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The Plasma Paradox - The Anak Series [COMPLETED!]

Summary:

Percy Jackson finally started to settle down after the Second Titanomachy. After Annabeth's unfortunate fate, Percy became lost in a swirl of self-pity and guilt. He swore that he would protect his family no matter the cost.

Yet when the family he swore to protect rejects and betrays him, and disciplines him with the punishment of the highest order, what will he do? Awaken new powers? Side with forgotten enemies? Revenge?

Only in this Alternate Universe can you find out. Welcome to. . . The Plasma Paradox.

Notes:

Hello, readers!
This is a completed story originally published on my Wattpad account, where it’s been read over 200,000 times. Due to popular request, I’m excited to share it here on AO3 as well.

Please note: the early chapters were written when I was much younger, so they may not reflect my current writing style—but I promise the later chapters show how far I’ve come.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the journey!

Chapter 1: Unknown Power

Chapter Text

A lone tear rolled across Percy's face as reality came crashing down on him. The grey eyes that had always been there for him were. . . lifeless.

The girl that had cared for him, his mortal anchor. The girl he never got to tell his feelings to. Was gone. Annabeth. Dead. She had a long cut across her chest from Kronos' scythe. Percy fell to his knees as Kronos decapitated her lifeless body.

"You lose demigod. I have taken everything from you, even your blasted Curse of Achilles." Kronos laughed gravely.

Percy tried to stand, but he simply couldn't. He lost his drive. There was no reason to keep on fighting. Nothing. Nothing at all. Kronos walked slowly over to him. Once he reached him, he grabbed Percy by his head and threw it down into the marble floor of Olympus staining it red. Kronos stood over Percy's body triumphantly. With a sneer he kicked Perseus.

"Let's see how your 'oh so mighty gods' are doing, shall we?" Kronos mocked.

He summoned an iris message before grabbing Percy's bloodied head and forcing him to watch the event occurring a couple miles away. Percy's eyes widened in fear at the sight of Typhon. The monster was humongous. It towered over all the buildings. It was like a massive storm wreaking havoc throughout the city.

The eyes glowed like a powerful bolt of thunder. It seemed to be swatting at what looked like small figures, but they were gods, and they were losing fast. All the gods were in their designated chariots, trying to destroy the monster from long range. The only god missing was Poseidon. Percy's hope for his father drained away. Oceanus must have triumphed down in the sea.

Kronos laughed wholeheartedly at the scene.

"See little sea spawn, this war is over, and the victor is painfully obvious," Kronos said still laughing.

Yet when Percy's hope had almost diminished, the sound of a conch horn being blown blasted across the whole city.

A huge wave rose from the coast, receding almost as quickly as it left, but in the wake of the wave an army of merman with spears, riding sharks attacked Typhon. Poseidon led the assault, bearing his trident. Kronos growled. In a fit of annoyance he threw Percy. Blood covered Percy's eyes, blinding him. Kronos ignored the demigod, instead swiping the iris message.

"Damn Oceanus, can't even take care of a weak godling." Kronos muttered maliciously. Kronos hoisted his scythe. "I'll end this myself," he finished. His eyes darkened.

He took a step towards Percy before clutching his head in pain. He started to twitch, falling to his knees. He clenched his teeth, closing his eyes. When his eyes opened they were blue. Luke's blue. Luke sprinted towards Percy, throwing the scythe across the room.

"Percy please, help. Kronos. He's going to unleash his true form," Luke muttered his eyes shifting colors rapidly. His skin started to glow a powerful gold.

Percy weakly glanced around trying to find Riptide. There was nothing he could do. He couldn't think straight. Luke's skin was now glowing so brightly it hurt to look at him.

Percy reached into his pocket, finding the ballpoint pen that could end it all. "Hurry Percy he's almost through." Luke said through gritted teeth.

Percy slowly raised his arm, holding Riptide. Luke motioned to the only mortal part of his body. Percy let the weapon fall, killing Luke. The lifeless body fell to the ground as it crumbled apart. Like a monster. Percy stared at the remains tears streaming down his face. He fell to the ground out of energy.

Suddenly, a flash brighter than Zeus' thunderbolt shook the room. It exploded inches from Percy's face. Throwing him into Ares's throne. Percy groaned and opened his eyes. Dust was everywhere, he couldn't even see his hand in front of his own face. An insane ring blowed through his ears.

Percy shut his eyes again before opening them. The dust started to dissipate before him. In front of him stood a man with glowing skin that looked like hot red coals.

The man bent down and grabbed Riptide. An evil smirk spread across the being's face. "You were too late demigod, I am finally free from that putrid body." Kronos' now deep voice said.

Kronos threw Riptide across the room, effectively removing it from doing anything. He then continued to summon his scythe. "Let's start with your father's throne, shall we?" Kronos questioned innocently. Kronos slowly started to walk towards Poseidon's throne.

Percy scanned the massive room, looking for anything that could delay the Titan that was in his reach. Percy was scanning the room when a series of pictures of him and his friends appeared in his mind. Percy and Thalia Pranking the Stolls. Percy and the Stolls pranking Thalia. Percy and Grover eating hamburgers. Many different pictures appeared.

His friends would perish if he didn't do anything. A picture of him and his mom appeared, eating blue cookies. His family would perish if he didn't do anything. Then, a million pictures of Annabeth and him rushed through his head. Memories of her. While scanning the room his eyes landed on Annabeth.

Percy felt a surge of anger and power. He stood up easily, balling his fists as he shook with rage. Kronos rose his scythe above Poseidon's throne, ready to destroy his son's source of power. Percy's eyes turned blood red as he unlocked a power that had been forgotten. One last scene was shown to him. His and Annabeth's kiss in Mount St. Helens.

And with the power of the eruption from the Mountain that bounded Typhon, Percy's power released. His hands were out in front of him, pointing towards Kronos.

Kronos' descent halted. Kronos looked to his arms as if they weren't his. "What is this?" Kronos questioned, outraged.

Kronos looked around him, when his eyes landed on Percy he growled.

"Jackson! How are you doing this?" Kronos demanded. He didn't get an answer.

Percy swiped his right arm up causing Kronos' right arm to rip off its socket. Kronos' scream echoed across the halls of the sky land. Percy lowered his right arm before pushing his own left hand to his left horizontally, causing Kronos' left arm was pulled from its socket. In cause Kronos' scythe was dropped on the ground. Percy slowly walked towards the now whimpering titan. He lifted both of his arms up causing Kronos to fly up.

He moved his arms towards Riptide, the titan grabbed Riptide forcefully and handed it to Percy. Percy punched the titan in the face causing Kronos to fly backwards Percy capped Riptide and put it into his pocket before resuming to destroy the titan.

Percy moved his arms this way and that, Kronos following his motions. Percy finally threw his arms in a downward arc, causing the titan to be thrown into the ground. Silence reigned as dust particles began to vanish around the crater where the titan's body laid.

"Please, no more, no more." Kronos repeated. Percy didn't say anything, he just uncapped Riptide. "I'll do anything, please" Kronos pleaded. Again Percy didn't even make a sound as he continued advancing towards Kronos.

"Mercy, mercy." Kronos time Percy responded.

"Mercy!" Percy scoffed, "Mercy!" Percy yelled, a sadistic smile plastered on face. Did you give her mercy? Percy spat, pointing Riptide towards Annabeth. "No, you didn't. And for that, I promise pain." Percy stated raising his arm and slowly clenching his fist, causing Kronos' Ichor to not flow to his heart.

Percy's eyes became gold as he began to boil Kronos' ichor. Kronos screamed as he was tortured by the son of Poseidon. Percy again made Kronos fly up. Percy put his hands together before swiftly moving his hands outwards. Kronos screamed as he felt himself being ripped apart.

Slowly, Percy started to clench his fists, the more he clenched them, the more Kronos was ripped in half.

When his fingers became curled and touching his palms, Kronos was fully and symmetrically cut in half, still in the air. Percy threw his hands down to his side, making Kronos' dead body on the ground. When the titan's deformed body hit the ground, it became a pile of golden dust.

Percy smiled at the sight. His eyes changed from his golden to blood red.

"Serves you right, you bastard." Percy muttered. His eyes became his regular sea green before falling onto his back unconscious.

Chapter 2: Well That Went Well

Chapter Text

The Gods burst through the massive doors of the throne room. Their weapons were unsheathed and their armor was from a wide-range of banged up. They were ready to fight a fight that wouldn't need to be fought. All the Olympians looked confusingly around the throne room. There was no sign of the Titan Lord and their thrones looked to be untouched.

Upon closer examination Ares' throne seemed to have cracked and a couple of bodies laid on the throne room floor. The parents of said bodies rushed towards their designated children. Poseidon shrunk down to human form before placing the side of his head on Percy's chest. Poseidon smiled, tears falling down his face when he heard a faint thump.

Athena was not doing so well, she was straight out balling seeing her favorite daughter's fate. Zeus rushed over to her and tried to comfort her. Athena just repeatedly pushed him away whenever he tried to embrace her.

Once she had calmed down enough to the point where she was only whimpering, she glared down at the spawn of her enemy. Her glare was redirected to the sun god. "You pitiful filth of a god of medicines. Save my daughter, or you're not fit to have such a domain."

The sun god looked flabbergasted, "That's a funny joke Athena," Apollo joked.

Athena glared a whole damnation that could make even Hades pale paler. "Save my daughter." Athena said, annunciating every word.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Apollo questioned confusedly. "Use your godly powers." Athena growled.

"Her head isn't even attached to her own body! Even as the god of medicines I can't do that!" Apollo screeched, pointing towards the head with no body.

Athena huffed defeatedly before storming out of the throne room. All of the Olympians discretely watched the moody wisdom goddess take her leave. When her form disappeared around a corner, they all turned towards Apollo. Apollo seemed to notice the shift of attention "What? That head has no body!"

The gods all rolled their eyes at Apollo's notorious personality. Silence consumed the large room. A gasp rang out, piercing through the silence like an explosion. All the gods whipped their heads to the source.

There, sitting up with a horrified expression, sat Percy. He was sweating and glancing around the room.

When his eyes rested on the gods, he visibly relaxed before falling unconscious once more.

The gods stared wide-eyed at the son of Poseidon. "Well, that happened," Ares grunted.


Percy groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. His head hurt and he was sore everywhere. He gave a painful grunt as he tried sit up. When he knew he wasn't able to do so, he slowly rested his head against what he laid on.

After a couple of minutes of not moving he heard what sounded like a door creaking open. He opened his eyes before needing to squint to see. From what he could gather he was in a bright yellow room. The sound of footsteps approaching him.

Deciding that he didn't know where he was, he assumed the worst. His brilliant plan was to fake being dead. He stuck his tongue out and remained limp. The footsteps stopped right next to him. The being's body blocked the bright light from shining on his face.

The being sighed, "Percy you are the worst actor i've ever come across." a male voice said.

"What! Am not." Percy retorted before realizing that he blew his cover. He covered his mouth before pretending to be dead once more.

The man sighed again, "Whatever, just open your mouth." Percy shook his head in a childish way.

The man pinched Percy's side resulting in Percy screaming. The man threw a piece of ambrosia in Percy's mouth and then poured nectar down his throat. Percy choked a little but swallowed nonetheless. He felt way better and sat up. He opened his eyes before facing the new found Apollo.

"Thanks Apollo." Percy thanked. "No problem Perce, the Olympians want you in the throne room in two hours." Apollo notified.

"Yeah okay. But I have a question. Why?" Percy questioned.

"Oh, why do they want you in the throne room?" Percy nodded in confirmation. "So you can fill us in on how you beat the Titan Lord."

Percy nodded slowly before sliding off the medical table. Percy awkwardly patted Apollo on the arm before exiting the sun temple.

 


 

Percy sat on the edge of a pond. His feet dangled in the waters as he recounted everything that had happened.

He remembered the death of his loved one, how he had tortured the murderer, his new power and then his talk with Apollo. His train of thoughts was broken when he felt someone tap his shoulder. Percy turned to see Hermes.

"What do you want Hermes?" Percy asked depressingly. "Well," Hermes cleared his throat, "Zeus requests your presence in the throne room."

Percy nodded, giving permission for Hermes to flash them there. Hermes placed his hand on Percy's shoulder before flashing to the throne room. Percy's vision was obscured as the blinding light consumed him. He felt just as dizzy as the last time he was flashed somewhere.

He looked around to see all of the Olympians staring at him. "Perseus." Zeus greeted. "Uh, hi." Percy said with a small wave.

"Now boy, tell me, how did you defeat my father." Zeus spat. Percy nodded knowing that he would be fried by the 'Theater Queen' as he liked to call Zeus.

So he recounted as much as he could. It didn't seem to be good enough for Zeus. "Hera, please search his memory." Hera nodded.

She got off her throne, making her way to Percy. When she reached him she place both of her hands on each side of his head. She curled her middle fingers back before placing them on Percy's temples. She arched her back, making her look up. Her brown eyes becoming a solid glowing white. After about a good three minutes her eyes reverted back to their original brown.

Yet there was something different about Hera's eyes. They had seemed bigger before, now they were smaller, as if she was scared of something. She walked back to her throne a little quicker than the gods usually see her walk. Some gods raised their eyebrows in curiosity but let it slide.

"Well?" Zeus questioned Hera. Hera cleared her throat before answering her husband.

"It seems that this demigod has a lot of power." Zeus' eyes narrowed down at the boy. "Exactly how much?" Zeus growled out.

Hera swallowed nothing, "A lot, enough that if he was on a different side the thoughts of what this demigod could do to our forces are unfathomable."

Zeus growled animalistically, like lightning he stood up and rose his bolt to smite his nephew. As he was about to chuck it, the three tips of a trident stopping his attack.

"Touch my son, I dare you." Poseidon raged. Zeus narrowed his eyes at his brother before lowering his master bolt.

"Fine."

Many of the Olympians stared wide eyed at what had happened, and there were many different reasons. From how much power a demigod could posses to how Zeus almost killed his nephew.

Zeus narrowed his eyes at the Olympians looking at him before focusing his attention on Percy.

"You may leave now demigod, know that we will be watching you, see where your loyalty truly lies." Percy nodded before taking his leave.

As he was in the elevator down, he could only think one thing his sarcastic mind could come up with, 'Well, that went well.'

Chapter 3: Wisdom's Voice

Chapter Text

Right when Percy had left, the throne room was tossed into chaos. Gods were standing up arguing with each other.

"He must be destroyed-"

"Touch him and I-"

"He is a male-"

"That punk has too much power-"

What the Gods of Olympus did not notice was the rise of the hearth. Only till the hearth exploded did they stop arguing. "Stop bickering like children, you are gods, act like them." Hestia chided.

The Gods slowly sat back down in their thrones. "Now," started Hestia, "talk in a civilized manner."

Zeus cleared his throat before beginning, "I for one believe we should eliminate this threat before he turns." Poseidon could've killed his brother if he could with a gaze.

Zeus involuntarily flinched before turning to his favorite daughter. "Athena what do you suggest we do."

Athena, realizing that she could avenge her daughter answered, "As the goddess of wisdom, I believe it would be wise to kill that filth."

Poseidon aimed his trident at Athena's chest, "Your anger is blinding your wisdom, owl bitch."

Athena glared harshly at Poseidon, not affecting Poseidon in the slightest. Artemis, knowing that this would not solve anything decided to speak up, "Father, we should take a vote."

Zeus nodded at his daughter's idea. Poseidon and Athena were still arguing, "Brother! Daughter! Shut your mouths!" Zeus roared.

Poseidon and Athena eyed each other before walking back to their thrones. Zeus' eyes followed Poseidon, making sure he didn't try anything. When Poseidon had sat down Zeus started "Now, we shall have a vote to decide the boy's fate."

The Gods all nodded, and as always they started on the male side of the Ω. "As King of the Gods I say die." Zeus stated proudly.

"Live, what type of father would I be if I said die?" Poseidon questioned.

"Punk has to die." Ares said. "My son betrayed him like he did us all, Percy was Luke's friend, live." Hermes said sadly.

"Live, he's awesome like me." Apollo stated grinning. "Never disrespected me, friend of my son, live." Hephaestus grumbled.

Since Dionysus was facing punishment he was not on the council, so they turned to the female side of the room. "I saw what that demigod can do, I saw his power, he must die." Hera demanded. Zeus smiled at the fire in his wife.

"He eats cereal, live." Demeter tried to say while she at her cheerios. "Die, die, die, die. It is wise to have him dead." Athena whispered but her volume rose as her opinion ended.

"He is a male, even though he held the sky for me all males are evil, I vote die." The feminist of the Olympians stated factually.

Apollo glared at his sister for half a second before returning to his sunny, happy guy smile. "A heartbreak I had felt, that was true loss. If I say die he will be free, but I have a feeling he would be useful in the future, live." Aphrodite stated.

"That's a 6-5 vote for him to live." Zeus growled as he concluded. "No, I refuse to let that scum live, I will kill him myself if I have to!" Athena shouted as she flashed out.

"I will not let her kill my son. Zeus if she kills my son I will stop at nothing to kill her. Stop your daughter at once!" Poseidon threatened.

Zeus said something unhearable but answered his brother's threats.

"Fine, I will stop her, but Poseidon, remember if he shows sign of a traitor." Zeus didn't leave Poseidon to his imagination as he drew his thumb across his chin.

Poseidon growled before flashing out. One after another the Olympians flashed to wherever they needed or wanted to be.


Percy stood at the border of Camp. He patted the large copper scaled dragon's head as he passed Thalia's pine tree.

The Camp was a wreck from the Labyrinth attack. The Cabins that had been attacked still needed to be rebuilt.

As he passed some campers he felt a little disappointment that none of them congratulated his success. He received no "good-jobs, sorry bout' your loss, thanks or anything of the like." The campers treated him as if he hadn't bested the Titan Lord or had been their leader.

He decided to go sit by the beach to calm himself. He got lost in his thoughts while he walked, that the only thing that stopped him was when he realized he was waist deep in the ocean.

"Damn ADHD, can't even pay attention to where i'm walking." Percy muttered as he walked back to the sand surface.

He removed his shirt and laid down on the sand. He felt his eyes close as he began to drift off. When he was on the edge of sleep he was woken by the sound of walking on sand. He rolled over onto his stomach before pushing himself to his feet. He focused on the person who was walking on the beach.

He recognized his best friend Grover so he walked over to him. When he reached Grover he tapped him on the shoulder. Grover lazily looked over his shoulder before saying a mere "hello." Percy felt shocked for a minute before motioning Grover to sit.

They sat in silence before Grover broke it, "What are you thinking about?"

Percy replayed his thoughts then answered, "My losses, and why no one recognized my accomplishment."

Grover scowled, "Percy you know that's really selfish of you to say that."

Percy scowled at that. "I defeated the Titan Lord and I didn't receive one thank you or anything, I lost my best friend."

"We all lost just as much as you did." Grover spat before getting up and leaving.

Percy just growled at his receding form.

 


 

Percy's life had been actual Hades. The campers had actually started to pay attention to him, not the way he had desired it to though. They were hateful towards Percy, ever since Grover had told them that Percy was an arrogant, selfish half-blood.

His closest friends like Nico, Thalia and the Stolls all thought it was just a rumor floating around. But when a secret meeting was held from Percy by Athena, they saw footage of Percy calling his friends worthless and that he did everything himself, they couldn't trust him.

Percy moped around camp, campers giving him glares and sneers. Percy just kept on walking by them as he watched the ground. Percy opened and closed the door of the Big House. He had been called upon by his teacher and last friend. As he walked into the Big House he noticed the centaur was nowhere to be found. He checked every room and even in the attic.

As he was about to give up and leave to his cabin he spotted a stream of what looked like honey, running out of a closet.

He cautiously creeped toward the closet, making no noise what so ever. When he reached the closet door he took a deep breath, uncapping Riptide. He shut his eyes tightly then opened his eyes to get used to the dark environment. He swung the door open fast, but a rather large figure fell on him. The figure fell to quick for Percy to react so he fell to the ground with it.

The honey had gotten all over him and his sword. He pushed the large object off him before standing up. He dropped Riptide onto the ground, before raising his arms and throwing them down, effectively ridding some of the honey of his arms and shoulders.

He spat the honey that dripped off his hair and onto his lips. He eyed what seemed to be a silver knife. He grabbed the knife out of the figure, pulling it out, making a watery sound. He examined the honey coated knife, who would scoop honey with a knife? Percy wondered.

He examined the knife closer before dropping it in realization. He looked at the body of his former teacher. He started to wipe the now known ichor off the centaur's body. His attempts were futile, the ichor just staining his clothes and hands. He heard the door of the Big House open and close. He grabbed Riptide ready to bolt. He had just taking his first step but a gasp stopped his movements.

His muscles tensed as he slowly looked over to the source of noise. There stood Jacob Meyer, son of Apollo, petrified with fear at the scene.

Percy was about to tell his Alibi but Jacob stopped him.

"You k...ki...killed Chiron." Jacob whispered as he pointed at Percy.

Percy shook his head and once again tried to plead innocent but Jacob stopped him with his scream for help. Percy cursed in greek before looking for a way out. He could hear the sounds of thundering footsteps towards his location.

He dropped to his knees looking for the knife. He found the knife just in time as he heard a multitude of gasps. As Percy was about to show them the knife, it disappeared. He knew he was dead meat. There was no way he could get out of this one.

He hung his head in defeat as he was cuffed with celestial bronze chains.

His only evidence was gone. He knew who killed Chiron. How? The knife. How can the knife prove who it was. Simple. The knife's engravings were Wisdom's Voice.

Chapter 4: Death Of A True Hero

Chapter Text

Athena smiled a truly happy smile as her plan worked. She held her knife proudly in her hand. The first part of her plan, otherwise known as phase one, was completed. The second was the hard part.

Killing the demigod.

Yes he was binded, but Hera had said this demigod had a massive power. If the filth was able to hold his own, even be able to defeat Kronos, then killing him would be hard. Yes he was only mortal, but with his Curse of Achilles it would be hard to guess where the vulnerable spot would be.

She could kill his loved ones, or have them betray him. That was why she showed the fake video and killed the old centaur. The fact that the satyr had already got many new campers and some of Percy's friends to betray him was luck.

Her conspiring was cut short by a signal for a council meeting. Athena sighed, pausing her writing of notes. She made her notebook and pencil disappear into a secret drawer in her palace, waiting for her next ideas to eliminate the son of Poseidon. She flashed onto her throne, surprisingly she was the last one. 'I hope no one notices' she thought.

"Now," started Zeus smiling, "it has come to my attention that a certain son of Poseidon has been found guilty of killing the centaur at camp."

Poseidon looked shocked, "No there must be a mistake." Zeus smile became sinister at his daughter's next sentence.

"He is ruled a traitor of Olympus, he must die now." Athena stated smiling. 'Seems Phase two will be easier than I had expected.'

Poseidon sat on his throne lost in his own thoughts. There was no way his son could be a traitor. He couldn't image it. Ares smacked his uncle's arm achieving his uncle's attention. "Father is asking you a question."

Poseidon turned to look at Zeus who was smirking, angering Poseidon. "What is it brother?" Poseidon growled.

"Well, we were wondering if you would like to correct your mistake?" Zeus asked innocently. Poseidon's eyes widened in horror.

"No, I will not kill my own son!" Poseidon shouted standing up. "Nor will I let any of you."

Zeus hummed thoughtfully, "I was expecting that, that's why I had this planned."

Poseidon's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion before his muscles tensed feeling Ares next to him. Ares threw a large Celestial Bronze net over the sea god. Poseidon raised his arms towards the net, trying to prevent the net from landing on him.

He failed, badly. He hit the ground loudly as the large Celestial Bronze balls on the end of the net hugged the marble floor. Poseidon then tried to throw the net off of him. Ares chuckled at his uncle's attempts.

"That net is enchanted that even titans can't even escape, snatched it when metal head over there," Ares pointed his thumb over his shoulder at Hephaestus, "tried to catch me and his wife."

Hephaestus growled at Ares but remained seated. Zeus still had a smug grin covering his face while he watched the scene. "Now, who would like the honors of killing Perseus?" Zeus questioned. The Olympians that had voted for Percy to live scrunched their noses up in disgust and anger.

Athena immediately shot to her feet looking at a chance for her revenge. "Ah yes, Athena, it seems you look rather anxious for this opportunity."

"Yes father, I will not fail you if you allow me to destroy that sea spawn." Zeus nodded in acceptance of Athena's proposal.

"Go now Athena, it is the perfect time to kill him. It is past curfew so he must be asleep in the camp dungeons."

Athena nodded before flashing out, causing Poseidon to try harder to get out of his bonds. Zeus looked to Hera, "Would you be able to wipe Poseidon's memory of these events?" Zeus asked.

Poseidon thrashed even harder in the net Hera thought a little before answering, "No," This seemed to relax Poseidon slightly, "but I would be able to make him think he has another demigod son."

Poseidon's eyes widened, not wanting anyone to make him forget his son. Zeus nodded in satisfaction before considering an important factor.

"So do we just chose an unclaimed demigod as Poseidon's new son." Hera nodded at her husband's idea.

"Then proceed Hera." Zeus said gesturing his arm to the bonded sea god. Poseidon's eyes watered showing his defeat.

Hera walked over to Poseidon before doing exactly what she had done with Percy. She walked back to her throne as Ares took the net off Poseidon. Poseidon sat back in his throne emotionless. The Olympians that had voted for Percy to live growled at Zeus and Hera before flashing out.

The only sign of Poseidon's breakdown was the tear trail that ran down from his right eye to his chin.

 


 

Athena flashed into Percy's cell. The blinding light disturbing his sleep but not waking him. Athena waited for a total of exactly eight minutes. How did she know that it had been eight minutes? She counted the seconds.

She tiptoed over to the sleeping form of Percy before dropping to her knees as she made her notes and a flashlight into her hands. She turned the flashlight on, glancing up at Percy to see if he showed any signs of noticing.

When she knew he hadn't she flipped through her notes till she found the correct page named; Sea Spawn CoA Location Possibilities. She decided to stab him right under the left of his neck. Just as she was about to flash her notes away she dropped the flashlight. The light flashed right into Percy's eyes and hit the concrete floor loudly. Percy woke up cautiously, when his eyes laid upon Athena he got really angry.

