Chapter 43 - Immortals
Hazel had never seen a Titan be killed before, but she supposed there was a first time for everything.
"Hazel," Leo whispered. Hazel followed his gaze to Hyperion. The Titan was gaping at the splatter of ichor that had been his brother, specks of gold across his face. His expression twisted, horror and disbelief then a sharp rage. The sudden warmth that was filling the room had Hazel sweating.
Hyperion roared as he burst into flames. The stone at his feet melted and twisted. Luke yelped, snatching hold of Annabeth's arms and dragging her away from the Lord of Light. Even from where Hazel was standing, the opposite side of the altar and chains and several dozen feet away from him, the air was sucked out of the room and her lungs as it was pulled towards the flaming Titan. The altar itself liquified, the chains melting to molten metal.
Hazel remembered what Pasiphaë had said. No mortal fire can harm him. She assumed that was because mortals couldn't muster up the energy required to burn the giant. But Hyperion? Surely, he would be one of the immortals whom could take down the giant.
Clytius certainly seemed wary enough, reaching out towards Hyperion with his black smoke to try to keep him at bay, but Hyperion's flames dissolved all of the smoke around him. The giant spoke, using Annabeth's body, "He's a traitor, Porphyrion said to kill him if he emerged," Clytius insisted.
Hyperion's flames burned hotter and fiercer. "He's my brother. Kronos wanted him back with us, bastard." The Doors of Death, free of the molten chains, slammed shut. It made little difference, since Hyperion was lighting up the entire room with his flames.
The anti-Hecate sneered. "I don't answer to the omega."
The Lord of Light reacted, his form rippling amongst the flames. Fire shot over the altar, threatening to incinerate Hazel. Leo lurched in front of her, palms splayed out as he blocked them. The fire-wielder gasped, stumbling back as the flames lessened significantly like a dog returning to its master, drawing back as Hyperion focused the stray wisps onto the giant.
"Can't do that again," Leo gasped as he doubled over, hands on his knees. Hazel guessed stopping the Titan's flames had taken a lot out of him.
Hazel grabbed his hand. "Annabeth," she said.
Leo nodded shakily. "Right," he agreed. "Sure." He forced himself to stay upright as Hazel helped him skirt around the edge of the room to avoid Hyperion, whom had by then thrown himself at the giant with his sword drawn. "He must like his brother for him to do this," Leo said.
Hazel grabbed his arm. "Don't stop," she hissed. "Come on." She took her sword, continuing on towards Luke.
Leo followed after her, glancing back towards the two immortals as he did so. Hyperion seemed to have turned entirely into a column of roaring flames, the heat and light licking away at everything around him.
Percy couldn't force his legs to move since he was too tired and weak, so Alabaster Torrington ended up dragging him bodily across the rocky ground. It made his stomach scream in pain and Percy yelped.
Somewhere close, he heard the clashing of scythe on spear as Porphyrion roared his fury. Sharp and silent, Kronos may have looked to have one foot in the grave, but he still managed to dance out of reach of the giant's spear. The Titan lashed out in response, but the strike only bounced off of Porphyrion's chestplate.
Kronos hissed as he backed up a step, trying to put some distance between the two. But both spear and scythe had similar reach, and the point of Porphyrion's spear followed Kronos as he moved.
Percy grabbed Alabaster's arm. "You have to help him-"
"He's fine," the other demigod retorted. "And I'll just get in the way."
"Then heal me and I'll-"
The son of Hecate laughed at him. "Right, sure. That'll happen." The cavern shook above them again, dust and loose stones rolling down the walls. Both Kronos and Porphyrion didn't pay the ceiling any attention, fixated on their battle.
"The gods," Percy realised, "they're really here?"
Torrington ground his teeth together, and then dragged Percy into a semi-protected area. "Yes, not that it matters," he retorted, eyes wild and feral. "Kronos will kill Porphyrion – with my help – and then we'll be gone before they break through the wards."
Percy couldn't let that happen. This was his chance to escape, if only he could get up and walk. The cavern trembled again, only not from the gods this time. Kronos yelped as his back collided with a wall, scythe slipping his grasp. Porphyrion lumbered closer, grinning up until the point of Kronos springing back at him, jaguar form with claws extended. The giant swiped at Kronos, but the Titan dug his powerful jaws into his arm and grimly clung on. Porphyrion bellowed, shaking his limb to try to throw Kronos off. Kronos skidded across the floor on his side, but swiftly lurched back up and ran for the giant. Porphyrion lunged for him, but Kronos ducked under his reaching fingers and jumped between the giant's legs. Porphyrion's scream was distinctly high-pitched and furious as he kicked out, catching a retreating Kronos dead in the side.
