Shadows and Solitude
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In response, a searing ball of radiant light hurtled towards me, a manifestation of Apollo's wrath and power aimed squarely at my face.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Percy Jackson series or its Characters. This story is for pure entertainment purposes only. My twist on what happens after The Last Olympian.
Hades P.O.V
After dropping Percy off at my secluded hideaway and conversing with Apollo, I pivoted away from the spare bedroom. With a flick of my wrist, I beckoned the shadows towards me, watching as they coalesced around my form like a veil. The atmosphere crackled with latent energy as the darkness enveloped me, rendering me invisible. I journeyed back to my palace to attend to my duties.
Upon arriving at the main entry hall, my feet touched down lightly as I leisurely approached the throne room. Lost in thought, I allowed my footsteps to guide me. I had entrusted Thanatos to oversee matters in my absence during the impromptu meeting in Olympus, which young Percy Jackson unexpectedly disrupted. This young man has a knack for attracting drama in our realm and the mortal realm. The rescheduled meeting, now for the winter solstice, lingered in my mind. My siblings could be exasperating at times, and I could sense Poseidon's growing frustration over the divergent challenges facing his son. Understandably so, for Percy had repeatedly proven his mettle; he had not sought out nor invited the troubles that befell him, much like any offspring of the twelve. Such thoughts inevitably led me to ponder my children, who had always exhibited resilience and independence, requiring little nurturing. Despite my trust in my son, I couldn't shake the feeling of concern. It seemed my sibling was attempting to compensate for lost time, intensifying my unease regarding Nico's welfare.
Following a serene stroll to the throne room, I reached the Throne Room just as Thanatos emerged from the East Wing of the palace.
"Your Excellency," Thanatos greeted as he hastened to my side, executing a deep bow before falling into step behind me as I ascended the stairs to the throne on the platform. I took a seat on my throne while he stood just a little to my right.
"Thanatos," I acknowledged, looking straight ahead, ready to start the day. I settled back into my throne, resting my chin on the top of my right hand and sighed.
"First on schedule is the report on the recent influx of souls, as you know," he said, reading the dossier off his frosted clear glass portfolio with gold hinges. The words appeared and disappeared on the dossier. "Secondly, there is the inspection of the Five Rivers and the Maintenance of the Fields of Punishment," he continued. "Finally, Perseus Jackson." My eyes went from straight ahead in the Throne room to Thanatos.
"My Lord..." Thanatos tried to start, but I raised my left hand to stop him. "It's been handled," I growled out, settling back into my throne, trying to keep my composure.
"Your Excellency, if I may be so bold..." Thanatos started again, lowering himself to his knees. I slightly tilted my head but didn't look at him. He continued, "I have prepared a chamber here for the young demi-god... It would be suitable to keep the young man close, My Lord." He bowed his head even lower until he was almost kissing the floor.
"Hmm," I mumbled thoughtfully. Though it annoyed me, Thanatos was right. Perseus was in the middle of something, and keeping him here as an asset or a 'guest' could play in my favor. I couldn't throw him in the Dungeon like I did last August. My little brother would nag me the whole time. But if I kept him close as a guest, I could gather more information on what's being played this time, and perhaps have my brother in my corner.
"You may rise," I commanded, my voice echoing through the chamber. "Send in the Judges, and then I will conduct the inspection on the river after. You'll see to the maintenance and give me a report on it later today," I added firmly, settling a little straighter on my throne. Thanatos executed an even deeper bow before rising and proceeding to the entry hall from which I had entered. There, he ushered in the Judges on his way out. They entered one by one, Minos, Aeacus, and Rhadamanthus, making their way toward the platform until they stood ten meters from me, each bowing respectfully.
"Your Excellency," Minos began, his voice resonating with authority. "We come bearing news of the recent influx of souls into the Underworld."
I nodded, gesturing for them to continue. Aeacus stepped forward, holding a scroll in his hand. "The influx has been significant, especially from the mortal realm. We estimate a 20% increase compared to the previous century."
Rhadamanthus interjected, his tone solemn. "This surge has strained our allotted resources and workforce. The Fields of Asphodel are overflowing, and the line for judgment at the Styx has become longer than ever."
I leaned forward, interlocking my fingers. "What steps have been taken to address this?"
