Forced Union (a Percy Jackson story)

Chapter 6

Nico's (P.O.V)

Nico watched helplessly as Annabeth sailed through the air and impacted, roughly, with the cabin wall.

Poseidon roared in rage, and Athena had a dagger positioned below Percy's chin within seconds. It seemed that the only thing the two Olympians could agree on, was that no one was allowed to mess with their children.

Kronos breathed deeply, keeping eye contact with Athena even as beads of blood rolled down his neck.

"You wouldn't do it," he taunted "not when I'm in the body of someone your daughter cares for."

Athena growled and dug the dagger deeper into his throat.

"Do not test your luck, grandfather. You do not know what I am capable of," she threatened.

At this point, Poseidon stepped in.

"Athena, tend to your daughter. Leave-" he gestured to Percy with his free hand, "him to me."

With some resignation Athena stepped away from Kronos and ran to Annabeth's side where Chiron, Thalia and Piper were already crouched beside her.

Nico watched as Kronos raised his hand up and touched the long streak of blood across his neck.

"Hm," he said, "this probably hurts."

Nico started.

"What do you mean, 'probably'," he asked, already dreading the answer.

Kronos turned his gaze to him, and laughed mockingly.

"Well, as with all of my vessels, I cannot feel pain while I inhabit them. Of course, they feel everything."

The earth beneath them rumbled and from a single glance at Poseidon, it was obvious that he was barely keeping his powers in check.

"Your fight is not with my son, Kronos," he growled.

A smirk adorned Percy's face, "That's where you're wrong, Poseidon. This blasted child ruined my shot at exacting my revenge on you pitiful gods. Using him to finally fulfill my plan seems like.... poetic justice. Don't you think?"

Zeus stepped forward now, tired of being disregarded.

"What I wish to know, is how you are standing here right now. When Jackson and Castellan defeated you, your essence was scattered."

Kronos cleared his throat. "Yes well, despite that unfortunate setback, I was not destroyed. My essence was sent back to Tartarus, completely intact. I waited patiently for a time to rise again, and what do you know. Two demigods, Jackson and Chase no less, stumble right into my trap."

From the corner of his eye, Nico saw Jason clench his eyes shut. After the war was over they had become much closer, confiding everything in one another. Nico knew for a fact that Jason blamed himself for letting Percy and Annabeth fall.

Speaking of Annabeth, Nico saw that she had woken up, and was sneaking up behind Kronos while he drawled on about fate giving him yet another chance at greatness.

She was weaponless, which both confused and scared Nico.

What did she plan to do? And what would happen to her?

She got right behind Kronos before he seemed to sense her presence.

Without turning to face her he said. "Daughter of Athena, what-"

She cut him off with two quick succession jabs to his lower back.

He gasped loudly, mouth gaping like a fish and eyes flashing green, before crumpling to the ground.

Without giving him a moment to gather his bearings, Annabeth placed her foot on his throat.

The eight demigods started forward, worried that her anger would make her do something rash.

"You wouldn't harm him," Kronos rasped, his voice stunted by the precariously placed foot on his throat.

Nico could see tears gathered in the corners of Annabeth's eyes.

"He would forgive me," she whispered.

She steeled herself before continuing, louder this time. "Percy would forgive me, in fact, he would thank me for protecting everything he loves. Even if it cost him his life."

A dagger appeared in her hand, she had retrieved it from the waistband of her pants.

A chorus of gasps rose from around the room, and a few jolted forward to stop her.

Nico prepared him self for the devastation he was sure to feel once Percy's souls left his body.

Before anyone could interfere, Annabeth brought the dagger down in a deadly arc, aimed straight at Percy's throat.

AN: Cliffhanger!!!! As promised, here's the next chapter of Forced Union! I'll try to update again as soon as I can!!! Also check out some of the earlier chapters, I made a few changes!