And why should we trust you?" rumbled Hephaestus.
"I'm only twelve," She said. "If this prophecy is about me, that's four more years."
Jackson wished it could be that simple. Bianca was the prophecy child at the age of thirteen. If she died or decided otherwise, Nico was right behind her to fill in.
"Four years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena said. "Much can change in four years, my young hero."
"Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated.
"It is only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the girl."
Poseidon stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed, if I can help it. And I can help it,"
He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it: a twenty foot long bronze shaft with three spear tips that shimmered with blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the girl and the safety of the Ophiotaurus."
"You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession. It's too much power for you!"
"Brother, please," Poseidon sighed.
Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, a shaft of electricity that filled the whole room with the smell of ozone. "Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The girl will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."
"And what do we do about Artemis' old lieutenant?" Hera asked.
"She cannot be allowed to roam free! She is the daughter of a titan!" Zeus exclaimed.
"I will not allow you to kill her!" Artemis shot back.
A shouting match began between the gods before Hades stood up from his guest throne by the hearth and yelled, "Silence!"
"Why doesn't she come to camp with us?" Bianca suggested. "I saw Zoe on the quest. She is an amazing archer."
"That's cool," Apollo said. "My kids can give you archery and flirti-"
He dropped off with Artemis' glare. "Zoe, I am very sorry it must be this way. As my longest huntress, you have the right to use the Artemis cabin. And this," The silver eyed girl summoned a bow, one Jackson recognized as the bow Zoe used on the quest, along with several hunting knifes. "It is only right that you get to keep the weapon you carried for millennia," Zoe took the bow, fighting back tears.
Zeus thought about this. "All in favor?"
A lot of hands went up. Dionysus abstained. So did Ares and Athena. But everybody else…
"We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes… I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"
The Olympians waved their hands, tables filled with delicious food, banners, streamers, and party balloons appearing. In a way, it reminded Jackson of the party at Westover hall. Hopefully, this party ended a lot better. The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes and everyone heard the song they wanted to. No arguments from the perpetual bickering immortal family. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.
Mostly, he stayed close to his sister. He wasn't letting her get captured ever again. Fern looked pale and gaunt, while Nico's eyes had a lifeless look to them. Slowly the two looked a little more alive, but it would be a long time before they were back to normal if that was possible.
Bianca struck up a conversation with Thalia and Jillian, though she kept a watchful eye on her younger brother. Thalia had a silvery glow to her, the lieutenant's circlet situated in her black choppy hair. Annabeth stood with a muttering Grover, something about coffee. Who knows what the S.S. was up to now?
After a few minutes, gods and goddess came over to pull Jillian from her conversation. Jillian looked overwhelmed with all of the attention she was getting. First Hermes, in the normal mortal size form, was chatting with her. Then Apollo showed up to offer her a drive in the sun chariot and archery lessons. The daughter of Poseidon politely refused. Just as she was looking around for Leo, who had last been seen flirting with nymphs, another god approached her. As Poseidon spoke, Jillian's face grew grim. He patted her on shoulder awkwardly before heading over to stop a few demigods from playing with Bessie like a beach ball.
Jillian stomped over to us, looking slightly mad. "What's wrong?" Thalia asked.
"Come with me," She said, leading them out of the noisy room and into a side balcony. Jackson and his friends followed, curious. She motioned for them to take a seat on the stone bench curving around the outside of the balcony. Thalia sat down shakily, careful to sit far away from the edge. Grover tapped his hooves nervously. Annabeth just looked sad and maybe a bit wistful.
"Tell me again what happened on Mount Othrys," Jillian demanded.
Annabeth recounted the tale, tears brimming in her eyes when she mentioned Luke's fall. Thalia had to take over the story at this point. When she finished, Jillian looked disturbed.
"Luke isn't dead," She said.
Turning to Thalia, Annabeth gave her a look of I told you so. "How did you know?"
"Poseidon told me. Apparently Luke's boat sails from San Fransisco with the remains of Kronos now. They took a heavy blow at Mount Othrys. He will need time to recover. My father will try to slow him down with storms, but his assault will happen. We have maybe two or three summers until he attacks again," Jillian explained.
Crossing her arms, Annabeth looked thoughtful. "How did he survive that fall?" She began muttering to herself.
"I think I have to go meet Artemis now," Thalia said standing up. She gave Jillian a hug. "Take care of yourself Coral Head."
"You too, Pinecone Face," Jillian smiled a little sad.
Thalia embraced Grover, making him promise to visit on his wild adventures. The satyr blushed and eagerly agreed. Annabeth stopped muttering to herself long enough to say goodbye to her friend. Then she turned to the other four.
"If you ever want to join the hunt," Thalia offered to Fern and Bianca. "I could use a few more sisters."
