Perseus Jackson: Titan of The Hunt

CH2: I Receive Some overdue Christmas Presents

(Percy)

"Hello Perseus, I didn't expect to ever find you down here. Did that upstart uncle of yours feel threatened by you after defeating me and decided to throw you down here as well?"

"Wait Percy, that is Kronos, how did you know?" She asked me indignantly grabbing my arm, surprised at how I had worked out his identity before her. Neither of us having ever directly met him physically, at least in his own body.

"His eyes are gold, only one individual I know of has golden eyes, The Lord of Time. Luke had the same eyes when he was acting as Kronos's vessel.".

"Ok, but he has a whole body now, he should still be in pieces." She said as she drew her blade which even, I did not know the answer to that question. However, I left Riptide sheathed as I knew that here in Tartarus, we would stand no chance against a full power Titan King. For his part, Kronos did not respond to her pointing the weapon at him ironically it was the same knife that Luke had used to kill himself with back on Olympus.

"Peace children. I do not wish to hurt you anymore; I have had time to analyse what happened during what you call the Second Titan War and I admit you are worthy of respect. I may hold little regard for your parents and the other traitor gods but you demigod's selfless efforts to defend a family that treated you as little more than tools is enviable. Tools to be used whenever they have need for something however was I any different? As for your question about my form when I was defeated on Olympus I was almost at full power inside your late-friend and as he died my essence was sent straight back to Tartarus almost fully healed except these scars from my first defeat".

"You didn't leave us with much of a choice, did you? Help our parents or be hunted by you and the other titans for your amusement whilst the mortals would have suffered under your rule. You didn't help them during the fourth age, why would you help them now?" Annabeth snapped back at the Titan.

"True we were never very benevolent lords to the world, we generally acted and used it as we saw fit. Look at what I did to the Elder Cyclops and the Hetechrondeires after overthrowing my father Ouranos, and even that outcast centaur son of mine Chiron, my immediate response to any problem was to simply cast it away or attempt to destroy it which invariably led to the First Titan War because of my own paranoia.

"Yeah, trying to eat your kids normally results in pissing them off, and their mother" I muttered sarcastically, Kronos must have heard because he momentarily slumped his shoulders dejectedly

'I had never once considered Rhea, only my own interests. So, when she betrayed me by sparing Zeus it had never occurred to me what would happen as a result. I never considered being overthrown until it was happening, even though I did the same. However, I am not here to talk to you about ancient history or your parents. I wanted to talk to you about the future, I know you are fighting my mother and bastard half-brothers, I may not like the current surface world and the mortals on it but at least they acknowledge their history and remember the Titans. If Gaia took over, she would destroy all civilization and revert this world back to nature, such actions would cause almost all other immortals to fade including us. We may have most of our domains integrated with the Olympians, but we still receive strength from the mortal's belief in them, Gaia's victory would benefit no one. So therefore, I give you an offer. I will help you get to the doors of death by giving you my power over time.' He finished with a genuine smile on his face.

"Wait... you spent four years trying to kill me and destroy everything I love. After all that and I defeat you and we meet again in literal hell you want to help me? Forgive me for being sceptical about this, but why me?" I asked still confused by the Titan King's offer.

"Simple after your defeat of me I saw what the gods offered you and you turned it down to help others. You forced the gods to admit their faults, which was almost worth the whole experience, I would have wanted to see that look on Zeus's face when you said no., I guess the apple never truly fell far from the tree it had truly never occurred to him that anyone would refuse his offer. You are the most selfless individual I have ever witnessed, only my wife and Hestia of all the Titans and gods would have ever considered saying no to such an opportunity. Also my defeat cost me more than you would believe, this reduced physical form is all I am able to maintain now. I will soon fade even now my feel my own end coming sooner rather than later most likely. Forgive an old man that selflessly wishes to buy a chance of redemption before I leave this existence. Without my help you will never reach the doors in time."