XIV
Percy was rather surprised and more than a little confused when the horn sounded from within the palace and while he would've used the apparent surprise as an opening, it was clear that this was not something that just happened.
There was a stillness about the training grounds as the Son of Poseidon took in the scene around him. While he noticed before and was slightly uncomfortable with it, the bout with Sif had garnered quite the crowd, as there was more than a couple dozen of them watching from the sidelines.
His eyes flicked to Odin who had his face set in a stony expression. Though from his narrowed brow and the very slight upturning of his lips, it was clear that he was displeased.
Sif, on the other hand, had a look of near disbelief as she looked back into the palace where the horn was being still sounded from. Shouts of alarms and armored boots reverberating from within the halls.
It was another Asgardian who broke the stunned warriors within the training grounds, as he came rushing in, , tall and fit with a long neatly trimmed if a bit scraggly warm brown beard that reminded him of Chiron. "The dungeons have been breached! To arms, Einherjar, to arms!" His voice boomed and echoed across the entirety of the training yards.
That snapped everyone from the stunned silence and stillness that had engulfed the training grounds.
Immediately, the warriors around them that were not armored in the gold and grey plate of the Palace Guard, moved to where their armor laid. Those that were, were quick to discard their training weapons and arm themselves with proper steel. Spears, swords and shields were grabbed from across the training yards that sat upon so many wooden racks around.
Sif immediately started rearming herself as did Percy. They easily did so. Sif's sword, spear and dagger flying to her hands as she reacquainted her sword to her shield, sheathing it with a single motion while doing the same to her dagger. The silver spear remained in her hand.
Percy simply thumbed each of the charms on his bracelet. The spear disappearing instantly, while the sheathed xiphos appeared attached itself to the underside of Aegis. He then pulled on the charm that contained the pocket space for the spear and the shaft of the spear appeared in his hand from as he continued to pull it to fully form in his hand.
He also scooped up the Asgardian blade on loan to him. While it felt highly uncomfortable in his hands and he could do without it, it was never a bad thing to keep an extra weapon.
Especially, since he had a tendency to throw or discard his weapons as he fought.
While he would have loved to not get involved, he needed an outlet after the ordeal with the Undine. The duel was great but it didn't finish and he couldn't let loose like he wanted.
Maybe whatever was going on would allow him to burn a little of that tension and anger away.
Though he couldn't or rather wouldn't use his powers in Asgard. Not only was it the ace in his sleeve should things take a turn for the worse, but it felt wrong. The Undine were the sole caretakers of the waters in and around Asgard for eons, to use their domain as a weapon when they were so full of life in their selfless sacrifice, felt near sacrilege.
"Sif, Perseus with me." Odin boomed as he turned, two columns of fully armed and armored Einherjar already marching past them as both Swords of their respective realms moved to walk with the King of Asgard. Sif and Percy were already halfway up the stairs by the time the Allfather had called for them and the King of Asgard was already moving away from the training yard as they reached the top.
They formed up right behind him. Sif on his right side and Percy on his left. That grizzled man that shouted before was to the direct right of the King as they moved. Odin's honorguard were directly behind the demigod and Sif.
Dozens of armed and armored Einherjar marched briskly past them, forming two neat columns as Odin's retinue traveled beside them down the corridors of the Palace.
"I take it this doesn't happen often?" Percy muttered to Sif who he stood beside. She shook her head, a worried look on her face. The stomping and marching of Einherjar of the Palace Guard echoing throughout the corridors. The clanking of armored plates and the shifting of metal heard as servants and caretakers of the Palace quickly moved out of the way of the veritable pillar of warriors making their way, calmly but quickly towards…
He actually didn't know where they were going but he assumed it was to the dungeons considering the shout of the Asgardian warrior. Did a prison break usually warrant such a heavy and coordinated response?
Percy didn't have much experience in that regard. He never had to deal with prisoners because he never kept prisoners. Sure, they captured some unfortunate monster every now and then during the Second Gigantomachy, but after a short interrogation, they were promptly disposed of.
They didn't exactly have the resources to be humanitarian regarding a being that would kill them if given another chance to.
And they would have been lucky if Gaea's forces even kept a modicum of self-control to not kill any unfortunate demigod that had surrendered. If they even did surrender that is.
As if hearing his thoughts Sif spoke. "The dungeons keep belligerent Asgardians under guard but also prisoners from our battles across the galaxy."
Oh.
She continued. "Not only that but with the recent warring and raiding across the Realms and worlds, the dungeons have been getting filled. If there's a breach, there would be dozens if not hundreds of-"
"Nothing that the Einherjar can't handle I assure you, Greek." The man beside the King intoned from in front of them. His words weren't boastful nor inciteful but assured with a tinge of alarm. Typical in those that knew what was to happen but knew that there was little to be done other than to deal with the threat. Sif sent a glare at the man for interrupting her but considering his position and as he was still faced forward, he didn't see it. "However, the Einherjar take the security of the Throne and, by extension, Asgard seriously. The matter of escalation is one semantics."
"I see." Percy thought much of the same way but it was still weird being apart of an army and not a principal commander of said army.
They continued further in, an Einherjar came running bowed at the waist to Odin and spoke, while the Asgardian warrior was calm and collected, the panic was clear in his eyes. "The dungeon is in full disarray. We are barely containing them as it is."
The group continued alongside the marching Einherjar columns.
"My son?"
"Prince Thor as well as Volstagg and Fandral are in the dungeon as we speak dealing with the riots." The Asgardian said as he kept pace with them.
Odin did not acknowledge the words but instead began issuing orders. "Send squadrons to the weapon vaults and armories." The Asgardian runner nodded and shouted for such. Immediately several dozen Einherjar from the column peeled off and hurried their pace to the locations. "Defend it all costs."
"My king." He nodded and brought his arm to his chest in a salute and went with the squadron.
"Odin." A voice recognized as the Queen of Asgard's sounded from off to the side. She sounded much like the Asgardian runner. Calm and collected but with a healthy amount of alarm at what was going on. Though her voice was much softer than the rough and course voice of the runner.
