This chapter is dedicated to: multishiper54; because of his amusing comments and encouraging words...
ps. sorry it took so long to update
…..
Chapter 36: Reading Bleeding Out
Cheese buns went around, and Artemis watched as the boys tried to eat as many as they could, while the girls either didn't eat, ate more then the boys or just ate fruit. It was nice to have a break, she got to see how everyone acted with each other. She saw Percy standing in the corner talking to Thalia and Nico, Jason hovered by but didn't approach Percy. Kronos who wasn't to far from Percy leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. The Titan's side demigods sat far away from the other demigods, except for Malcolm who had strode to Luke for a moment before the other pushed him away.
Annabeth was talking to Apollo who looked wearily at the demigoddess. Artemis wondered what her brother was thinking for him to look so tired and worn down.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I just wish this book hadn't come; my brain hurts from all the images of the possible future." He spoke and closed his eyes.
"The sooner we get the book done, the sooner we can prevent it from happening."
"I don't think we can prevent this Arty," Apollo whispered.
Swallowing Artemis nodded and glanced at the book as it was her turn to read, this book it was captivating yes, to know the future, but sometimes knowing wasn't the best.
So, with another moment to debate if she should make Hera read Artemis opened the book and it landed on the chapter she was supposed to read.
Most of the Titans had also begun to feel that something was wrong, though none of them had been able to figure out what it was until Percy told them what he'd seen. Several of the Titans had stared at him, and Percy got the feeling that even they couldn't do what he'd done.
"No one can because they don't control Time or have visions… something that your once demi godly body still remembers you can do if you go into a trance…." Apollo piped up. "That's how I and the Oracles find out about the future sometimes." Though what Apollo didn't mention was that it took longer and exhausted them to do, so he had been quite surprised when all Percy had to do was close his eyes.
Though Percy didn't exactly know what it was that he'd done. He only knew that he'd somehow seen what Kronos had seen, felt what he felt.
"Jackson," Oceanus called with a scowl. "Are you coming?"
"Not for you," Kronos muttered, and Percy smacked his arm and shook his head, sometimes this immortal he loved was so childish despite him being older.
Percy hesitantly nodded. "Yeah." He sheathed Tsunami at his side and stood up, wearing black armour that surprisingly fitted which he'd grabbed from the armoury.
He shut his eyes and concentrated, vapour travelling himself into Alaska where some of the Titans were already waiting.
"Anyone else hear mission impossible in the background?" Jason asked looking around. When no one oanswered he blushed. "Just me I guess."
"You're crazy and that is all that there is to you," Leo whispered and Jason pointed to himself and LEO nodded.
"Maybe I am," the son of Zeus agreed.
"Remember," Krios said, "weapons out. And Cygsodol is at large."
Percy took a breath and unsheathed Tsunami, smiling behind his helmet at Oceanus' irritated glance at his old sword.
"Stay in groups," Krios ordered, "but fan out."
Percy glanced at Iapetus who nodded, and they took off into the blizzard. Percy frowned, realising that the trees seemed to loom out of nowhere. It was no surprise that Kronos had been caught unawares. But the storm around them seemed unnatural.
"It's the land beyond the gods for a reason, Percy," Iapetus said, apparently sensing Percy's thoughts.
It was hard to hear the Titan because the wind snatched his words away, but Percy managed to hear him. "What about the Titans?"
"It's our fault that this is the land beyond the gods." Iapetus smiled. "Of course, it's not also beyond us."
Percy's eyes widened. "It is?"
"I'll tell you later," Iapetus promised. "Now. Can you sense him?"
"You never did tell me why," Percy said pointing at his other father/brother like figure.
Percy frowned and stretched his senses out, trying to pick up even the smallest flicker from Kronos. He cocked his head to the side and pointed into the trees. "Over there somewhere."
Iapetus nodded. "Stay sharp," he warned.
"I mean keep a look out on any danger, or if you see Kronos," Iapetus said and frowned as Oceanus made crude jokes.
Percy followed Iapetus, remembering how quickly Kronos had been attacked. If they were attacked… they'd be unconscious before they could shout. He quickened his pace, so he was beside the Titan.
Percy had wanted to know who had written this book, it had the exact details of his life, and he was in the past, Nyx had shrugged when he had asked her. So that hadn't been much help, no one else from the future had shown up since about 10 chapters ago, so Percy assumed that was it.
