25+ Advance chapters on [email protected]/Saintbarbido.
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(Loth's P.O.V)
As we ascended, the oppressive weight of Tartarus began to lift. The sphere of darkness carried us swiftly, and soon we could see the faint glow of the Underworld's throne room above.
Percy broke the silence. "So… what now? We just go back to the mortal world like nothing happened?"
Hades' voice was cold. "Not quite. You have fulfilled your end of the bargain. I will return your mother to you, Percy Jackson. But as for you, Loth…"
I tensed, meeting his gaze. "What about me?"
Hades' eyes glinted with something unreadable. "You have proven yourself resourceful. But do not think your debts are settled. The Helm of Darkness and the Master Bolt will be returned to their rightful owners. And as for the creature within you…"
Blitz growled in my mind.
"Blitz stays with me. He's not a bargaining chip." I firmly said as the sphere touched down in the throne room.
Hades' expression darkened, but before he could respond, Persephone placed a hand on his arm. "Enough, husband. The boy has done us a great service. Let him keep his… companion."
Hades exhaled sharply but nodded. "For now. But remember, Loth, the Underworld always collects its dues."
He waved a hand and A portal shimmered into existence, revealing the mortal world on the other side.
Percy stepped forward, his eyes searching. "My mom…"
Hades snapped his fingers, and Sally Jackson appeared, looking disoriented but unharmed. Percy rushed to her side, relief flooding his features.
Annabeth turned to me, her expression a mix of exhaustion and curiosity. "What now, Loth? You've changed the course of destiny. What's next?"
I smirked, though my mind was already racing. "Now? We get back to camp and prepare. Kronos may be sealed, but the Titans aren't the only threat. And I have a feeling the Fates aren't done with us yet."
Or rather me.
"Guys, this is my mom, Sally Jackson." A teary Percy introduced.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Jackson, I'm Loth and this is..."
"Annabeth. A pleasure." Annabeth cut in, shaking Sally's hand. "It's hard to believe you're Seaweed brain's mom."
"Oh, he only has my eyes. The rest he takes after his Dad. Seaweed Brain huh? Very fitting." Sally chuckled.
"Mooom." Percy complained.
"Oh I'm just having a little fun with your friends dear. Is Annabeth your girlfriend?"
As a flustered Percy and Annabeth tried to deny the possibility, the cause of the whole thing turned her attention to me.
"And you, Mr. Loth, should I assume you're the one who put these two young kids up to this?" She asked with narrowed eyes.
Sally Jackson was an intimidating woman.
"Nope, you have a centaur and a drunk God to thank for that. Maybe you should have words with them."
"Oh, I will. And as for you..."
"What do you want now Woman? Have you not caused enough drama during your stay at my palace?" Hades growled.
"She was not talking to you husband." Persephone said, as she hugged Sally. "I'll be so lonely now that you're leaving Sal."
"Visit me in the mortal world anytime Sephi. You'll always be welcome in my home."
After the farewell we stepped through the portal, leaving the Underworld behind.
Before the rift fully closed, Hades met my eyes and smiled strangely.
As the shadows disaapeared from our front, I looked ahead and my face twisted into a sour expression.
"Fuck you Hades..." I muttered, as we stood in front of the Olympian thrones...in Mount Olympus.
That friggin wannabe Emo God had played us.
The throne room stretched out before us, impossibly massive. Twelve enormous thrones loomed overhead, arranged in a U-shape around a polished marble dais.
Ten of them were occupied.
My body tensed as I felt the sheer weight of their presence. Even without aura sense, I could feel them—gods in their purest form, power humming beneath their skin like caged storms.
And at the center, seated on the tallest throne, was Zeus.
He leaned forward, his silver hair shimmering like a storm cloud, sharp blue eyes crackling with contained lightning.
"So!" His voice boomed, shaking the air. "The thieves return with my Lightning Bolt!"
"Oh gods," Percy whispered.
"Oh Zeus, more like," Annabeth muttered, her voice tight with apprehension.
I barely heard them.
Because the Master Bolt in my hands was vibrating.
Before I could react, it ripped itself from my grasp.
The entire room shook as it shot through the air, landing in Zeus' outstretched palm. The chamber trembled, streaks of silver lightning burning across the walls like divine scars.
I gritted my teeth. Here we go.
Zeus' gaze locked onto us, his expression dark and unreadable.
"Any final words before I smite you back into dust?"
The pressure of his divinity bore down on us. My knees buckled, and for the first time in a long while, I had to force myself not to bow.
Percy tried. "We didn't steal it!"
Zeus narrowed his eyes. "Then explain why it was in your possession, half-blood."
Before Percy could stammer out a response, Poseidon shifted in his throne. The god of the sea, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants, regarded us with a calm stare that switched to unimpressed when hid sea-green eyes landed on Zeus.