Athena knowing that the only way to possibly survive would either be; One: Flash away, or, Two: Stall.

She varied the pros and cons of each suggestion before deciding to go with option two. Stall. "I am here to inform you of the council's vote to whether you live or not." Percy eyed Athena before sighing.

"What were the results?" Percy asked sadly. "It was unanimous, you are to die." Athena lied.

Percy turned his back to Athena as he sobbed silently. "Even my father?" Percy choked out. Although Percy couldn't see her he could tell Athena nodded. Percy resumed his sobbing as he buried his hands in his face. Athena took the knife out, this action going unnoticed by Percy.

Athena pretended to comfort Percy before slowly raising the knife to his neck. The last word he heard was; Revenge. As he heard that he felt a the pierce of his skin right under his neck.

As he had already lost his Curse of Achilles since Annabeth died, it didn't protect him from the fatal stab. He felt the knife sink halfway through his neck before it was ruthlessly ripped out. He choked on his own blood before dying on the spot. Athena smiled at the sight. But deep in the back of her mind she knew that what she did was selfish and wrong. She knew that Percy was a true hero.

And she knew;

It was murder, a death of a true hero.

Chapter 5: Death Isn't So Bad

Chapter Text

In the darkness of the Underworld, the personifications of death waited for the soul of a hero to descend. The soul was pure and was the brightest source of light ever to belong to the underworld. The two beings struggled to lift their own weight as they flew towards the spirit.

They combined their powers and in their great efforts, released the spirit from its chains of death. The soul started to freely and chaotically fly around the large cavern of the Underworld.

One of the death deities flashed a limp figure from the Mortal-world. This action seeming to magnetically suck the soul into the body. The limp body went tense before limping again. The two immortals kneeled on each side of the body, their hands outstretched.

Their hands started to spark slightly, wisps of red coming from them. The sparks from their hands becoming more frequent. After a few minutes of this, the sparks disappeared as a dull red glow came instead. This dull glow beginning to emit a brighter red color.

The bright red color illuminated the cavern, revealing the handsome face of Thanatos and the pretty face of his sister, Keres. Yet their usual beautiful faces were not present as a look of struggle was upon them. They both looked up at each other, contemplating when to release.

Keres made an upward nod as if saying 'sup' to her brother. Thanatos knew that she meant for him to countdown.

Thanatos nodded to his sister, showing her he understood. "Three...Two...One," Thanatos said through gritted teeth,"Now!" And with that they both descended their hand onto the body, the glowing red being absorbed by it.

After what seemed like forever for the two, a red aura began to form around the body, starting at the feet. The aura began to climb the barefooted body. It traveled up the scratched legs and onto the tattered and ripped, shorts and shirt. When the glow finally surrounded the body completely, the death gods stopped.

They both fell backward, onto their backs. "Stay with me brother, we mustn't fade until the boy awakes." Keres panted.

Thanatos just stayed quiet, scaring his sister. "Brother, you cannot fade yet," Keres said, although her usually lulling voice was hoarse.

Thanatos just stayed quiet. Keres felt a lurching sensation in her stomach as she thought her brother had faded. "Brother?" Keres whispered. Thanatos just raised his arm lazily to show her he hadn't faded, yet.

Keres sighed, but it came out as a pained cough. They both laid there in silence, frequently checking if the other were still alive. After countless hours of this, the body started to move slowly.

"Keres," Thanatos said sharply, pulling Keres out of her godly slumber. Keres' red eyes opened before sitting up slowly.

Thanatos tried to stand but was forced to his knees by the Underworld's pressure. Thanatos flickered for a moment before becoming whole again, this not going unnoticed by Keres.

Keres slowly stood up against the gravity of the Underworld. She walked a couple of agonizing steps towards her brother before helping him to his feet. Once they both were up they leaned against each other.

They stood there for what seemed like days to them but were only a mere five minutes before the eyes of the body awoke. His usual sea green eyes were a blood red, his usual jet black hair was darker and had dark red streaks running through it.

His beach tan was gone and he had pale skin, not as pale as Hades though, his facial features stayed the same. His body form mostly stayed the same, except for the now defined muscle on his upper and lower body.

He stood up easily under the pressure before he noticed the two weak death gods.

Keres smiled a strained smile, "Good to finally meet you, Perseus."

 


 

Percy woke up feeling different. He looked around a little before realizing he was indeed in the Underworld. 'Then why did he still have a body?' He thought questioningly. He looked around a little before realizing the Underworld is usually darker.

He opened and closed his eyes obnoxiously before rubbing them. He opened his eyes again and it still looked brighter than last time he was there. He took a full 180, his eyes landing on two deities. He looked at them confusingly before the female of the two smiled at him.

"Good to finally meet you, Perseus." the woman said. Percy reached down to grab his pen before realizing he didn't have it.

He wondered why his pen didn't return to him. His gaze returned to the beautiful woman in front of him. "Who are you guys?" he asked.

The woman straightened a little before nudging the man to straighten himself as well.

The man straightened before answering Percy, "I am Thanatos, god of death," the woman hit Thanatos on the arm, "Well, peaceful death, that is." the woman nodded in acceptance of Thanatos' answer.

Percy wasn't all that surprised that the death god was here, although he didn't really have a peaceful death now did he? As he was about to relay his question on how his death was peaceful, the woman interrupted him.

"And I am Keres, sister of this idiot," She started, pointing her thumb at Thanatos, "and goddess of painful death."

'Ahh, so that was why she was here, she was painful death and he guessed since Thanatos was known as the personification of death, that was why he was here.' Percy thought.

The thought of why he was not dead in the Underworld when he had clearly died confused him.

"So how am I alive if I know for a fact I got stabbed in the neck," Percy asked. Percy unconsciously touched the spot where he was stabbed.

"Well, we brought you back to life, although you did change a little bit like your eyes are a different color and you have red streaks in your hair that's basically it," Thanatos said.

Percy touched his hair before asking his next question. "So why are you guys still here then?"

The two immortals sighed, "we are fading" Keres said before she flickered, "like that." She said pointing to herself.

"And we wanted a true hero, like yourself to have slight control over death," Thanatos added.

Percy was slightly shocked, death was literally offering him to control death. "Why should I accept?" Percy questioned.

"I dunno, revenge, personal issues, never dying, never fading, power, use for good or evil, we really couldn't care but we trust your judgment," Keres said thoughtfully.

Percy thought about it a little before answering yes. "Great, we will just do a little ritual and then we can peacefully fade. Thanatos said.

"Hold on, what did you mean by I can't fade or die?" Percy asked quickly.

Keres sighed, "You are mortal so you cannot fade, and you will have control over death, so technically you can't die."

"Cool," Percy answered simply. "And one more thing, you gain more power by how many peaceful deaths you give to mortals or immortals," Thanatos said.

"And when you inflict painful deaths as well," Keres added.

Percy nodded before the two gods performed the ritual. They took their places next to him before a new red glow formed in their hands.

They both murmured quietly before their eyes became a solid black. They rose their hands in unison, they shot the red glow above Percy, creating a large red glowing ball that Cerebus would've loved to play with.

They slowly lowered their hands, the glowing power ball lowering itself onto Percy.

Red hot pain filled Percy's systems as the orb made contact with his head. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth to stop himself from screaming. The orb of power was already halfway down but Percy couldn't take it anymore. He screamed till he couldn't anymore, tears falling down his eyes. When the orb finally touched the ground the Underworld lit up as it exploded.

The light started to dim until there was only a burnt circle surrounding a figure. The death gods nowhere to be found. The figure was cloaked in a dark cloak with a hood that covered his head. The figure had large black wings with a total wingspan of ten feet.

Each wing was five foot long and the top of the feathers were a dark red. The figure had a black stygian iron chest plate and black stygian iron leggings and combat boots. He had black gauntlets and black gloves, he held no weapon but the power he held could put a minor god on his or her's knees.

He had a glowing red aura and when he looked up it was revealed that he had glowing red irises and black scleras. He slowly stood up straight, "That was sooo awesome" he whispered to himself.

He morphed back into his regular form, which his clothes were still ripped and walked along the river bank of the Styx. He thought about taking another dip but didn't know if he had another person who could be his mortal anchor. Being the person he is, he thought 'why not?' and slowly walked closer to the cold water of the Styx.

The painful waters were nothing compared to what he just went through. He didn't even flinch as he took his first step. He walked painfully slow into the Styx for any monsters watching. When he was fully submerged he concentrated on an area of his body.

Under his right armpit.

He slowly opened his eyes to find himself on the bottom of the river. He waited for the image of someone to pull him out of the river. He waited for agonizing hours in the Styx, the pain finally starting to grasp him. An image of something started to appear. He couldn't make it out, it was too blurry as if it hadn't ever happened before.

He stared at the image, waiting for it to appear clearly. The water started to burn like acid upon his skin. The pixels of the image started to concentrate enough for him to look at it. When all of the pixels were concentrated so the image was clear, Percy became confused.

The image, he just didn't know how.

The image was no one.

Just the ledge of the river bank. He outstretched his arm before grasping onto the ledge. He pulled himself up out of the acid water. He instant-dried himself before collapsing in pain. The acid like water had burned his skin, although thankfully only his skin was damaged.

He carefully pushed himself off of his chest and onto his feet. He winced in pain as the cold-stoney ground pierced the skin of his foot. He looked back at the Styx, it was weird that no one had come to help him out of the water, to be his mortal anchor.

He thought at least maybe his mom would show herself. She still loved him... right? He mentally slapped himself at the question, of course, his mom loved him. With great effort to not agitate his skin, he wobbled around the Styx. He had only moved a couple hundred yards and his feet had already blistered.

When his hope had diminished he spotted Charon's boat. With renewed vigor he wobbled over to where Charon's boat had docked, letting souls off. The souls flew around before splitting off, in a few years they may be judged if they wanted to be. The few who couldn't fly because of their horrible acts in their lives were led by a large skeleton.

The skeleton had huge bones and ripped out one of its ribs as its weapon. Percy focused back onto Charon, walking over to him, legs wider than usual. When Charon looked at Percy he fell out of the boat and onto the dock.

Percy stopped walking before looking at Charon curiously. When Charon got back onto his feet he took a step back in fear.

Percy raised his eyebrow in confusion, "Umm... Charon, you deal with ghosts every day, why am I so scary?"

Charon gulped before standing up a little straighter, "Well I had guided your soul to the Underworld but you flew off."

Percy nodded understanding Charon's confusion, "Yeah well, you know me, breaking laws and doing the impossible."

Charon didn't seem too surprised at hearing this information. Percy was about to say another thing but Charon clutching his head in pain cut him off.

"You okay Charon?"

"That light you gave off gave me a bloody headache," Charon grunted. Percy was a little confused but decided it was just something about the Underworld.

"So can you give me a ride back to the Upper-world?" Percy asked. Charon seemed hesitant but shook it off, "Ahh, I'm going there any way to grab the rest of the souls, I guess you can tag along.

Percy smiled in appreciation before climbing into the boat. As Charon rowed along Percy asked many questions to which Charon would just ignore.

When they reached the dock to the Upper-world, Percy said his thanks before walking to the exit. He smiled a little. But after thinking of what he could do and what he would do to Theater Queen and the rest of the Olympians.

His smile became a grin.

Chapter 6: The Guardian Of Atlantis

Chapter Text

Percy punched another monster in the face. He was currently invading another monster camp. He had built a new reputation, a new name, and he lived to uphold it.

He was no longer Percy Jackson, the Hero of Olympus. That was a couple months ago. The Monsters gave him his new name. They gave him something to live for.

He was now known as Apoth, translated as demise or death in English.

Apoth wore a dark cloak and a hood that covered his face, but sometimes you could see his eyes. Red like blood they were terrifying. Of course, if you were close enough to see his eyes you're already as good as dead. He had black gauntlets that hid his blades similar to the ones in Assassin's Creed. He wore Stygian iron combat boots and a Stygian iron chest plate. A dark aura surrounded him.

A telekhine swung its sword at Apoth's neck. Apoth dodged before grabbing the telekhine's sword to block a sword swing directed at his back. He swung his elbow down onto the telekhines' arm, breaking it. He pierced the telekhines' armor and decapitated the monster behind him in a few swift motions.

His eyes glowed red through his hood as he controlled two dracaenae to stab each other. Apoth chuckled, motioning the monsters to attack him. An arrow whistled towards him, but Apoth simply raised his hand catching the arrow inches from his head. Apoth leapt forward. He was getting bored.

He crashed into a hellhound, bringing the arrow into its chest, ending another miserable life. Apoth charged forward, bringing his hidden blades into an empousa. He rolled over her fading back, dodging a spear by a few inches.

He used his momentum to crash into a dracaenae, bringing it down. His hands pulsed red as he clenched his fists. Apoth raised his left hand casually as he caught a spear. He snapped it in half using the two pieces to beat back the legion of monsters.

He jumped forward, thrusting the broken spear into a cyclops. The few remaining monsters fell till there was only Apoth and the Nemean Lion.

"Finally, a possible challenge," Apoth muttered, bracing himself for the monster of legends.

The Nemean Lion charged furiously. Its golden fur glinted in the sun as it's sharp claws tore through the terrain. Apoth slowly turned around grabbing two spears that laid on the ground. The Nemean Lion approached at speeds almost uncatchable to the eye.

Apoth took a deep breath, grounding his teeth. He flexed his jaw. He exhaled. Everything slowed. They locked gazes just as the Nemean Lion opened its jaw. Apoth leaped forward, crashing into the Lion. It wasn't fair.

Apoth flew backward losing the spears he had grabbed. He groaned, rubbing his head.

"Thank the Primordials I have that blessing of Achilles," he muttered, lifting himself up. The Nemean Lion seemed to mock Apoth as it circled the fallen boy.

All of a sudden it pounced. Apoth dodged right, but its claws clung to his back, cutting through his armor. He screamed in anger, not pain, clenching his fist. Apoth turned, and in one swift motion, he punched the lion to the ground. He spat the saliva out of his mouth, cradling his hand.

Apoth stalked forward, grabbing two short spears off of the ground. In a series of swift motions, he climbed up onto its back, knowing stabbing it would do nothing so he moved towards the eyes.

The Nemean Lion growled, raising itself off the ground. It roared attempting to shake off the extremely powerful demigod. He held onto its fur as it tried to shake him off. He flexed his fingers. He leaned forward, crashing the pair of spears into the Nemean Lion's eyes.

It roared painfully, and in response, Apoth jumped off. Midair he grabbed a spear out of the monster's eye and backed away. He then threw the spear into its mouth as it roared. The roar shook the trees and pushed Apoth backward, but it left the lion vulnerable.

Once the spear made contact the Nemean Lion's insides, burst into golden particles.

In its wake laid the Nemean Lion's claws. They were said to be able to cut through the toughest material and were more durable than any other known metal. Apoth grinned. He leaned down, attempting to lift the massive weight. He grunted in frustration when he wasn't able to lift them. Apoth leaned back up and took a step back, trying to use his brain for once.

He came to the conclusion of transporting the claws through the Earth. He walked backward enough to give him some room to operate on the "patient".

Apoth took a slow stride forward before gaining speed. When he neared the claws he vaulted upward, almost to the point where he could touch the top of the trees. His joy ride in the sky slowed and he started to descend towards the ground. When he landed he caused a massive earthquake and a crack swallowed the claws.

He cracked a grin at his work and sealed the earth back up with a flick of his wrist. Man, he could compete with Theater Queen with his own dramatics, "Watch out Zeus, you got competition," Apoth chuckled.

Apoth stood there, thinking of what to do with his lucky find. Many years later, but was actually only five minutes, he got an idea.

"Weapons," Apoth said gleefully, he didn't have any weapons, besides his hidden blades and throwing knives.

He left the forest in search of the best crafters, the Hecatonchires.

 


 

Briares stood guard outside of Poseidon's palace, he was appointed as the head guard of defenses of Atlantis. He had been recognized during the second Titan war and Poseidon himself asked of Briares to accept the duty.

But as much of an honor it was, it was rather boring to him. He didn't get the feel of the sea waters flowing across his arms in battle. No, that was for the army themselves, not him, the guard of Atlantis, not the warrior. He hated protecting that palace, there was no excitement in it.

His adrenaline never pumped and he never had the opportunity to fight since he pummeled that giant crab back in the second Titan war. He played with his many fingers as he sat outside of Atlantis. He sighed as he stopped his form of enjoyment, getting bored of it.

He cleared his throat in boredom and sighed once more. He closed his eyes and started to sleep on the job. Almost immediately after he closed his eyes the sound of conch horns being blown disturbed him. He dashed to his feet and prepared for the possible threat approaching the sea city.

Atlantean Guards poured out of the city walls and swam in formation more out to sea. As Briares started to follow the soldiers, the commander, who marched at the back, stopped him, "Guardian, stay and protect the city, this could be a possible diversion."

Briares saluted in understanding and went back to his original spot.

"We have the rest of the army on the East and West side, we will go to the South of the city and you will protect the North," the commander commanded.

Briares nodded before putting on his Atlantean Gold helmet that had red feathers sprouting from the back of it. He proceeded to put the rest of his Sea gold armor on, starting with his chest plate than moving over to the armored leggings. By then the army was at a rather large distance away from the North side, where Briares was protecting.

After about an hour and no attacks, Briares began to wonder why the horns were blown if no danger had occurred. He turned towards the city of Atlantis expecting it to be in greek flames but the city wasn't touched.

His eyebrows scrunched up in puzzlement, 'what is going on?'

Briares turned back to the open sea, the army was long gone towards the South side. Briares turned to the East and West side, they were still in guarding formation, waiting for the attack. He turned back to Atlantis and then to the sea. He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward in an attempt to see something but nothing appeared.

He un-scrunched his eyes and leaned back into a comfortable position, waiting and waiting. His eyes snapped open and his muscles tensed as he felt something in the water. It wasn't large, no it was actually as small as a mortal.

He couldn't see it but it was definitely there, somewhere in the sea, somewhere outside of Atlantis, somewhere in front of him. Briares then started to see the presence of the figure's effect on the sea. The sea turned a darker shade of blue even for the bottom of the ocean.

The ocean's currents stopped and the seaweed stood still. The figure didn't swim but rather walked across the sea's surface. It was cloaked in a black cloak and when the cloak parted you could catch a glimpse of black armor.

The cloak had a hood that covered the face of the stranger and the figure smelled of the ocean, but also of death. No, the figure couldn't smell of death because the scent was too strong of it. Even if it were Hades the scent of death was too much.

Briares growled and got into a fighting stance, "Who are you, and what business do you have in Atlantis."

The cloaked warrior chuckled and moved the cloak out from in front of him to reveal his set of weapons.

Throwing knives and daggers galore, metals he hasn't seen except when he was in Tartarus. "Well Hecantonchires, I have come for you, not for the destruction of this wonderful city." the cloaked man snarled when he said the word wonderful.

Briares took a step back at the sound of the voice. Familiar, yet it wasn't. "Who are you?" Briares demanded.

The figure smirked, "Apoth, my name is Apoth and nothing else," Apoth said smirking.

Briares snarled and slashed his arms up causing the sea to start towards Apoth. Apoth, not seeing it coming, looked down and held his arms in front of his face in a way to protect himself.

The sea swirled around Apoth's body and made his hood fall off his head. When the water stopped its movement, Briares prepared to unleash another wave of water.

Apoth let his arms fall back to his sides and looked up at Briares. Briares took a step back and gaped at the person he saw.

"Perseus," Briares gasped out. But the Perseus he knew wasn't the one in front of him.

The Perseus he knew didn't have pale skin. The Perseus he knew didn't have bloody red eyes. The Perseus he knew didn't have red streaks in his hair. And the Perseus he knew didn't reek of death.

Apoth narrowed his eyes at the Hecantonchires, "That is not me, I am Apoth, Death, and destroyer of monsters."

Briares didn't notice the way he capitalized the D on death. Briares kept his guard up but asked his question in a relaxed tone, "Of what assistance do you need of me Pers-Apoth?"

Apoth grinned as Briares called him by his name, "I need you to make weapons for me."

Briares' muscles relaxed and his posture formed into one of confusion. "Why?" Apoth's grin remained as Briares asked that question.

"I need the best weapons and I need the best to make the best," Apoth praised.

Briares thought of the pros and cons of the option he was presented with. He came to the conclusion that he still owed Perseus.

"Of course, Apoth."

Apoth's grin formed into a genuine smile, "Thanks, Briares."

Briares nodded. "So when and where will we be creating these weapons of yours?" Briares questioned.

Apoth smirked, "Now, we will be visiting the wondrous Mt. St Helens."

Briares nodded, and the two set off in the direction of the surface.

Chapter 7: A Visit To Typhon's Prison—And New Toys

Chapter Text

Apoth and Briares surveyed the base of Mt. St Helens. Monsters were littered the bottom of the two's destination. Briares, even though his size was massive, was hidden behind the hill they were perched on.

Briares stared fearfully at the scene they were witnessing. "Why are there so many?" Briares questioned in fearful awe.

Apoth smirked but kept his attention on the monsters below, "Ever since Kronos' defeat they scattered across the United States. In hopes of preserving their pitiful lives above Tartarus, they united with others to create different groups."

Briares' eyes widened as he heard this, "You're telling me that these abominations are becoming intelligent enough to lead themselves."

Apoth nodded, "Correct, just be thankful that this group isn't as well prepared as the other ones I have ambushed."

Briares seemed to calm down a little from this statement, "So any information that I should know?"

Apoth thought for a moment, "Well I should fill you in on the unity of these monsters across the U.S."

Briares nodded eagerly, "Yes please," he beckoned.

"There are groups of monsters that consist of a lower amount of about ten, to higher numbers up to a hundred. I consider groups of monsters with ten members aren't a threat."

Apoth paused as he thought more about the subject, " But the groups of a hundred, legions of monsters, are the ones that attract my attention the most."

Briares nodded in understanding and beckoned him to continue. "These groups and legions were the ones that gave me my name. And it just so happens that this group is about, I would say, 30 monsters," Apoth finished.

Briares sighed, that was still a lot of monsters. Even 30 monsters could take down a god, and Briares wasn't a god.

"So how do we go about this?" Briares questioned. He noticed Apoth starting to smile, "I mean how do we do this logically,"

Apoth smirked, "We fight."

And with that, Apoth vanished into thin air. Briares looked around before his line of sight landed down on the monster base. One moment it was peaceful and the next, utter chaos.

Apoth used his power over water to vapor travel above one of the Cyclops of the group. As he reappeared he flexed his fingers to unleash his hidden blades from their jail in his gauntlets.

He descended and rammed his blades into the Cyclops' shoulders. The Cyclops roared in pain before its cry was cut short as it burst into gold powder. The roar was enough for the other monsters to know a threat was upon them.

The monsters either grabbed their weapons or extended their claws. Apoth grinned as he felt the rush of battle that he longed for flowed through his veins. As the monsters came thundering forward, Apoth got into a lunging stance. His arms were outstretched in front of him and his hands were clenched together.

As the first monster got within Apoth's choice distance, he vaulted upwards into the sky. When he reached his desired height he plunged towards the Earth.

He smashed his fists into the ground, causing the Earth to spike up and impale five monsters. Apoth smirked, "Apoth is on a five-player kill streak," he narrated.

He dodged an arrow, quickly grabbed a throwing knife from his cloak and threw it at where the arrow came from. He heard the sound of blade on flesh and saw the gold particles flow into the wind. As a dozen creatures neared him, he turned his attention to them. His eyes glowed red as he controlled their bodies.

Apoth smiled a wicked smile as he got an idea, "Let's play house." Still in control of their bodies, he sat them all on the ground in a circle.

With virulent enjoyment he stated, "Commence the annual purge, may fate be with you all."

And with that Apoth commanded that each monster turn to their left and stab. He watched in glee as the golden dust dispersed into the air. He turned to the hill to see Briares still watching from atop it. Apoth shook his head, "I guess more for me."

Apoth turned to the remaining monsters, "Run." The monsters obeyed without a second thought and sprinted for their lives.

Apoth chuckled, then, he was off. He dashed across the plains below the mountain as he caught up with every monster. Each time he caught up with one he would say a sarcastic comment before releasing them from their life.

His comments ranged from, "Hey how's it goin', how's the wife, the kids?" To, "Oh my gods, Brittney, I didn't expect you to be here."

After every single monster was in Tartarus he vapor traveled back on the hill where Briares stared at him in awe. "You were like, and then they were like, then you were, wow," Briares said flabbergasted.

Apoth smirked, "Yeah," then he walked back down onto the plains below.

Briares stared at Apoth as Apoth made his way down the hill. Apoth, sensing that Briares hadn't moved commented on it, "You coming?"

Briares shook his head to snap out of his awe state. "Yeah, yeah I'm coming."

Once Briares and Apoth stood at the lowest level of the volcano they started towards the base of it. Briares became confused on how they would get into the mountain.

"So how do we get into it?"

Apoth chuckled, "Patience young Jedi."

Apoth looked over his shoulder to be met with a confused expression from Briares. "Of course you wouldn't get it," Apoth said.

Briares ignored Apoth's comment and restated his question, "So how do we get into it?"

Apoth nodded realizing Briares didn't seem to be in the mood. "Just watch and learn, maybe take some notes," Apoth said thoughtfully.

With that Apoth raised his right arm and clenched his right fist. This action caused the Earth to bend to its master and form a massive hole to open on the side of the volcano. Briares thought he couldn't get more surprised until Apoth clenched his left fist making the ground shake.

The Earth breached behind them and cracked the ground under them. Apoth un-clenched his fist and the shaking stopped. Out of the crevice that Apoth created came two glowing claws. They were massive for claws, Briares could tell.

Using his knowledge on measuring he decided that the length of the claws were about two feet and the width ranged from two to four inches. These would create the best weapons Briares would ever make. He could tell just by looking at them what he would create.

The shape of the claws were perfect for his select weapons that he would make. Briares turned to Apoth, "What are they, I've never seen a material like this."

Apoth smiled and turned to look at the gleaming silver claws, "Nemean Lion claws."

Briares' eyes widened, only the strongest of demigods could defeat such a beast. "Well aren't you lucky for this find," Briares said.

Apoth coughed as he heard this, "Lucky, yeah right, you can only put lucky and my name together when saying that I'm not lucky."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, now let's get a move on, Poseidon might notice that I'm gone," Briares said.