Minos stepped forward, his demeanor serious. "We have deployed additional skeletal warriors to assist with the processing of souls. However, despite these reinforcements, our current infrastructure is struggling to keep pace."
Aeacus nodded in agreement. "We have also considered implementing temporary holding areas to alleviate congestion, but such measures are only temporary solutions."
After a brief pause to contemplate their words, I rose from my throne, my posture regal and resolute. "Understood. We shall review our strategies and potentially reallocate resources to address this surge in workload. It's imperative to maintain efficiency while ensuring fairness in judgment."
"There's always space available within my realm," I added, gesturing around the throne room
They all bowed in acknowledgment before turning to leave. As they exited, the weight of responsibility hung heavy in the air though it isn't usual after rescuing Tartarus and souls from the Second Titan War. The affairs of the Underworld demanded attention and adaptation, and it was my duty to ensure its smooth operation.
Alone in the throne room now, I rose from my throne, striding purposefully, I made my way towards the entrance, where the cool air of the chamber yielded to the chilling passages of the underworld. Navigating through the intricate corridors, I finally reached the banks of the River Styx. Its black waters flowed endlessly, carrying the souls of the departed on their final journey. Surveying the scene, I took note of any signs of disturbance or neglect. Despite the task at hand, I found solace in the quiet solitude of the river's edge.
Amid the underworld's eternal currents, I pondered weighty matters, yet time for contemplation was scarce. I ensured the River Styx guarded life and death boundaries. Even a minor oversight could spell dire consequences. After the inspection, I made my way back to the Palace. Admiring the solemn grandeur under torchlight, I headed to the Dining hall for lunch, finding solace in the brief respite. Renewed, I entered the dining hall, eager for companionship before resuming my duties.
As I entered the Dining hall, Thanatos approached me with a respectful bow. "Your Excellency, I trust your inspection went smoothly?"
I nodded, acknowledging his inquiry. "Indeed, Thanatos. The River Styx remains as formidable as ever."
Thanatos inclined his head, then continued, "I have also received the reports on the influx of souls and the status of the Fields of Punishment, as you requested."
"Excellent," I replied, motioning for him to continue as we walked towards the long, dark dining table. "What is the current situation?"
"The influx of souls has indeed strained our resources, Your Excellency," Thanatos explained. "Additional measures have been implemented to manage the workload, but we may need to consider more permanent solutions in the near future."
I listened intently as we reached the table, where a spread of dark and hearty fare awaited. Platters of ambrosia and nectar, the food and drink of the gods, were laid out alongside dishes of pomegranates, olives, and grapes, symbolizing the abundance of the Underworld.
For my lunch, I opted for a simple meal of roasted meats and bread, accompanied by a glass of dark wine. Though the atmosphere of the dining hall was solemn, there was a sense of camaraderie among those present, a shared understanding of the responsibilities that bound us together in my realm.
I took my seat at the head of the table in the empty dining hall, Thanatos standing respectfully nearby. As I began to eat, Thanatos cleared his throat, drawing my attention.
"Your Excellency, regarding the arrangements for Percy Jackson's room," he began, his tone cautious.
"Yes, go on," I prompted, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"I have prepared a suitable chamber within the palace, not far from your own quarters," Thanatos explained. "It offers both security and proximity, allowing us to keep a close watch on him."
I considered his words for a moment, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of roasted meat. "Very well," I replied finally. "See to it that everything is in order. Perseus Jackson may prove to be a valuable asset in the days to come."
Thanatos nodded in understanding, then excused himself to attend to the arrangements. As I continued my meal, thoughts of the young demigod and the unfolding events of the underworld realm occupied my mind, reminding me of the delicate balance that must be maintained in this shadowy domain.
As I savored each morsel, my mind drifted to the pressing challenges that beset the Underworld—the surge of souls, the strain on our resources, and the perpetual dangers lurking beyond my domain. It was evident that decisive measures were imperative to confront these obstacles and safeguard the stability of my realm. Finishing my meal, I stood from the table, imbued with a renewed sense of purpose. With a stalwart heart, I returned to the throne room, ready to tackle the day ahead.
The rest of my day passed without any unexpected events as I completed my tasks. Concluding my duties, I shadow-traveled from my throne room back to my sanctuary in the mortal realm. I anticipated a brief moment of annoyance in dealing with Perseus before returning to the palace for the evening.
