Shattered

Hades

While they strolled through the outskirts of Keystone, the son of Poseidon was lost in deep conversation with the lieutenant of the hunters. They spoke of sweet nothings – ranging from her life in the hunt to how amazing his mother was.

It wasn't of an eventful conversation, but Percy still learned a great deal of things about the girl that he would've never known otherwise.

Her favorite color was violet and that she preferred hunting rabbits over deer. Her favorite star in the skies was Meissa and that she had this irrational fear of snakes. Ophidophobia, if he could recall correctly.

By the time he decided to pay more attention to his surroundings, they were already in the sleepy eastern suburbs of the town. Phoebe stalked ahead with Thalia and Bianca behind her, trying to keep up with the uncomfortable stride. The latter of the two girls of whom seemed in deep thought also, was sneaking in glances at the girl beside her.

He could've been wrong, but he suspected that he saw a blush or two from the daughter of Hades' cheeks.

Speaking of Hades...

The night skies around them seemed to darkened, and the street lamps blinked; causing the group to come to a complete halt.

The air before the group began to shimmer, and a rather cold presence overtook them. Phoebe, Thalia and Zoe took out their bows without hesitation, but the

The skies around them seemed to darken, causing the group to come to a complete halt.

The air before Percy shimmered, before a flash re-illuminated the skies for only a moment.

A tall, muscled man stood before them, his dark black hair obscuring one of his dark eyes, which seemed to have a certain glint to it, but they didn't seem to be malicious. His pale skin looked like they hadn't seen the light of day in millenniums. He wore a long, black trench coat, giving him a mysterious vibe. A black fedora completed the look.

"Father!"

Bianca's outburst broke Percy away from his thoughts.

"Lord Hades." Zoe and Phoebe bowed.

"Uncle." Percy and Thalia bowed.

Hades walked up to his daughter and wrapped his arms around her. Percy couldn't help but be shocked. He didn't expect Hades to be one to show much affection.

Bianca was surprised at first, but soon relaxed into the hug. Hades broke away after a few seconds of hugging his daughter.

"I'm sorry I couldn't speak to you after the council meeting. I ah- had to convince my brother –" He coughed into his hand something that suspiciously sounded like 'Zeus', "– to not kill you."

Bianca smiled, "That's fine father."

Hades waved his hand in a motion of dismissal.

"You will be fine child." Bianca looked rather confused to how to react to the comment, but luckily Phoebe stepped in.

"Uh, I mean no disrespect Lord Hades, but why are you here?"

The god turned to the huntress.

"I was getting to that hunter."

Hades faced Bianca again, "I have taken Nico to the underworld."

Bianca's eyes widened.

"After only moments after I claimed him, he was already labeled an outcast in the camp. Without you or Percy there to guide him, I fear it may not be in his best health to keep him there," Hades told. "I have decided to take him to the underworld.... With me."

Zoe spoke up for the first time since the god appeared, "But Lord Hades, what about Lady Persephone and the Ancient Laws."

Hades waved his arm in dismissal, "Persephone can be won over. And as you may know Huntress, the ones who developed the Ancient Laws were not the finest of lawyers. There are always loopholes. My brothers have skidded the line before.." he eyed Thalia and Percy, but then looked back. "But I will not blame my nephew and niece. They are innocent as my children are. The laws state that Nico cannot live with me, but not my domain. I will see him taken care of."

Percy nodded, but Zoe looked rather nervous at the words. But whatever she wanted to say, the death god did not take notice nor did she decide to voice her thoughts.

"Now. For the main reason I am here..."

The god walked up to Percy. His expression softened.

"Thank you for saving my daughter Perseus."

He then did something that shocked Percy more than when Hades hugged Bianca.

The god hugged him. The god of the underworld hugged him!

The god broke away reached into one of his pockets and pulled something out. The object was hidden inside his fist.

"Call this a little token of my gratitude."

The god un-clenched his fist to reveal a ring. The ring looked to be made of gold, the visage of an asphodel running around it. The ring was studded with small emeralds and sapphires. In the middle was a single bright red pearl.

Percy almost chuckled, he remembered that Hades was the god of wealth as well.

"The pearl is infused with the essence of my wife's roses. It works similarly to your father's pearls, but instead of bringing the user to the sea, it takes the user to the underworld and back. Each pearl can be used for on to and fro journey and it transports everyone in contact with the person wearing the ring. Just imagine where you want to be and the pearl should glow. When it is used up, it will turn dark."

Hades dropped the ring into Percy's open palm.

"Put it on Perseus."

The boy's smile quavered and slipped the ring into his left ring finger.

The ring emitted a soft, sea green glow and the asphodel that wrapped around it turned to a sea green color.

"Thank you Lord Hades," he said.

The words felt foreign in his mouth, but he figured that it would be better to give some respect to the god that just hugged him and gifted him with uninterrupted access to his domain.

Another wave of dismissal.

"Call me Hades, Perseus. I am no Olympian."

Percy smirked, "Only if you call me Percy."

Zoe and Phoebe stared at him like he grew another head for talking to Hades like that.

The god only laughed. "Of course. Percy it is."

He turned to his daughter, "Visit Nico when you can, he would like to meet you again. He misses you Bianca. You too Percy."

The girl's eyes widened, and so did Percy's. He had meant to visit the son of Hades, but it had simply slipped his mind when he left his mother's house. He felt like slapping himself for his stupidity. He had even managed to keep Bianca alive so there wouldn't even be any conflict between the two of them again.

Hades turned back to Percy, "I will seek you again Jackson, fulfill a few more favors for me and you get more uses on the pearl."

The god disappeared in another flash of light.

Thalia grumbled, "Your dads are so much cooler than mine."

Bianca stuck her tongue out at her.

Zoe walked back to her place beside Percy.

"Well this is a first, I do say. A son of Poseidon gaining the favor of Lord Hades, not only that, but access to his domain. You truly are a special one Jackson."

Percy grinned, "I know."

Zoe punched him on the shoulder, "Boys." she rolled her eyes, while Percy laughed boisterously.