Chapter 6:

Hylla's POV:

"A pleasure to meet you, Hylla and Reyna," Percy said, flashing a devious smile. His canines were larger than a normal human's should be. His hair was midnight black, and his eyes—gods, his eyes—were pitch black with flecks of blood red and swirling sea green. An ocean flowing through a sea of darkness. They were constantly shifting and flowing. He was beautiful. Despite being Reyna's age, I could see he'd grow into a heartbreaker. But right now, he was simply adorable, and all I wanted to do was keep him safe.

"How'd you guys kill that thing?" Reyna asked, unable to take her eyes off Percy. The young blonde giggled at this, causing Reyna to frown. I could barely suppress my own laugh. My little sister had her first crush.

"Don't be mad!" The blonde giggled. "Percy has that effect on everyone he meets. It embarrasses him." She kept laughing, and Percy had turned scarlet.

I cleared my throat. "I'd also like to know how you killed that thing so easily."

The dark-haired girl snorted, and I scowled at her. My question was serious, so why'd she think it was funny? "I'm sorry, what's so funny?"

"Don't mind her; she's not a people person," the dirty-blonde boy said. "I'm Luke. The rude raven-haired girl is Thalia, and the giggling blonde is Annabeth." Luke chuckled at both girls giving him the death glare.

"We've been trained to deal with these monsters," Percy stated kindly. My excitement grew. "Do you know where Camp Jupiter is? Lupa sent us, but we got lost," I said hopefully. Luke, Thalia, and Annabeth looked confused, but Percy groaned in annoyance. I looked at him, confused, and so did his companions. That is, until a blank look came over them like they were deep in thought. They then got a confused look on their faces and asked what camp we were looking for.

Before I could answer, Percy raised his hand. "You guys can't know…." They went to interrupt him angrily. "Ahh ahh, listen!" Percy yelled. "Not because I won't tell you, but because I can't. Your parents put enchantments to stop you from knowing. I can't tell you why because you will forget that too."

"Why do you know?" Luke asked angrily, clearly unhappy, his face turning to a scowl at the mention of 'parents'.

"Because I'm not like you all; I'm not a demigod, you know this," Percy sighed.

"What do you mean? Are you a god?" I asked.

Percy seemed to get uncomfortable and then scowled at his friends, causing them to look embarrassed. Clearly, he had revealed something he would rather not have, and he blamed them.

"No, I'm happily mortal. I'm part demigod and part... part demi-primordial," Percy sputtered out. "But if you try to tell anybody, you'll forget that I told you and even forget who I am and what I look like. My sister set a similar enchantment to the one affecting my friends. I'd rather be able to trust you, though…." He looked at us imploringly.

"We won't tell anybody, but what does being whatever you said mean?" I asked.

"A primordial is the most powerful thing in existence. They represent an aspect of reality. My mom is Nyx; she represents the night and the terror of the unknown. My dad is Tartarus or the Pit. Just don't say their names yourself; I can because they are my parents. For you, it'd be dangerous and uncomfortable. Anyway, my dad pretty much represents hell. Yes, Hades has the Fields of Punishment, but that is nothing compared to the Pit. And finally, I have one other father." He put up his hand at my questioning look. "Special circumstances, prophecy, yadda yadda yadda. Anyway, my other dad is Poseidon, and my last mom was mortal. Which is why I'm not a god or a primordial and am instead human. What does that mean? Well, I'm already at the power level of a minor Olympian. I can teleport and connect my essence or mind to people who open themselves to me. Meaning, if you are ever in trouble, throw me a thought for help, think or say my name, and I can help." Percy finished.

"So basically, you're a god that can die?" I asked.

Percy smiled, and this smile wasn't pretty like the others. It made me shudder. "No, the gods can die too. I'm just a little easier to kill than they are," he said with a devious smirk.

"What...?"

