Titans Wrath

Percy: Chapter 16

Two Months Later

"I don't like this." Zeus stated matter of factly. It had been a while since he had declared Olympus in a state of war, and despite evidence of monsters gathering and the occasional seige on either camp, none of which ever amounting to anything thanks to the guardians and their charges. It's like whoever we were fighting just wanted to watch us scramble to throw up our defenses and prepare for an all-out war, just to throw a bottle rocket at us. "The dryads have nothing to report, the Cloud Nymphs report no changes or energies, the merpeople have little of importance to report, yet still all around the country, and even the world, monsters gather. I can feel the gathering of malevolent energy, but nothing has happened." Zeus's beard crackled with lightening, and his grim expression caused his master bolt to spark in anger.

The other Olympians shared looks of concern, and Athena raised an arm, beginning to speak after a nod from her father.

The guardians and I sat in a mirroring semi circle, sitting directly across from our respective patrons like a council ourselves. As Athena stood, Clarisse stood with her.

"Father, it is my opinion that we must take this as an advantage. As much as I too hate not knowing our opponent, we must take this time alloted to us to make adequate preparations, preparations we didn't get to make in previous wars." As Athena spoke, Zeus began to nod, glancing between his daughter and the daughter of Ares.

"And what of you, child of war?" Clarrise looked surprised to be called on by the king of the gods. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, looking between all the members of the council.

"I agree with her, My Lord. We have the opportunity, we should use this gift to establish solid trade routes between the campers in both camps, begin more strict training regiments, prepare the demigods and, now, demititans for the war to come. I'd like to lead this endeavor should you and Lady Athena allow it."

Clarisse spoke with conviction. The girl was no longer the angry teenager she had been when we met when I was 12. Her hair was tied back in a severe brown ponytail. Her arms were thick and muscled, and her shoulders were broad and defined, every bit as broad as her father's, and she bore such an air of confidence you could almost feel it rolling off her. She was 26 now, a grown woman, and aside from Malcom and the Stolls, she was the oldest Greek camper alive.

Zeus looked to Athena with a raised eyebrow as the goddess nodded towards him. "Very well, you have spoken well. Permission granted. Speak with Hera before you leave here today so she may gift you with the power to communicate more directly with Athena over long distances so you may continue your duties as a guardian as well."

I sat in my chair, arms crossed over my chest. In truth, I was barely paying attention to the meeting. The lack of movement from the enemy has been agitating me more than the others. Artemis had been sending me on mission after mission, burning monster camps to the ground, destroying hundreds of the beasts at a time.

I stood suddenly and everyone looked at me. "Lord Zeus, I would like to talk to you and Hades privately once this meeting is done." My voice echoed with steel, but a concerned look from both Artemis and Annabeth told me they could hear the hesitation in my voice.

He nodded and waved me off dismissively, but my mind was going a thousand miles a second.

I had an idea on how to figure out what powers were stirring. It's a really, really bad idea, but an idea, but an idea.

Annabeth grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze, muttering to me while the others continued talking. "What are you planning, Seaweed Brain?" She asked. Her soft voice was tight, and her eyes held a fractured look as she looked into mine. She had already guessed. We had spoken about it previously, but she vowed never to go back to that place.

"It's the only way to figure out what we're up against." I looked her in the eyes, and my voice filled with steel. She shook her head slightly and blinked back tears.

"You can't go back there. It's too dangerous!" Her choked sob almost broke my heart, but I squeezed her hand softly and spoke just as soft, pressing my forehead to hers.

"I'll be okay, I'm stronger now than I was then. I know where to look, and I know how to get out." She shook her head and pulled away from me, standing and leaving the council room suddenly.

Everyone stopped talking to watch her leave, then looked at me. I let my head fall and sighed. "Sorry, continue, she's just angry with me, is all."

The meeting continued for another few minutes before Zeus dismissed everyone. Hades and, unsurprisingly, Artemis stayed behind. They converged on me at the foot of Zeus's throne.

"Alright, nephew, speak." Zeus said dismissively."

"I know how to figure out who were up against.". Zeus leaned forward, eyes dancing at my statement. Everyone else raised an eyebrow.

"Well? Don't just sit there looking like a fish out of water, explain, boy!" Zeus thundered in excitement.

I looked at my hands before locking eyes with Hades. "I have to go back." His eyes searched mine for a second before they widened in almost horror.

"Perseus, no, that's a terrible idea." Hades exclaimed. "No mortal has ev-"

I waved him off dismissively, cutting him off. "Except mortals HAVE made It out alive, me being one of them. I'm stronger now, I can do this." I argued, and Hades opened his mouth to continue, but Zeus interjected.

"Go back where, boy? What are you two talking about?" I hesitated, and Artemis let out a small gasp.

"Tartarus, he means to go back to Tartarus." She said softly, and the throne room went deathly quiet. Zeus leaned back in his throne and seemed to ponder the idea, much to the horror of Artemis and Hades.

"Father, you cannot let him! Surely there is a better way!" She shouted in protest. Zeus looked at her before letting his crackling blue eyes land on mine.

"Can you do this, Perseus? You will be beyond the reach of the gods. You will have no outside help once you decend. You will be entirely on your own." We locked eyes for a tense moment before I nodded firmly.

He nodded in return before looking at Artemis. "I am sorry, daughter, I'm allowing him to go." Zeus stood and looked at me, offering me his hand. I grasped it, and we shook hands.

"Stand fast, son of Poseidon. Let your will be unbreakable, and let your sword be unmatched." His words washed over me, filling me with a terrible resolve. Power flowed through me, and as he looked me in the eyes, he saw something. Something that made a look of surprise crossed his face briefly before he hid it with a smile. "ALL we can do is place a spell upon you that will automatically bring you back to Olympus in 3 days' time. Take a week to prepare, train, and pack a bag. Say your goodbyes. In a weeks time, you leave for Hell."