They stepped off to the side though Odin looked to the source and then back to the grizzled man that had originally called the Einherjar to arms. "Secure the dungeons." His voice was a shout, not one of alarm but one of an order to be carried out and it conveyed the importance that it would need to be done as swiftly as possible.
The man bowed and the column of Asgardian warriors continued onwards. "Onwards at the double pace!" The warriors quickened their march as the honor guard of Odin peeled off to set themselves behind the King.
Percy stayed at his position as he watched the Queen and the mortal Jane approach them. Four other Einherjar behind her. Her own personal guard, he assumed.
"Frigga." Odin's personality switched on a dime as he greeted his wife. His booming tone turning to that of care and calm.
So that's her name. Percy thought. It was better to have a name and a face to attach it to now. All he had been doing was referring to her as Queen of Asgard in his mind.
However, his attention was not on the exchange between the King and Queen of Asgard. No, the mortal Jane was openly gawking at him. Her eyes wide and her pose frozen. Why? He didn't know.
Sif leaned in to his side and spoke in a hushed whisper. Though he could see the slight glare she was sending the mortal. From her actions most likely. "I think she has recognized you now."
Then it made sense as Sif finished speaking those words.
Golden Warrior. It hadn't clicked with her the night before nor did it with him. Though he attributed it to the Mist naturally at work to disguise who he really was. Considering he was in control of it and his abilities now and that he didn't find a need to hide who he was given that everyone here already knew, he wasn't as concerned with having to subconsciously focus the veil to mask and hide his identity.
So it was readily apparent that she was able to see him for who he was.
An oversight to be sure and one he would correct should the Aether end up being removed and if she even lives from the process.
Percy doubted she would though.
The world had been searching for him for all those months after the Battle of New York after all and it would have been hard to miss a news segment where there was a supposed sighting of him even though he had hardly left the state of New York.
Jane's gaze quickly left his and instead appraised Sif who sent an upturned look at her in response.
Whatever that was about he did not want to get involved.
"It's a skirmish." Odin said reassuringly. "Nothing more and nothing to fear."
"You've never been a very good liar." She retorted with a smile and even Percy could detect the hint of playfulness in her tone.
Einherjar continued to march past them briskly but the tide of armored Asgardian warriors was growing increasingly thin and Percy could see that the column was nearly at its end.
"Take her to your chambers. I will come for you when it is safe." Odin nodded his head towards the mortal.
Frigga's words took on a more concerned and worried lilt. "You take care."
"Despite all I have survived, my Queen still worries over me." The King of Asgard gently caressed the side of Frigga's face with a weathered hand.
"It's just because my worry that you have survived at all." Her smile returned in full force as she was about to turn and usher the girl away.
Percy however, intervened as he unclipped the Asgardian blade from his waist and bundled the belt around the sheathed sword while he called back the woman. "Queen of Asgard. Consider it insurance."
Frigga turned back to face the presented sword. She took it with a smile and gladness. One that clued him in that she may have been looking for a weapon to procure as well. "Thank you, Perseus."
He ignored the slight glare from Odin but kept silent in regards to the gesture.
Percy knew it paid to be prepared in case things went sideways and it seemed the Queen did as well.
The Einherjar column was all but gone now and they were now left with only the honorguard of warriors from the King of Asgard's retinue.
Odin didn't say another word as he led the way further into the Asgardian Palace proper.
It was only a short while later did Percy hear a distant rumble. Ones that sounded akin to explosions. He was not the only one either as Sif, Odin and the honorguard turned towards the closest open balcony that would allow them to see what was going on outside the Palace.
It was a clear day and one that was absent any of the normal white clouds that would usually be found in picturesque scenes as instead of puffy and tufts of white clouds, the sky was filled with near erratic bursts of black smoke as similarly colored craft flew through scores of flak being made by Asgardian artillery and turrets.
Trails of gold tracers lit up the otherwise peaceful air as the craft made their way towards them, with silver skiffs taking off and attempting to intercept them. Few were destroyed but there were still many more as they began merely crashing into the skiffs as if they were mere annoyances.
The group stood there shocked at the display. Though Percy was of neutral features as he glanced between the others. Their faces betrayed their shock at what was occurring. Percy could guess as to why. None expected for Asgard to come under attack.
But none looked more irate and vengeful than the King of Asgard, who was growing red with rage at the sight of his realm under attack.
The Son of Poseidon watched as a golden dome began to rise from the perimeter of the Palace of Asgard. An expansive glittering amber veil being raised around the golden organ structure like a protective orb.
A duo of those black craft crashed into the raising barrier but that did not deter the others as just as the third was about to crash into it, the shield collapsed on itself, disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared, an explosion sounding from within the Hall of the Palace in response.
A trio of those black blade-like craft flew into the Palace and straight into the Throne Hall of the Palace. One hovering just by the courtyard and Percy could see it dispensing a small group of humanoid creatures into the large garden where they proceeded to engage the Palace Guards that were there before flying away while completely cloaking from view.
That was the last straw for the King as he whipped around, shoving past them and brandishing that Golden Spear of his. The honorguard quickly forming up around Odin readying their spears and shields protectively around the King of Asgard.
Percy and Sif were not idle either as they brandished their own long weapons and shields each taking up a flank of the group moving through the passageways of the Palace as Asgardians servants and who Percy assumed to be other Asgardian nobles made way for them as they retreated further away from the fighting.
And fighting there was. From here, Percy could hear the shouting and yells, the discharges of energy and explosions that rocked wherever they were headed. Though the group had hurried their pace, they were still awfully slow, something that was attributed with Odin's advanced age and his insistence that they ensure that civilians be presented and afforded a semblance of safety and control.
Percy kept his mouth shut on the matter in that regard. Even though he would've disregarded them entirely, he understood where Odin was coming from but an active invasion warranted immediate action.
Percy physically twitched at the thought.
He felt his mind reverting.
Thoughts of the Battle of Greece pervaded his mind.
Callous notions of the strategic and tactical importance on saving a non-combative people ran through his mind as they continued to move through the halls.
He felt a cold sensation snake its way down his back and he shivered internally at the feeling.
Percy pushed them away, burying them before they could take root.
These were not his people nor was this his realm charged to him to protect. But they did not deserve to be neglected nor dealt the hand of death. There was already too much innocent life that was lost this day.
