Like Father, Like Son
"I see you're still looking for any excuse to keep fighting," Hades said while looking toward Poseidon before his gaze locked onto Zeus.
Who was burning with fury while his mind filled itself with exaggerated paranoia like always.
Hades could see that and knew him far too well not to understand it.
Hades slowly released his brother's wrist, which was still trying to burn his hand with electricity even now.
But the darkness covering him held it back.
"What are you doing here?" Zeus asked, almost furious, while gripping the Master Bolt even tighter.
Poseidon also slightly lowered his trident from Zeus' throat after seeing his brother's attack stop from the shock of Hades' sudden appearance.
And he was showing practically the exact same expression.
Making it clear he had the same question.
Because Hades normally never approached Olympus unless it was for special occasions.
"I remember you complain quite often about me not staying close to the family. It seems that, like many things you say, it's all just for appearances," Hades said in a calm tone.
But Zeus' gaze hardened from not receiving a direct answer from Hades.
The suspicion of rebellion began growing more and more inside his head.
Hades ignored this and glanced toward Percy, noticing he was completely fine.
"You can go back now," Hades told him with complete calm, even allowing himself a small smile.
"But…" Percy tried to say.
"Perseus…" Poseidon interrupted while staring directly at him. "You did well. Much more than, honestly speaking, I expected," Poseidon said, and within his gaze, which was normally unreadable like the sea itself, a trace of pride could finally be seen. "Now it's time for you to go back. There are people waiting for your return. Obedience does not come naturally to you, because the sea does not like being controlled. But try not to trouble your mother too much. She is a queen among women and had the misfortune of meeting me. Don't make her suffer the same thing," he told him while his eyes briefly showed sadness and longing.
But it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"Go. I'm about to have an adult conversation with your uncles now," Poseidon said while gesturing toward him, making it clear he would not accept any more protests from Percy.
Though his gaze still looked somewhat softer toward him.
Hades remained standing there calmly while the small black orb he had previously given Percy now spun in his hand.
Showing that this was what he meant when he implied Percy would probably use it before Harry.
Though maybe it had never simply been about saving his life.
And Percy genuinely wanted to stay and hear what would happen next, but none of the adults had any intention of allowing that.
Especially Zeus.
Who looked so furious anyone would think he was about to start hurling lightning everywhere without control.
His anger increased second by second while watching Poseidon speak with Percy.
Percy gave one final nod toward his father.
To the point he even awkwardly bowed toward him.
Then he turned toward Hades.
"Lord… uh… Uncle Hades. I can officially say now that you're my favorite uncle," Percy said before giving another awkward bow toward Zeus and immediately turning around to run away before Zeus fried his ass with a lightning bolt.
Ignoring Zeus' furious expression and Hades' nearly imperceptible amused smile.
…
The sound of Percy's footsteps slowly faded through the enormous hall.
The moment the sound disappeared, Zeus finally spoke again.
"So this was it," he said while allowing a small spark to escape from the Master Bolt as his gaze slowly moved between both brothers.
Poseidon merely frowned slightly while turning his gaze toward Zeus, not understanding what he meant.
Zeus' gaze slowly passed between the two of them.
"After all this time… after yet another failed attempt to take my throne… now even allying yourself with Hades and using your son."
The atmosphere grew heavier as Zeus' fury echoed through every word.
"Do you truly believe I would make that mistake again?" Poseidon asked tiredly.
He was equally, or perhaps even more, surprised by Hades' appearance to save Percy.
Meanwhile Hades didn't show even the slightest sign of being disturbed.
He had even taken a few steps away from them while slowly wiping his hand with a handkerchief.
Which only made Zeus frown even more.
"I have no interest in involving myself in your stupid struggles for power. There is a reason I rarely return to this place. What exactly would I gain from it? I already have enough work in the Underworld. Far more than it seems either of you have with your territories," Hades said in a cold and calm tone while letting his gaze slowly pass between Poseidon and Zeus.
"Hah. You expect me to believe that? Then why would you save Poseidon's forbidden son? If I remember correctly, the last time…"
"I am not like you, Zeus. You know that very well," Hades interrupted in a serious tone.
Zeus' and Hades' gazes collided while the pressure within the room only continued increasing.
To the point that if anyone else had been present, they would've been reduced to minced meat from the atmosphere alone between both gods.
Poseidon remained standing there with an unreadable look, not lowering his trident completely.
"Then why did you come?" Zeus finally asked, breaking the silence.
"I know your paranoia, Zeus, and I know what you are trying to do. But I owe those boys one, so I came to warn you. From this point onward, Perseus Jackson and his family will be under the protection of the Underworld against any god who attempts to harm them. And if anyone tries, they will answer to the Underworld," Hades said calmly, though his words carried tremendous weight.
