Chapter 5.
As they cruised along the highway, Annabeth's voice broke the rhythmic hum of the engine. "Why are you helping the waitress so much?" she inquired, her curiosity evident in her tone.
Percy glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his expression thoughtful. "What do you mean?" he asked, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Well, you were kind to her the entire time, you paid her way more than you needed, and you made sure she wouldn't interact with Ares," Annabeth elaborated.
Percy's grip tightened on the steering wheel, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. "Because I don't trust Ares not to hurt her or decide to come back later and force himself on her, as he tends to do with attractive women," he stated bluntly, his voice laced with frustration and indignation.
Annabeth nodded, inwardly mulling over Percy's response. He wasn't wrong—most powerful beings typically didn't concern themselves with the feelings of mortals. Yet Percy's actions spoke volumes about his character. She couldn't shake the curiosity about his backstory and what made him so different from the norm.
"If the gods are watching, wouldn't they see you helping us?" Theo's question broke the silence, prompting Percy to shake his head before responding, "I'm shrouded from their vision. They would look and see a random man driving you."
"Who's powerful enough to hide you from the gods' vision?" Annabeth asked, her bewilderment evident in her tone. Percy turned to smile at her, a glimmer of mystery dancing in his eyes. "I am," he stated simply before redirecting his focus back to the road ahead, leaving the demigods to ponder his response.
The group sat in a contemplative silence as the miles rolled by, the landscape outside gradually transitioning as they neared Nevada. Annabeth and Grover had fallen asleep, their heads lolling as they drifted into slumber, while Theo sat beside them, fidgeting with a pen in his hands.
"What's on your mind, Theo?" Percy's voice broke through the quiet, drawing Theo's attention. Startled, he looked up, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features as he struggled to articulate his inner turmoil.
"I'm just not sure I'm cut out for this," Theo confessed, his voice tinged with self-doubt. "You had to save me at Medusa's lair, and then you had to rescue Annabeth and Grover at the arch when I was incapacitated in the river."
Percy's smile was gentle, his gaze steady as he offered reassurance. "Nobody ever feels they're ready, Theo," he began, his tone infused with empathy. "Confidence comes with years of experience. You'll get there one day. Just be patient and trust in yourself."
Theo nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as Percy's words brought a measure of reassurance.
They continued the journey in silence until Percy eventually parked the car in front of a hotel. "Guys, wake up," Percy's voice pierced the quiet, rousing the demigods from their slumber.
As Annabeth, Grover, and Theo stirred awake, Percy turned to address them. "I have something to do here, so I must take my leave for now," he explained, his tone sincere. "I've arranged for a mortal driver to take you the rest of the way to the underworld. I'll see you guys soon. Oh, and by the way, my name is Percy."
The demigods nodded as Percy smiled and vanished into shadows, his spot in the driver's seat quickly taken by a mortal driver.
Percy watched as the car pulled away before he turned and walked into the hotel he parked in front of. He knew the hotel was a trap for mortals and demigods, but as a demi-primordial, it had no effect on him. He explored the casino for a while before settling back on his mission.
Percy maintained a calm demeanor as he approached the table where a boy and girl sat, their presence drawing his attention even amidst the bustling atmosphere of the hotel. Coming to a halt a few feet away, he greeted them with a warm smile.
"Hello, you two," he began, his voice gentle yet filled with a sense of purpose.
The siblings exchanged puzzled glances before the girl spoke up, her tone cautious. "Hello. Do we know you?" she inquired, her curiosity evident.
Percy shook his head slightly, his expression sympathetic. "No, but I know your father," he replied softly, observing the flicker of recognition in their eyes.
Their reaction was immediate; both siblings visibly startled at his words. Before they could respond, the boy interjected, his voice tinged with disbelief, "We were told our parents are dead and we were being cared for here until family came to get us."
Percy's gaze softened, understanding dawning in his eyes as he absorbed their words.
