HI! So, how are you guys? Okay, okay. I get that you guys are mad. Understandable. Very.
The thing is that now has been entirely busy. I know that I've said that a lot of times and the problem is that it's true. It depends if you guys will believe me or not.
One thing that you guys should know is that, I never abandon a story, except if it's a violation with the rules and all so that's where I stop and draw the line but believe me when I say I WILL NOT LET THIS STORY GO.
So, for those who are still with me with this story, I thank you so much, really.
Sorry for those I wasn't able to respond in PM. I DO HOPE YOU FORGIVE ME. :)
For all those who favorited, followed me and this story and especially those who reviewed, THANK YOU!
DISCLAIMER: I may be gone for a while but that doesn't mean that I can own PJO. (Even though I want to.)
Chapter 4: Gone with my brother
Nico can only watch as the meeting went on. Every minute his mind and body goes numb. It was getting harder and harder to breath. He hasn't face the Time Titan Lord face on, but he feels as if he was stuck in time, refrained from any movement. It was scary.
Yet, watching his cousin gets accused was making his blood boil. He was sure that his pale face is red with anger. He, himself, can practically see red as false accusations were thrown at him. Even more, when the campers had voted against him. What more when Jason and Piper, especially Annabeth, who was practically like a less annoying sister than Thalia to him, voted against Percy. It was wrong. It was so, so wrong.
Then, watching Percy in his last minute as the bolt was about to touch him. He wanted to make a move. He wanted to grab him and keep his big brother safe. He wanted to do something to at least help him. Though, nothing happened. He wasn't able to help. He wasn't even able to move or breath. He stood there. As the blow of the Master Bolt has hit him and it was like his heart was ripped off from him and was used as a tennis ball in a tennis match.
In other words, it hurt. To not be able to do anything. His voice was stuck in his throat. His mouth was opened but no sound came out. He stared at the charred piece of marble on the floor. That was where Percy Jackson has one stood. But, he was killed by the merciless gods. Suddenly, he was filled with rage. His body trembled. His ears are buzzing as he felt Percy's life aura gone. The air surrounding him turned cold and for once, everybody noticed and feared him.
Scary indeed.
That intends to happen when you kill someone who is close to them. Nico has this killing intent surrounding him. It was overpowering especially with the aura of Death surrounding him. He uttered a single word, slowly and deadly, with an edge of darkness, "Why?"
Almost all the campers that had witness this, shown habits of fear. Some were fidgeting, some were biting their lower lip or nails, some were already trembling and was sure to wet themselves.
Nico didn't care if the campers won't like him anymore. Nobody did actually. That was why he loved Percy and Thalia, along with the campers that accepted him. They accepted him even though the aura of the dead surrounded him. He was lucky to have them. But even then, Percy was still the one that no matter what sticks by. Especially when their other cousin, Thalia, is with the hunt.
Nico has heard the stories that Percy has never gave up on him. He blamed himself, in fact, of having Bianca died. They said that he was grief-stricken that he had broken a promise to him. Nico never believed yet he kept on trying to keep him safe for the his sake and for the sake of Bianca. He was grateful to Percy. He vowed to try and never betray him again. But, there are just times that he has to avoid telling him the truth and he admits, that it hurts him. He was his brother. He can't bare it without his brother. Now, he's gone. He may never see him again.
He noticed that Zeus was glaring at him, as if saying 'Shut up or be blasted by my Master Bolt. But, Nico could care less. Why should he pay respect to someone who doesn't give respect to others. Like his father. Like himself. Like to Percy. He blasted him in cold blood. An innocent hero died because of him, not only him. His onyx eyes scanned the whole throne room. It was because of those who had betrayed him and voted against him.
He could imagine the heartache his brother had felt when the votation began. To see the hands of those he had saved, those he had made friends, those he considered family and those who he had loved wanting for him to be killed. If Zeus didn't kill him, Percy would kill himself with the pain that he had felt. But, that won't happen. He's gone. He knows how much his been thinking about the pain, the hurt and how he is gone. But, that was reality. And, it hit him like a truck.
"You killed him." The eerie silence that Nico has caused with his low and dangerous voice was broken by the hoarsed sound near Artemis' throne. There, Thalia, his other cousin stood. She was clearly angry but beyond that anger in her eyes were hurt and pain. She was cackling with electricity. Sparks flew towards the hunters as they back away from her but she didn't seem to notice anything. Her eyes were boring holes towards Annabeth.