Iapetus glanced down at him and smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Percy. I can sense if he's coming. Concentrate on finding Kronos."
Percy nodded. "He's up ahead. Definitely unconscious."
Artemis wanted to pause and try to imagine a Kronos who doesn't seem to glare at anything or look intimidating and like he'd chop anyone's head off at moments notice and failed. That was all she knew him as and it was weird hearing him having emotions, to actually seem like a likable person. She also wondered what the kids of Kronos thought about him.
Iapetus grimaced. "He'll be in a bad condition," he warned.
"How bad was it?"
Artemis scowled and said in a harsh tone: "Let me read and we shall find out."
"I sort of guessed that" Percy said, freezing a split second later. Iapetus immediately started running to the motionless figure slumped over in the snow.
"Shit," Percy breathed.
Iapetus slid to a stop, kneeling beside Kronos. "Percy, I'm going to need your help."
"My help comes with a price," Percy said and.
"What is the price?"kronos asked.
"For you to never stop loving me, "Percy admitted. "But for others a brand new sword or something."
"What about the others?" Percy demanded as he knelt down across from Iapetus and started brushing the nearly an inch thick layer of snow off the King.
The Titans all felt the worry for Kronos, despite them having already lived this but still fearing because if Kronos had been out their any longer, he could've died and who knew how long before he would come back to Othrys and rule? They the Titan Council would still continue the war, since it was against Cysgodol, and a world ruled by him wouldn't be pleasant for anyone… eternal darkness as the primordial god snuffed out any light.
Iapetus shook his head. "We'll sort him out first," he said, grabbing the hilt of the sword which was protruding from Kronos' back. "Then we'll call them. I'll need you to staunch the bleeding."
"Is medicine under your jurisdiction, Uncle Iapetus?" Apollo asked and when silver eyes landed on him, he was reminded of Artemis' and wondered why he had thought of his sister.
"No, but I have learned from respectable once mortals, disguised of course," Iapetus said calmly and quietly.
Percy nodded. It was weird seeing Kronos laid out unconscious before him, and it was definitely a first. It made Percy realise that Kronos was actually not the all-powerful, invincible being Olympus had made him out to be. He had weaknesses. And Erebus had used them against him.
Percy clenched his jaw. His anger made the water around him steam slightly as his temperature increased and Iapetus glanced at him. "Careful," he warned.
Percy took a breath and nodded. "It's just… he looks so…"
"Young?" Iapetus offered.
"I had actually was gonna say dead," Percy admitted.
Percy nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Iapetus smiled slightly even as he pulled the sword out of Kronos' back and Percy quickly covered the gaping hole with his hands, pressing down to try to stop it from bleeding badly. "It's hard to think of him as the being that's set on tearing down Olympus when he's like this, isn't it?"
Even though the titan lord was their enemy everyone seemed to be on edge wondering what was going to happen, no interruptions as Artemis read, it went a bit faster trying to know what was going on.
Percy nodded again. "Definitely." He concentrated on the water on the ground around them where they'd melted the snow and made it flow up Kronos' body to his hands.
Iapetus flashed Kronos' armour off him, and Percy grimaced when he saw the cut stretching from the Titan's right shoulder to his left hip. He glanced at the older Titan to see the slight despair in his eyes. "Right down to the bone," Iapetus murmured.
Percy remembered seeing flesh and golden ichor and wondered if that image would ever leave his mind. Probably not, but one could hope.
Percy's hands were completely covered in ichor now, and he swallowed nervously. "I think you should get the others here now. Like right now."
"With all of us close by we can keep him alive with our powers, but what he needs is nectar and ambrosia, because we heal surface wounds, so the skin is patched." Hyperion stated. "Only immortals with an infinity to heal can actually heal any wounds, and we really didn't have anyone until Percy came."
Iapetus nodded slightly and sent out a small vibration of sorts through the earth, and Percy could only feel it because he was nearly a Titan. Iapetus turned his attention to Kronos' head, where ichor was drying and matting his raven hair. His hands quickly came away streaked with ichor and he swore under his breath.
"We need to get him warm," Percy said, realising that the ichor was coming out sluggishly and Kronos wasn't even shivering, even though they were in the middle of a blizzard. Kronos was breathing shallowly and slowly, and his skin was freezing beneath Percy's hands.