To my dismay, chaos awaited me upon my return. My living room bore the marks of a tumultuous battlefield, appearing as if it had weathered the wrath of Ares himself. Adding to the spectacle, Apollo and Percy stood amidst the disarray, both unclothed and engaged in a heated altercation with Dionysus.
"What in Tartarus is going on here?" I demanded, my voice slicing through the tension.
"Someone's feeling possessive. I reached Percy first!" Apollo retorted sharply as Percy struggled to disentangle Dionysus's vines from around Apollo's neck.
"I'm not being possessive!" Dionysus shouted, his frustration palpable. "I'm merely trying to safeguard Peter from... this situation!"
With a resigned sigh, I intervened, snapping my fingers to clothe both Percy and Apollo before gently seating Percy on an unbroken sofa. Turning my attention to the feuding gods, I addressed them sternly.
"Firstly, Dionysus, cease this childish behavior. I am expecting this from Apollo, not you," I admonished, my tone unwavering.
"I'm not being childish; I'm protecting Pierre Jorgensen from Apollo's seductive trapping of this young demigod not in their right mind," Dionysus insisted, folding his arms defensively, begrudgingly releasing his hold on the vines.
"Secondly, Apollo, Dionysus is right. This is not the time. We don't know what's going on with Percy; enough with the antics," I added, rolling my eyes at his petulance.
"Percy..." The young demigod corrected but wouldn't directly meet my eye. My eyebrow raised, though I allowed it. His face flushed in embarrassment, his appearance looked a little different from when I last saw him.
"Fine, " Apollo conceded begrudgingly.
"And thirdly, what in Tartarus happened to my living room? Can I not leave you two to guard the demigod for a few hours?!" I demanded, glaring at both of them for an explanation.
Dionysus shuffled uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. "I, uh, happened to stumble upon Apollo on top of half-naked Percy," he admitted begrudgingly, his face flushed with dismay.
Apollo smirked. "Yes, Dionysus found us in an intimate moment. But let me clarify, I take consent seriously. If Percy had hesitated, I would have stopped. But his persuasive begging was hard to resist. I am hurt you would have thought otherwise" He said hand over heart faking wounded pride.
As Apollo spoke, Percy shifted uncomfortably, his face flushing with embarrassment. "Um, thanks for sharing, Apollo," he muttered, avoiding eye contact.
Dionysus, who had been observing the exchange with thinly veiled amusement, chuckled. "Well, well, it seems we have quite the scandal on our hands," he remarked dryly.
"I've made a decision," I nodded solemnly. "After careful consideration, Percy will remain in the Underworld until we have more information on his condition and why, for now, it seems to only affect Apollo."
I paused briefly before continuing. "However, I will allow both of you to visit my realm while he is there and escort him to the mortal realm to visit his mother or for any other necessary reasons. Nevertheless, he must return to my palace by nightfall."
"I understand, Lord Hades," Percy spoke up, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Thank you for allowing me to stay."
I gestured for Percy to come closer, my expression blank. "Let's go," I said simply, extending a hand towards him.
As Percy stepped forward, Apollo and Dionysus exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the gravity of the situation they had caused.
Apollo cleared his throat awkwardly. "Lord Hades, we apologize for the disruption," he began, his tone contrite. "We'll clean up the mess and ensure it doesn't happen again."
Dionysus, ever the provocateur, added with a smirk, "Yes, we'll make sure to keep our... discussions... more private in the future."
I shot them both a stern look before addressing Percy. "Come, Percy. We have dinner to attend to in the Underworld."
Percy nodded in understanding, though a flicker of apprehension crossed his face as he glanced back at Apollo and Dionysus. I felt a twinge of annoyance at his seeking comfort from them, considering our rocky past. Pushing the feeling aside, I summoned the shadows around us, preparing to shadow travel back to the palace.
With Percy by my side, we departed from the chaos of the living room, leaving Apollo and Dionysus to clean up their mess and contemplate their actions.
Author's note: As previously mentioned, this fan-fiction occurs between "The Last Olympian" and "The Lost Hero." I've inserted a year between the two novels. The story commences on the Spring Equinox, March 19th. I aim to establish the relationships between the characters before adhering to the series' timeline.