A/N: Welcome ladies, gentlemen, etc. This is the first chapter of my story. I do have plans for this fanfic as I would (hopefully) end at TLO. I'll try and actively dedicate myself to this fic as hard as I can. I apologize if it's too slow, fast, or any of that type of stuff.

This takes place before and in between the end of The Sea of Monsters and the beginning of the Titan's Curse. So all the stuff that happened previously is canon and still matters!

Chapter 1 - Genesis

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive." - Tupac Shakur

The world is a tapestry of secrets, where the threads of fate are spun by unseen hands. Amongst mortals, there are those who bear the weight of divine heritage, their destinies entwined with the myths of old. Under the watchful gaze of the moon, something truly special occured.

October 31st, 1930

Adelola Isibor lay in her modest bed, her hands clutching at the sheets with a mixture of pain and determination. Come on, it's okay, just push through", her mother encouraged her. "Omo, shey this pikin should still come out, na", her younger sister Folasade said (jokingly or not, Adelola couldn't care less). Sweat dotted her brow, a testament to the effort it took to bring new life into the world. Adelola Isibor labored through the final throes of childbirth, huffing and puffing. In the dim light of a few bedside lamps, she gave birth to her son, who would forever change the course of history as we know it. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she clutched her newborn son to her chest, his tiny form swathed in blankets, his eyes dark and unknowing. But when the cries of the newborn echoed through the room, there was a sense of magic in the air, as if the universe itself recognized the significance of this moment.

"Aww, look at him, he's so cute", Adelola's mother Eseosa cooed. "Yeah, I have a feeling that he'll be destined for greatness", her father Olufemi proclaimed. Adelola decided that now's the time, she would name him. Adelola cradled her son in her arms, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks as she looked down at the tiny bundle of life in her arms. "My revered child," she whispered, her voice filled with love and reverence. "Your name shall be Azriel, for you are the angel of death", she said. "Hey, hey, hey, hold it right there", Eseosa suddenly exclaimed. "My daughter, abeg, didn't you forget to perhaps give him more names, ones we have decided for him", she slyly suggested. "Okay, okay, no need to rush", Adelola answered. The newborn's grandfather, Olufemi, coughed a bit before preparing himself for the naming ceremony. "My grandson, as God is living with me, so shall God live with you." "Therefore you shall be known to the Yoruba as Oluwabamigbe, for God is living with you", the wisened elder decreed. "Ehen, now my dear child, everyone has been given some time to walk upon this Earth, to grace the lands here and far away. But, only the strong do complete their time on Earth. From now on, you shall be known to all Edo people by the name of Edebiri, for the strong complete his God's given time on earth", she solemnly stated.

And so, after Azriel's birth, they prayed for good health, understanding, wisdom, knowledge, and all that God shall give them. As the years passed, Azriel grew into a spirited young boy, his laughter filling their modest home with warmth and light. But even as he played and explored, there was a darkness that lurked within him, a darkness inherited from his divine father. His family taught him the tongue of his ancestors, drilled the history about their people in him, and regaled his young mind with various myths and stories of old. After all, nothing was truly boring for the young Azriel.

June 23, 1935

The sun hung low in the sky as Azriel played in the overgrown backyard of his Atlanta home. His laughter echoed amidst the rustling leaves, the air thick with the scent of summer. "Hey, come and catch me if you can", Sebastian called out to his friend, Jeffrey, who responded by chasing him. Jeffrey was a close friend of his, one of the few he had due to, of course, being a minority. Aside from Jeffrey, Azriel also was good friends with Gideon, Tino, and Denzel, three African-American boys he grew up with in the city. The quartet all just met through their respective parents, who met when they went shopping. "Heya Giddy, Danny, where are you two, I'm gonna catch you both and tickle you forever", Tino simultaneously shouted.

Azriel was running as if his life depended on it, losing Jeffrey who was until now, hot on his trail. (Hey, this is gonna happen quite a lot, trust me) "Hah, phew, a close one, but once again Seb wins!" But amidst the idyllic scene, danger lurked, unseen and unheard until it was too late. A hellhound stalked its prey, drawn by the scent of divine blood coursing through Azriel's veins.

Azriel froze, his heart pounding in his chest as fear gripped him. To him, the creature appeared as nothing more than an overgrown dog, its true nature concealed by the mist of mortal perception. A low, guttural growl shattered the tranquility of Azriel catching his breath, sending shivers down the boy's spine. He turned, heart pounding, to face the source of the ominous sound. To him, it appeared as nothing more than a menacing stray dog, its fur matted and eyes ablaze with an otherworldly light. Unaware of the danger lurking within its form, Azriel approached with the curiosity of youth, reaching out a hand to pet the creature.

The hellhound, sensing the demigod's latent power, struck out with fangs bared and claws unsheathed. Azriel, however, dodged in the nick of time. "Oh no, gotta go, gotta go, gotta go", the small kid repeated like a mantra. However, the hellhound was fiercely determined to sate its hunger with the blood of Hades's progeny.

