Ch54
Hades sat on his throne alone with Demeter and Persephone. The mood was awkward and silent as he read over the latest report. Damn him. He crumbled up the paper and destroyed it as the ground around him shook.
"My dear times are desperate," Persephone said softly. "Your son is unleashing armies of undead upon the other children of Olympus and they wounded Zeus' daughter and Artemis' hunters." She paused as she met his gaze. "If we stay as we are, I fear we may get implicated."
"They'll find any excuse to implicate me," He growled. Though as much as he didn't want to admit it he knew that this was bad. Nico stole a secret weapon of his, was using his armies, and said undead army harmed Zeus' daughter and killed Artemis' hunters. "They'll always look for a scapegoat."
Demeter turned to him. "You know you really have to stop this self loathing. There are those in this pantheon who have it worse."
He sighed as he rubbed his temples. "I'll do what I can to make sure he doesn't summon as much help. Then I'll consider helping."
He had to make his move. Perhaps if he helped out in Manhattan the others won't be quick to blame him. Though deep down he had to admit as much as he hated his family he knew Kronos was worse.
Ethan drew his katana and slashed at the undead warrior. It crumbled to the ground with one slash as he went onto the next enemy. Bring balance. Bring justice. His mother's words echoed in his head as he assisted the Hephaestus Cabin push the titan army back.
He blocked an enemy demigod's attack and slashed him across the arm knocking him down. Another enemy came at him but to his surprise the enemy demigod was knocked back by a hammer to the head.
"Thanks," he said as Beckendorf gripped his hammer tightly in his hand.
The son of Hephaestus nodded his face covered in sweat but he could feel the anger inside of him, the desire for vengeance was strong.
"No problem," Beckendorf muttered as he struck another enemy demigod so hard the poor guy flew a few feet away.
"Don't overexert yourself," he said calmly.
Beckendorf exhaled slowly. "I just want Kronos to suffer for what he did to her."
He looked at Beckendorf and could feel the anger and resentment come off him. You really do love her. "Don't forget yourself," he said softly. "She'll never be able to live with herself if you perish here."
Beckendorf looked up at the enemy lines his gaze calm. "You mother is the goddess of revenge right?"
He nodded as he slashed at another enemy. "She is. But vengeance is never easy, for you could easily lose yourself. Sometimes you could lose what is most important to you in a quest for vengeance."
"I really destroy Kronos and Luke for what they did." Beckendorf gripped his hammer and looked at the ground as the Hephaestus Cabin came to their side. "But I don't want to lose her either."
Bring balance. His mother's words echoed calmly in his head.
He took a step forward and placed his hand on Beckendorf's forehead. "Balance," he said in Ancient Greek. Beckendorf's body as he pulled his hand away. "My mother also cares about balance. Don't lose yourself and be the man that Silena loves."
Beckendorf smiled as he cleaned his eyes. "Thanks man I appreciate you. Now lets kick some Titan ass."
With that they continued to repel the assault on the enemy lines. All was well until a large shadow flew through the air and landed in front of them. "Hello boys!" Daedalus said as he rode the large bronze dragon. "How do you all like the Ladon II?"
The children of Hephaestus eyed the bronze dragon in awe as it let out a loud roar and spewed Greek Fire at the enemy lines. Not bad at all. The enemy lines shrunk as the first rows of monsters and enemy demigods were incinerated. Meanwhile looking up in the sky he could see the mistform of Icarus firing arrows down at the enemy from the sky.
"Ethan Nakamura go tell Percy Jackson that I'll handle things from here," Daedalus said as he drew his sword. The Ladon II roared as it charged at the enemy lines.
"Good luck." Beckendorf patted him on the back. "For Olympus!"
He sheathed his katana and quickly ran back to the base camp. I wonder how long we can keep this up. The enemy army was a lot larger but so far they had managed to repel them.
