Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108 or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Chapter 11:
Another explosion happened as the energy spread outwards, leaving the two bodies separating from one another.
As the explosion cleared, it was clear that there was two people present when before there had only been one. One of them lay on the floor, writhing in pain as his skin turned a deathly pale white. His hair darkened and thinned considerably. His skin proceeded to slowly turn black, beginning from the tips of his body. His eyes turned pitch black, and his figure thinned. His back arched in pain, yet nothing could be done to save him.
"Help him!" Percy turned to Hawk, who shook his head. The campers backed away slightly upon seeing Lin Chung in this state. Their hatred was still there, but they didn't dare do anything to the young god's host, in case they angered him. However, unknown to them, Hawk was already furious with them.
"I cannot, Perseus. It is too far."
"Why not?" Artemis demanded. Her anger was evident as she realised that he was the young one who had humiliated her and her hunters before.
Hawk narrowed his eyes at her. "He was born a clone to one of the worst enemies of the Chinese gods, who tried to prevent the Olympians from rising. Lin Chung was made at the time of my 'death', and, so, I chose him as my host. Unfortunately, Twin Masters did as well. Lin Chung escaped, and has been living like this ever since. If Twin Masters died, he will die with him."
"He's a clone of the one that tried to stop our parents?" Annabeth demanded.
Hawk nodded sadly. "Yes." He looked at the still suffering mortal, pulling out a dagger.
"Then what are you waiting for? Kill him! He's evil, remember?" Hawk's head snapped to the daughter of Athena, who was immediately cheered on by her campers. Nico, Jumpy, the Chinese gods, Hestia, Hades and Percy were now the only ones who remained silent, glaring at the campers in disgust.
Hawk frowned, his eyes narrowed in annoyance, before a hand grasped his arm. He looked down at pitch black eyes.
"Please." Lin Chung rasped out, his voice cracking. "We agreed."
Hawk hesitantly nodded, remembering their agreement, before he sighed. He didn't want to take an innocent life, but it was better than seeing him suffer. Taking the blade firmly, he plunged it down, erupting cheers. He looked at the mortals in disgust as Lin Chung's body dissolved into black dust.
"I thought mortals were more civilised than this. He was innocent, suffering because he had to. It seems, when I was gone, mortals have turned more barbaric than the there way around. I thought you would be more understanding, more compassionate…I guess I was wrong." Hawk shook his head, disappointed, before he turned into a hawk and flew away.
Eagle glared at them as she turned into an eagle and flew after her brother. Hestia looked at her relatives in disgust.
"Hawk is right. Lin Chung suffered, going against the one he was forced to host, to help us. And how do we repay him?" She murmured sadly to the ones who had supported his death before vanishing in a column of flames. They turned to Hades, who just shook his head.
"He did not deserve any of this."
The cheers died down. Percy turned away pointedly from Annabeth before he stormed out, Zhu Rong transporting them back to camp.
Hawk landed on the ground, turning back into a human and looking around. This was where those who were good and bad came. Sort of like Asphodel, except more punishing in some ways. He saw a dimly lit boy, no older than six, rocking himself, his arms around his knees, which were drawn up to his chest.
He looked lost, mumbling to himself and not noticing the god who had just appeared. Hawk slowly walked over to Lin Chung, who was still muttering under his breath.
"Lin Chung? Are you alright?"
"I'm evil? But, I'm good, right? No. I'm good. The gods will help. The gods? Name them. Hawk. Eagle. Erlang Shen. Mei. Lëi. Guan Yu. Zhu Rong. Chi You. Hë. Zai. Re. Mi. Bao Qing Tian. Aiden. They will help me." He mumble.
"Lin Chung?" The boy gave no indication as to whether or not he had heard him. Hawk tilted his head and reached out, only to gasp sharply as his hand went straight through the boy. The dead were solid to him since he was good friends with Hades and Aiden, so it must mean that…the boy was a thing that couldn't be touched. He was fading.
Hawk growled, muttering curses to the ones above, while the boy continued muttering. "I'm alright, right? Please." He was begging now. "If the gods exist, I know the gods exist, but, please...send me someone. I don't care who. Just send someone who I can hear, see, touch, and someone in return. Please?" His innocent yet scared gaze swept around the room.
Hawk looked at the boy.
"No. The gods will help. Won't they?" The boy looked lost. Hopelessly lost. He laughed slightly, a hint of insanity in his laugh. Hawk could also see a sort of maniac, even insane look in his eyes. Hawk looked down again, and found that he couldn't touch the boy once again.
He sighed, before standing up. His friends' betrayal had cut him in too deep. He was unreachable. His eyes narrowed in determination, before he left, with only one last look at the mortal there.