Reading Confused By Time

Chapter 11 - Rumour

Chapter 11 - Rumour
Percy so regretted this.
He had flashed to where he could sense Kronos, and that was on Olympus, and they were reading a book about him. He was so pissed at the Fates.
So he was startled when a voice spoke behind him.
“Curious Consort of Kronos?”
“Holy mother of gaea!” he gasped and turned to see the fates themselves.
“Would you like to go as well, and be with your families?”
“What's the price?” he asked.
“Nothing, this whole world owes you.”
“Ok, send me in, incognito,” with a flash the Fates made Percy look completely different from what he originally looks like.

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The door opened with a big gust of wind and a man stood there. He wore black clothes the pants were black jeans, with gold seams, his shirt was long sleeved with sea green seams. A cloak hid his face and cloaked his scent. The gods couldn't even tell who he was by his arora.
“Hello… godlings, Titans.” Percy spoke in ancient greek. “My name is Destruction. I hear heard you are reading a book about Percy Jackson. Let me read.” 
All of them watched as the unknown person snapped his hand and the book was in the man's hands.
Kronos stares hard at the new comer, and saw the person shift uncomfortably as if he felt eyes on him.
The demigods wanted to talk to Percy, but he quickly shot down their various attempts. Thalia and Clarisse had quickly become frustrated and incredibly annoyed with the son of Poseidon and his constant ways of avoiding their questions. No matter how much they tried to trick him into giving up some information about his stay with Kronos, he always deftly wriggled out of the spotlight. They had been trying to slip not-so-subtle questions into their normal conversation as they discussed how they were going to get out of the Pit, and then they had brought out the map which Percy had quickly taken and retreated to the bed that he had claimed as his own.
Iapetus and Damasen were sharing information, often in hushed tones that Percy somehow managed to hear even on the other side of the hut. The immortal demigod inwardly scoffed as he looked at the map, sure they had landmarks, but not passages that were safer than being out in the open, and neither did they apparently know that certain places had permanent residents that were supposed to be avoided. He sighed as he added in a thin path that was a safe passage beside Nyx's home – only safe for immortals, but he was one, and he was assuming half-immortals also counted.
Percy scanned the map, noting all the improvements and changes he'd done before bringing it back to the table the demigods were crowded around. He placed the laptop on the table with a thud and let them look at the route he'd mapped out for them.
Nico frowned slightly, not liking the names that Percy had given all the places, "The 'Path of Curses', 'House of Night'? Are you sure those places are safe?"
“No place in Tartarus is safe, I should know,  I've been there. “ Destruction said and looked up.
Percy gave Nico a flat stare, "This is Tartarus," he snorted. "Nowhere is safe. These paths happen to be the fastest way across Tartarus, and I am sure you all wish to spend no time longer than necessary down here."
Jason nodded, "Yeah, thanks, Percy."
"How do you know that?" Thalia asked.
Percy sighed, "For the love of Lord Tartarus, Thalia, you are about as subtle as the Minotaur. I was running around here for thirteen years, it didn't take me long to figure out which places monsters go to and which they don't dare set foot in." After Tartarus' visit, anyway.
"So we're not going to be running into any monsters on the way back?" Leo asked. "Because that would be a nice change, though I do still have some toys to use and test."
Percy leaned on the table, his face a perfect mask, "I didn't say that. The House of Night is dangerous, and monsters don't step foot there, but that doesn't mean there aren't other beings there."
"Other beings?" Hazel echoed, "Are you sure it's a good idea to go there then?"
Percy didn't turn to look at her as he spoke, not wanting to see her golden eyes, "Who is the one that has spent the last three centuries down here? I know what I am doing. Stop thinking otherwise."
“Smart ass even at his lowest, and even more at his highest.” Kronos thought.
Hazel nodded, looking back at the laptop, "So this path is the best one?"
"The fastest," Percy nodded, "not necessarily the safest, especially if we run into the monsters that inhabit the Path of Curses, but we'll be fine - they won't harm us, don't worry."
“Wow that is so reassuring uh,” Thalia spoke up and smiled at her words, but sighed when no one else joined in.
Percy said it with so much confidence that they couldn't help believing him, and he tried to ignore the way Nico was looking at him – like he was expecting him to break down. He inwardly rolled his eyes, noting that he'd have to be careful around his cousin too.
He twisted around to look at Iapetus and took a breath, "So, Bob, what did you find?"
Iapetus studied him for several seconds, reclining back into his chair, "Are you sure you wish to know, child?"
“Ok,  let me get this straight Iapetus, you think of us as children right? Even though we are not, we are adults.” Leo spoke up and he looked as serious as a Ewok trying to sell droids to Owen Lars.
“Yeah,  all of you are technically all babies still, whence compared to how old we are.” Iapetus said and laughed, “ even the gods. Kronos you had them after what? 14 billion years or so after the Great Telling.”
"Okay, firstly, don't call me child, and secondly, I think it's better you tell me sooner rather than later when we're out of here and Tartarus' influence is gone from my mind, don't you?"