The Son of Poseidon had already went behind the King of Asgard's back once and would not do so again, not when it concerned the lives of the people he was ruler of. Especially when he promised not to.
The discord of battle soon faded away. The shouting and yelling that was heard, the expulsions of energy and the crumbling of rock and stone faded into nothing.
They rounded the corner into the Throne Hall of the Palace of Asgard.
Odin's speed prevented him from traveling fast but even in his elder years, the King of Asgard's reflexes were not dulled in the slightest. One of the black craft that had entered were pulling away from inside the massive columned hall, but Odin was faster as he whipped his golden spear upwards and a lance of amber jutted forth from the tip of the golden blade.
The craft did not stand a chance as its central hull was torn and blown asunder. Its bladed front bisected in half while fell remains fell uselessly to the ground, crashing against already destroyed golden pillars and into the rubble below.
Percy's eyes took in the scene about them.
Scores of bodies littered in front of a downed black alien fighter, a dull red glow emanating from what Percy assumed was the engine but it was sputtering and dying while the bladed front was considerably damaged. Percy guessed that it had rammed and knocked down the all the tall and grand golden columns in the hall and reduced them to little more than rocky stumps with small clouds of dust in the air and smaller rocks trickled from the ruined ceiling.
His attention was drawn to the bodies though. Dozens of Einherjar were lain hewn among the smooth floor, blood pooling around bodies or their chests caved in craters of black rent metal and ash. They did not die without exacting a price though. Just as many if not more black clad aliens were among them or opposite of them.
Black pools of ichor pooling around them as a thin layer of that opaque liquid began coating the floor. Necks or their bodies were slashed open from Asgardian blades, their insectoid armor doing little to protect from the weapons of Asgard.
Percy stepped lower, uncaring that he was kneeling in the pond of black blood, beside one of the black clad warriors. They all had the same monotonous expression but the sheen on their faces betrayed the masks that they wore.
He wretched it off, peeling the ivory mask from the face of the ivory armored being. He was greeted with a dead expression of an ebony being with sharp and angular features and pale hair and eyes that were a pale sapphire.
The Son of Poseidon recognized the face though. Images of that book that the King of Asgard had shown him, Sif and Thor the day before raced through his mind. He was not the only one to recognize them either as Sif stood beside him looking down at the body.
"Dark Elves." She whispered but there was anger in her tone and the two Swords shared a glance.
There was no doubt that they also shared the same thought.
The Aether.
"Frigga." Odin gasped as he recognized the severity of the situation. "Sif, you and Perseus go." His tone almost pleading but still held a semblance of authority in it.
There was no arguing with the King of Asgard.
Sif, already standing, sped away her boots echoing in the otherwise quiet halls of the Palace. Percy was right behind her, launching himself after the Asgardian woman. As they ran, Percy saw the wrought destruction.
Einherjar were not the only ones killed as Asgardian civilians were lain about as well with either deep stab wounds or those smoldering charcoal craters in their bodies.
And quite a few were naught but dried husks in golden armor or robes.
They heard a roar of anger from beyond them and something that Percy recognized as the discharge of a bolt of lightning. Thor must have realized the same thing and that the dungeon breakout was nothing but a diversion in an attempt to secure the Aether.
Sif and Percy rushed in a moment later where the Son of Poseidon saw the cloaking of one of those small craft speed away, with Thor launching Mjolnir at it. Frigga laid at the base of a small set of steps with the sword he had given her just out of her grasp, a tinge of black blood on the edge of its blade but about half the blade was sheathed in a deep red.
There was a deep, dark red gash in the side of her body.
Sif moved to the side of the Queen, discarding her shield and spear crouching beside her and cradling her head and checking over.
Thor turned from the balcony, catching his hammer as if it were a mere afterthought and looked over at the scene petrified at his mother's state.
"She still breathes!" Sif spoke, desperately but it was a hope that was dying as she began to look at the wound she had suffered.
In the span of a second, several things flashed in his mind as a cold sensation overtook his spine and he stood rooted to the spot.
Demigods and legacies alike adorned in mortal wounds that they would not recover from as Percy issued orders to not waste time with those that couldn't be saved.
That mortal man in the elevator of Stark Tower with a rod of iron piercing his chest, Percy's clinical observation determining that he couldn't be saved.
The innocent Undine…their fates that of the void, knowing that they couldn't be saved.
Percy felt the chill grasp his spine again as a serene and melodious whisper drifted past his mind's ears.
She is going to die.
Percy dropped his spear and flicked Aegis away as he rushed to the side of the Queen of Asgard, pushing Sif to the side, uncaring of the warrior woman's look of absolute anger and hatred at him.
No. She will not. No other innocent will die this day.
He tossed his helmet away and leaned in close.
He took in the situation as he quickly examined the wound and took in the shallow and quiet, gurgled breathing of Frigga as he laid his ear against the mouth of the Queen.
She's drowning on her own blood.
He looked around. A wide and large hexagonal gold and intricate platform occupied the center of the room. "Help me move her onto the table!" He barked as he positioned himself at the Queen of Asgard's head and grabbed hold of her arms underneath her armpits.
The Asgardians were frozen.
"Now!" He shouted. "Thor, your cape, lay it flat on the table!" Sif was the first to break from his stupor as she maneuvered to the Queen's legs. Thor only a split-second later as he dropped Mjolnir onto the floor with a loud thud as he grabbed the hem of his red cape and spread it on the platform.
"We need to move her quickly but carefully onto the table. Any sudden movements and the wound will tear even more." Sif nodded, though from her expression it was clear that she was scared.
"One. Two. Three!" They lifted her evenly and Frigga's breathing quickened. The two moved deftly and set her onto the table with all the care one would for a child. "Queen of Asgard, please forgive me."
Blood was already pooling onto her son's cape.
He ignored the puzzled and panicking looks from Sif and Thor and instead drew the dagger at his shoulder and used it to cut the straps that ensured the ceremonial armor stayed attached.
Percy tossed the piece of useless attire away and easily cut open her dress to see the wound better.
"Hold her arms and legs down! The more she moves the more difficult this will be!" Percy said as he reached over and put the hem of the red cloak into the mouth of the Queen. "Bit down on this. This is going to be painful."
