Betrayed But Never Forgotten

I've become one of the most powerful people in the universee

Percy's pov

After we exited the portal, we were brought into a vast, magnificent throne room that seemed to stretch beyond what human eyes could perceive. The ceiling arched impossibly high overhead, adorned with swirling constellations that moved and shifted like living things. Nine majestic thrones were arranged in a semi-circle, each one unique in its design and emanating a different colored aura that cast dancing lights across the polished obsidian floor.

The central throne, larger than the others, was crafted from what appeared to be pure darkness given form, with stars and galaxies swirling within its structure. Five of the thrones were occupied by figures whose faces were partially obscured by shimmering veils of light, their forms radiating power that made the air around them vibrate with energy.

Annabeth and I walked hand in hand, our fingers intertwined tightly behind Piper, who had taken the lead. I was secretly grateful for this arrangement—my palm was slick with nervous sweat, and Annabeth's grip was the only thing keeping me grounded in this otherworldly place. The room smelled of ozone and something ancient, like the scent of the universe itself.

"Warriors!" Chaos's voice resonated throughout the chamber, each syllable carrying the weight of eons. "Meet your new companions!"

A chorus of greetings rippled through the room, some voices melodic and ethereal, others deep and rumbling like distant thunder. The sound echoed off the walls, creating a symphony of welcomes that made my skin tingle.

Chaos turned to face us, his cosmic eyes swirling with nebulae and stardust. The air around him shimmered with raw creation energy that made my hair stand on end.

"If you are to be my warriors, you must see if the thrones accept you," he declared, his voice softer now but no less powerful.

Piper's voice trembled slightly as she asked, "What if they don't?"

Chaos merely shrugged his shoulders, an oddly human gesture from such a primordial being. His casual dismissal sent a chill down my spine. Wow, I'm feeling really loved today.

"Piper, you're up first," Chaos announced, gesturing toward a throne that seemed to be crafted from rose quartz and mother-of-pearl, with Piper's name floating above it in shimmering letters that changed color like a kaleidoscope.

Piper approached cautiously, each step echoing in the hushed chamber. Her hand trailed along the armrest of the throne, the material rippling like water at her touch. As she lowered herself onto the seat, the throne seemed to mold to her form. For a breathless moment, nothing happened—then a blinding white light erupted around her, so intense that I had to turn away, shielding my eyes with my arm.

When the radiance subsided and I dared to look again, I barely recognized my friend. Piper sat transformed upon the throne, draped in a Grecian gown that flowed like liquid silver, catching the light with every subtle movement. The fabric itself seemed alive, shifting between shades of white, pink, and gold. Her hair was swept up in an intricate netted bun, woven with exotic flowers that released a subtle, intoxicating fragrance. An aura of beauty and power surrounded her, making the air around her shimmer like a mirage.

"All hail Piper McLean, Queen of Beauty, third in command of the Chaos warriors," Chaos proclaimed, his voice reverberating through the chamber like a divine decree.

The seated warriors inclined their heads in acknowledgment, their movements synchronized and deliberate. Piper responded with an awkward smile, her fingers nervously tracing patterns on the armrests of her throne.

"Annabeth, your turn," Chaos said, his gaze turning to the throne crafted from what appeared to be polished steel and ancient olive wood, intricate owl designs carved into its surface.

Annabeth squeezed my hand once before letting go, and I immediately felt the absence of her warmth. She approached her throne with determination in her stride, her chin held high. As she settled onto the seat, a brilliant gray light enveloped her, pulsating with wisdom and strategy.

When the light receded, my breath caught in my throat. Annabeth was resplendent in gleaming battle armor that fit her perfectly, the metal reflecting the starlight above. Her honey-blonde hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, with eagle feathers cascading down the sides, framing her face. Multiple knives and daggers were strapped to her waist, each hilt inlaid with precious stones, and a circular shield of celestial bronze rested against her back. The aura surrounding her was almost visible—a shimmering field of tactical brilliance and intellectual might.

"All hail Annabeth Chase, Queen of Hand-to-Hand Combat, Smartest Person in the Universe, Second in Command," Chaos announced, his tone filled with respect.

The warriors repeated their ceremonial acknowledgment while I couldn't help but smile with pride at Annabeth's transformation.

"Your turn, Percy," Chaos said, directing my attention to the final unoccupied throne.

My throat went dry as I approached the seat that awaited me. Unlike the others, this throne seemed to be carved from pure obsidian, with veins of sea-green running through the black stone like currents in a midnight ocean. My name hovered above it, the letters pulsing with a faint glow that seemed stronger than those above the other thrones.

I climbed the three steps leading to the seat, each one sending vibrations through my body. As I lowered myself onto the throne, the cool stone immediately warmed to my touch. Instantly, I was engulfed in a vortex of black light—an impossible contradiction that somehow made perfect sense in this place.

A cacophony of concepts flooded my mind: loyalty that ran deeper than the ocean trenches, animals from across the cosmos calling out to me, darkness that wasn't evil but ancient and protective, and the forgotten whose whispers suddenly filled my consciousness. Power surged through me, not like the familiar rush of the sea, but something older, more primal—the power of creation itself.

When the dark light dissipated, I felt reborn. Looking down, I saw my body encased in armor blacker than the void between stars, the material absorbing all light that touched it. Twin swords hung at my waist, their hilts fashioned from some unknown metal that seemed to pull at the shadows around them. My hair had grown longer, wilder, the raven locks falling across one eye. On my feet were combat boots that made no sound when I shifted my weight, as if they consumed even the echoes of my movements.

"All hail Perseus Jackson, King of Darkness, Loyalty, and the Forgotten, Commander of the Chaos warriors, and Son of Chaos," Chaos proclaimed, his voice carrying a note of pride I hadn't heard before.

The warriors all bowed their heads deeply, their postures conveying a new level of respect. I sat frozen in shock, the words echoing in my mind.

"You say what now? I'm your son?" I asked, my voice sounding different to my own ears—deeper, more resonant.

Chaos shrugged again, a strange glimmer of amusement in his cosmic eyes. "Unless you don't want to be."

I considered this for a moment, feeling the weight of the title and all it implied. "I'm fine with it," 

I finally said, the words feeling right as they left my lips.

Chaos smiled, an expression that seemed to brighten the entire room, and clapped his hands together. The sound reverberated through the chamber like a thunderclap. "Well, I'll let you all explore and learn each other's identities. Have fun."

With that, he disappeared into a swirling black vortex that collapsed in on itself, leaving behind the scent of creation and endless possibility. We were left with the warriors, the air thick with anticipation as we prepared to discover who exactly we would be fighting alongside in this new chapter of our existence.