"Yes, your mother is gone, but your father is very much alive. I'm here to retrieve you to bring you to him," Percy affirmed, his tone resolute as he met their skeptical gazes.
The girl regarded him with a hint of suspicion before posing a challenge. "If you know our family, what was our mother's name?" she queried, her voice steady.
A smile graced Percy's lips as he responded confidently, "Maria Di Angelo."
Bianca's eyes widened in astonishment, a spark of recognition igniting within her. She exchanged a glance with her brother, Nico, before turning back to Percy.
"I'm Bianca Di Angelo, and this is my brother Nico Di Angelo," she introduced, a mixture of surprise and curiosity evident in her voice.
Percy nodded in acknowledgment, a sense of anticipation lingering in the air. "I can't tell you my name yet, as it's not time, but you'll find out soon," he explained cryptically.
Bianca looked at him confused before nodding. "Come, let us go to your father." Bianca smiled before she nodded and looked at Nico, who also smiled and stood up. Percy led the way outside before walking into an alley.
"Do you guys know anything about the Greek gods?" Percy asked. Bianca nodded slightly. "I know some, and Nico is a huge fan of a game based around it." "MYTHOMAGIC!" he exclaimed.
"Well, your father is a god. Specifically, Lord Hades." Bianca and Nico looked at him in shock before looking at him weirdly. "Are you okay, sir?" Bianca asked.
Percy's laughter echoed in the alleyway as he effortlessly manipulated the shadows, grabbing a garbage can beside them with a flick of his wrist. The siblings watched in awe as the mundane object levitated into the air, their eyes widening in astonishment.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine. The gods are real, and your father is Hades. We must hurry, though, as we don't have much time," Percy explained urgently, his tone conveying the gravity of their situation.
Bianca and Nico nodded in agreement, their confusion still evident as they absorbed the startling revelation. As Percy placed a comforting hand on each of their shoulders, they felt a sense of reassurance wash over them. Without another word, Percy enveloped them in the shadows, transporting them to the depths of Hades' throne room.
Emerging from the shadows into the dimly lit chamber, Percy spoke in a hushed tone, his voice tinged with urgency. "Okay, I'm not going to hurt you guys, but I need you to play along for now, okay?" he whispered softly, his gaze locking with theirs.
The siblings exchanged hesitant glances, a flicker of fear evident in their eyes, but they nodded in silent agreement, placing their trust in Percy as they braced themselves for the unknown.
As Theo, Grover, and Annabeth entered the throne room, Bianca and Nico observed in silence, their eyes fixed on the tumultuous scene unfolding before them. Hades' booming voice filled the chamber as he engaged in a heated exchange with the demigods, his anger palpable.
"That's our dad?" Bianca whispered incredulously, her disbelief evident in her tone. Percy nodded solemnly, his gaze softening as he met her eyes. "Yes, he is," he confirmed gently. "But he's... going through a difficult time right now. He believes his symbol of power, his helm of darkness, has been stolen by his brothers, so he's a little on edge. Don't judge him too harshly."
Bianca nodded in understanding, her expression reflecting a mix of concern and compassion for the father she had only just discovered. Returning her attention to the ongoing argument, she and Nico watched intently as the confrontation reached its climax, culminating in the demigods' daring escape using the magical pearls.
Hades' enraged bellow echoed through the chamber as the demigods vanished from sight, leaving behind a tense atmosphere tinged with unresolved tension. Bianca and Nico exchanged a glance, silently processing the events they had just witnessed and the newfound complexities of their family ties.
"You know, if you're gonna threaten someone, at least threaten someone who can actually fight back," Percy taunted from the shadows, his voice carrying an edge of defiance.
Hades's eyes narrowed as he scanned the dimly lit throne room, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Who are you, and how are you in my throne room without me knowing?" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration and disbelief.
"Because you may be strong, Lord Hades, but there are always stronger deities," Percy replied, his voice amplified to resonate throughout the chamber, challenging the god's authority.