A snap echoed around the cavern, even as Porphyrion took a shuddering step towards Kronos. The Titan yelped as he tried to rise to his paws, the impact of Porphyrion's kick having done considerable damage to his side. The giant's body condensed, dropping to his own four paws.
Percy's heart threatened to drop into his stomach. "Help him!" He snapped as he saw the grizzly bear shaking slightly as he stalked towards Kronos.
Kronos hissed, lurching back to his own paws as thunder rumbled again. Only this time, part of the cavern roof gave way.
Alabaster ground his teeth, but darted out from their little hiding place and raised his hands. "Incantare: Ignis!" Fire burst forwards, forming from the Mist. Porphyrion bellowed his fury as it lashed against his back, and he wheeled around to roar at Torrington.
He reared up, preparing to dash his paw against the demigod's head and crush his skull with ease, and a black jaguar leapt onto his back.
Kronos sank his fangs into the side of Porphyrion's neck, grimly digging all his claws into the thick fur and hide. Porphyrion screamed, twisting to try to grab at Kronos. Sharp claws scratched at Kronos' shoulder, but he simply clung on firmer. White eyes burning, Porphyrion dropped and rolled, Kronos yelping in pain as the giant rolled over him.
Porphyrion growled as Kronos backed away, following after him.
The cavern trembled, and a lightning bolt ripped straight through the ceiling, shattering the ground between the paws of Porphyrion and Kronos.
Porphyrion glowered at Zeus, shifting back to his giant form. Kronos followed suit, hand now gripping his scythe. The giant's eye twitched. "You're not supposed to be capable."
The King of the gods smiled thinly. "Perhaps." Gleaming silver armour, writhing with little sparks wrapped around his torso. "But you attacked Mount Ida. An attack on my birthplace tends to get my attention." His gaze flickered over to the vegetable patch overlooked by Saturn's statue. "Is that Moly?" He demanded.
Kronos raised an eyebrow, slightly hunched over the injuries on his stomach. He grimaced. "Does it?" He directed a sharp glare towards Porphyrion. "You were supposed to have it done without getting their attention."
The giant sneered at him. "It was a good opportunity to trap either him or that bitch he calls a Mother-"
"They weren't supposed to find us!" Kronos snapped back at him, tightening his grip on his scythe.
The god took a step forwards. "Where is Perseus Jackson?" He demanded.
Percy opened his mouth, realising that the god couldn't see him where Alabaster had dragged him, but a hand quickly covered his mouth. Percy glared at Torrington, whom simply pressed a finger to his lips.
Kronos shrugged. "A good question," he said, skirting away from Porphyrion as the giant spun around to face him and raised his spear. Kronos deflected the strike away with his scythe.
Zeus raised his Master Bolt, looking rather surprised to see them fighting each other. "Both of you – stop." He couldn't seem to decide whom to attack first. Porphyrion solved that issue when he spun his spear towards Zeus with a sneer.
"Don't try to give me orders, god."
Kronos let out a short breath, watching as Zeus retaliated with a well-placed lightning bolt, having to dive to the floor when Porphyrion deflected it in the Titan's direction. The Titan grunted in pain, one hand clutching at his stomach, but growled and lunged at Porphyrion. Zeus directed a bolt towards Kronos' side, but the Titan danced aside and struck out at Porphyrion.
Percy gaped as he watched, Zeus' Master Bolt crackling and shuddering in the god's hand, sparking every time is collided with Kronos' scythe or Porphyrion's spear. The three immortals attacked each other without care for the cavern around them, gouging great trenches into the ground from deflected lightning bolts and shattering the walls like glass. A spark landed on one of the Moly, igniting the sapling which was splattered with Percy's blood.
Alabaster swore, grabbing Percy by the arm and dragging him away from the line of fire. Percy watched with rapidly mounting horror as one of Zeus' bolts skimmed by Kronos, missing him by half a foot only because the Titan twisted away. Yeah, sure, Kronos was a jerk and had nearly killed Percy, but Percy still stupidly cared for him.
He was surprised that the Titan was keeping up, considering how sickly Kronos looked, but he seemed fine as he danced between Zeus' bolts and Porphyrion's spear. Mildly concerned, Percy glanced over at Alabaster whom was crouched next to him. "You have to help him –"
"What do you expect me to do?" Alabaster demanded. "I can't fight Zeus or Porphyrion for him!"
"Help him kill Porphyrion!" Percy hissed angrily.
"And then what about Zeus?" The beta retorted sharply. "What do we do when he turns all his attention onto Kronos after?"
Percy fisted his hands. "He won't," he said. He tried to struggle to his feet. "But fine. If you won't, then I will."
Alabaster shoved him back down, not caring about his sharp yelp. "We need you alive," he snapped. He took a deep breath, about to say something else – hopefully to say he'd help Kronos – when a scream hit their ears.