Unluckily for Azriel, he tripped over a tree branch and planted his face firmly into the ground. The demonic dog saw a golden opportunity to strike, and it did, its jaws gaping wide, instinct kicked in. With a deafening scream, Azriel scrambled for cover, his heart pounding in his chest. The hellhound's claws tore through the air, slashing at Sebastian's flesh with razor-sharp precision. Hot and fierce pain lanced through his body as he felt the searing heat of its breath against his skin, the acrid scent of sulfur filling his nostrils. Then a gash opened on the left corner of his mouth, blood mingling with sweat and tears as he stumbled backwards in terror, wincing at the pain the gash handed to him. "Even like this, I'll put you down, no matter what!" He grabbed hold of the nearby branch he tripped over, wielding it like a makeshift weapon against the relentless attacker.

Summoning every ounce of courage he possessed, Sebastian fought back, his small hands grasping for anything within reach. With a desperate cry, he seized hold of a nearby branch, the one he tripped over, its rough bark scraping against his palms as he wielded it like a makeshift weapon. Again and again, he struck out at the beast, his blows fueled by a primal instinct to survive. With each strike, he felt the creature weaken, its once-fierce demeanor faltering beneath the onslaught of his determination. Finally, with one last mighty blow, Azriel delivered a fatal blow, the branch piercing the hellhound's flesh with a sickening crunch. With a final whimper, the creature collapsed at his feet, its form dissipating into nothingness as Azriel stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion.

Eventually Jeffrey found him looking worse for wear, his clothes torn and with small scars on his legs. "Hey, what happened to you", the boy asked, concerned for his friend's well-being. "Let's go to my mom Jeff, she'll handle it, there's nothing my super mama can't fix", he said cheerfully, although you could hear slight doubt in his quivering voice. And so they trudged back inside, in the Isibors' home.

"Oh boy, oh boy." "Az, what did you get yourself into", his mother asked his with a scrutinizing gaze. Sebastian sheepishly smiled and nervously began to speak. "Uh, I was laying tag with Jeffrey and managed to make Jeff lose track of me, and as I was resting from all that running, an overgrown dog suddenly appeared and decided that I was his next meal." "I ran away, but it caught up and hurt mama", displaying his torn lip to his mother, who paled at the sight." "Mhm, go on Az", his mom gently encouraged. "Buuut Mommy, I fought the big doggy and beat it!" Azriel exclaimed. "Good boy, you'll get a reward for that", Adelola promised to her son. And so the mother-son duo continued their lives amidst this rather strange event.

March 21st, 1936

As Azriel walked hand in hand with his mother through the bustling streets of Atlanta, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of a stern-looking woman dressed nicely, her gaze fixed upon him with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. The woman's eyes were cold and calculating, her features sharp and angular beneath a veneer of polite indifference. Yet beneath the mask of civility, Azriel sensed something darker—a hunger that seemed to consume her from within, but strangely some type of warmth and friendliness, although he wasn't sure.

"Mama, who's that lady?" Azriel asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Adelola's gaze followed her son's finger, her brow furrowing with concern and marring her usually serene yet beautiful features. "I'm not sure, Azriel. She seems... out of place," she murmured, her voice tinged with unease.

Adelola's expression darkened as she followed her son's gaze, her grip tightening on his hand. "Just keep walking, Azriel. We don't want to keep your grandmother waiting."

But before Adelola could investigate further, Azriel tugged at her hand, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, Mom! Let's go shopping!" he exclaimed, his youthful enthusiasm overpowering any sense of caution.

With a reluctant nod, Adelola followed her son into the bustling marketplace, her mind still lingering on the mysterious woman who watched them from afar. Little did he know, the woman watching from the shadows harbored secrets far darker than he could imagine.

Elementary School

The bell chimed, signaling the end of recess, and the children filed back into the classroom, their laughter echoing off the walls. Among them was six-year-old Azriel Isibor, his backpack slung over his shoulder as he made his way to his desk.

As he settled into his seat, Azriel couldn't help but overhear the whispers and giggles of his classmates nearby. He could feel their eyes on him, their gazes lingering on the scar that marred his lip, a reminder of the damned hellhound's attack a year ago.

Ignoring their stares, Azriel pulled out his books, his mind already racing ahead to the lessons that awaited him. Despite the challenges he faced, Azriel was determined to excel in his studies, to prove to himself and others that he was more than just the troublemaker some labeled him as.

But as the teacher called the class to attention, Azriel's heart sank at the thought of another day filled with misunderstandings and misplaced judgments.

During math class, Azriel found himself struggling to decipher the numbers on the page. His dyslexia made it difficult to make sense of the equations, his mind swirling with confusion as he tried to keep up with the rest of the class.

"Come on, Azriel, it's not that hard," one of his classmates whispered, a smirk playing on their lips.

Azriel bit back a retort, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He knew he was smarter than this, but his dyslexia often made it difficult for others to see beyond his struggles.

At lunchtime, Azriel found himself sitting alongside his best friends at the far end of the cafeteria, his lunch untouched as he watched the other children laugh and play. He could hear their whispers, their voices tinged with cruelty as they mocked him for his scar and his struggles with reading.