Apoth snarled when he heard Poseidon's name. Briares became confused but decided not to touch on the subject. Briares pulled the massive weight onto his shoulders, not showing a sign of struggle. Apoth and Briares walked side by side into the volcano. Neither one of them knew if something was in it.

"So where are we heading to in this volcano?" Briares questioned.

Apoth didn't answer for awhile but eventually did, "The bottom, the hottest area in this volcano, right next to where Typhon is imprisoned."

Briares gulped nervously as he heard they would be heading towards the King of all monsters. They jumped down from rock to rock towards the lava that flowed at the bottom. Briares accidentally slipped on a pebble making him lose his balance and almost fall into the burning liquid below.

Apoth glanced back, "Don't fall," Briares smiled that Apoth might actually hold some feelings towards him, "I wouldn't want to carry those claws myself."

Briares' smile faded off of his face, his hope diminishing that Apoth held any feelings for anyone besides hate or neutrality. Once they both reached the bottom of the volcano Briares hauled the claws off his shoulder and onto the ground.

Typhon noticed the new presences and growled at the newcomers. "Who dare visits to mock my suffering?"

Both Apoth and Briares seemed to ignore the insanely powerful monster.

Apoth looked around, the lava illuminating his armor and features. "Do your thing Briares, I'll be keeping an eye on big, dumb, and ugly," Apoth said pointing his thumb over in Typhon's direction.

Briares nodded and headed over to where the Claws laid. Apoth subtly walked over towards where Typhon was stuck in the side of the Volcanic wall.

Typhon growled as Apoth neared, "Puny demigod, take one more step and you will be disintegrated by the amount of power I hold."

Apoth stopped and grinned at the King. Typhon snarled, "Even the gods can barely withstand my aura, what makes you think you can?"

Apoth smirked, "You are mistaken," Typhon's stormy eyes widened, "How so weakling?"

Apoth's smile broadened, "You assume that I am weak." With that, Apoth walked straight up to the monster smirking in satisfaction as his amount of power towered over Typhon's.

Typhon's confused features changed into one of complete fear. Only the strongest of titans held this much power. "What are you? And what do you want?" Typhon rumbled in fear.

Apoth's smirk vanished and his expression became expressionless. "I am Apoth, and what I want is the fall of Olympus and with it, the Olympians.

Typhon's fear dispersed and a smile adjourned his face. "Well then, it seems you have come to unleash me from this punishment then."

Apoth shook his head, "No, I won't unless you pledge yourself to me, and me only."

Typhon knew that this could be his ticket out but the way he said it made him feel uneasy if he was to pledge himself to another. Although in the back of his mind Typhon had already decided. "What is the pledge?"

Apoth smiled in satisfaction, "Repeat after me, I Typhon, King of monsters pledge myself to Apoth, Death and the coming Lord of all, I swear to never go against his word and only pledge myself to him, this I swear on the Celestial Beings above."

Typhon never skipped a beat and spoke every word with meaning. Apoth smiled as he visioned the burning of Olympus, "Rest, you must stay here as to not draw the attention of the Gods."

Typhon nodded and felt his suffering fade. He broke through the Volcanic earth that bounded him. Apoth smiled and turned back to where he thought Briares was working. Clearly he underestimated the amount of time Briares would take to make his weapons as Briares stared at the two.

Briares' expression wasn't one of fear but one of interest. Apoth was about to say something but Briares spoke first, "That is a very persuading case, were you going to ask me if I would pledge myself to you?"

Apoth stood there in shock, he hadn't expected Briares to ask if he could join their coming army. Apoth nodded and Briares recited the pledge Typhon had before. Apoth smiled at the first recruits of his army to take down the Gods.

He turned his head towards Briares, "Now, what have you created for me?"

Briares strolled over to where the weapons he created laid. He picked up the dual masterpieces and headed back over to where Apoth and Typhon stood watching him curiously. Apoth noticed a glint of the lava reflect off of one of the blades but couldn't see the whole thing.

When Briares reached Apoth he bowed and gave him the weapons. Apoth's eyes widened in surprise, he hadn't thought that these would be his weapons. He grabbed the hilt of each of the masterpieces. They were perfectly curved to his hand's size. He gripped them ruthlessly and they still felt comfortable. Apoth took a good look from the top to the bottom of his new weapons. They were magnificent. They were dual scythes.

The long pole that connected the blade and hilt was about two feet long and painted black. The hilts were about six inches long and were a dark red that matched the streaks that ran through his hair. His eyes flicked over to the foot and a half blades that sprouted from the top into a claw form. 'So that was what the Nemean Lion claws were used for.'

The blades were silver and had black streaks that went through the blades giving it a shadowy look. Briares smirked at Apoth's look of awe and interest, apparently he does have some feelings down there, "The blade will be able to cut through both mortal and immortal."

Apoth's head snapped towards Briares, forgetting that he and Typhon were there. When his alarmed state calmed down he nodded, "Good, good, that will be. . ." Apoth thought of the word he would use, "Useful, yes, very useful."

Briares nodded and straightened himself, "Thank you my . . ." Briares didn't know what to Call Apoth.

"Lord would do, Lord would be good," Apoth commented still looking at the blades. He turned the blade at a 45-degree angle to look how the lava illuminated it.

He took a practice swing with the right one and then a practice swing with the left. He nodded in approval, "These will most definitely do," Apoth praised.

He turned towards his two recruits.

"Olympus will burn."

Chapter 8: Olympian Trouble

Chapter Text

It had been 6 months since Perseus Jackson had been vanquished. And 4 months since monsters have vanished from the area surrounding both of the camps.

Yes, both of the camps. Greek and Roman. Enemies of the centuries. Both camps knew nothing of each other and Zeus planned for it to stay like that. Lately, he and the rest of the Olympians had been having trouble keeping both of their counterparts under control. As if they knew something their whole-selves didn't.

Granted, Hades had said that he felt stirrings but Zeus passed it off as some bull. Currently, the Olympians were having a debate on what to do concerning a few monsters around the camps.

"We must investigate their disappearances, this is what happened before the last war," Artemis said. Apollo growled, "Yeah, but if it is one we lost our chance 6 months ago didn't we?"

Artemis glared at her brother but didn't comment. "Father we cannot ignore these 'stirrings' or whatever Hades is having," Hermes commented.

Ares glanced over at Hermes before looking to Zeus, "Father I must disagree, Hermes isn't your most intelligent son so why listen to him."

Hermes snarled, "You can't talk, you're just a more wicked version of that horrid demigod scum, Hercules, and we all know that guy had the brain size of well, you."

Demeter and Hera glanced at each other, then at the arguing few and then back at each other. They both shrugged their shoulders, they really had no say in these matters. Zeus' line of vision moved over to his brother and daughter. Athena and Poseidon were arguing, as usual, sometimes Zeus really did get tired of their bickering, it was like Artemis and Apollo, always fighting.

Zeus turned towards his other son, he really did have a lot of sons though. Hephaestus was talking with Aphrodite. Ever since Percy's death they had grown closer, they both had wanted him to live, and thus, they got closer than before.

Zeus turned his attention back to all of the other Olympians, as always being his Dramatical self he flashed lighting in the middle of the Throne Room, getting the attention of all the Olympians.

"I have come to a decision," Zeus paused, "Artemis, you will search for an answer as to why the monsters seem to be gone."

Zeus turned his head over to Athena, "You, Athena, will look for any resources in that library of yours concerning disappearances of monsters."

Zeus then stopped his gaze at Athena and turned to every Olympian, "And the rest of us will go about our usual routines as if nothing has happened during this meeting."

With that, he disappeared in a lightning bolt back to his temple. The rest of the Olympians followed suit, flashing to their desired locations.

But the flame of the Hearth stayed, but it was low, lower than ever before.

 


 

Artemis flashed back to her hunter's encampment which was located in a forest around Minnesota. When she reached her destination she took a deep breath, inhaling the forest scent. She sighed in contempt at being back in her domain. Artemis' silver eyes flicked over to the tents that laid on the dark grass. So few tents laid there though.

After the Second Titan War, she had lost so many hunters. So many. Faces of her hunters that had perished in the war flashed through her mind. Their eyes were glazed over and each were covered in blood. Artemis took a shaky step back in fear of the memories.

Oh, how she wanted to just forget that part of her past. She fell back after tripping on a log. She landed hard, but the grass made for a soft landing. Clearly, her lieutenant heard the ruckus and charged out of her tent. Her silver tiara gleaming as the sun hit it.

Thalia's face was adjourned with a cautious look. But when she saw Artemis she immediately knew what was happening. Thalia rushed over to her Mistress. "Lady Artemis you must rest, these past months have been rough for you."

Artemis was persuaded to give in but she had a job to do. "No Thalia, we have been assigned a mission from Father. Gather the rest of the hunters and meet at the campfire."

Thalia hesitated but left nonetheless. Artemis sighed in satisfaction now that she was alone. Artemis didn't want her lieutenant to think she was weak. She didn't want Thalia to see her cry.

That thought was the one that broke the dam. Her eyes filled with salty tears. Eventually, her body racked with sobs, her cheeks stained with sadness. When she was done she flashed to the campfire where her hunters sat around, huddling around the fire.

But the few numbers that she saw almost made her start crying again. Artemis wiped the excess tears out of her silver eyes before speaking shakily, "We have been assigned a mission from Lord Zeus."

The hunters immediately started to talk among themselves before they quieted once more, waiting for their Mistress to speak. Artemis' silver eyes strayed from her hunters' eyes. "We will be searching for the reason the monsters have been gone from the camps," Artemis said, looking straight into the fire.

The hunters talked some more but Thalia shushed them. "When will we depart My Lady," Thalia questioned.

Artemis looked over at her lieutenant, "tonight we will depart, no questions."

With that, Artemis flashed to her tent, not to gather supplies; but to let her sadness take over. She sucked in heavy breaths as she cried, the deaths of many fueling the raging her grief.

Tears blocked her vision, only allowing her to see blurrily. After many minutes she calmed down enough so only her eyes watered slightly.

She looked up at the top of her tent taking slow, deep breaths. She slowly picked herself up, walking towards the tent door. As she was about to depart the cloth in front of the tent her eyes flicked over to a picture that stood on her nightstand.

A picture that was framed in silver, a picture of Zoë Nightshade. Her best friend and most loyal huntress. For a split second, something ignited in her, a confidence that she hadn't felt in so long.

Her silver eyes pulsed and flared with power, "For you Zoë, I will never stop fighting until I fade, I will accomplish my mission, and I will fight wars until our planet is safe," she said still staring at the picture.

If any of the Hunters were staring at the sky they would see the Stars and Moon brighten. Artemis marched out of her tent, "Hunters let's get moving!"

The Hunters finished packing and met their Mistress by the lake next to their camp. "Where do we go?" Phoebe asked.

Artemis smiled, "Wherever the monsters do."

The hunters all smiled, the hunt was back in business. They all disappeared into the forest of Minnesota.

 


 

Athena scavenged through the massive book collection that she had garnered over the centuries. Her eyebrows were furrowed and books littered the marble floor. She pulled pages after pages out of the wooden shelf. She was looking for the farthest book, the most ancient she had collected.

The rows of books diminished, only but a few were left. Athena's forehead was beaded with sweat, her eyes red for searching so long. She pulled the last book out of the dusty shelf. The book was old, not as old as herself but still super old.

Athena blew the dust off that covered the book from top to bottom. She smiled as she slowly opened the first page. Finally, she had found their answer. She searched through the book, looking for the correct chapter concerning disappearances of monsters.

She scanned each page with tired but calculating eyes. When she found the correct page she murmured each word every time she read it. "If the monsters are missing, it must be of the few options. One, monsters are gathering to tear down a legion or kingdom. Two, someone or something is destroying monsters at a quick pace. Third, someone could be leading these monsters. Lastly, and pray to the beings above that it isn't, all three."

Athena immediately assumed the worst of it, plans rushing through her mind at a quick pace. She dropped the book into the pile below and flashed to the throne room. When she appeared in the marble room she turned to the only Olympian that seemed to be present, Hera.

"Hera, it appears another war is upon us, I fear that either the Titans or our counters are rising."

Hera thought for some time, "It must be our counters as the Titans are most certainly defeated."

Athena nodded, "But Hera, the giants aren't supposed to rise for another millennium. Hera's brow creased as she tried to think of some way the Giants could actually be rising.

Hera's eyes widened as she got it, "Not if a primordial would help release them." Athena contemplated this, it could be possible but what primordial would help them.

Athena's brows creased showing that she was thinking very hard on this, "It could be Tartarus," Athena said thoughtfully.

Hera shook her head, "No, no, not Tartarus, remember he is still facing his own punishment that Lord Chaos gave him in the first Gigantomachy."

Athena nodded surprisingly that Hera actually wasn't so dumb and that maybe she had brains. "I fear it may be Gaea, Hades did say he felt stirrings and that could mean the Earth," Hera said.

As much as Athena didn't want to she said it anyway, "I think you are right, I must form a plan to counter such a threat."

Hera smirked, "I already have one, we switch the leaders of each camp and put them in the other one." Athena snarled, "I hate the Romans."

Hera nodded, "I know but we must plan a course of action, we must take a look at who is the leader of each camp, then I will send them to the other one."

Athena sighed, "According to when I last visited that camp about 2 weeks ago to help my children I can recall Poseidon's 'son' being the leader of the camp."

Hera nodded, "That will do," Hera closed her eyes so she could take a look at the Roman camp. Hera's eyes opened after a while, "And Jason Grace seems to be the Leader of Camp Jupiter."

Athena didn't know what to do, Hera seemed to notice this, "Run along Athena, I can take care of the rest." Athena nodded and flashed back to her library when she looked at the mess she had created she sighed and began to pick up the books.

The Giants were upon them.

Chapter 9: The Hunt Knows Now

Chapter Text

The darkness of the night was penetrated by the moonlight. Said moonlight peered through the trees and landed on a walking figure. Apoth strolled through the woods, his thoughts wandering around. Ever since he recruited the two monsters into helping him he felt different.

More. . . powerful. Apoth smirked at the thought. Of course, he was powerful, but what he would do with it is what he was stuck on.

First, he would destroy Olympus, that far he already promised to do. But what would he do after? Apoth shrugged his shoulders to no one in particular, he would decide when he crossed that bridge. His red eyes flicked to the light of a fire that was stationed far away. His ears perked as he heightened his senses.

Sounds of growling and grunts filled his ears. Apoth smiled to himself, the monsters could either be an entertainment or soldiers of his. He huffed, not able to come up with a way to deal with it. Entertainment, or recruits?

He couldn't decide which he would go with. He gave up on deciding and challenged himself to a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Apoth's right hand won the game so his mouth twitched into a wide smile. He loved it when his right hand won.

This will be fun.

Apoth sucked in his aura so he wouldn't be able to be detected. He turned to the closest tree and sprinted up it. He grabbed onto a branch, his grip loosening as he swung to the top of the tree. Once he was at the top he jumped from tree to tree, his stealth instincts taking control of his body, allowing him to move at top speeds but quiet enough to not be heard.

His eyes were pinned to the massive fire that neared. When he reached the tree above the monster camp his legs flexed and he plunged towards the ground head first.

Still falling he came eye level with a massive cyclops. Apoth waved to the monster and vapor traveled to a nearby shadow. He watched with satisfaction as the monster stared at the spot where Apoth disappeared.

He scanned the camp and counted the number of monsters that this camp was populated with. Only 10. Apoth's mouth turned into a pouting gesture, he had thought there would be more so he could have more fun. He shrugged, he would make the most out of them. Apoth quickly pulled the scythes that formed an "X" off his back.

He gripped the hilts to get a comfortable feel. Apoth held the scythes so the blade was below the hilt and the blades were pointing towards him. Sort of how you would hold a dagger. He vapor traveled behind the cyclops and slashed his right scythe across its back.

The cyclops made a weird sound before falling forward onto its face. When it hit the ground it burst into gold particles. The commotion caused the rest of the monsters to direct their attention to him.

Each and every monster took a step back in fear, they had all heard of him. Apoth smirked, "What? Monsters scared of little old me?"

The monsters' wide eyes turned to a monster that stood behind them. The monster was shaking, and it reeked of fear. The monster seemed to notice the change of attention and gulped. It took a hesitant step towards Apoth before it was reluctantly pushed to the ground in front of Apoth.

Apoth smiled, "Your aura is filled with fear to the brim," he stated. The monster slowly looked up into Apoth's bloody eyes.

Apoth's smile slid off his face and he became expressionless, "Now, why are you all so scared of me?"

The monster looked down at Apoth's Stygian iron boots, "Because you are Apoth, Death, and Destroyer of our kin."

Apoth smirked, "That's right," Apoth mocked, leaning forward, "and never forget it."

Apoth's eyes glowed red and the monsters' blood stopped moving. He leaned away just as the monster fell forward, exploding into gold dust. He turned to the remaining few, "You few will never do," Apoth sheathed his scythes back onto his back.

He glared at the monsters, raising his fist. The monsters floated a few inches off the ground. He had complete control. "Return and you will suffer a fate worse than what I offer now."

Apoth clenched his fist, and the monsters fell down to the ground. Apoth's left arm glowed brown as he manipulated the Earth to create spikes below the monsters. Apoth turned away, only the sound of squelches fillings his ears. He chuckled as he watched a monster barely alive attempt to crawl away.

He vapor traveled over to it and bent down to its level. The injured monster stopped crawling, giving up hope.

"One question Death, what is to come? The monster asked. Apoth smirked as he grabbed a throwing knife off his cloak, "War."

He stabbed the monster's neck, curling his lip with satisfaction as it faded into dust. Apoth slowly got back up, examining the destruction he created.

He slowly looked up into a tree, his red eyes meeting silver ones.

 


 

The Hunt stalked the monster camp that they had been following for the past week, but eventually, they grew tired. It started with the younger ones, but soon the Hunt let themselves be careless.

Only the persistence of Artemis kept the hunt on their feet. Their Mistress seemed to always be invigorated and would always be watching. Currently, Artemis sat at the tallest branch of the tree closest to the monster base. Her auburn hair was perfectly clean and gleamed when the monsters' fire sparked. Her pale skin was smooth and glowing with beauty. In all reality, she was perfect even when working, perks of being a goddess.

Artemis' silver eyes darted to every inch of the monster ground. She sighed; at this point, even she felt weary. It was hard to imagine how the rest of the Hunt felt. Artemis closed her eyes and leaned back against the tree trunk. She extended her senses, trying to find if any other monster camps were near.

Her eyes snapped open, she felt something, about a mile away, and it felt weak. Not weak like almost dead, just, mortal weak. This perked her interests, 'what was a mortal doing out this far in the forests?'

Artemis started to relax against the trunk but then she noticed that the mortal was approaching. Approaching fast. She immediately got into a stance on her branch, there was no possible way that something could move that fast.

No human could run that fast. Hermes fast. Artemis turned to look down at her hunters, "Hunters ready, something is approaching."

Artemis caught a few smiles from the hunters, 'must be the rush of a predator's instincts', She thought.

Artemis looked back to the camp, she closed her eyes, extending her senses once more. She focused, slowing her breath. She felt the presence on the opposite side of the enemies opened her eyes. Artemis held her breath as she waited for something to happen.

Her eyes widened when she saw a black figure plummet towards the ground. Her eyes followed it but she couldn't comprehend what was happening. She saw it disappear right when it was at ground level. Her mouth opened slightly in confused awe but she closed it almost immediately.

'What was that?'

Her eyes were pinned to the spot where the figure disappeared, she didn't realize that something happened until she heard the familiar "pop" of a monster's death. Artemis scanned the monster camp, looking for the gold remains. When her eyes landed on the gold dust she saw the figure that had disappeared.

She was tempted to take out her bow and shoot, but she needed to see what was going to happen next.

Artemis felt confusion wash over her as the monsters stepped back from the figure, 'why would Monsters be scared of some wannabe ninja?'

The figure's voice broke the silence of the night, "What? Scared of little old me?"

Artemis' nose scrunched up in disgust, 'males'. That voice, she could tell it was one to be afraid of, but it was so familiar. Artemis had made many enemies during her immortal life, she didn't need another one.

But she couldn't assume that this was an enemy; if this male was the reason why the monsters were disappearing than she couldn't kill him. At least not yet. Artemis hesitated, reaching for her bow. The male could be one of her old enemies. She sighed, restraining herself. She couldn't take the chance.

She took in a sharp breath. She had forgotten to observe. The figure held beautiful dual scythes, and he held them very loose, not very masterful like.

"Now, why are you all so scared of me?" the male asked. Artemis leaned forward, 'yes, why are they so scared of you?'

When the monsters answer reached her ears she almost jumped for joy but also felt fear rush through her. "Because you are Apoth, Death, and Destroyer of our kin."

Finally, Artemis had her answer as to why the monsters were disappearing. But still, a questioned seemed to itch her, 'Why are they scared of someone so weak?'

She inched forward, and she barely heard the figure speak. "That's right, and never forget it," he whispered, leaning forward.

The monster trembled, shivering under the harsh gaze of the figure. Then, it simply died, turning into gold dust. All from a look. Definitely not weak. Artemis felt sweat begin to form on her forehead as she got a feel of the being's true power. She growled, she should've known not to underestimate anything concerning her mission.

There was a reason why these monsters feared this being, and yet she still was oblivious. She should have known better. The sound of metal on metal snapped her out of her thoughts; she quickly turned, expecting some sort of battle.

The figure was sheathing his scythes, 'Could he possibly be surrendering? No, not possible, he was much too strong. She had only been in his presence for a few moments, but she could sense the power.

"What are you?" Artemis whispered. She eyed the man carefully as he raised his fist.

"Return and you will suffer a fate worse than what I offer now," the male growled.

Artemis' jaw dropped at what she witnessed. The monsters rose off the ground. She caught a slight clench of the man's fist. The monsters fell to the ground. In that split second Artemis grew confused, but with her trained eyes, she saw the man's left arm glow brown.

The action was almost unseeable but Artemis saw it. Before she knew it spikes, each the size of the tent, jutted out of the ground, piercing through the monsters.

Artemis cocked her head. 'How many powers does this man have? ' She surveyed the now unpopulated monster camp. She grimaced, her eyes landing on the lone survivor.

The monsters were almost dead. Fresh wounds covered its entire body. At this point, it would be merciful to kill it. The man cocked his head, appearing right in front of the monster. The monster said something, but Artemis couldn't hear it from her location. She hoped one of her hunters on that side of the camp caught the monster's last words.

Artemis quickly closed her eyes, focusing her senses.

"War," the man said. Artemis' eyes quickly opened as she watched the man swiftly pull out a dagger and stab the monster's neck.

Artemis watched as the man scanned his surroundings before looking up to her tree. At her. She shivered. His red eyes would haunt her forever. In them, she saw so much. Death. Despair. Anger. Hatred. And so much more.

Artemis wanted to look away but she couldn't, his eyes kept her there, not allowing her to leave. Artemis grit her teeth in frustration, 'why couldn't she move?'

In the corner of her eye she saw her lieutenant, Thalia Grace, aim her bow at the man. Thalia glanced at her mistress, realizing that Artemis was somehow stuck. She released the arrow that was planted in her bow. The arrow soared through the air, aimed straight at the man.

Yet, the man caught the arrow. The man looked to the arrow, twirling it across his knuckles. Artemis gasped, stretching her fingers. His attention was diverted. Artemis flexed her jaw before she jumped into battle, knives out she dove for the man.

The hunt surrounded the man with their bows out, but he didn't spare them a glance. He eyed the arrow in silence. Artemis fumed. This male dared to ignore her. Her eyes flashed an intense silver as leaped forward. When she was dangerously close she swung her right blade.

To her surprise, the man ducked under her arm before grabbing it. He took Artemis' arm and folded it behind her back. The man flexed his finger and had a hidden blade across Artemis' neck. Artemis struggled to get free from him, but her attempts were futile, his grip was too strong. She felt his hot breath against her neck, and this sickened her to the core. She was incredibly close to a male and for once she was not kicking ass.

"Make one move hunters and your mistress is taking one permanent trip to the land of the faded," the man said.

Artemis growled, pushing against his grip. There was nothing she could do. She sighed, "Stand down hunters." The Hunt reluctantly lowered their bows.

Thalia stepped forward, "What do you want with our Mistress?" She yelled. Her eyes flashed with lightning.

The man snickered, "I believe it was you who attacked me first or am I wrong?" He questioned, pressing the blade against Artemis' neck.

Thalia growled, "She couldn't stop looking at you, so she was obviously in a trance you put her in," she replied. The daughter of Zeus curled her fingers around her bow. She really wanted to shove her bow up his ass.

The man chuckled, "No, no, I just have that effect on women," he replied smirking.

Phoebe, one of her other hunters growled, "You males make us sick," she spat.

The man sighed, "and what the hell does that have to do with this conversation?"

Thalia glanced at Phoebe before meeting his eye. "That doesn't matter, now if you let her go we will let you go."

Artemis glared at Thalia, but the man had other ideas, "Yes, yes, I believe that would be a fair trade."

"Okay, now let go of her," Thalia yelled. The man nodded and loosened his grip on Artemis. He pushed her forward.

Thalia grabbed Artemis, "Fire!" She screamed, drawing her bow. With centuries of experience, the Hunt let loose hundreds of arrows in the blink of an eye.

The man smirked, "Oh well that just won't do," he called as his eyes flared a dark shade of red.

He rose his hand, and the arrows stopped mid-air. Then he disappeared. Artemis stared at the spot where the man had stood. How could she have let him escape?

She walked up to her lieutenant, "How did he do that?" She snarled.

Thalia's wide eyes explained it all; she had no idea. Artemis growled, she examined the rest of the hunters. "Was anyone close enough to the injured monster and that man's conversation?"

The hunt hesitated, many hoping at least one of them had heard on the conversation. Artemis' eyes flicked to each of her hunters, "Well?"

A hesitant hand rose amongst the crowd. Artemis' attention immediately turned to one of her younger hunters.

Artemis' eyes softened, "Yes Kira? Did you hear what the bad man had said?"

The hunter, Kira, nodded, "Yes, the man said that war was coming."

Artemis stared at the young hunter for a while, she turned back to Thalia, "Take the hunt to Camp Half-blood."