"Holy Chaos," Krios breathed from behind Percy.
"Don't just stand there," Iapetus snapped. "Help us!"
"Small question," Percy said. "Can immortals get hypothermia?"
"If it's really bad," Koios said as he crouched beside Percy. "We've got to move quickly."
Percy wondered why the Titan suddenly seemed to be tolerant of him, but he wasn't going to argue. "He's so cold," he murmured.
"Now he's lying on the cold hard ground!" Travis sang loudly and when all eyes turned to him, he blushed. "That last part reminded me of Taylor Swift,"
"You're such a Swiftie!" Conner said and slapped his brother's head.
"Is that a problem?" Travis sniffed.
"No, its amusing,"
"We'll lift him," Iapetus said to his three brothers. "I'll shadow travel us. Percy, tell Marigold to get ready."
Percy nodded and waited for Krios to take his place in stopping the bleeding before vapour travelling away.
He only realised how cold it had been when he appeared in Othrys and immediately started running to the infirmary. It must have been at least minus twenty degrees in Alaska, and Percy felt ichor rush back into the ends of his toes and fingers with a small sense of relief.
Demigods and monsters stared at him as he rushed by with the snow melting off him and flung open the infirmary door. "Marigold," he called as he slid to a stop, his sneakers skidding across the marble floor.
"Percy?" she called. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Percy said hurriedly. "But Kronos was attacked up north. The Titans are with him now."
Marigold immediately straightened up as the whole room became silent and all the beings inside stared at Percy. "Kronos?" she squeaked.
"No one is invincible everyone has weakness' and everyone is so shocked when a Titan gets terribly hurt, amusing and understandable," Ares muttered to himself.
Sneering Atlas opened his mouth: "Well you fight a Primordial god and try not to get hurt, if you think fighting us Titans is hard, wait until you fight them."
Percy nodded. "Yeah. It was up in Alaska. I don't know how long he was there for, but-"
"He set off at breakfast," she murmured, glancing out the window slit at the moon in the sky.
Percy was getting irritated with nodding all the time. "Yes! Look, he was stabbed through the back, slammed into a tree, and hit his head, and he has a massive cut across his back. And he's really cold because of how long he was there."
Marigold nodded. "Alright," she said as several demigods started moving to get a bed ready. She spun around. "Someone get all the nectar and ambrosia you can!" she shouted. "Steal some from the mess hall if you have to!"
"Its not really stealing, just taking what is his," someone muttered.
Percy moved out of their way as the demigods set to work with readying the room, the few occupants there because of injuries in the arena watching eagerly, and Percy knew that what had happened to Kronos would spread around Othrys by the time the sun started to rise.
It was only a few seconds later that the shadows rippled and Iapetus, Oceanus, Koios and Krios stepped out carrying Kronos between them, the King completely limp. Percy shut his eyes, not knowing how to feel. On one hand Percy hated the Titan and wished he would die… but on the other he didn't want him gone. It was confusing. Percy knew that Kronos' constant presence had been stopping the other Titans from trying anything with him, whether it was harming him or attempting to get him into their beds, which Percy would have fought against with all his might.
"And most likely would loose, because Percy you may be powerful… but there are always more powerful beings than you,"
Marigold hesitated at first when she saw Kronos' state, but then she and a half-brother of hers were working quickly. Percy saw her glance towards a shelf with towels piled up on, and before she could say anything was already moving towards it. He grabbed one and made his way over.
"Guessing you want to dry him off and get him warm?" Percy asked as he set the towel on the edge of the bed.
Marigold smiled slightly and nodded. "Yeah. Then it'll be a lot easier to heal him."
"Marigold is quite a good healer," Apollo said and watched as Artemis flipped the page and continued to read. Apollo had his eyes closed watching and hearing future events. He saw Percy who was beginning to look more otherworldly as his body was becoming a Titan. His daughter having a serious expression as she worked and Kronos motionless on the table. "You can do it," he whispered.
Percy moved so he was standing by Kronos' head and put his hand on the Titan's shoulder, drying him off. Marigold spun to face the Titans. "Could you leave? No offence, my Lords, but it's easier with less people here."
Krios nodded. "Out," he said, turning to face the other Titans. "All of you." He glanced down at Percy. "You too, Percy."
