Chapter Four: Beginnings, Messages, Promises, and Apologies

Point of View: Perseus Jackson

A year later
"Are you ready?" Owen asks me.
"Yes, grandfather. I am ready." I answer in a stone voice.
"Good." He smiles warmly at me.
I finish strapping on my black plate armor, fitted to my form so it's not bulky. It doesn't even make any noise and is made out of Pit Obsidian. It's like leather armor that is just part of you, making it feel like you aren't wearing anything. I've gotten used to it.
"You look like a demon." Kronos chuckles and claps me on the back.
"I am one." I spit harshly at him.
"Yes, becoming my son does that to people. You're a monster. You'll be feared by all. Except for me of course and those who hold your loyalty." Tartarus comes in.
"Yes, father." I nod and bow my head to him.
"Go now, my grandchild. Show them that because they didn't see you for who you truly were, did they condemn themselves to be destroyed. Explain it to them in their shock, deliver our message, and then come home." Owen tells me.
"Yes, it shall be done." I reply.
I pull up my hood, the magical shadows covering all of my face but the bridge of my nose down. The cloak falls from my shoulders and covers all of me. I flash out of Tartarus in black light and onto Olympus with the same light.
"Who are you?!" Zeus thunders from his throne.
"A messenger. An informer." I answer stoically, the expression of nothing on my face.
He straightens warily. "What message do you bring? What information?" He asks.
"I am here to tell you that-" I start.
"Why is your aura so dark yet pure?" Athena interrupts me.
"I am a son of Tartarus, the Prince of the Pit. I am my father's champion and the champion of Kronos. A grandson of someone evil incarnate. My purity comes from my soul and it took them forever to get me to commit to their side. I was tortured until I agreed and now I see I should have agreed sooner. I feel alive once again. Now listen, or I'll rip your tongue out." I say monotonously. I turn back to Zeus. "I'm here to tell you several things. One, you made a mistake eleven years ago. That boy was never part of Owen Dabastor's curse." They all gasp. "I advise you stay quiet." They all nod quickly. "Because his soul was so pure and full of light, he could never be affected by a curse so dark and full of hatred. His fatal flaw, his personality, his love, and his ability to protect forbade him from doing what the curse promised you. His line would have ceased the curse and dissipated it. Sally Jackson was the last remaining descendant of Owen and her son's soul was pure enough to make the curse die out. Two, my father wants you to know that he is coming for you with the Titans, the Giants, Owen, Gaea, and all the monsters of the Pit. The reasons I am to give you for this war are of two. The first, for the injustice upon Perseus Jackson and his innocent and loving soul. And the second, because you killed his wife and children. He believes you don't deserve to rule since you are too foolish to see past your own fear of being dethroned. And just so you know, Owen met his grandson and tortured him along with me. He was my companion in that place for ten very long and agonizing years. I haven't been there for a year. He almost faded before he got to the Pit. Tartarus had to bring him back to put him through all that. He's breaking even more. And now, I have completely given myself to my father and the others. My gift, seeing you obliterated. Now that his ties to you are cut and you betrayed him, the curse is back even with his purity. Perseus Jackson can now destroy you just as you feared, because of your actions. I hope you burn, Olympians. See you on the battlefield. Your children die first."
"Wait!" Artemis yells.
I turn to her before I flash away. "Yes?"
"Is he still alive? Perseus. Is he still in the Pit?" Artemis asks.
"Oh, he's alive. They won't let him die." I tell her.
"Your name, what is it?" She questions.
"I have one name and I have not preferred it in a long time. I am constantly reminded who I am though. You don't want to know my name." I tell her.
"Will you take me to him?" She comes down from her throne.
"Brave." I smirk. "You have no idea what you are asking me for. Are you sure you want to go where I dwell?"
She sets her shoulders and looks determined. "Yes. I need to see Perseus Jackson."
I push back my hood and she gasps. "Relax, I'm just a remnant of the past. The one you want to see comes alive at night, just like you do. But the darkness of Tartarus is more haunting. Do you want to come with me? It might frighten you. I alone frighten you, don't I?"
"Yes, you look like..." She can't find the right words.