Nico couldn't exactly blame her. He knew, after everything those two girls have been through, this has happened. The only thing that Thalia despises more than heights, was betrayal. Not only to her, but to her family. And, Percy was family. He knew that she now hated Annabeth, flesh and blood and all.
Zeus must've sensed what I have and ordered the campers to go back to their camp. Artemis also flashed her hunters away but her Lieutenant. Of course, only Nico, Thalia, Annabeth and the rest of the seven stayed. The half of the seven or rather six stayed for their parents. The rest including Nico and Thalia stayed as they all demanded answers.
"Did you not hear what I had just said?" Zeus roared to the ones who had defended Percy. Ironically, he didn't shout at Jason, Piper and Annabeth. It was oh, so ironic.
"Shut the hell up, Zeus." Thalia hissed.
Nico couldn't have said it better himself. He smirked at Zeus whose eyes were flashing and was trembling ever so slightly. He would have laughed if the pain of what had happen a while ago isn't weighing down on him.
Thalia ignored her father's reddening face and started walking towards Annabeth. Nico has a feeling that Annabeth won't be walking for a few days. Or months. Yet, Annabeth stared back at Thalia, as if she didn't regret what she has done. Nico's blood broiled again. He was thinking of helping Thalia with whatever she is up to and prevent the Athena spawn from walking for about a few years. Or more.
But, Jason blocked her sister's path before she could reach the Athena spawn. For a while, Jason look so sincere as he looked at Thalia with his electric blue eyes. Then Nico was reminded that he had voted against Percy as well. His thoughts ended up wanting him to swallow Jason to the ground.
"Thalia, please." Jason pleaded. "This is no way to talk to our father. The choice was made. Besides, Thalia, you know should know that Percy is a threat."
The sparks on Thalia started bursting harder. Though, it didn't affect Jason at all since he is also a child of Thunder. Pity, Nico thought. He also thought that Thalia was only going to push Jason away and continue his route towards Annabeth. Yet, Thalia thought otherwise.
She punched Jason straight to his pretty face. He landed on his broken arm and he wailed in pain. Nico had to wince. He already knew that Thalia is a bad, bad enemy. Jason didn't seem to know that. But, satisfaction coursed through Nico's body as he watch what has unfolded in front of him even though he knew he was supposed to be guilty.
Nico could practically call every move Thalia is making right now. Her eyebrows scrunched down as her eyes flashed for a second with guilt but she made no move to help Jason. Instead, she stared and spoke, "Don't say that in front of me unless you intend on having another bruise on your face."
Jason's expression was priceless, as Nico would have referred. But, not the funny kind of priceless. It was somehow guilty but with pleasure in his sense. He would like it if he was the one who had punched Jason to the ground but seeing Thalia punching his own little brother made him feel a little guilty because Bianca had never done that to him.
Now, seeing Thalia hurt Jason it was almost as if he wanted to help Jason. Thalia kept her frown but went past Jason keeping her pace towards Annabeth. Right now, Annabeth's jaw was dropped on the floor at the scene she just witness. Maybe she was feeling threaten beacause of the fact that even Thalia had punched her brother, Nico doesn't know exactly.
Zeus slammed his Master Bolt to his throne's armrest. He looked at Thalia with disapproval and anger in his eyes but Thalia didn't seem to notice. Her sole target seems to be only Annabeth as she kept on walking. Zeus growled, "Stop this at once, Thalia. You had just punched your own brother." Though, Thalia kept going, treating Zeus as a bad wind.
Athena flashed towards where her daughter is with her full body armor on. Her was dressed in a golden breastplate under it was her toga. On the breastplate was her name in Greek and it was surrounded with engravements of vines which seem to be sprouting olives. She didn't wore a helmet but her spear and the original Aegis were taken out.
Thalia seemed only interested in getting to Annabeth and she would do it no matter what it seems since she pulled out her own weapons. Instead of her spear canister, was her silver hunter bow which appeared all of a sudden due to its enchantment.
She grabbed an arrow from her quiver and loaded her bow. She drew the string and aimed it directly towards Athena's head. Thalia spoke, "Move."
Nico will have to admit that she is scarier than him and braver than he will ever be. Zeus started to get off his lazy ass and trudge towards Thalia. Athena glared at Thalia and answered, "I don't think so, huntress. You will not touch my daughter."
