Chapter 57 – On Top of The World

Percy didn't return to Alaska the week after, despite Kronos showing up. The Titan had been taken by surprise when Percy had grabbed hold of his ichor and pointedly kept him in place on the fire escape, crossing his arms and glaring at the Titan from inside. It was still snowing, and the air steamed around the immortal from the warmth he was giving off, though it didn't stop snow from settling on the feathers of his wings. Kronos rustled them once Percy dropped his hold over the ichor, flaring the limbs out behind him to shake off the heavier bits of snow. Kronos' gaze had flashed with a dozen different emotions – a sharp and violent anger chief among them with a muttered curse at Oceanus – before he simply left from the fire escape with a flash of his golden wings, clearly getting the message.

Percy watched him go, but he was done. Oceanus' lesson had actually been useful for him, in more than just the blood-bending. The son of Poseidon had never really had any form of a teacher for his abilities before and Oceanus had noticed with immense disgust. So the Titan had also given him a crash course on fine control alongside the blood-bending.

Much to Percy's frustration, he caught the occasional flash of gold on a building in the distance over the next weeks. Kronos was watching him, or at least in the area, and Percy didn't understand why. He also didn't know how Zeus hadn't noticed yet. Whatever the reason, Kronos clearly wasn't leaving him alone.

Percy struggled to pay attention during his classes, his attention often drifting more than before. Kronos' presence on the weekends had at least encouraged Percy to do work then. As it was, he found himself jumping up and getting distracted more often than not, his legs twitching under the tables and making them shake slightly. But Kronos had cut him open from his shoulder to his hip, for some completely unknown reason that Percy couldn't understand.

But that was fine. Percy was done with trying to chase after Kronos. Clearly the Titan didn't care and Percy just wasn't going to bother anymore. There was only so much that Percy's loyalty could take before he decided Kronos was a lost cause.

The pouch that Kronos had given him was sitting on the bedside table in his room. Percy had tried to open it, but it was sealed. Percy had also chucked it into the ocean, only to find it back in his room when he'd returned. He glared at it, before picking up the pouch and tucking it amongst his shirts.

Percy just had to focus on his school and his exams, and then he would be fine. He could get into a college and move on with his life and forget Kronos ever existed.

Percy's head jerked up from his schoolwork as a gold-winged figure shot past the window, gritting his teeth angrily. A feather drifted down to land on his fire escape, and Percy promptly brought it inside and lit a candle to set fire to it.

"Asshole," he muttered under his breath. "Leave me alone, Kronos," he said to the burning feather.

There was no response, not that Percy was expecting one.

Percy spent the Winter Solstice at Camp, partly to get away from his immortal stalker and also to just distract himself.

Percy needed to relax away from the Titan Lord. It made him groan, because how had he even considered this could end up working? And Kronos was clearly determined to irritate him.

Chiron had frowned slightly when Percy admitted what had happened, the centaur looking troubled. "Be wary of his attention, Percy," the centaur advised. "While little seems to have changed and he seems content for now, don't expect that to last forever."

Percy nodded his head slightly. "Yeah, I know," he said tiredly. He stared around the empty room of the Big House at Camp, eyes furrowing slightly. "Where's Mr. D anyway?" Percy asked.

Chiron shook his head. "He did not return from Olympus," he said, looking somewhat mystified. "I thought perhaps he would… but there has been little communication." His frown deepened further. "Rachel was also supposed to be visiting," Chiron added. "But there has been nothing from her either."

Percy's eyebrows furrowed. "What about Olympus itself?" He asked in confusion.

"Nothing," Chiron said to Percy. His hooves clopped against the floor as he moved, staring out of the window across the Camp. "We have heard nothing."

The demigod stared at Chiron, briefly reminded that Kronos was Chiron's father. It wasn't obvious usually, but Chiron had a brooding expression on his face then that had clearly been inherited from the Titan King. "At all?" Percy hesitated briefly. "Nothing?"

"Nothing," Chiron confirmed. His tail flicked anxiously, and he turned back towards Percy. "I expect you not to feel everyone," he warned Percy. "Not everyone needs to know of this silence from Olympus."

Percy nodded his head slightly, hesitating briefly. "Chiron… have any kids of Apollo who might be able to See the future a little complained about not seeing?"

Chiron paused, and Percy suddenly had his full attention. "And where has this come from?"

Percy cleared his throat. "Well… it was something the Titan mentioned," he said, avoiding using Kronos' name. "Apparently he's been having trouble Seeing. I… don't really know why," he added to Chiron when he saw the interest and worry in Chiron's brown eyes. "But anyway with Time, apparently He can See glimpses of the future when he looks. But He Sees nothing. It was driving Him up the wall when I saw Him last," Percy explained.

Chiron looked troubled, but he nodded slightly. "Now that is intriguing," he murmured, before shaking his head. "But it shouldn't be anything you need to worry about, Percy," Chiron said. "Hopefully… it will sort itself out."

