9 - Khaotic Primord

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I have had this drafted up for a while but have a while but still a bit unsure of whether this is how I want to proceed with the story. Cause even if these chapters might feel slow each of them do have something, no matter how small, that shape the story.

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In the cavernous throne room, Percy Jackson found himself enveloped by an otherworldly aura. Khaos's presence seemed to distort time and space around him, casting his thoughts into a swirling vortex of memories. It was as though the ancient force itself had reached into his mind, guiding him through the labyrinth of his past.

Percy's childhood emerged from the depths of his memory, vivid and poignant. He saw his mother, Sally Jackson, her warm smile always a beacon of light in his turbulent world. He recalled their small apartment in New York, filled with the scent of blue chocolate chip cookies and the comforting sound of her laughter. His mind drifted to the day Gabe Ugliano entered their lives—a day that marked the end of their peaceful existence. Gabe, with his crude demeanor and the stench of stale beer, had brought nothing but misery. Percy remembered the mental abuse, the cruel words, and the first time the man had hit him. That day had left a scar deeper than any physical wound.

School after school had rejected him, labeling him a troubled kid. Percy had grown used to the cycle of disappointment. Yet, through it all, his mother's unwavering love never faltered. He saw her encouraging smile, felt her gentle touch on his shoulder, and heard her voice telling him everything would be okay. Sally Jackson never got mad at him, no matter how much trouble he got into or how many schools kicked him out.

As his memories flowed, Percy found himself on Half-Blood Hill, meeting Annabeth Chase for the first time. He remembered the fierce determination in her stormy gray eyes and the instant bond they had formed. Their adventures flashed before his eyes—the fight with the Minotaur, the quest for the Golden Fleece, the battle against Kronos. Each memory was a testament to the strength of their friendship.

He recalled his father, Poseidon, the god of the sea. Their relationship had always been complicated, marked by a mix of reverence and resentment. Yet, in those rare moments when Poseidon had shown fatherly affection, Percy had felt a deep sense of belonging. He remembered the trident amulet his father had given him and the pride in Poseidon's eyes when he had defeated the Titan lord.

His thoughts drifted to Camp Half-Blood, the sanctuary for demigods like him. He saw the familiar faces of his friends—Grover, the loyal satyr; Chiron, the wise centaur; and Thalia, the daughter of Zeus who had become his steadfast ally. Each memory was a thread in the tapestry of his life, weaving together moments of joy, sorrow, triumph, and loss.

But then, the memories darkened. Percy's mind lingered on the betrayal that had shattered his trust. He saw the accusatory glares of gods and demigods alike, their voices laced with venom. He recalled the change in their tone, the sudden darkness in their eyes. It had been so out of character, so unlike the beings he had come to know and trust. As he relived the moment of his betrayal, a cold chill ran down his spine.

Khaos's aura seemed to twist his thoughts, allowing him to view these memories with a detached clarity. Percy realized that their behavior had been more than just betrayal—it had been as if they were under some malevolent influence. He remembered the way Artemis silber eyes had hardened with uncharacteristic cruelty, how Poseidon's gentle touch was now a vice grip. The sudden shift in their demeanor was unmistakable.

"Why?" he had asked, his voice cracking with hurt and confusion.

Zeus had looked down at him with disdain. "You have brought nothing but destruction, Perseus Jackson."

The words had stung more than any wound. Yet now, with Khaos's influence dulling his emotions, Percy saw things differently. Were they being controlled? Was there some dark force at play? He couldn't shake the feeling that they might be in danger, that they might need saving.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, the presence of Khaos grew stronger. Xe stood beside him, an enigmatic figure of obsidian blackness that seemed to blend seamlessly with the shadows. Percy's memories faded into the background as he turned to face the primordial entity.

In the chasmal expanse of the throne room, Percy Jackson stood before Khaos, the primordial entity of infinite potential and disorder. The obsidian-hued figure exuded a presence that seemed to envelop the very fabric of reality, casting a swirling aura of uncertainty and ancient wisdom around them. Percy, still reeling from the revelations of his manipulated memories, looked to Khaos with a mixture of desperation and determination.

"Khaos, if they're not being controlled, then what's happening to them?" Percy's voice echoed in the vast chamber, resonating with a sense of urgency.

Khaos regarded Percy with eyes that held the swirling depths of countless realities yet to be formed. "Perseus," Xe began, Xyrs voice carrying a resonance that seemed to encompass eons of wisdom, "what you perceive as control is more akin to manipulation. Their emotions have been amplified, their suppressed doubts and resentments stoked into flames. Annabeth's lingering blame, Poseidon's jealousy—they are vulnerabilities that have been exploited, not by some external force, but by the echoes of their own hearts."

Percy clenched his fists, his mind racing to reconcile the implications of Khaos's words. "But why?" he pressed, his voice betraying a mix of anger and anguish.

Khaos's form seemed to shift subtly, as if contemplating how best to convey their ancient knowledge. "There are forces at play, Perseus, beyond our understanding," Xe replied, Xyrs tone carrying a weight of inevitability. "Ananke will reveal more in time, but know this—they are in no immediate danger. The war you sense brewing is not one of swords and shields but of hearts and minds."

Ananke, the embodiment of necessity and inevitability, stepped forward from the shadows where she had been observing silently. Her presence added a new layer of gravity to the conversation. "Now is not the time for vengeance, Percy," she spoke with a calm authority that brooked no argument. "There will come a moment when the manipulator reveals themselves, and you will see the truth of their intentions."

Percy looked from Khaos to Ananke, his resolve hardening with each passing moment. "What can I do?" he asked, his voice steadier now, laced with determination.

Ananke regarded him with a hint of approval. "You have a choice, Percy Jackson," she intoned solemnly. "You can choose Elysium, where you will find peace and witness the unfolding events from afar. Or you can embrace your destiny as a Primord, joining the battle against the one who has manipulated the hearts of your loved ones."

Percy's mind raced, weighing the options before him. His heart, burdened with the weight of betrayal and loss, yearned for justice. "I choose to become a Primord," he declared finally, his voice carrying a quiet resolve. "I will face this manipulator, and I will uncover the truth behind their actions."

A look of contentment momentarily filled the countenances of the beings present with the space.

Khaos's eyes gleamed with an understanding that transcended mortal comprehension. Addressing the whole room he questioned. "I propose Perseus become my champion does anyone have an objection" The other Primordials stayed quiet all the while a serene expression graced their countenances, they made no negative annotations.

A calming silence envoleped the room. It was broken by the loud booming voice of Khaos and for the first time tonight Percy had heard the voice he thought had always meant to be Khaos. The voice that was not loud yet reverberated through every fiber of this room. A voice that was fit for the one from whom the multiverse came in to existence.
"Welcome, Perseus Jackson, Champion of Khaos. Your journey begins now." The voice responded and Percy was certain the proclamation was not for him or other Primordials but every being in the universe.

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Originally, Percy was supposed to know of something affecting the minds of the Gods and Demigods after he returned to Earth. However, I had come to realize two important things did not add up. One, in this story at least, Khaos is the most powerful, so there would be no way he would not sense foul play at the least. Two, I feel more than anger or hurt, loyalty is more likely to drive Percy to be an outstanding Primord. It is not something I have seen done and I do understand why, it kind of takes away the dramatics.

Do click the star if you enjoyed the read.

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