"But Lady Art-" Thalia started, Artemis' eyes glowed silver, "That's an order, Lieutenant Thalia."

Thalia froze at the backlash, her eyes flickering in a rebellious way, "Yes, Lady Artemis."

Thalia turned to the hunt, "C'mon girls, we got ways to go before we reach Camp!" She shouted.

All the hunters nodded and ran after Thalia into the woods. When the hunters were all out of sight Artemis sighed. She examined her surroundings once before flashing to Olympus. A chuckle broke the silence after the goddess left.

Apoth sat in the same tree Artemis had, "Well, well, well, the first part of the plan worked, they know about the war. Time for part two."

He smirked before vanishing into thin air.

Chapter 10: Olympus Knows

Chapter Text

Artemis appeared on Olympus, her glow of beauty dispersed as confused and fearful features covered her face. She scanned the Throne Room, looking to see if any Olympian was present. When she saw that no Gods were present she took a seat on her Throne.

Artemis sighed in satisfaction as her Throne replenished her power. A couple minutes later as Artemis was fully rejuvenated. Her silver eyes glowed with power as she summoned her godly weapon. She aimed her bow at the Throne Room open ceiling. Artemis released her finger on the godly feather, this action causing the arrow to soar up into the night sky.

When the arrow was at the point where it couldn't go any further it exploded into a silver light. This was Artemis' way of calling an important meeting. Not even minutes later, enough time for Artemis to be seated once more, all of the Olympians had taken their respected seats.

For once every Olympian was calm and quiet, waiting to hear why they had been called upon.

"Daughter, why have you summoned this meeting?" Zeus asked tiredly. Artemis sighed, when she was about to speak, the man's eyes flashed into her mind again.

Artemis shivered, she took a deep breath, "I think I have found as to why the monsters have been disappearing."

Zeus leaned in, "Yes, what is it? Why have they gone?" Artemis looked away for a second, "Something happened today, or some-"

"Father War is coming, I have searched through my books and have concluded that the giants are rising once more." Athena interrupted.

Zeus' eyes flicked over to Athena, then to Artemis, "Is this the conclusion you have come to as well Artemis?"

Artemis nodded, "Yes but something else is different than the last time."

Ares chuckled, "No it isn't, we will beat those suckers down like we did last time."

Artemis growled, "You imbecile of a god, let me finish."

Zeus nodded, "Yes Ares, let her finish." Ares flexed his muscles and grinded his teeth, "Yes father."

Zeus nodded to Artemis, Artemis took another deep breath, "Someone has been eliminating the monsters."

Every Olympian froze, 'who would be killing these monsters?'

Hermes cocked his head, "Well that's a good thing right? I mean this person must be on our side if they are killing monsters right?"

Every Olympian pondered on the subject, "No, he didn't seem to be on either side." Artemis said.

"How do you know?" Aphrodite grumbled. Artemis glances at the love goddess, "Because Aphrodite, one, I fought him, and two, he knew the war was coming if he knew this and was on our side he would've told us himself."

Apollo scrunched his eyebrows, "Well if you fought him why isn't he in chains at our feet?"

Artemis looked away, "I may have lost him," she whispered.

Every Olympian froze again, 'Artemis, losing someone? How?'

Apollo's laugh shattered their thoughts, "You lost someone?" That is priceless!" He screamed while laughing.

Artemis growled, her hands clenched her Throne, "Shut up Apollo." Zeus nodded his head, "Yes Apollo, we have more important matters to attend to than mocking Artemis."

Apollo grumbled, "Fine." Zeus looked to every Olympian, "Does anyone have any suggestions on how to counter these forces?"

Hera nodded, "Yes Lord Zeus, I have come up with a plan, Athena aiding me so with it." Athena nodded to show Hera told the truth.

Zeus nodded, "I will trust you, now the rest of us will resume our daily activities." With that every Olympian flashed away, leaving Hera to work her plan.

 


 

Gaea sat on her throne that was situated in Greece. She had taken a mortal form, weak but enough to where she could still take on all the Olympians at once. She had magnificent, flowing black hair and solid green eyes. She wore dark green robes and had a brown veil that covered her pale face.

Her solid green eyes that glow through her veil moved to every inch of her army. Her army was of about 2,000 in numbers. She smiled at the hard-working soldiers she had acquired. Monsters that were older then Olympus itself had pledged themselves to her. There were younger monsters as well, such as the Manticore.

Gaea caused a slight earthquake, the earthquake signaling the monsters it was time to plan a way to destroy Olympus tactically. In less than 10 minutes every single monster of her massive army had gathered at the foot of Gaea's throne. The Giants sat next to her throne, towering over many of the monsters. "Now any suggestions on how to destroy the Olympians?" Gaea questioned.

Many suggestions came at once, causing an uproar as monsters fought for Gaea to hear what they said. Gaea rolled her eyes and caused another earthquake, gaining the attention of every monster and effectively quieting them down.

"One at a time please," Gaea asked. Many hands rose among the crowd, asking for Gaea to pick them.

Gaea chose what looked like a large human hand, a cyclops, "Perhaps Lady Gaea, we could eat all the demigods and then attack Olympus."

Gaea, as evil, as she was, was not a fan of eating any humans. "No, next?" Gaea asked as she killed the cyclops with the earth.

Many hands fell as they witnessed what happened to their monster brethren. All that was left raising their hands were her own sons, the Giants. Gaea's gaze landed on Porphyrion, the king of her sons, "Porphyrion, what is your suggestion?"

Porphyrion smirked at the fallen looks his brothers adjourned as they weren't picked. "Mother, I believe we could just charge Olympus, we have a massive army, why not use it?"

Gaea contemplated her son's plan for only 1 second, "That would not be wise Porphyrion, the demigods are stronger than you think, because they were so few in number in the first war you were included in it was easier."

Porphyrion nodded at his mother's words, "Yes mother, I agree with you. I guess I was not paying attention to the demigods' strength."

Gaea looked at her other sons, "Any other suggestions instead of the so few mentioned?"

No Giants nodded, no Giants rose their hands, and no Giants said anything. Gaea growled, "So no one has developed a well enough plan to tactically destroy Olympus."

No monster spoke. Gaea snarled, "You dimwits, have you no brains at all? No wisdom at all?" Enceladus, you counter Athena, do you have a plan?"

Enceladus looked his mother in the eyes, then he glanced downwards at his feet, "No mother, I have come to no conclusion on how to destroy the Olympians."

Gaea growled, but as she was about to begin she noticed a commotion arise among the monsters. "What is this?" Gaea asked herself.

The monsters seemed to be parting, making a walkway to Gaea's throne. When the last monster parted in front of Gaea, Gaea could actually see what was happening. A cloaked figure, about the size of an average male human, was slowly walking through the monsters' walkway. Gaea looked at the monster's reaction to be surprised that every younger monster backed away or adjourned a fearful face.

She noticed her sons unsheathe their weapons, ready to take down whoever seemed to be invading their encampment. Gaea growled, "Who are you and what business must you attend to that requires you here?" The man's hood covered his face but she could tell he was smirking.

"Oh nothing just here visiting," the man said mockingly. Gaea was stunned that someone so weak would mock her, a primordial goddess.

Gaea shook her head to be rid of the shock and levitated large spiked rocks. She pointed at the man, as a result, the rocks charged forward, in the air, ready to impale the man. Gaea heard the sound of a chuckle and saw the rocks stop midair. The rocks exploded into dust and the man continued walking towards the goddess.

"Now that's not how you treat a guest is it?" The man said mockingly sad. Gaea growled, she was getting tired of this man.

She jumped off her throne, creating a sword out of the earth. She charged the man at inhumane speeds and thrusted her sword into the man's abdomen. When the dust cleared around them she saw that she had succeeded in her mission, the sword was lodged all the way through the man.

Gaea cackled, "Death claims you."

What she did not expect was a reply, "Not if I am Death."

Gaea looked up to be met with the hooded face, "Trying to kill a coming ally, now that's not very good Gaea."

The man disappeared and reappeared behind Gaea, the earth sword still lodged in his stomach. The man looked down at the sword, "Ahh, you gave me a splinter."

He slowly pulled the sword out of his stomach, no blood pouring out of the new open wound. The wound slowly healed and his cloak hid the rest of his body. "Now, the reason I have come here is to provide valuable information and allies." The man said.

Gaea growled, really wanting to kill this man. "Oh, yes, I believe introductions are in order, I am Apoth, Death, and destroyer of monsters," Apoth said.

Gaea's malicious posture showed she was not amused, "Do you want the information and allies or not?" Apoth questioned.

Gaea swallowed her pride, "Yes that would be appreciated Apoth." She couldn't believe someone could make her do something she didn't want to do, Be polite.

Apoth chuckled, "Very well Gaea. I have a plan on how to destroy those pitiful excuses of Gods."

Gaea smiled at him for once, "Yes, yes, do tell, do tell," She beckoned.

Apoth nodded, "First off, you cannot allow the Gods know you are close to consciousness, but I feel that they already know that."

Apoth took a deep breath, "Second off, you must target the camps, the two camps are the key to defeating you, not allowing them to unite is your biggest mission."

Gaea's eyes widened, "You are giving me orders? I am a Primordial!"

Apoth shook his head, "That is beside the point, if you want to win this war then you must follow the instructions I give you."

Gaea growled, she looked around at the monsters then back at Apoth, "Fine."

Apoth smiled, "Excellent, now I will handle the Gods, your sons will provide a distraction while I set up something special."

Gaea smiled, "Perfect plan, but what to do with the Gods once we capture them?" Gaea asked her children.

Apoth growled, "I will be deciding their fate, they have been in power too long, and it will be me who decides their fate this time."

Gaea was genuinely shocked that this man who was joking with her before turned so angry at the mention of the Gods. Gaea nodded, "I will allow it. Now, what should we do in the meantime?"

Apoth smirked, "Just train, be prepared for my signal, something within your domain."

With that Apoth disappeared into thin air, leaving a scared monster army, some shocked Giants and a curious Primordial. Gaea turned to the monster army, "You heard him, get back to training!" She shouted.

The army obeyed immediately, turning back and scattering among Greece.

Gaea turned to the Giants, "Now my sons, we have another job."

 


 

Hera focused on the two life forces that were located on opposite sides of the country. It was easy to transport the fake son of Poseidon to her as his camp was a couple miles away.

But the boy, Jason Grace, he was located in California. But Hera's attempts were not in vain as she managed to transport both of the two to herself upon Olympus. Two bright flashes occurred, each one in front of her at arm's length away.

When the light around the two dispersed they both dropped to the ground in surprise. They had each been talking to their respected girlfriends and then they had been taken away. As both got up slowly in confusion they noticed a pair of feminine feet that were enclosed in sandals.

They looked up and noticed a very impatient Hera. They got up and immediately bowed to the goddess. Hera sighed, "Boys we have much work to do, so save the formalities for later."

"Yes Lady Hera," said the Greek camper, his name was Jackson, and he was the supposed son of Poseidon.

In reality, however, this was the fake son of Poseidon, he was weak but the Gods made sure to praise him as the strongest demigod alive. It was easy to come up with a cover story for him, he was another Son of Poseidon that was oblivious to the Greek mythology realm and his father brought him to camp after his other son had failed/go traitor.

Granted Poseidon had no idea whatsoever that the son before him wasn't the son he had cared for three months, breaking the ancient laws for. Instead, he has a fake son that is most probably a son of a minor god.

Jason's brow furrowed, "I am sorry to inform you stranger, but the goddess in front of us is Juno, not some Greek scum goddess."

Hera had to restrain herself from decimating Jason at his comment about her Greek counterpart. Jackson looked at him weirdly, "No, this is Hera the Greek goddess."

The two boys started to argue, as a result infuriating the goddess they were fighting over Roman or Greek counterparts. This making it hard for Hera to stay in one form. Hera growled, "Will you two imbeciles shut your mouth and let me explain?!" Hera yelled.

The Roman and Greek immediately stopped and bowed to the goddess. "Thank you," Hera said.

"Now, Jason here is a Roman demigod while you, Jackson, are a Greek demigod," Hera said to Jackson.

Jason catching on, pulled out his sword, ready to split Jackson in two, "You filthy Greek scum, I will split you in half and bring you back to my people."

Hera sighed, "Lower your sword praetor, we have work to do."

Jason reluctantly lowered his sword but eyed Jackson as Hera resumed talking. Hera explained that the Greeks and Romans were still alive and that the two of them would be switching camps in an effort to unite the camps together.

The two opposite demigods agreed to the terms, allowing Hera to start her ritual. She closed her brown eyes and concentrated on the two souls of the demigods. She went into the minds of the two demigods, taking away a part of their soul, their memories.

When that was complete she transported each away, Jackson to the Wolf House and Jason on an imaginary bus where he will make friends that have memories planted in their brains. Hera sighed in satisfaction as her mission was complete. She decided to go for a walk in the mortal land to relieve stress in the form of a walk around the woods.

As she appeared in the woods she immediately started in a walk where she thought would be the furthest from civilization. Hera rubbed her temples. Her foot landed in snow as she entered a seemingly different terrain. It took her too long to realize a trap had been set up for her.

Khione formed out of the snow and immediately put Hera to sleep. Khione let Hera fall to the ground. Gaea rose from the ground smiling, her plan had worked. The Giants started to come out of other corners of the forest in case Khione had failed.

Porphyrion smiled lustfully, "I will take it from here." As he took a step forward Gaea growled, "No Porphyrion you will not ravage her."

Porphyrion frowned, "Why not, mother?" Gaea snarled, "Because you fool, Apoth will be deciding what happens to them, If he decides you can have your way with her then you may but we must consult Apoth first."

Porphyrion sighed, "But mother, we are much stronger than him if we all team up we can take that Mortal down."

Gaea sighed, her children were helpless, "If you did not see, even I couldn't destroy him, I fear he is possibly even stronger than me."

The Giants nodded as they remembered the two's fight.

Gaea breathed out a sigh, "Let us go, for now, we will leave Hera in the Wolf House where Porphyrion will watch over her.

Porphyrion smiled, Gaea noticed this, "If she is even touched, you personally, will rot in Tartarus and I will help Apoth in his attempts to destroy you."

Porphyrion's smile was wiped off his face, "Good, good," Gaea said.

They all disappeared into the Ground, Hera being transported to the Wolf House where she would be imprisoned, waiting for Apoth's judgment.

Death is the supreme judge and judge Death will.

Chapter 11: Infinite Strength Technique

Chapter Text

It had been 5 months since Hera was captured. And 4 months since Hera was freed. Apoth, who had been training in silence to perfect his powers expected to come back to a chained Hera at his feet.

When he had found that Gaea let Porphyrion handle the situation in guarding her and his failure, Apoth became furious. He had almost faded the son of Gaea for his failed attempts at killing a mere demigod. Not even one as strong as Apoth himself, but a lowly Roman demigod with memory issues.

But Gaea herself pleaded Apoth to have mercy. Apoth had accepted the Primordial's apology, feeling that Gaea must had swallowed a ton of pride to beg at his feet. Currently, Apoth thought in silence, trying to figure a way as to why a Roman demigod was traveling with Greek ones. Apoth growled as he figured what the Olympians' plan was.

To unite the two camps. Clearly, if one mere demigod could take down the king of Giants they were in trouble. The Roman's organization and the Greeks' strength would most definitely be a challenge for their army. But most definitely not for Gaea and himself. Apoth sighed, he really hated this thinking stuff, it really did put a lot of stress on his shoulders.

Apoth felt like he was holding the world's weight again, although if he did now he would hold it up way easier then he had a couple years ago. So much pressure on himself, not because Gaea relied on him but from himself. He had a feeling that if he couldn't succeed in winning this war then he wouldn't get his revenge.

And he really wanted that revenge. He wanted it really bad.

The only way he could think of a way to win this war without brute force would be turning the demigods against each other. That task was easier said than done, the Romans were smart but they followed the leader.

If he could find a way to turn the leader of Rome to his side he could easily manipulate the whole demigod camp. Apoth sighed, he would let Gaea handle the rest of the plan, he had other matters to attend to, such as training his liquid manipulation to its max.

Apoth focused his aura into one place, signaling Gaea to focus her attention on him. The Earth churned and before Apoth knew it he could feel the presence of the Primordial in the room.

"Yes Apoth, what of assistance do you require?" Gaea asked.

Apoth scanned the room, looking for Gaea. "Gaea, where are you, I do not seem to see you."

Gaea chuckled, "Mortal, I am still weak and taking on a form makes me weaker so I am resting."

Apoth nodded in understanding, "Okay, I need you to finish the plan I have started for you, I am taking a vacation of sorts and I expect everything will be in order when I get back."

Gaea seemed to nod, "Yes, just tell me your plan and I will begin it immediately."

Apoth explained his plan to Gaea and disappeared shortly after, ready to get some training in. Gaea sighed, she really hated being ordered around but she needed Apoth to be successful in her plan. Gaea chuckled, she could always kill him in his sleep after the war is over, then she wouldn't have any threats.

Gaea cackled, perfect, she would eliminate the threat when he is asleep after the war is over. Gaea calmed down, then her presence disappeared from where Apoth had called her.

 


 

Apoth stood in the middle of a desert in Greece. There he would be his weakest as no water would be near him for many, many miles. He decided to kick off his training with his vapor travel, having to concentrate on the only source of water, the air. Apoth seemed to not struggle with this first exercise as he teleported many times at insane speeds, but in reality, however, it drained him extremely.

Apoth became dizzy and he almost fell over his own feet. He stretched his arms in front of him to balance himself. He blinked a couple of times before resuming to train this part of his training. For what seemed like days, Apoth went without eating and water as he continued teleporting.

Once Apoth had become comfortable enough with the technique he stopped and started another technique. Apoth summoned as much water as he could from the dry air, only resulting in a pond size of water. Apoth smirked, that would be enough anyway. He commanded the water to consume him and coated his skin.

Apoth decided to call this technique, the "Infinite strength" technique.

This instantly started to heal Apoth and strengthen him. He then summoned even more water from the air, thanks to his infinite strength technique. He started to manipulate the water into many sizes and shapes of water. He turned the water to ice than gas than back to water.

But thanks to his infinite strength technique he didn't break a sweat as he trained.

 

One Month Later

 

A month after training with the infinite strength technique activated, he started to do the same training as he had without the infinite strength technique.

At first, it was harder but after advancing his strength with the technique over the month he could easily do every manipulation without the infinite strength technique.

Only he knew what he could do with the technique.

 

Another Month Later

 

Since he had been training without his new found technique for another month, he believed he could double his strength from when he started training.

Apoth smirked as he stopped his last exercise. He was finally done with his training. Apoth looked down at his hands that were covered in gauntlets. He clenched his fist in satisfaction. He was so much more powerful, and it felt so good. Apoth's eyes flicked to his damaged training site.

The Earth was ripped up, a result of Apoth's Earth manipulation he had only trained for one day. The air was much drier and a pond laid in the middle of the site. Apoth sighed, he was worried.

He really did not want to go back and find a failure Gaea probably has let happen. Apoth chuckled, Gaea really did fail sometimes, Primordial or Not, they make mistakes.

Apoth sighed again, it was time to go back. He focused slightly and he was immediately traveled back to where Gaea's army resided.

 


 

Jackson took a step into the praetor's office. He frowned as he noticed his comrade wasn't present. He had a couple of plans that he thought up to combat Gaea's forces. And he thought that he should inform her. Jackson sighed, he walked over to his desk and lazily flopped onto it.

His eyes scanned over the dull golden desk. The only things that sat on the desk were a couple papers and his name tag that said, 'Praetor Jackson'.

Jackson sighed again as he thought about how he had been promoted to such a high rank.

He had woken up in the Wolf House with no memories and decided to trust his only company. Lupa, a minor goddess, had trained him in some ways. Jackson hadn't known what he was doing but eventually, his body started moving on its own.

For who knows how long, Jackson trained with Lupa before he was ready. "Now my pup, you are ready," Lupa told Jackson. Jackson looked over to Lupa, "Am I? What am I ready for?"

Lupa chuckled, her teeth appearing on the edge of her lips, "You are still a young pup, head West and you will find what you seek is near there."

Jackson somehow knew what she was talking about and nodded. The next day Jackson had trudged on, trying to find whatever the hell that crazy wolf was talking about. A couple days after walking in the woods did he finally realize he was heading North the whole time.

He screamed at the top of his lungs in frustration before heading back South. Jackson scrambled for food and only with finding some berries did he survive.

He made it back to the Wolf House then made sure to go the right way this time. Jackson walked West until he couldn't anymore. He started to fall but his instincts didn't kick in and he landed on his face.

Jackson landed in a stream of water, as the water made contact with him, nothing happened. Jackson just got knocked out from the fall and landed in the river. He had learned the next day that two people had been watching him approach than face plant into the river.

They came over, had pulled him out of the river and brought him into their Camp. He learned to call it some sort of home, Camp Jupiter. A place for kids like him. Kinda sounds like a sort of YMCA for retards. Ahh, well actually the YMCA is for retards so yeah, the YMCA. Jackson had found the two kids that pulled him out of the river and easily befriended them.

Their names were Frank and Hazel. A son of Mars and a daughter of Pluto. For a couple days they had hung out, trying to just be regular mortals. Of course, their bliss was ruined by the sound of an attack appeared. The three had pulled out their weapons from nowhere and immediately started towards the Field of Mars.

When they had reached the Field of Mars the battle had already begun, and they were losing badly. The trio sprinted down the hill they were standing and into the battle. All three by themselves destroyed the monster army. With apparently two of them being children of the big three they had taken care of the monsters.

All three had turned to their final challenge, a Giant. The Giant was ugly, just like every Child of Tartarus.

And yeah, the three took the Giant down at that was how the three would go down as legends.

"-Ckson!"

Jackson's shoulders were grabbed than shooked. Jackson shook his head and looked at the person who was trying to get his attention. There stood Reyna, her black hair sparkled in the light of the sun that had shown through a window nearby.

"Oh sorry Reyna, just reminiscing the past," Jackson said.

Reyna looked at him weirdly, "Umm, but don't you have like amnesia or whatever?"

"I do, just remembering the past few days, or at least all I can remember."

Reyna nodded slowly, "Um yeah, so well, dinner's almost ready and I wanted to come get you cause usually, we are there early."

Jackson nodded again, "Alright but I have a couple of plans to share, I'll tell you them after dinner."

"Okay, see you at dinner." Reyna left the room and headed towards wherever dinner is served.

Jackson sighed, he looked once more at his name tag before running after Reyna.

 


 

Gaea shook her head. Her son's attempts at ending this war early are making it longer. Every time one of them dies Gaea needs to use her reserves strength to revive them.

She did not want to tell Apoth what had happened while he was gone. Most of Gaea's time was spent trying to get stronger so she could gain full consciousness. Gaea knew of ways to speed up her slumber but they were all too challenging.

Ranging from convincing another Primordial to help her, to, Asking help from Chaos itself. The easiest one was probably to get a drop of blood from some demigods but actually catching demigods at this time was a challenge.

She decided to use it as a last resort if she couldn't gather enough strength to pull through. Gaea's presence sighed, she went back to gathering strength after her little thinking session. She would need all the strength she could get.

And she didn't need any problems with a certain very strong mortal to mess it all up.

Chapter 12: Sorry Doesn't Mean Anything To Me

Chapter Text

Apoth appeared in the monsters' lair of sorts. He grabbed the hood of his cloak and pulled it over his head. At first, the monster's didn't notice him as they were in a tight circle, cheering for some reason.

This intrigued his attention. He decided he wanted to get closer to see what the fuss was all about. As he tried to get closer to the center he bumped into a massive cyclops. The force of his bump didn't even seem to affect the cyclops. The cyclops growled, gaining attention from some of the other monsters. The cyclops turned around already winding up a massive blow.

The cyclops growled, "How dare you bump into me!" It screamed. Apoth was actually quite amused by the reaction, he kept staring off into the circle, pretending he didn't hear. The cyclops noticed that Apoth ignored him and roared again, "You puny little monster! Turn and fight me! How dare you ignore me!"

Apoth chuckled, this not going unnoticed by the cyclops. The cyclops roared again and put a hand on Apoth's shoulder, ready to break it upon touching. Now almost half of the monsters seemed to stop their attention to the middle and began looking to the cyclops. As Apoth felt the contact on his shoulder his head instantly snapped towards the cyclops. His eyes began to glow dark red, a sign of who he was.

As the cyclops looked into the dark red eyes of who it was he instantly hit his knees. "My lord, I didn't know it was you," the cyclops pleaded.

Apoth growled, increasing his aura. As he unsheathed his dual scythes he saw the horrified look on the cyclops face. He chuckled as he saw it before sheathing his weapons. He started to laugh a little and when he saw the still terrified expression on the monster's face he full out laughed his ass off.

It took him a little time to calm down, "I felt the fire you brought when you turned on me, I love it. Keep it up, my friend."

The cyclops sighed, "Thank you, my lord." Apoth smirked, "No problem, just don't ever do that again to me otherwise a few lucky hounds will be eating cyclops stew."

The cyclops nodded before resuming watching whatever was happening in the middle. Apoth's eyebrows scrunched up, 'what was going on in there?'.

The monsters who saw him immediately let him threw as he tried to get to the middle. They made a little path, small enough for him to get all the way to the middle. He couldn't even hear what was going on in the center as the cheering of the monsters was too loud.

As he took his first step into the middle he could feel the aura increase, like a sudden humidity. He squinted his eyes, the light of a crosslight getting into his eyes. He turned to where he saw the monster's looking, expecting something he wanted to see. And by the Primordials, what he saw he would never forgive. It was probably one of the few things he would protect.

His revenge.

In the middle tied up, sat a nude Moon Goddess. Artemis. And above her was the giant he despised the most, Gration. Gration walked around Artemis, touching places that are considered disrespectful to women. This pushed Apoth's buttons.

He was the one to decide the god's fates. Not the giants. Not Gaea. Not Fate. Not even Chaos. Him. He was the one that would be deciding what would happen to the gods. Apoth growled, his aura started to increase to where he could be defined into the low Primordial category. He was furious.

His eyes glowed dark red, illuminating the lair in a blood red lighting. The atmosphere became thick, enough to the point where a couple monsters started gasping for breath. Gration noticed the intense increase of aura surrounding him and stopped playing with the Goddess.