Sif and Thor did as they were told but the Prince spoke as he did so. "What are you going to do?"
"I have to drain the blood from her lung or she will drown in it!" Percy set his cold hands on the deep stab wound and applied pressure. Frigga winced and recoiled at the contact and bit on the red cloth.
Thor held her shoulders and arms down while Sif kept her legs from arching and kicking.
He felt it though. The blood pumping through her veins as it rushed about. Focusing, however, the Son of Poseidon closed his eyes. His mind's eye trailing the wound deeper into the body of the Asgardian Queen.
Arteries, tissue and flesh severed and not simply the lung pierced but also broken ribs.
By all accounts, the Queen should already be dead and Percy guessed that it was only her Asgardian heritage that was saving her from such an outcome.
He found it. The thin piercing made by the blade. He focused on it and the blood rushing inside.
He breathed deeply and willed it to stop and directed it elsewhere. The blood in her lung seized up as Percy willed the red liquid from its trespassing residence.
"Hold her down!" Percy shouted at Thor as he realized that the blood only had one exit now.
The breath hitched from the queen. She spat out the red cloth, gave a strangled yell and vomited red liquid across the table and cloth and the arm of her son.
Percy breathed as he felt sweat begin to form on his brow. Hemokinesis, regardless of where he used the ability, was always taxing. The natural state of life forbade foreign interference with the biological body of another. He would have to practice it just like all his other powers if he was to use it off-handedly.
And that was only the easy part.
He still had to focus to keep the blood from entering the wound.
He willed a tendril of water into existence to coil around his arm, its tip against the back of his bloodied hand ready to strike. He was lucky, given the taxing venture of forcibly removing blood from a body, he did not have to fake it being an exhaustive effort.
But it would be regardless.
The wound was life-threatening and severe. It would take all his strength and effort to bring her from the clutches of death.
And even then, Percy didn't know if she would live.
But he still had to try.
"This will be extremely painful." He warned to the Asgardians as he inched his fingers out of the way for the tendril of water.
He closed his eyes and the screaming began.
A painful tug in his navel erupted into a vicious tug of war with something as the tentacle appendage snaked its way into the body of the Asgardian Queen.
He felt something grab hold of his shoulder and he lashed out instinctively, thrusting his arm out and shoving the offending thing away.
Percy would not lose the life string of Frigga, the Queen of Asgard.
He willed the bone to bind together.
He willed the muscles and tissue to weave together.
He willed the vessels of blood to knit as one.
She continued to scream and in his mind he could hear a faint scuffle and shouts of the outside world as he fought for dominance.
The Son of Poseidon willed Frigga to live.
The fight ended to a slow, stinging pain and his mind chaffed under the exertion.
He blinked.
And blinked again as he almost collapsed backwards onto the bloody golden floor in exhaustion as arms steadied him around his waist and armored torso. He instinctually set an arm around whoever's shoulders it was to keep himself from collapsing.
Frigga had lost a lot of blood, the Son of Poseidon noticed as he looked to the floor and table.
Percy blinked away the spots of darkness that were threatening to overwhelm his vision and felt sweat trickling down the sides of his face, like a fall of water, while he shook his thoughts awake.
He looked about the chamber. Odin's honorguard had closed the balcony doors shut and had positioned themselves as sentries about the room.
The prone form of the Queen of Asgard breathed steadily, soft rises and falls of her chest as Odin cradled her head lovingly. She was asleep, her eyes closed and her features pale.
But she was alive. For now at least.
The Son of Poseidon wiped at his face and made for the flask of nectar at his hip, uncorking it and taking a quick drink. It refreshed him.
But it still tasted like nothing.
"She lives." The King of Asgard breathed, a sigh of relief as a single tear trailed down his weathered cheek.
"She is still on the verge of the death." Percy rasped out, his throat dry from the ordeal. "She will need rest and a lot of it."
Odin didn't acknowledge his words directly. "Guards! Take her to the Healing Chambers! Now!"
Odin's honorguard stepped forward and around the resting form of the Queen of Asgard and gently lifted Thor's red cloak as a makeshift stretcher, with the rest taking up defensive positions around the Queen.
"Come." The person holding him said gently. He recognized it. It was that airy and regal but confident one of Sif. "You look like you got into a wrestling match with a bilgesnipe."
Whatever that was.
He let her guide him but did not pull away from her. Percy was sure that if he did, he would face plant into the floor with how tired he was.
It was all a haze from there as the warrior woman guided him to the Throne Hall and set him upon the steps that led to the throne. Why she didn't lead him to a room was unknown, but guessed it was on the order of the King. One of the soldiers had told him that they were going to hold a funeral service for the fallen Einherjar and Asgardians but that he was to remain here.
He figured it was for the best. It would feel like he was trespassing. Hell, it already felt like he was trespassing.
Percy blankly watched the black and silver armored Asgardians begin to clean up the bodies at the foot of the throne. There were a lot of them.
Percy looked back to the aircraft. It's central hull was small and trapezoidal in its shape. How was it able to deposit so many soldiers? Even if there were two of them Percy didn't think one was capable of holding more than two dozen if that, and there were more than a hundred bodies of the Dark Elves in the Throne Hall alone.
One of the silver Asgardian soldiers brought a bowl of stew to him and he ate absentmindedly as he watched the clean-up continue.
It was an eerie affair as the day transitioned into night. He was alone in the Throne Hall, with only the Dark Elf craft with him. Moonlight streamed into the open-aired hall.
He set the bowl aside and stood. He was still exhausted and wanted to rest but his curiosity about the craft got the better of him as he approached it. Black and red blood still stained the floor but most of it was already cleaned away. The piles of golden and grey stone and rubble also remained and it seemed that even with more than half of the supports gone the ceiling was still steadfast.
It gave Percy the impression that the golden columns were little more than for show and decoration
Percy felt the exterior of it. It was rocky and flaky. One could peel away at the layers of armor and hull if they were to try hard enough. Almost such that it were organic in nature. The bottom opened, bisecting in half revealing a dimly red lit elevator. Hesitantly, he walked in.