Percy spun to face Iapetus, silently pleading with him. Iapetus sighed. "Krios, he can stay."
"Nice to know that the fucking traitor is in charge right now and not my actual second in command." Kronos said with no heat.
"Well, he is the Titan of Death and if he thinks that you need me to stay to control yourself than he's most likely right. Your life is literally in his hands," Percy defended Iapetus.
Scowling Kronos shook his head. "Whatever."
"Sore looser," Percy snarked.
Krios raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright. The rest of you," he said. "Out. Now."
Percy sent Iapetus a grateful smile as the Titan left and he was left alone with the demigods and an unconscious Kronos.
"If you're here then you can help," Marigold said. "I know you don't like Kronos much, but we can't let him die."
"I stayed outside holding onto Kronos' immortal life thread, since he was so close to going into hypothermia and had bled a lot." Iapetus admitted.
Percy shrugged. "I wasn't about to let him."
She smiled slightly as she worked alongside her brother to clear the injuries. "Have a look at his head. See if you can find out where the cut is."
Percy nodded and set to work, pleased to have something to do. He made sure that he kept his senses open for any sign of Kronos waking up so he could warn Marigold. Percy made a small stream of water flow up Kronos' body, passing briefly over the injuries on his back and healing them slightly before moving it up to his head and washing away the golden ichor. Percy dried him off and could immediately see the cut on the back of the Titan's head. He again concentrated on the water in the room and slowly healed the cut, knowing that he couldn't do it to the cuts on Kronos' back until they were cleaned.
Percy smiled as he watched the two Apollo kids work, but he was mostly looking at Kronos' back. In the last week, the scars from the end of the Titanomachy had shown up completely on Kronos and they now crisscrossed across his back. Percy was reminded of Kronos' divine form as he studied him. Luckily, he'd only seen it for one second at most, but the image was seared into his brain, and he'd almost been blinded from that second. Percy wondered for a split second why California hadn't been levelled completely and realised that Kronos had been keeping a tight control over his divine form to stop a massive explosion.
It was weird seeing Kronos completely defenceless before him. Percy had never even seen Kronos sleep before – the Titan was always awake and alert. It was almost unnatural to see him so still and Percy sighed, running a hand through his hair. He nearly collapsed into the chair and sat there, watching as the demigods worked frantically to try to heal Kronos.
Percy swore under his breath. Why was he so worried? He'd only agreed to see where things went between them because he wanted to change Kronos, to stop the war before any of his friends were severely injured or died. So why did he desperately want to see Kronos sit up and walk off like it was nothing? Like he didn't have a gaping hole through his back through which Percy could have sworn he could see the edge of his heart beating slowly and faintly.
Percy suddenly froze, feeling a slight change in Kronos' mind, like someone had flicked a switch to turn him on. "So how much pain will he be in?" Percy asked conversationally. "Like at this moment."
"A lot," Marigold said. "He was impaled, Percy. Even immortals don't just walk away from that."
"Well, you did walk crookedly the first time you were impaled by my…" Kronos whispered to Percy. "By my sword"
"Dude is that all you think about?" Percy asked. "Sex? Di immortals, if you say yes… no sex for a week," Percy said and crossed his arms.
"Who's this punishment supposed to be for? You? Or me?" Kronos asked. "I've gone a millennium without sex,"
"Yeah, well he's waking up."
Marigold's eyes widened. "You're joking
"I don't joke about serious things…" Percy shook his head. "Actually, I do, joking is a mechanism for me."
"No one ever realized Percy," Annabeth muttered.
Percy shook his head. "No. I can feel it."
She raised an eyebrow slightly before turning back to healing Kronos. "I'm not even going to ask. So do you think he'll try to kill us?" she asked brightly, but Percy could hear the slight fear in her voice.
"No," he said firmly, adding under his breath. "Not while I'm here."
"So, confidant that Kronos won't kill you? Over confidence is what got you trapped in Tartarus!" Luke said to Percy who smiled.
"But it also helps me, I have to believe I can do anything,"
Marigold's half-brother looked like he wanted to run from the room at the thought of Kronos waking up but swallowed down his fear and continued. Though Percy grinned when he saw that his hands were shaking, and he worked faster to clean the cut down Kronos' back.
