Chapter 38 - Traitor
Annabeth let out a relieved sigh as she settled down against the shrine to Hermes. The area surrounding rose sharply – the shrine had evidently made quite a dent in the monstrous cavern upon landing and the dip in the uneven, rocky landscape provided an effective means for hiding from the monsters prowling around the Pit. The shattered ground reminded her faintly of the crater of an ancient, long-dormant volcano. Cracks struck out from the base of the altar, webbing across the crater and threatening to make her ankle even worse should she get her foot stuck.
Sneaking through Tartarus with only one other demigod and no weapons of her own wasn't exactly what Annabeth had expected to happen when starting this quest. Constantly being aware and jumping every time she heard the regular howls and screeches from monsters somewhere out across the Pit wasn't the best way to relax, and Annabeth was swiftly being worn down by the constant vigilance. Tartarus was no place for a demigod, though Luke seemed to be handling himself remarkably well.
Luke was hovering around the altar, scanning the lip of the depression for any approaching monsters. "Monsters shouldn't come in here. Hermes' presence scares them off." He flashed a small smile in her direction. "We'll be safe here for a few hours, so try to get some sleep." The demigod settled on top of the altar, resting his sword on his lap. "I'll keep watch," Luke added. "Don't worry, Annabeth. No monster will get past me."
Jason peered over the railings of the Argo II. "Anyone see anything?"
"The mountain?" Leo offered.
"Are we really landing on a mountain?" Frank asked, looking rather concerned at the thought. "What about Mother Earth?"
"We'll hover over it," Leo promised. "No landing."
"Mount Ida," Jason murmured as the Argo II rumbled to a halt. The mountain where Rhea had hidden from Kronos to give birth to Baby Zeus. The mountain which Zeus had interfered to send them towards, and the one which both the Titans and giants seemed to want them to also visit. "We need to all be prepared."
"It's a trap," Nico agreed. At his side, Hazel peered down at the mountain beneath them.
"Well, the Titan Lord did seem eager to get us here," Frank pointed out. "It makes sense for it to be a trap."
"But Zeus also wanted us here," Jason muttered. "But why?"
"Amalthea," Piper supplied.
"Even gods need to make sure their mother goats are safe," Leo added with a grin.
Piper's eyes furrowed down at the mountain. "Is that Hagno?"
Jason raised an eyebrow, staring down at the old nymph standing at the edge of a mountain plateau and seemingly waiting patiently for them. "Yes," he said in surprise.
"She did say she'd meet us again," Piper muttered.
"She knew," Jason realised, his jaw tightening slightly. "She knew what would happen between Percy and him… but she didn't warn us."
"Let's be honest here," Nico said, "if you were a nymph would you want to anger the Titan Lord by revealing his plots?"
Jason crossed his arms. "That's still not-"
"Think about it," Nico cut across. "Immortals aren't like us. K gets angry, everyone knows that, and no immortal would want to risk angering him by betraying him in such a way. Immortals aren't heroes." In a way, while immortals are more powerful than mortals, they were also weaker – they were rarely willing to risk their necks for anything. Hagno would be no different.
"Come on," Jason finally said. "Let's go see what she wants."
Annabeth woke when something collided with her stomach and knocked her down, a solid weight pinning her to the ground shortly after.
For a brief moment, the sight didn't quite make sense. Her sleep-addled mind – her vision also swimming from her head colliding heavily with the cracked ground – couldn't make sense of it for a few seconds, at least until she followed the golden sword resting on the base of her throat back to its owner, and she met fiery golden eyes and a cruel smile.
The Titan grinned down at her. "Hello, little demigod."
Annabeth jerked, reaching for her dagger, only to remember that she had lost it when she fell. "Hyperion," Annabeth growled. Fear bubbled in her chest, and she swallowed. "Where's Luke?" She demanded.
Hyperion smirked. "Hey, kid, she wants to know where you are." He peered over his shoulder.
