Percy Jackson - Bane of Tartarus

Chapter 9

Percy's POV

"I have to go dad. I promised LESTER to save his sister as he has been forbidden to do so himself" I gave Zeus a 'you know who I am talking about' look then continued, "I know I would do anything for Estelle". Poseidon was at a loss of words. "Besides it's a win-win situation for Lord Zeus, he either gets rid of me forever or he gets his daughter back with an added bonus of me spending some time in Tartarus." Zeus raised an eyebrow.

"I don't like you but I wouldn't want you to die Perseus"

I laughed at his pathetic attempt at flattery, "It seems you are taking the most benefit out of the absence of the God of truth. Anyway, do you agree with my plan?" I saw Hermes, Poseidon and Aphrodite snickering at my reply.

"How do you plan to survive there and search for Artemis, it's not like you can use a map?" Athena joined the conversation.

"The same way I did the last time, follow my instincts. Also, I might have a couple of friends there and asking the populace always seems to work"

"How can you have friends in Tartarus? Are you friends with the titans because you might as well be buying yourself a one way ticket to Tartarus." Her voice rose with every word.

"Well, I am friends with one of the titans, his name is Bob and a giant named Damasen"

"Bob? I don't know any titan named Bob, you are lying. Tell me the truth." Whoa she really is her father's daughter, I'm glad Annabeth is way less bossy than her mother.

"Well, Goddess of wisdom, Bob's real name is Iapetus but after I pushed him into the river Lethe and he lost his memory I named him Bob and he became my friend. Hades knows. Bob has been working as a janitor for him before he jumped into Tartarus to save me. Although while in Tartarus he regained his memory but he never abandoned me and even fought Tartarus himself to buy us time to get through the gates. Well, he and Damasen. I hope you know who Damasen is."

"I know who Damasen is" Athena said quieting down.

"Well Zeus, what is the verdict?" I asked running out of patience.

"Very well then, the gates of Tartarus shall open in two weeks' time at midnight for an hour. By then if you don't cross into Hades' domain you'll be on your own till Gaia falls asleep completely which may very well be 5 to 10 years."

I walked towards Hades' throne and asked, "Lord Hades, do I have your permission to enter your realm this once?"

"Well nephew, I will do you one better" He smiled, "You are allowed to come and go as you please in my realm as long as you don't disturb the peace there and to help on your quest take this" he handed me a stygian iron knife with a beautifully crafted sheath, "from now on you will be able to wield any stygian iron weapon without bothering about its side-effects"

Hades sent a ray of black aura towards me it surrounded me for a few seconds before disappearing. I nodded and said my thanks to both Zeus and Hades and started walking back but felt a hand on my shoulder, it was my father's. "Come back safe Percy. I don't care for the accomplishment you don't return from." he hugged me then touched my forehead sending a sudden surge of power through me. He grinned, "The least I could do was give you something extra to survive, now your control over water will be better and you can summon water from within yourself, although the water within you will replenish itself in a couple of hours but be careful excessive use of this power will leave you severely dehydrated which can be as good as death in a place like Tartarus." He smiled and teleported away.

As I was leaving I saw Hestia looking at me so I went for a quick chat with my favorite Olympian before I left as all other Olympians had left. "Lady Hestia" I said

She gave a warm smile, "Good luck on your quest Perseus".

"Thank you lady Hestia" I bowed.

"You don't have to do that everytime you speak to me Perseus. I'm not like the others and I have seen these past few years to know neither are you." I smiled at her and left the room.

Now I had to get to DOA studio and fastest way was the Gray sisters' cab. So, I was aboard the chariot of damnation heading towards LA, quite fitting I would say.