The Seraphic System

The Seraphic System

Chapter: 120

(The Greeks)

-{Kai}-

The sight of the mess that Mount Othrys had been left in faded, the Greek Underworld taking its place as it materialised around us in a wash of shadow and cold.

I allowed the vaguely familiar sensation to surround me, that peculiar feeling of the underworld, different from what I had felt in Hell. It brought back memories of what felt so long ago.

It was safe to say I felt much more comfortable around Hades. Both because I knew him and because I had three of the people I trusted the most with me.

I had come to understand what a domain like Heaven would provide its master. Heaven had shown me what that felt like, empowering my angelic magic and my regeneration while I was within its borders.

So I imagined Hades had the same effect, putting him at an advantage, but having three Arch-Seraphs to protect you would make a normal man feel confident.

Our arrival was noticed by the residents of Hades' domain nearby; the famous Reapers that made up his forces looked at our entrance with wide eyes.

They bowed at the sight of Hades, who in turn merely nodded.

I watched them with idle curiosity, smirking slightly at the way they looked at us.

Part of my comfort was also due to a specific perk I hadn't forgotten about. Hades' Favour. A passive gift that made it easier for me to accumulate wealth and harder for me to be killed. The dead feared me because of it.

Not exactly much to talk about, but I had a feeling this had been given to me by Hades himself.

But, most of all, I felt like Hades wanted something.

The golden light of Hades' divine teleportation quickly faded, allowing for the expanse of the Greek underworld to encroach upon my sight once more.

Again, I stood before Hades' palace.

Obsidian columns rose toward a ceiling lost in perpetual gloom. Braziers of flame lined the walls, casting everything in a warm glow.

Gabriel supported me, apparently uninterested in the sight, as she focused solely on me. At the same time, Azrael looked around with a mildly interested hum, as if she hadn't seen the place in a while.

Percy and Annabeth, on the other hand, openly looked around, stunned.

Percy's gaze slowly settled on me, and he quickly stood beside me, leaning in slightly.

"Kai." He whispered. "Did you seriously come here when you blackmailed... him?"

Hades twitched.

Gabriel's gaze turned to him, emerald eyes narrowing.

"This probably isn't the best place to have this conversation," I replied flatly.

Percy coughed, nearly dropping the large figure of Mahoraga on his back. The large Shikigami was steadily recovering but hadn't yet found itself able to stand up.

Hades ignored them for the time being, strangely coming to focus on Azrael. The god straightened a bit, his dark robes shifting like shadows.

"Lady Azrael," he said. "I hope the decor is still up to your standards."

Azrael looked around with crimson eyes that briefly shifted silver. "It is just as I remember it. Although I sense you've bolstered the protections, and I do believe the small garden in the front is a new addition."

"My wife insisted on planting them." Hades chuckled. "Most of all, no one will be interrupting us here. Not even my dear brother's messengers can reach this deep without my permission."

Azrael smiled faintly. "While I doubt he would have proven much of a problem, considering this is an issue that Heaven was forced to solve, I appreciate the saving of time."

"Naturally," Hades replied. "That is my brother's concern. I have no control over what happens outside the underworld, though I suspect I'll be getting a visit soon."

"I am curious as to why you appeared," Azrael questioned. "I know you care not for the surface."

"It was partially due to sensing my Father's presence and once again sensing a familiar Angel in the midst of a large event within my Pantheon." Hades admitted. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Kai. It appears a lot has happened.”

Azrael blinked. "You know Kaiel?"

"We had an encounter." Hades nodded. "The circumstances were certainly different. A lone Angel is such a rare sight these days."

"I didn't realise I left such an impression," I responded, attempting to ignore the three looks sent my way.

"Alas, you left enough of an impression for me to seek you out again when I felt your presence," Hades replied. "And how far you've grown. Are you perhaps a new Seraph?"

"An intended design for the last few centuries," Michael commented from beside me.

Hades chuckled. "A fair option considering what's transpired on the outside. In that capacity, I at least was able to take away the 'rude' exit that my brother would have tried to complain about."

He was right. It couldn't really be considered rude to leave when it was at the direct invitation of Hades.

"It was certainly a good excuse in a political sense," I said. "Though this whole matter got a lot larger than I had hoped for."

"Oh?" Hades questioned. "What was your intention?"

"Sneak in, sneak out," I replied blandly.

He laughed. "A daring plan. One that didn't go according to plan, I see."

I grinned. "We won."

Gabriel slapped me gently.

"So it would seem." Hades nodded, becoming slightly serious. "I suppose we should hasten this meeting. I can see the fight must have taken much out of you."

