Ch42
Thalia stood in front of the burning Waystation as a hoard of monsters finally destroyed the last bits of it. It was supposed to be a secret mission with her and Nico di Angelo to test their powers and the result was a blood bath for their enemies.
Kronos had provided the troops and unleashed his full power on the defenders, they were strong but they were quickly overwhelmed by the Titan Lord's power and the might of his army
Such destruction. She shivered her body was covered in wounds at the injuries she received fighting off the inhabitants Lord Kronos and his allies had helped them take this place since Nico wanted some information about the hunt.
She watched as Nico stood in front of the two owners, Emmie and Josephine they were both bleeding from their fight. "Tell me," Nico said coldly pointing his sword at them. "How to get a person out of the hunt."
The black lady Josephine quivered under Nico's blade. "P-Please this is a place of refuge."
Nico kicked her to the ground. "That didn't answer my question! How do I get a person out of the hunters? You both got out now spill it."
"Mom!" A little girl screamed in the distance as she was held by skeletons.
"Georgina sweetie calm down," Emmie said trying to sound reassuring.
"Spit it out now less I get mad," Nico said coldly. He slapped the woman named Emmie so hard she n fell to the ground
He went over to Josephine and had some skeletons pick her up. "How do I get a person out of the hunt I won't repeat again." Nico snapped his fingers and the skeletons holding her slasher her stomach. Blood spilled from her wounds as Emmie and their daughter screamed.
"Nico calm down you won't get the answers through torture," she said trying to calm him.
The son of Hades frowned. "Well I haven't heard anything yet." Nico turned to Josephine and gripped her throat. "You're a daughter of Hecate? Alabaster taught me a lot of tricks on how to deal with you lot. Including how to send you to Tartarus."
"Nico calm down," She warned.
But it was too late. A shadowy aura enveloped Nico as he chocked Josephine, her wife and daughter screamed but Nico's skeletons held them down as skeletal arms enveloped Josephine and the Earth swallowed her body her screams enveloping the area.
Nico stumbled back his eyes red as he breathed heavily for a moment he looked as if he were going to sink into the ground. "Are you ok?" She asked softly. Damn that was scary.
The son of Hades stumbled but nodded as he went up to Emmie and gripped her throat. "I won't ask again," He said his voice shaking. "How does a person leave the hunt?"
"Y-You can do it by requesting it," Emmie said quickly. "They would just have to ask Lady Artemis and she will approve it. I swear she will have the final answer."
"I see," Nico said. The son of Hades cocked his head his eyes still red with anger. "Does she always let them leave?"
"If the request is valid," Emmie said softly. "She'll do it."
"Good," Nico said. The son of Hades turned to face her. "Come on we have what we need."
She nodded. "What about them?"
"Oh right. Lord Kronos said no prisoners." Nico snapped his fingers. "Kill them."
She winced and turned around as the screams were soon muffled. He really has a grudge against all hunters. As soon as Nico found out that they were former hunters he vowed to kill them, he saw all of them as responsible for taking his sister away and now he wanted revenge.
Nico stumbled and she grabbed him to prevent him from falling on his face. "Take it easy you shouldn't use a lot of energy," she said as they sat down on a nearby bench. "Need something to eat?"
Nico nodded. "Yeah. Alabaster has been teaching me a lot, I'll put it all to good use." His face darkened as he clenched his fists. "I'll save my sister, I won't let anyone mess with her."
She nodded. "You really hate Artemis don't you?"
Nico laughed it almost sounded maniacal. "I want to send them all to Tartarus for brainwashing my sister. I'll save her one way or another. I'll be real hero for her and Lord Kronos."
He looked up at her with a tired gaze. "I used to think heroes didn't exist but Luke I see something in him that makes me want to follow him." Nico sighed and looked up at the sky. "As soon as I get Bianca back we'll swear loyalty to Kronos, it's the least I can do for all that he has done for me."
"Well we should get something to eat first you look exhausted," she said. Man he is kind of edgy, I feel sorry for him though he just wants to get his sister back. A twinge of sorrow hit her heart, Jason wherever you are if you are out there I hope we can reunite.
After getting some coffee and pastries at a local café Nico rested for about half an hour on a bench before getting up and insisting on buying a Mcdonalds happy meal and a six pack of coke.