The entrance way closed and the dim light brightened somewhat but it was still a spectral and ominous glow of vibrant red. As if it could sense his presence the elevator began to rise and before he knew it, he was in a round and orb-like central chamber of the craft. He was right.
How could they fit so many warriors in something like this? Percy was wrong in his initial estimate. He didn't think that more than a dozen of those Dark Elves would be all the comfortable with having to share and condense into such a small space.
And over a hundred were dead in the Throne Hall alone and that was not counting the bodies of the Dark Elf soldiers they had passed on the run to the Aether and the Queen.
The Son of Poseidon looked about the alien chamber. It was stout and had a central position where Percy assumed the pilot would be seated, if the long stool was any indication as well as the two stony and ovular modules that flanked the armrest.
Percy determined the best way to describe the substance as a rougher and hewn obsidian rock-like material.
He cast his gaze about the space. There were no windows nor places where they could feasibly see outwards. So he wondered how they could pilot the craft in the first place but disregarded it after a few moments.
It was likely to simply go over his head if it was ever explained to him. Though there appeared to be a pair red aura and misty light coming from the both sides of the chamber. It swirled about like smoke but did not venture much farther than away from the bulkhead.
It actually looked like a rectangle of red mist now that he thought about it.
Abruptly, a console lit up on one of the ovular modules beside the pilot's chair, a small square blinking a dim red.
His curiosity getting the better of him once again, he thumbed the blinking square and in response a pale red, almost pinkish hologram appeared before the chair a good two meters away from it. It was a Dark Elfish male, with pale skin and adorned in that insectoid organic armor and clothing.
His face however, was charred in a burn and had a nasty cut on the underside of his other cheek.
Percy cocked his head at the image as he stepped before it.
"I did not think that it would be you that would investigate the Harrow." The elf said. His voice of deep timbre and seemed to echo as he spoke. The elf's hands were clasped behind him and underneath a dark cloak he wore. "Though I suppose I should have expected someone of no import to do so." It looked like his injuries hardly affected the Elf, though the slight wincing as he spoke betrayed how deep the wounds actually pained him.
"Who are you?" Percy asked, his head still cocked to the side. Though his tone was one of suspicion as it was clear that this was someone of importance and more than likely the perpetrator of the attack.
"I am Malekith. The leader of the Dark Elves." The identified Malekith, inclined his head slightly to him. "You do not look to be an Asgardian nor do you adorn yourself in their armor nor carry yourself like them."
Percy had no inclination to humor the Elf lord. If they were to come to blows, as Percy suspected they would, it would be best to keep the cards he had close to his chest.
"I am assuming you are here for the Aether."
"You assume correct." The words were not said in disrespect, rather they were tinged with the opposite. "I assume that you are going to fight me to ensure I do not obtain it?" It was a rhetorical question.
"What else do you want?" Percy questioned as he nodded his head in response. No use in lying or being evasive about that. Why else would a leader of an invading force want to speak with whoever entered this…Harrow as he called it.
There was no guarantee that Malekith would speak to anyone of significant importance, if anyone even investigated it in the first place.
"I just want the Aether. Nothing more." The elf lord said as a devilish smirk wormed its way onto his marred and burnt face. "And I guess your life will also do."
The holographic form of Malekith blinked out of existence and Percy's instincts flared to life as he twisted around, his arm out to protect himself.
He was not fast enough as even though the jab from an obsidian blade, edged in a red energy missed his spine and his torso, the assassin arced the blade upwards and bit in the side his thigh. The cut was instantly cauterized and stung.
Percy lashed out and grabbed the hand of the assassin and twisted the wrist, easily breaking the hand. The dagger fell and Percy's other hand did not let it reach the ground as while he pulled the elf to him, his other hand snatched it out of the air and stabbed into the stomach of the assassin.
He twisted the obsidian blade before dragging it upwards. If action didn't kill him the blood loss would.
The inside of the chamber lit up brightly in a red incandescent glow as several other Dark Elf soldiers materialized from both sides of the chamber out of the red misty aura.
That answered the question as to how they deployed so many warriors to the battle.
Still Percy, even in his exhausted state would not allow them to begin another massacre. Nor would he be subject to death.
Before the first bolt of red even leapt from the weird rifles they wielded, Aegis was out. He ducked underneath a lance of red as Aegis absorbed another shot and he was rocked slightly with how much force the bolt had unleashed on him.
He materialized dozens of spikes of water out of the moisture in the air, turned them to ice and sent them flying towards one side of the room while he drew the Stygian Xiphos from its sheathe within Aegis and advanced on the opposite group.
He didn't need to look to know he killed the majority of the group of elves on that side of the chamber.
There was no cover inside the chamber and he had sent them flying with enough force that they would most likely only be stopped by the organic hull of the alien harrow.
Percy closed the gap with the group of elves as another duo of bolts flew at him. He did not stop as Aegis deflected both shots and sent them to either side of him, leaving scorch marks on the obsidian deck.
With the gap closed, Percy swung and easily cut through the insectoid armor the Dark elf wore, its opaque blood spilling from bisection and a wispy black smoke was absorbed by the blade. The dead elf didn't even have respite in its death as Percy used Aegis to shove the lifeless body into his comrades.
Percy bent backwards at a swing from a the large tusk-like bayonet at the end of the rifle while bringing his xiphos upwards as well, pushing the rifle upwards and jabbing the xiphos into the roof of the elf's neck, in one motion. The blade went cleanly through the head as it jutted from the top of his skull.
The Son of Poseidon had let go of the stygian sword the moment it entered though and was already on the ones that were pushing their dead comrade off of them. He brought up Aegis.
And then brought it down. The sharp bronze edge digging into the soft neck of the Elf that had the misfortune of being the closest to the Sword of Olympus. Its black blood spattering upwards and painting the face of the shield.
The last elf was not spared as in conjunction with bringing Aegis downwards onto the neck of the Elf, he threw his hand outward as if he were tossing a spear. A lance of ice forming and flying through the air at the action and piercing the warrior and sending him back through the red portal, disappearing.
The fighting was over almost as soon as it had begun and Percy was breathing heavily as Aegis was still embedded into the neck of the dead elf warrior.
