The Broken and the Hunted (Percy Jackson Fanfic)

chapter 10

Tartarus ten years after Percy's death
Percy P.O.V.

I ran as fast as I could, the hell hounds were right on my heels. I could feel their hot breath on the back of my neck. I was so tired that I didn't notice the rock in my way until I was already falling. I braced myself for hitting the ground but before I did there was a excruciating pain in my leg and I was going higher into the air. One of the larger hellhounds had bitten down on my leg and tossed me upon the air. As I was spinning through the air I saw a total of five hellhounds gather around where I would fall. "You won't get me this time." I mutter to them

I take out a crude dagger made from some bones I found down here and quickly stabbed myself in the chest, right in my heart. There was the brief moment of pain before I opened my eyes with a gasp in a different part of Tartarus. I take a quick look around only to see a pair of pure golden eyes looking back at me. "found you" said a voice that I could never forget.

                               ~~~

Present day
Annabeth P.O.V.

I was listening to my music sketching out some blueprints when i felt someone tap on my shoulder. I jump slightly and turn to see Grover give me an exasperated look. I take my ear buds out and ask "hey Grover what's up, did you need something?"

"Yea Chiron asked me to find you, he wants you in the big house. I saw Thalia go in there with lady Artemis and they didn't look happy." He replied looking a little nervous.

I nod and quickly pack up all my stuff. After I have everything in my bag I follow after him towards the big house. I walked into Chiron's office and saw Thalia leaning against the wall while Artemis sat on the couch. Chiron sat behind his desk and looked up from some papers when he heard me walk in. "Ah here you are dear, we need your expertise on something. Lady Artemis is currently, looking, for an individual at the request of Lord Zeus. I know you keep an ear on the 'underground' of the mythical world and that's where I fear we have to look for him."

"...alright, um do you know this person's name or what he does that would get noticed?" I asked the goddess after a moment.

She seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering. "He calls himself Talon, he is very powerful as well. Also it seems that he can't die, that should narrow the possibilities down."

"Well milady many warriors claim to be unkillable so I don't think-" I was saying before she cut me off.

"No you misunderstood he can't die. One of my hunters put an arrow through his heart, I saw his life force fade he was dead I knew he was. Until he stood up and pulled the arrow out and we watched as the hole in his chest closed up. Can you find him with this information?" She asked staring me right in the eye.

I stood there in thought for a moment the impossibility of it running through my head there shouldn't be anything that could do that. I snapped back to reality when I heard someone call my name "what, oh yes I will contact some information brokers I know see if someone can find anything. If there is even a whisper of him they will find out."

Lady Artemis nodded her head and walked out the door "I will be back in three days get that info by them."

Before I could complain about the short notice she was gone. I look over to Thalia but she just shrugged her shoulders and mouthed 'tell you later' and walked out after the goddess. I sigh and sit in front of the desk. "A tall task you just signed up for, I pray you are able to complete it. You only have a short time window too so beat get to it. Oh and do be careful dear they are dark people where you are going."

                                ~~~

I walk into the dark ally with Deric right behind me we both wore heavy cloaks more to protect out identity from others than to protect us from the rain. For the hundredth time he whispered to me "I really don't think we should be here Beth, who knows what could happen to you here."

"Deric I was commanded to get this information by tomorrow and my contact said we had to meet in person, that this info is to valuable to be told over the phone or email. So yes we have to be here." Deric is a nice guy and built like a mountain which is why he is here with me because I do know what happens here.

I see the yellow cloth tied to a window sill and quickly take the next left turn. We had come up with these signals and codes for when we had to meet up. I followed them all until we came to another dark ally with a blue cloth with an owl embroidered on it. I turn to Deric and motion for him to stay. He looked about ready to protest but knew better and nodded.

I creep deeper into the dark ally when I hear three knocks a pause then two more knocks I respond with my own code. A short cloaked figure came out from the darkness into the little bit of light that was here. She said nothing but handed me a packet of papers and 'read in private show no one's was hastily scribbled on the front I nod to show I understood. Before I could finish she was gone back into the shadows .

I walked back to Deric and told him it was time to go. We were walking quickly to get out of there when Deric gently bumped someone's shoulder with his. "HEY you what the hell you think you doin HUH?!" The man yelled all the men with him stopping and looking back at us.

"My apologies I wasn't watching where I was going I will be more careful in the future." Deric apologised.

"It's to late for sorry you gotta pay for the bosses new jacket this one has your stench all over it. So pay up!" A goon responded flicking open a pocket knife.

Before anyone else could say anything a new voice called out "ah there you guys are you were gone for a while so I had to come look for you. Haha causing trouble for the locals I see." I new man trotted up to us his back to the group of armed men in front of us.

"So you want a beating to huh well that can be arranged, you ready boys." The boss called out.

The newcomer looked at me and winked before turning slightly to look at the group of angry men. Instantly they all froze and fear seemed to roll off of them. "Oh I didn't know that was you, Blutkönig, I apologise we will go now." The boss said trying to back away.

"Stay." Instantly everyone stopped moving even me and Deric. The man, Blutkönig, turned back to us and smiled. He glanced down at my hand that was still holding the packet, and his eyes widened them seemed to darken. He looked back to my eyes and whispered "keep that safe, it's more valuable than your life. Do you understand?"

I felt myself nod my head. I was getting very scared when suddenly I felt I had control of my body again. I saw Deric sag slightly showing he could move to "alright you two go on your way I must stay and have a chat with these little pranksters about showing kindness to strangers, alright come back anytime guys it's good to see you." He said with a wave turning back to the other group.

I quickly grabbed Deric's hand and started walking quickly around turn after turn until we were completely out of sight. Deric turned to me and was about to say something before several ear wrenching screams tore through the darkness sounding very similar to the thugs that were left with that strange man. We both looked at each other and started running.

After we got back to camp I quickly locked myself in my cabin and started going through all the information I was given. By the time I was done the horn for breakfast was blowing outside. I ran out of my cabin but not to eat no I ran to the big house. I had learned how to find him. I had learned where he came from what he did. I had learned to much about the man called Talon. The man known as the immortal demon. And I wanted to be the one to find him!