Percy doubted that, but he wasn't about to argue otherwise. But Kronos had seemed pretty worried about it, and Gaea… well, she'd just laughed and brushed it off. "Right," Percy muttered with a sigh. "Good, because I have to get good grades this year to get into New Rome's University."

Chiron inclined his head slightly.

Percy sighed and started for the door. "Thanks, Chiron," he said. He hesitated briefly before looking towards the centaur again. "And thanks, for not involving me."

"I think you've been involved enough in your life, Percy," Chiron said with a weary smile. "It's time the gods let you rest."

Percy nodded in agreement. He'd done enough for the gods. If they had a problem they could get someone else to deal with it.

Unfortunately, Kronos clearly hadn't got the message. When Percy returned from his holiday at Camp, he found Kronos in his room. Percy's eye twitched as he dropped the pack onto his bed. He wordlessly pulled out the pouch from his pack. "Please take this back," he said flatly to him. "I don't know what it is, but I don't really care either," he said as he closed the distance between them and shoved the pouch into Kronos' hand.

Before he could react, Kronos had closed his hand around Percy's wrist, his expression twisting into a scowl. "The gift has been given. It cannot be given back," the Titan Lord said.

Percy's eyes narrowed. "Let me go before you're choking on your own ichor," he flatly said.

Kronos snorted. "Yes, blood-bending. I had a word with Oceanus for that," he grumbled. Percy felt the ichor in Kronos' veins and, just to make a point, he made the ichor flow backwards in the hand Kronos was holding him with. Kronos hissed, immediately letting go of him and shaking his hand off with a dark glare at Percy.

"What are you even doing in New York?" Percy demanded. "I'm surprised Zeus hasn't tried to kill you yet considering you've just been flying around everywhere."

Kronos lunged without warning, and Percy let out a sharp shout. A split second later, Percy felt them both plunging out of the window of his room. Glass shattered, and he hissed in pain as he felt shards of glass pierce his stomach and arms. "Hey!" Percy protested angrily as they dipped towards the streets, before Kronos' wings snapped out and the two were shooting into the air. Kronos glanced down at him, grabbing onto Percy's shirt with his other hand and then pulling Percy closer to his chest.

Percy was yelling as his feet kicked at air, watching the cars and the streets disappear beneath him. "Let me down!" Percy yelled.

Kronos smirked, and then he let go of Percy. Percy yelled in terror. "Kronos!" He exclaimed. Percy was looking up and he watched as Kronos' wings tucked in close to him, and the Titan dove down towards him. He grabbed onto Percy, snatching him close again as Percy squeezed his eyes shut. "Asshole," Percy gasped out.

Kronos just laughed, his chest rumbling slightly as he did so. "Try to blood-bend again and I will not catch you," the Titan said.

Percy cracked open one eye, and immediately shut it again when he realised Kronos was flying above the skyscrapers of Manhattan. "Children of Poseidon are afraid of heights!" He yelled at Kronos.

"Oh, I'm aware," Kronos said.

Percy suddenly felt their movement slow and his feet set on the ground. He cracked open his eyes, looking around with disbelief. Kronos had set them on the top of the Empire State Building. Percy craned his neck to look up at Olympus far overhead, his eyes furrowing slightly. The fierce wind was passing around the two of them, otherwise Percy thought he'd be swept entirely off the top of the building. "You didn't answer about Zeus."

"Olympus closed," Kronos simply said. "They decided to close themselves off again." Kronos smiled. "It obviously means that Zeus doesn't see me flying around under his nose."

Percy frowned. "Yeah, I've heard," he said tiredly. "Chiron said."

Kronos' nose crinkled at the mention of his centaur son. "Beings are moving again," Kronos finally said. He wordlessly held up the pouch and he held it towards Percy. "And unfortunately, I cannot See as I used to before. But this – I have Seen that you may need this, and I would prefer that you keep it."

Percy's eyes narrowed at him, and he looked from the pouch back to Kronos. Then Percy looked out over Manhattan, and made a somewhat horrified noise. "You're going to leave me up here if I don't hear you out, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Percy glared at him. He gritted his teeth, but snatched the pouch out of Kronos' hand. "I don't see how you explaining yourself will make me forgive you."

Kronos crossed his arms. His wings arced over them both, shielding Percy from the glare of the setting sun. "I do not expect it to. Nor do I expect that you will ever wish to see me again." Kronos smiled slightly. "I considered, for a brief moment, that it may have been better for you to die there, in Alaska, rather than what may happen in the coming months." His expression twisted slightly. "I can only say that the future is never truly set in stone. That may be the reason for you still being alive today."

Percy narrowed his eyes fiercely. "So you wanted to kill me to try to protect me?" He demanded angrily.

Kronos chuckled. "Yes," he agreed.

"Well that's fucking brilliant, isn't it? I thought you were supposed to be smart."

Kronos looked irritated then, scowling at Percy. "Reviving you after death would be difficult, but not impossible."

"And what if I didn't want to die?" Percy asked, baffled. "You're just going to take away that choice?" He demanded.

Kronos shook his head. "That is why I shifted the blade before it could sever you into two pieces," he stated. "Your future is your choice, and I would not expect otherwise."

