Ch59
Luke why. Annabeth shook as she saw Kronos in Luke's body sitting on the throne his golden eyes peering into the souls of everyone around her. We were supposed to be a family.
Alabaster placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey its ok I won't let anyone hurt you." His words were soft and comforting. She could stare at Luke as the doors opened and Caenis walked in.
The Ancient Greek warrior had a cocky expression on her face her dark eyes were cold and gleaned with malice as she walked up to Kronos and did a mock bow. "Sorry I lost that brat Nico but I managed to kill a few cyclops."
Kronos nodded. "You would've been overwhelmed anyway retreating was the right choice. Fear not for in the future we will win."
Caenis laughed her voice echoing throughout the chamber. "That wannabe pirate let himself go. That other one Percy, he won't difficult to kill. Trust me next summer we'll plow through them."
"We will raise Olympus and destroy the gods one way or another," Kronos said with a malicious grin that sent a shiver down her spine. "The demigods at this pathetic camp lost a lot, it was a costly pyrrhic victory for them."
The Titan Lord laughed along with everyone else. She just winced thinking of her former friends and family. Their images flashed through her head. Chiron, Grover, even Clarisse. The possibility of them being dead broke a small piece of her soul.
Why do I even care. I'm their enemy they wouldn't want me back. She winced at the memory of her brother Malcolm. Before she left he was a shy insecure boy but what she saw in the labyrinth was a hero. A hero who hated her guts and for good reason.
My mother wouldn't want anything to do with me anymore. She winced thinking of Malcolm's eyes, they were the same as hers inherited from their mother Athena. Her half brother's eyes were full of hatred and anger.
Luke was all I had left. She looked up at Kronos. Please if you are there give me a sign. She wanted to tear up, to cry but she had no tears left. All that's left is Thalia. She hadn't heard from her friend in a while, a part of her was scared to find out what had happened to her. Was she taken? Killed? She didn't want to dwell on it.
"I expect you all to serve with due diligence," Kronos said his voice reverberating throughout the room. "For next summer we will celebrate the fall of Olympus, the fall of Western Civilization."
There were cheers throughout the room. She gave an obligatory cheer less someone suspect her loyalties were elsewhere.
Kronos smiled and turned to Caenis. "I'll deploy you when necessary stay on standby."
Caenis nodded. "Just point me in the direction and my spear will pierce any enemy." She twirled her spear in the air and raised it in the air. "I will destroy Poseidon's realm piece by piece starting with his brats."
Kronos smiled. "I am looking forward to seeing it."
When they were dismissed she ran. Luke how could you leave me alone like this? Tears fell down her face as she ran to her room. She slammed the door behind her and fell onto the ground beside her bed. Why Luke we were supposed to be a family.
She shook her head and sobbed. How could you? Letting the tears fall she slammed her fist against the floor. I followed you and trusted you constantly when you lied to me. I left everything for you. I have nothing left.
A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. "Annabeth can I come in?" Alabaster asked.
She cleaned her face and didn't answer so the son of Hecate cracked the door opened and popped his head in the room. "Are you ok?" Alabaster's eyes showed genuine concern for her and she didn't want to make him upset.
"I don't know probably not," she said softly cleaning her face with a tissue.
Alabaster walked into the room and knelt down next to her. "I can' even imagine how you are feeling right now," he said softly handing her a tissue he produced from his sleeve.
"I gave up everything for him," She said softly her voice hollow. "I have no where else to go."
Alabaster placed a comforting arm on her shoulder as she let out a sob. "I'm sorry. Don't worry if anything happens I'm here for you. I won't let anyone harm you."
She looked up at him and saw in his eyes unwavering truth in them. "Thanks. That really means a lot," she said softly forcing a small smile on her face.
Alabaster gave her a small smile. "You are a smart girl. I can tell you've been through a lot. Don't worry we'll make it through this."
She nodded. "Thank you."
The son of Hecate sighed and looked up at ceiling. "I still can't believe my siblings are fighting against us, those mobsters will gets what is coming to them."
She didn't even flinch, a part of her didn't want to get Alabaster mad. "Do you think Lord Kronos will be better?" She asked softly almost afraid of being struck down.
Alabaster frowned. "You know I don't know but anyone will be better than the Olympians. They've caused so much trouble for humanity."
She didn't respond, she had no good answer to that. Despite getting along ok with him the topic of the gods was still touchy with him. "Alabaster if I may ask when did you start hating them?"
The son of Hecate's brow furrowed. Alabaster let out a sigh and rested on the floor next to her. "I know a lot of the children of the minor gods have their complaints and a part of my reason is that too. My mom never received respect, my siblings never had a cabin. We were treated like dirt in the only place for us. We were only given it when our mother submitted probably after being tortured," he said bitterly.
Alabaster took a deep breath. "When I was young all I had was my mother. To see her being treated like shit by the major Olympians made my blood boil. She was the one who took care of me and helped me grow when I had no one. When I was on the streets she would comfort me."
She looked at him, she could understand the anger and frustration inside of him. The Hermes Cabin was always too full.