Thalia ignored her which only seemed to make Athena angrier. She directed her attention to Annabeth who was smiling as if nothing was wrong. Nico glared so hard that you thought will make Annabeth burn up. The same can also be said to Thalia. She looks like she can break her canister in half.
"Why?" Thalia asked the same question Nico had asked with a very much restrained voice as if she was close to exploding.
Annabeth even have the nerve to look at Thalia directly into the eye and said, "Thalia, Percy, he is – was a threat. You didn't know how much damage he had cost to the camp's arena. I voted against him because it was right. It was the wisest choice.
Perhaps Nico and Thalia hadn't meant it but they both charged. Nico drew his Stygian iron sword and ran at Annabeth. They didn't even remember that Athena was between them. Behind Nico, Leo, Hazel and Frank charged too.
Leo took out his hammer and wielded it as fire engulfing him. Hazel drew her spatha and followed Leo's lead. Frank shape shifted into a huge komodo dragon and surged forward. Despite having a broken arm, Jason drew his own Imperial sword from his belt and readied himself for a fight. Piper also, grabbed her own trusty knife, Katoptris and headed towards the battle.
It resulted in total chaos in the throne room. With seven demigods fighting, four are Big Three kids, one was a pyrokinetic boy and another had transformed into a huge reptile along with a wisdom goddess who possibly knew every battle strategy there is. There was no point in trying to stop them.
It was a showdown in the middle of the throne room. Lightning flashed, winds blew everyone's hair all over their faces, fire dances around and metals clash. It was total destruction that made Ares drool. The parents of each demigod kid yelled for them to stop which only added in the noise of the throne room.
Then a huge amount of electricity flooded the floor, leaving everyone paralysed. Zeus bellowed, "Stop it, this instant."
It wasn't really that hard to follow his order. He did paralyse almost all of them. Zeus glared at the offenders, meaning: Nico, Thalia, Leo, Hazel and Frank. Like the others didn't do anything so bad.
Zeus directed his glare to his brother Hades who, for some reason, was frowning and said, "This is what Perseus Jackson has done."
"It wouldn't have happened if you haven't killed him." He retorted.
"Just get your rascal of a son out of here to cause less trouble." He said through gritted teeth.
"We'll go because we want to. Not because you said so." Hades said. It sounded childish. Very childish for the gods but Hades didn't give a damn. He looked at Nico and said, "We should go."
Before Nico could protest or at least say something, they had both vanished into the shadows. Then the next second they were at his father's throne room. Hades was pacing, which was entirely weird because his father has never been like this.
"Father?" Nico asked. They just got away from an unfinished problem which is Zeus but it looked as if they have another problem. "Is something the matter?"
"His soul…" He murmured. His pale face seemed to lose its godly glow and rubbing his bearded jaw anxiously.
"Father…" Nico said. He stared at his father. If it was a problem in the Underworld, his father would not be this nervous.
"His soul, where…?" he said.
"Father, whose soul are you asking for?" Nico asked. He could almost feel his unnerving vibe enter him.
"I just felt it a while ago but it went missing. No, not missing, someone stole it." He said. "Impossible."
"Stolen?" Nico asked, incredously. "How is that even possible? And whose soul is it?"
"It's not supposed to be possible, Nico." Hades said, with his eyes carrying his son's.
"And the soul that has been stolen, it was Perseus Jackson."
Thalia sat on a log by the campfire. Artemis and she had just left Olympus as they were forced by Zeus. She didn't want to leave yet since she still hasn't given her a piece of her mind, which, mind you, was a lot.
Thalia stared into the fire. She was well aware of the tears that were falling down her face. The heat from the fire dried off the tears that Thalia made. She could have done something. She knew that dream meant something. She could have prevented it. But, nothing had happen. He still died in the end. He lost his closest friend. The one he had also considered a brother.
The thought only made her cry harder. It wasn't her fault. That was what her thoughts should have suggested to her. But, she couldn't help but blame everything that could have happened to him.
A while ago, she had put all the blame to the once she had called a 'little sister'. She knew for a fact that Annabeth had broken Percy. She knew that Percy could have defended himself against Zeus. He could have done a lot of things. But, the votation has done him a lot of things. It ripped everything from him.
