PART 1: The City Of Gold
CHAPTER 11: A Powerful Demigod Is Still A Demigod
Percy made his way through the castle, Artemis by his side. After 2 days of successfully working among Erebus's forces, they believed they were ready to bring the hunt and the other Olympians. The Primordial of Darkness wouldn't know what hit him.
The two immortals walked just outside of the training room, where a large part of Erebus's army was before Artemis sent forth the message to the Olympians, who were prepared, for battle, hidden within a miles radius of the city.
Artemis took a deep breath as she blew the whistle, there was a bright silver flash as the huntresses of Artemis appeared, a few of their weapons covered with blood and monster dust. Within a few seconds, they all charged into the training room with the intent of destroying Erebus's army.
* * * * * FRAGMENTS - PART 1 * * * * *
Annabeth blocked strikes from the Titan, but her energy was fading, the Titan of Warcraft had timed his entrance perfectly. Near Annabeth, Thalia had suddenly disappeared in a bright silver flash, along with the rest of the hunt. Near the other side of the bridge, Jason was trading blows with the other titan. Storm clouds were brewing above the battle, as the son of Jupiter levitated himself into the air. He struck the titan with lightning, who roared in rage. "I am Perses, no measly demigod will beat me."
The titan slashed at the son of Jupiter who darted upwards, out of the titan's reach. Perses's eyes glowed with rage and he turned his attention to Annabeth who was already struggling against Pallas. Jason's eyes, and he hurled his spear at Perses before he could strike Annabeth.
The titan of Destruction winced but paid no attention to the son of Jupiter, instead bringing his sword down at Annabeth's head. The daughter of Athena managed to duck, but it become very clear to her that she was not going to be able to win the battle.
The daughter of Athena, made her way close to the edge of the bridge, the two titans attacking her. Jason landed on Perses's back and ripped out his spear, before stabbing the titan again. Perses spun his sword behind his back, knocking the son of Jupiter off. Jason landed on the ground with a thud, as the titan turned his attention to him. Jason grinned madly as a bolt of lightning came down from the sky and struck Perses again. At the same time, Pallas backed Annabeth into the corner of the bridge, The child of Athena, scrambled backward, trying to get as close to the side rail as possible.
With a quick prayer to Poseidon, she grabbed the rail and catapulted herself off the bridge and into the water.
* * * * * FRAGMENTS - PART 1 * * * * *
Pontus's eyes widened as he entered the Throne room, seeing Erebus and Chronos both seated. "Uncles, it's a surprise to see you both here. Erebus, your son failed to mention Chronos would be present."
Erebus gave a slight smile "Pontus, it's been a while, I assume you have accepted our request to capture the son of Poseidon. Funnily enough, he is in our castle, and he believes we are unaware it's him. He came here under the name Luke, claiming that he was turning on the Olympians. We have allowed him to roam through the castle and 'join' our ranks. We were just waiting for you to arrive so that we can capture him and his goddess friend quickly and painlessly."
Pontus looked at Erebus in confusion "You mean to tell me that you have been letting a son of Poseidon and a goddess mingle amongst your forces? What if they have secretly been killing members of your army? What if they are turning them to the other side? What if -"
"Nonsense, my boy." Chronos chuckled "The son of Poseidon couldn't kill another demigod even if his life depended on it. He's too weak-willed for it."
Pontus looked at him doubtfully, "If you believe so. Now the reason I came here was to request your aid in taking my domain back from Poseidon. The terms are simple, I help you capture Poseidon's son, and you and your allies help me take by the kingdom of the seas."
Erebus scoffed "If you help me capture the son of Poseidon, we will win this war and Poseidon will be gone. The seas will be all yours."
Pontus nodded, "Sounds like a fair agreement to me. When are we going to confront and capture him."
"How about now?"
* * * * * FRAGMENTS - PART 1 * * * * *
Percy arched his blade through the air before bringing it down on the right arm of the demigod in front of him, The moment that demigod yelped in pain and retreated backward, Percy concentrated on the water within the walls of the castle, he felt a tug in his gut as a small section of the wall burst open, water spilling out of the crack, into the room. The son of Poseidon then launched an attack on the next demigod nearest to him, shoving a demigod to the ground and kicking his weapon out of his hand, and stomping hard on the boy's head before moving on to find another victim.
He glanced around the room and spotted the hunters fighting the other demigods present, the majority of them using knives, with a few exceptions using spears or swords. Artemis was in the center of the room, spinning around, and easily disarming and injuring countless demigods. The son of Poseidon let out a slight smile, as he lifted some of the water that was filling the room and used to throw a demigod hard into the stone wall.
He turned his attention to Artemis and quickly yelled "Artemis, enact stage 3?"
The goddess turned towards him and gave a sharp nod before kicking a demigod to the floor and embedding a knife in his stomach. They quickly left the room, the hunt staying behind to finish off the remaining demigods.