Alabaster sighed and looked at her.
"If you read the history of the gods did they ever do anything that wasn't selfish? They constantly put us down now we'll show them what we can do."
She didn't say anything and only nodded. Alabaster folded his arms. "You were a daughter of a major goddess, I don't expect you to understand what me or the other children of minor gods feel. But with this war I hope to change it. I hope we can throw off the shackles of our oppressors so humanity can finally be free."
"I-I see," she said softly. She could feel the hurt in his voice along with the anger and indignation. "I'm sorry if I ever looked down on you or your siblings at camp."
Alabaster smiled at her. "I appreciate that but I never made it there. I was always on the run or stayed with my mother's other children. We take care of each other when no one else will. We are a big family in a way."
A family. She ran away from the first one (her mortal father) , the second just left her alone (Luke), and she left the third one for the second one (camp). Do I just have bad luck or do the Fates love toying with me.
"Anyway let me know if you need anything," Alabaster said as he got up. "I'll make sure no one harms you."
She nodded. "Thank you." Her mind was a mess and her family was gone but deep down she knew she had to get her life in order and survive
Percy did his best to enjoy his birthday. It wasn't easy since Chris was still in the hospital and Tyson wasn't alive but he still put on a brave face for his mother who wanted to give him a special day.
Luckily she understood he wanted just a small family gathering. It was just him, her, and her new boyfriend Paul.
"Thanks mom I really enjoy the cake," he said as the three of them ate together.
His mom gave him a small smile, she cried when she found out Tyson died and Chris was injured. "No problem. I'm just glad you are safe that's all dear. How's your friend Chris?"
"He's doing well just recovering form his accident," he said looking nervously at Paul. He didn't want to exclude his mother's new boyfriend since he seemed like a cool guy and his mom liked him a lot.
"I hope he gets better," His mother said.
Me too. His older brother was walking now but he still had totake it easy. It was a nice party overall, he chatted with his mom and Paul about his life trying to make it appear as normal as possible.
All was well until he heard a knock at the door. "I wonder who that could be?" His mother asked as she got up to answer it.
Peeping over his shoulder he saw his mom open the door and his eyes widened as he saws who it was. "Dad?"
Poseidon entered the room and greeted his mom and Paul before turning to him. "Hello Percy. Sally sorry barging but I just wanted to greet Percy for his birthday. May I speak to him."
"Uh sure of course," Sally said.
Poseidon nodded and motioned for him to follow him. His heart raced in his chest as he followed his dad to his room. He closed the door behind him and turned to face his father who rested against his bed.
"Well I'm glad you are safe Percy," Poseidon said his gaze calm. "Happy birthday."
"Thanks," he said not knowing what to say or how to say it. "Dad Tyson, I'm sorry I couldn't protect him."
His father's gaze darkened. "Don't worry it wasn't your fault. I never would've expected that woman to come back and harm my children." His father growled and the air smelled like the sea just before a storm.
"I-I'll avenge him I promise," He said firmly
His father nodded. "I'm glad Chrysaor defended you both. Work well together, now that Kronos is back it won't be long before war is upon us."
He nodded slowly. "Luke is he really gone?"
"I don't know," his father said. "It is a most disturbing union. The war is already upon my realm. Old sea creatures our back and my forces are spread thin."
"I can help," he said. "Chrysaor can too. Triton has helped us both we can help you too."
His father's gaze was calm as they looked into his eyes. "I know you want to and I don't mind it but don't forget your destiny for now is up here on the land." His father then held out his hand and two sand dollars appeared in it. "Here happy birthday use them wisely."
"Thank you," he said taking his gift. "Father may I ask you something?" He shifted where he stood, what could he ask his father about Caenis? It hurt him knowing that his father raped her, even if it was something that happened a lot in the myths it was different knowing that his father did it.
"What is it son?" Poseidon asked.
He swallowed and took a deep breath. "Is it true about what happened between you and Caenis?"
A part of him thought it was stupid to ask, especially since he saw his father frown and the air get a little too salty but he had to know. Thankfully his father only sighed. "Percy us gods aren't as all black and white. Just like people we can do good and bad things."
His father looked at him his eyes had a mixture of sorrow and anger in them. "Percy I won't lie about I did to her. I was younger and like other gods didn't take no for answer. I truly regret what I did to her I really do." Poseidon shook his head. "For a long time I still heard her screams in my sleep."
"I-I had dreams about her," he said softly wincing at the memories of Caenis. "About when you met her."
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Poseidon said getting up. "I was never that forceful with a person again after her. Now that she has killed your brother my feelings towards her are more complex."
"I see," he said not wanting to push his dad further.
"Be ready Percy you will have a lot of challenges in the future," His father said as he opened the window and disappeared in a flash of light the smell of the ocean lingering in the room.
Well that was better than I thought. He was about to close the door when he noticed a person peak their head into his room. "Bianca!"
Bianca di Angelo walked into his room and smiled. "Happy Birthday Percy. I wanted to talk to you about something."