Marigold's hands were completely covered in ichor and her expression was grim, but she didn't seem too worried about the idea of Kronos waking up.
"When you've cleaned the cut I'll heal him with water," Percy said, his eyes watching Kronos' face for any sign of movement.
"Lean any further forward and you're going to fall on him," Marigold noted.
Percy shrugged. "It might get the dick to wake up sooner."
Marigold's eyes widened at his disrespect, but before she could say anything Kronos moved slightly, and she froze. "Please, My Lord," she said warily, "don't kill us."
Kronos' mouth twitched up very slightly, but he didn't reply, and Percy guessed he was still too out of it to speak. "You know, Kronos," Percy said conversationally, "you're a dick. A complete dick. Like, the King of dicks, which fits pretty well because you're the King of Othrys, which is full of dicks."
Zeus and a lot of the other gods burst out laughing at Percy's tactics, he was like that with almost every immortal he met, rude but amusing.
Marigold's jaw dropped. "Percy!" she exclaimed incredulously.
Percy just grinned. "Don't worry, guys. When he wakes up, I can take him to his room."
Marigold frowned. "But we need to heal him."
Percy shook his head. "I've got it," he said, wriggling his fingers and letting water ripple over his knuckles.
"Maybe healing will be one of your domains when you become a Titan or god," Poseidon said thoughtfully and rubbed his chin. "It doesn't really matter to me which one you are… as long as you're happy," the god said, Zeus leaned closer and hissed something to his brother, unheard by the others but made Poseidon's face look angry.
"You can't do that," Marigold protested. "He has to stay here."
"I stay here," Kronos said, his voice muffled slightly, "and the infirmary along with everyone inside will spontaneously combust."
Percy tried to deny the relief that flooded through his body and attempted to ignore it, but Kronos smirked knowingly at him. Marigold cleared her throat. "My Lord, your back is basically torn apart."
"I've had worse," Kronos said, his eyes still on Percy.
"Yes, chopped up into small bits, small enough to be salt on food," Iapetus said sarcastically, making Percy snort on the water he had just drunken.
Percy swallowed. "Just give me some flasks of nectar and I'll get him to his room and sort him out. Agreed?"
Marigold hesitated as she looked between Kronos and Percy, and then she sighed. "Alright. Fine. I'll come up to check on him in an hour, because we don't want him dying. Do we?" The way she looked at Percy made him think she suspected something, though Percy guessed he hadn't exactly been hiding his worry.
Percy shook his head. "No."
He let the water drop back into a glass and stood up. He waited until Kronos shifted so he was on his side, the Titan wincing slightly, and then took one of Kronos' arms and put it over his shoulder, helping Kronos stand.
Percy took the flasks of nectar which were handed to him before vapour travelling up to Kronos' room. He carefully lowered Kronos down, making sure the Titan was on his front, so he didn't make the injury any worse.
Kronos winced as he was released, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "You were worried."
"Everyone was worried, and so was everyone reading/listening to the book," Percy countered and pointed to everyone who seemed to be on the edge of their seats listening to Artemis.
"Oh, how this is turning the tide, if this book works than we can unite and win against Cysgodol." Kronos whispered.
"But why is it a book about us?" Percy whined.
"Because you are the bridge, I dunno," Kronos muttered.
Percy snorted, pushing Kronos back down. "You have a hole through your back. Lie down."
"I wasn't lying when I said I've had worse," Kronos said, but didn't move to get back up.
"Yeah, when we beat you," Zeus decided to pipe up, after Hera had told him to behave Zeus had been trying to keep his mouth shut. Even though that fan was small being hit hurt.
"Yeah, but after Zeus cut you up you died. This time you're trying to stay alive, so you could be at least a little helpful and stop trying to make it any worse than it already is." Percy controlled the water to spurt out of the sink in the bathroom and stream into the room where it slowly covered Kronos' back. "What happened?"
"I was disarmed," Kronos said, sounding angry with himself. "Backbiter… Backbiter is still in Alaska," he swore.
Percy rolled his eyes. "No point ranting on about it now."
Kronos ignored him, reaching out to the side. There was a golden flash and Backbiter clattered to the floor, completely covered in snow and ice. "Now there's no point ranting about it," Kronos said in satisfaction.
Percy jabbed him in the back, making the Titan flinch. "I thought you said it didn't hurt," Percy grinned.