Percy and Artemis sprinted through the halls of the castle, their weapons drawn as they approached the throne room. Percy's armor had a slight dent on his left shoulder, but other than that it was completely fine.
The pair were a few steps from the entrance when a trident blocked them, a tall, dark-haired man stepped forward. "Son of Poseidon, where are you running?"
Percy quickly halted and further examined the man in front of him, his eyes were a bluish-green color, his skin tanned. He wore no armor, instead a light blue sleeveless shirt with swimming trunks. Everything about the guy was confusing.
"Who the fuck are you?" Percy asked confused, before turning to Artemis whose eyes were wide in fear.
"Th-that's Pontus, the pr-primordial of the seas," Artemis said, her voice trembling.
Pontus smiled "I am glad at least the goddess knows who I am.", he continued smiling for a moment before the walls of the castle tumbled down, knocking Artemis to the ground, water flowing into the halls. Parts of the floor were sent flying upwards into the ceiling as more water flooded the rooms, cracks being to appear in the ground. The hallway had now become a part of the throne room.
Percy scowled and began moving in the opposite direction as Pontus, before stopping when he heard another voice. "Thought you could betray us so easily?"
Percy whirled around and saw Erebus grinning harshly.
The son of Poseidon gulped in fear, drawing his second sword, one he hadn't used at all throughout the trip. "Well, you two could fight, and I can go against the winner if you want?" He suggested, making his way closer to Pontus.
Erebus laughed "I think not demigod, we are going to make you suffer, before making you join that daughter of Athena in the underworld, except you won't get to see her."
Percy's eyes widened "You killed her?"
Erebus shook his head "I didn't, Pallas did."
Percy's eyes glowed with rage as the water began swirling around him. He formed it into a fist and launched it at Erebus.
The primordial of Shadows was still smiling as ducked the attack and summoned a shield.
Pontus proceeded to attack Percy, and the two locked blades, the primordial of the seas jabbed at the son of Poseidon, who narrowly dodged the strike, before attempting to kick him. Percy took a glance back at Artemis who was getting to her feet in the corner of the hall. Erebus was watching him with a look of pure joy on his face.
Percy dodged Pontus's strikes with ease, as the water began to disappear from the throne room, both immortals using it to replenish their energy. Percy managed to land a hit on Pontus's upper thigh and the Primordial stumbled backwards. Erebus was now easily fighting Artemis, who was seemingly injured. It wasn't long before the primordial summoned shadows and chained her to his throne. Artemis tried to yell but a shadow blocked her mouth, leaving the sound of muffled screams. As Pontus gathered himself, Erebus turned his attention to Percy and launched tendrils of shadows at the son of Poseidon. Percy ducked them and charged the primordial, as soon as he was within striking distance he swung riptide at him. Erebus summoned his shield and blocked the strike, before drawing a sword and attacking the son of Poseidon. Percy managed to parry the blow but was forced backward by the superior strength of the deity.
Erebus summoned a pair of shadows which attempted to wrap themselves around the son of Poseidon, he struggled against the binds, which began to tighten. He brought riptide backward, managing to slice them in half, before falling to the floor, dangerously close to one of the cracks.
"Do you know where that crack leads to?" Erebus asked Percy.
"Tartarus?" Percy replied.
"That was a rhetorical question. But yes, Tartarus." Erebus said, taking a step towards the son of Poseidon. And flicking his hand to stop an arrow that was traveling toward him. Out of the corner of his eye, Percy could see the hunt, a giant wall of shadows, blocking their entrance to the room.
"Now, I have a friend who really wants to meet you, so you are going to go down there," Erebus explained before one of the walls of the throne room collapsed and 10 gods stepped through the now vacant space.
Erebus groaned before slamming the ground with his sword and making large fissures appear throughout the room. His shadows were now completely wrapped around Percy.
"Hey Olympians, take one more step towards me, and he-" Erebus said pointing to Percy "Is going to be getting a one-way ticket to Tartarus, and if I feel like giving him company she-" Erebus gestured towards Artemis who was squirming against her binds, attempting to escape but to no avail. "will be joining him."
Authors Note: What a chapter that was, it was the longest of the book so far. Now you all might have a few questions like 'Is Annabeth dead?' or 'Why can't Percy and Artemis beat Erebus in a fight, and how are his shadows capable of binding them?'. Well first of all, as far as Erebus is concerned, Annabeth is probably dead considering the fact that she is fighting the titan of Warcraft, who was sent there specifically to kill her. Secondly, Erebus is able to beat Percy and Artemis both in fights because he is primordial and they are not. His castle is designed to have tons of shadows, so in the event that they are attacked, he is in one of his domains and can use them against his enemies. Which is also why he shadows are so strong. If you have any other questions drop a comment and I'll reply to it as soon as possible.
The final chapter of Part 1 coming up next.