Hades' eyes lingered on the new shirt I had put on, and subsequently on the mark. The mark where I had sealed a Titan.

I shot him an innocent smile, eliciting a slight roll of his eyes.

And without preamble, Hades led us deeper into the palace, his black robes trailing behind him like pooling shadows.

"Once more, I must admit, you certainly know how to make an entrance," Hades said without turning. "Surpassing your own record as Olympus's most notorious outsider is quite the feat."

"Apparently, I have an affinity for Greeks." I shrugged.

Azrael's lips twitched.

I mean, I was stealing two of their Gods, and I was close with the eldest amongst the siblings.

"Will they even hear about it?" I questioned. "I imagine Zeus would want to keep mentioning that his Father had escaped into a vessel a secret."

Hades smirked. "I doubt that'll be an easy endeavour with the brief presence that was felt. Though your quick actions definitely delayed it."

He turned to regard Percy and Annabeth.

"And I see you chose the same companions. The troubled child of my brother and the prodigy of Athena." His dark eyes glittered with something between amusement and resignation. "You do have a talent for keeping interesting company, Kai."

Percy scowled. "I don't try to cause trouble. It just sort of happens."

He narrowed his eyes. "Well, you probably asked my mom the last time you kidnapped her."

I sighed, but gave a warning look to Hades.

Hades waved a dismissive hand. "Trouble draws trouble, I suppose."

We entered a smaller chamber, furnished with seats that looked carved from solid shadow. I lowered myself onto one, my body still aching despite Gabriel's healing.

Gabriel guided me down, then proceeded to settle beside me in a manner that left very little space between us.

Her presence filled my senses.

Hades looked curiously at the display but said nothing.

Finally, Michael spoke, thirteen sets of wings behind him and a warm smile adorning his features.

"While I thank you for your hospitality, Lord Hades, may I ask what has truly brought us here today? Surely after learning our presence was with Kai, your motives changed."

Hades sat down, finally becoming serious.

"An understanding question. Though I will state it is a pleasure to see you again, Michael. And Gabriel, lovely as always." He offered a thin smile. "Heaven's finest don't often grace my halls."

"We haven't graced many halls as of late," Michael responded politely.

He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepling beneath his chin. "Indeed. I do find myself asking, who are you? A lone Angel had been enough for curiosity, but now I see three of the strongest Angels known treating you with such a protective nature."

I tilted my head.

There was the obvious answer, which I didn't hesitate to give.

"...Kai?"

Azrael turned away, while Gabriel's lips twitched.

Hades' eyes flashed with annoyance, then he sighed. "If that's your desire."

Then he inclined his head slightly. "Though I would like to know whom I am talking to, especially considering our mutual enemy, I will let it pass for the time being."

He chuckled, the tension in the room easing slightly.

"Very well. Let us speak of matters you might be more willing to discuss. How exactly did the events surrounding my father's presence come to be?"

Azrael's hand glowed, an angelic spell unfurling around the room in a concealing ward, further accompanied by a purple glow as Michael idly tapped his finger.

Hades watched the display, his lips pursing at the lack of trust for his own defences.

I considered how to start this.

How do I tell a god that a group of evil gods are under the wing of one organisation?

Well, I guess the best way would be honesty.

"Recently, Heaven found itself at the receiving end of a large attack," I revealed.

"I see. For it to be an 'attack' and not an attempt, am I to assume that this force got further than the front doors?" Hades asked seriously.

"In a sense." I nodded. "Not past the gates but close."

"And this assembled force?"

"A large force of gods, consisting of major Aztec and Egyptian Gods, along with your own nephew Ares, who had taken it upon himself to try to get revenge," I revealed flatly.

"So that's where he went," Hades said gravely. "My brother has been searching for him..."

"He's within our care."

Hades processed that for a few seconds.

"Then tell me, how does this relate to the situation of my Father?"

Then Azrael paused.

Her silver eyes flickered toward the far wall, in what I knew to be the direction of the legendary Fields of Asphodel. I had caught glimpses of it on our way in and in my time here before.

An endless grey expanse filled with the shades of the ordinary dead.

"Lord Hades," Azrael said as she worked.

Hades looked at her abrupt addressing.

She narrowed her eyes.

“Is there meant to be a Titan residing within your Fields of Asphodel?"

Hades blinked at the sudden question. "No...”

He turned, looking at the area she was in, obviously sensing.

He pursed his lips, his eyes coming to rest on her again with a hint of confusion.