Iapetus frowned, "Yes, but-"
"No," Percy said, his voice sharp and clear, a lot harsher than the demigods remembered and Iapetus winced slightly at the tone he used, "Iapetus, please, I need to know. I need to know why," he hesitated a split second before forging on, "why he did it."
Iapetus shook his head, "Perseus, don't. You don't know what you're asking for-"
Percy clenched his jaw, "He had me for two hundred and eighty seven years. He could have killed me the moment I – he emerged from the damned sac, but he didn't. Why?"
"Wait," Frank said carefully, "what are you two talking about."
Iapetus kept his eyes on Percy, ignoring Frank's question as he leaned forward slightly and intertwined his fingers on his lap, "I don't – and can't – pretend to know my brother's brain, Perseus-"
"I wasn't aware he had one," Leo said jokingly in an attempt to relieve some of the tension that had fallen.
“Didn't work, why am I not surprised?” Jason spoke up and laughed as his best friend sent him a glare.
Iapetus shot him an exasperated glare, "My brother – Kronos – could easily rival Athena in that area, so be careful, he is still out there searching for us. He would not have died from a mere collapsed structure." He turned back to Percy, his expression softening slightly, "He had his suspicions regarding a certain Primordial's affection towards you and wanted to prove them – wrong or right, I don't know – and from recent events… I would assume he has his answer. Once he knew about Tartarus, he planned to break you and twist your loyalty to be against Olympus for the next war. Seeing you leading our forces against Olympus… their morale will have decreased drastically and we could sweep through with little to no resistance. Poseidon would surrender at seeing you fighting him, and many of the other gods would follow for fear of their life."
Percy swallowed as he tried to sort through the information he'd been given and many things came to mind, but the one thing that came out was, "You said 'we'."
Iapetus' expression was one of disbelief, "Out of all the things you could say, you comment on my use of second person? It is only recently in my very long life that I have become separate from Othrys, and often I still find myself thinking as if I still am one of them. Does that answer your question?"
Percy nodded, "Yes. So, Lord Kronos wanted to use me as a pawn?"
(Percy) the hooded man stood up and stretched his muscles and surveyed around the throne room.
“Break time, I fear I may kill something if we don't,  and I really need to drink some water,  we can meet up in an hour or so….” with that he walked out and flashed away.
...
The daytime was pretty hot and the Titan stood over the mountain edge and watched the figure below slowly dip his bare feet into the lake water. He was never one to trust easy after what happened with his last relationship,  and the man that was over down there stank of magic. Not his, but someone's.
So when the hooded figure took off his cloak, and slowly revealed...Black hair and tan skin is what he sees. Than the face turns to look up at the sky, giving get him a perfect look at the face. Percy. His Percy.
Than the mist covers him and a brown eyed and haired boy is there.
“I know you anywhere Percy, you can't hide from me.” Kronos murmurs and wraps his arms around the young Titans waist.
“Kronos, how are you? I couldn't contact you via our link, and was getting a bit wor-” Percy began but was stopped as the Titan brought them into a kiss. At first it starts out innocently,  but when Kronos hits the younger Titans Achilles Heel, the son of Poseidon gasps and Kronos growls and deepens the kiss.
“You need not worry about me Hero. I can protect myself.” Kronos says and pulls them to the ground.
...
"He uses everyone as a pawn," Iapetus said calmly," even us, his siblings. You should be glad he has decided you are worth his personal attention," he added in amusement.
Percy scowled, "Yeah, be glad that he decided to torture me? I'd rather not."
Iapetus' face cracked into a small smile, "I shouldn't have been worried about your reaction," he noted.
Percy shrugged, "Well, it's not like reactions have helped me recently."
"No, I suppose not," Iapetus murmured and silence fell over the hut for several seconds.
Damasen frowned slightly and looked up, out of the hut, "We have an intruder."
"Who?" Percy asked, beating the others to it.
Damasen pulled a face and turned to Iapetus, "They can sense you."
"Immortals can sense other immortals," Iapetus nodded, "your point?"
Damasen sighed and turned to Percy, "If we asked you to stay in the hut, would you?"
“He won't,  if you know him, he would rather die than sacrifice anything host he lives or values.” Poseidon said speaking for the first time in awhile.
Percy's eyes narrowed as Damasen stood up and grabbed his drakon bone spear and Iapetus summoned his own silver spear. They strode out of the hut and Percy quickly followed them. Iapetus rolled his eyes, "Of course not."
Percy ignored him as he dug around in his pockets for his familiar pen. His hand closed around Riptide and he grinned, taking out the disguised weapon as he saw the figure striding across the swamp towards them. His eyes flickered from the dark blue armour to the silver sword sheathed at his waist, and up to his face. Percy drew in a sharp breath and his hand clenched.
"Oceanus," Percy growled, his face morphing into an angry snarl as he glared at the Titan.
"Perseus," Oceanus greeted pleasantly, "you can move quickly for someone with a broken leg."
Percy's expression was void of any emotion as he gripped Riptide tighter, "Hello, Horn Head, I would say it's good to see you, but then I'd be lying, and Lord Kronos told me to never lie."