"Your worst nightmare, but designed to draw you in with my countenance." I say. My smirk is gone and the stoic look replaces it once more.
I now have pitch black hair, purple in most eyes. My skin is completely tanned, and my eyes are a deep purplish maroon. Closer to violet than red and have small forest green flecks in them.
"Still, I must see him." She comes closer.
"And you really want to go down there? I can't promise your safety. Gration would love to have you." I look her up and down and she makes a strangled sound.
"Gration, huh?" She asks. "Doesn't matter. I want to apologize. I should have done something more to save him." She decides.
"Hmm. Very well, then. I will attempt to keep you safe. But once you are there, you find your own way out. Once you're done with Perseus, I won't protect you. But remember, don't call on me when it's done." I hold out my hand.
"Daughter." Zeus warns.
Artemis looks at him. "I should have never listened to you." Artemis tells him.
Zeus looks at me. "I know you don't like me, but please keep her safe while she's down there."
"And why should I do that?" I ask him.
"I can give you anything you ask for. Just watch over her." Zeus pleads.
"I want for nothing. Nothing more than to watch your destruction and to be a part of it." I say. "You must give me another reason to watch over the moon goddess. I won't help her escape my father but I can keep her out of harm's way for as long as she stays beside me. But I need a very good reason to keep a goddess alive."
"We will surrender." Poseidon says tiredly.
"Sorry, but I don't take surrenders. We won't let you give in so easily. It was my first lesson in the Pit." I tell him.
"I will stay out of the fight." Artemis tells him. "I won't side with the gods."
I look at her. "Go on."
"What more do you want?" She asks in disbelief.
"Oh, nothing really. Just your promise." I shrug.
She swears on the River Styx to stay out of the fight. "Fine. Then you have my word, I will protect you. Your throne will be moved instead of destroyed. The roots will have to stay in place and I suppose we will have to find other things for your family to do. All this to see some boy."
"I swore a long time ago that I would never do something like that again and never let it happen again either." She puts her hands on her hips.
I raise an eyebrow. "Did you now? Delightful." I roll my eyes and hold my hand out to her again.
"Are you going to swear?" She asks.
"My words themselves are binding. I have no need." I tell her.
"It's reassurance." She says with an undetectable note of timidness in her voice. No one else heard it but me.
I sigh in exasperation. "I swear on the River Styx to protect Artemis, Goddess of the Moon." She looks at me strangely. "What is it now?"
"With that you'll have to protect me forever." She whispers.
"Hmm. My mistake. I'll have to live with it then. Oh well, are you coming or not?" I present my hand to her.
"Yes." She steps up to me and takes my hand.
"I hope you know what you are doing. You're hunters will be forced to stay out of the fight as well now. Which means I have to spare them." I close my hand around hers.
"I know." She nods.
"Who knew I'd be protecting some goddess from the powers of my family?" I roll my eyes. "Guess I'll have to make do then."
"Keep your word." Zeus warns.
"It is all I have ever done, fool god." I tell him darkly, shocking him, and flash away with Artemis.
We land at the first level of the Pit and she turns to me, looking pointedly at our hands. I let go and start walking. After awhile, she speaks up. "Why am I not weakening?" She asks.
"It is my doing. I have bestowed you with the ability to walk amongst my father without dying of drainage of power." I answer.
"Why did your father torture you?" She asks.
I stay silent and she keeps quiet when I don't answer.
A few hours later and she asks the same question. "Will you please answer me?"
"Because he wasn't my father at the time and I refused to serve under him. I suffered through the consequences of my decisions and turned. Now, I am his adopted son and his heir. The moment he fades, I become the deity of this place." I reply.
"You mean you'll become a Primordial?" She asks.
"Yes, a younger one, but yes. I will rule over the Pit. But my father will not fade. He will rule the world alongside his wife and children." I say.
"And you? What do you get out of it if you win?" She asks.
"When we win, I get what I've wanted for a while now. Olympus torn down and the blood of its children spilt." I answer.
"Will you rule over anything?" She asks grudgingly.
"Yes. Not that I want to. I prefer to roam, but I must rule over something in the new world to please my father." I tell her.
"What will you rule over?" She asks.
"I'll know when the war is over. He has not told me yet. He seems frightened of telling me or worried." I say.