With a thunderous expression, Hades rose from his throne, his gaze sweeping the room in search of the elusive intruder. "Come out before I drag those close to you to my realm as punishment," he threatened, his voice reverberating with menace.
Percy's laughter echoed through the room as he emerged from the shadows, his form shrouded in darkness. With a deft motion, he manipulated the shadows to reveal Bianca and Nico, bound in inky tendrils. "You'd drag your own children to punishment? What a disappointment of a father," Percy retorted, his words dripping with scorn and disdain.
Hades' eyes widened in shock as the realization dawned upon him, his anger dissipating into a palpable sense of desperation. "I'm sorry, please don't hurt my children," he pleaded, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation.
Percy's expression softened slightly at the sight of Hades' vulnerability, but he maintained a stern demeanor. With a dismissive roll of his eyes, he released the kids from the shadows' grasp, allowing them to rush into their father's embrace.
Hades dropped to his knees, enfolding Bianca and Nico in a tight embrace, his relief evident in his eyes as he looked up to see Percy emerging from the shadows.
"I apologize for that, Lord Hades," Percy stated calmly, his voice resonating with authority. "I didn't want you to accidentally hit them when attempting to attack me. My name is Perseus, or Percy for short."
Hades nodded solemnly, his expression a mix of gratitude and remorse. "Thank you, Percy," he murmured, his voice tinged with sincerity. "I... I appreciate your concern for my children. Please, forgive my earlier outburst. I... I am truly sorry."
Percy smiled before replying, "No worries, I probably would have done the same thing."
Hades regarded Percy with a mixture of surprise and gratitude, his expression softening as he processed Percy's explanation. "Why did you have my children?" he inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.
Percy shrugged nonchalantly, meeting Hades' gaze with unwavering resolve. "Because that hotel sucks, and the kids deserve to be with their father," he stated simply, his voice filled with conviction. "They are shrouded from Zeus's vision while here."
"Thank you, Percy," Hades replied sincerely, his gratitude evident in his tone. "The hotel was the only way I could protect them from Zeus until I was sure they were safe."
Percy returned Bianca and Nico's smiles with a nod of assurance, his resolve firm as he addressed Hades once more. "The questers will recover your helm, and I will bring it back to you. After that, I will explain who I am and why I'm here," he declared.
Hades nodded in acknowledgment, a sense of trust evident in his gaze as he released Bianca and Nico from his embrace. The siblings exchanged a final wave with Percy, their expressions filled with gratitude and anticipation, before turning back to their father.
With a final nod of farewell, Percy melted into the shadows, disappearing from the throne room in a swirl of darkness. When he reappeared, he found himself on a beach, the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore filling the air.
Percy's eyes narrowed as he observed the intense struggle unfolding before him on the beach. Theo, determined but clearly outmatched by Ares' brute strength, fought valiantly against the god of war, his efforts slowly wearing thin against his formidable opponent.
Sensing Theo's struggle, Percy reached out with his mind, his voice echoing within Theo's consciousness. "Use the sea to your advantage, Theo," he urged, his words a whispered encouragement amidst the chaos of battle.
Theo's gaze flickered with understanding as he absorbed Percy's guidance, swiftly retreating towards the water's edge. Ares, sensing an opportunity to taunt his opponent, mocked Theo with derisive laughter as he advanced.
"Come on, little fish boy, show me your power," Ares taunted, his voice dripping with disdain as he swung his sword with menacing intent. But Theo, undeterred, harnessed the power of the sea to blind Ares with a sudden surge of water.
Caught off guard, Ares staggered backward, momentarily vulnerable. Seizing the opportunity, Theo surged forward, his sword glinting in the sunlight as he drove it with all his might into Ares's thigh, eliciting a roar of pain from the god of war.