She hated those who had considered Percy threat. She swears that she will electrify anyone who had raised their hand in that meeting. Male or female. Forget the oath. She will kill whoever who had crossed Percy regardless of the gender.
It reminded her of when she punched her brother. She hadn't meant it, of course. She spent years trying to find and then forget about him and then she had finally found him and they were able to spend time with each other even though the war has been going on.
But, seeing her own full brother, mistreating her best friend for years, it just hit a nerve. Suddenly, she just found herself punching her own brother. She would be lying if she said she wasn't guilty about it. In fact, she is very guilty. Never in her whole immortal life did she ever thought that she would punch her brother in full rage rather than a sibling-like duel. Though, she can't find her voice to apologise to him either. It was either she really didn't want to apologise or she was just too wounded by the fact that Percy is gone.
She thought of this war, over. She thought that there would be no fighting. Just her, doing her duties, sometimes visiting the camp to see her friends and family. But, no. It just so happens that her father had decided to introduce Percy as Olympus' new threat. Killing him in the process. Gods, does she hate her father now. He tends to commit one stupid mistake after another.
Thalia didn't notice the moon goddess sit beside her until she popped a question, "Are you okay, Thalia?"
Saying the words, 'I'm fine.' would have been the biggest lie she has ever told. How many times had she said that? Perhaps, hundreds already. She didn't really care. She always had kept most of her emotions bottled up. Not now, though.
"Milady, I just found out that the dream I had turned out to be true. Percy was killed and at that time I could have done something. Then, Percy's name will forever be tainted as a threat and worse, Annabeth and my own brother just sided with the decision of Percy as a threat." She rambled. Another tear dropped from her eye. "So, no, milady. I'm not fine. I'm not sure I'll ever be."
She probably shouldn't have spoken like that to her patron. For one thing, it was wrong. Second, she would be disrespecting her patron who is also the one who gave her a new life and home. But, it was the only way that she could give out some, at least a few, of her emotions without destroying half of Manhattan. Somehow, this was the most democratic solution.
"I understand how you feel, Thalia." Artemis said to her. "Perseus is the one male that I have come to respect the most. I know he doesn't deserve to die."
"It's not just that, milady." Thalia said. She could feel her lips quivering as she struggles to hold back tears. "It was already in my dream. I know, it's purpose was to warn me. But, nothing. I had done nothing, at all."
For the love of the gods, she was ready to throw a huge temper tantrum and send a huge lightning storm to half of the States. This pep talk is not making any progress. It was getting nowhere, fast.
Artemis sighed, "Thalia, it was not your fault. It was all our father's fault. As hard as it may seem, it was destined. We do not have the power to control it."
"But-" Thalia protested. To think of all that all of this was destined, it made Thalia more depressed that she couldn't have done anything.
"Besides," Artemis added. "Perseus wouldn't have blamed you."
Thalia knows that. But, that is the thing that makes Percy a Kelp Head. No matter how you put it, he can't put the blame on others but to himself. His flaw keeps on blaming him for all the deaths that have happened or any events that had done bad to the camp and to others. He always takes himself for the blame.
Artemis rose up from where she sat and said, "You should rest. It has been a long day."
Yes, definitely a long day. Apollo had gotten dead serious. Half of the camp and almost all the council had now tainted Percy as a threat. Half of her friends are traitors. Two of which was her brother and best friend. Then, Percy was killed by the end of the day. Isn't it just so peachy?
Thalia could only nod as her mistress stood and head over to her own tent and slam it shut. In truth, Thalia would rather sit by the campfire staring and crying than screaming and wailing in her nightmares. She doesn't know what will happen in her dreams and she would rather not find out.
Be that as it may, she went into her tent. She was too tired with the events that had just happen. She could feel her eyes drooping down, as drowsiness embraces her. As soon as she got inside her tent, she collapsed down to her bed and darkness consumed her.
Then, she was back at the throne room again. The scene replayed to her in high definition. Even in a dream, she could feel the same tense atmosphere surrounding the whole throne room. She probably didn't noticed since she was out of the mood and digging deep in her previous dream.
Yet, there was something different. It almost felt cold, weird and dark. Like the fire of the Hearth had done no effect in the room. Thalia knows for a fact that it was impossible for that to ever happen. Almost everything in Olympus is based to the Hearth that was tended by Hestia. It gave warmth and happiness to those immortals in Olympus.