The opposite side blinked again and Percy's eyes widened at the large blinking disk that was almost the size of his shied. Instinctually, Percy stood twirled, kicking the obvious explosive device away from him as he did so, curling behind and bracing against Aegis.
And no sooner did he do so, the disk exploded and threw Percy backwards with enough force that it sent him through the organic hull of the Harrow and onto the golden floor below.
The Son of Poseidon groaned as he brought himself up as fire and melted obsidian rained from where the fuselage was. The bladed from toppling forward at the loss of the counterweight and as the outer edge of that same blade also crumbled to the side.
He had been knocked as far back to one of the unruined pillars of gold and stone that was nearby the base of the throne. Fortunately, his armor blunted most of the impact and his numbed senses had taken care off whatever pain he might've felt in that moment.
But he just knew he would be sore in the morning.
It was at that point did several of the remaining Palace Guard had rushed out and moved to find out what had caused the noise and explosion.
Seeing the flaming wreck of the Harrow, they looked to the Son of Poseidon for an explanation, who was still on his back from being almost blown up.
He was pretty sure he had a concussion and his ears were still slightly ringing from the ordeal but he quickly spoke up. "Th-they had teleporters onboard." He coughed and clutched at his thigh where the obsidian blade had cut into his leg. It still burned and ached from the sudden attack.
The lead Einherjar spoke up one he recognized as one of the Twins who had played babysitter to him the night before. It wasn't the hot-mouth and instead his more levelheaded brother. "Did you at least kill them all?"
Percy was confident that he did but he extended his senses regardless of his exhausted state, something he should have done when he entered the Harrow. The Asgardians and him were the only ones in the throne room. Even if they could cloak from view, unless they drained the bodies of blood and dried their bodies into husks, they would not be able to escape the intense and focused search for water or liquid.
He nodded. "I did."
And since the fires had nothing to burn as the Asgardian warriors snuffed them out with their shields, they quickly died out, something he did not have to worry about. He was exhausted and just….wanted….some….
Percy woke up, blinking and rubbing away the pervading sleep from eyes and yawning. He was still dark out and he didn't know exactly how long an Asgardian day and night cycle was. Even if it was similar to Earth's he wouldn't know the exact time.
He felt refreshed though as if he had some of the best sleep in his life. Not that it seemed like it amounted to much considering his whole body still felt sore and his leg was still slightly numb and stinging with pain as he tried to adjust its position.
His whole body felt sore and his leg was slightly numb.
He looked about him. Pieces of the Harrow and piles of rubble still remained but the larger chunks of the Harrow craft had been cleared out of the Hall.
Did he fall asleep in the Throne Hall of Asgard?
That was not good but Percy didn't think much on it after that. If they wanted him to move they would have woken him up.
Percy eased himself from his reclining position against the pillar and stretched. Relieving pops of his back and neck cracked sequentially as he worked all the kinks out of his body. While he was not wholly refreshed he had a semblance of his energy back.
His stomach growled. The bowl of stew was enough to tide him over but it was hardly able to quench his hunger. Turns out bringing someone from the absolute edge of death used a lot of energy.
"You seem like you could use some food." A voice sounded from off to the side. He recognized it as Sif's and his gaze turned towards her as she leaned on a pillar opposite of him. Her arms folded across her chest and her kite shield on her back.
His stomach betrayed him once again and a smile twitched on her face.
"Were you watching me sleep?" If Percy's appetite was willing to embarrass him, he would not be alone in it.
He was unwilling to answer her question verbally just as she was unwilling to do the same if her flushing face was any indication. "After you passed out and the attempted infiltration, the King and Tyr saw a need to place another guardian here."
That answered some of the questions he had. They had brought him to the Throne Hall to survey and oversee the clean-up, even if he didn't know it at the time. The act had thwarted another attack one, that in all likelihood, would have succeeded.
The Son of Poseidon supposed either the Asgardian King knew exactly where his prowess lay and would not pass on a potent warrior despite his heritage as was most likely the case or Percy's saving of the Queen of Asgard's life had allowed him a sort of role in the hierarchy of Asgard.
It was just as likely if not moreso, that it was a combination of the two.
There was a small silence as the two stared at one another for a stretching moment.
His stomach pleaded with him once again.
"If you're offering food, it would be rude of me to say no." Percy spoke, breaking the friendly standoff and conceding defeat.
She smiled slightly at that and gestured with her head to follow while stepping from her leaning position.
Percy followed the Sword of Asgard as several black and silver armored Asgardians began stepping into the Hall after they left.
"What time is it?"
"It's early morning. You only slept for about three hours."
"So you did watch me sleep."
He didn't know for sure if she was embarrassed about the fact that he pointed it out as her back was to him but he had an inkling that she, at the very least, was experiencing some amount of mortification.
She led him into a wide chamber but it was small for its apparent purpose. The mess hall, as Percy determined it was preoccupied by those black and silver armored Asgardian soldiers and a small handful of golden Palace Guard who were eating in small groups and conversing quietly.
A few regarded the duo with glances but mostly didn't seem to care for their presence in the slightest.
Percy and Sif sat down across from each other but away from the other meandering Asgardian soldiers.
They both helped themselves to portions of the food arrayed before them. Though Sif noticeably ate less than he did, not that it meant much because he was practically gorging himself on the amount he ate. He wasn't messy about it though but ate quickly and with a purpose just as he did at the feast the night he had arrived here.
After downing a near jug of water by himself, he reclined backwards as Sif seemed to be picking at her bread. "So what's the plan?"
"Pardon?"
"The plan? To deal with the Dark Elves?"
There was a moment of silence as Sif looked to him. "There is no plan. Not yet at least."
What?
"What do you mean by, 'There is no plan?'" Percy asked. That was the last thing he wanted to hear. He didn't actually want to hear that at all.
"The Allfather has not left the Queen's side since the Passing of Valhalla and Thor has not left the mortal's." Sif said, twirling a finger on the rim of her goblet. "The King has already closed the Bifrost and a war council is expected to be called soon. At sunrise in fact."
A cold sensation wormed its way down his back as it began to grip his spine.
Thoughts of Malekith not wasting his time in further planning. Even in the brief time that the two conversed, the Son of Poseidon had the distinct feeling that the Elf Lord was a cunning individual and would capitalize on any weakness shown.
