Ch43
Annabeth followed Quintus through the maze with his dog trailing behind them. "Come that bratty boy may come again." She had managed to rest an entire two days before being abruptly told they needed to leave their safe area.
"You mean Nico? Why is he after you?" She asked.
Quintus shook his head. "It's not important. Come your camp should be this way."
She didn't have any reason to trust him but she could tell Quintus was worried about something. His gaze darted around the shadows half expecting something to emerge from them. Bianca. Clarisse. I'm sorry for everything. She didn't know where they were but she hoped they were safe, and if they weren't she knew she would have to take responsibility for what happened.
"Tell me about your camp," Quintus said. "Is it a nice place."
She nodded. "It's been my home for years. Kronos is trying to invade it but we are doing all we can prepare for the battle."
"I see." Quintus looked at the ground. "So many things are happening at once, that brat Nico has been doing Kronos' errands and causing a mess wherever he goes."
She frowned at Quintus, why would Nico di Angelo want to kill him? Something wasn't adding up. What could this man have that Kronos would want?
Still she said nothing, Quintus was helpful so far and she wanted to keep it that way. Her body ached but the pain in her shoulder was slowly going away, she wasn't in fighting condition but she could still move and defend herself if need be.
She followed Quintus down the dark tunnel, the man made his way through the area with ease almost as if he knew the area by heart. They didn't run into any traps and the few monsters they did run into Quintus took care of with his sword.
"Come it should be around this corner," Quintus said as they made their way around the corner.
Her heart raced in her chest as they made their way through the dark corridor. Eventually she saw a pair of stairs in the distance along with the familiar Mark of Daedalus. She nearly ran for the light when she first saw it.
When they reached the top they were greeted by bright sunlight and a familiar forest along with various armed campers who were pointing spears at them. "Wait its me!" She said. "He's with me too."
The campers looked at her and their eyes widened. "Oh gods it's Annabeth."
They didn't have time to talk as they were quickly guided back to the camp. "What a nice little place," Quintus said as they passed by campers training for combat.
"A battle is coming we need to be prepared," She said as a group of campers led by Chiron approached them.
"Annabeth thank the gods you are alive," Chiron. The centaur then turned to Quintus. "Who is your friend."
"Quintus!" Percy Jackson and Alabaster Torrington came running to them they both looked exhausted yet they appeared almost relieved when they saw the man.
Quintus waved at both of them. "Hello boys I believe I found an old friend of yours."
Percy looked at her with his deep eyes. "Nice to see you back, we thought the worst."
"Wait where is Clarisse!" One of the Children of Ares said.
Her heart sank. "Sh-She isn't here?"
Chiron's face hardened as murmurs spread throughout the crowd. "Lets go to the Big House now. Percy you and Mr. Torrington show Mr. Quintus here around the camp."
"Understood," Alabaster said. The son of Hecate looked at Quintus with a knowing gaze. "Come on lets give you tour."
Quintus nodded. "Of course."
She looked at Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon's face was calculating as he looked at Alabaster and then Quintus. But in the end he said nothing as he walked away with Alabaster and Quintus.
She staggered as she walked to the Big House but Chiron grabbed her and lifted her up. "You've been through a lot."
"Y-Yeah." She found herself too exhausted to speak a word as the centaur brought her into he Big House and placed her on a couch.
"Well I'm glad you're back," Chiron said as he poured her some tea. "You had us quiet worried."
She took the teacup and forced herself to drink the tea. "Bianca and Clarisse…" She swallowed a lump in her throat unable to say the words. "They never came back did they?" She nearly sobbed.
Chiron sighed. "Lets just start from the beginning."
It was exhausting but she managed to make herself talk. She spoke of what had happened at the battle at Hephaestus' forge along with how they were separated and how she had to battle her pride.
"It's my fault," she muttered as she cleaned her eyes. "If I hadn't offended Hecate and Nemesis Clarisse and Bianca would still be here." She finally broke down with tears falling down her face. "It's my fault."
Chiron passed her a box of tissues. "Often the hardest lessons in life require hard sacrifices. Hopefully Lady Hecate and Lady Nemesis are appeased." The centaur sat back. "Now on the issues of your quest."