"Fading is what happens when a god truly dies. It isn't easy to do, but it's possible. I have some grudges, and I can't decide if I want to kill them truly or send them to Dad. Still trying to decide what they'd prefer, and then do the opposite." He laughed cruelly, and I finally saw the danger of this boy.

He must have seen my discomfort. His smile faded and was replaced with an apologetic grimace. "Sorry, you don't have to be afraid of me. You're safe. It's just some of the Olympians harmed me, badly…" Percy said, his face becoming contemplative and forlorn. A deep sorrow beyond his years permeated from him. My fear was replaced with anger. Who'd hurt this child? I was reminded of all the horrible things my sister and I went through, and I decided then and there that this boy would be my friend. I'd protect him and help him in any way I could.

I don't know what possessed me, but I strode towards him and embraced him in a hug.

Percy's PoV:

I felt her hug me. At first, I was too surprised to react, but I quickly reciprocated. She was soft and warm, and I felt my face flush. She smelled like flowers, lilac maybe, and roses. I'd be lying if I said I didn't think she was pretty. Scary girls seemed to be my type.

She pulled away, and I felt her hand cup my chin as she lifted my face. She smiled at my blush. "Guess I'll have to be careful with these hugs—don't want to overheat you!" Hylla giggled, making my blush deepen. Luke cleared his throat, and I noticed Thalia and Annabeth barely containing their laughs.

Hylla backed away and asked the question I knew was coming. "Where should we go?"

"Don't go to camp," I found myself saying. I wasn't sure why, but I wanted both of them to stay with me. I didn't have permission from Uncle H, but I was sure I could convince him. He struggled with my puppy dog eyes, and if all else failed, Aunty would be on my side, she never could say no to me, and I probably wouldn't even need to convince her, as she'd probably already agree with me. Uncle H may loudly complain about his palace becoming an orphanage but I know he loves it no matter what he says, I thought to myself.

"But where?" Hylla asked, meeting my eyes.

"I live with Uncle H—or Hades. Come live with us!" I said, trying to smile through the twinge of nervousness I felt. I wasn't embarrassed, but not everyone was meant to live where the sun and moon never reached.

Hylla's eyes went wide, and then she smiled. "Is it safe? We'd be safe? Because if so, that'd be perfect—a real home, a place to be safe with people to call family."

My happiness couldn't be overstated. "It's beyond safe! We just need to talk to my sister first to fix her enchantment on all of us. It's about time anyway. All of you can be trusted to know this secret. The Olympians are stupid; you guys shouldn't have your minds wiped because they're idiots. Grab onto me, everyone!"

As they did, I felt the shadows call, and as we shadow-traveled home, our family grew.

Hades PoV:

I felt two new presences in my realm along with the three I expected. I sighed, "That boy can't go anywhere without picking up strays." A cute giggle made me turn to see my beautiful wife smiling at me.

"Quit your pouting, husband. We both know you love it," Persephone beamed at me. I rolled my eyes but had to admit to myself that she was right. These past years had been the best of my immortal life, filled with a gladness I hadn't felt in eons. Accepting the daughter of Zeus and her friends into our home had been a surprisingly joyful decision. I had tried to put my foot down and send the girl and her friends to camp, but was convinced otherwise by my wife and... and him.

That boy was something special. The way he brought out the best in everyone he met, no matter how terrifying they were, was extraordinary. Never had he ever even dared to think of Styx smiling, let alone laughing, yet Percy had brought out the best in her, and even got her to join their many family dinners. They feasted with her on numerous occasions and had grown to befriend the Goddess of Hate and Oaths. Percy was also one of the few who had ever brought a smile to the Lord of the Dead's face. Now, thanks to Percy, I had more reasons to smile than ever. My own children and the ones I had all but adopted had brought immense joy to my life. My face almost hurt with how often I was smiling these days.

But then my thoughts darkened. "And now he's leaving to be with his real father," I whispered, my heart sinking. The fear of being abandoned was ever-present. My brothers did it, why shouldn't his son?