The demigod gaped as a head poked over the side of the altar. Luke blinked down at her, halfway through stuffing a slice of pepperoni pizza into his mouth. "Here," he said cheerfully.
Annabeth blew a strand of hair away from her eyes, trying to think. And everything clicked into place. "You," she whispered, "you – traitor!"
Luke frowned, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me, Annie. Hyperion, am I a traitor?"
The Titan seemed rather joyful. "No," he said. "I don't think you've ever betrayed Lord Kronos, do you?"
Luke hummed, tapping a finger against his lips. "Can't say I have," he agreed.
Rage threatened to overwhelm Annabeth. She wanted to lunge at Luke, wrap her hands around his throat for doing this to her. "You sold me out," She whispered.
Luke frowned at her. "I serve Lord Kronos, Annabeth. Always have, always will. Besides, this has all been planned months in advance. I mean, didn't you ever think it odd that monsters always attacked you all after Kronos had visited? It was difficult to keep track of the Argo II, so Gaea had to be sure of your location before she sent anyone after you. And, well, no one ever thought twice about Kronos visiting." Luke shook his head. "By this point, Kronos should have Percy. We just need to bring you to the cavern, then the sacrifice can begin. And even a god and a demigod together will be unable to defeat the giants then – they will literally be invincible, and Gaea can rise without any interference."
Annabeth just shook her head, the rage intertwining with horror and terror. It was bad enough that Luke had betrayed her once, that he'd turned his back on her even after all those years they'd spent together on the streets. But for him to do it a second time… "Why?" Annabeth whispered. She should hate him, should be yelling at him and should be angry for what he's done, but for some reason she simply can't bring herself to. She can't bring herself to look him in the eyes. "How could you?"
"This isn't about you, Annabeth," Luke said. With a smile, he placed his hands on the old, fractured altar and leant over it so he could look her in the eyes. "This is about vengeance on the gods."
Hyperion smirked. "Get up, demigod," he ordered to Annabeth. "We've got a trek ahead of us until we reach the doors. Best to get started early."
"You came," Hagno mused.
"Did we have a choice?" Jason asked, glancing up at the storm clouds still rumbling overhead. The very cave within which Rhea cave birth to Zeus nearly blotted out the sky behind Hagno, but it was dark and cold.
The nymph smiled. "No. Zeus can be rather overbearing when he wants something done." Lightning split the sky into two, but Hagno's smiled simply widened. And then fell. The nymph sighed. "I'm afraid that we need your help, young heroes."
"That much was obvious," Leo uttered under his breath.
"With what?" Nico asked.
The ancient nymph pressed her lips together. "Amalthea is missing. We cannot find her."
Piper swallowed. "She's gone?"
Yes," Hagno said. "The cave where she reared baby Zeus reeks of giant. And the Kouretes have scattered."
"Kouretes?" Hazel questioned.
"They raised enough noise to detract attention from Zeus, so that his tyrant father couldn't find him when he was a helpless infant," Hagno elaborated. "They stayed to defend Amalthea, lest any Titans come seeking vengeance, but all of them are gone. I fear the Earth Mother's involvement."
"But why take Amalthea?" Frank asked. "What do they have to gain?"
"Zeus' attention," Hagno offered. "As their plot has achieved. The Lord of the Heavens is distracted with Amalthea's disappearance, but he dare not investigate himself."
"It's a trap!" Leo exclaimed.
Hagno inclined her head. "Yes. For any immortal that comes searching for Amalthea, there will be grave consequences. But, perhaps, a group of demigods may have better luck. You always seem to be similar to cockroaches."
"Thanks," Nico muttered.
The nymph simply pressed her lips together. "There is a sacred grove, belonging to the Oracle of Dodona, at the base of the mountain."
"Dodona?" Nico echoed, his eyes widening. "But isn't that-"
"Rhea's oracle? Yes. It's a fitting place, no? For her grove to exist at the base of the mountain on which hatched the plot to defy the Titan Lord, where Zeus was born."
