Prologue
The Princess Andromeda rocked back and forth in the cold Atlantic Sea. Frigid winds blew from the West, most of the guards posted on the outside were wearing multiple layers to protect themselves from the elements. A storm approached from the North, little flashes of lightning zapped the sea as thunder rumbled ominously, a warning to the ship that they were heading towards danger.
Kronos, or rather, Kronos in Luke Castellan's body, stared out of the cruise ship's bridge at the incoming storm, it was of no concern to him, it was just another one of Poseidon's attempts to molest them on their journey. A cold stoic look spread across Luke's features as Kronos's cruel golden eyes looked on with indifference.
The Titan was alone on the bridge, as he requested so. His plan needed to be kept secret, if the gods found out, it would never work. That is why he was only telling those involved with the plan about it, he didn't need it failing because some half-blood who had nothing to do with it decided to tell the gods. It also made finding a potential traitor easier, if any word about the plan got out, he would know who since there were only three people who knew about it.
Three knocks came from the entry hatch of the bridge. The knocks echoed into the bridge, the Titan sighing and closing his eyes. They were here.
"Come in." He ordered. His voice sounded cold, any rational person would've ran for their lives.
The hatch opened and three demigods stepped into the bridge, uneasy looks on their faces. Their bodies were rigid, none of them dared to enter the Titan Lord's presence relaxed, one slip up would mean certain doom. Any single hint of disrespect would be met with unbearable cruelty, like being forced to swallow a dagger or becoming a plaything for the many monsters below deck.
"Sir." The front half-blood said, "You called us."
Kronos turned to eye the half-blood. He wasn't the best half-blood he had under his charge but that's what made him perfect for the plan. He needed someone so insignificant that they'd never be found if they disappeared.
The half-blood stared back at him with terrified eyes. His irises were a scarlet red color that shined brightly as the light hit them. His formerly pale skin was tanned and scarred from years of service to the Titan Army, some of those scars were caused from the half-blood's own comrades. His blonde hair was combed and slicked back, not that Kronos cared about hair regulations, not like those insufferable Romans in California.
"I'm pleased you all have made it, I have a very important task for all of you." Kronos said with a voice so smooth it rivaled velvet. Despite his defeat in the battle of the Labyrinth, the Titan still remained composed.
"Of course, sir." The half-blood responded dutifully.
"Hektor was it?" Kronos asked. He was sure he called for Hektor, a 14 year old half-blood under his charge.
"Yes, sir."
Kronos nodded and paced back and forth slowly, "Very well, I called you here because I need you to make preparations for the post war world."
"Aye, sir, we've already planned to build prisons to house the surrendering demigods—"
"Silence, boy!" Kronos snarled, lighting striking behind him.
Hektor quickly straightened up, his mouth forming a straight line across his face. The other half-bloods behind him shifted uneasily.
"Now, as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me, I want you to prepare for our inevitable defeat." Kronos said.
"Defeat?" Hektor questioned.
Kronos nodded as he looked at the ship's radar, "We are losing this war. Despite every asset, every monster, every plot, we are losing. This war was lost the second Nico Di Angelo pledged allegiance to Camp Half-Blood."
Hektor shifted from one foot to the other, "There's gotta be other Big Three half-bloods out there."
Kronos glared at him, "Idiot, there are no more. Luke failed to convert Percy Jackson and Thalia Grace, Nico was our last hope for victory in this war. We are doomed to fail."
Most would think the Titan Lord was admitting defeat, and they would be right. However, Kronos's voice showed no signs of surrender or sadness, instead, it was conniving and treacherous. You didn't need superhuman hearing or godly intelligence to know he was up to no good.
"Those demigods want this world so much that they're willing to lay down their lives for it." Kronos said with a hint of malice, "While we may not destroy the gods, you lot will destroy the world that they oh so vehemently love."
"Sir, how exactly are we supposed to do that?" Hektor asked, such an order seemed almost impossible for them and the other demigods.