"Oh, and you're fine with that?" She asks me.
"Of course. It's not like I can't leave and wander around." I look down at her. "You've changed forms I see."
She nods. "Yes."
She's changed from an eight year old to a twenty year old. She's still shorter though. 5'6 to my 6'4. "You don't like this form, do you?"
"It's just that I'm not used to it." She admits.
We don't talk again for a long time and I help her down onto the 400th level of Tartarus.
"How much farther?" She asks.
"We aren't even out of the beginning of my father yet." I answer.
"Why didn't you just flash us where Perseus is?" She inquires.
I stop and turn on her. She bumps into me and I keep her from falling, letting go when she's steady. "Because I feel like walking. Does it bother you?"
"I was just wondering." She murmurs.
I turn around and start walking again. She catches up and watches me. Looking for a change in my expression.
"Why don't you show emotion?" She asks curiously.
"Because I don't have to show it. I choose to leave my expression so it won't give hints to what I am about to do." I answer.
"Tactical." She nods.
"It's more practical for me. Think what you wish." I tell her.
"Will you let me go back to the surface?" She questions.
"Let you? You are free to go anywhere, all I have to do is follow you. You are perfectly capable of protecting yourself up there. Once you leave I won't have a purpose to protect you down here where you could easily be killed. All you have to do is stay out of the war. Go hunt someplace. I will eventually come find you and keep your power sources intact." I tell her.
"Oh. Is Perseus allowed to leave?" She wonders.
"Yes." I reply.
"Where is he then?" She asks.
"Right beside you." I answer and she stops dead in her tracks.
"What?" She asks.
I turn around and look at her with the same stoic expression and use the same emotionless voice. "My name is Perseus Jackson."
"You tricked me." She accuses me.
"Just as you tricked me eleven years ago." I nod.
She wilts. "Please forgive me for what I did."
We stand there for a long time and I lose track of it. I turn wordlessly and start walking again. She follows, walking beside me sadly.
"You didn't trick me really, just never told me who you were or what you were doing." She whispers as we walk.
I listen but don't comment and it takes seven hours at an increased pace to reach the middle of Tartarus. My family is gathered in the middle of the 50,000th level. I walk right up to them and Gaea turns smiling warmly at me.
She grabs my face and then hugs me. I wrap my arms around her automatically and she sighs. "So nice to have such another wonderful son."
"Who do we have here, son?" Tartarus asks me, looking right at Artemis.
I grab her arm and pull her closer to my family. "Someone who is now off limits. Consider it her peace. She is out of the fight and so are her hunters. Leave them be. The others can die as planned."
Tartarus looks at me and then studies Artemis. "Why are you here?" He asks her.
"I came to apologize to Perseus." She says.
"And have you?" Gaea comes over.
Artemis looks at the ground. "I'm not sure if I really have."
"She asked for his forgiveness, she has yet to apologize." Kronos says.
She looks up at me and I look straight forward. "Don't waste your breath, moon goddess. I can tell what you want to say."
"But-" Artemis starts.
"I don't need some long list of what all the gods are sorry for doing. I only need what you are sorry for." I cut her off without looking at her.
She thinks about it. "I...I don't know how to phrase what I want to say." She says.
"Use simple words then." Gaea encourages.
"Thank you for taking the sky for me." Artemis whispers.
That makes me look down at her. "Excuse me?"
"I said thank you." She mumbles.
"I didn't think you would remember a male took it for you. That was a very long time ago for me. The mark has faded with time, at least, the visible one." I tell her.
"I am sorry for not telling you why I came that night and for not helping you. If I would have noticed sooner, I could have saved you. I'm sorry for not treating you better at the end of the war. I was harsh to you even after you saved me." She says quietly.
I don't speak and look at Gaea, my mother. "Child, are you forgetting anything?" She asks Artemis.
Artemis scrunches her face as she thinks about it. "I don't know...it's been a while and I've only encountered him a few times." She mutters. She looks at me and searches my face. "I know I never blamed you for Zoë or told you to stay away from that girl...Annabeth. Nor have I told you to stay away from Thalia."
"There is one last thing missing." I tell her.