"Sadists, just the way Kronos likes them," Hyperion grinned. "Though what is love without a little pain?"
"Nothing," Aphrodite said.
"WOWW, one would think you're the goddess of love with that thought process!" Iapetus gasped dramatically.
"I AM THE LOVE GODDESS!" she shrieked causing everyone to cover their ears and Kronos waving his hand to cover her mouth with his powers, something similar to what he had done to Percy on his bad nightmare nights. Though he didn't feel guilty, as he did when he did it to Percy.
"When someone isn't poking me, it doesn't," Kronos growled.
Percy smiled. "Yeah, well don't lie next time."
Kronos sighed. "Just get on with it, Perseus."
Percy's grin widened. "I have been. Your hole is now filled in." He pulled a face. "Alright, that sounded worse than it was meant to. A lot worse."
"And you tell me I have a dirty mind all the time," Kronos mocked.
"I was pure until I met you," Percy said.
"Pft," Kronos scoffed.
Kronos managed to lift himself up and turn around, so he was sitting up on the edge of the bed. He twisted his torso and winced. Percy crossed his arms over his chest. "Just because I said it was filled in doesn't mean it's healed."
Kronos turned to glare at him. "Perseus-"
"Ah," Percy said, raising his hand, "don't start. Just… don't. I know this is really weird and confusing… or at least it is for me. But this isn't gonna work if you're always acting like you want to kill me. Granted, sometimes you will want to kill me, because I'm me and I always piss everyone off. But aside from that, you're gonna have to make an effort. And I'll make an effort to get past what happened in Tartarus. Agreed?"
Kronos frowned. "There'll always be a part of me that wants to kill you."
"All is far in love and war, and you Percy are right in the middle of both," Aphrodite smirked.
"Yeah, you would know, wouldn't you?" Percy muttered and saw the goddess' eyes narrow on him, but she wisely kept silence at the wolf like glare she was receiving. Granted the Titan's animal form was a wolf, which was a fucking beautiful one at that. Even when down in Tartarus when the Titan had decided to see how long it would take him to heal from an animal attack and those pearly razor sharp teeth were shown as his muzzle was formed into an angry snarl.
"-rcy" looking up into golden eyes Percy smiled as best as he could.
"I'm fine."
"Don't fucking lie to me Perseus," Kronos hissed.
Huffing and rubbing his hand Percy looked away. "Just a memory."
"Well let's just hope that that part never gets its way," Percy said.
Kronos was silent for several moments before nodding. "Heal me. And then we'll see."
Percy smiled and settled down on the bed next to Kronos, trying to ignore how nervous he felt being so close to the Titan. He moved his hand, so it was hovering just above the water still covering Kronos' back and focused, watching as the skin started to flow back together. Where new skin had formed there was still a dark line beneath it, which showed Percy it wasn't healed completely.
"I've healed it as much as I can," Percy said. "But it's only the surface that's healed. You're still probably hollow." He smiled, prodding the dark patch.
"Percy is still learning to heal, but once he's fully in control then he'll heal, and the fact is that he isn't a Titan yet is even better. he will be quite powerful once he's in his element."
"If you're interested, I can teach you to heal properly," Apollo spoke up and he saw Percy nod and smiled.
Meanwhile Zeus looked like he was going to throw a hissy fit, muttering that Apollo wanted to help a Titan?
"He was a fucking demigod before, and he is still protecting Olympus despite this story, so don't fucking start with me." Apollo had written on a piece of paper, making it into a plane and throwing it at his pops.
A small smirk appeared as Zeus frowned even more, and something about enforcing godhood on the brat.
Kronos shuddered slightly, grabbing Percy's hand. "Stop that. It feels weird."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "Your vocabulary's slipping."
"Because I'm not in the mood to ameliorate it."
"And there it is," Percy grinned, removing his hand from Kronos' grip. "I knew it wouldn't last long." Percy grabbed the flask of nectar from where it was lying discarded on the floor. "Drink."
Kronos scowled at him. "I will not be ordered around by a demigod."
At the mental image of a scowling Percy force feeding the scariest Titan alive made everyone laugh and Kronos just scowled, though he couldn't use his powers anymore thanks to the incident at the beginning, he just ignored it.