"Will we find Amalthea there?" Piper questioned.
Hagno scowled. "I have already said that we cannot find her," she said. "However, with the correct sacrifice, you just may be able to enlist the assistance of the Great Mother. If anyone can find Amalthea, it is her."
Jason's mouth ran dry. "You want us to call to Rhea?"
"Rhea and Amalthea hold a close relationship due to the events which occurred here eons ago," Hagno explained. "Perhaps, she may be able to at the very least point you in the correct direction as to where Amalthea may be found."
Nico swallowed. "And what would be a good sacrifice for Rhea?" He questioned.
Hagno smiled. "I'm sure you can all think of something," she said. "A weapon which was lost to time, perhaps." The nymph took a deep breath. "I pray you succeed in your quest, demigods," she whispered. "Zeus' current distraction may be lethal if it continues, and his focus must be on the battle to come."
Being a captive wasn't as horrible as Percy had thought it would be. It seemed that because his blood was required for this sacrifice, no one was allowed to harm him. Hence, Percy spent his time counting the cracks and finding images of animals in the pattern of cracks in the walls. His only way of counting the passing of time was through how often anyone came to visit him – Kronos seemed inordinately interested in that stupid vegetable patch, since he regularly dropped by to check up on the soil. Porphyrion too, he often enjoyed visiting Percy and mocking him, telling the demigod everything that he'd enjoy doing to Kronos once they were mated, and Percy would bite his tongue to stop himself from yelling back. His stomach injury seemed permanently stuck as a scab that cracked and ached whenever he moved, probably courtesy of Kronos to keep him immobile.
All things considered, Percy was bored. Possibly the worst sort of torture for an ADHD demigod was keeping his wrists bound and him unable to move, despite the distinct lack of old-fashioned beatings. And not to mention there was that Statue of Saturn glowering down at him.
He was brought food by various demigods and some monsters, but it was never the nicest of meals.
Percy had spent what must have been days in practically the same place, doing nothing.
The demigod scowled up at the ceiling, tracing over the patterns in the cracks. On the other side of the vegetable patch, the wall rumbled down and Kronos stepped in. Percy glowered at him, but the omega pointedly ignored him and crouched down next to the damned Moly that was still not growing.
Kronos seemed frustrated.
"That statue," Percy said. "is it the missing statue from the Temple of Saturn in Rome?"
The omega paused, glancing over his shoulder at the looming statue before his gaze flicked briefly over to Percy. "Yes," he said curtly.
It was only when Percy heard a second voice that he realised the cavern wall hadn't slid back into place. "They're not growing." Porphyrion didn't sound pleased. Still in the body of a mortal – without the dragon legs – he leant back against the wall with a scowl.
Kronos kept his gaze on the vegetable patch as Percy stiffened, turning his glare onto the other alpha. Porphyrion ignored him in favour of watching the omega between them. Finally, Kronos turned to frown at the giant King. "It's the most I can do to keep the germinating seeds stable," Kronos growled. "These aren't standard plants that I can grow with a wave of my hand – they're supernatural ones that only grow with a sacrifice." When Porphyrion's scowl darkened, Kronos just shook his head. "As long as Hyperion does his job and grabs Annabeth, then they will grow after the sacrifice. This is the best I can do."
The giant alpha didn't seem pleased, but he turned and left without another word. Kronos let out a short breath, and it was as he turned his head back that Percy caught sight of the mark on Kronos' neck. Percy jerked, scanning him over, and immediately spotted a faint bruise around his bicep.
Porphyrion had touched Kronos. Percy glowered.
Unbidden, his thoughts flashed towards the chamber with the nine nymphs, to Hagno and her parting words to him - "Sometimes you have to provide a guiding hand to even immortals." The demigod pressed his lips together. "Kronos-"
The glare Kronos directed at him silenced Percy. He grunted, making to stand to his feet, but then grimaced and crouched back down. Percy's eyes furrowed as he watched in silence. Kronos looked sick, Percy noted. Not just sick, but tired too. The Titan sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Are you sick?" Percy asked in alarm.