Zeus narrowed his eyes upon hearing those words, while Poseidon also gave Hades a look that locked directly onto him.
"The Underworld?" Zeus scoffed while his gaze became far more dangerous.
Understanding the implication that it wasn't only Hades, but the other gods dwelling there as well.
Including many whom even Zeus kept under watch because of their powers.
"Are you threatening me? Do you think I fear them?" Zeus asked slowly while his body became covered in sparks as the energy of hundreds of lightning bolts coursed across him.
And the golden aura erupting from his body made all of Olympus tremble.
Hades' aura also surged back out from him.
A dark aura just as powerful, moving as if darkness itself were alive, hands and screams of suffering souls trying to cling onto something so they could escape.
Poseidon remained calm, though his brow stayed furrowed while his gaze shifted between Zeus and Hades respectively.
"You can take it however you want," Hades replied slowly. "The only reason they are also prepared to protect them is because your behavior during these millennia has not pleased everyone."
Zeus frowned even more.
"I can be certain Hecate is one of them," Zeus said mockingly.
Hades did not answer.
He merely gave him a smile that never reached his eyes.
Confirming Zeus' suspicions completely.
Zeus' gaze hardened slightly before letting out a dry smile.
"All of this is because of what happened to that human woman, isn't it? You're looking for a way to take revenge. Was Apollo's oracle curse not enough for you?" Zeus suddenly asked.
But those words were a mistake.
The darkness surrounding Hades exploded violently.
The floor of Olympus became covered in shadows while an aura of death filled the entire place.
Even the minor gods outside widened their eyes while looking toward the ground.
Where ancient spirits slowly began emerging.
Like demons dragged from the deepest pits of hell itself, prepared for total destruction.
And even they, powerful as they were, could not stop themselves from fearing the power of the one who had appeared.
"Brother…" Poseidon muttered softly, trying to stop the atmosphere from completely exploding.
Because he rarely saw Hades visibly angry.
And this was neither the place nor the moment to lose control.
But Hades ignored him.
"Do not dare speak her name," Hades said, this time in a tone that was not calm in the slightest, while darkness slowly swirled behind him like a living abyss.
"Unlike you, who have children to display power," Hades continued while staring directly at Zeus. "Only to feed your pride and prove your superiority. And you never once truly appreciated the people with whom you fathered them. You, especially you, more than anyone else in existence, do not have the right to even speak about her," Hades said while his jaw slowly tightened.
Zeus did not answer.
Perhaps because even he realized he had touched something he never should have.
"You need to understand this. I will never forgive you for killing her. And because of that, I will not allow the same thing to happen again," Hades said. "I will not allow two children to lose their mother."
That was a complete threat, and Zeus understood it perfectly.
He even looked ready to confront Hades directly over the disrespect toward him, completely enraged because of it.
But Poseidon spoke before the atmosphere exploded once more.
"I surrender," Poseidon finally said while letting out a tired sigh.
Making Zeus turn toward him, and even Hades did the same.
"What?" Zeus asked.
"It is punishment enough that my son was born with the misfortune of being a hero. Just like Hades, I also owe Sally a great deal. In exchange for sparing his life and Percy's as well, along with Hecate's grandson, whom I know you have been watching too… then I surrender," he finished while slightly lowering his head in a sign of surrender. "You have your absolute and overwhelming victory that you wanted so badly without even needing to raise your hand against me," he said calmly.
Zeus stared at his brother for a brief moment.
Hades also looked directly at his brother.
Who had just cast aside all his pride.
Something Hades himself had never been given the chance to do in the past.
For a brief instant, a fleeting memory crossed Hades' mind while he slowly closed his eyes, allowing his aura to gradually return into his body.
Seeing this, Zeus also reduced his own aura while looking at both Hades and Poseidon.
Though he was still clearly irritated.
Finally Zeus opened his mouth.
"Fine," he said while nodding slightly. "Inform Athena to prepare an assembly with the entire council so my swift and overwhelming victory can be declared," Zeus said proudly.
Poseidon simply let out a sigh while nodding.
Zeus gave Hades one final look.
But Hades now stood there with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.
Making it clear he had absolutely no interest in anything beyond what he had originally come here to do.
Zeus narrowed his eyes at him for a moment, but did not say anything else before his body vanished in a burst of electrifying light.
The place fell silent while Poseidon turned toward Hades.
"Thank you, brother," he told him seriously.
Hades gave him a look.
"I'm not doing this for you. Persephone is very fond of those boys. And perhaps if I had been more decisive in the past…" he said for a moment, but never finished the sentence.
Poseidon knew the story.
He did not need to ask.
So he simply said once more:
"Even so, thank you very much."
Hades gave him a somewhat annoyed brotherly look before turning away, while darkness slowly consumed his body, returning him to the Underworld, no longer wishing to remain on Olympus.