The Giant turned around, ready to kill anyone who was interfering with what he had wanted for millennia. His eyes darted to every corner of the lair, looking for the source that was creating such a tense environment. What he saw almost made him piss himself. He hadn't expected the person in front of him to have returned yet.

"I had one term, and yet, you still manage to break it," Apoth growled.

Gration whimpered, "M-my l-lord, I-I hadn't expected your re-return to be so soon."

Apoth's glowing eyes rose to look deep into Gration's soul. Apoth growled again, a slow but noticeable red glow started to define his features. The air started to circle around Apoth and the earth began to shake as Apoth's rage was fueled. A sudden explosion startled all the monsters. For once in their lives, they had seen the most unexpecting thing.

A being who's aura turned into a physical form. Usually, you could only feel it but now there was a being that's aura became a physical form.

And that being was pissed.

The air blasted around Apoth, as it did the blasts took on Apoth's red glow, creating a slight color to the winds. Apoth slowly walked toward the Giant, "Gration, I think you know that I hate you most of all Giants."

Gration took a step back. "And I know that you know that I just hate it when people get in my way."

Gration took another step back. "And now you are preventing my revenge, the one thing that drives me."

Gration whimpered as he backed up to the wall of monsters behind him. Apoth smirked, "So take this as a little parting gift, a compensation if you will."

Gration gulped, "My Lord I am sorry."

Apoth's smirk never faded, "Sorry doesn't mean jack shit to me."

With that Apoth burst into a sprint too fast for any being lower of a Primordial to see. Apoth faded into mist as he landed his first strike on Gration's stomach. He teleported to every spot of the Giant's body at full speeds, landing a hit every time he solidified.

In a matter of seconds, the Giant was on the ground, only waiting for a hit from a god to finish the Giant off.

Apoth walked up to Gration's ear, "Night, night," he whispered before smashing Gration's temple on the side of his head.

The monsters stood horrified as a Giant was taken down so easily. Apoth turned towards the monsters. "Get your asses out of here otherwise you'll end up like him," Apoth said, jerking his thumb in the direction of Gration behind him.

The monsters scattered, not even waning a single punch from their Lord. Apoth's aura faded as he calmed down after his little warm up with the Giant. Apoth walked up to where Artemis was still unconscious on the ground.

Her hair was matted with dried mud. Her pale skin was paler than usual. Apoth focused on the life force of the goddess, checking to see if she was defiled. Lucky for her she hadn't been. Although deep down he felt she deserved it he grew up to be more respectful to women.

He growled, "You're lucky I don't want to kill you. . . Yet."

He picked up Artemis, making sure to hold her in a respectful manner. He sighed, he looked at the fallen giant one more time before he teleported away, back to his room. He laid the limp goddess on his bed as he went over to the bathroom and started the bath.

Apoth walked out of the room and went over to Gaea's throne room. When he reached the throne room he found multiple beings gathered for some sort of meeting. Apoth could feel Gaea's presence but paid it no mind. "I'm in assistance of a helper, preferably a female to help me with cleaning something up."

Apoth looked around, looking to see if anyone was up for the task the set-out. With his enhanced sense he could hear the shuffling of feet and a couple, "pardon me."

A couple seconds later a small nymph stepped out from the gathered monsters. She rose her hand before making her way up to Apoth. "I would be honored to serve you, my lord."

Apoth nodded and directed his sight to the other monsters, "back to what you were doing."

He instantly turned around and started walking out the throne room, he motioned the nymph to follow him after he noticed she was standing still. The nymph seemed startled before she sprinted to catch up with Apoth. There was little conversation, mostly Apoth asking what the nymph did.

When Apoth reached his room he opened the door and signaled the nymph to follow him in. The goddess still laid on the bed. Apoth closed his eyes. There is a dirty goddess in my bed and I need you to heal and clean her up, please.

The nymph's eyes widened, "Umm, alright my lord." She slowly walked over to the bed, not that Apoth was watching. He could just sense it.

The nymph grabbed Artemis and carried her into the bathroom. Apoth heard a small movement of water and decided it was the nymph putting the goddess in the tub. Apoth walked over to the bathroom door and closed it. He opened his eyes and focused on his bed. His poor, poor bed. It was now messed up and was covered in dirt.

Apoth focused on the dirt and levitated it into the air. Perks of Earth manipulation. He opened his door and moved the dirt out of his room. He then made his bed before he climbed in and rested for a little.

Man his life was weird.

 


 

The Argo ll made a soft landing at the Roman Camp. A long rope ladder was thrown off the side and a couple demigods started climbing down.

The whole Roman Legion saw the ship a mile away and had gathered to meet a possible enemy. As the demigods reached the bottom they were immediately surrounded by spears and blades. But as the whole battalion got a better look they recognized one of the demigods.

It was Jason Grace, their former praetor. Many of the soldiers were confused and lowered their weapons.

One of the Greek demigods cleared their throat, "We umm, have come to, umm, make peace and umm, create an alliance."

The soldiers shuffled around, a couple seconds later two pairs of combat boots stepped into the circle. Both were cloaked in a purple banner, a sign of authority. One of the female demigods immediately ran to the male of the two supremes.

The male praetor smiled and chuckled as his girlfriend ran into his arms. The girl sobbed into his arms, her red curls getting into the young leader's mouth.

Her name was Gretchen, a daughter of Demeter. She carried a knife and was good at using one.

She had even been taught by Annabeth Chase herself. Sadly she believed that Percy was a traitor and all that though. Jackson patted her back, he started whispering comforting words as the other demigods sorted out alliances. A Roman member brought up the fact of three praetors and it was decided that Jason would become Praetor again.

Leo, Piper, Jason, Jackson, Gretchen, Hazel and Frank.

The Seven were together now. All seven members united ready to take on the challenges Gaea had. Everything was going great, no disturbances and no Sons of Hephaestus shooting Rome.

"Oh Jackie, I'm so happy you're alive," Gretchen said as she clung to his arm, her head leaning on his shoulder.

Jackson chuckled at the nickname, "As am I rose."

Gretchen smiled, "So are you going to take me on a tour of this magnificent city?"

Jackson smiled, "You know it, we'll see all the most beautiful places, and I will be right by your side the whole time."

Gretchen moved her head so she could look at Jackson, she smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Yes, you will."

And they walked off in the direction of the city. Not having a care in the world.

But a dark evil stirred and he wanted something that the demigods were preventing.

His revenge.

Chapter 13: I Don't Work For Gaea

Chapter Text

Artemis' slowly gained back her consciousness. Her bones ached and she had a massive headache. She opened her silver moon eyes that glowed in the unlit room.

Slowly she tried to sit up but her abs strained and were too agitated for her to sit up. Her eyes tightened unwillingly as the pain consumed her. She fell back on the bed, tired and exasperated. Her breathing heavied, as she laid there. Artemis' hand traveled from her side to her abs, when her hand made contact she flinched in pain. She slowly rubbed her abs, sighing in pain and content at the massage.

She positioned herself to where she could see her bare stomach, it was slightly purple and brown, covered in bruises. At the sight, she almost felt sick to see herself in such a state. Her once glowing pale skin was dull, skin that looked that of a dead person. Her hands once again traveled down to her sides where they stayed as she tried to get some rest to let her godly essence slowly heal her.

Artemis seemed to stay on the brink of sleep but never achieving it, making her frustrated. She stared at the ceiling with a glare, trying to command it to make her sleep.

But then a sort of realization hit her full on, she didn't know where she was or what had happened to her hunt. As she recounted her last memories before she went unconscious she felt very sick. Her last memory was Gration, using her as his plaything.

She became nauseous and her hand traveled to her stomach, praying to whatever being that the Giant hadn't fully ravaged her. Her hand started to glow, using her powers over childbirth she scanned her systems for any sign of impregnation.

Her body shook as she sobbed in relief, she prayed her thank yous to any immortal listening that she had been spared of that. Artemis kept scanning to double check and was greeted with a surprise. In fact, she hadn't even robbed of her virginity. A genuine smile appeared on her face, "Something must've happened when I was unconscious," She thought.

But her smile wavered as she remembered she didn't know where she was. Panic filled her systems as her once calm eyes scattered around the room. From what she could see as her eyes adjusted to the dark were; dark curtains that coated a sunlit window and a couple doors that must've led to different rooms.

With renewed vigor, she tried to sit up. She tried hard to ignore the aching pain of the bruises as she sat up. She was glad to see that she had a small shirt that concealed her upper womanly parts. Again though she felt sick as someone must have changed her. She swore that if it was a male she would castrate him than make him consume his own filth of manhood.

But her rage dispersed and fear filled her as the knob of one of the doors was turned. She struggled to get back down and almost groaned as the pain of her stressed abs were agitated. The door was slowly opened in a means to be quiet and unheard. A small figure walked through the room, and all though Artemis was quite used to the dark she couldn't make out the figure.

By the way the slight light of the dulled light through the curtains she could slightly see the figure approaching.

In a means to stay quiet, she grabbed a quick breath before holding it in. She tightly shut her eyes, hoping that the figure would freeze in place if she did. But to her fear, she could make out the light footsteps as they came closer to her. Her body temperature increased and she could feel the dampness on her forehead.

Artemis let out a shaky breath, trying to calm her facade in a means to stay still and quiet. The figure was still approaching, slowly and quietly. By the time Artemis was almost calm, the figure was right next to her.

She could feel the calm breath of the figure to her left side. Artemis slowly opened her left eye to catch a glimpse of whatever the figure was doing. As the figure stretched out their hand to Artemis, Artemis couldn't move, as if paralyzed and could only watch whatever the figure was doing.

She felt the cold hand of the figure make contact with her head. Artemis slightly shuddered at the cool touch but the cold actually felt quite good against her sweaty forehead. She heard the figure quietly curse in Greek before walking back out the door. She could hear quiet murmurs from outside the room before the doorknob was once again pulled open.

This time though it was quite loud and aggressive. Artemis shut her eyes tightly in an effort to avoid any interaction with this new person. She heard loud footsteps walk across the room before she heard the sound of the curtains being roughly raked off its hinges, allowing the light to pour in.

But all of a sudden it went silent. She took a risky move and slowly peaked through tight eyelids to see a much larger figure staring out the window. She took a slow breath and closed her eyes again. But the sudden voice she heard made her panic, "Moon Goddess, I know you are awake, sit up and address your higher."

Panic filled her systems as she knew this voice was not joking around. She thought about pretending to be asleep again but his voice appeared again, "Now."

The voice was filled with dominance and held no room for any arguments if there was a need for one. Artemis slowly opened her eyes before she slowly sat up in the bed. When her eyes met the figure she actually started to fear for her life.

There, standing in front of the end of the bed, stood the figure that she had seen at the monster camp. In the light, he looked even more menacing. You could see the sparkle of the scythes that were perched on his back, and the red glow his eyes that were concealed by the shadow of his hood.

He was cloaked in a dark black cloak that ended in an uneven fashion. She could see the dark silver armor under his cloak and the dark silver gauntlets and combat boots he wore. The man smirked, "Good, now we have some problems that have arisen now that you have, unfortunately, for us, been captured."

Artemis became red in the face with rage and slight embarrassment. "Listen here mortal I-," she was cut off by the man, "Goddess I ask that you not refer to me as such a being so weak."

Artemis stopped and started to stutter as his aura increased and she felt some of his power, "For I am your higher, maybe not titles, but in power, I am your superior," The man stated.

"Now I have been dying to know, why you have disturbed my peace by being here. How is it you were captured?"

Artemis sighed, she knew there was no room for arguments so she decided to tell him of how she was unfortunately taken over.

 


 

Artemis and her hunt stopped pursuing the monsters they had been following. They hid in the trees ready to strike the monsters down. As the first arrow left Artemis' bow she was pulled down by her leg by a massive hand.

Artemis screamed as she fell from the massive tree. She gained many gashes as the sharp branches of the tree slashed at her skin. She landed hard, possibly breaking a couple of ribs. She coughed as the dust from the ground got into her mouth. She slowly pushed herself up and turned around ready to face whoever pulled her down.

There stood Gration, her bane. Artemis growled before, with no hesitation whatsoever, shot Gration multiple times.

Gration grinned as he blocked the arrows with the metal side of his bow before proceeding to launch his own arrows. Artemis dodged each one, realizing arrows left and right. Both knew this would go nowhere so they resorted to a close-range battle.

Artemis unsheathed her silver daggers and Gration pulled out a massive spear. Gration, knowing with a spear he had a range advantage so he focused on keeping Artemis where he could hit her but she can't hit him.

And boy was he succeeding.

Artemis couldn't get within his guard without risking becoming Godly Shishkabob. And before you know it Gration landed a hit on Artemis' shoulder. Artemis grit her teeth as she felt the wound open up. She tried and tried to get into the Giant's guard but she just couldn't.

Gration slammed the butt of his spear into Artemis' stomach, sending her flying across the battlefield. Artemis landed hard on the side of a tree. Golden Ichor poured from an open wound on her head.

She moved her head to the side, looking for her hunters. Thankfully they were doing better than she was. But she knew there was only one way she could maybe beat the Giant, or at least delay him. Artemis looked for Thalia, her eyes quickly scanning for the streak of blue in someone's hair.

When she found it she ran over to her lieutenant. "Thalia, get the hunters out of here. I must transform into my godly form to destroy the monsters."

Thalia opened her mouth in shock before she glared, "Milady, you need a demigod to help you kill the Giant though."

Artemis nodded, "I know that Thalia after I turn into my godly form I will teleport out so we can flee."

Thalia nodded, "I know I'm not one to back out of fights but I don't think we can handle this one honestly."

Artemis nodded, "Yes, now go!" She yelled.

Thalia didn't respond, only started to run over to the other hunters before they all ran off into the woods. Artemis sighed and calmed her mind, allowing the raging immortal within her to escape. Her skin started to glow and her aura of power increased tenfold.

"Not so fast," Gration called as he slammed the butt of his spear across Artemis' chest.

This knocked Artemis out of her powerful state and left her extremely tired. Artemis became woozy before she passed out. Leaving Gration and the Monsters alive.

 


 

After reminiscing this Artemis seemed sad yet mad. Sad as she had no idea where her hunters were and mad cause well she's always mad. The man in the cloak chuckled. Artemis glanced at the man, not having enough energy to glare.

"Who are you?" Artemis asked now suspiciously. The man chuckled again, "Apoth, leader of Gaea's army."

When Artemis heard that Apoth worked for Gaea she instinctively reached down to where her knives would be. Apoth grinned, "In case you didn't notice, your godly powers are dulled, and your knives," he pulled out her knives from his cloak, "are not with you."

Artemis growled, Apoth smirked, he then proceeded to toss the knives lightly to Artemis. Artemis stared at the knives that laid on the bed in shock. "I gave you your knives just because I know you have no chance of killing me."

Artemis still stared at the knives, ignoring Apoth's comment. Apoth started walking towards the door back outside of the room. When he was standing in the doorway he turned back to look at Artemis.

"And no, I do not work for Gaea, she works for me."

Chapter 14: Cold Memories

Chapter Text

It had been one week since Artemis had woken. She would mostly spend time in her room, too afraid of what horrors were waiting for her in Gaea's army camp. She couldn't escape via her powers so she was practically useless against the enemy leader, Apoth.

Even if she did have her powers she was reluctant to say but she thought that Apoth would definitely defeat her in a fight. Artemis thought awhile on how to escape. If her powers were dulled in this camp than the only way for her powers to increase would be in her domain. Luckily for her, her domains included the moon and would be stronger in the forests, and it just so happened that there was a forest she spotted from her window that was close by.

Her plan was brilliant. Tonight she would sneak out at night time and rush to the forests where she could gain enough power to flash herself away. She grinned. Perfect. The plan might have a couple flaws but she was no good but a bargaining piece for the enemies is she stayed.

As she was planning her door was roughly pushed open and in came a Nymph. Artemis widely spun around to only calm down as she saw the small figure. "Oh it's just you Keira," Artemis sighed in relief. The Nymph smiled and nodded to the moon goddess.

You see, Keira was the Nymph that she learned cleaned her up when she was in her unconscious state. When Artemis had first met the Nymph she was relieved to find out that the girl was, in fact, nice to her.

She had asked Keira about when she was cleaning her up and was surprised to find that Apoth had ordered her to clean Artemis up. Artemis would have thought that most vile men would just touch her body as they pleased, but Apoth had a Nymph clean her up. She became quite interested in the leader of Gaea's army. He seemed to hold a sort of dignity and wasn't vile like all men were. But he was the enemy. It confused her greatly.

Keira coughed to get Artemis' attention since the goddess spaced out. Artemis apologized, "So, Keira, what brings you here?"

The Nymph chuckled, "To bring you lunch like every day since the great moon goddess is too scared to come out of her room," Keira mocked.

If anyone else besides the Nymph or her hunters had said she was afraid, Artemis would have made them disintegrate instantly. Artemis shook her head at Keira's antics. Then a thought appeared in her head; 'If she was going to leave would she really leave Keria behind? No, she refused to believe that she would leave her friend behind, she would take the Nymph with her and could hopefully muster enough energy to flash them both out.'

Artemis' silver eyes glowed as she swung to look Keira in the eyes. "Keira, would you like to come with me, I am going to escape tonight through the woods. Would you like to come with me?"

Keira actually paled for a second, then a thinking expression appeared on her face. She started to hum, "Hmmm, I mean I guess, are you sure we can escape though?"

Artemis nodded, she had to be strong for the both of them, "Yes, of course. Come back here one hour before midnight so we can get a headstart. At Midnight I will be most powerful, so we must be in the woods by Midnight, that is our only window."

Keira nodded at the importance of this, "Okay, I will be here, in the meantime, here," Keira said as she gave Artemis her lunch. It consisted of a bowl of some soup and a glass of nectar.

"The soup is what we all eat around here, but that nectar was a special request from the Lord himself for you to be treated extra highly because of the Gration event," Keira informed Artemis.

Artemis was grateful for this, Apoth may be the enemy but he definitely knew of honor, she was honestly a little excited to maybe see the great Apoth in battle. The leader of Gaea's army must be insanely strong. "Alright then, until tonight Keira," Artemis said to Keira. The Nymph nodded and exited the door with a small "bye".

Artemis ate her lunch than climbed into her bed. Gods may not need sleep but it does help. She needed all of her rest to perform this stunt she had planned. Then she drifted off.

 


 

Artemis' eyes slowly opened, a feeling that it was almost time to leave the enemies' base. She quickly got up and gathered her gear. She sighed as she had all of her gear. She walked to the window to take a last glimpse of the enemy. A thought hit her, 'Could I maybe kill Apoth before I leave?'.

The thought dispersed as her door opened and in came Keira. Keira held a small backpack that must've held all of her belongings. Artemis smiled as her friend entered. Keira looked nervous but Artemis gave her an encouraging nod. Keira smiled as she saw the nod, in response she to nodded. Artemis walked by Keira and whispered in her ear, "Let us go."

Keira smiled and they both quietly walked out of the room and towards the treeline. Artemis looked to the moon and saw that it was close to midnight, about half an hour till. Once Artemis reached the forest she smiled and opened her arms as some power went into her, replenishing her of some strength.

Artemis looked behind her to see Keira smiling at her, "It is close to midnight, we must get into the middle of the woods as soon as possible," Artemis informed Keira.

The two of them raced to the middle, eager to leave. After about ten minutes of running through the forest, they had reached the middle of the forest. Here, Artemis was as strong as one domain would provide her. They both sat on a nearby log, waiting for their window to appear. Once there were only 10 minutes left a sound reached Artemis' ear. Artemis considerably paled and slowly looked behind her.

There, standing behind the two of them was the worst possible case. Apoth stood there, looking at the two of them curiously.

Keira noticed Artemis had paled and turned around, so she too turned to see what was bothering the moon goddess. Once Keira laid eyes on her lord she too paled. But unlike Artemis, Keira got onto her knees and pleaded with Apoth to not harm them.

Apoth chuckled at the Nymph, he rose his hand, a signal for the Nymph to shut up or he would make her. Apoth's attention from the Nymph turned to Artemis. He chuckled, "Artemis, why do you leave so soon? Is my hospitality not good enough for a Mighty Olympian Princess," he mocked.

Artemis shivered, fear leaking into her. The fact that a male could be so scary hurt her pride. She wouldn't let a male overpower her. The thought infuriated her. Her eyes steeled over and she looked at Apoth with an aura of defiance. "You vile male! You think you have any right over me? Pathetic!" She spat.

She ranted about how males were disgusting and were unhonest swines. How no men could love women the way women loved men. She even went as far to insult Apoth on a personal scale, "You could never lose a loved one because you are evil. No one would love you. And if someone did, they should die and never return!"

That was when she fucked up. Feelings and memories of Annabeth appeared in Apoth's mind. And with it came the memory of her death. Anger boiled Apoth's blood.

Betrayer. Murderer. Follower. Guilty. Enemy. Those words flashed through his mind. Those were the words that the campers would use when they visited him while he was imprisoned. Fury clouded his vision. Tinting it a dark red with a swirl of violet on the edges. His mind started to battle itself.

You are a murderer. No, I'm not. You betrayed Olympus. Only cause they killed me. It is all your fault. No, it's not. You failed her. You killed her. She would be alive if it weren't for you.

That thought was what broke whatever was left of his former self. His joking personality. Gone. His sass that rivaled anyone. Gone. His humanity. Gone.

He felt a push of what brought him back to reality. A sudden coldness enveloped him. Gone was the smirk he held. Replaced with a burning scowl. Artemis noticed his change of personality. She realized she had gone too far. She was sooooo dead.

Apoth growled. The dark red aura that took physical form appeared around his body. A fire burned itself in his gut. And for the second time; his divine form of Death unleashed itself.

A dark flash of black mixed with a dark royal purple surrounded Apoth's body. He roared in anger to show he would hold no mercy.

Once again the ground below him, which was the grass, was all burnt in a circle that surrounded him. A symbol that showed Death had made its presence. The Dark cloak and hood covered his body and his dark, black, wings appeared. He didn't even show a sign of pain as the wings broke through his skin, he was too focused on Artemis.

His scythes appeared in his hands that were adjourned in his dark gauntlets. His eyes glowed their dark red, and the whites disappeared and were replaced with a black. His physical aura flared, promising a burning death that went straight to Hell's darkest punishments. Artemis stepped back at the amount of power.

This was why Apoth was lording over Gaea. He had power that could make a minor god explode just by being in his presence. Power of a Primordial. She felt stupid for angering someone she already knew could kill her with a flick of his wrist. Now she would have to suffer the consequences due to her own pride and opinions.

Keira who had been watching the whole ordeal had passed out from the power when Apoth's aura went physical.

"You've made a mistake little goddess," Apoth growled, his voice had gone into a deeper pitch, think of a dark and powerful demonic voice.

Artemis flinched at the anger that was present in his voice. She thought of pleading for forgiveness but the thought of getting on her knees for a male disgusted her. Apoth took one thundering step toward her, the grass below his armored boot shriveled and died. In return, Artemis took a step back and her eyes finally showed her true emotion. Fear. Fear of being overpowered. Fear of him.

But Apoth couldn't care. He remembered that before Athena stabbed him she had said that everyone had voted for him to die.

This thought boosted his anger. He had saved this goddess. Held the sky for her. And she had repaid him with a vote against his life. Man-hating or not. This was something he couldn't forgive. She had insulted him. Annabeth. His mother. Everyone he had loved.

She would pay with her Immortal life. He wouldn't defile the goddess. No, he would do something much worse.

Destroy her and when she fades she can watch as he destroyed everything she loved.

A plan had already started forming in his mind. He had gone insane with revenge against her. Against Olympus. Against the Demigods. First, he would destroy the moon. Then the gods. Then the Demigods of both camps. And finally, when that was over he would destroy each and every one of her hunters.

The true pressure of the betrayal started to weigh down on him. Gone was his fatal flaw. Dying with Percy Jackson. He took another step towards Artemis. A small voice in the back of his head annoyed him, it was trying to tell him something. He knew what it was. He didn't want to let it take control. But then again he knew he wasn't thinking straight.

He snarled again at Artemis before he closed his eyes and let his anger disperse. He heard the voice and knew it was the rational part of his brain telling him to stop. He sighed as he looked down and slowly looked behind him to see there burning trail of grass that led him to be an arm's reach to Artemis.

Apoth then looked to Artemis. The blacks of his eyes slowly reverting back to whites. He saw the fear in her eyes. He had caused this. His mother had brought him up better. He sighed again, his divine form dispersed and he was back in just a black Adidas Sweatshirt and some white Adidas sweatpants.

He felt guilty for losing control. Although he did believe the Goddess deserved a little of that. He still had become cold though. "Artemis I recommend you return to your quarters before I make you go there," Apoth snarled. Artemis wanted to agree, to be safe from him, but she wouldn't back down.

Artemis' eyes steeled again like they had before Apoth showed his true power. "No, I will not return until you meet my demands."

Apoth growled, Artemis' eyes wavered and showed a hidden layer of fear but it was gone and replaced with her own fake confidence. He grunted, "What do you need so badly that you must have it in order to return to your quarters? You know I could just hand you over to the Giants and not worry about what you are planning?"

Artemis' act was destroyed. She pleaded for Apoth not to do that to her. Apoth just gave her a cold stare, "Fair enough, since I lost control you will be allowed one demand that is within reason."

Artemis released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She nodded showing that she agreed to the terms. She took another breath and looked directly into Apoth's dark red eyes, "Everyday we will spar and if ever win you will let me and my friend leave this horrible place."

Apoth nodded in acceptance, "Deal, but no trickery or unfairness. You will be allowed to spar against me once every day, no more."

Artemis looked to the Nymph who was still unconscious. Midnight had already passed so she couldn't muster enough energy to leave even if she wanted to. But it was still night. She got into a fighting stance, signaling Apoth that she was ready for her first spar. Apoth grunted and got into a stance with so many flaws. He was standing straight and had both hands behind his back.

Artemis felt offended that he would even think of going easy on her. She growled and pounced towards Apoth. Mid-air she pulled out her knives and spun in a 360, gaining trajectory. All of her weight pulled over to one side so she used that side to swing both knives.