Percy nodded firmly. "Damn right it is," he growled.

Kronos chuckled. He held a hand out to Percy. "Now, do you wish to be returned?"

"Yes," Percy instantly said.

"Do try to keep your eyes open this time," Kronos mocked Percy as he pulled him closer. Before Percy could reply, Kronos had tipped them sideways off the top of the Empire State Building and the two went into freefall. Percy screeched, but he did keep his eyes open. Kronos' massive wings reflected the setting sun into the windows and sides of the buildings as they descended, and Percy's heart leapt into his throat as Kronos brought them down to the road and took turns at horrendous speeds. A few drivers beeped their horns and swerved. Percy guessed they were seeing a bird or something similar.

Finally, Kronos beat his wings and rose straight up, landing nimbly and suddenly on the edge of Percy's fire escape.

Kronos waved a hand, fixing the window.

Percy gripped the pouch in his hand. "Don't fucking interfere with my life," he warned Kronos. "My choices are my own. I want to live for my friends and family," he said to the Titan. "I don't care what you think might happen to me. I can protect myself."

Kronos didn't even try to hide his doubt, but he simply nodded his head and stepped back from Percy towards the edge of the fire escape again. "Be safe, Perseus," Kronos said. His expression was sombre as he turned his head aside. He seemed to be listening for something as he tilted his head to the side. "Try to stay out of the next crisis to hit Olympus," he advised.

Percy raised an eyebrow at him. "Trust me," he said tiredly. "I intend to. Don't think this means you're off the hook," he warned. "I still won't trust you after you literally cut my back open."

Kronos nodded slightly. "Smart of you." He said, before he beat his wings and shot into the sky. Percy was left with the pouch in his hand.

It was early February when Percy came back from the school on a Friday to find Grover in the kitchen talking to Paul. Percy blinked, dropping his pack onto the couch, and twitching slightly as he felt the pouch from Kronos materialise in his pocket next to Riptide. He hadn't seen the golden Titan around New York for several weeks now, and hadn't spoken with him since their fire escape conversation.

Percy raised an eyebrow at Grover. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

Grover beamed when he saw Percy. "It's been ages!" He exclaimed.

Percy blinked. He'd seen Grover during the Winter Solstice at Camp, but hadn't for the month since. "Yeah," he agreed, grinning as he hugged Grover. "But – ah, I thought you were away? Doing nature spirit things," he said. "And finding demigods."

Grover nodded his head slightly. "I was," he said. "But Chiron got in touch with me." Grover shifted slightly, looking kind of uneasy. If his presence itself wasn't a big red flag, that was.

Percy groaned. "What's happened now?" He demanded.

Grover pressed his lips together. "Let's go to Camp," he said to Percy. "We should talk there."

"Why?" Percy demanded.

The satyr shook his head slightly. "I know you won't want to," he said, "but there's a problem. A big problem."

Percy crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Out with it, dude," he firmly said.

Grover sighed. "Alright, well Chiron said he told you that the gods were silent?" The demigod nodded slightly. "Well, Mr. D got in touch with him. Apparently, something's gone wrong… badly."

"It always does," Percy said sourly. "What's it this time? Maybe one of the gods misplaced a weapon somewhere?" He suggested sarcastically. "Or maybe this time the Pit is rising, or maybe the Earth is finally doing to do something after everyone worrying about Her coming back?" Percy asked. "Or maybe Zeus even wants to thank us for helping with the Giants?" Percy laughed, knowing that was just unlikely to happen.

"No, actually," Grover slowly said as he stared at Percy with wide eyes. He seemed surprised with Percy's bitterness. "Mr. D said Zeus lost Apollo."

Percy blinked. "What?" He asked, utterly amazed. "How in Hades does Zeus manage to lose a god?" Percy demanded in disbelief.

Grover just looked unnerved as thunder rumbled overhead. Percy ignored it. "Chiron can explain," Grover said. "But… apparently, it seems like the Titan King was involved."

The son of Poseidon stared. Because of course Kronos was involved. Why would Percy think he wouldn't be involved in the next crisis to hit Olympus? Percy groaned audibly. He knew Kronos had been in and out of Manhattan regularly, so he honestly wasn't surprised he'd been up to something he hadn't told Percy about. Percy just sighed, his shoulders slumping. He had told Kronos he wouldn't get involved, but…"Let me just go get packed then," he said tiredly.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

I've fortunately had time to finish this off for Christmas, as seems to be a tradition for me XD.

ClioJackson: I'm doing ok, yeah. Not brilliant, but things aren't usually so that's not important XD. Kronos is just generally fucked up, and so's Percy lol. I needed to get Percy blood-bending somehow, and Oceanus seemed a good option for that. As for TOA, things have already changed in this chapter. Apollo doesn't go missing in canon lol.

Moonstone23: Well, first he's going to use it to annoy Kronos lol. Then he will use it in fights etc. It'll definitely be fun to add it into some scenes XD.

Alwaris: always! I'm hoping to actually finish it eventually XD