"Treacherous plots." Kronos said, "Each one of you will have a special quest, but your quest is the most important."
"What is my quest, lord?" Hektor asked, clearly liking the idea of having a special quest given to him by the Titan Lord himself.
"Once the war is lost, the gods and their children will be at ease, they will celebrate their victory over us. Many of your comrades will abandon you, some may outright defect, others may flee the gods. Your quest is to pose as a half-blood, preferably one with no ties to us, and infiltrate Camp Half-Blood. Once inside, I want you to cause as much dissent and conflict as possible." Kronos explained.
Hektor squirmed as he listened to the plan. He knew that this plan was very unstable, it required luck and skill. He'd been in battles before, but this was nothing like those, this was something far different and dangerous.
"Wouldn't a son of Athena be better for this?" Hektor asked, "I don't even know my mother."
A son of Athena would definitely be able to carry out such a plan, those guys were great at convoluted plans. At the same time, that's the reason why Kronos didn't choose them, their intelligence would make them prime suspects.
"But I do." Kronos said with a sinister smile, "I knew whose spawn you were the second you were captured by my army. You, child, are a son of Eris. The goddess of discord and strife. That is why I chose you, you are skilled in the arts of deception and agitation."
"Eris…" Hektor said with awe.
"Yes, but I wouldn't be too focused on your godly parent if I were you, she too abandoned you. I need to know that you are willing to carry out this quest." Kronos said.
Hektor looked at the Titan, denying this quest would mean death. Any of his comrades who dared to defy Kronos were killed off by the Titan Lord himself, he'd been a witness to one such execution. The screams were something he'd never forget.
"It will be done, my lord." Hektor knelt. He stood and went to the back of the trio of half-bloods.
"Step forward." Kronos ordered one of the half-bloods.
The next half-blood was a girl, one no older than sixteen. Her normally brown skin had streaks of white from sword slashes and claw marks. Kronos eyed her scars, he knew this particular half-blood's story pretty well and he liked it, she'd been through a lot of pain and suffering at the hands of others, but she also had a habit of inflicting such pain and suffering on others too.
Her purple eyes conveyed upmost respect as she spoke, "My lord."
"We meet again, Zena." He said with a smile.
Zena nodded.
"I take it you took care of your father?" The Titan asked with curiosity.
She drew a dagger and plopped it down in front of Kronos, who looked down at it with curiosity. The knife had ceremonial West African carvings on the blade and handle, the steel itself was shiny and well-kept.
"He'd dead." She said.
"Good riddance." Kronos said, he had told her to kill her dad a long time ago, it was about time she showed a little follow through.
The girl had come from Louisiana, her father was a voodoo priest. From what she told Kronos, he tried in vain to get his magic to work, yet he failed every time. Every attempt was met with disappointment and grief. That was until he met Hecate. After forming a bond with the goddess and eventually fathering a child, Hecate left without a word. Zena's father went mad with lust and grief, he tried every ritual he could learn from every religion he studied to try to get her back, eventually it worked. However, it was not a goddess that had come out of the ritual. The events of that day haunted Zena, her father, and that little New Orleans house for years.
Kronos saw value in Zena, she was a daughter of Hecate, she knew how to use magic. Magic was how she survived for so long on the run. She didn't just use her magic to rob and kill for her survival, which she did, but she also used the magic to create safe havens for herself. All across the country, small witch huts marked her trail. Eventually Kronos's army found her and captured her. Ever since then, she dutifully served in the army.
"You are our backup plan, in case Hektor's plot fails, I want you to work on setting up your own plot." Kronos said, "I'd prefer you use different methods compared to Hektor, I'm sure you will figure something out."
"What do I do?" Zena asked.
"Use your skills that you learned on the run to harm this world and everyone that the demigods hold dear, that is your quest. Can I rely on you to do this in case of Hektor's failure?"