She seems to get it and she looks sad. "I'm sorry for making you lose Annabeth."
I nod a few times and turn away from her. "Had you not been in danger from Gration, I could have saved her from Porphyrion. If you had let me go to her aid when she called for me, I might still have something left. I could have said no and my life would've been different. Or at least died knowing I could go to her. The moment you spited me, was the moment I lost her."
"I didn't-" She begins.
"You didn't know and I shouldn't blame you, but I do." I tell her.
"Why?" She asks.
"Because Annabeth was the main part I stayed alive to even help you. Without her, I would have just sat there on that ship and rotted away. After I got home, I knew she'd want me to help the others. But for them to forget me so easily once sentenced here, made me forget it and I lost all ties, including hers. There is only one way to restore my soul and I don't want it." I answer.
Then I turn to the others, glaring at Gration. "Touch her and I'll kill you. Got it?"
They all nod and Gaea steps forward. "I'll watch over her for you. Go do what needs to be done."
I growl and flash away.
Artemis pov
"Where is he going?" I ask.
"To eliminate a few minor gods." Gaea tells me. "Come, I suppose you won't leave without him." I nod and walk reluctantly with my grandmother to some huge building and into a living room where she sits next to me and the others sit in other places. "I hope you know about what he speaks of."
"His soul?" I ask and she nods. I shake my head. "I have no idea."
"Once you sent him here, he wanted to fade. My husband made him stay and the boy hates himself. After ten long years, he has come to love us, despite what happened in that time frame. He thinks it's better than the gods. However, you always bugged him. Do you wish to know why?" She answers.
I nod. "More than anything. I don't know why, but I don't think I can leave without him."
"Well, ever since the girl died in my son's clutches, he's been lost in that part of his soul. Now, it's gone and it's missing. He doesn't want it back because he doesn't want to lose it again. Honestly, we've tried to give him someone to love but nothing works. You bug him because he sees your remorse. Even more so now." She tells me.
"But will be forgive me?" I ask her.
"Most likely." Tartarus chimes in.
"Do you want to marry me?" Gration asks.
"No." I snap at him.
"And why not?" He grumbles.
"Because I don't want to." I say coldly.
"I thought you were turning soft." His voice comes from behind me.
I look over my shoulder and over the couch to see he is covered in immortal Ichor. He smirks at my wide eyes.
"Still frightened?" He asks.
I nod slowly and he turns stone like again.
"Good. You should be. The only thing standing in my way of my killing you, is that promise. Don't forget that." He says.
"You never gave your answer." I say in a small voice.
"On whether you are forgiven or not, I heard you." He says.
"Am I?" I ask.
"I'll think about it." He allows.
"And how long will that take?" I inquire.
"It depends if you keep antagonizing me over the matter." He says and snaps his fingers, the Ichor seeping into his skin.
"What did you do?" I ask in shock.
"Absorbed the blood I spilt. It's not mine, I just absorb it and it gives me strength." He sits on an arm of the couch Gration sits on.
"Gross." I wrinkle my nose.
"Maybe to you. It's a habit I've formed. You're lucky I didn't drink it in front of you. I don't have problems with that." He tells me.
Gaea smiles at me. "He's grown accustomed to some of the things monsters do."
"Like crushing your bones without touching you. Now that's fun." He says.
"You've definitely changed." I comment.
"It happens. But I'm still very much the same as I was before I came here. Like my loyalty, my strength, my soul. You'll find I just have learned kinks that I never would have dreamed of topside. Hate to burst your bubble." Perseus chuckles darkly.
"Well what you said about yourself is true." I mutter.
"And what have I told you?" He grins evilly.
"You're more alive in the Pit." I remind him.
"Oh, you have no idea." He laughs at my horrified expression. "I guess you'll see just how different I really am. If you're planning on staying that is." He smirks at me.
"He's more like our father here. Well, his torturous side at any rate." Polybotes grins.
"He's come to love pain." Porphyrion tells me.
"Funny, you all hate it." Perseus snarls at them.
"It's not our fault." Alcyoneus tells him.
"Yeah, you're more connected to the Earth than to the Pit while the Titans are of their own accord and love their mother. I, however, adore Gaea and relish in the domain of our father." Perseus argues with them.