“Glad to know my lessons stayed with you,”  Kronos spoke to Percy,  who flinched and looked away.
“One of a few.” Percy said back.
Oceanus chuckled, "Kronos won't be pleased to hear that," he hummed, "though you shot down the hope of getting off easily when you brought our new… fortress down on top of him."
"Actually, brother," Iapetus interrupted, "I think you'll find that was me."
"This isn't between us, coward," Oceanus spat, "stay out of this before you get hurt."
Iapetus narrowed his eyes, "Perseus is a friend, Sea Head, and you won't touch him." He levelled his spear at Oceanus' chest.
Oceanus merely raised an uninterested eyebrow, "Surely you don't think you can beat me, brother? Remember the last time you attempted to?"
Iapetus didn't move his spear. "I have no care for the outcome, only that the demigods have time to escape."
The corner of Oceanus' mouth twitched, "Sentiment, brother? For demigods, of all beings? Surely you haven't sunk so low as to feel unnecessary attachments to the gods' spawn?"
Outrage is what most if the demigods feel when they hear what Oceanus says in the book, but all are quiet when cold golden eyes wander over them, daring them to speak.
"It is not unnecessary," Iapetus growled. "Whilst you mindlessly follow Kronos' orders, I have developed a brain and used it to think for myself. What has happened to my brother that refused to help to kill our Father?"
Oceanus smirked, spreading his arms out as if in invitation for Iapetus to attack him, "He is still here… merely having adapted to the changes so I don't end up like you, the disgraced sibling, and janitor of Hades. I had thought you would be cowering under a cleaning bucket somewhere. Now, back off before you get harmed, little brother."
"Your arrogance truly knows no bounds, Sea Head," Iapetus growled, "I have found something I wish to keep alive, and help. That is far better than following our brother like a mindless slave."
Oceanus' eyes reminded Percy of the endless depths of the ocean in that moment, ready to strike swiftly and unerringly, not unlike the darkest monsters of the deepest abyss in the sea. "I was told to keep you alive, if possible," he hissed, "but I can easily say you were in my way and Lord Kronos will only think of it as a slight drawback, one that can be easily rectified. My main target is Perseus; anything else is collateral damage and doesn't matter – that includes you."
Iapetus opened his mouth to reply, but Percy beat him to it as he stepped forward, "Strong words from someone who fled from my Father in your own domain."
Oceanus raised an eyebrow, "I must applaud you, Jackson; your bravado is truly convincing… if not that only less than six hours ago you were cowering away from Our Lord as we effectively drowned you."
“Why are you putting emphasis on the word ‘our’ “ Conner asks.
“Because I can,” the Titan of the ocean snarled and splashed cold water the teenager who exclaimed with unexpectedness and shock.
Percy stiffened, his hands fisting at his side as his body shook slightly from the combined anger and fear running through him. "You seriously need to learn your place, Titan," he growled, "Lord Tartarus can squash you like a bug – and incidentally that is all you are to him -, he will have no problem casting your soul into eternal agony and-"
"Yes," Oceanus interrupted smoothly, "but that is Tartarus, you are just a weak demigod."
Percy grinned savagely, "Actually, Oceanus, I'm not just a demigod – as I'm sure you now know… or has Lord Kronos not told you yet? He hasn't, has he? Oh, such a shame," his smile seemed cast with a light of insanity, his eyes betraying the power hidden inside his demigod body, "be sure to tell Lord Kronos that his suspicions were correct for me… after all, it would be a shame for him to have tortured me for two hundred and eighty seven years, but have nothing to show for it." He pulled himself up, squaring his shoulders and looking stronger than he should in the eerie purple light of Tartarus. "Now, off you go, little Titan."
Oceanus narrowed his eyes and unsheathed his sword in one smooth movement, Percy smirked and uncapped Riptide, the blade emerging with a flash of bronze and emitting its own light. "Are you sure you want to go this far? Unless you've forgotten, I haven't lost a fight in the time since Lord Kronos started to give me my 'exercise'."
Ocenaus let out a loud bark of laughter, "Foolish demigod. You cannot defeat me even more than you could when you had just entered the world of mythology."
"We'll see," Percy said evenly as he stalked forwards, Riptide held in a position where he could easily switch from offence to defence with the slightest movement. Oceanus chuckled as he shrunk down to seven feet, his silver sword held loosely by his side and his stance disdainful at the mere thought that Percy could not only stand up to him, but match him in swordplay.
Percy grinned, the Titan didn't know who he was, and that would be his undoing. He launched himself forwards, swinging Riptide above his head. Oceanus sneered as he parried the blade with a flick of his wrist and immediately hacked at Percy's chest a split second later. Percy's eyes narrowed in concentration as he leant back, allowing the silver blade to pass within inches of his chest before spinning to the side. Oceanus blocked the attack, locking their blades together and looking at Percy with narrowed eyes. Percy grinned, twisting his blade and unlocking the weapons as he spun around to slash at the back of the Titan's calf.
Oceanus roared in anger and the ground erupted around them, geysers of river water spraying up into the air. He scowled at Percy, the water held back with a mere thought. "Foolish demigod," he murmured.
“

