Freak || Percy Jackson x OC - One Hundred and Eighty-One: The whor* Himself arrives

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The image faded. Prometheus pulled his hands away from Sen and Percy's foreheads.

"Sen?" Thalia asked. "What... what was that?"

Sen shook her head. Percy was clammy with sweat.

Prometheus nodded sympathetically. "Appalling, isn't it? The gods know what is to come, and yet they do nothing, even for their children. How long did it take for them to tell you your prophecy, Percy Jackson? Don't you think your father knows what will happen to you?" He glanced at Sen. "Your own mother knows what shall happen to you- what already hashappened to you-and still, she does nothing."

Percy looked stunned. He didn't answer.

Sen smacked her hand on the table. "She does nothing because she knows what must happen."

Prometheus sighed. "It doesn't needto happen if she helps."

"Again with the lying." Sen sighed sympathetically.

"Do you really blame your friend Luke?" The Titan asked Percy. "And what about you, Percy? Will you be controlled by your fate? Kronos offers you a much better deal."

Percy clenched his fists. His eyebrows knit, and he got that hard look in those beautiful eyes of his. "I'll give you a deal. Tell Kronos to call off his attack, leave Luke Castellan's body, and return to the pits of Tartarus. Then maybewe won't have to destroy him."

The empousa snarled. Her hair erupted in fresh flames, but Prometheus just sighed.

"If you change your mind," He said. "I have a gift for you."

A Greek vase appeared on the table. It was about three feet high and a foot wide, glazed with black-and-white geometric designs. The ceramic lid was fastened with a leather harness.

Sen instantly paled at the presence inside. Grover whimpered.

Thalia gasped. "That's not-"

"Yes." Prometheus said. "You recognize it. This belonged to my sister-in-law." Prometheus explained. "Pandora."

Percy's breathing tightened. "As in Pandora's box?"

Prometheus shook his head. "I don't know how this box business got started. It was never a box. It was a pithos, a storage jar. I suppose Pandora's pithos doesn't have the same ring to it, but never mind that. Yes, she did open this jar, which contained most of the demons that now haunt mankind- fear, death, hunger, sickness."

"Don't forget me." The empousa purred.

"Indeed." Prometheus conceded. "The first empousa was also trapped in this jar, released by Pandora. But what I find curious about the story- Pandora always gets the blame. She is punished for being curious. The gods would have you believe that this is the lesson: mankind should not explore. They should not ask questions. They should do what they are told. In truth, Percy, this jar was a trap designed by Zeus and the other gods. It was revenge on me and my entire family- my poor simple brother Epimetheus and his wife Pandora. The gods knew she would open the jar. They were willing to punish the entire race of humanity along with us."

Percy looked like he was in deep thought as he looked at the jar. Sen wondered if there was something he wasn't telling her. Perhaps he had a dream or two while she was gone. Sen nudged him with her foot and looked back at Prometheus.

Prometheus tapped the lid of Pandora's jar. "Only one spirit remained inside when Pandora opened it."

"Hope." Percy said.

Prometheus looked pleased. "Very good, Percy. Elpis, the Spirit of Hope, would not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without being given permission. She can only be released by a child of man."

The Titan slid the jar across the table.

"I give you this as a reminder of what the gods are like." He said. "Keep Elpis, if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough futile suffering, then open the jar. Let Elpis go. Give up Hope, and I will know that you are surrendering. I promise Kronos will be lenient. He will spare the survivors."

Sen stared at the jar and got a very bad feeling. She figured Pandora had been completely ADHD, like her and Percy. Sen could never leave things alone. She didn't like temptation. What if this was her choice? Or Percy's? Maybe the prophecy all came down to them keeping this jar closed or opening it.

Somehow, though, Sen knew it didn't.

"I don't want that thing." Percy growled.

"Too late." Prometheus said. "The gift is given. It cannot be taken back."

He stood. The empousa came forward and slipped her arm through his.

"Morrain!" Prometheus called to the blue giant. "We are leaving. Get your flag."

"Uh-oh." The giant said.

"We will see you soon, Percy Jackson and Sen Hoa." Prometheus promised. "One way or another."

Ethan Nakamura gave Sen one last hateful look. Then the truce party turned and strolled up the lane through Central Park, like it was just a regular sunny Sunday afternoon.

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Freak || Percy Jackson x OC - One Hundred and Eighty-One: The whor* Himself arrives - Page 7 (2024)