The result would have been deadly against any opponent. Except for Apoth. He simply used the goddess' weight against her and ducked under the strike. This made Artemis land on the ground and lose balance quickly. Apoth was behind her in less than a second. He jumped in the air and just like Artemis pushed his weight to one side and released a kick on the unbalanced goddess' back.

The kick sent her flying into a tree where she almost lost consciousness. She slowly got back up. She would not lose to a male.

Artemis snarled and got back on her feet. She pulled a bow or from nowhere but it costed her only energy supply that she would have used to escape. She pulled the string back at godly speeds. Each pull and release would make another arrow appear in its spot while the others soared at Apoth.

Apoth just stood there. Each time an arrow came close to him he would simply use the water in the air to stop the arrows midair.

After Artemis stopped her barrage of arrows she collapsed in tiredness from summoning so many arrows. She crumpled to the ground unconscious. Apoth made the water in the air shoot the arrows into a nearby tree. When the arrows hit the tree they dispersed into a silver mist.

Apoth's attention turned to the two females that laid on the ground. He sighed and dispersed all three of them into mist and traveled back into a room.

He laid both of them on the bed and walked out without another word.

Chapter 15: New Anchor

Chapter Text

A month had passed since Artemis had challenged the Lord over Gaea for her and her friend's freedom. And with these fights came feelings. Emotions. A warm touch to both of Apoth's and Artemis' cold hearts. The end of their spars would have them both smiling and even hold a couple of chuckles. They would even hang out after their spars.

Artemis had become Apoth's anchor. When he had dipped into the Styx he had been pulled out by no one. If he were to go again he would see Artemis pull him out. No question. Her silver eyes had taken his heart and imprisoned it in a circle of love. He loved his moon goddess. But... he couldn't tell her. He couldn't, the war was his first duty.

His feelings for Annabeth were still there somewhere. But his feelings for the Moon Goddess surpassed his old love. Being with one person alone for one whole month definitely had effects on both of them. Apoth and Artemis. The more time Artemis spent with Gaea's Lord, the more she saw he wasn't like other males.

She saw that he was fair, honorable, honest and loyal. He was kind, compassionate but also very deadly.

When they would hang out after their spars around Gaea's camp, Apoth would protect her. She was at the point where she questioned if she even wanted to leave Apoth's side. But she knew if she stayed, others she loved would suffer. Her family would get hurt. A New Age of chaos would reign. Her hunters would suffer overall. She couldn't let that happen.

She didn't want that to happen. She wouldn't let it happen. Artemis had tried to convince Apoth to switch to the Gods' side but... he went cold when she tried to convince him. Apoth had told her of the Gods' betrayal. That they made him suffer. That even her, Artemis, had brought him pain. That she betrayed him. Apoth told her he was willing to look past it though, that he wanted to start over with her.

And she had agreed. She knew she loved this man. But she knew that it would break her oath. But she was willing to do it for Apoth. Apoth told her that the war would start in a week. That he would allow Artemis to leave and inform the Gods.

It wasn't betrayal. Just a heads up. He told her that he would hold no mercy for the Gods. But he wouldn't let Artemis be hurt. He would give the Gods a chance for victory. Artemis was thankful for this. But on the inside, she knew that if she couldn't get Apoth to switch sides; The Era of the Olympians would fall.

She brought it up a couple of times, trying and trying to convince her new love to help her. For her. But he declined. So she gave up. And now she was walking outside her place she had called home. In an hour she would grab Keira and they would leave for Olympus.

They had to at least try. The Olympians wouldn't go down without a fight. And Artemis promised Apoth that she would deliver. She checked to make sure she had all of her weapons and equipment. When that was done she checked into the space where she slept.

She made sure she didn't leave anything at all, even any sign that could help the enemy side to know anything about her. When that was done she went to grab Keira. It was a simple process, she sneaked around the camp over to Keira's space and snuck inside.

The Nymph was already packed and was sitting on her bed waiting for the Goddess. Artemis nodded in greeting and the two snuck outside the base.

She ran into the woods, debating whether to look back. She didn't. The two ran into the woods, waiting for nightfall to come again so Artemis could power up to flash them away.

Once Midnight hit she focused on her energy and Keira's energy. She imagined Olympus' throne room and in a quick second a bright flash occurred and the two disappeared.

 


 

The Olympians sat on their thrones, all waiting for Apollo to show up so they could commence their meeting on the war and try to find Artemis. Apollo appeared, he looked slightly concerned but not too much. Since Artemis had betrayed Percy Jackson Apollo had already become distant with his twin.

He was slightly concerned that she was missing, but he felt that the Goddess deserved it. Apollo apologized for being late and took a seat in his throne. Zeus scanned the throne room before nodding, noting all that were supposed to be there were.

He quietly coughed. Zeus was actually saddened and tried to become a better king ever since the last month of losing his daughter. Zeus shook his head to get rid of the grief. He cleared his throat, "Does anyone have any information worth considering on this day?"

Nobody rose a hand. Another day of unknown, another day that Artemis would be still missing. Or at least that was what everyone thought. A dull flash blinked into existence in the middle of the throne room. When the blinding light died down, there were two figures standing in the middle of the throne room.

The taller one was being supported by the smaller one. When their eyes were rid of the lingering blinding effect, they saw a tired Artemis being supported by a black-haired Nymph. Zeus was immediately on his feet and running to go help the Nymph hold Artemis. Zeus grabbed the Goddess and checked to make sure she wasn't in any fatal condition.

When he was done checking on her, he turned to Apollo and commanded the Sun God to heal Artemis. Reluctantly Apollo flashed Artemis and himself to his temple where he would heal his twin. Zeus turned to the Nymph to question her but the Nymph was gone. Zeus growled, the feeling of the unknown uneased him.

He released the Gods to go about there ways until the Moon Goddess would awake. And so the Gods left, leaving Zeus to ponder what happened to his daughter.

 


 

It took 5 days. 5 days for the Goddess to awake from her unconsciousness. But when she did awake she felt much stronger, she had fully gained all of her Godly powers back. And it felt great. Artemis hopped off the medical table she laid on and called to Apollo that she was healed and was awake.

Apollo flashed in immediately and did some last minute check overs to make sure his twin was actually okay. He nodded after his inspections. He signaled Artemis to follow him to the exit. Artemis covered her eyes with a hand because of the amount of gold her brother's temple was made out of.

When they made it to the exit Artemis turned to look at Apollo, "Brother, how long was I out, and where is Keira?"

Apollo chuckled, "You have been out for around 5 days, and your friend Keira is spending some time at Camp Half-Blood for the moment."

Artemis gained a look of fear, "5 DAYS!" She screamed, "We must call a meeting immediately!" And she flashed to the Throne Room right away.

Apollo shrugged and flashed himself to the Throne Room as well. Once he got there he saw Artemis move her hands in a symbolic motion and a silver light shot into the air. The Gods flashed in almost immediately, glad that Artemis was okay. Despite the fact she had voted for Percy Jackson's death the Gods who voted for the demigod to live were relieved that Artemis was okay.

Zeus smiled a big smile when he saw his daughter. "Daughter, we are all glad that you are okay." Artemis nodded but brushed it aside.

"Thank you, but I must inform you of the upcoming war," Artemis said frantically. Athena nodded, "Yes, the war, I do not see why we must worry. My calculations say that Gaea will attack in around a couple of years."

There were murmurs of agreement among the Gods. Artemis couldn't handle it, "YOU IDIOTS!" She shouted. That got the Gods' attention.

Athena glared at her sister, "Are you suggesting that my calc-" she started.

"Yes! Your calculations are wrong, they are going to attack in 2 days!" Artemis screamed. This made the Gods nervous.

"Daughter what do you mean, we have defeated a couple Giants already, they would not attack so soon," Zeus told Artemis.

Artemis shook her head, "Father, listen to me, I was trapped in their camp, I heard things, their leader even told me personally."

Zeus was about to speak again but Artemis continued, "Don't question me, we must prepare the demigods, I know what I heard."

Zeus nodded and told Hermes to go and inform the Camps. Hermes was gone instantly. Poseidon turned to Artemis, "Anything else you heard that could help us prepare for anything, or anyone?"

Artemis nodded, "The Giants are the least of our problem, their leader is coming with them to destroy us."

Ares chuckled, "So Gaea is coming, whatever, I'll pound her face in easily." Artemis shook her head solemnly, "No, not Gaea, worse."

Hephaestus rose an eyebrow, "Who could be worse than Gaea? She's the only Primordial that would support the Giants."

Artemis shook her head, "A being that could take the whole army on and still have the power to kill another Primordial. He goes by Apoth, and unlucky for us, he has a burning hatred for the Gods."

When Artemis said Apoth's name the room changed temperature. At first, it turned freezing cold like the depths of Tartarus. The next, it was blazing hot, and back to cold. This pattern repeated itself. The Gods gained a fearful look on their faces, "Why does this... deity hate us so much," Demeter asked.

Artemis directed her eyes to the goddess, "We did something to him, something... personal that scarred him, on the inside. Mentally, and emotionally."

The Gods had no reaction to this information, it could be anyone really. The Gods were terrible beings, and they saw that now. They would correct their mistakes. Zeus caused a loud boom of thunder to grab attention.

"We must correct our mistakes as we have become like those who we despise. We will become better, but first, the war. We must win this war or all life on this Planet will perish."

All Gods agreed. "Now, go to the camps, train them, unite them, and prepare them for a battle in which we must win. Must win," Zeus finished as he exited in a bright flash.

Artemis then left to reunite with her hunters. Unbeknownst to her, the war she thought she had a chance to win, just became more challenging.

 


 

Apoth walked down the army lines, just after Artemis left they had gained a lot more troops than Apoth expected. His first initial thought was that their army would gather up to a solid 4,000 monsters, ready to kill all demigods they saw.

But when he saw the size of the army. His army. He actually cracked a smile. They were a force that would create nightmares by looking at. The army now totaled up to a massive number of 12,000 monsters who had a burning hatred for the Gods.

The Gods had no chance. Finally, Apoth would rule over the world. Apoth's smile broke into a chuckle. Then a crazed fit a laughter.

He would torture all who wronged him. At a price? Yes. But in his mind...

It would be worth it.

Chapter 16: The War I—Tartarus

Chapter Text

It was today. Destruction was inevitable. Defending would be useless. An effort was not needed. The numbers spoke. A scout from Legion C had reported of only 500 demigods. Embarrassing.

500 versus 12,000. It would be a massacre. Even with all the Gods' help, the Demigods would not survive this war. Apoth walked across the front lines of all 12 Legions. Each Legion was dedicated to supporting a specific Giant in their specialty.

For example, Legion C is Gration's group. Scouts, archers, etc. Legion A is Porphryion's Group and Legion L is Enceladus' group. Apoth stopped in front of Legion C's group. Gration was at the back of the army, just like the rest of the giants in their respective group.

Apoth shadow traveled to the back of Legion C and in front of Gration. He took out a single scythe and pointed it at Gration. "Harm only comes to Apollo. Any harm done to Artemis... and you," Apoth floated up to Gration's face, "Will pay the consequences."

Gration gulped and nodded. Apoth stared at him for a few moments before once again walking up and down the lines, inspecting the army. His army. He then stood in the front middle of all 12 legions. In between Legion F and G., He glared at all the legions then snapped his fingers. A humongous boom attracted the attention of all ears in the army. Once Apoth saw he had gained the center of attention he spoke.

"Today is a wonderful day. A day, that you all have been waiting for. A day, that for some of you, never thought would happen."

Apoth let that soak in before continuing again. "But, today is reality. Tomorrow, Olympus will be in ruins. And, my friends, we, will be victorious!"

The monsters from each Legion burst into cheers and roars. Apoth cracked a smile. The Gods had no idea what they were up against. Apoth held a hand up, and all noise fell silent. "I know many of you are eager to attack. And I love it. I boost you all with this confidence."

Apoth took a step to where he was right next to, shoulder to shoulder the top of the lines of Legion F and G.

"Gather the War Drums, the battle horns. War is now. We attack now. March!" Apoth ordered.

The monsters began in a march. War drums banging and war horns blaring. Apoth smirked and vanished into the Earth. He appeared in Gaea's lair. He walked to where he could sense Gaea sleeping before causing a small Earthquake to signal he was there.

"Yes, Apoth? Of what assistance may you need?" Gaea's asked. Apoth chuckled, "None Gaea, just came to drop off some demigod blood."

This perked Gaea's interests. "Oh, really? Is that so? Why that is so kind of you Apoth."

Apoth shrugged his shoulders, "Eh, I don't know what you need that for, kind of creepy you asked for that stuff."

"That is personal business, my lord. But you could say, this blood is my, key to sunrise that has no sun," Gaea said.

Apoth nodded confusingly, "That made little to no sense. But, have at it. You're not the only one using blood in this room."

Apoth sensed Gaea nodded. He then vanished. Thinking of ways he could enter to be as dramatic as possible.

 


 

Gretchen sighed as she leaned against her boyfriend's shoulder. They had just been informed of the terrible news. She listened to the slow beats of Jackson's heart. She couldn't believe that her time would be so short.

She had so many things she wanted to do. But now she wouldn't be able to accomplish any of them. Gretchen sighed, "Jackie, do you think there is any way we could possibly prevail in these times of dark?"

Jackson chuckled at her dramatic question, "Of course Rose, there is always hope. I swear to you that we will win."

Gretchen smiled, "Good to know, it's just..." Gretchen stopped and thought a little.

"Just what?" Jackson asked. Gretchen sighed "I just wish that Percy hadn't turned against us and became a traitor. He could've helped out a lot."

Jackson became confused about this. "Who's Percy?" Gretchen chuckled a little bit, "Oh yeah, you weren't here for it."

Jackson nodded. "Percy was... Percy. He was thought as the strongest Demigod to live. He was on a whole different scale of power when it came to power," Gretchen informed.

Jealousy sparked in Jackson, "Really? What feats had he accomplished? Was he ever the Praetor of Rome?"

"He did many things, killed the Minotaur with no training at 12, retrieved the Master Bolt and Golden Fleece, rescued Lady Artemis, Lead our army to fight the Battle of the Labyrinth and Defeated Lord Kronos."

Jackson was at lost for words. It just didn't seem possible for a demigod to have so much power. "Sadly, he became a traitor after he killed our original mentor," Gretchen said.

Jackson nodded, "Well that's good to know. Thank god he isn't related to me, I wouldn't want to be related to such scum."

Gretchen sighed, "Well... he was kind of... your brother. He was also a Son of Poseidon."

Jackson shook his head. Gretchen grabbed Jackson's hand. "Jackie, you don't have to worry about Percy, he's dead anyway."

Jackson shook his head again, "Yeah well," he squeezed Gretchen's hand, "I'd rather not talk about him right now."

They continued to enjoy each other's company for the time being. That was... until they heard the warhorn. They immediately rushed to the Big House where they met the rest of The Seven. Jackson slammed a nearby table. "What is going on, is Gaea's Army already here?"

Jason shook his head, "No, but we must start setting up, it's worse than we thought."

"How so?" Frank questioned. Jason growled, "The 1,000 monsters we thought we would be facing took a turn for the worse."

"Dammit, Jason just say it!" Leo yelled. Jason growled, "The Hunters of Artemis went ahead and scouted to find that the monsters forces totaled up to over 10,000."

Hazel growled and banged the table with her fist, "That's impossible, there is no possible way."

Gretchen sighed allowing her thoughts to follow freely, "Yes, unless the monsters are being helped by another threat we have yet to identify."

Jackson nodded, "That is possible, is there any other major threat we haven't thought would aid Gaea?"

None of the Seven could come up with an idea. Jason shook his head, "Whatever, take positions, we have a war to win."

All the demigods were separated into the five specific cohorts that were together in Camp Half-Blood. The demigods all geared their weapons and had celestial bronze armor on. The Gods were at the back of the Legion. Ready to take action against any powerful monster or Giant.

Everyone stood in silence. Until they heard it. The massive thunder of slow steps and the deep battle drums and horns that played. They were in trouble and they knew it. The Seven were at the front, determined to slay every last monster and Giant.

Jackson and Jason stood front and center, side by side. Jackson gulped at the number of monsters there were. He could hear Artemis' and Apollo's orders for the archers to be ready for their signal. Jackson looked back to see the demigods. They were scared. Fear had taken them over. He had to find a way to help them.

He took his sword and spear out. Sword in his right and spear on the left. He took a step forward then turned around to look at the Demigods.

"Demigods!" Jackson screamed. "This is our Camp!" Jackson screamed. He could hear some of the campers getting inspired.

"Will we let these monsters steal our home away!?" Jackson yelled.

"NO!" Every demigod shouted back.

"Will we let them take over?!" Jackson screamed.

"NO!" They shouted back.

"Are we going to win?!" Jackson yelled.

"YES!" Everyone screamed.

"DEMIGODS!" Jackson screamed.

Every demigod of both camps pounded their weapons against shields to make noise.

"CHARGE!" Jackson screamed as he burst into a sprint towards the attackers.

 


 

Apoth walked across Gaea's camp. He was waiting until he would hear from the monsters that he was needed. His dark red eyes pulsed with energy as he looked from side to side, a habit he had adapted.

The hood was covering his face as usual. He was thinking about something, more specifically, someone. He couldn't get Artemis out of his head. He was scared. Scared for her. He shook his head.

'Why was he so scared that he would lose her, even though she wasn't his?'

He had to get those types of thoughts out of his head. He was a warrior, not some lovestruck idiot. But then again he couldn't afford to not see Artemis with him. He would die. Not literally, but he would be dead on the inside.

Apoth didn't even realize that he had walked so far that he reached a forbidden place that only Gaea was supposed to go near. He looked down a hole that radiated a cold darkness that never seemed to end. He wasn't scared of the hole. He wasn't scared of... Tartarus. The bastard was on punishment from Chaos.

Although this was his territory so could it be possible that one of the darkest lords would make an appearance. His answer was answered swiftly as a dark figure materialized and solidified.

The figure was pale and had dark black eyes that reminded Apoth of the hole down to Tartarus. The figure wore a dark purple suit with an even darker shade of purple tie. The hair upon his head was long and straight.

Apoth could easily identify the figure just by looking into his eyes. Tartarus.

Tartarus chuckled evilly, "Boy, do you think that I don't know you are having conflicts whether to help your lady love?"

Apoth stayed emotionless. Tartarus just smiled, "You May be powerful but don't think you can beat me."

Again Apoth stayed emotionless, "Have you ever felt pain Tartarus. Cause I'll make sure you do when I'm done with you."

Tartarus grinned, "You know, we are not so different; powerful, above those monsters and demigods, on the right side, and amazing with the darkness."

"But, your thoughts about helping the little moon goddess, will not do, I'm afraid that you will turn against Gaea, so I must kill you."

Apoth shook his head, "You can try, but I'll kill you much before you even land a single hit on me."

Than Tartarus appeared behind him and lodged a sword directly into Apoth's back. Apoth would scream if it hurt. If it would kill him. But it would do neither of those things. Apoth smirked and stared into Tartarus' dark eyes. For once, Tartarus feared another being.

Apoth grabbed the sword out from his back and broke it with his hands. He walked slowly over to the Primordial. Tartarus broke out of his fear wrecked state and tried to incinerate Apoth. It did nothing. Apoth clenched his left fist and Tartarus' black ichor stopped flowing. "Ichor and blood continuously flow through your body, do you know what happens when it stops?"

Apoth clenched his fist harder, causing the Ichor from Tartarus to start coming out of his nose, eyes, ears, and mouth.

"When it stops completely the body panics and produces more and more which continue to get infected, and clogged."

Apoth took a couple steps to where he was next to Tartarus. "I could make you fade right here, right now."

Apoth unclenched his left fist allowing Tartarus' Ichor to move again. The clogged Ichor only had one place to go, outside Tartarus' body, right out his mouth. Tartarus' body spasmed and threw up the black Ichor. Tartarus took deep breaths. Apoth became emotionless again and grabbed one of his scythes from off his back.

He placed it under Tartarus' chin and used it to raise Tartarus' face so he could look directly into the Primordial's eyes.

"There is a difference between us. We both looked into the void. But when that darkness looked back at us." Apoth rose his right hand and pointed it at Tartarus' face.

"You blinked." Apoth closed his fist and Tartarus screamed in pain as his body dissolved into a black smoke and disappeared.

Chapter 17: The War II—Death's Identity

Chapter Text

Jackson furrowed his brows as he saw the Monster Army waiting for the demigods to reach them. With quick thinking, he deduced that the shield around Camp Half-Blood wouldn't let the monsters in. But he didn't even have time to think about it as he charged across the barrier and into the enemy army.

He weaved through countless different species of monsters. From Dracnae to Frost Giants. Out of the corner of his eye, he could make out the figures of his fellow demigods. To his surprise, they were actually making progress.

But it wasn't enough. He sliced down one monster but five more would take its place. They were fighting a losing battle.

He used the water in the air to create spikes of water, he controlled them to stab a couple monsters that were surrounding Frank. Frank nodded his thanks and Jackson nodded back. Jackson flipped over a monster that was sneaking up on him and used the water to whip the monster into gold dust.

Jackson saw that Piper was getting overrun so he sprinted over to her, slicing monsters as he went. Jackson decapitated a monster that was going for Piper's back. They went back to back as they sliced monsters together.

When they were finished killing the surrounding monsters Piper quickly gave Jackson a "thanks" before running off to help Jason. Jackson searched the area for Gretchen but he couldn't spot her. He saw Hazel and decided to go and ask her if she had seen his girlfriend.

Jackson made his way over to Hazel but Hazel threw her knife at him. Jackson evaded it but was surprised that his whole back had been covered in the gold dust.

"Thank you," Jackson said. Hazel nodded, "No problem." Jackson cut down a cyclops behind Hazel.

"Have you seen Gretchen?" Jackson asked. Hazel stabbed a nearby monster in the chest, "No but I think she was over by Leo working against the Hydra."

"Thanks!" Jackson yelled as he ran off towards the battle of fire. He quickly sighed in relief as he saw his girlfriend was okay.

He saw Leo totally covered in his own flames. Gretchen flipped onto the Hydra and started to cut off each head. Leo would then send a fireball to burn the necks, successfully destroying the monster.

Gretchen and Leo nodded to each other than ran in separate directions, supposedly to go fight other monsters. Jackson looked on to see younger demigods get slaughtered down as they were no match for the strength of most monsters.

It pained him so much. Young demigods who had just been introduced to this world were taken right back out.

A demigod's life. That's when he saw the Giants move in. That's when the battle became of a more divine status.

Gods vs Giants. The Gods soared above the demigod battle in their chariots, destined to get to the Giants before the Giants could reach the demigods.

Jackson was distracted for one second, and he would have perished had not Jason come up behind him and electrocuted the sneaking monster at Jackson's side. Jackson looked at Jason, who only nodded to him. The rest of the Seven, Nico and Thalia, joined them as they made a plan to help out the Gods. Each would take a respected God and help them defeat there counterpart. Jackson, of course, chose his father.

Jason chose his father and so on so forth. They looked to where the energy blast battle was and charged toward the battle. Cutting down monsters front, left and right they were seen as an immediate threat. Monsters were jumping up on them trying their best to slow the demigods down.

But they were determined. Lighting, fire, water, darkness, and blades all came forth to create a destructive tornado that was headed toward the divine battle. Once they finally reached the Gods' battle they looked back to see their destruction.

The monsters were finally starting to lose. Only at a solid 3,000 in numbers now, they started to flee. You could hear the cheering of the demigods as their battle was finished. Sadly the Nine of them had yet to start theirs.

They looked at each other. Each one looked everyone in the eyes. "For Olympus," Hazel said.

They all nodded and turned towards their suicidal mission. "FOR OLYMPUS!" They screamed and charged.

Jackson took his father's side. As expected the Giant was ugly. Very ugly. Jackson decided to take advantage of this. "Father," Jackson said as he parried Polybotes' strike. "I will distract him and then you come up behind and take him down."

It was a simple plan. 'What could go wrong?' Poseidon nodded. Jackson ran right in front of Polybotes and waved his sword in the air.

"Oi! Ugly ass! Why don't you go bang yourself in the bum so we don't have to bloody run ya through you, ya bloody cunt!" Jackson insulted in a British accent.

Oh, his plan worked. Worked a little too well actually. Polybotes screamed in rage and charged the demigod. Jackson squeaked in fear. "Sorry," Jackson squeaked. Before Polybotes was on top of the demigod, Poseidon came up behind the Giant and ran his sword through him.

Polybotes screamed in pain, trying to dislodge the sword from his back. Jackson ducked under a swing from Polybotes and used the water to carry him up to the Giants wild face. Jackson plunged his sword into the Giant as he rose, effectively creating a very big cut. Poseidon and Jackson used the water to create a massive spike and they both threw it at the Giant.

The spike of water made a sickening sound when it made contact with the Giant. The Giant collapsed to the Ground and dispersed into a blue mist. Jackson looked around to see how the others were doing. Jason and Zeus were doing well in combating Porphyrion, trading off lighting blows that kept stunning the King of The Giants.

Each pair of God and Demigod looked like they had their opponent Giant under control. Jackson looked back to Jason's fight. Zeus smashed his Master Bolt into the side of The Giant, effectively incapacitating Porphyrion.

Jason flew in the air and commanded the sky to darken as another large lighting strike electrocuted Porphyrion. Porphyrion's wild eyes darted as he realized he was losing. Losing fast. They darted to his brothers to see that they as well weren't doing all that well.

With a final push of strength, he commanded the monster army to fall back, "Retreat! As your King, I demand you to flee back into the forest!"

The monsters and Giants did as they were told. Monsters were cut down as they ran past demigods and Gods. Porphyrion barreled into the forest, but not before getting struck by lightning again. The King of the Giants then disappeared into the forest.

The Olympian Army cheered. There were shouts and screams of victory and happiness. They had won the first battle by a long shot. The Gods turned to the demigods. Zeus floated over to the front, "You all did a wonderful job today, but the war is not over yet."

"Everyone move back into the barrier we will have the Seven plus Nico Di Angelo and Thalia Grace meet in the Big House with the Gods as we come up with a plan to win tomorrow's battle as well."

Zeus then flashed away, presumably into the Big House. Most Gods followed. Poseidon walked up to Jackson, "You did amazing today my son, I wouldn't ask for a better son than you."