For the first time around since the meeting, Thalia was able to look around. It was just now that she had noticed that the campers have been distancing themselves from Percy. But as Percy has always been, was completely oblivious. She sees him as he stood so confidently smiling at what seems to be Annabeth.
How Thalia's blood boils whenever she sees her. She hates how she sees Percy now, lovingly gazing at her. Her brother was broken by that damn Athena spawn and she doesn't even seem to care. How selfish can she get?
Suddenly, a cloud of darkness enveloped the occupants of the room. Shadows began to engulf the walls of the throne room and the fire of the Hearth was quickly extinguished. It grew colder and colder each passing second and Thalia was sure she was shivering.
A maniacal laughter was then followed. It echoed in the throne room and it hurts Thalia's ears. She was so sure that her eardrums were going to break. Then, a scream follow in suite. It was so much that Thalia felt she was going to crumble.
"He is forever gone!" a male voice had said. It was deep and so ancient. It almost felt like it was from another time. The voice laughed again which sounded just like the first one.
"Dear, he is gone indeed." said a female voice. It was silky like velvet. Gentle-like but full of malice. With a very dangerous edge. "A new era shall start. An era of Darkness."
The male laughed again. "Yes, indeed. And we both shall be king and queen. Chaos shall fall. The council shall fall. The Olympians shall fall."
Thalia could almost feel the woman's sadistic smile. "Yes, without their hero, nobody shall be able to stop us now."
The light of the sun lit Thalia's tent inside but she can only feel darkness washing over her. She was shivering and her blanket was around her but she was sweating. She was pale white and her breathing was ragged.
It almost felt like she couldn't breathe during that whole entire conversation. It also felt like that conversation had last a lifetime. She can feel her heart throbbing so much that it hurts while it slowly crawls in her throat.
Her entire tent was spinning and she was getting dizzy with every moment that passed. It was as if she was time travelling (which is almost like that when you base it off to her dream). And, her head was throbbing so hard.
She could hear a knock at her left side but she was sure that if she ever stood up, she would just fall. So, she just sat at her bed, staring at whatever.
"Thalia?" a voice asked, which she recognises as Phoebe, as she kept knocking at her tent.
She heard her sigh and started to get into her tent, "Thalia, wake up. It's-"
Phoebe ran up to her side and shook her, "Thalia? Are you okay? Thalia?!"
Thalia still can't find her voice but she found the power to shake her head. Phoebe made a grab for her hands that she didn't noticed that they were clutching her blanket so hard her knuckles turn white. She massaged both of her hands with her left one and rubbed soothing circles with her right on Thalia's back.
"Phoebe? Thalia?" Artemis peered inside Thalia's tent. Her eyes widen and she let herself in and propped herself at the other side of Thalia's bed. She stared worriedly at her lieutenant in deep concern.
"Is it another dream, Thalia?" Artemis asked, quietly.
She felt herself gulp as she wets her dry throat with her saliva and then started to speak, "I… It was…"
Her voice failed her at the end. She couldn't find herself explaining to the two of them her what seems to be short but yet so long dream. It was hard. After several tries, she just shook her head and said, "It's nothing."
She stood up from her bed, surprised that her legs weren't jelly, and walked towards outside. Her tent was open and she could see the hunters crowded in front of it. The youngest of the hunters asked her, "Are you okay, Lieutenant Thalia?"
She couldn't find a smile to give to the small hunter. She was well aware of the gazes of all the hunters at her, asking a same mental question. Her back tingles as she could also feel the stare her mistress is giving her.
She walked past the hunters and said, "I'm fine."
Her voice was hoarse and quiet. Not like the ever-so-loud Thalia Grace. Not at all but the confidence in her was being pushed farther and farther away with what has been happening.
She continued in the same tone and voice, "It's nothing."
She wishes.
Whatcha guys think? This is the 4th chapter of Champion of Chaos, I hope you guys liked it.
I can't say when I can update but I can probably say that I won't be gone that long. For those who have read Son of Chaos, maybe I can update tomorrow since I have no classes tomorrow (HECK YEAH!)
Guys, PLEASE REVIEW. I wanna hear your opinions and all those. Especially those who have suggestions. I assure you that they won't be ignored. You can PM or review that to me any time. Thank you so much.
This is PJSavior, signing out.