Kronos sighs. "He's right."
"I sense you told her something wrong about your lineage." Perses looks at Perseus.
Perseus chuckles and grins at me. "What?" I ask nervously.
"When I told you I was adopted, that was only the half truth. The sea doesn't run in my veins any longer. Pit and Earth do. I'm not attached to your dear uncle." Perseus laughs.
"How is that possible?" I ask in a strangled voice.
"Painfully." Tartarus informs me.
"Oh, very painfully indeed. I enjoyed that though." Perseus smiles warmly at Tartarus.
"I'm glad you did." Gaea smiles at him.
"How does it happen?" I question.
"I lost all the blood in my veins and then it was replaced by theirs mixed together." He tells me.
He lifts his hand and an empousa forms from nothing. "Power number one that I figured out." He snaps his fingers and she bursts into a shower of dust. "They aren't that useful though. I'd rather create drakons, but I have no need at the moment." He sighs.
"He's very restless." Gaea whispers for only me to hear.
"She believes that with all her heart." Perseus tells me without looking at either of us.
"You seem..." I start but can't finish.
"Hello, son of the home of monsters here. I'm technically a monster myself, but I have way too many differences. You smell like silver, pine, and cinnamon. The last one bothers me, it doesn't seem like something you'd smell like. Yes, I can smell, see, hear like an immortal should, but that's where similarities stop. Mine are more advanced than even yours. So, I can hear anything in the room, no matter how hard you try to keep quiet. It's quite annoying when people scream in your ear. I normally silence them." He points out to me.
"I smell like cinnamon?" I ask incredulously.
"And silver and pine." He replies.
"I have come to a decision." Tartarus says all of a sudden.
"What is it father?" Porphyrion asks curiously.
Tartarus looks straight at Perseus. "You will marry her." He glances at me.
Perseus turns stoic again. "Why should I do that?" He asks coldly.
"If you want to protect her, then you're going to marry her. It will ensure her safety from most of our allies." Tartarus tells him.
Perseus just rises from his place and leaves the room. "Um, Lord Tartarus, why do you really want me to marry him?" I ask quietly.
"The reasons I just gave and a couple others that I won't reveal just yet. Are you opposed to the idea as well?" Tartarus answers.
"I'm not sure. Over the years, some of my domains have worn against me. Though I still think of males that way, he was the only one I approved of. Right now though, seeing him like this, it worries me." I answer him and turn my gaze from the door to him.
"Dear, he won't do anything to upset you if he goes through with this." Gaea tells me.
"He has a choice?" I ask confused.
"Yes. But I think it best if he marries you. You'll be better protected, his promise will stay fulfilled, and he might even regain the missing part of his soul." Tartarus tells me.
"Why did he just leave?" I ask.
"He was very bitter with you earlier. He's probably trying to resolve his feelings over you. I believe they are pretty mixed, your talking to him and being near him has deepened the problem. Give him time. He won't take long." Gaea puts a hand on my shoulder.
"I feel awkward." I admit.
She giggles. "Perhaps so, but it's better than the alternative."
"What's that?" I ask.
"Well, he'd have to keep you away from all his brothers and the monsters that would dare to cross him to get to you. If he marries you, Gration will stop hounding you and the list of monsters that will try to get you will decrease. Your protection would have to be his main priority and it will worry him less if his marrying you keeps you safe from harm. He's trying to sort out everything he knows, thinks, and believes about you." She answers.
"How long-" I start to ask but Perseus comes back in and sits back down.
"Well?" Tartarus asks.
"Fine." Perseus snaps.
Tartarus nods with an amused smile. "Good. Go ahead then." Tartarus motions towards me.
Perseus growls as he gets up. He walks over to me and slings me across his back, then walks out of the room. He walks clear down into the next level and doesn't stop.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"My house." He snarls.
I pale. "Why?" I squeak.
"So you're safe for now." He snaps at me.
I wrap my arms around his neck so I'm not thrown off. "Why are you carrying me?" I ask after we descend four plains.
"Because you can't take the terrain yet. The air alone will fight my blessing." He says softer.
His tone surprises me. "Did you get bipolar disorder from switching blood and parents?" I ask.
