Changing Fate

3

Luca's face goes pale and he looks at Annabeth before looking up again. The symbol above his head seemed to glow brighter before slowly fading away. "This can't be true. Fuck. FUCK." he begins to mumble to himself. His eyes travel to those around them. Many campers looked terrified while others looked angry. Luca could feel his heart trying to escape his chest as he stood there. Annabeth goes to touch him but he flinches back. 

His umber eyes meet her stormy grey ones right before he turns and bolts. He runs away from the pavilion as Annabeth yells after him. He runs with cloudy eyes full of unshed tears. Feet carrying him into the woods. He only stops when his chest begins to heave with the need to breathe. Stopping he looks around him.

He finds himself surrounded by trees and rocks. 'The woods.' he thinks to himself, 'But where?' His eyes wander to a pile of stones nearby. Stones that seemed to form a distinct shape. "Zues's fist." he mutters to himself. He moves around the rocks and finds one to sit on. 'Fuck I can't believe this is happening.' he thinks to himself, 'Out of all places why did I have to be sent here? Why did HE have to claim me.' Luca angrily begins to mutter to himself. 

"It seems I have angered you my young one." a voice startles Luca from his anger. He looks up quickly and finds a man sitting across from him smiling sadly. The man had hair blacker than he'd ever seen and dark brown eyes just like his own. His skin was pale like he'd never seen the sun before and he wore what looked like a dark blue greek exomis. Luca's eyebrows knit together, "Who are you?" 

The man in front of him continues to smile at him sadly, "I am your father. Hades." Luca's eyes go wide. Hades? In front of him? But the gods were..."But the gods are on lock down right now." he states, looking confused and upset. Hades nods, "We are. I am here for a short time. We have much to discuss my young one." It's Luca's turn to nod, "We do. I want to know why I'm here. And why you claimed me. Up until today I wasn't a demigod." Luca's eyes had gone cold and emotionless as he spoke.

Hades sighs, "Some things I can not tell you. I wish that I could but things have been set into motion and I am unable to change them. I am able to answer why I claimed you. That is easy. You are my son. Even in your world you are my son. Demigods in your world do not have to face the same problems as those in this world. It is much safer for you there." Hades gets a far off look in his eyes as he talks. 

"I remember when I met your mother. She was the most beautiful and kindest woman I had ever met. Had it not been for Persephone I would have gladly made her my queen. But I was not able to do that. So I gave her the gift of you. When you were born I had to leave. Even in your world the gods are not allowed to stay long in our demigod children's lives. I wish it were different but it simply is not. Though I would send gifts for your every year on your birthday. Do you remember the stuffed rabbit you got for your 8th birthday?" His eyes wander back to Luca.

Luca nods, "It was black with red eyes. I remember naming it Skiá. Mama never knew how I knew the word." Hades smiles sadly and nods. The sky rumbles and they both look up, "It seems my time is coming close. I did not come here to talk about memories. I have a gift for you, my child." He holds out his hand and a blade appears in his hand. Luca takes it and unsheaths the blade. It was about as long as his forearm and made of a black material. 

"This dagger is made of Stygian Iron. It is one of the deadliest materials to possess as it will drain the life force of its target until there is nothing left, and it is absorbed into the blade. There has yet to be anyone who is immune to Stygian Iron. You must be very careful when using it. If you were to accidentally cut one of your allies with it they would die." Hades states. The sky rummbles again and Hades sighs. 

"I must take my leave now, my son. Please be very careful. And know you are always welcome in the underworld. I do care for your safety. You and your siblings are more precious to me than you realize." He begins to fade out, "And Luca? That charm on your necklace will also be very helpful. All you have to do is pull it." And with that, Hades disappears. Luca realizes he had begun to cry and wipes his face. Sighing he begins to make his way back to camp, muttering, "This is going to be one hell of an adventure."