Percy Jackson: dark waters

chapter 4

I saw dark whirlwind opening under my feet and I started falling down into the pit once more.

Percy's POV

I landed in river of flames. Like previous time, I used the water to survive the fall that would probably otherwise kill me. Fun fact: if mortal dies in Tartarus, he is turned into some kind of monster. Annabeth said that it depends on power of said mortal into what monster he turns. I do not want to find out what would I be.

The flaming water got into my mouth and I felt it burn me from the inside. I managed to withstand the pain, allowing it to go through me. I got to the shore and managed to climb out of the river. Breathing heavily, I was  laying on the floor of Tartarus. Yet again trapped in this cursed pit.

Someone coughed behind me. I turned around, just to see Tartarus himself in his might. He was there, standing about ten or so steps from me., over 7ft tall, dressed in all black armor that was emblazoned with souls of monsters he consumed. His helmet had large mane standing kinda like mohawk (dk if this is right translation, but can't find any better). His face was just a hollow, dark space with two flames burning in place where eyes should be. Honestly, I felt fear looking at him. I summoned Riptide. Thank... I don't know who. Anyway, I took battle ready position and prepared for battle. He just laughed at me.

"I do not come here to fight Perseus Jackson!" When he spoke I felt my courage disappear. The words did not come from where the body was standing. Rather, it came from all around me. And it was not just one voice. I heard thousands or millions of voices speaking at once, and believe me when I say they were terrifying.  It was like all the monsters he absorbed were forced to speak with him. I could feel the desperation of tormented souls. "I come to offer you place at my side. I want you to help me overthrow the gods. I want you to help me get revenge for Gaea. In exchange, I will not kill you now, and maybe once I set the new order, you will receive a piece of world on your own." The offer was kinda tempting. Get back on gods for what they did to me and my Wise girl. But no! I won't make the same mistake Luke made. He thought world would be better without gods. He was willing to give the world to Kronos in exchange for revenge. He wanted them gone so much he did not care who would die in the process. Right now I might not be on best terms with gods, but I will not cause another war. I will not ally myself with monsters. I will not betray this few people that still believe in me just to get back at the gods. Even if it must mean I am trapped here. "NO! I will not serve you. Luke made a mistake that I do not intend to repeat!" I yelled at Tartarus and prepared for an attack. Instead I heard a laugh. This time, it was just Tartarus (or rather his body), no tormented souls. "You will serve me one way or another. Once I kill you, you will be reborn as my servant. Quite powerful, but only a servant nonetheless" With this words, he lunged at me. I prepared to parry it, probably fail and die. Instead, I heard a loud clang. 

I saw a cloud of stars forming into something akin to shape of a body of a man in full armor. The mist shimmered with different colors. In it's hand, there was a black spear that had it's head separate into four points. It was not like trident, but rather a crown.  I saw such weapons in museum. They were supposed to catch te blades into it and then break it. 

(A/N this is image that gave me inspiration. The spear has similar head, but blades are actually sharp and a bit longer.)

Now Tartarus face once he saw who blocked the attack counted as image of the century for "Best facial expressions of dudes without face". The flame in his eyes dimmed and they looked... surprised? scared? what is the name of expression when you mix fear, surprise and rage? Maybe Annabeth will tell... GAH! 

Anyway, Tartarus jumped away. Now the starry mist formed into what I can call human form. He was a young man, maybe 23-24 years old. His armor changed into long, black coat glimmering with starlight. His skin was dark. He looked kinda like he bathed in petrol and light was shining on him. Even though he had normal human skin, there were different colors dancing on him. In his hand, the spear was steady. Around him, the air was so dense with power I could see the discharges. Who da hades was this guy?

To my surprise, Tartarus knelt before the mysterious being. 

"Why do you protect him father. He helped kill your daughter and slaughtered fair part of her children. He disrespected your second daughter and nearly killed the third. He deserves to die!" Wait, Father? This is chaos? This is the one that started it all? 

"SILENCE! HE IS NOT YOUR TO KILL! FATES DESIGNED DIFFERENT DESTINY FOR HIM AND YOU WILL NOT OPPOSE THEM! I WARNED YOU THAT HE IS OFF LIMIT. YOU WILL NEVER OPPOSE THE WILL OF MOIRES AGAIN!" Now this sounded like three voices spoke at once. One was male, another was female and final belonged to a child. 

I heard this voice before. Once, in my sleep. It was after I held up the sky. When I could not find Nico, I had to finally go to bed. Then, this mysterious voice spoke to me, saying I impressed him. That I have great future in front of me and Fates have so much fun designing it. How could I forget that?

Before I shaken off the shock of just meeting what can be considered capital G God, he disappeared. Tartarus threw his blade in front of me, then disappeared. 

A/N School starts pretty soon, so updates might get even more chaotic. I am also working on 2-3 more stories at the same time. I am not going to abandon this tale right now. Sorry for weird chapter, but I will explain some things in the near future. Who will the mysterious other children be?