But amidst the sea of faces, one stood out from the rest. Lucille "Lucy" Samantha Thompson, a kind-hearted girl with a smile that could light up the room. She approached Azriel with a gentle smile, her hazel eyes filled with empathy as she took a seat beside him.

"Hi, Azriel," Lucy said softly, her voice warm and inviting. "Mind if I join you?"

Azriel blinked in surprise, his defenses momentarily lowered by her kindness. "Um, sure," he replied, his voice hesitant but grateful.

As they ate their lunch together, Azriel found himself opening up to Lucy, sharing stories and jokes as they laughed and talked. He could feel a sense of warmth and acceptance wash over him, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. "See ya around Azriel, or should I say Azzy", Lucy playfully retorted. "Hey, nobody calls me that except for my auntie", he childishly pouted.

September 11, 1937

"Hey, Azriel, do you want to come over to my house after school?" Jeffrey asked, his eyes shining with excitement as he extended the invitation.

Azriel's face broke into a wide grin as he nodded eagerly, his heart racing with anticipation at the thought of spending time with his friends outside of school.

Later, Azriel returned home with a huge smile on his face, practically bouncing up and down in excitement.

"Mom, can Jeffrey come over to play today?" Azriel asked, his eyes lighting up with excitement at the thought of spending time with his friend.

Adelola smiled warmly, her heart swelling with love for her son as she ruffled his hair affectionately. "Of course, Azriel. Just make sure to finish your homework first," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

Some hours later, a six-year-old Azriel Isibor skipped along the sidewalk, his small hand clutching a worn basketball. He had just left his friend Jeffrey's house, a wide grin plastered across his face as he recounted the day's adventures.

As Azriel rounded the corner, he spotted the familiar figure of his mother waiting for him on the porch steps. Adelola Isibor smiled warmly as her son approached, her eyes sparkling with maternal affection.

"Hey, Mama," Azriel chirped, his youthful exuberance infectious. "Guess what? Jeffrey's mom made cookies, and she let me have two!"

Adelola's smile widened at her son's excitement. "That's wonderful, Azriel. I'm glad you had fun. Come inside, dinner will be ready soon."

Together, mother and son entered the cozy confines of their home, the scent of home-cooked meals drifting from the kitchen. But as they stepped inside, Azriel's gaze fell upon a figure standing in the living room—a man he had never seen before.

"Who's that, Mama?" Azriel whispered, clinging to his mother's hand for reassurance.

Adelola's expression softened as she turned to her son. "This is Elijah, Azriel. He's a friend of mine."

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a warm smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, however, the man extended a hand in greeting.

"Hey there, kiddo," he said, his voice smooth like honey. "You must be Azriel. Your mom's been telling me all about you."

Azriel eyed the stranger warily, his instincts on high alert. But beneath his uncertainty, there was a flicker of hope—a longing for the father figure he had never known.

"Yeah, that's me," Azriel replied, cautiously accepting the man's hand. "Who are you?"

The man's smile widened, though Azriel couldn't shake the feeling that it was tinged with something darker, something hidden. "Name's Elijah Peterson," he said. "Your mom's new beau, if you can believe it."

Azriel's heart sank at the realization. His mother had never mentioned anyone new, never hinted at the possibility of a stepfather. And yet here stood Elijah, a stranger encroaching upon the fragile sanctuary of their home.

As they entered the house, Azriel watched Elijah closely, studying the way he interacted with his mother. To the outside world, Elijah was the picture of kindness and generosity—a loving partner to Adelola. But when her gaze turned away, when she was occupied with other tasks, a darkness crept into Elijah's eyes—a darkness that chilled Azriel to the bone.

Over the coming days and weeks, Azriel observed Elijah's true nature firsthand. In public, he was the doting stepfather, showering Azriel with gifts and affection. But behind closed doors, when no one was watching, he was a different man—a cruel and vindictive tyrant, lashing out at Azriel with words and fists alike.

Azriel bore the brunt of Elijah's wrath, enduring the pain in silence as his mother remained oblivious to the truth. He longed to confide in her, to tell her of the darkness that lurked within their home, but fear held him back—a fear of what Elijah might do if his secret was revealed.

A/N: And that was it for the first chapter! I didn't want to make it too long as it would be quite repetitive and (maybe) boring too. I know that the time period might throw you off a little, but the first few chapters will be about his past to really flesh him out as that's what I had in mind. Also about the scent, well I'll address that next chapter, heh.

Note: I'll add some different powers to his arsenal that are more rare for a child of Hades, making him slightly more unique. Give me suggestions if you have any, I also wanted him to be a legacy of a Yoruba god but I'm still contemplating about that as I feel that that would make him a bit too OP and I don't like having crazy OP characters with little to no weaknesses.

Question: What should his Fatal Flaw be? The same as those of Nico and Bianca or an entirely different one?

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Have a wonderful day and for all the ones doing their exams, wonderful results! (I'll have to do my final one today in the afternoon, but once I'm done, I might update a bit more.)

- Psi