A scream that Percy never wanted to hear. He jerked around, turning back to face the three immortals as Porphyrion wrenched his spear out of Kronos' stomach. The Titan crumpled as golden ichor splattered the walls and ground, arching through the air. Seizing the opportunity, Zeus aimed his Master Bolt and directed a flash of lightning towards Porphyrion.
Percy's eyes, however, were fixed intently on Kronos as the Titan lay sprawled on the ground, cries tearing from his throat in pain and hands clutching at his stomach in a futile attempt at stopping the bleeding. Ineffective when the hole in his stomach was larger than his hands.
Leo had heard many rumours about Luke Castellan, how he had been the best swordsman for at least a century until Percy Jackson had taken that title. He hadn't quite appreciated that, until the man nearly took his head off a few seconds into their fight. All of them were sweating, Annabeth included though she was still passed out from Hyperion's raging fire.
Leo stumbled back, sending a blast of fire at Luke, but it was whipped away by the Titan in the room before reaching the older demigod. Hazel stepped forwards, managing to parry his next strike. She clenched her free hand, and gems and metal rocketed out of the walls and towards Luke like buckshot. Each one bounced harmlessly off his bare chest.
"You've got to be kidding me," Leo muttered, reaching into his tool-belt for his hammer. "Blessing of Achilles."
Luke smiled and shrugged. "Well, if it works." Grinning widely, Luke lunged again and nearly stabbed Leo in the chest. Leo yelped and dived to the side even as Hazel stepped towards him and took the strike against her spatha.
All three of them ducked as a blast of fire and heat raged over their heads.
Luke swore, dancing back from them. Even he could still get burnt, despite the Curse of Achilles. Leo followed, swinging his hammer, but it was clumsy compared to Luke's sword. The older demigod ducked and slashed back, cutting through Leo's shirt and into his chest.
"Leo!" Hazel exclaimed as he fell back. The ground ruptured beneath Luke's feet, a pillar shooting up and sending Luke flying. Hazel shoved a piece of ambrosia at Leo. "Eat," she ordered, following after Luke.
The son of Hermes had no particular powers to use against them, nothing that gave him an edge over a child of Pluto. Luke growled as he clambered back to his feet. "I serve my Lord Kronos," he snapped. "You will not defeat me." He glowed gold as he advanced towards Hazel, eyes sharp and bright like headlights in the darkness of the cavern.
Leo made his way over to Annabeth, shaking her until she stirred. "Hey, Annie, we've got to get moving-"
"Annie?" Annabeth asked groggily. "Who's Annie?"
Leo's lips twitched. "You?" He offered. He grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet. "Come on. We have to go before Hyperion tears everything down around us." Sweat stuck his hair down to his forehead, his shirt was dripping and he desperately needed some water and fresh air that wasn't taken straight out of his lungs.
Hazel was standing her own against Luke with heavy use of her own powers to keep him at bay.
"Hazel!" Leo yelled, dragging Annabeth over. "We have to go!" Annabeth stumbled, face pale and gaunt, but forced her legs to move. Leo slammed into Luke from behind, knocking the older man over, and lunged for Hazel's hand.
Despite his surprise, Luke recovered quickly. "Hyperion!" He yelled. "They're getting away!"
As Hazel dragged them into the closest shadow, long and dark from Hyperion's raging fire, Leo caught a glimpse of the flaming Titan turning to face them. Every inch of him was on fire, from his toes to his heavy scowl. Clytius was smoking and burnt opposite him. Hyperion sent a blast of fire raging towards them, missing them by mere inches as the three fell into the shadows.
Alabaster had bolted from their hiding place, hands up and a shield twisting in front of him, but Percy really didn't know what he was planning. Kronos was groaning, trying to drag himself away from Porphyrion and Zeus, but crumpled down to the ground.
The son of Hecate twisted his wrists, summoning an Imperial Gold sword. "Hey, Porphyrion!" He raised his shield and muttered a few words, and a blast of fire burst from his hands.
The giant bellowed, swiping at the air with a large hand. Zeus' Master Bolt slammed into his back, and he howled. Porphyrion slammed his spear into the ground, disappearing into a chute.
Alabaster sneered, staring at where Porphyrion had disappeared. "Coward," he spat. Percy groaned, struggling to leave the cover where Alabaster had dragged him. Kronos was writhing on the ground, ichor swiftly spreading beneath him.
A lightning bolt carved a trench into the ground in front of Torrington, and the son of Hecate stopped dead. Zeus' eyes narrowed at him. "No," the god firmly said.
Kronos groaned, one hand clutching at his stomach. Ichor was splattered along his lips and teeth. The Titan was glowing faintly, looking like small shudders were wracking his body.
Two more beams of divine light split through the cavern above, and Poseidon and Apollo landed next to Zeus. Poseidon's grip tightened on his trident as he scanned the room, eyes flicking over the Moly and Kronos and landing on Al. "Where is my son?" He demanded.