If the Asgardians were going to do nothing when Malekith was already here on their doorstep then what was the point of having a military at all?
Percy pushed the feeling away.
He needed to gauge the situation and some questions needed to be answered.
"What of these newly armored soldiers? Where did they come from?" He nodded his head towards the others in the hall.
Sif looked about following his gaze to the conversing black and silver clad Asgardian warriors. "They are from the regular standing armies of Asgard, to be elevated to Einherjar when possible."
"The state of the Queen?"
She looked back to him. "Her condition has not changed. She is resting… though it is unknown when she will wake." She hesitated at the answer and he understood why. There was no guarantee that she would live through that experience. For all he knew, he only staved off a sudden death.
"And the mortal, Jane?"
Sif scoffed at that and rolled her eyes. What was her deal? "Surprisingly, she lives and is well. In spite of the Aether coursing within her." The Sword of Asgard clearly didn't like the woman.
He shook his head and downed another cup of water. It was nothing short of a miracle that she still lived. Percy just hoped that she didn't have another one of those episodes.
A Palace Guard came into hall, looked about the hall and strode towards them. "The King of Asgard is calling the war council."
Sif nodded and stood. "You'll be okay here?"
The Son of Poseidon waved her off and responded with a nod. "I'll be fine."
"Lady Sif, the King also requested the presence of the Greek as well." The guard explained and the brows of both Swords scrunched in confusion.
Why would he need to be there?
Percy guessed it was for saving the Queen but that shouldn't amount to any particular line of authority and as far as the King knew, his powers were noticeably reduced and nothing more than just an exceptional combatant.
Especially in this realm. If they asked for his help, then the Son of Poseidon would certainly give it but he was under no illusions that he should be made aware of any grand planning.
That increasingly common chill entered his bones again and he immediately squashed it down.
"I guess I should go too then." He stood and the guard led the two warriors through the corridors.
It was noticeably duller and solemn atmosphere throughout the golden palace of Asgard. The servants and palace staff were keeping close to the walls and their looks often cast about as if they were scared of the very shadows around them.
He recognized the jumpy and petrified nature of the Asgardians. Demigods and legacies alike had experienced much of the same in the during and in the aftermath of the Giant War, their memories locked on Earthborn rising and forming from the very ground they camped upon.
The sudden attack must have distressed the people to their core if they were being this skittish and unsettled Percy guessed that this was the first time in a long time that Asgard was attacked in such a direct manner.
They continued onwards as the guard led them to an ornate chamber attached to the main Throne Hall. It looked very much like the Healing chamber from two days previous but instead of leading to more rooms of similar make, it lead to a sort of center where people were standing before a number of amber holographic panels. Though there was nothing on them as they all waited patiently for something, most likely for the planning to being.
Others were there surrounding an elongated rectangular table that had a pale luminescent glow on its surface with four golden spiraling arms that outlined a a cube in the center.
The grizzled Asgardian that had called the Einherjar to arms the day before was there. So was that chivalrous Fandral in dark robes and light armor while an Asgardian Percy recognized as Volstagg in heavy maroon plate and was leaning against the top of his double headed bearded greataxe.
Heimdall was also there, resting upon the pommel of a greatsword that had a blade that was nearly a half a foot wide.
A number of other Palace Guard were there as well, including a trio of black and gold armored men who stood imposingly off to the side.
They all regarded the two that entered with nods of their heads as Percy was led by Sif to stand with the pair of Warriors Three.
At least no one here looked fearful at him nor did they send scornful looks his way.
There was a terse silence as they simply stood there for a little bit.
They heard the King of Asgard before they saw him enter the chamber. The resounding and reverberating thuds emanating from the but of his Golden Spear that he used as a walking staff.
The Asgardian King that walked in was disheveled slightly even though he carried himself with the imposing authority that he exuded. He looked all the years of his advanced age as the group bowed slightly as he entered the chamber. He was wearing the armor from the day before with gold and grey metal and black leather over dark brown robes.
He did not look like he got an hour of sleep the night before and it was readily apparent that he was weary and grief-stricken.
No one made any comment on it though as the King regarded them all for a moment and then brought himself to the head of the long platform.
"Tyr, what of the dungeons?" The King began without further preamble.
The grizzled man answered, it looked like Percy would be learning a new name every day.
I just hope he doesn't get stabbed. Was the Son of Poseidon's morbid thought at the impromptu introduction. Everyone already seemed to know who he was after all.
"The prisoners have been pacified and placed back in their cells. What damage that has been done is currently being repaired."
"And the raids on the armories?"
"All weapons have been accounted for, my King."
The elder Asgardian hummed and drummed his gripping finger on the shaft of the spear.
"The final count of casualties?"
One of the black and silver armored men responded. "We are still finding bodies in the rubble. The work is slow going since we are short on numbers at the moment."
"And our defenses?"
Fandral spoke from beside him. "We are still unable to restore the shields. The cores were completely destroyed from within the palace. It will be some time before we can get them repaired." He paused. "Our artillery cannot detect them." The blonde Asgardian glanced at the imposing sentry with the broadsword before looking back to Odin. "Even Heimdall cannot see them."
The Asgardian looked around as if he were seeking reassurance before sighing in finality. "My King…we are all but defenseless. We will have to recall the skiff fleets and Einherjar Legions from across the realms if we are to begin combating them."
Odin did not visibly react to the news. His piercing eye betrayed no emotion nor did he seem to even hear the news the warrior delivered.
If anything he just got a little paler.
It was at that moment, Thor walked in, garbed in a grey cloak over his armor. "She's your prisoner now?"
Percy hoped that was an exaggeration. Putting the Aether in the very prisons that were just rendered obsolete did not sit well with the Son of Poseidon. For all they knew, there could be more Dark Elf agents down there.
Odin looked to his son for a moment, before speaking once again, turning to the gathered group once again. "And of th-"
"Leave us." Thor cut his father off, who fully turned to face his son. There was a small hesitation before everyone began to trickle out of the chamber bowing slightly as they did so, while the doors to where those adjutants stood awkwardly closed.