"What is this for?" She asked as Nico ordered some skeletons to make a hole in the ground.
"Lord Kronos asked that we try and contact your mother," Nico said as he poured the coke in.
"My mother," she said taken aback. "What for?"
Nico poured the remaining cokes and then the food. "For some project of his and for you to possibly get some closure." Nico cleared his throat and began to mutter in Ancient Greek. Ominous smoke emerged from the hole as Nico continued chanting. "Beryl Grace come to me."
The spirit of my mom? Her heart raced in her chest. A part of her wanted to get angry and yell for Nico to stop, another part of her was curious, she wanted answers about Jason and this was a chance to get them.
She watched and waited, Nico began to frown as a spirit came to him and whispered something in his ear. "Her soul is locked up for some reason," Nico said folding his arms. "My father must have done it."
Well serves her right. With all that her mother did it made her happy to know she was locked up by Hades. "So what now?"
Nico sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure. "We'll report this to Lord Kronos." The son of Hades frowned at the ground his body shaking. "I tried talking to my mom once but her soul is also guarded by my father, don't know why but she is."
"Sorry to hear about that," she said softly.
"It's alright," Nico said looking at her with an almost malicious grin on his face. "I'll talk to her after I save my sister. No one messes with my family and gets away with it."
As soon as Luke woke up and found out that Thalia was gone he nearly went ballistic. "Where is she!" He demanded as he ran through the hideout.
"She is with Nico di Angelo on a mission," A demigod said avoiding his gaze.
"What!" He yelled causing the demigod to back off in fear. No no she can't do this. Please not Thalia.
He ran to the mess hall and found Alabaster talking with Annabeth. His blood boiled as he saw her smile and giggle at something he said. Oh no you don't. Running up to them he nearly pushed the son of Hecate to the ground. "Back off!" He snapped.
Alabaster looked at him with surprise. "What? We were just talking?"
"Yeah Luke what's the big idea?" Annabeth asked taking a step away from him.
He took a deep breath his body shaking. "Where's Thalia?"
"I don't know I haven't seen her. Luke what's going on?" Annabeth asked.
Damn it. He turned around and stormed off. No no she can't. His heart raced in his chest as he thought of the worst case scenario. Please no Thalia don't become his host. His eyes watered as he stormed to where Kronos was. Please if you want a host use me not her.
Kronos had mentioned using a human host to come back. He thought he would be it but he knew Kronos had his eyes on Thalia and Nico since they were children of the Big Three. No please I'll serve you more. Please anyone but Thalia.
His body shook as he went to Kronos' room and banged on the door before entering. The guards appeared shocked but did not intervene as he nearly threw it open and stormed in.
The cold presence of Kronos hit him. He quivered but he forced himself up to the presence and got on his knees. "Lord Kronos."
"Ah Luke what is it? You are very upset," Kronos said his voice sounding half amused.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and bowed on the ground. "Please don't use Thalia use me instead."
His heart raced in his chest as Kronos remained silent. After an agonizing minute Kronos spoke. "What benefit is it to me? She is a daughter of Zeus it is more beneficial to me than if you were my host."
His mind raced for answer, he knew he had to think of one. "I-I will more loyal, besides my mother is still alive. You need a host who has bathed in the Styx, Thalia's mother is dead and there is a possibility that the gods have locked her soul up already."
Kronos chuckled. "You seemed so hesitant to be my host. Would you do it now? Would you bath in the River Styx?"
He swallowed his body shaking. "If you swear on the River Styx to not harm Annabeth and Thalia and protect them then I will." It was a long shot but he wanted to protect them at all costs.
Kronos paused. "That can be an acceptable trade. I swear on the River Styx to not harm Annabeth and Thalia, to protect them at all costs." Thundered rumbled in the distance as the oath was made.
His eyes watered as his body shook. "Thank you my lord." He bowed to the ground.
"I would get ready," Kronos said. "As soon as Nico is back you will leave."
His body shook but a wave of relief hit him. "Yes my lord." So long as they are alive. That's all that matters.
As soon as he left the room he headed to his room. Tears fell down his face as he headed to his room. It will be me. I won't let him hurt them. He won't let anyone hurt his family. Anything for them.