"Thank you, Father, I am glad I made you proud today," Jackson thanked.

Poseidon nodded, then flashed into the Big House. The Nine, walked in the back of there army. There was not much talking as they all were caught up in their own thoughts about the first battle.

Finally, they reached the Big House. They walked in quietly and were surprised to see all the Gods sitting on the couch like regular people. They talked all night on plans before coming up with a brilliant one to storm Gaea when she made her entrance. They pinpointed each remaining Giant's weaknesses and gave one of the Nine a specific Giant.

Artemis looked off into the distance. They were planning and yet there would be no hope for them. Sure they won the first battle, but when her Apoth came they would be done for. She sighed, all she could do was hope for the best.

Hope for the best...

 


 

Apoth grinned. It was finally time. His revenge was so close. Zeus, Athena, Poseidon. Oh, he had already thought out their punishments. Late last night after he defeated Tartarus he had gotten the message that he would be needed in the next battle. At first daylight, he appeared from the dark at the Giant campsite. To say he was excited was an understatement.

The Monsters had no idea he was there. He would show up right before the battle started. Apoth has all his gear on. Cloak. Check. Vambraces equipped with hidden blades. Check. Scythes. Check. Sassiness that kills. Hell yeah, that's a check. Combat boots. Check. Throwing knives. Check. Any extra secret weapon that might be used to torture any unlucky camper. Check.

Apoth looked in the mirror. "You lookin fine as hell today," he complimented his reflection. He touched the tip of his finger to his tongue than placed the said fingertip on his cloak. "Szzzz," Apoth made a sizzling noise.

Apoth walked back into the shadows waiting until the battle would start. He was curious about the campers so he decided he would have a look in. He walked to the barrier, but it blocked him out. 'Great,' He thought, 'I'm an enemy so now I'm not allowed in, shitty way to get guests in my opinion.'

He pouted for a little bit before retreating back to the shadows. He was bored. But he decided for once that he would be patient, his revenge was just so close. He waited. And waited. Waited some more. Than waited. 'Oh my gods, what takes so long to just, wake up, put some clothes on and line up for battle.'

Apoth sighed. After about another two hours there was finally action. He could see demigods, all in their little armor come out and take a stance in a very orderly fashion. He looked to the Monster Army, the last Monsters were just filling in the lines. Apoth grinned, "Finally."

Apoth chuckled sinisterly, "They don't even know what they are going up against."

 


 

The demigods rushed out of there cabins, dressed in full body armor. They lined up in there respected lines just like the Gods told them too. They weren't scared anymore. Yesterday's battle was terrifying but today they had more confidence in their abilities.

Spears at the front and archers at the back they made way to where they were about 100 meters and positioned themselves in a defensive manner. The Nine walked past the defenses and into the front lines. The Gods followed the Nine demigods to the front.

"Demigods," Zeus said. "Today we battle hard. For tomorrow has yet to come. Battle here, battle hard, so tomorrow can come to be good."

The demigods all nodded.

The plan then was sent into action. Jackson would go up and talk to the main leader. He would take a son of Apollo who was actually part of the plan. You see the Son of Apollo, was very ugly. His name was Jonah. He offered to sacrifice himself for the greater good. In his pocket, he had a self-destruct mechanism built by the Gods.

It was strong enough to destroy Gaea. So the plan was, lure the Leader out, then destroy them, hopefully destroying the monsters' order and causing them to go into chaos. Jackson had told them that the barrier wouldn't allow the Monsters in, which they would use as an advantage.

Jackson and Jonah would be inside the barrier, ask to see the leader, the leader would come out and Jonah would rush him just in time for Jackson to retreat as Ugly Jonah destroyed Gaea.

Simple. Easy. Their plan was sent in motion. Jackson walked with Jonah over to meet the Monsters. He didn't ask Jonah about his sacrificial decision. It may have been too personal.

Once Jackson was near the Monsters. Now only around 10 yards away from the army and a solid yard away from the end of the barrier Jackson asked for the leader, "We wish to speak to the leader of the army!"

The Monsters turned to each other. The ground then started to rumble. An earthquake of a whole different level. A crack appeared in the monster army as Gaea rose from the depths of the Earth. She cracked a sadistic grin as she came forward, "I am the leader of this army."

"I am Gaea, the Primordial of the Earth. Strongest being to exist upon this planet," She announced.

"Have you come to surrender?" Gaea asked. Her ancient voice like an earthquake itself.

Jackson took a step back. The power was too much for him to handle. He struggled but he managed to step up. "No. We have come to talk with the leader of the monster army."

Gaea was about to say something but then a commotion in the monster army began. This perked the Gods' and demigods attention. Jackson looked and saw a figure cloaked in Black making his way to the front. Monsters would bow as he walked past them.

He walked past the Giants. His jaw dropped when he saw that the Giants too dropped to a knee and bowed to the figure.

He stopped next to Gaea. Jackson could see two red eyes glowing beneath the hood of the stranger. "Now Gaea, what is this you are announcing? You. The leader of the army. Maybe I should put you in timeout," the stranger threatened.

Gaea shook her head and dropped to her knees and bowed to the figure. "No, my lord."

"Good, your physical form was not what I was expecting," The stranger said. Gaea smiled, "How so?"

Apoth smirked, "Well the fact that nature upon this world is beautiful I thought you would at least show a single aspect of that beauty."

Gaea growled, but one hand from Apoth and she immediately quieted down, "Behave Earth bitch."

Then the aura dropped to a cold one as the figure looked up. It looked like the stranger looked past Jackson. Jackson turned around to see Zeus staring definitely at the figure. A couple gods shivered under the stranger's look.

The stranger's gaze landed on Jackson's father. Apoth growled and turned to the two demigods. Jonah took a step up, showing confidence and bravery. Yet Jackson knew that it was the most foolish thing the boy could do. Jonah walked up to Apoth right at the end of the barrier. Apoth met him at the barrier on his side.

Jonah took a breath and glared at the stranger, "We come in peace-" That was all he got out as madness spread.

The stranger's hand glowed black as he destroyed the barrier, "And you go in pieces."

The Stranger pulled out two beautiful scythes and easily cut up Jonah's whole body in less than a quarter of a second. The stranger's speed was on another level. And yet he could also destroy the barrier. This was some deity beyond Jackson's comprehension. An explosion was heard. And it was big big big big. It destroyed half of the rest of monsters and yet Apoth stood there like nothing happened.

A black shield surrounded him and Gaea. Courtesy of everyone's favorite blood lord. Jackson fled back. The figure walked over to where the army was. Stopping 20 yards from the Olympian Army.

The Monster Army followed as well, but stayed back 50 meters from the Olympian Army. The Gods took an aggressive stance, ready to blast the opponent. Yet the stranger just laughed.

Apoth turned to the Monster Army. "MONSTERS! HEAR ME NOW!"

"TODAY! EVERYTHING THEY'VE BUILT WILL FALL! AND FROM THE ASHES OF THEIR WORLD, WE WILL RISE REBORN!"

Monsters roared and banged their weapons on the ground as they became stricken with bloodlust. Apoth laughed. Laughed like a madman. "I have been waiting for this for a long time," he spoke.

Poseidon stepped up and pointed his trident at the stranger, "We don't even know who you are!" He declared.

Apoth cocked his head, "Oh really? Then let me introduce myself." His form shifted and he became a literal walking hell. Black wings. Dark cloak and scythes to go with it. A demonic voice spoke.

"I am Apoth, Killer of Monsters, Bane of the Olympians, Lord Over Earth, Destroyer of Life, and the Personification of Death itself."

It was terrifying as each title made the aura around him feel colder and the sky would grow darker. "But... You may know me by a different name," Apoth said as he started another crazed laughter.

The Darkness grew and the Sky thundered, the waves near the shore grew massive as the wind tore through the sky. The moon turned red, as red and black lightning showered the sky. The Gods couldn't help but feel awed at the amount of power in one being. The Demigods struggled to stand and yet some had already fallen down at the pressure of Apoth's power.

Then it became calm. Everything stopped. Apoth went back to his regular form. The wind stopped. The ocean stopped churning.

And yet, the sky remained dark.

"Beneath this cloak is darkness. Beneath this hood is forgotten. But let me take it off so you can remember what you have left behind. What you have created. Darkness. Evil. Destruction."

And with that Apoth pulled the hood off his head.

"Did you miss me?"

Chapter 18: The War III—A Reveal To Die For

Chapter Text

Deafening Silence.

Those were the two words that described the scene. Nothing moved, nothing made a sound. Even the wind itself became still. One voice broke out among them all, "But... I... I killed you. I saw the light drain from your eyes," Athena whispered, and yet everyone could hear it.

Apoth smirked, he looked around seeing the younger campers look at him with a mix of curiosity and fear.

But when his eyes reached the ones that had survived the Titan War. They were filled with hate and fear. Clarisse screamed in fury as she charged Apoth. "No Clarisse!" Ares shouted, but it was too late.

Clarisse hoisted her spear, "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME!" She yelled, gaining momentum as she charged the powerful deity.

Apoth grinned sadistically as he too charged the demigod, he always hated this; filth no good excuse for a daughter of war. "NO, I WANT TWO OF YOU!" Apoth shouted as he flashed behind Clarisse and split her in half with one scythe. He smiled as the mutilated body crumbled to the ground.

The smell and look were disgusting. And yet, Apoth still smiled at the sight. He breathed in the filthy oxygen. He walked back to his place. Slowly and leisurely. He twirled his scythe as he had a skip in his step. Once he got back to his spot he turned around.

Apoth then looked to the Gods. To say he was confused was an understatement. Half the Gods looked scared, and the other half... Happy? Apollo, Hermes, Hephaestus, Demeter, and Aphrodite had big smiles covering their faces. They then walked over to Apoth.

Apoth growled, he hated these Gods. He hated every living thing around him, even his own army. Apollo hurried over to Apoth, "Hi-yah Perce! How's it been? We," He motioned to the other four Gods approaching him, "thought you were dead."

Gaea started to approach to intervene, but Apoth rose a fist and she immediately backed up again.

Apoth glared at the God, "Do you wish to fade? ALL OF YOU!" He screamed at the Gods approaching him.

They all took a step back. Now, fear clearly covering their faces. They shook their heads no. "You think being friendly will forgive you of your actions? I gave you a chance... And you all voted to die. I don't give second chances to those who don't deserve it," He whispered lethally.

Hermes shook his head, "What do you mean? We all voted for you to live. They," He pointed to the Gods looking at him fearfully, "were the ones who voted for you to die, not us."

Apoth clearly confused shook his head, "No I was told that it was a unanimous decision, that you all voted for me to die. Athena told me-." He stopped.

Realization dawned upon him. Athena. It was her. Athena. She had played him. Athena. She took away his life. Athena. It was all her fault. Athena. She. Planned. It. All. ALL OF IT!

Apoth looked up, his red eyes meeting Athena's grey ones. Apoth couldn't handle all the hate that had boiled up inside him for this witch. His eyes glowed like a raging fire. His jaw flexed as he grinded his teeth. "I'm going to kill you," he mouthed to the Goddess of Wisdom.

His aura flared into physical appearance. Red pulses of the aura moved rapidly, creating a more flamed texture. He instantly teleported behind the Goddess, surprising all the Gods nearby. Athena whipped around, shield in hand.

She tried to block herself by shoving her shield in his face, but Apoth simply swatted the shield away. To think she thought Medusa could scare him. Pathetic. He grabbed her neck and hoisted her into the air, successfully choking the Wisdom Goddess. "I will condemn you to the darkest of tortures and then I will bathe in your ichor."

A hand was put on his shoulder, "Perseus." Apoth turned around to see Artemis standing there. Apoth growled, "Perseus is dead."

Artemis nodded, Apoth saw her eyes glance to the Wisdom Goddess in his grasp. "Perseus... Please, just... stop. For me, for us." The Gods gasped at that.

Zeus was going to make his move before he realized that this being was much stronger than him. He was going to be a better leader, and he knew the consequences of fighting this... monster of a demigod. Apoth turned to Athena still struggling in his grasp. Only a little bit longer and she would pass out. Apoth growled, he turned to Artemis and his eyes softened.

He let go of Athena, but not before giving her throat an extra hateful squeeze. Athena collapsed to the ground, breathing in hard. Poseidon rushed over to her side and helped the Goddess up. He glared at Apoth, "I don't know who you are Perseus but trust me, the seas are not on your side."

Apoth was confused, 'Poseidon doesn't know who I am? What's going on here?' He glared back at Poseidon, "What do you mean you don't know who I am. You should know me the most out of all these Gods."

It was Poseidon's turn to be confused. "I'm sure I would know if I knew you." Apoth thought and thought of what happened to his birth father. He snarled.

He turned back to Athena. He teleported behind her and pressed a scythe up to her neck, "What did you do to him?" He whispered lethally.

Athena scrambled for her words, Apoth pressed the scythe into her throat more, "Tell me. Now. Or I will gift you to the Giants to entertain themselves."

Athena gulped, "I swear I didn't do anything to the Fish." Apoth glared at the back of her head, "Then tell me who did."

Athena shook her head. Apoth growled as he turned to the other Gods. He removed the scythe from Athena's neck. Apoth walked over to where the other Gods stood. He quickly turned around and froze Athena's ichor, not allowing her to move.

He looked directly into each Gods' pair of eyes. It wasn't until he reached Hera's did he stop.

Hera shivered, his cold gaze was frighteningly terrifying. Apoth walked up to the Goddess but before he could reach her Zeus blocked his way. Zeus looked into Apoth's eyes, "It was my idea. So don't you even dare think of touching my wife."

Apoth was actually surprised, Zeus was actually being a good person/god right now. Apoth nodded to him before walking over to Poseidon. He grabbed the God by the collar, froze his blood and then walked over to Hera. "Did he vote against me?"

Hera shook her head, Apoth nodded, he slapped the Goddess in the face, causing the Goddess to fall onto her ass. Much to the situations importance, Hephaestus, Apollo, and Hermes all shared a quiet chuckle. Zeus did nothing to stop Apoth from walking up to his wife, Apoth controlled her ichor to make her stand back up.

He grabbed the Goddess by her hair, "Fix him. Now." He then unfroze, threw the God of the Seas at her and walked away.

Apoth walked up to the King of Gods, "May I look at your demigods?" Zeus was hesitant but nodded, "As long as you don't harm them, swear it."

Apoth nodded, "I, Perseus "Apoth" Jackson, hereby swear on the Styx to not harm the demigods while I observe them unless they harm me first."

Zeus nodded at the promise before stepping aside for Apoth. Apoth looked at Artemis, he signaled for her to follow him. Artemis quickly caught up to him. As Apoth walked her turned to Artemis for a quick second, "I will try to end this war on peaceful terms, although I doubt Gaea will like it."

Artemis was surprised, "Really?" She asked hopefully. Apoth just nodded in response.

Once he made it to the demigods they all took a defensive stance. Apoth nodded, "Well trained, taking on a Roman Tactic, powerful... but too many flaws."

His eyes landed on The Nine. He walked over to them, Artemis still following his trail. He recognized his two Cousins and that one student Annabeth taught. "Ahh, well if it isn't Thalia Grace, Nico Di Angelo and oh look, Gretchen, I hope all of you are doing well ever since you banished me."

The mentioned three took a step back, fear evident in their eyes. As he was going to say another thing, a boy growled and pointed his sword at him. Apoth's raised an eyebrow, "What are you going to do with that?" Jackson growled again, "You are not fit to speak of any of their names," He said and pointing his sword at Gretchen, Nico and Thalia.

The other members of The Nine who didn't know who he was nodded. Apoth turned to Artemis, "So, which one of them would you like as a pet?"

The Nine all got into a defensive stance. Apoth chuckled, "Take a joke, I'm trying to have some fun here." Jackson growled and summoned the water from the lake. It hovered for a second before it turned into spikes and soared towards Apoth.

Thalia looked to Artemis who was shaking her head. Apoth grinned as the water neared. When the spikes hit his body they dispersed and became a sort of second coat around his cloak. The Seven all stared in surprise at what happened. Jackson growled and charged Apoth. Apoth shook his head. When Jackson was close enough Apoth flipped him the bird, "Fuck off birdy!" Apoth shouted out as he backflip kicked the other 'Son of Poseidon' into the air.

Apoth laughed, he turned to Artemis who was looking up trying to find where Jackson was in the sky. Apoth slowly walked up behind her. He could barely hear her whisper, "Damn what a kick." Apoth smirked before quickly turning her around and putting his lips on hers.

At first, Artemis was surprised but slowly she melted into his embrace. Apoth wrapped his arms around her waist as she hooked her arms around his neck and started to play with his hair a little. Apoth unlatched his lips off hers, "It was a pretty good kick wasn't it," He whispered as he started to kiss her again. Artemis smiled under the kiss, "Only you could make such a romantic moment so unromantic," She said between breaths.

Apoth looked to Gaea, "Call the monsters off, we will settle this through a treaty."

Gaea growled, she looked back then smiled. "I think it's time we call this little alliance between you and us off Apoth."

Apoth shook his head, the remaining Giants started to make their way through the army and up to where they were standing. "I know we can't beat you, alone," Gaea sneered. Apoth took a step back, "You wouldn't, they wouldn't even think of helping you."

Gaea cackled, "Oh yes they will, why do you think that they wouldn't help their own sister?"

Apoth growled, "Gaea... you don't want to do this." Gaea than became serious, very serious, "Oh but Apoth, I do."

Gaea started to glow a dull green as she slowly chanted, her eyes glowed a bright green as her symbol engraved itself into the Earth. Apoth grinded his teeth, he couldn't stop her, it's universal law you can't invade on an ancient spell.

He turned back to the Gods who were looking at the exchange in fear, "Take the demigods, you can't handle this amount of power she's about to bring in."

Ares stepped up, "We can handle everything that plate of dirt can throw at us. We are Gods!"

Zeus placed his hand on Ares' shoulder, "We will do as Perseus asks of us," he looked at Apoth, "It's the least we can do."

Apoth nodded, "Just do it, take them behind camp and hide, even if it means being arrogant assholes while doing it."

The Gods flashed the whole camp away, including themselves. Apoth turned around, waiting for the impending fight that he knew he'd have no chance of winning. Gaea's chanting slowly stopped, the green glow faded and the symbol engraved into the Earth faded away. Once Gaea was done with her ritual she collapsed to the ground.

She took deep, quick breaths. Gaea looked up to Apoth, a smirk covering her face. Apoth shook his head, "You've made a mistake calling them here Gaea."

Flashes of immensely bright levels appeared behind Gaea, Apoth looked on in interest and honestly a little bit of fear. These beings all together proved to be the rulers of the Universe. The brightness began to fade and revealed 10 glowing figures behind Gaea. Apoth growled at the sight.

Gaea smirked, "Apoth, let me introduce you to Ouranos, Pontus, Erebus, Nyx, Thalassa, Aether, Hemera, Eros, Ananke, and Chronos. The Primordials."

Chapter 19: The War IV—Universal Power Battle

Chapter Text

The beings all radiated with unimaginable power. Apoth growled, "You are all so pathetic, needing to summon the whole of the Primordial Council to challenge me."

Gaea smirked, "Don't try and play that game with me Apoth, I know how much power I need to get rid of you, and I am willing to turn in all my favors to get rid of such an obstacle as you."

Apoth shook his head, "You made a bad choice than Gaea." Gaea grinned, "No matter, as long as you will be put in your place," Gaea took a step forward and rose her clenched fist, "Below my foot and begging for me to spare you."

Gaea walked back to her spot before noticing Nyx had a look of confusion on her face, "Nyx, what is the problem?"

Nyx shook her head, "Tartarus is not present, he should be here to destroy those who he very much despises." Pontus nodded his head in agreement, "Yes, that is quite... unusual. Even for him."

Hemera snorted, "No worries, he is probably in that hole in the ground of his, brooding that I didn't give myself to him."

Erebus grinned and looked to Apoth, "It is no matter," The shadows bent to his will as they thickened, "We deal with the mortal and then go find hole man."

Gaea shook her head, a serious expression over her face, "No, as much as I hate to not do that I believe it is only respectful to allow Tartarus to at least enjoy a little bit of fun, get out a little bit."

The Primordials all nodded. Each and every one of them took a stance and murmured a chant as their symbol was burned into the ground. Time passed and Tartarus still hadn't responded. Apoth giggled at the sight, this would take a while. Surprisingly to him, Aether heard his giggle and broke out of his chant to look at Apoth.

Apoth couldn't help but smirk at the Primordial, which proved to anger the Primordial. Aether got back into a stance but Apoth could tell he wasn't as focused. Apoth smiled, he must've gotten into Aether's head.

A minute passed before Aether growled and turned to Apoth with a glare, "Why do you smile? Is death that much of a joke to you? I will personally send you to the cruelest of tortures!" He screamed as he charged Apoth with a spear of light in front of him.

Aether's battle cry shook the Primordials out of their chant as they turned to the imminent battle. Gaea saw Apoth smirk and her eyes widened, "No! Aether don't!" she warned.

But it was much too late, Aether had already shoved his spear towards Apoth's midsection. Apoth dodged like lightning and teleported behind the Primordial. Apoth flexed his finger as a hidden blade popped out and was shoved into Aether's back, causing the Primordial to scream in pain as he fell to the ground.

Apoth looked to the other Primordials, his grin growing. A black aura wrapped itself around his hand as he threw it to the ground, creating an unbreakable dark dome around himself and Aether. The Primordials ran to the dome but couldn't break through or even see in. They tried to fire their powers at the dome but the dome just absorbed it and glowed a faint purple.

Thalassa pounded her fists against the dome as she tried to barge in. Ananke put her hand on Thalassa's shoulder causing the Primordial Goddess to turn to Ananke. Ananke shook her head. Thalassa looked down but a mask of anger started to show on her face, "I will make that mortal pay for what he has done. Can he not see how much bad the Gods are doing?"

The Primordials present agreed with her. They would make sure to destroy the mortal, with or without the help of Tartarus.

 


 

Aether stood up, anger coursing through him. He whipped around to see that Apoth was frowning at Aether. "What has Gaea done to make you support her?"

Aether growled, "A lot more than you could understand mortal. Now surrender yourself and we might not torture you for eternity."

Apoth shook his head, both hidden blades popping out of their hiding places in Apoth's gauntlets. Aether growled and pulled out a sword and shield made entirely out of light. To Aether's surprise, Apoth disappeared from sight and teleported right in front of him. Apoth smiled, "C'mon than 'oh so great Primordial', try and kill me, I dare you."

Aether grinned, "Fine by me." Aether's sword glowed brightly before he stabbed his sword into Apoth's chest. Aether started to laugh, he twisted the sword as it made a sickening noise.

The Primordial ruthlessly ripped the sword out of Apoth's chest. He waited for the mortal to fall to the ground but to his fearful surprise, the mortal just smirked at him. Apoth took a step towards Aether, his wound already healing. "Now... that tickled my lord. Why don't I give it a try to you."

Apoth reappeared behind Aether and lodged both blades into Aether's back. Aether gasped in pain, silver ichor flooding out of his back. Apoth leaned into Aether, his mouth right next to the Primordials ear, "You never had a chance, just like Tartarus."

Aether's eyes widened and his pupils shrunk as he realized the mortal had been toying with him the entire time. Apoth chuckled and leaned back, now happy that the Primordial realized what happened.

Apoth tapped Aether's back with a hand, all the ichor in Aether's body rushed towards his hand, entirely emptying the Primordial. Aether fell to the ground his body now dried of ichor. Apoth let the ichor that was floating in front of him fall to the ground. He rolled his shoulders, stretching a little bit for the imminent work out against the Primordials.

Apoth snapped his finger and the dome slowly opened from the top, letting the moonlight cast itself onto him. The Primordials gasped at the sight of the bone-dry immortal. No doubt that he would be asleep for a long time. Thankfully Aether hadn't faded as his body was still present.

Chronus growled, "It is time for you to die." The Primordials nodded their heads, all eager to get their hands on Apoth.

Chronus looked to his fellow Primordials and then back to Apoth, "Your time has run out."

Apoth looked at him weirdly. Chronus smiled, "Past, Future, Present, your lifespan is ticking like an hourglass because your lifespan has a time limit and the alarm has just sounded.

"Because it is tim-"

"Dude shut up! I get it, you're the Primordial of time, that doesn't mean you have to make time jokes. By all, your jokes are so shit, they are literally putting a time limit on how long I am gonna let you live!" Apoth screamed in frustration.

Gaea growled as she turned to the monster army, "Charge the filthy mortal!" She screamed. Thousands of screams and roars of the monsters answered her battle call.

The 3,000 some monsters charged Apoth, ready to take down their once leader. Apoth growled, his form of Death taking over. Dark black armor covered his body as he charged the monsters.

He unsheathed both scythes as his speed increased, leaving what seemed a trail of fire. "Death accepts your offer!" His demonic voice screamed as he charged into the heart of the army.

He slammed his armored boot into the ground, causing multiple fissures in the earth, swallowing many of his new enemies. Apoth's scythes glowed red as he massacred the monster army. Slicing and stabbing, he was literally hell upon Earth. "WHY DON'T I SHOW YOU WHY I AM ABLE TO TEAR PRIMORDIALS APART! Apoth screamed.

He sheathed his scythes, his hands and eyes starting to glow red. He clapped his hands together as what seemed like a sonic boom of red energy blasted all of the Primordials armies away into dust. Apoth's eyes and hands stopped glowing as he surveyed the damage he had done to Gaea's army. He would've smiled had he not been in such a terrible mood.

Apoth growled and turned to the Primordials who seemed to be in a state of shock. Apoth snarled and charged the Primordials, he would rip them apart, piece by piece. Apoth's speed increased as he charged the first Primordial his eyes landed on; Ouranos. The Primordial narrowed his eyes as he saw that Apoth was approaching him. Apoth unsheathed his scythes and in one motion moved to decapitate the Primordial simple and easy. But, before he could land his strike he was sent flying back by a blast of pure energy.

Apoth was sent tumbling into a nearby camp cabin. He wasted no time getting up and charging again. His eyes locked with Eros, he must've been the one to blast him. Apoth teleported behind the Primordial, his leg glowed black as he kicked the Primordial in the temple, making him fly towards the Big House. Before Apoth could even process his attack he was struck from behind by another blast of pure energy. Apoth went hurdling into another cabin.