Technically Percy isn't really a demigod, he is really close to being given a Titan, since most and all children the Primordial's  have are Titans…” The hooded figure spoke up and looked at all of them.
“Hmmmm, you know.. you are right.” Athena spoke up and nodded to her thinking in her head.
Percy smirked, "I think the right thing to say here is foolish Titan, Horn Head." He thrust his hands forward and the water crashed down over Oceanus, swirling around him as it tore away at his essence. Percy grinned as Oceanus' flesh ripped away and he howled in pain.
“Ugh, I was so lucky that Tartarus let me reform from whence Percy made me disappear!  I mean you know,” Oceanus spoke up and frowned as he saw the unknown person's head turn towards him as he was speaking.
Percy forced the river water away from Oceanus, or what had been Oceanus only seconds ago, and concentrated. He clenched his hand and the ground erupted up around the dead Titan, pulling him down until there was no sign of him having been there.
"Percy, what the Hades?" Thalia asked, "How…?"
Percy crouched down and picked up Oceanus' silver sword, tossing it from one hand to the other thoughtfully before replying. "There were rumors around Tartarus that Lord Kronos wanted to unravel. He thought that if Tartarus acted to save me from him then the rumor was proved true. That's why Tartarus couldn't act sooner; Lord Kronos had managed to back him into a corner."

"What was the rumor?" Nico asked, already having a few ideas.

"But I doubt they ever hit the point!" Leo yelled and laughed as the Son of Hades jerked back.
"you know I think he is your son..." Hephaestus said to Hermes.
"Daaaad!" Leo said with a pout.
Percy smirked as he stood up, belting Oceanus' sword on the opposite side of his waist to Riptide. "That Tartarus adopted me."

"WHAT?!" Poseidon shouted and looked to the Titans for confirmation.
"How can a primordial god adopt a demigod?" Annabeth asked.
"Technically the god/goddess declares it to the fates... But I don't know about Primordial"
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