His body shook as he returned to his room. His mind swimming with various thoughts. A part of him did want to leave and just run with them but he knew that the gods wouldn't allow it, especially with Thalia. They would hunt us down to the ends of the Earth. I won't let that happen. I'll protect them at all costs.
When he got to his room he fell on his bed and cried. I'm going to do it. I'm going to become Kronos' host. He was scared, very scared but he knew that he would rather do it that have Thalia or Annabeth be his host. Anything for them. Anything for their happiness.
He stayed his room for a few hours praying and hoping Thalia was ok. When he heard the knock at his door he nearly leapt out of his bed. When he opened it he saw Annabeth and Thalia their eyes full of concern. "Thalia," he said softly.
"Hey Luke I heard you were upset," Thalia said.
He cut her off with a hug. "Thalia please don't leave me like that again."
Thalia hugged him back, "Don't worry I just went on a small quest nothing much." Her body shook but he paid no attention to it.
He pulled away and looked at both of them. "We are all a family," he said softly. "I will do all I can to protect you both."
"Luke what's going on?" Annabeth asked. "You've been acting weird."
He gave her a weak smile. "Nothing just thinking of things." Thalia gave him a knowing look but said nothing. "Anyway Annabeth do you mind if I speak with Thalia in private for a moment."
Annabeth frowned but nodded. "Sure go ahead."
It was awkward to leave her out but he needed to talk to Thalia. He brought her into his room and closed the door. "Thalia were you going to be his host?"
Thalia avoided his gaze as they sat on his bed. "He wanted me to. I didn't know if I want to or not but I can't do it. My mother's soul is locked up and I cannot enter the Styx without her blessing."
He wanted to cheer but he only nodded. "I'm glad you didn't."
Thalia looked at him with her dark eyes. "Luke what's going on?"
He froze in where he sat. "Thalia I made a deal with him to protect you both. A way for you both to be safe."
Thalia's eyes widened. "No you can't do it Luke."
He gave her a weak smile. "It is the only way to keep you both safe. He swore he would, besides the gods will hunt us all down."
Thalia sobbed as tears fell down her face. "You'll die if you do it."
He grabbed her hands and moved closer. "If you're with me and safe along with Annabeth that's all that matters to me."
"Luke," Thalia said softly leaning closer to him. "Please don't."
"I'll keep you safe no mater what," he said as he leaned closer to her and pressed his lips against hers.
Thalia closed her eyes as she reciprocated the kiss and pulled him I'll keep you both safe. I promise. They slowly took their clothes off as the kiss turned more passionate. I love you Thalia. I won't let anyone hurt you.
Annabeth knew something was off. For one she didn't see Luke or Thalia for the rest of the evening or even during the next morning.
"Hey Alabaster do you know where they could've went?" She asked as they ate lunch together.
The son of Hecate shook his head. "I don't know. I saw Luke sneak out with Nico this morning looking rather disheveled but I think he may be doing something for Lord Kronos."
She frowned. "I see." Why do they have to keep secrets. They were a family yet at times she felt like the third wheel and it drove her nuts. "Was Thalia with them?"
Alabaster shook his head. "No. At least I don't think so. Last I heard she went to visit him last night and I didn't hear her leave."
No they couldn't have. Her face reddened at the implication. She knew that there was chemistry between Luke and Thalia but the thought of them actually taking their relationship to the next level made her stomach turn. They would tell me at least right?
"You ok?" Alabaster asked.
"I just feel tired of everything," she sighed.
"Don't worry I'm sure things will work out," he said. "I know Luke has been going through a lot of things but if anyone hurts you I'll protect you."
She looked up at the son of Hecate and was surprised to see the earnestness in his eyes. "Really?"
Alabaster smiled at her. "You're a nice person. I know it must not be easy being here and afraid of failing again but I know you are a smart girl. Anyway come on lets get your mind off of the current war. Want to go to the mall or something today?"
She looked at Alabaster in shock. Did he just ask her out? Not that she had a problem with it given her current circumstance she wondered if any demigod would want to ask her out. "Um but just a trip to the mall," she said firmly.
Alabaster laughed. "Fine come on."