Percy may have joked with the King of Asgard about being familiar and experience with family strife but this was something he did not want to be witness of so he began to follow Sif out as they were the last ones in the room.
"Perseus will remain." Odin intoned just as he was about to cross the threshold and into the hallway with the others. Percy's eyes widened in response as he stopped in his tracks, his back still to the King and Prince of Asgard. Sif stopped as well and turned around to face them.
And the Son of Poseidon slowly turned as well.
There was a good moment where Percy observed a brief stare down between the King and Prince of Asgard. The latter finally relenting to the stoic stare of Odin.
"We will be fine, Lady Sif." The King waved her away but she was not satisfied. The two Swords may have been cordial with each other but Percy guessed that her apparent duty as a bodyguard to the King warred against the order.
Finally, she spoke. "I will be just outside the door." Percy chanced a glance to his Asgardian counterpart who shared a worried look with him before turning and shutting the doors behind her.
Percy stood away from the pair at the other end of the table and felt wholly uncomfortable as he clasped his hands behind his back at stood, visibly, at ease.
"I do not wish to fight with you." Odin spoke, his voice soft and weary as he leaned against the table bracing himself with one hand while the other held his golden spear.
"Nor I with you." Thor responded. "But I intend to pursue Malekith."
"We possess the Aether. Malekith will come to us. Last night's events are evident of that." Both of the present Asgardian royalty glanced at Percy who shifted slightly under their gazes before they turned to each other once again.
Percy agreed with the words of the King of Asgard.
"Yes and he will destroy us. Perseus almost died because of it." Still referencing the night before. "And the Palace would have been under attack again and we would've been wholly unaware of it."
Percy also agreed with the words of the Prince of Asgard.
"You overestimate the power of these creatures. They die like any other living thing."
"They do but I value our people's lives! Ill take Jane off-world and draw the enemy away from Asgard." A stupid plan in Percy's opinion. Even on Earth where he was arguably, in their minds, at full strength, that world did not have the defenses that Asgard possessed nor the capability of besting these creatures. It would be New York all over again.
Why would Thor even think that?
"When Malekith come and pulls the Aether from Jane," There it was. "He will be exposed and vulnerable and I will destroy him and the Aether would be out of the hands of the mortal."
At least the Prince of Asgard was not wholly without intelligent thought. His endgame was sound. Malekith would follow the Aether, of that Percy had no doubt. He followed it to Asgard where he should have been thwarted at the very first step if not thousands of years ago when the Dark Elves were supposedly subjected to genocide and extinction.
But it was incredibly risky. Malekith would have to have the time to pull the Aether from Jane and in that time he could obtain absolute control over it.
That was something that could not be allowed to happen.
Odin voiced as much. "And if you fail, you risk this weapon falling into the hands of our enemy."
Percy agreed. It was too much of a risk.
"The risk is far greater if we do nothing. His ships could be over our heads right now and we wouldn't know it!"
Percy also agreed and he internally shook his head at this back and forth. The King had already wasted a night of doing nothing. Blinded by grief, he understood but he had a duty to protect his people. Time was always of the essence when waging a war.
The time to mourn would come later.
"If and when he comes, his men will fall on the blades of Asgard."
Waiting for an enemy without a plan only lead to unnecessary death.
Handing the enemy their objective on a proverbial platter would doom them all.
A cold chill began to slowly creep up his spine.
"And how many of our men shall fall on theirs?"
"As many as are needed!" The King shouted and then winced as he clutched his abdomen.
"You're both wrong." Percy cut through the argument and they both sent looks to him. Thor's was one of anger while Odin's previous adornment of his own fury had melted into one of stone. "And you are both right."
Their expressions morphed into ones of confusion but Odin's flashed with…recognition and regret?
They didn't offer any words to counter his claims so Percy continued. "To take Jane off-world would even the field. Right now, Asgard is the battlefield where you hold the decisive advantage. To move it would be getting rid of it." He said to Thor before turning to Odin.
"Forgive my words but you have already wasted valuable time. Malekith was prepared to attack last night again and the only person there was an exhausted demigod who almost died. The people are scared and leaderless. You are compromised in your grief." Percy stressed the word. Images of a wailing and distraught Artemis flashed in his mind.
"Careful Gr-" Thor began but was cut off as Odin slammed his hand on the luminescent table. Silence stilled Percy's further words.
It was a long moment as the King of Asgard looked to him in regret before he spoke.
"Perseus is right. Both of us are blinded. By grief and by love." Thor offered no retort but looked away from his father.
There was another silence as Odin maneuvered to the opposite side of the elongated table. "Perseus, kneel before me."
That cold sensation began to further coil around his spine as he felt his legs automatically move, almost on their own accord to kneel on one knee and bow his head before the King of Asgard. "Sif!"
Memories of kneeling before Zeus and Hera after the massacre of Artemis' Hunt flashed through his mind.
The doors opened instantly, though Percy's were glued to the greaves of the King of Asgard. There was a pause. "Yes, my King?"
"Call the Council back in." There was veritable stampede as the previous group flooded back into the chamber, on the other side of the elongated table.
Another silence permeated as none dared to speak. "Perseus Jackson, Sword of Olympus." He felt the cold metal of the spear touch the crown of his head as that cold sensation rushed to meet it. The coils of ice that wrapped around his spine grew taut. "I call upon Olympus to fulfill the treaty put forth by Perseus Jackson, the Son of Poseidon, that should Asgard call for aid, that Olympus would answer."
The words fell naturally out his mouth.
"Olympus answers the call."
"I hereby instate the title, Executioner of Asgard, and all that entails upon you for the duration of the war against the Dark Elves and charge you to wage war against the threat of the Dark Elf and hereby remove myself, Odin Borson, and my son, Thor Odinson, from command unless needed. Do you accept?"
Percy could hear hitched breaths echo across the chamber proper but Percy's mouth was moving before he could stop it.
"I accept, King Odin of Asgard." The words felt like vinegar as they fell from his mouth. That cold sensation griped him even tighter. The blade of the spear left his head and he could feel its heavy weight even now.
"Then rise, Perseus Jackson. Sword of Olympus and Executioner of Asgard."
And Percy rose.
'Great works are not performed by strength but by perseverance'
-Samuel Johnson