He booms with laughter, surprising me again. "No, I'm being polite. If you were someone that I had not promised to take care of, I would be dragging you through here at the moment or rather, once we got farther down."
"Why do you live in a dangerous place unlike the others?" I ask.
"Because it's more my style. And it's not only dangerous, it's the most dangerous place in Tartarus. My blessing will allow you to adjust to the air and the terrain. You'll soon be able to venture out into it yourself. I hope you know what marrying me means." He informs me.
"I'm guessing I have to stay down here forever, don't I?" I ask sadly.
It takes him a little bit and I can tell he's putting an effort in trying to keep his voice kind and light. "No. You'll be free to leave whenever you wish."
"Then what?" I ask.
"Your hunters won't be disbanded like you think but I will have to become bound to them, you'll break your oath, you'll gain my full blessing, you'll be tied to me forever, and I guess whatever comes with being married to me in particular." He answers.
"Why you specifically? Why won't my hunters be disbanded because I'm marrying you?" I ask confused.
"My soul." Is all he says.
After a little bit, I decide to speak again. "What about it?"
"Wha about what?" He asks absentmindedly.
Did he forget I was here? "Your soul. What about it?"
"It's the purest to ever come into existence." He replies simply.
"How do you know?" I ask.
"The Fates told me a little while ago. It's not something I'm adjusted to knowing yet. Pure soul is not what I would refer to myself as. I drink blood, kill without thought, act inhuman, and I'm hardly innocent anymore." He tells me.
"Define innocent." I say nervously.
He chuckles. "Not what you're thinking. My definition? Without corruption, worried about something wrong, unwilling to kill unless by accident it happens, and not living through what I have. I'm still...clean. If that's what you're worried about."
I sigh in relief and he laughs softly. "Why?"
He stops and looks over his shoulder at me, raising an eyebrow in question. "You're prying into my personal life and asking me that question?"
"Well, if I have to marry you, I need to get to know you. You are not shoving me into some corner to stay safe." I put my foot down.
"I wasn't planning on shoving you into a corner. It's not like you to keep in a single area for a great amount of time. You have your freedom. All I ask is you don't freak out about my changes." He starts walking again.
"Okay." I consent. "Don't you want to know about me?"
"I already know about you. Your job, your life, your birth, your past, your family, and your preferences." He replies.
"Everything?" I ask in surprise.
"Yes, I am well aware. There is nothing about anyone that I do not already know." He says.
"Oh, okay." I reply and bury my face into his back.
The first thing I notice after a little while, he's warm and comfortingly so. Then I notice he is silent, more silent than I thought. He makes no noise, even though the many pebbles and jagged rocks should require him too. A blessing perhaps? It's also the way he walks, like he's always ready to fight but always walking in a relaxed position. Confusing and even more, he's gentle with me while he moves fast and roughly over the plains. His breathing never accelerates from the exercise like he's used to the exertion and could run through it forever without breaking a sweat. I let myself fall asleep while he runs with me on his back.
Percy pov
I notice when she starts to slumber and look back to see I'm right. "You trust me so easily. It should not be so." I shake my head and think more on what I am about to tie myself into. I'll be here forever and tying myself to her in that way would mean something I might not be ready for...I don't know if I can handle that part of my soul coming back again. Deep down in my blackened heart, I am starting to forgive her and I'm starting to bond with her. It becomes easier to be near her without the bad kind of anguish. The loss I feel starts to ebb little by little with what she and I will be to each other. I sigh and pick up the pace, careful not to jostle her.
After three more hours of quiet, we finally make it to the place I call home. A huge three story house that I absolutely did not want but was given anyway. I made a deal, if it was going to be big then I wanted it somewhere treacherous. My father was perfectly fine with it.
I enter it and shut the door quietly. I walk up the first flight of steps and then the second one. I walk to the end of the hall and enter this huge and ridiculously decorated bedroom. I part the thick hanging fabric and lay her down. I pull the covers over her sleeping form and close the curtains over the bed so she cannot be seen. I leave the room and slowly shut the door. I walk downstairs to the second floor and enter a similar bedroom, without the curtains on the bed, and lie down. I turn over on my side and drift into a blank sleep.