Fern gave a weak smile. "Nah, I'll stick with my brothers for a bit longer."
"Me too," Bianca said, wrapping her arm around Nico's shoulders protectively.
"Then I will enjoy kicking your butts in the next hunters vs campers capture the flag," Thalia waved before leaving.
Soon after, the four friends left the balcony, leaving a pacing Jillian, a muttering Annabeth, and a very nervous Grover.
Inside the throne room, Jackson spotted Hades speaking to an eight year old girl by the hearth, Hestia. Hades caught his eye, nodding ever so slightly. Return to camp with the other half bloods. There my sister will send you to the underworld, The god said in his mind. Moving his head ever so slightly, Jackson showed that he understood. Hades bid farewell to Hestia before the shadows enveloped him.
Several hours later, the demigods from Camp Half Blood met at the elevator, ready to head back to camp. Compared to Mount Olympus, Manhattan was quiet. Friday before Christmas, but it was early in the morning, and hardly anyone was on Fifth Avenue. Argus, the many-eyed security chief, picked up Annabeth, Grover, a very grumpy Zoe, Jillian, Bianca, Nico, Fern, and him at the Empire State Building. The Long Island Expressway was almost deserted as they drove back through a light snowstorm.
As they trudged back up Half-Blood Hill to the pine tree where the Golden Fleece glittered, Jillian and Annabeth looked wistful at the tree, probably half expecting to see Thalia waiting there. But she was gone, off running around with the Hunters and Artemis, her new family. Chiron greeted them at the Big House with hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwiches. Grover went off with his satyr friends to talk about how he had saved a wild beast and Olympus in one shot. Yeah right. Zoe trudged unhappily to the Artemis cabin where the goddess promised she could stay. Jackson watched her walk away, wishing he could comfort her. When the silver door of the cabin shut, he followed the others into the big house.
Chiron called a council meeting which Jackson, Fern, Bianca, and Nico were invited to sit in on as part of the quest. Silena, Beckendorf, Katie, Michael Yew, Jillian, Annabeth and the Stoll brothers were all present. Another girl with ragged brown hair and a long scar on her chin also was there. From her resemblance to her father, Jackson knew this girl must be the Clarisse from the Ares cabin.
"I got news," She mumbled uneasily. "Bad news."
"I'll fill you in later," Chiron said with forced cheerfulness. "The important thing is you have prevailed. And you saved..." Chiron looked at Nico in confusion.
"Nico di Angelo," The son of Hades replied.
"Yes, you saved Mr di Angelo," Chiron corrected himself.
"Luke is still alive from a huge fall," Jillian said grimly. Jackson didn't miss the expression of hope cross Annabeth's face.
"Well," Annabeth shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "If the final battle does come when Jillian is sixteen, at least we have four more years to figure something out."
Actually only two and a half, Jackson thought, glancing at Bianca.
Chiron's expression was gloomy. Sitting by the fire in his wheelchair, he looked really old. "Four years may seem like a long time," He said. "But it is the blink of an eye. I still hope you are not the child of the prophecy, Jillian. But if you are, then the second Titan war is almost upon us. Kronos's first strike will be here."
"How do you know?" Michael Yew asked. "Why would he care about camp?"
"Because the gods use heroes as their tools," Chiron said simply. "Destroy the tools, and the gods will be crippled. Luke's forces will come here. Mortal, demigod, monstrous… We must be prepared. Clarisse's news may give us a clue as to how they will attack, but—"
"What news?" Annabeth asked. As a daughter of Athena, she hated not knowing things.
Chiron waved her off. "Now is not the time to discuss these things. The important thing is that you succeeded in your quest. We have some time."
Jackson approached Chiron after the meeting, Fern right behind him. "Umm, Chiron sir?" Jackson asked.
The centaur looked up. "What did you need, m'boy?"
"Our mother called us when we were on Olympus and wanted us to come home for the winter," He explained, his poker face already one.
Chiron looked a bit suspicious but nodded. "Will you be coming back for the summer session?" He asked.
The siblings exchanged glances. "I think so."
Annabeth looked displeased as Chiron waved her out of the meeting. The four friends headed to the empty Hermes cabin, the rest of campers were at activities, where Jackson and Fern packed up their bags. Bianca and Nico sit nearby on an empty mattress, looking sad while Jackson packs his duffel bag and Fern rolls up her sleeping bag.
"How long will you be gone for?" Bianca asked.
Jackson closed the zipper before turning. "We'll come back in the summer. Our mom wants us to come home for the rest of the school year."
"Besides," Fern added. "We can't exactly go back to Westover Hall after vaporizing a teacher and student."
