To Rise from the Ashes of Chaos [A PJO Fanfiction] (On a very long HIATUS)

Chapter 1: I get stabbed in the back

What would you do if you suddenly get stabbed in the back? I mean, technically, there isn't much of a choice. If you don't fight, you die. The end. But I'm getting ahead of myself. What happened, you may ask? Well, ladies and gentlemen, demigods and mortals, I am Perseus Jackson (but you better address me as Percy), and this is my story.

Now, where did I go wrong? I wasn't quite sure. But to put it very simply, I kind of died. And I know what you're all thinking. Wow, Percy Jackson managed to die? How many attempts did that take? Over a thousand? Who's still waiting in line for a chance to try to kill one of the heroes of Olympus? I can't really answer those questions, because to be honest, I lost count. But what is important, is that Gaea, the all-powerful Dirt-Face (don't tell her I said that, she's going to take away my blue cookie privileges), managed the spectacular feat.

We were nearing the end of the battle, Leo had done the whole 'launch myself into the sky to destroy dirt-face' scheme, and I had just buried my sword deep into the heart of the earth. Thoroughly weakened, Gaea did one last thing. As she sank back into the earth, she whispered, "Perseus Jackson, you have taken my children from me too many times. The gods must be stopped." And with that, she summoned up a tall metal spike, right in my back.

Was it a bit petty? Probably. Could I have dodged it? Probably. Did I dodge it? Well.. no. I'm pretty sure that was already inferred when I told you I died. Why didn't I dodge it? Simple. I was way too exhausted. Now, don't go coming at me saying I could have dodged it. It takes personal experience to know how tired one can be after defeating an army of giants, titans, and mother earth herself.

Now, it should have been black and white after that. My soul would get sent to the underworld, and I would be judged by the panel.

Of course... The fates hate me. So life went on. Kind of.

All I could see was light. Pure white light. Then, I saw flashes of fire, dancing along the lines of my vision. What was going on? I blinked. Now I saw dark obsidian walls and dancing lights flickering on tall marble pedestals. This certainly wasn't Hades's palace, much less the underworld.

Looking around the empty hall, I was scared. And, I know what you're thinking. The great Percy Jackson? Scared of an empty hall? Well, yes. You could say going through Tartarus did some stuff to me. "Hello?" I called out. "Anyone home?" Then, as an afterthought, I added, "Do you people make blue cookies here?"

Laughter resonated through the halls. Okay, now I was scared. "Who goes there?" I reached for my sword, only to realize that I didn't have it. In fact, I wasn't even wearing my normal clothes. "And what's with the toga? I don't want to die in a bathrobe!!"

"Perseus Jackson! We finally meet. My children speak very highly of you."

I scrambled to my feet. "What do you want? Just come out already!!!"

The voice chuckled. "As you wish." A huge swoosh of movement and wind knocked me to my knees. When I looked up again, I saw a tall man. Very specific, I know. But just let me continue. He had white hair that had streaks of black peppered throughout. His skin was slightly tan, and he had the build of an athlete. The most intriguing thing was his eyes. They were like a supernova exploding into existence.

"Who are you?" I managed.

Then, he shifted again. On his back were wings, and not like those fluffy angel wings or demon wings. They shifted in and out of focus, covered in hundreds and hundreds of stars, as if the whole universe was placed right there, on his back. "I am... Well, do you want a long description or a short one?"

"I'll take short?"

The man smiled. "I am Chaos, creator of all and king of the universe."

Oh. That registered through my mind a little slower than I thought it would. When it finally made sense, I hastily bowed in front of him.