As Ares howled in pain, a blinding light enveloped him, causing Theo to shield his eyes instinctively. When the brilliance subsided, Ares was gone, leaving behind only the helm of Hades resting in the surf, along with the bag containing Zeus's bolt.
Percy wasted no time, swiftly manipulating the shadows to bring the helm to him. Theo turned in surprise at Percy's sudden appearance, but he
smiled and waved in acknowledgment. Percy returned the wave before turning his attention to Annabeth and Grover, offering them a brief wave of farewell. He wrapped them in shadows before dropping them off in New York.
With a final nod of reassurance, Percy faded into the shadows, disappearing from the beach and returning to the underworld to fulfill his promise to Hades.
As Percy stepped out of the shadows into the throne room, a smile spread across his face at the sight of Bianca and Nico seated in small thrones that mirrored their father's. Approaching the trio, he greeted them warmly before tossing Hades his helm, the god catching it with a grateful smile.
"Thank you, boy," Hades expressed his gratitude, his tone tinged with appreciation. Percy returned the smile with a nod of acknowledgment.
With a wave of his hand, Percy conjured a throne reminiscent of the one in his mother's throne room before gracefully taking his seat. He observed Hades's surprise at the appearance of the new throne, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he observed the god's reaction.
"Well, Lord Hades, as I mentioned earlier, my name is Perseus, or Percy for short," Percy began, addressing the god and his children with a calm and steady voice. "I am the adopted son of Nyx and Erebus, and I'm here to offer my assistance in the looming war against the Titans."
Hades and his children listened intently as Percy continued, explaining his origins and unique position in the divine hierarchy. "I've been around since ancient times, and I'm technically older than most of the second-generation Olympians," Percy elaborated. "I am also technically a primordial, but I prefer the term demi-primordial. Please, do not bow to me, as I don't like it," he concluded, his tone humble yet resolute.
Hades nodded thoughtfully, his expression contemplative as he processed Percy's revelation. "Do the other gods know of your existence?" he inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.
Percy shook his head in response before elaborating, "No, only you. You are closest in domain to my mother, and you're not technically an Olympian by their standards. Plus, I've grown fond of Bianca and Nico, so I figured I would inform you of my existence as well."
A smile touched Hades's lips at Percy's mention of his children, a swell of pride evident in his expression as he glanced at Bianca and Nico.
"Well, thank you for retrieving my children, Percy," Hades expressed his gratitude warmly, his voice resonating with sincerity. "You are welcome in my domain anytime. If you need help, just ask."
Percy returned the smile with a nod of appreciation, his heart warmed by Hades's gracious words. Rising to his feet, he waved his hand, causing his throne to dissipate into shadows. "I need to return home, but I will see you guys soon," he promised, his tone filled with assurance.
Hades and his children nodded in understanding, bidding Percy farewell with waves of goodbye as he faded into the shadows, vanishing from their sight.
Once he was comfortable on his throne, Percy's smile widened as Nyx and Erebus entered the room, their presence filling him with a sense of comfort and reassurance. "Ah, hello, dear. I take it the quest was successful?" Nyx inquired, her voice carrying a tone of anticipation.
Percy nodded affirmatively. "Hades' helm is back with him, and the demigods had Zeus's bolt when I left," he confirmed, his tone tinged with satisfaction at the successful outcome.
Nyx and Erebus exchanged pleased glances as they settled into their seats, Nyx conjuring a projection screen in front of them to observe the events unfolding in the Olympian throne room.
They watched intently as Zeus issued his threats to Theo before departing, and Poseidon offered his congratulations to his son. As Theo left the throne room, Nyx severed the projection, bringing their focus back to Percy.
"Well done, Percy. That's step one to winning the Titan war," Erebus praised, his voice brimming with pride at Percy's accomplishments.
Percy's smile reflected their pride as he settled into his throne, his mind already turning towards the challenges that lay ahead. With the support of his parents and friends, he was prepared to face whatever trials awaited him in the ongoing struggle against the Titans.