"Technically I'm not a demigod," Percy pointed out. "And I don't care what you want. Marigold's gonna come up soon, and you need to be able to stand on your own."
Kronos' eyes narrowed. "I can stand on my own."
"Prove it."
Kronos' arms tensed slightly before he pushed himself up, swaying slightly. He took a step, and pain flared up his back, an intense burning which had him opening his mouth in a soundless howl of pain. He stumbled back, swearing under his breath in the Old Tongue as he nearly collapsed back onto the bed.
Percy grinned. "Told you. Maybe you should just listen to me sometimes?"
Kronos just clenched his jaw. "I will not be bound to my bed because I can't walk," he snarled.
"Then drink the nectar," Percy said, dropping it into Kronos' hand, but the Titan put it onto the bed. "I don't know why you're refusing, but it's actually pretty good for me. You can't walk, and you can't kill my friends. It's pretty simple."
Kronos frowned. "I can't kill your friends."
Percy shrugged. "Yeah, but that oath was pretty pointless. It's nearly been two weeks and you've not told me to do anything yet."
"Why'd you bring that up Jackson?" Jason asked.
"I usually just blurt out what I think half the time," Percy admitted.
Kronos smirked. "Oh? And would you prefer that I did order you to do something?"
The look in Kronos' eyes immediately made Percy rethink what he'd said. He swallowed nervously. "Uh… no. Definitely not."
"Are you sure?" Kronos asked, his smirk widening.
"Yeah. Definitely. No crazy brain-control please," Percy said.
"Then maybe you shouldn't remind me of it," Kronos hummed. "Else you may find yourself in unusual positions."
Percy frowned. "Like what? No, I don't want a demonstration," he added when he saw Kronos open his mouth to speak. "And you're gonna have that nectar, else I'll force you to have it."
"You're not strong enough," Kronos stated confidently.
"My strength's been increasing and you know it," Percy retorted. "It won't be as simple as it used to be for you."
Kronos scowled at him. "I will not be force-fed nectar."
Percy shrugged and put the flask into Kronos' hand. "Then have it yourself." Kronos glowered at him, but Percy just grinned. "Well, go on."
Kronos flicked the lid off the flask and drank the nectar. "Happy?" he demanded as he let the flask fall onto the bed beside him.
"Not exactly because you're being a dick again," Percy said. "Now stand."
Kronos was seriously tempted to forget his decision to not kill the kid and run him through right then and there. "Just because I may be more lenient with you, Jackson, does not mean I will permit you to disrespect me. Are we clear?"
"As clear as mud," Percy said happily.
Kronos' eyes narrowed. "Perseus," he said warningly.
"Kronos," Percy said in the exact same tone. "You might be the Titan King, but I'm not a Titan yet. I don't have any actual allegiance to Othrys, and you know it. Yeah, sure I swore that oath, but other than that you have no actual control over me. In fact, I'm pretty sure that at the moment I could get Iapetus to help me to Camp Half-Blood. Then I'll tell the gods each little dirty secret I've found out since I came here."
"OOOOHHHH, he just got roasted!"
"NO he just got burned!"
Kronos studied him for several long seconds. "I'm impressed," he finally said.
Percy blinked. "Huh?" He was expecting Kronos to get pissed with him and try to kill him, not sit there complimenting Percy.
Kronos opened his mouth to speak, but there was a knock on the door and his mouth snapped shut. Percy quickly opened the door, grinning at Marigold who seemed pretty nervous to be anywhere near Kronos' room. She seemed surprised to see Kronos sitting on the edge of the bed, not a hint of his earlier pain showing on his expression.
"My Lord," she greeted.
"Waste my time and I'll cut off your head," Kronos said as a greeting.
Marigold paled slightly and nodded, quickly moving forward towards him. "Please, don't stand," she said nervously as she saw Kronos start to shift his weight, but Kronos ignored her and stood.
Marigold seemed even more surprised, but quickly focused on checking him for his injury. "This is really good, Percy," she commented in bewilderment.
Percy grinned. "I'm a special boy."
"Prince of the Sea, Prince of Mortals, and King alongside the Titans, nothing more special than you. My really powerful son," Poseidon thought to himself and rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
Kronos snorted at that. "Special in the head."
Percy scowled at him. "No more than you. I mean, it's like you have split personalities. Or schizophrenia. That's what it's called, right?"
