All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 2

I Receive Some Overdue Birthday Presents

(Percy)

"Hello Perseus, I didn't expect to ever find you down here. Did that upstart uncle of yours feel threatened by you after defeating me and decided to throw you down here as well?"

"Wait Percy, that is Kronos, how did you know?" She asked me indignantly grabbing my arm, surprised at how I had worked out his identity before her. Neither of us having ever directly met him physically, at least in his own body.

"His eyes are gold, only one individual I know of has golden eyes, The Lord of Time. Luke had the same eyes when he was acting as Kronos's vessel.".

"Ok, but he has a whole body now, he should still be in pieces." She said as she drew her blade which even, I did not know the answer to that question. However, I left Riptide sheathed as I knew that here in Tartarus, we would stand no chance against a full power Titan King. For his part, Kronos did not respond to her pointing the weapon at him ironically it was the same knife that Luke had used to kill himself with back on Olympus.

"Peace children. I do not wish to hurt you anymore; I have had time to analyse what happened during what you call the Second Titan War and I admit you are worthy of respect. I may hold little regard for your parents and the other traitor gods but you demigod's selfless efforts to defend a family that treated you as little more than tools is enviable. Tools to be used whenever they have need for something however was I any different? As for your question about my form when I was defeated on Olympus I was almost at full power inside your late-friend and as he died my essence was sent straight back to Tartarus almost fully healed except these scars from my first defeat".

"You didn't leave us with much of a choice, did you? Help our parents or be hunted by you and the other titans for your amusement whilst the mortals would have suffered under your rule. You didn't help them during the fourth age, why would you help them now?" Annabeth snapped back at the Titan.

"True we were never very benevolent lords to the world, we generally acted and used it as we saw fit. Look at what I did to the Elder Cyclops and the Hetechrondeires after overthrowing my father Ouranos, and even that outcast centaur son of mine Chiron, my immediate response to any problem was to simply cast it away or attempt to destroy it which invariably led to the First Titan War because of my own paranoia.

"Yeah, trying to eat your kids normally results in pissing them off, and their mother" I muttered sarcastically, Kronos must have heard because he momentarily slumped his shoulders dejectedly

'I had never once considered Rhea, only my own interests. So, when she betrayed me by sparing Zeus it had never occurred to me what would happen as a result. I never considered being overthrown until it was happening, even though I did the same. However, I am not here to talk to you about ancient history or your parents. I wanted to talk to you about the future, I know you are fighting my mother and bastard half-brothers, I may not like the current surface world and the mortals on it but at least they acknowledge their history and remember the Titans. If Gaia took over, she would destroy all civilization and revert this world back to nature, such actions would cause almost all other immortals to fade including us. We may have most of our domains integrated with the Olympians, but we still receive strength from the mortal's belief in them, Gaia's victory would benefit no one. So therefore, I give you an offer. I will help you get to the doors of death by giving you my power over time.' He finished with a genuine smile on his face.

"Wait… you spent four years trying to kill me and destroy everything I love. After all that and I defeat you and we meet again in literal hell you want to help me? Forgive me for being sceptical about this, but why me?" I asked still confused by the Titan King's offer.

"Simple after your defeat of me I saw what the gods offered you and you turned it down to help others. You forced the gods to admit their faults, which was almost worth the whole experience, I would have wanted to see that look on Zeus's face when you said no., I guess the apple never truly fell far from the tree it had truly never occurred to him that anyone would refuse his offer. You are the most selfless individual I have ever witnessed, only my wife and Hestia of all the Titans and gods would have ever considered saying no to such an opportunity. Also my defeat cost me more than you would believe, this reduced physical form is all I am able to maintain now. I will soon fade even now my feel my own end coming sooner rather than later most likely. Forgive an old man that selflessly wishes to buy a chance of redemption before I leave this existence. Without my help you will never reach the doors in time."

"Percy you can't seriously be considering this, he is evil remember! Luke, he used him, hades even Ethan saw how bad he truly is, and Kronos killed him without a second's thought' Annabeth said angrily, the knife in her hand being waved around haphazardly in his direction.

"Annabeth, he wants to help us, I don't see much else of that happening around here. If we want to get out of here, we are going to need every advantage we can use to get back to the others and be able to go home." I told her putting my hand on her knife arm.

'I may be the Titan Lord of Time, but I am running out of time before my essence is lost. So, if you want my help, now is the time or is your hubris too great my great-granddaughter that you would refuse the help of an old man on his proverbial deathbed?' The old Titan questioned.

"No… but Percy there must be another way" Annabeth asked almost pleading.

'No Annabeth, think about this logically not sentimentally. We have no real choice, we need him to help us if we want to get out of here." I told her looking her in the face closing the matter for the moment. I felt callous doing so harshly but I honestly believed in the Kronos's words and sentiment.