He was surprised to find his nose bleeding. Apoth growled, their attacks could actually hurt him. He pulled a single scythe out and teleported back to where Ananke stood. Apoth slashed at her shoulder narrowly missing as she seemed to move at unimaginable speed. Apoth growled, 'Primordial of fate, of course, she knows my next move.'

Apoth turned around as he blocked a blast of lighting from Ouranos with his scythe, he flipped over a beam of light and hurled his scythe over at the direction of where the beam of light came from. He smirked as he heard a female scream and the sound of his scythe digging its way into Hemera. Apoth turned to his left to find Pontus and Gaea charging him.

Pontus' hand glowed blue and a blast of water streamed towards him. At the same time, Gaea's eyes glowed brown as the earth behind her was hurled at the mortal. Apoth consumed the water, it basically coating him like a second skin around his armor and cloak. The infinite strength technique took effect as Apoth caused the incoming earth to turn around and hit both Primordials.

A sword of yellow energy impaled Apoth's back, going right through the other side. Apoth coughed as the yellow energy started to heat up, he flipped over the owner of the yellow blade.

Midair he removed the sword from his gut. He landed gracefully and stuck the sword into Chronos' back just like he had done to Apoth. Apoth twisted the blade of time, making the Primordial of time scream in pain. Apoth kicked the hilt of the blade as it went all the way through the Primordial, exiting through Chronos' stomach and sticking into a nearby tree.

Apoth caught a dagger made entirely out of shadows in his left hand, and then caught an arrow made out of the night in his right hand. Apoth's hands glowed red as he threw the ball of energy into the sky. The red ball exploded and casted a light over the entire woods, providing Apoth with enough vision to spot the Primordials of Night and Shadows.

As he was about to charge towards them he was blasted by more energy, throwing him into a tree. He coughed out some blood, the blast not hurting as much due to his infinite strength technique.

Before he could even stand up 9 flashes appeared before him. Gaea, Thalassa, Pontus, Chronos, Nyx, Erebus, Hemera, Ananke, and Ouranos appeared in front of him.

They didn't even say anything as all of them focused a beam of energy and threw it at him. A cage of energy appeared and wrapped around the mortal, imprisoning him in the energy of 9 Primordials. Apoth growled. He struggled to move but couldn't do anything. He tried to use his powers, any of them, but the chains seemed to negate all of his abilities.

Gaea stepped up and laughed when she saw Apoth tied up in front of her. "You see Apoth, you never had a chance."

Apoth's only response was to snarl at the Earth Primordial. Gaea shook her head, "I hate to see you this way Apoth, but alas, drastic measures had to be taken."

She bent down on a knee as she leaned to whisper in his ear, "And now, you can watch as I take everything away from you; starting with all of your powers."

Apoth's eyes widened and his pupils shrunk, 'she couldn't do that could she? That's impossible!' He struggled in his bonds, fear evident in his eyes.

The Primordials all laughed as they took a stance. They grabbed each other's hands, murmuring in a language Apoth couldn't understand. He struggled harder and harder but couldn't get out. Gaea's eyes glowed green, a green beam connecting with Apoth's body. Apoth screamed in pain. It felt like boiling liquids of acid strangling his soul. Seconds later 8 other beams joined as they tore into Apoth.

His screams were drowned out as the roar of the beams filled his eardrums. It seemed to last forever but before he knew it, the pain vanished and the bright light died down. To say Apoth felt like shit was an understatement. It felt like he had just crashed from a sugar high, and woke up hungover.

His limbs were numb and the chains around him still held him tightly. Gaea cackled as she now saw the weakened Apoth before her. Apoth's stomach churned, and it felt like something from within himself was missing. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe how weak he was. 'How?' The question swirled around in his head.

"How? How did you do it?" Apoth croaked, the tiredness in his voice could easily be heard. Gaea smirked, "It doesn't matter how I did it, it matters that I did do it."

Gaea slowly walked over to Apoth. She pulled his hood down and leaned into his ear again, "Now beg, beg for your life."

Apoth shook his head, "I will never bow down to someone as such as you," He snarled back.

Gaea smirked, "That's just what I wanted to hear. Now, punishments are in order, I will make sure to break you from the inside."

Apoth smirked back at her, "Nothing can break me." But a voice broke through to deny his statement, "Possibly, but I have an idea." Apoth's head whipped around to see Eros standing, with a terrified Artemis in his grasp.

She was struggling to breathe, scratching at Eros' grasp. Her face was scratched up and matted with dirt.

Apoth snarled, "You bastard! I'll kill you." Eros smiled, "Ah, I see. Gaea, it does seem we have something that can get through our mortal friend."

Gaea smiled evilly, "Yes, yes we do." Gaea took Artemis by the neck and brought her over to Apoth, she threw the Moon Goddess at the ground in front of Apoth.

Apoth shook his head tears spilling down his face, "No. GAEA! You can't do this, take me instead." Gaea smirked as she approached Artemis.

Artemis got on her knees as she turned to Apoth, her hands caressed his face, "Perseus, I need you to know. I love you. I love you Perseus. I lov-" Her sentence was ripped off as a giant earth spike was shoved through her stomach.

The life in her eyes quickly faded away as she collapsed onto the ground. Apoth looked to her body, tears clouding his vision. He heard the laughs of the Primordials. His binds fell, allowing him to move. He quickly rushed over to Artemis' now dead body. He shook his head, not believing what had happened as he held her body.

Her body flickered. Apoth's eyes widened, she was fading. Apoth screamed, he set her down and rushed at the Primordials. Rage powering him. The Primordials laughed in his face as he was punched backward towards Artemis' body.

Apoth struggled to get up, pain enveloping his body. He reached out to take Artemis' hand. He grabbed her body as he cried into her shoulder. Minutes passed as her body flickered more and more, the laughs of the Primordials drowning his ears.

Apoth's crying had stopped, only silent whimpers coming out now and then. But then there was that one moment, that one moment, and she was gone. Her body disappeared and never came back. Apoth held no reaction as he held nothing but air. He kept thinking she would come back. But she never did. His head fell as he looked to the ground. Anger... so much anger. Rage and fury. His body heated up with hate, just so much hate for the Primordials. Hate to himself.

He heard someone's footsteps approach him, their laughs itching him to fight them. But Apoth wouldn't budge. "You are a monster. You are nothing compared to us," they spoke. Apoth's hate, his pain, his anger was fuelled by the words.

"You are powerless to stop us, you couldn't even save the one you loved. But the funniest part about this," The Primordial leaned in and whispered in Apoth's ear, "It was all your fault."

That was when Apoth lost it and blacked out.

Chapter 20: The War V—The White Glow

Chapter Text

Thalassa chuckled evilly as she celebrated her siblings' victory over the mortal. She could tell their laughs were taunting him, which was exactly what they wanted. But the mortal seemed too depressed to actually do anything. They had just made his lover fade though so it was expected.

Thalassa chuckled, why would she feel bad about that? He had killed Aether. A slight pain in her chest reminded her of Aether's death. 'He didn't fade, he will be back in a millennia.' But still, she couldn't help but feel angry at the mortal. I guess that's why they were taunting him. Thalassa smiled, he had no powers anymore he couldn't do anything about it.

She took a step toward the mortal, her laughs were mockingly as she taunted him. One foot in front of the other and she was already behind him. She stopped laughing, Thalassa leaned down to his level, her anger for what this mortal could do was showing. "You are a monster. You are nothing compared to us. You are powerless to stop us, you couldn't even save the one you loved. But the funniest part about this."

Thalassa chuckled bitterly and leaned in to whisper in his ear, "It was all your fault."

With that quick sentence, she got to her feet smiling at how the mortal seemed to deflate at her words. She could feel the anger rolling off of him when she was speaking. Thalassa smirked as the mortal seemed to become limb, 'probably passed out in fear thinking I would kill him right then and there.' She turned around, walking back to where her siblings were still celebrating. Her thoughts wandered to what they would do now.

When she was about halfway back to her siblings she felt something in her gut, not literally but more like a churning. Her eyes scanned her siblings, it seemed that they too noticed it.

They all seemed confused about the sudden aura change. Thalassa looked to gauge the other Primordials' feelings on it. Her eyes landed on the Primordial of Fate. Thalassa focused on Ananke, it would make sense that she would maybe know, she was the Primordial of Inevitability. Thalassa watched as the grey-eyed Primordial of Inevitability look at her, or more specifically, behind her.

Thalassa whipped around, ready to pierce any being behind her. Her pupils shrunk as she saw the activity behind her. The mortal, or more specifically, one string of a silver strand of his hair, was glowing a bright silver. Thalassa snarled, she charged the downed mortal, confusion creeping into her head.

The mortal was still down, but she couldn't take any chances. The glowing could mean he was going to unleash some sort of attack. She summoned her trident and shot a powerful wave of energy at the mortal.

The unthinkable happened. The mortal's strand of hair glowed a bright silver and blocked the Primordial's attack. Thalassa stopped in her tracks, shock and confusion overpowering her logical thoughts.

Suddenly, a massive earthquake, one that would be of a magnitude even the Primordial of Earth could not scale to, occurred. The Earth rocked and opened, throwing the Primordials off their feet.

The skies darkened and the wind tore through the air. The wind screamed wildly, abusing the Primordials' ears, aka big boi ear rape.

The Primordials gathered their composure and used their powers to stop the intense storm. Ouranos managed to calm the wind down to a bearable breeze but you could see how much energy it took him as the Primordial was drenched in sweat.

Gaea slowed the earthquake down and cleaned up the fissures in the Earth. Thalassa breathed out, 'What in Chaos' name was that?'

She felt it again, the churning in her gut was easily noticed, except this time it was much more powerful. Thalassa growled and turned to the downed mortal who's silver strand started to flicker. This time Thalassa made the logical decision to stay back and wait for whatever was about to happen. The other Primordials seemed to choose the same option.

Thalassa stepped back and leaned next to Ananke, "Do you know what is happening?" Ananke let out a breath, "No... no... I have no idea what is going on."

Thalassa nodded but on the inside she was freaking out, Ananke not knowing something? That's bad, very bad. She focused back on the silver glow flickering away. Almost instantaneously, the flickering stopped. This intrigued the Primordials' attention. Gaea took a step forward but she stopped quickly. Thalassa threw her a questioning glance, "What?"

Gaea pointed at the mortal who was starting to stir. Chronos growled and summoned his sword, "I will finish this, clearly we must eliminate him before another one of those silver blasts come back."

The mortal slowly stood up, his back facing the Primordials. Chronos took a step toward Apoth but something stopped him. He heard a quiet growl coming from the mortal. Quickly Apoth's growl increased in volume, advancing from the quiet whisper of growl into an ear piercing scream. The Earth seemed to shake with fear as it was thrown into a pandemonium.

The Primordials were knocked off their feet and quickly regained their footing. Apoth's scream made the wind tear through the air, whipping off his hood to reveal his raven black hair.

Apoth's eyes, hair, and eyebrows flickered a glowing white-silver color, in cause; his scream escalated greater volumes, making the Earth shake even more violently, throwing it into a state of chaos.

The Earth ripped open wider, the winds picked up more, swirling like a tornado of pure and utter destruction.

The skies darkened, the clouds thickened, and lightning danced around the storm. A dark shade came from the sky, surrounding the still screaming Apoth and the Primordials in a giant dark dome. Hemera yelped as the dome closed behind her, startled at being trapped. Pontus blasted a blast of power at the dome but it seemed to have no effect.

Pontus cursed, "It's like the dome Aether was trapped in," he stated. Gaea muttered some curses. The Earth started to shake more violently, small pebbles starting to hover above the ground as the pressure in the air changed.

The Primordials whipped their attention over to Apoth. His hair, eyes and eyebrows flickering the white-silver glow more frequently; about once every four seconds. The wind starting to pick up as well, screeching in the Primordials' ears. Erebus grounded his teeth together, "I thought we took away his powers! He yelled. The Primordials could barely hear Erebus' yells over the wind and Apoth's screams.

No one answered him as all of them were too focused on not falling down and looking at Apoth. Gaea growled and tried to use her powers over the Earth to calm it down but it seemed ineffective. The flickering started to increase in pace, advancing to flickering once every half a second. Ouranos tried to calm the winds down as well but it seemed that whatever was controlling the wind and earth was much more powerful than the Primordial.

Chronos snarled and took a chance to shoot a beam of power at Apoth. The blast got closer and closer but when it was around a meter from the mortal is seemed to dissolve into thin air.

That seemed the thing to trigger the mortal. Instantly the screaming stopped, the winds stopping and the Earth stopped shaking. Apoth's hair, eyes, and eyebrows stopped flickering the glowing white-silver.

The environment became calm, too calm. The calm lasted for only a single second. One second it was calm, the winds were stopped, the Earth wasn't shaking, the lightning wasn't flashing overhead. But all things must come to an end. The next second it was complete and utter chaos. Apoth clenched his fist. The white-silver glow came back instantly and caused an immensely bright light to form. The light expanded from his hair, eyes, and eyebrows all over his body.

Once the white-silver light covered Apoth's entire body it spread to the ground. The instant the glow touched the ground a massive, deafening explosion went off. The Primordials flew backward into the dome's side at an immense speed of being blown back. The heat torched their skin, the light of the explosion blinded them and the sound of the explosion made them temporary deaf, only to hear the sound of a ringing echoing in their eardrums.

Eros grunted as he got up, he sensed the Primordials still on the ground so he quickly went over to his brethren to help them up. He recognized Gaea's aura so he grabbed her and helped her to her feet. She muttered a "thanks" even though Eros couldn't hear her, and quickly helped everyone else up. Their deafness slowly but surely faded away but they remained blind. Once everyone was up Gaea tried to sense for Apoth but when she couldn't find his power signature she became confused.

"I cannot sense Apoth," Gaea stated. Ananke nodded, "Yes, I cannot sense him either." Chronos shook his head, "Did he fade himself in the explosion."

Ananke nodded, "That is a possibility, I doubt anything could have survived being so close to the source of the explosion."

It seemed to take hours for the blinding and deafness to fade away, but in reality, it only took a couple of minutes. There were still white spots dancing around their vision and there was still a slight ring in their ears but other than that they were fine. Erebus shook his head to try and get rid of the slight blur in his vision. The ringing in his ears had long since faded. He heard a slight sound that sounded like energy to his right.

He whipped his head over to where he heard the sound. He stopped dead in his tracks, there standing like a statue was a being with solid glowing white-silver hair, eyes and eyebrows staring directly at him.

A white-silver glow was surrounding the being, by the sound of the glow, Erebus could tell it was pure energy. Erebus unconsciously took a step back in fear.

The other Primordials looked at the fear-stricken Erebus confusingly. They looked to where Erebus was staring and they too froze in place. The being's terrifying bright glowing eyes glanced over the Primordials. When the Primordials looked into his eyes they felt a sudden weakness overtake them.

Hemera shook her head to get rid of the weak feeling before charging up a powerful blast of energy. Her feet shuffled back to support the upcoming attack. She released the blast of power, it sailing over at the being at immense speed. The energy sparked yellow with power, swirling around the blast.

The being's eyes turned to the blast before he adjusted his posture to defend himself. When the blast was near his face he quickly phased through the blast and backhand smacked the blast back at Hemera.

Hemera and the other Primordials were too shocked to notice the counter-attack near them. Ananke quickly realized what was going on and quickly cast a shield over Hemera. A thundering explosion shook the shield around Hemera but didn't manage to leave a crack on it. Ananke was sweating as she managed to hold back one of Hemera's strongest attacks.

Gaea turned to the being, fear evident on her face. This... thing, just bitch slapped Hemera's strongest attack.

Hemera was quick to regain her composure, a mask of confidence covering her features. The rest of the Primordials growled and turned to the being. Gaea snarled and powered up a blast that could take out another Primordial. The other Primordials looked to Gaea and repeated her actions, them powering up their own powerful blast.

The being just stared at them, his eyes not even seeming to be looking at them. The thought that this being could stand up to them made the Primordials furious. Gaea growled and released her attack, a swirl of dark brown energy sailing at the being. The other Primordials followed her lead and released their attacks as well. The energy attacks combined into one dark black beam, flying at the being with immense speed.

The being didn't make any motion to defend himself or even move out of the blast. Gaea waited for the blast to reach the being and prepared for a massive explosion. It never came.

Gaea looked up, her eyes widened and her knees became weak. She now realized what she was facing. She was facing a monster. Something too powerful to exist. Standing in the same defenseless position was the being, his arm was stretched out in front of him and in his hand was a glowing dark sphere of power.

He had caught it. This being had just caught an attack from 10 Primordials. Gaea had stopped breathing, too surprised for the next thing that happened.

It's one thing to catch the attack. But the next thing we did was just a mere display of how powerful he was. You could see his fingers flex and his fist starting to clench around the energy. Then it shattered. The energy blast shattered in his hand, wisps of energy flowing out from it. The being's eyes stared into Gaea's.

There were still tear streaks on his face. As Gaea made eye contact she couldn't help but feel powerless. His eyes were burning with hate, full of sadistic intent that took on a white-silver color. She saw the hatred, the pain, the sadness, and the rage. The new Apoth didn't blink, he didn't move or even falter. He looked into Gaea's brown eyes, a promise of death in his eyes.

"My turn," he whispered.

Chapter 21: Don't Worry, My Moon, I'll See You Soon

Chapter Text

Apoth's eyes seemed to drain Gaea of all her power. Just his stare alone made Gaea realize how much power he has. Apoth blinked, his white-silver aura roared to life, heat like no other torching the surroundings. Gaea flinched back, the heat almost too overwhelming. Gaea started to pant, seemingly out of breath. Sweat trickled down her forehead and onto the ground.

A consequence from looking into Apoth's eyes it seemed. Gaea growled frustratingly, but somehow managed to keep eye contact with Apoth. Apoth stood still, like a statue. His aura, the only thing that seemed to be only sign of life in him.

Apoth's eyes sparkled, almost too quick for any normal deity to catch it. But Gaea caught it, and she was terrified, she had no idea what it meant. The fear of the unknown. That's what scared her. Gaea blinked tightly, spots dancing in her vision.

When her eyes reopened Apoth was gone. She frantically looked to her siblings, they too were confused. Then she heard it: the sound of Plasma. The sound of his Aura. Behind.

Gaea whipped around, meeting Apoth's gaze again. Fear, so much fear boiled inside her. 'So this is the speed Apoth holds. Terrifyingly amazing,' she thought. Gaea shook her head and growled as she came to her senses.

The Earth shook as Gaea bended it to create a sword made of Earth. She heard the sounds of weapons unsheathing from her left and right. Even though Gaea knew what she was facing she couldn't help but feel a new sense of power as her siblings stood next to her. Gaea grinned, this would be a fight like no other. Her head tilted to her left and right, checking to see that her siblings were ready.

Seeing that they were ready Gaea looked back to where Apoth stayed standing. Gaea's grin disappeared, a battle hardened mask replacing the grin. Gaea roared a battle cry, charging towards the statue like mortal. Her siblings joined in with her, all of them giving their own battle cries and charging as well.

As Gaea made to strike at Apoth, he disappeared. His speed was so great even an after-image was not visible to the eyes of the Primordials. Apoth appeared behind Eros, his arm already in position to fire at the Primordial. Eros was too slow he didn't even know what happened. "Dodge this."

Apoth fired a black beam of pure energy right into Eros' upper back. Eros gagged, silver ichor poured from his wound. Eros fell to his knees. Apoth walked in front of the Primordial, he knelt down on one knee and tapped two fingers to Eros' forehead. A bright light coming from Apoth's fingers and the Primordial quickly dissolved into dust.

Gaea caught a bright light out of her peripheral vision. She turned to catch the second before Eros was quickly dealt with and dissolved. Right then and there she already felt more powerless. Gaea growled, she brought her hand up and bended the Earth to surround Apoth into a ball.

The other Primordials did not hesitate to also put up barricades to Gaea's confinement. It wasn't enough.

The sphere grew white and quickly exploded due to the pressure that it was trying to hold in. The light dimmed but Apoth was already flying toward his next victim at unimaginable speeds. Pontus was still trying to get the white spots out of his eyes but he could tell that something was approaching him fast. He rose his trident up and parried one scythe, swiftly he twisted the other end to block another strike.

He parried and parried the wild attacks, but he could only last so long. Apoth feigned a strike to Pontus' neck and twisted the weight of his body to slice at the Primordial's waist. The sickening sound of blade on flesh roared into Pontus' ears. He stopped parrying the strikes to pause and look down at the damage his body had taken.

About a fourth of his waist was cut through, silver ichor coating one of Apoth's scythe. Thankfully for Pontus his siblings came to his rescue.

Apoth looked over his shoulder just in time to see a strike at his neck. Apoth twisted his body and returned a slash right back at the Primordial. Thalassa barely dodged Apoth's attack. She used the water in the atmosphere to wrap around one of Apoth's scythes and throw it across the dome.

Thalassa fired a beam of energy at Apoth just as Ouranos thrusted his spear at him. Apoth dodged Ouranos' strike, froze the Primordial's blood, making him incapable of moving. Thalassa's energy hit Ouranos' mid section, burning the Primordial. Apoth's hand glowed a dark red as he gripped onto Ouranos' side, pain like no other enveloped the deity.

Ouranos couldn't scream. The rest of the Primordials rushed to his aid but one clench of Apoth's fist and they too froze. They all watched as Apoth slowly burned away the Primordial, only leaving dust particles. Apoth's hand stopped glowing red as his hand went back down to his side.

He slowly strided over to Hemera, he unfroze all the Primordials' blood as he drew nearer, but it didn't give Hemera enough time to move. Apoth had already launched a dark beam of Plasma at the Primordial. Hemera screamed as her body was disintegrated, again, only dust was left.

Gaea felt even more powerless as her siblings were picked off. "We must fight together!"

Pontus growled, "I don't care! I'm killing this mortal myself!" Pontus broke off into a sprint as he charged Apoth.

Pontus gathered water around his body to strengthen himself, he had seen Apoth do this before his transformation. Pontus leapt into the air, determined to take Apoth out from above.

It was not to be.

Somehow, someway, Apoth appeared in front of Pontus midair. Apoth moved his hands so quickly across Pontus' body that Pontus couldn't even feel it in the moment. Pontus froze mid-air. Then, he turned to dust just like the others. No Primordial could tell what happened.

In reality however, Apoth had touched all of Pontus' pressure points so fast in a pattern that made the Primordial's body fail and ultimately, resulted in another Primordial death. The remaining 6 Primordials wasted no time in charging Apoth, together. Erebus slid across the ground, held his hands up and boosted Nyx up into the air.

Gaea quickly rose a portion of the Earth under Chronos to lift him up into the air as well. Thalassa bended the water from the air to push her forward at high speeds. All 6 moved to strike Apoth at the same time. Together they charged energy into their hands, and roared as they blasted their attack at the mortal. Apoth right foot moved slightly and he disappeared from sight again. He reappeared quickly behind Nyx who floated in the air.

Although, Nyx heard his aura so she was able to parry Apoth's scythe strike. She focused on the darkness to blind Apoth but it proved no effectiveness. A ghost of a smirk appeared on Apoth's face as he maliciously bended the darkness around Nyx. Apoth clenched his fist as the sphere of darkness around Nyx began to tighten.

Slowly the sphere began to shrink. Nyx's screams were muffled but the other Primordials were able to hear it. They stared in horror as Apoth gave Nyx a terrible death. A disturbing popping and crunching sound was heard. Erebus starred in dread as his lover was taken away. He didn't even think of how Apoth must've felt, how Apoth's lover faded and would never come back. But, Erebus' lover would come back, just time is what was needed.

Erebus roared as he flew up to meet Apoth. He had more control over the darkness then Nyx did so he was confident he would be able to over power Apoth's control. Erebus controlled the darkness to wrap around Apoth's scythe and throw it to the ground, leaving what he thought was a weaponless mortal.

Erebus bended the darkness into a scythe and charged Apoth. Apoth weaved around Erebus' enraged strikes. Erebus moved the darkness to chain Apoth. Apoth growled. "Now you feel the loss of losing your love. How do you think feel?! My love is gone FOREVER!"

Apoth's aura flashed to life again wildly, breaking the chains of darkness. His hands glowed red and his eyes too. Erebus became immobile, allowing Apoth to wrap his hands around the Primordial's neck. Erebus began to disperse as he became dust like the others. Apoth panted after the raged attack he had. His hands stopped glowing and he looked to the last four Primordials.

He was done playing games. "I'm done with this," he growled out. His right hand glowed white and he moved it in the air to create a "X" after-image shape.

He moved his arm backward before pushing his palm forward. The 'X' glowed bright and continued to become brighter and brighter. The dark dome began to crack. The Earth rumbled for a bit, than seconds later, the dome shattered. Gaea looked around her surroundings, she was back at the Demigod's camp. She looked for her siblings that originally stood next to her, but they were gone, replaced by piles of dust.

Gaea snarled, Apoth had taken them out. She frantically looked about for the mortal, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Looking for someone?"

Gaea whipped around to come face to face with Apoth. "Why have I not perished yet you vile mortal."

Apoth chuckled darkly, "Because little Earth goddess, I need to ask you a question first."

Gaea snarled, "Why would I ever answer your question? And why would I ever tell you the truth."

"Well let's just say there are worse things than death, and I'm pretty good at knowing if someone is hiding something or lying to me."

Gaea gulped nervously, "Fine."

Apoth stopped grinning, he flexed his finger and laid the hidden black on Gaea's shoulder.

"Is there any way to bring someone back from the Land of the Faded?"

Gaea gulped, sweat poured down her forehead. He wouldn't like her answer, "No."

Apoth stood there with no reaction. "No way that I know at least." Apoth shook his head, he lowered the blade off of Gaea's shoulder.

He stared into her eyes as he embraced her in a tight hug. Gaea was surprised to say the least. Her enemy was hugging her. Apoth smiled, his arm moved back, he flexed his finger and shoved the blade into Gaea's chest. Apoth still held onto the dying Gaea's body, "Rot you filth," he whispered in her ear as she dissolved into dust.

Apoth smiled to himself, "There is a way to get her back. I know there is. I'm just going to have to be the one to find it."

"Don't worry my Moon, I'll see you soon."

 


 

The End.