Chapter 20
Finally Steve asks, "What happened Percy?"
Percy gives them all a grim stare and then says, "We have another war on our hands." They all look shocked at the statement, "What are you talking about Percy?" Nat asks hoping to get some answers.
Percy heaves a sigh before beginning, "So do you remember the time where many people in New York suddenly fell asleep?"
"Yup." Everyone agrees. "That was one weird time." Steve comments.
Percy continues, "That time all the mortals were put to sleep by Morpheus. There was a war going on against the Titan Kronos, he wanted to overthrow the Olympian Gods. I led the war when I was 15. We won obviously Kronos' essence was scattered then but now he's back. And he has a very powerful ally backing him."
"Tartarus, the Primordial of-"
"Wait, who's this Tartar-sauce person?" Tony asks. I pause for a moment to glare at him, he raises his hands in surrender.
I reply, "It's a place and a primordial. It's the Greek Hell. You've seen that when a monster is killed they dissolve, well what happens is that their essence returns to the place, Tartarus, where they reform. So essentially monsters cannot die but they do take a lot of time to form again. So this place can take a human form. The Primordial is millennia older than the Gods and Titans. And if he attacks us we're doomed."
Percy gives them a moment to let it all sink in then says, "On that note I got another poem of death or prophecy for me. And I'm leaving on a quest tomorrow. Don't worry I'll be back soon. In the meantime I have to prepare you guys so I'll be taking you to Camp with me. They'll make you new weapons and train you. If you want to help of course." He hastily added.
Natasha stepped forward saying, "Of course we'll help you." She glares at all of them challenging them to say otherwise. Nobody does. Percy breathed a sigh of relief.
Natasha further asked, "Okay, we'll come and help but what's the prophecy?"
Percy sighs and recites, "A Titan slayed wakes, backed by revenge,
Weapon of a defeated deity wielded by the great hero,
A single choice to decide the world's fate
The hero shall pick his own way, for none does him great"
"So anyways I'm doomed. Just saying being around all you guys was amazing."
All of them immediately give him harsh glares, "Don't you dare say that Percy, we're going to get out of this alive, all of us."
Percy gives them a sad smile but doesn't say anything.
Then suddenly there's a flash of light and the room fills with the scent of the salty ocean air a lot like Percy.
When the light fades away in it's place stands a man who looks like a carbon copy of Percy, same strong and powerful aura, tan body and perhaps the most striking feature the same green eyes. Except the stranger has a majestic beard.
"Hey Dad. What are you doing here?" Percy asks the man, realization dawns on the Avengers as they hurriedly bow understanding that they are in the presence of a God.
Poseidon simply laughs and waves casually, "Do not bow mortals, theatrics are more my brother's area."
There is a rumble of lightning outside and both Percy and Poseidon exclaim towards the sky, "Don't deny it, drama queen." The last part is added by Percy.
"Anyways Percy, I heard the prophecy." At this sentence, the cheerful atmosphere drops down instantly.
"What about it Dad?" Percy sighs tiredly.
"Well Percy, I have some good news for you.....at least it could be considered as a good news." Poseidon begins cautiously, Percy motions his to go on.
"Well we know one thing for sure, Tartarus won't be able to form a body soon. We Gods ensured that although he still can provide Kronos with a big army. We will help as much as we can son, but the rest is up to you."
Percy gave a short nod and said, "Thank you Dad."
There is quiet for a moment in which Percy and Poseidon simply stare at each other, each trying to gauge the others thoughts.
Percy suddenly dives towards his dad hugging him tight. Poseidon hugs him back. They seem to forget that they have an audience, Percy speaks in a voice so soft and small, that it breaks everyone's hearts,
"Dad why is it always me? I'm tired dad, tired of fighting, tired of the pain. I just want it all to stop. Make it stop, please. Please."
Poseidon gives him a sad smile so similar to the one his son had given a while ago that the Avengers know what will follow isn't good.
"Percy, I may not have been there for you much earlier, and I hope you forgive me for that, you are the best son any father could ask for. I don't deserve you Percy but I'm always here for you. I wish I could spare you the pain but a hero's fate is always tragic. Just know this my son, you have done me proud and no matter what I will always love you and be proud of you, Percy. Be brave, my son. Now rest."
He waves his hand over Percy's body and Percy goes limp in his arms. Poseidon smiles down a soft smile at him his eyes glassy as a tear slips down his face. Poseidon quickly wipes it away choosing to focus instead on Percy who has a content expression on his face although the tear tracks still stand out.
Poseidon looks up at the mortals, still quietly watching the scene and quietly says, "Thank you for helping him, he deserves so much more but I cannot change what is written in the Fates. He never told you the complete truth did he?"
When no one among them answers he sighs and says, "The place he told you about, Tartarus, the Greek Hell, it's a place not even us Gods dare to venture near. But during a quest his girlfriend Annabeth fell into the Pit, and Percy he jumped after her. He went to Hell and came back alive with Annabeth."
Clint shocked asks, "He jumped into Hell, willingly, for a girl?"
Poseidon simply nods his head, "They have been through a lot together and their love was stronger than even love between Gods, do you know that Hera had wiped Percy's memory but his love for her was so strong that try as she might, she could not remove Annabeth from his memories. He forgot his name and who he was but he never forgot her."
"Wow." Nat says, there are tears in her eyes too.
"Yes, he was inconsolable after she died, during the battle Gaea killed her and that made Percy furious, he stormed up to the Primordial and ripped her apart piece by piece. After he came back he shut himself out for 5 whole days and he came out only because I asked him to." Poseidon continued.
The Avengers were all dumbfounded and slightly terrified too.
"He has gone through a lot, when he was in the Pit, a number of his old enemies captured him and Annabeth, they kept them chained and he was tortured to no end but he couldn't bear seeing Annabeth tortured so he made an offer to Tartarus he would take his punishment and thrice the punishment of Annabeth if Tartarus spared her. Tartarus obviously accepted."
By now everyone is in tears. They all look sadly at the boy who is just 17 and has gone through so much, has had the world thrust upon his shoulders multiple times, once literally held up the sky.
There is a long silence following it. Poseidon eventually breaks it by saying, "I have to leave now, he will wake up soon, don't tell him I told you. And once again thank you."
Tony replies, "It was our pleasure, Lord Poseidon, he's a good man."
As soon as Poseidon leaves the other Avengers look at each other making a silent vow, protect the kid at all costs, no matter what he says.