As he approached their command tent he saw the various dragon tooth warriors who made way for him. As soon as he entered the tent he was hit by the calming scent of incense and a wave of calm energy hit him.
Inside he found Percy, Alabaster, and Annabeth Chase looking over a map on the table. "I'm here!"
Percy looked at him and smiled, his gaze looked worried and he didn't blame him since he was basically leading the entire camp. "Hey Ethan, how are things on your front?"
He looked down at the map at the markers for the Hephaestus Cabin. "We are holding on for now. Daedalus is helping hold them off for now."
Alabaster nodded. "My aunt Medea is helping with anti undead wards, Nico di Angelo hasn't been seen so far."
"Those past few undead invasions have been tough to fend off," Annabeth said as she looked at the map. "He'll keep coming for her, for Bianca I know it."
The mood in the room darkened. "I can see that," Percy muttered. "That brat is deranged."
"He's motivated by revenge." Everyone looked up at him. "Vengeance makes anyone do foolish things even if it does fuel them."
Alabaster nodded. "Perhaps we can work with that."
"That does sound good," Percy said as he eyed the map intensively. "We'll talk about it with her."
Suddenly the door opened and Circe came in. "Hey the enemy has sent an envoy under a white flag, he wishes to parley."
What could they want to parley about?
"Lets go," Percy said as he looked around the room. "All of us will attend."
Circe smiled and summoned a flag pole with an orange flag with a golden wreath on it. She handed it to Percy. "I'll accompany you all."
"Who are they sending to negotiate?" Alabaster asked.
"The titan Prometheus," Circe said.
"Prometheus? But he helped mankind in the past," Annabeth said.
Circe shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps it was Zeus chaining him for his actions and having eagles eat his immortal liver."
That could do it. He would definitely be pissed at the gods for doing that.
They followed Circe away towards an area where the battle lines were not as strong. In the distance he could see a large humanoid figure with two monsters by his side, one of whom held the flag of the Titan Army.
"Good evening Percy Jackson," Prometheus said. His voice was soft and soothing like a grandfather soothing a grandchild.
Percy nodded and looked up at the Titan. "Hey um nice to meet you."
Prometheus gave them all a fatherly smile. "Poor children you shouldn't be at war. The gods have never done any good for humanity. For that reason I have come to convince you to surrender, Lord Kronos will be merciful."
"We will never surrender," Percy said firmly. "We'll defend Olympus against Kronos with all that we have."
Prometheus sighed and looked at them all. "So young. Do you all honestly expect the gods to keep their promises? They see mankind as their plaything."
"And Kronos doesn't?" Alabaster looked up at the Titan. "Kronos doesn't care about anyone but himself, the world will suffer if he wins."
Prometheus' gaze flickered. "The gods are never just, look at what mankind has achieved under their rule? Perhaps Kronos could be better?" The titan flickered his hands and a monster brought forward a jar. "If you wish to surrender open the jar."
"Pandora's box," Alabaster muttered.
"Exactly," Prometheus said. "It will give off the desire of hope. Release when you wish to surrender."
Percy took the jar and eyed with but he handed it to Alabaster. "Thank you."
Prometheus smiled. "I hope you all can make the right choices."
With that they headed back to their command center. "I'll watch over the jar. Don't worry no harm shall come to it," Circe said.
Percy nodded. "Thanks."
It was then that Malcolm Pace came running up to them. "Hey the Aphrodite Cabin asked for some help."
"Damn already," Alabaster muttered.
"I'll go and help," he said.
Percy looked at him and nodded. "If you need anything let us know. I'll activate the Talos II and Ladon II if need be."
"Thanks" He patted the katana at his side. "I intend to give it my all too." Mother I won't let you down.
The front lines were chaos, but he was used to it by now the screams, the clash of weapons, the thick, metallic scent of blood in the air. This time, his task was to assist the Aphrodite Cabin, who were scattered, trying to fend off waves of monsters with only short blades and light armor. Among them, he caught sight of her Drew Tanaka, her posture tense but determined, slashing at a snarling hellhound that had slipped past their defenses.