Kronos raised an eyebrow at him, trying to ignore daughter of Apollo who was prodding his back. "I do," he stated. "Roman and Greek. Saturn – who's a complete idiot – and me."
"Who's also a complete idiot," Percy said cheerfully.
Marigold cleared her throat. "Alright, it looks good. My Lord, it's just the surface that's healed completely, so please avoid any strenuous activities."
"Does that include cutting the heads off demigods who annoy me?" Kronos asked, eyeing Percy with obvious irritation.
"Unfortunately," Marigold said, not really sounding unhappy. "Anything which is slightly strenuous."
"Usually cutting heads off isn't strenuous," Kronos returned, his jaw twitching slightly.
Marigold shook her head. "I'm sorry, My Lord." She made her way to the door, Percy following her. "You could be a good healer," `she murmured.
Percy shrugged. "It's the water," he said as an explanation.
Marigold nodded. "Well, if you change your mind, I'm pretty sure we'll need more helpers in the infirmary as the war progresses."
Percy cocked his head to the side slightly, hearing footsteps approaching the door. "I'll think about it," he said honestly as he opened the door. He raised an eyebrow at Koios as Marigold slipped out of the room. "Yes?" he prompted. "Want me to take a message?" Koios frowned and just shoved his way past Percy. "Or not," Percy muttered, spinning around. "So, is there a reason you're just dropping by?"
"You have a visitor, Kronos," Koios said. "One who I recommend you don't keep waiting."
Kronos grimaced, climbing to his feet as he held out his hand and Backbiter shot into his hand. "Another Primordial? Don't they know I don't like them?"
"We just LOOOOVEEEEEEEEEE to pick on you," Nyx giggled and began to braid her hair and ignore as Kronos glared.
Koios chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure they all know. Nos just likes to think differently."
Kronos pulled a face. "Her?"
"Kronos! I thought you liked me!" Nyx whined and pouted when Kronos flipped the bird to her.
"Better make yourself presentable. She doesn't like waiting," Koios said, quickly exiting the room.
"Oh, Kronos?" Percy asked as he watched Kronos start his hunt for a shirt.
The Titan grunted. "Yes?"
"Firstly, don't overexert yourself. Secondly, I think Nos knows about… you know," Percy said, wringing his hands together.
Kronos' head snapped up to glare at Percy. "What do you mean 'you think'?" he demanded.
Percy shrugged. "I think. You want me to find a dictionary definition?"
"Sarcastic as ever," Annabeth said to herself and remembered the quests they had gone on together.
Kronos scowled at him. "How can you think someone knows? And how the Tartarus could she know?"
Percy raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me?"
Kronos frowned. "Fine. Just think for a few seconds, can you do that? Or it even that too much for you?"
Percy glared at him, and Kronos smirked as he put on his shirt. "You know, you're really a dick sometimes, right?"
"It's what keeps me awake at night," Kronos said sarcastically.
Percy's thoughts ran through almost everyone's brain and some blushed at the mental images of Percy and Kronos doing that.
Percy crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah. You're a dick," he shot over his shoulder as he left the room to go find Nos before Kronos did.
He had some catching up to do with a friend.
"End Chapter," Artemis murmured and lowered the book to her lap. That chapter had been pretty domestic and playful, Percy relaxing and being let into the Kings Circle of trustworthy beings. And a nail in the coffin for Olympus' loyalty, Percy had been worried, he had played it off sarcastically, but if you read the between the lines Percy had already fallen quite awhile ago.
Aphrodite seemed quite pleased with what from Artemis had heard was the #1 pairing shipping she had the pleasure of reading/learning/ seeing herself and would honestly join the Titans if she wasn't with Ares.
A/N: So, I forgot my laptop password, and was using my phone to upload all my other chapters, by copying and pasting it from a word doc. Finally found my little notebook of passwords and logged back in and tadaaaaa!
this is roughly 24 pages long on my laptop and I have felt like I had been typing since forever, but I am pleased with my chapter, thanks for reading! Reviews always keep me motivated.
A/N 2: Dragonswoe's writing is already perfect and sometimes I am too nervous to add to it, lol I sometimes feel like I am ruining the writing by having the characters read it 😊 but that's JUST MY NEGITIVE THINKING.
~Goodygoodi