The di Angelo twins smiled faintly, but the air was still tense. "So, see you in August," Nico said, the sentence sounding like a little bit of a question.
"You're not getting rid of us that easily," Fern said, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "There's someone who wants to meet you," With that, she slung her bags over her shoulder and left the cabin.
"Come on," Bianca said, her voice lighter. "Fern won't wait for long."
The trio followed the daughter of Gaia across the camp green to the central hearth. A young girl, probably around nine years old, pokes the embers of a fire with an iron stick. Her mousy brown hair hangs long over her brown dress. When she turns towards them, her cozy red eyes meet Jackson's. Instantly, he knows that Hades has told his oldest sister about his children.
"My lady," Fern said, bowing respectfully to the girl. Bianca, Nico, and Jackson follow suit. After today in the throne room of the gods, Bianca and Nico seemed to have realized how petty gods can get over the slightest disrespect. Jackson and Fern bow because they were taught at a young age respect and Hestia's power.
"No need to bow, heroes," The woman says kindly. "You have done Olympus a great service. I am not an Olympian, you should not bow for me."
"Lady Hestia, we bow to you because we respect you, not your rank on position on the council," Jackson explained.
The goddess of the hearth smiled, a warming sight. "Before a week ago, I would be shocked if you told me that a nine year old girl was one of the most powerful goddesses in the Mythical world. Somehow, holding the sky and seeing all those monsters really changes that," Nico remarks a bit darkly.
A look of sadness crossed Hestia's features. "You have gone through much, young hero. But your family and hope has prevailed. Come, your father would like to meet you," Hestia held out her hands for them to grab.
"Our father? But he's dea-" Bianca stopped herself, remembering that one of her parents was an immortal. Whether it was her mother or father, she knew not. Jackson and Fern had told her at Westover after the manticore took Nico that her father was the god, but she couldn't quite believe it.
Fern and Jackson put their hands on Hestia's wrist. After another moment, Nico did the same. Finally, Bianca reached out. The moment her hand touched Hestia's, the world went dark. Unlike shadow travel or teleportation, Hestia's form of travelling was comforting. When their sight came back, Jackson felt like he had just had a good night's sleep and a fresh cooked meal, not a long quest and a fight against a titan.
Hestia steps out of the unlit hearth and the others follow. Bianca and Nico stare around in wonder at the palace as Hestia makes a fire in the hearth. Even though the di Angelo twins saw Olympus today, the black throne room of Hades seems even more impressive to them. Tall black marble columns reach for the open domed ceiling, while several balconies of to the side show the different views of the underworld, Elysuim, Asphodel, the Fields of Punishment, The Styx, and the Judgment table. Jewels and ornate carvings cover the walls.
"What is this place?" Nico asked, his face full of astonishment.
From his throne, Hades rose. Nearby Persephone and Thanatos talk quietly behind the goddess of spring's throne.
"This is my palace," Hades said, spreading his black robed arms. Instead of tortured souls, today the robes seemed to be made of shadows.
Bianca trained her onyx eyes on the god. "You're Hades right?"
He nodded. "You were the god on the throne by the hearth," Nico remembered. Once again, Hades nodded.
"Why are we here?" Nico asked after a pause.
"Because," Hades descended the dais steps. "I wanted to meet my children and tell them what a good job they did on their quest."
"Thank yo-" Bianca began before the words sunk in. "What? You're our DAD?"
Nico looked just as stunned as his sister. "You? Our father?" He managed to splutter out.
"Yes, I am your father," Hades replied, a little bluntly.
"But what of the pact of the big three not to have anymore kids?" Bianca asked.
Hades stepped forward, towards Bianca. At first she stepped back before standing her ground. He touched her pale cheek gently. "My girl, you are so much like your mother, intelligent and so beautiful. But your eyes are the same as mine," His fingers brushed back a stray lock of her dark hair before he turned to Nico.
"And you Nico. You got more of my features, but your eyes, they are your mother's," He said, standing over his son.
"Why don't we remember our mother?" Nico asked.