"None of your business," Kronos snapped at Percy.
"It kind of still is," Percy disagreed. "Porphyrion hasn't mated with you yet."
"And ours was never done properly," Kronos retorted. "Technically, we were never mated in the first place."
Percy gaped at him. "What?"
Kronos just snorted. "That silly Curse of yours that you had – I couldn't return the mating mark." That was true, Percy realised. Kronos had never marked him, the Curse of Achilles had stopped him. Kronos struggled to his feet, looking slightly dizzy, and then promptly vomited over the vegetable patch that contained the Moly seeds – though what the Moly was, Percy still didn't know. None of the beings whom visited were eager to discuss them.
"You're not well," Percy stated. Could immortals even get sick? He wished his stomach wasn't still hurting, at least then he'd be able to move over to Kronos and check that he okay.
"I'm fine," Kronos said curtly, even as he frowned down at the vomit by his feet.
Percy shook his head, because there was definitely something wrong with Kronos despite the Titan's insistence otherwise. "You're not-"
"I am fine." Kronos glowered at Percy. "And even if I wasn't, it wouldn't be your problem anymore."
Percy's jaw tightened. "I want it to be my problem, Kronos. I don't think Porphyrion gives a damn about your wellbeing, and you know it too."
The Titan just sneered, pulling himself up to his full height. "You speak as if you do."
Percy was tempted to swear at him, but knew that wouldn't help. "Kronos, stop being such a stubborn asshole and listen to me." Percy took a deep breath. "You don't have to do this, there's still time to-"
"And if I want to?" Kronos demanded. "Why would I ever try to help the gods? What have they ever done to me to make me want to help them?"
"You could do it out of the goodness of your heart."
Kronos snorted.
The demigod sighed. "I can't convince you, can I?"
"No. My mind is set on this." Kronos glanced back at his vomit in the vegetable patch, not the usual place for it, and frowned. The look in his eyes… Percy's eyebrows furrowed, because that look in Kronos' eyes wasn't what Percy had expected from the Titan Lord.
Kronos was terrified.
Lots of line breaks here... sorry. So I now have three separate story-lines branching out. Most of this next arc will focus on the remnants of the Argo II crew, but Percy and Annabeth will certainly have the occasional scene too. As for Percy's scene here... very important, so I want to know if anyone's picked up my rather obvious hint in his part... and see if you can guess as to why Kronos is so scared. Next chapter: RHEA will be joining in on the chaos unfolding! I can't wait xD.
Chelsea Jay (chap 16): EXACTLY! That is literally what he meant there, well done for being the only person to pick up on it xD. Kronos is the crooked one after all, can never trust him with anything.
Thegoldraven: Thanks :). Yeah, most of them are more sex than plot (and kinda... not good), but this is mostly plot with the occasional moment thrown in. Because you can't ever have a story with Kronos without something going terribly wrong for everyone but Kronos. Kronos is a little confused right now lol. His emotions are running high ;)
1234booklover: Yeah, I tried to not state that lol. Though Kronos did have the occasional moment of hey Percy actually likes me maybe this won't be so bad. Well... Kronos is immortal. What's the point in him wasting a few decades on a mortal who's going to die sooner rather than later?
ghostfall: Yeah. That's unlikely for a while. Because Kronos is about to be in big trouble.
Thatgremlinbitch: Yeah, Kronos x Porphyrion ftw! It's good that you don't know what's really happening! I means I've done my job right :). Hey, about that pregnant thing... xD. All of those questions will be answered... later in the fic! If I say it now it'll be big spoilers...
Terrorisk123: I'm a she lol. Ha, as if Kronercy will get a happy ending in this - you should know they never really happen.
bookish-things: Uh... I can't tell you that. Sorry. xD