"Look out!"
He moved in, katana flashing as he dispatched the beast in one clean stroke. Drew glanced over, her face both surprised and relieved. "Took you long enough," she muttered, but the gratitude in her voice was unmistakable.
Another creature charged, and he blocked it with a twist of his blade, cutting it down as he moved to cover her. The monsters seemed endless, but he gritted his teeth, each swing echoing with his mother's words in his mind: Bring balance. Bring justice.
But then, everything around them seemed to still. A figure, tall and imposing, emerged from the shadows beyond the line of monsters. Clad in full, gleaming armor, his form radiating ancient power, Prometheus stepped forward, his presence demanding silence. Even the creatures of the Titan army stilled, their hungry growls replaced with wary obedience. The titan's gaze fell on him, eyes piercing, sizing him up.
"You have a chance to surrender," Prometheus said, voice calm, almost fatherly. "You and I both know this war will be for nothing if you continue."
He felt something surge inside of him, like a fire stoked to life. Gritting his teeth, he raised his katana, forming a low, balanced stance, his eyes locked on Prometheus. "Not going to happen," he said, his voice steady.
Beside him, Drew looked at him, her eyes wide. "Are you insane?" she whispered, her voice laced with both fear and admiration.
He only managed a small, calm smile. "Stay back. I'll bring the balance."
Without waiting for her reply, he charged forward, katana slicing through the air as he met Prometheus head-on. Their blades clashed, a resounding echo rippling through the battlefield as both armies paused to watch. Prometheus countered with brutal, unyielding force, each swing heavier than the last, forcing him back with every strike.
Damn it he is strong.
Pain flared in his shoulder as Prometheus's blade grazed him, nearly throwing him off balance. But the thought of his mother flashed in his mind—the humiliations she had endured, the injustices she'd suffered. He wouldn't fail her. With a surge of renewed strength, he gritted his teeth and pushed forward, his katana finding an opening and slicing across the Titan's armor.
Prometheus staggered, surprise flashing in his eyes. He seized the moment, reaching up and lifting his eye patch. Burn. His entire body shook as the pressure in his eye grew to the point that he feared it would burst. A torrent of black flames that surged forth like a living shadow. The flames engulfed Prometheus, wrapping him in darkness and heat. The Titan let out a scream of pain, his form twisting in the blaze as he staggered back, his armor melting and cracking under the intensity of the fire.
The flames subsided, and Prometheus's once-imposing form wavered, retreating with a grimace of fury. His image flickered and vanished, leaving only silence and the smell of charred metal.
He felt his legs give out, his vision swimming as he collapsed onto the ground. He heard Drew scream as his vision darkened. Mother I will fight for you till the last breath.
A dull pain throbbed through his head, but he managed to keep his eyes open long enough to see Drew and Alabaster rushing over, their voices distant and muffled. Darkness swept over him.
When he opened his eyes, Drew was crouched beside him, relief mixed with exasperation in her expression. Alabaster stood nearby, nodding. "Prometheus retreated," he said, a slight smirk crossing his face. "You did well, but maybe try not to burn yourself out next time?"
Drew rolled her eyes, glancing down at her charred sleeves. "Next time you use that… thing, try not to nearly torch my clothes, will you?" She huffed, but there was warmth in her tone, something that made him smile despite his exhaustion.
"Didn't know you cared," he managed, his voice weak but teasing.
Drew rolled her eyes again but said nothing as she left the room.
"He I'd be careful with that eye," Alabaster said. "It look bad, we barely managed to fix it."
He traced his eyepatch. "I know." But nothing in life is free. If this power could help he would use it when necessary.
Alabaster sighed. "Well just be careful. You want to see your mother have her throne don' you?"
He smiled and nodded. "I do."
"Then rest well," Alabaster said as he exited the medic tent.