Her stomach sank as she thought of her options. "My mother gave me this quest. I hope to continue it." Deep down she didn't know how to go forward with the quest but something Quintus said came to her mind. "In the myths a clear sighted mortal could see through the mists right?"
Chiron nodded. "They could. Do you know of any?"
She frowned and shook her head. "No."
"Well lets just rest for the night and we'll get back to this some other time," Chiron said. "I'll deal with the campers, you should just rest."
She nodded. "I need to check on something first." Her legs ached as they stood up but she owed to Clarisse to check on Chris Rodriges one more time.
Chiron nodded. "Rest well before you decide to leave camp again."
"I won't fail the next time," She said softly. I won't make the same mistakes.
She walked past various campers who stared at her in shock. When she got to the infirmary she was greeted by the smell of incense and the site of Lou Ellen next to Chris Rodriguez's side.
"H-Hey. Uh how's he doing?"
Lou Ellen looked up at her calmly and nodded. "He's slowly getting better, but the madness in his mind is strong."
She took forward and looked at Chris as she swallowed the pride in her throat. "I'm sorry for treating you and siblings horribly and I'm sorry for disrespecting your mother."
There was an awkward pause as Lou Ellen looked at her calmly. "Thank you for your words."
She awkwardly avoided her gaze. "I uh could you and your mother's guidance. I need to complete this quest…for the camp." Looking up her heart raced in her chest as she met Lou's gaze. "Would you join me?"
There was an awkward pause, Lou Ellen looked at her calmly and nodded. "If you want my help I don't mind helping."
Taking a deep breath she forced the pride out of her as she exhaled. "I cannot win this alone."
/
Ethan watched as Quintus examined the broken Talos with Percy and Alabaster. "My what an interesting creature," The man gently patted the large metal head. "You've all been doing a good job making it but if you'd like I could make some improvements."
Percy and Alabaster exchanged a look with each other. "Well sure if you want," Percy said. "But we have other things we'd like to discuss with you."
"Ask away?" Quintus asked as he began to examine the large robot.
Alabaster only drew one of his mistform cards and soon the image of Icarus appeared. "Father."
Quintus froze and slowly turned around his face turning pale. "I-Icarus?" he quickly ran over to the mistform and gently grabbed his hands as tears fell down his face. "It really is you."
They all watched the two reunite, it was heartwarming in its own way. Who would've thought he really was Daedalus.
"I missed you too," Icarus said. "Father I've come with a message from Lord Hades."
Daedalus sighed and looked at them all. "I guess you all figured it out. I am Daedalus master of the labyrinth."
Alabaster stepped forward next to Icarus. "My mother sent your son to me, a lot of people are worried about you."
"I imagine I know why," Daedalus turned towards the Talos. "Everyone wants the labyrinth and everyone wants my head."
'Father please don't trust the Titan Lord. He's a liar and will just use you," Icarus begged.
Daedalus frowned as he looked up at the moon in the sky. "I know the Underworld won't give me a trial but I know also that the Titan Lord doesn't care about me. Besides that brat he has hunting me has ruined so many of my labs." The man shook his head. "Such a pest that boy."
"My mother will put in a good word for you," Alabaster said. "Right now Lord Hades has his own troubles to deal with."
"Yeah and if you help us I'm sure it'll make you look good," Percy added. "We could use all the help we can get to defend our camp."
Daedalus paused and looked at the Talos on the ground. "I'll think about it. Son of Hecate may I speak with my son alone?"
Alabaster nodded. "Of course."
They all stepped back. "You think we can convince him to join us?" He asked.
"I hope so," Alabaster muttered. "Daedalus is a smart man, having him as an enemy would be unwise."
He looked up and noticed Lou Ellen walking with Annabeth Chase of all people. The daughter of Athena looked as if she had been to hell and back, her vary gaze looked tired and exhausted almost as if the light had been snuffed out of them.
"Hey guys Annabeth wanted to say somethings to us," Lou said calmly.
Annabeth nodded as her gaze drifted to the ground. "Yeah I just wanted to say I know I haven't been the nicest to you all and um I'm sorry. I'm sorry for treating you all like a nuisance, and Alabaster I'm sorry for not making your family feel more welcome."
Alabaster looked Annabeth over with his deep gaze. "I'll accept your apology but as they say actions speak louder than words."
