Confidence & Pride// [Percy Jackson OC]// Book 5

{Chapter Twenty-Three}

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"Come back from the future/For we didn't fall
Can the broken sky unleash/One more sunrise for the dawn"
- When It's All Over (RAIGN)
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A SINGLE CHOICE

"Son of Hades." Kronos spit on the ground. "Do you love death so much you wish to experience it?"

"Your death," Nico said, "would be great for me."

"I see he takes after you two." Thalia muttered. Arya already had a smirk of pride plastered on her face. 

"I'm immortal, you fool! I have escaped Tartarus. You have no business here, and no chance to live."

Nico drew his sword, pointing it directly at Kronos chest "I don't agree."

The ground started to shake violently, the asphalt began to crack and separate. The monsters jumped back and started to whimper as skeletal hands clawed their way out of the cracks and pulled the rest of their bodies up. Kronos' army grew terrified and began to back up.

"HOLD YOUR GROUND!" Kronos demanded. "The dead are no match for us."

Arya felt the change in the air before the sky turned dark and the shadows started to grow long. 

Arya tilted her head to the side and let a wicked smile appear on her face. "No." She shook her head, "But he might be."

A war horn sounded and the dead soldiers started to form ranks, and even though they were all wearing different wartime outfits, they moved like one cohesive army. A chariot could be heard pounding against the ground coming off 5th Avenue, and much to Arya's delight. Hades, alongside his wife and mother-in-law rode in.

All three were wearing armor, but Hades was the only one that anyone could keep their eyes on. He was wearing the helm of darkness on his head, a power so great that it felt invasive to Arya's head. It was trying to read her, it was trying to read everyone and everything present. The demigod army held there stance, the monsters gave in and started to shift with nerves.

Hades smiled coldly. "Hello, Father. You're looking . . . young."

"Hades," Kronos growled. "I hope you and the ladies have come to pledge your allegiance."

"I'm afraid not." Hades sighed. "My son here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies." He glanced at me with distaste. "As much as I dislike certain upstart demigods, it would not do for Olympus to fall." He glanced over to Arya, a glimmer of remembrance flashed across his face at their first conversation. "I would miss bickering with my siblings. And if there is one thing we agree on-it is that you were a TERRIBLE father."

"True," muttered Demeter. "No appreciation of agriculture."

"Mother!" Persephone complained.

Hades drew his sword and held it pointed to Olympus. "Now fight me! For today the House of Hades will be called the saviors of Olympus."