Sighing, Hades stepped back from his children. "It is a complicated tale, but one you must hear," The god of the dead began. "Your mother was the daughter of an Italian diplomat. We met while they were in Washington D.C. together. World War two was beginning, fuelled by the demigods on each side. It was mostly my children as the Axis powers against Zeus' and Poseidon's children as the Allies. Your mother returned to Venice later and gave birth to you. Several years later, the Axis forces were losing badly. I convinced Maria to return to D.C. where I thought she would be safe. Then the Oracle of Delphi made a prophecy about a half blood of either Zeus, Poseidon, or me, unleashing great destruction when they reached the age of sixteen. Zeus ordered all children of the Big three to be killed or made immortal to prevent the prophecy from happening. I was not allowed to make you immortal, nor would your mother or I stand for you to be killed. Zeus got impatient, angered that I did not turn you in. We were staying in a hotel when he struck. Your mother had just gone upstairs to get her bags when the lightning bolt hit. I only had enough time to erect a force field around the three of us before the hotel was destroyed. Maria was killed instantly. There was nothing I could do to revenge upon Zeus, and I had overstayed with you, breaking the ancient laws. Alecto, one of my furies, took you to the River Lethe and wiped your memory. Then she placed you in the Lotus Hotel and Casino where you would not age. When I realized that the daughter of Zeus would be the prophecy child if I didn't get you out of the hotel, Alecto took you to Westover Hall, just in time for you to turn thirteen. Alecto failed to stay with you, so I sent Jackson and Fern instead."
The twins of Hades looked shocked. "You knew he was our dad the whole time and you didn't tell us?" Bianca said.
"What are you guys then, monsters or gods?" Nico asked. "Wait, is that why Grover always followed us around?"
"We are children of the gods," Fern answered. "Also, we were on specific orders from your father not to tell you of your heritage."
"Yes, Grover was a satyr, sent by Camp Half Blood," Jackson explained to Nico, who had been with Thorn when this was all explained.
"So was that why my knife could kill the sparta?" Bianca questioned.
Hades nodded. "Let me see your blade again."
Bianca tugged on her bracelet making the long stygian iron dagger appear. Handing it to her father, Hades turned it over in his hands.
"This blade, like all stygian iron, was mined and forged here in the Underworld. It was cooled in the River Styx and only those of the underworld can use it. It can harm both mortals and immortals alike. The blade absorbs the very essence of whatever monster you harm. This prevents them from reforming in Tartarus. This blade is name Ombra tessitore or Shadow Weaver in english," Hades stated before, covering the blade with his hands. A black light glowed brightly from the blade before fading. Hades handed the bracelet back to Bianca.
"Now, if you wish to summon your dagger pull on the black swirl. If you want to have your bow, tug on the skull charm. Flipping the bracelet inside out will summon your stygian iron armor," Hades said,
Bianca put the bracelet back on her wrist. "But I don't have a bow or armor."
"Try it," Hades said.
Flipping her bracelet, Bianca was covered in stygian iron armor. "Cool!" She said before trying out the bow.
Hades turned to his son. Out of the shadows, he pulled a sharp blade made of the same metal. "This is for you. The sword is named fantasma mietitore in Italian or Ghost Reaper in english," Enclosing his hand over the hilt, Hades turned the sword into a grey skull ring before pulling out a black wristband. "If you need your armor, flip the wristband inside out and it will appear. Twisting your skull ring will make your sword appear while pulling on the wristband will summon your sword," He handed the ring and wristband to Nico. "All of your weapons will return in their concealed forms to you when they are lost."
Nico and Bianca stepped forward and hugged their father. At first, Hades looked shocked before he wrapped his arms around his children. Hestia smiled as she poked the merrily burning flames with her stick. Thanatos and Persephone walked over to the family. Persephone smiles at the four heroes.
"Hello," She says warmly, like a spring breeze.
"Shouldn't you hate us?" Nico said bluntly. "We're the kids of your husband and another woman."
Persephone laughs, a light happy sound. "No, no the myths had it all wrong. Hades wasn't the one who kidnapped me from Olympus. I willingly went with Thanatos."
"So," Bianca looked between the two. "You never married Hades?"
"No, Persephone was a niece to me. I wasn't interested in that way. But Olympus, other than Demeter does not know," Hades explained.
Jackson smiled as his cousin laces his hand through Persephone's. Its been hard on his uncle to keep this a secret and stay away from his wife. Thanatos winks at him.
"Anyways, we should be going," Thanatos says. "The family has missed you."
Hades turns to his children. "Do you want to stay here for a while?" He asked a bit nervously. "There some things we must discuss and people I would like you to meet."
The twins exchange excited glances. "Its a deal," They say together. Hades' face has the hint of a smile as he leads his children through his palace.
Persephone kisses Thanatos one last time before she pushed him towards Jackson and Fern. "Don't forget to visit me," She says.
"Nothing could keep me away," Thanatos replies before disappearing. Jackson's last view of the throne room is Persephone smiling while Hestia follows her brother and his children through the palace.
Time to go home.
I hoped you like the chapter. Next one has the return of Jackson and Fern (that rhymes) and some shocking news. Possibly a new mission, but I won't say for who.
I am planning to write a Percy Jackson story with elements of Maximum Ride. The flock will be made of demigods. I need some help so please pm me if you have read the series.
And Storm Rising gets next update.
Remember to Review!
Thanks!
~Snow Wolfe6631~