"Brother," Poseidon said, voice smooth and controlled. "Must you always be so dramatic?"
Zeus turned on him. "Do you defend them?"
Poseidon sighed, rubbing his temple. "I defend logic. Perhaps we should listen before you start throwing lightning."
The tension in the room crackled like an impending storm.
I exhaled, lifting my head. "You don't actually want the truth, do you?"
Zeus' gaze snapped to me, his expression darkening.
"You want someone to blame," I continued, ignoring the warning look Annabeth shot me. "Because otherwise, you'd have to admit that you lost your own weapon right under your nose."
Silence.
A beat later, Poseidon laughed.
A deep, rolling chuckle that sent ripples through the air.
"You have nerve, boy." Poseidon's lips quirked up slightly. "Perhaps too much."
Zeus' fingers tightened around the Master Bolt. "Watch yourself, mortal."
I smirked. "Or what? You'll smite the person who brought your Bolt back? Very godly of you."
Annabeth looked like she wanted to strangle me.
Before Zeus could fry me into ash, Apollo leaned forward. The usually carefree sun god was uncharacteristically serious.
"Hold on Father," Apollo said. "Before we start vaporizing demigods, let's hear the full story. For entertainment at least."
"Yeah sure, get off on us almost dying." I rolled my eyes and this time Annabeth slapped me, but I blocked it without looking.
Shenanigans, and my very real growing disgust with the Gods aside, we told them everything.
Every fight. Every challenge. All except me killing Ares. The fact his throne was empty pleased me. I hoped the fucker was truly dead.
And when we reached the part about the true Lightning Thief—Luke Castellan— the entire room fell deathly silent.
Annabeth's voice wavered as she confirmed it, and I saw something shift in Athena's gaze.
Hermes sighed, rubbing his jaw. "Huh. I thought it was weird when Chiron told me Luke disappeared a few days after the Quest was given."
I resisted the urge to groan. "You thought it was weird then? Not when he was summoning Hellhounds on Camp grounds?"
Hermes shrugged. "I was too busy to notice."
Wow. You know what?...I could kind of understand Luke now.
Hera, regal and untouchable, studied me with sharp, hawk-like eyes. "And you, boy. You reek of my husband's bastard bloodline. Explain."
I hesitated before exhaling. "I altered my scent to wield the Bolt."
The room froze.
Zeus' expression went blank for half a second before his rage exploded.
Lightning erupted from his fingertips, a blinding streak of divine power aimed directly at me.
I barely had time to react.
Before the blast could hit, a portal tore open before me.
The lightning disappeared into it.
A cold, familiar sigh echoed through the chamber.
Hades stepped through.
Zeus' expression twisted in fury. "You are not welcome here."
Hades dusted off his black robes, entirely unimpressed. "And yet, here I am. Because I knew you would do something foolish, dear brother."
Poseidon tilted his head. "He has a point."
Several gods murmured in agreement. Only Demeter remained silent, her expression carefully neutral.
Zeus clenched his jaw. "This is an Olympian matter. You do not belong."
Hades rolled his eyes. "Oh, yes. Exclude me as always." He turned to us, and for a moment, his expression softened. "Children, I'd let you stay, but things might get… unpleasant here."
Before I could argue, a second portal opened beneath us.
"Until next time," Hades muttered.
The next thing I knew, the throne room vanished.
We were falling.
When we landed, we weren't in Olympus anymore.
We were standing at the edge of Half-Blood Hill.
The familiar smell of pine filled my lungs. The warm summer breeze ruffled my clothes. The comforting hum of the Camp's protective barrier surrounded us.
We were home.
Percy exhaled, gripping Riptide tightly. Annabeth's shoulders sagged in relief.
For a long moment, none of us spoke.
Then Percy turned to me.
"So… that was a thing."
I snorted. "Yeah."
Annabeth shot me a look. "You just had to provoke Zeus, didn't you?"
I grinned. "It's a gift."
Percy shook his head.
"So what now?" He asked and they both regarded me.
I gazed out over the camp. The storm had passed, my curse was gone and I wanted a shower.
Luke? Gaea? Not my problem to deal with.
"Why do you guys keep asking me that? You can think for yourselves you know." I raised an eyebrow.
Annabeth and Percy shared a glance.
"Actually...that's a good question." Annabeth scratched her chin in thought.
"You just seem to know what to do. And I hate thinking, would rather just slash or stab something." Percy shrugged as they followed me through the barrier.
"Go on."
"You're older. And not as dumb as I thought you were at first."
"Thanks Annabeth...continue."
"You're strong and you know Magic too."
"Good observation Percy. I am indeed awesomely strong and a powerful Magician." I cleared my throat luxurating in the praise.
To be specific, the only user of Anodite Magic in the Percy Jackson world.
And you know what? I was kinda getting used to it.