"So, how would you be able to give me your power?" I asked curiously turning back towards the Titan.

"That is quite simple, I will transfer my domains over to you, you will become the mortal titan of time.' He replied nonchalantly almost as if this was a common occurrence.

"Wait I will become a mortal Titan; how does that work exactly?" I asked confused.

"You will remain the same except for some minor cosmetic differences, but I will fuse the Time aspect of my essence with your own, as a result you will become partially a Titan causing you to be immortal. however, you will be able to die in battle, it is very similar concept to what Artemis's Hunters have. However, I would not tell the gods about the Titan part straight away. Your father and uncle may react badly to the news of my offer, I would advise that telling them after the war would be for best." He explained logically. The immortality thing was quite a novel concept to regard, after all Thalia still looked the same now as she did several years ago when she became a Hunter. Now I too would be like that, however I would need to make sure Annabeth was made the same by the gods after the war was over. I did not want to watch her grow old whilst I remained the same as I did now.

"Very well, Kronos I accept your generous offer to become the Titan of Time".

'Thank you, Perseus, as much as this pains me to admit your father is lucky to have a child like you and perhaps as a result you may stand a chance against my mother. I, Kronos Titan King of Time hereby relinquish my domains to Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon" As he finished a stream of gold energy flowed from him to me and I suddenly felt stronger, I also suddenly knew the exact time and date and realized we had been in Tartarus for almost a week at least on the surface. Even as I focused on it time was ticking by in my head far faster than normal. By the time he was done Kronos was barely visible as almost a shade of himself.

"All hail Perseus, Lord of Time" Kronos joked raspingly.

I turned around to look at Annabeth, who suddenly gasped as we made eye contact.

"What's the matter Annabeth?" I asked surprised by her gasp.

"Percy your eyes, your Pupils are now golden." She explained holding up her knife so I could vaguely see my own reflection. Sure, enough where the black had been in my eyes was now gold in colour.

"As I said there would be some cosmetic changes. Now before I fade, I have some more to say quickly, as you noticed when you arrived here beside us is the river Styx, and I am aware you recently lost its blessing if you ask her nicely, she may help you in this war as well. It would not be in her interest either for Gaia to prevail. Do not think I have forgotten about you as well daughter of Athena, there is an army between you and the doors. Perseus even with my blessing and the Styx's 'effects' would have a hard time escaping in one piece, so I would advise you both take a dip together. Finally, I have a gift for you Perseus'. The now ghostly Kronos said holding his hands palm upwards as if waiting for something.

My eyes opened widely when a small blazing flame appeared between us before fading quickly revealing the form of a scythe formed of two metals.

"Hestia has agreed to return this to me to give to you. I guess you could say she is the only god I truly respected, because she sticks to her promises unlike her siblings, she is aware of what is transpiring here but has sworn on the Styx to not reveal anything until you do. And for you Miss Chase a pair of Hunting Knifes composed of Celestial Bronze, Imperial Gold and Stygian Iron, they should help you reach the doors no matter what impedes your journey. Although I would not touch them until you return from the Styx." He said as a shadow appeared on the ground and then faded quickly revealing the blades left behind.

I reached down and picked up the handle of the scythe only for it to change into a familiar hand and half sword 'Backbiter' I whispered. Kronos smiled at the name.

"Once it was but like me it wishes to change its dark destiny and forge a new name for itself. Now to reach the doors you must follow the Styx upstream until you reach the walls of Tartarus, then you must keep them on your left after a while you will eventually an old 'friend' of yours Perseus who will guide you the rest of the way"

"What do you mean an old friend as in old friend or old enemy," I asked nervously, I did not want to think I had any actual friends down here.

"Both." He replied cryptically.

"Thank you, Lord Kronos, for your gifts and assistance. I will inform the Olympians of your passing, I'm sure they would like to learn of it" Annabeth said nervously bowing to the now ex-Titan Lord.

"Very well, I wish you the best of luck in the war against my mother. I must now go and ask my father for his forgiveness in the void, enjoy the rest of your lives heroes." He said as he slowly faded into the ambient darkness.

"Well, that was unexpected" I finally answered a few seconds after he had seemingly disappeared for good.

"You are still the same seaweed brain, Titan or not." Annabeth said with a light-hearted chuckle.

"Just one last thing to do I guess while we are here." I responded nervously as I took her hand and we walked towards the river together.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Annabeth worriedly once we reached the edge of the bank. The black waters not reflecting any light down here in the abyss.

"When have I ever had an idea that hasn't worked? Other than Cerberus and the stick?" She remained quietly but I knew she was quickly running through all our adventures trying to find another.

However before she could think on the matter further I decided to cut her off by kissing her, as we enjoyed what could be our final moments together I pulled ourselves to the side, causing us both to fall into the dark river of Hatred.