Zena got a vicious gleam in her eyes. She smiled and nodded, "I would be honored."
Kronos smiled a crooked smile, "Good. Very good."
Zena turned and walked past the final half-blood, giving him a glare as she did so. This half-blood was trembling with fear, his blue eyes were wide. Kronos stared at him with some disappointment, he really could've picked someone better.
"Alright, come on then." Kronos motioned for him to come up.
The demigod walked up, nearly tripping himself as he did so. The half-bloods behind him remained still as ever, if they found it funny, they didn't let it show.
"Lord Kronos, my name is—"
"I know your name, Clyde." Kronos interrupted him, "Son of Hermes."
Clyde nodded. Kronos had plenty sons of Hermes in his army, he only chose Clyde because the boy was smart and cunning. His intelligence and skill came at a cost, however, one that Kronos almost considered too high. Clyde was a huge coward, if he was alone in a fight, he'd turn tail and flee, there was a reason his pale skin bore little scars. He had a bad habit of fleeing battle, such a habit nearly had him executed.
"Stop your shaking." Kronos ordered, "You are not showing me much with your insecurity."
"Sorry." Clyde said, trying to compose himself. He stood up straight but judging from his eyes darting around, it was obvious that he was still terrified. He was clearly the only sane one in the room.
Kronos sighed, "I could've chosen any one of your siblings for this quest, but I chose you simply because I know you're a good thief."
"Thank you, lord." Clyde said.
"I need you to work with Hektor." Kronos said simply, turning to Hektor, "Hektor, I recommend you use Clyde's talents to weaken the gods while you do your part, it will make your quest much easier. It is up to you, but I highly recommend you steal one of the gods' symbols of power, such a theft would cause major repercussions on Olympus."
"Aye, sir." Hektor said.
Kronos looked at the three demigods in front of him. He liked what he saw. Aside from Clyde's clear fear, he had faith in their abilities. Zena was a skilled witch and held a grudge like no other thanks to her upbringing and life on the streets. Hektor was a natural at starting fights, he'd been using the skills inherited from his mother without even knowing. Clyde, while flawed, was an excellent thief. Kronos's team was formed, now all he needed to do was release them to the world.
"You three will leave the ship at dawn." Kronos said, "Until your quests start, I recommend sticking together. Make sure to take your belongings with you."
The demigods knelt respectfully and marched out of the bridge, leaving a satisfied Kronos behind.
He turned and looked out the bridge, the final battle was fast approaching, and he knew a certain son of Poseidon was waiting for him. He glared towards the West, soon, New York would be in sight and every half-blood would rush to meet their destinies. Kronos knew he was done, his war was lost, but if anyone thought he wasn't going to tear the world apart before his defeat, they'd be lying to themselves.
A/N: I wasn't going to post this at first, since i'm still working on two other stories but i got impatient. So far, this is the only finished part of the revised version of Symbols of Power. The other parts are going to take a bit, but i figured i'd post this since i did promise a rewrite was coming.
While i can't post the new chapters yet, i can explain some of the new changes to the plot. I've completely revised the plot in terms of Hektor's treachery, his backstory, and what happens overall. As seen in this prologue, i've decided to introduce three villains early instead of revealing them late into the story, hopefully you guys like them since they'll be around for a bit, but this story is more focused on Hektor. Also, i've taken the whole under the sea haven thing out, i have a replacement that makes a lot more sense in my eyes but that's a secret for now. As for relationships, Percabeth will remain intact, sorry for anyone who wanted otherwise.
Now comes the part where i ask for your opinions in the drafting process. I've put this story in the M rated category for now, but i'm curious whether you all would want sex scenes to be included or excluded, it would mainly be filler, which means there won't be that many and i've decided if there are to be sex scenes, they will be Percabeth only. As of now, there are no sex scenes planned. Depending on the reviews or PMs i get by next Wednesday, i'll see whether to bump this story's rating down to T or keep it at M.