"Hey Al come on she's trying to apologize," Lou said.
"It's alright!" Annabeth said before turning to him of all people. "Ethan I'm sorry for treating you badly and for insulting your mother. I know it isn't much I would like you to be with me on my quest."
He did a double take. "You want me to be on your quest?" Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Percy and Alabaster were equally surprised.
A cold breeze brushed through the area as Annabeth looked him in the eyes and nodded. "I want you and Lou here to come with me and help me take down Luke and find Clarisse and Bianca."
The resoluteness in her voice took him by surprise. For most of his time at camp Annabeth had ignored him and treated him unkindly but here she was asking him for help on her quest.
He nodded. "I'll do it." If she wanted to extend an olive branch and make things right then he'd do his part.
"We'll leave tomorrow after I rest," Annabeth said. "We don't have much time but we'll do our best to find-"
"There is an easier way." They turned around to see Daedalus walk up to them with Icarus by his side. The man seemed calmer almost content as he looked over Annabeth.
"What do you mean?" Annabeth asked.
Daedalus smiled and took out what looked like a ball of yarn. "This is Ariadne's String, take it."
"Ariadne's String?" Annabeth took the ball of yarn. "How did you-" She froze as she looked him over and then at Icarus. "Y-You're Daedalus."
"The one and only," Daedalus said. "The Titan Lord has been causing chaos down there, good luck finishing your quest and finding your friends."
Annabeth gripped the string tightly. "Thank you," she said softly.
"Pride isn't easy to conquer for us children of Athena but our mistakes are opportunities to learn," Daedalus said. "Now then I'll take a crack at this Talos prototype." With that he turned around and left leaving them be.
Annabeth turned to him. "Be ready to leave in the morning."
He nodded. "Got it."
With that Annabeth returned to her cabin with a bit of determination in each of her steps. "Wow I never thought I would see her ask for our help," Percy said.
Lou smiled. "Everyone needs help once in a while. I'll go pack my things."
Alabaster turned to him. "Good luck down there."
He nodded. "Thanks. We'll be back in time for the battle."
That night he found himself on his grandfather's land a cold wind brushing through the area and pushing the dirt around. Suddenly his mother appeared in front of him in full Greek armor.
He bowed. "Mother."
Nemesis stared at him calmly. "You will change the world Ethan and the lives of many people."
His gaze drifted downward. "I'll make you proud mother."
His mother's gaze flickered in light. "Everything must be in balance. Good and bad remember all must be in order."
He nodded. "I'll do my best."
"The world is out of order I must make sure the scales are balanced," His mother said as smoke filled the area. "Bring vengeance to those that deserve it."
The next day the atmosphere at camp was tense as he walked over to Zeus' fist. He found Annabeth and Lou waiting from him while Chiron spoke with Daedalus.
Chiron turned to them. "Come back safely all of you."
Annabeth nodded. "We will." She then turned to him and Lou gripping Ariadne's String in her hand. "Lets go."
His heart raced as they descended into the labyrinth and into the darkness. Ariadne's string glowed brightly while Lou's torch provided a protective aura around them.
Well at least we have the key to this maze. He gripped his katana tightly as he carefully eyed the surrounding areas.
Annabeth gripped the string tightly, it glowed as it pointed straight ahead. "Just focus on what you want," Lou said as her torch shinned brightly as a magical aura enveloped the three of them. "It will lead you there."
"I will," Annabeth said firmly as she gripped the string tightly. "Luke's down here I know it."
They continued their way through the maze passing by various skeletons and walls made up of a variety of materials. Lou muttered a few more concealment spells as they went down one corridor made of bricks and entered another made of stone.
The maze seemed to go on forever as they passed by a variety of different walls made of different materials and the skeletal remains of people and monsters alike.
Eventually they found themselves in an ornate room with a familiar sarcophagus in the middle. Two telelkhines guarded the sarcophagus one of them was holding a long wrapped object.
"Bianca!" Annabeth yelled.
Bianca di Angelo lay on the ground bound and gagged while a boy in dark clothes and a deranged look in his eyes stood above her.
"Nico let her go!" Lou yelled.
Nico? He looked at the boy as he vaguely remembered someone mentioning she had a brother. Gripping his katana tightly he noticed the sarcophagus as occupied, inside Luke lay asleep.