Alabaster pressed his lips together. "Over there," he said, nodding over to where Percy was sprawled. The demigod seemed prepared to bolt. His gaze flicked to the wall, where the shadows were thickest.
Zeus raised his Master Bolt as Apollo and Poseidon skirted around Kronos, making their way towards Percy. "For treason," Zeus said, "you are sentenced to-"
Alabaster took off, barrelling straight at the wall. He dissolved into the shadows a split second before a lightning shattered the wall. The ground rumbled, dragging the Moly down into the Earth, and Zeus swore viciously.
Apollo's hands were warm as he rested them on Percy's chest, grimacing slightly. Percy took a breath, and blood spilled out of his wound. "How long has this been like this?" Apollo demanded.
Percy swallowed, head dizzy as Poseidon fretted over him. "I don't… Kronos has been keeping it like this?" His throat felt like a desert, completely parched. The god's hands glowed, and between his fingers Percy watched his injury seal over, the frayed edges of flesh knitting back together, and any internal damage also sealing over.
Percy's hand clamped down over Apollo's, eyes fierce. "Kronos –" he looked over the god's shoulder, over towards Kronos. The Titan omega was crying out in pain, one hand resting a fraction lower than the stab wound, the other failing to clamp down. "You have to help him," Percy urged.
Apollo shook his head. "No," he said, prying his hand out of Percy's grip.
"You have to!" Percy exclaimed. "Please – you can't just let him die."
Zeus crossed his arms. "He swore to not start another attempted coup, and yet here he is."
"He didn't start it," Percy said quickly, unsteadily forcing himself upright. Poseidon's hand was gripping his arm, just in case he fell. "He joined with one that was started by someone else."
Zeus glowered. "That does not excuse what he has done. It's easier to simply kill him now."
Apollo was crouched over the fallen Titan, eyes furrowed as he pressed a hand against Kronos' stomach. Percy swallowed. "Please," he whispered, eyes on Apollo. "Yeah, sure, he's done things he probably shouldn't have but I love him!"
Poseidon scowled. "He tried to kill you and kidnapped you for you to be used in a sacrifice."
Percy shrugged. "Well, sure he's not perfect, but… when it worked between us it was good."
Apollo cleared his throat, making his way over to Zeus and whispering something into his ear. Zeus' eyes furrowed. "What?" He boomed, spinning to stare at Kronos. "That's not possible."
Apollo raised an eyebrow. "He's an Omega," he said, "of course it is."
The King of the gods glared sharply at Apollo, at odd look in his eyes as he turned to look Percy up and down. "You're sure?"
The sun god rolled his eyes. "I don't make mistakes about that sort of thing."
"No," Zeus growled, "but you do when it comes to prophecies."
Apollo winced, drawing back slightly, but not saying anything in response. Percy's eyes furrowed. "What's going on?"
Zeus drew himself up. "Apollo, take Kronos back to Olympus. Is Percy well?"
Apollo nodded, clearing his throat. "Yes, sir."
"Good," Zeus said. "Then Poseidon will take him back to his friends. Get Kronos to Olympus immediately."
Percy's eyes widened. "Thank you, Lord Zeus," he said gratefully.
Zeus merely scowled at Percy, before watching as Apollo carefully flashed Kronos away. Zeus followed suit.
Poseidon scanned Percy over briefly, looking rather relieved to see him on his feet. "We didn't know where you were," he said tiredly, looking gaunt and haggard. He let out a heavy sigh. "I am glad to find you before you were sacrificed."
Percy shook his head slowly. "The Moly – Porphyrion attacked me," he whispered. "Some of my blood…"
Poseidon's hand tightened. He looked mildly horrified. "We'll fix that," he promised, gaze firm. "We just… need to stop them from getting hold of a female demigod."
Percy slowly nodded. "Right," he agreed. "Right. Annabeth?"
Poseidon's lips twitched. "She'll be fine," he said. "Now, come. We must reunite you with your friends."
Figured I'd get this out as a 21st present for myself :). So yeah. Sorry, not sorry. Next chapter... Percy and Kronos have a chat, the Argo crew are reunited, and Percy find out what was wrong with Kronos. Not necessarily in that order.
Terrorisk123: Sorry. Maybe, maybe not? Not really XD.
thegoldraven: My version of the Doors, since we're not having elevators in Tartarus bc that's just stupid. Kronos just separated from Luke. Yeah. Exciting.
1234booklover: Bob was, yeah. Yup. Zeus gate-crashed! Percy is rescued! Kronos... is in trouble. Kronos just separated from Luke bc Percy pissed him off and his anger let him be stronger. Well he could've at least cooperated with me.
Thatgremlinbitch: Now? Yeah. Hyperion's reaction is explosive XD.