"You are as much his father as Poseidon is," Persephone said softly. "He says so himself, and I probably shouldn't tell you this but..."

I looked at my wife curiously.

"Percy came to me the last time Poseidon visited him. Apparently, Poseidon is jealous of you, and how you got to be the boy's father figure."

"Poseidon said that?" I asked, surprised.

Persephone giggled. "No, he has his pride. Percy saw the conflict in his heart. He came to me for advice. He doesn't know much about the god of the sea and didn't like the sadness he felt. But he also didn't want to do anything that could harm his relationship with you. The fact that he calls you father should be evidence enough that he'd never throw you away."

I smiled at that. One, my brother was jealous of me. Two, the boy was worried about losing me.

"I want to adopt them all," Persephone said suddenly.

I was surprised and looked at her. "Surely they wouldn't want that?" I said.

"Maybe we should ask them and let them decide for themselves?" Persephone suggested.

I nodded. "Let's go to them then," I said as we flashed to meet our burgeoning family.

Percy's POV:

We arrived in the Underworld right next to the River Styx. The Goddess was absent, sadly. Hylla's and Reyna's confidence was slipping away as they saw the underworld. Sure, it sounded bad to live in the Underworld, but it was worse to see it in the flesh. That is, until you accept it, and in that moment, it accepts you. Then, well, then you are home. I walked over to them and grabbed their hands. Hylla seemed to calm down, and Reyna blushed.

"You're adorable, you know that?" Hylla said to me. I blushed, and she giggled, her fear disappearing—that is, until Uncle and Aunty arrived.

Hylla and Reyna stiffened and hid behind me.

"More strays, Nephew?" Uncle Hades asked me.

"If you keep calling me Nephew, Father, I may have to start calling you Uncle H. again," I said cheekily. Hades' face turned slightly golden. Only Aunty and I were able to get the Lord of the Dead so flustered.

"I... err, sorry, son," Father H. said shyly. I smiled, knowing I had won already.

"So, we have new additions, Aunty!" I said, beaming. Persephone smiled at me lovingly. She knew I would never call anyone mom—I couldn't—even if that is what Persephone had become to me. She was more than okay with it. She was truly the greatest person I had ever met.

"Well, introduce us, you silly boy!" she said to me.

I pushed the two forward. "This is Hylla, and this is Reyna," I said, smiling. They squirmed under the King and Queen's gaze, but then Hades smiled a true smile. It had been much rarer but lately, it had become a staple of the King of the Underworld. It was dazzling and filled with genuine kindness.

"Welcome to my home. I shall have Nico and Bianca show you to your rooms. The rest of you, I would like to talk to you all for a bit," Hades said.

I smiled and nodded at the two girls, their fear and worries melting away at the warm welcome they were receiving. They left with Nico and Bianca, who had just stepped out of some shadows, heeding their father's summons. Judging by their wet hair, they had just been swimming in the pool.

Once they were gone, Hades turned to us and got a little flustered.

"So I was wondering... err, well you see..." He stuttered.

I raised an eyebrow, and Thalia giggled. That all changed when Persephone spoke.

"We want to make it official and adopt you!" she squeaked out, as flustered as her husband, and looking at us imploringly. Thalia's smug smile fell off her face and was replaced with an emotionless mask. I coughed in surprise, and Annabeth and Luke sucked in air.

Both gods looked like they were shot.

"We're sorry, we just... um, I..." Hades and Persephone were stuttering. But before they could continue, Thalia spoke.

"You mean it?" she asked in a fragile voice. She had always been self-conscious and worried that Hades would blame her for her father's many crimes against him.

Hades looked her right in the eyes. "Yes, dear, I would be honored to call you daughter. All of you, in fact."

We all smiled and yelled all at once, "Yes!"

"Though you don't have to call me daughter, son would be cool though." Luke chuckled and everyone including the Gods bellowed in laughter, I even heard a giggle coming from the River Styx, apparently, the River goddess wasn't away.