Nico di Angelo grinned widely his body shaking. "It's done. Bianca is mine and soon the gods will pay for all that they did to us."
Bianca tried to protest as tears fell down her face but she could only struggle as Nico turned around and approached the sarcophagus.
"I Nico di Angelo son of Hades renounce the gods and pledge my loyalty to Kronos! I will see that Olympus is raised for their crimes and see the Titan Lord restored to his full glory!" The building shook as a wisp of light rose from Nico's feet and drifted into the coffin. "Olympus shall pay for their crimes!"
"Luke!" Annabeth yelled as the son of Hermes' eyes shot open his gaze golden.
The sarcophagus opened and Luke stepped out. Nico bowed and presented the object in the cloth, a large scythe. "You are all to late," said a silky smooth voice. "Soon the age of the gods will end."
Lou extended her hand and muttered something in Latin as she ran to Bianca. The ropes fell off Bianca as Lou grabbed her and began to pull her back.
"Get away from her!' Nico yelled as he drew his sword.
Lou's gaze burned with a fiery hatred in them as she raised her torch. A flash of light burst through the room as a ball of fire struck Nico and sent him flying to the wall. "Stay away from my friends," she said coldly.
Kronos turned his gaze to him and Lou. "Daughter of Hecate and Son of Nemesis why must you both choose this path? I will reward those who serve me, what has Olympus done for them?"
"Our mother will never serve you," Lou said coldly as she helped Bianca up.
He stepped forward his heart pounding in his chest as he gripped his katana. "Annabeth we have to get out of here now."
Tears fell down Annabeth's gaze as she looked at Luke's body. "Please don't do this Luke."
Kronos laughed. "Luke is no longer here. Now swear allegiance to me or perish!"
He removed his eye patch and assumed a fighting stance with his hands on his katana. "On my signal run."
Lou looked at him with concern. "Ethan what are you going to do?"
Taking a deep breath he felt the negative energy inside of him. Luke had harmed and lied to many people including him and Kronos had done a lot of evil in the world. "Bring balance," he muttered in Ancient Greek. "Bring justice!"
"Kill them!" Kronos yelled.
He drew his blade as his eye shot open blood poured down his eyes as dark black flames erupted on Kronos, Nico, and all the monsters. Nico and the monsters screamed including a voice he recognized as Luke's.
His heart raced as he staggered back. Balance and vengeance. Staggering back he forced himself to run with Annabeth and Lou who was helping up Bianca.
"What was that?" Bianca muttered."
His vision grew blur as he covered his gaze. "In Japan they say Amaterasu the Queen of the Shinto had a gaze that could burn through anything." He staggered back but Annabeth grabbed him.
"Hey don't pass out on me now!" She yelled.
He tried to focus on his vision as Annabeth helped him up. "Lady Hestia has been helping me reconnect with my heritage," he muttered.
"Hold I'll cast a spell," Lou said. The daughter of Hecate muttered in Greek as a wave of energy hit him.
"Come on we don't have much time," Annabeth sobbed. "We have to get back to camp."
Alabaster watched and his mistform Icarus and Daedalus worked on the Talos II. "Father don't forget to rewire it correctly," Icarus said.
"I know! I know!" Daedalus said as he picked up a wrench and began to work on the circuit board.
Well at least they are getting along. He looked at Icarus who smiled and nodded. "Are you sure you both can have this thing up and running? We'll be at war soon."
"Yeah don't worry about it," Daedalus said as he cleaned some sweat from his brow. "That titan lord's representatives have been nothing but pests. That damn brat of theirs destroyed so many projects of min." He gripped his wrench and swung it in the air. "I'm going to knock some senses into him when I see him and teach him some manners!"
"Well I'll leave you both here," he said as he left the forge area.
As he walked he noticed Lou running up to him. "They're here!"
"Who?" He asked.
Lou rolled her eyes. "Our other siblings! They are arriving now come on!"
Well this should be something. He knew he had a lot of younger siblings and he didn't know them all but still he knew they would easily fight for his mother's name.
Lou led him to the entrance of the camp where Chiron and Medea were watching as two large vans came up the driveway. They opened and about a few dozen teenagers around his age exited the car wearing a variety of different clothing. He recognized some of them but others not so much.
