Chapter 4 - A Chat with Fate
The unusual group arrived at the Dining hall. It wasn't very different from the hallways. It had the same design and bluish lighting, the only things that were different are the size and what the room contains. In the large, long room was a rectangular table that stretched most of the length of the room. The tables side had many chairs, but at the end of the table there was only a singular chair.
Before anybody could take their seats, a light appeared behind the head seat. The Paladins, Allura and Coran were very confused, they could see the air shining behind the seat. They just stood there watching as demigods immediately recognised it as an Iris message.
Percy's point of view
They were just as he remembered them, even through an Iris message they still sent a shiver up his spine. All those years ago when they had cut the thread, that he had thought was his own. He remembered all the pain and worry they had caused. Anger boiled in his stomach as he remembered everything. As the other demigods bowed Annabeth, Nico and him stayed standing, their eyes challenging The Fates.
"Perseus Jackson, we meet again."
The one on the left stated quietly, but it seemed to echo around the long rectangular room. He gritted his teeth at his full name. Only his close friends, family and the gods know his real name, anyone else who does is a monster. But The Fates were worse than monsters.
He knew it was a rare thing to meet or see a fate and it was even rarer to hear them speak. And now he had meet them multiple times, I didn't like those odds and neither did Annabeth, judging by the way her eyes narrowed.
They hadn't changed at all since he last saw them. Their silver hair was tied back with a white bandana. They were wearing white sleeveless cotton dresses that hung loosely off their thin frames, thin boney arms stuck out from the dresses. He was some what relived that he couldn't see the dreaded needles, yarn and scissors that had haunted his memories and dreams for years.
When the Paladins saw them bow and heard The Fates speak, they shifted. Allura, Coran, Keith and Shiro straightened and went still. While Lance, Hunk and Pidge moved closer together. He noted this but continued to stare down the fates.
They spoke as one "We are the Fates" the sound was eerie.
Then the left one explained "I'm Clotho, The Fate of Birth"
"I am Atropos, Fate of Death" The one on the right stated.
"I am Lachesis, The Fate of Life" said the one in the middle.
It slightly disturbed him how their voices sounded exactly the same, with nothing to tell them apart except for moving lips. But it didn't bother him too much after he had seen things with a hundred hands or three bodies that were connected as one
They went back to speaking as one "We have seen the predicted future and gave decided that we need to interfere for the sake of the universe." There was a brief pause as that sunk in. "It was our decision, we have yet to tell the gods or any others. They will be told once this message is over. The reason why you are here is to help the Paladins defeat the Galra empire and end the war." It was deathly silent for a moment then the room exploded.
"What!" "We don't need help" "Just when it was finally peaceful for once" "Can't we just get one year of peace"
"Another war" The Paladins, Allura and Coran went silent at that. The demigods continued to complain and yell at the Fates, but stopped when they realised the others were silent.
"You've been in a war before" Lance almost whispered.
Annabeth nodded "If we have to fight in this one" she said while glaring at The Fates. "All of us will have fought in two wars, some of us three."
The Paladins, Allura and Coran just stared in shock. So Annabeth continued " So you can see why we just want to live normals lives now after fighting for so long and losing so much. We don't want to fight another war in space."
He agreed with her, they'd already been through so much and lost so many people. He tightened his grip on her hand.
Before Annabeth could continue Atropos interrupted " You have no choice, you must help or there will be mass bloodshed"
Finally he couldn't hold it any more. "You talk about bloodshed, when you have sent us to our deaths so many times" he snarled at The Fates.
He saw the Paladins, Allura and Coran take a few steps back. He knew he was scary when he got angry but he couldn't help it. They couldn't even get one year of peace and quiet. Annabeth said his name in a warning tone, he relaxed a little. But still glared at The Fates. They didn't seem to have an answer to what he said.
But eventually Clotho replied "We know you have all been through much, but it is your destiny. There's nothing you can do about it."
This statement shocked the demigods. Very rarely have the gods, the Fates or any beings like them, showed any humility to the demigods (With the exception of Hestia and a few others). Then the Fates began to explain, he and the others had realised that there was no point arguing.
"We have made sure you keep your powers, but be warned they are different to how they worked on earth."
"Hold on, powers like magical powers" Pidge asked
"Some are like magic, others are elemental" Hazel replied. Pidge was bouncing on the balls of their feet with excitement. They couldn't wait to see these powers.
The Fates turned to the Paladins, Allura and Coran. "The demigods will explain it further, but here is something that will help you understand about their world and them." A book appeared on the table, making a few of the Paladins jump. It had leather bindings and was really thick. Thicker than the books that Annabeth reads.
"Does the book have stuff on us in it?" Leo questioned curiously.
"It does" replied Clotho. All the demigods wanted to check what was in the book about them. But Leo wanted it for another reason. He was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"You know, I always wondered." Leo said, while glancing at Nico. Nico seemed to catch on, just as Leo lunged for the book. The demigods all noticed the shadows grab Leo by the ankles and pull him back. While Nico just walked over, grabbed the book and smirked at Leo. The Paladins and the Alteans just watched, wondering what had pulled Leo back.
The Fates said "We warn you there is no mist to hide everything. Read the book it will explain further. We wish you luck." They finished talking just as the message faded.
The demigods exchanged glances and prepared themselves for what the future holds.