"These are the remaining children of Hecate who are still young for the world," Medea said.
Chiron looked at his other siblings and nodded. "Welcome to Camp Half Blood. I am Chiron and am acting as director for now. Some of your siblings are already here so they will guide you to the temporary Hecate Cabin."
The centaur then motioned for him to step forward. His heart raced in his chest as he stepped in front of the centaur and looked at his siblings who eyed him curiously. "It's better late than never," he said calmly as he tried to think of the right words. "Me, Lou, and a few other of our siblings have made a decent footprint in this camp. A battle will happen soon and we will show them what a child of Hecate can do."
Lou stepped forward and smiled. "Now please follow us to our temporary cabin. It isn't much but we'll make do with what we have."
They led their siblings through the camp attracting the attention of many demigods who probably weren't accustomed to having that many new demigods at once. When they reached the temporary cabin floating over the river he turned to face his siblings. "This is a temporary situation for us. The time will come when we have a permanent cabin on the ground but rest assured getting this was a big step. Lord Poseidon allowed us to build this on his territory out of his generosity, do not do anything foolish."
He looked at his siblings who stared at the cabin in awe. "Wow we really do have a cabin here." They muttered amongst themselves as he showed them inside. Luckily the place was enchanted so they easily made enough space for everyone. "Lou make sure they are all settled in, I'm going to talk to Percy."
"Ok!" Lou smiled as she turned to the newest additions to the Hecate Cabin. "Alright we have new bunks down this way."
As soon as he stepped out of the cabin he breathed a sigh of relief. "Socializing is exhausting."
He rubbed his temples as he went over to the training area where Percy was practicing sword techniques with a few campers. Riptide gleaned in the air as Percy did a few sword techniques. He had to admit, Percy was a good teacher and not just because he was a fearsome warrior in combat. Despite his goofy persona Percy was anything but silly when it came to a serious fight.
He walked over to the ground and Percy stopped. "Hey Al came to join us?"
"Sure why not," he said. "My other siblings came just now and Lou is helping them settle in."
Percy nodded. "Good to know. I'll say hi to them later."
He looked over at the campers and an idea came to them. "You know I could show them how wards work that way we can be more protected in the fight."
"That's a good idea," Percy said as he turned to the crowd. "Alabaster is going to draw protective wards on me. When it's time he and his siblings will draw them on the campers so that you all can have a layer of protections."
The campers stared at them curiously as he drew a few protective runes on Percy's shirt. "Alright everyone wards are used as a form of magical protection," He drew his golden sword from his card. "Children of Hecate learn them at a young age to protect them from physical harm." He slashed his sword across Percy's chest, the crowd gasped but as soon as his sword hit the rune the ward activated and repelled his attack.
"Wow that was cool," Connor Stoll said as other muttered in agreement.
"Alright we'll keep practicing for a bit," Percy said as he stepped forward. "Me and Alabaster will show you all some techniques and you all can practice."
He turned to Percy with his golden sword as Percy held Riptide. A grin spread across Percy's face and he had to admit he was enjoying this too.
Nico screamed in pain as the burns seered into his flesh. Why Bianca? How could she leave and trick him? He wanted to cry, he had done so much for her and she chose those people over him?
"Fear not Nico di Angelo," Kronos' voice said.
Squinting open he saw Luke no, Kronos staring down at him with a pair of golden eyes. "She's gone," he muttered.
"Will they let you take what is yours? A hero would never give up," Kronos said as he held out a hand. "Even Luke never gave up despite the challenges he face in life." A golden aura enveloped Luke's body. "Will you give up now? Or will you be a hero and show the world what the Ghost King can do!"
A strange energy flared inside of him as his wounds slowly healed. Then the anger and hatred boiled inside of him, Kronos war right heroes don't give up easily! "I'll get her back!" He yelled. "I'll make sure she is in chains until she is better!"
Kronos smiled, it was Luke's smile the kind that would always make his heart skip a beat. "That's the spirit. But remember don't forget if things get tough to come. Luke and I would be very sad if you were captured or hurt."
His heart skipped a beat. "R-Really?"
"Of course. We are one now," Kronos said with Luke's wide smile. "Now go!"