"Then I do believe you have an unwanted guest,” Azrael commented.

“Are you certain? I cannot see whatever you’re seeing, and I feel obliged to remind you that this is my realm.”

The tone in which it was said was respectful, with only a hint of bite.

“The presence is dim and is attempting to elude itself, gaze not over the area but multiple points, don’t look for the soul but the influence of the power.” Azrael guided.

I looked between the two.

I awaited the outburst of annoyance and anger from the death god, only to find myself in surprise as he took the advice on board, his eyes glancing back once more.

“I can still not see it, but I do sense something amiss. I will investigate it after we conclude here. Thank you for bringing it to my attention."

Azrael nodded. “I only bring it up as a concern for any listeners.”

Hades kept looking at the area, nodding absentmindedly as his brows creased. A flash of annoyance, suspicion and confusion ran through his dark eyes, before he once more regarded us.

Hades rose from his seat.

“In that case, I must ask if you could merely allow me to deal with whatever imposter has somehow infiltrated my domain. I am sure you understand the importance.” Hades offered smoothly.

“Lord Hades." Azrael addressed him. “This meeting holds importance; allow me to deal with it.”

Hades paused.

“If the presence is indeed some sort of foreign or any god, I will deal with it.”

Hades obviously didn’t like the thought. I could see this had already irked him. To have someone come into your domain and notice something you hadn’t been able to notice was embarrassing.

“I’ll go too.” Percy abruptly announced.

Annabeth’s head swivelled to him.

“What?” She all but spat.

Percy shrunk. “W-well. I could be useful, and I’m not doing anything right now. If you’re so bothered about it, I figured it must be a god or something, and gods can’t take a mortal form against Demigods…”

Annabeth paused, opening her mouth and then closing it again. She pinched the bridge of her nose.

“What? I’m getting itchy just sitting around, no offence, Lord Hades.”

Hades stared pointedly. “Some taken.”

“How powerful do you think the presence is?” I asked Azrael.

“Firmly in the god-realm, but oddly weakened,” Azrael replied.

“Whatever the case is,” Hades interjected. “Allowing my guest to take care of my intruders would be an embarrassment to my name.”

I considered that.

He did have a point.

“It’s not a big deal.” I replied lazily. “And it’ll be easier this way. A little thank you for giving me an escape.”

Hades considered it.

Azrael flashed him a smirk. “If it’s an enemy I’d like to get a chance to pay my thanks.”

The god of death was visibly torn.

“It is unbecoming-“

“Percy go, be careful and leave if the being isn’t a god.” I said, watching Percy practically run out of the door with Annabeth following.

Mahoraga all the while was left seated on the floor.

Hades frowned.

“I know you couldn’t stomach the thought so I hope you don’t mind.” I grinned. “Percy doesn’t feel like he’s done enough and with Azrael there he will be fine.”

The god sighed. “Consider yourself lucky I am not my temperamental brother.”

“I wouldn’t be here if you were.” I replied, earning myself an amused smile.

“Apologies, please continue,” Hades said, moving on as if nothing had happened. “How is it that you came to fight the most known figure in my Pantheon and his closest ally?”

-{Percy Jackson}-

Percy had never been so happy to leave a room in his entire life.

The tension in there had been thick enough to cut with Riptide, and sitting still while immortal beings discussed politics made his ADHD want to crawl out of his skin.

The passageway opened into the Fields of Asphodel, that endless grey expanse filled with the wandering shades of the ordinary dead.

Annabeth fell into step beside him, her hand resting on her daggers.

"Percy, are you sure about this?"

"Nope." He admitted cheerfully. "But when has that ever stopped me?"

"That's not the reassurance you think it is."

Azrael moved ahead of them, her silver eyes scanning the grey landscape with an intensity that made Percy's neck prickle.

The Angel of Death looked perfectly at home here among the spirits of the departed. Which made sense, he supposed.

"The presence is stronger now." Azrael said quietly. "We are close."

Percy uncapped Riptide. The celestial bronze blade sprang to life in his hand, its familiar weight settling his nerves.

They walked in silence for several minutes, weaving between clusters of shades who paid them no attention. The dead had their own concerns, trapped in the endless monotony of their afterlife.

Then Azrael stopped.

"There."

Percy followed her gaze to a figure standing apart from the others. At first glance, it looked like just another shade, grey and insubstantial. But the longer Percy looked, the more details emerged. Broad shoulders.

A powerful frame.

Eyes that held too much awareness for someone who was supposed to be a mindless spirit. A pair of sharp eyes turned toward them.

A sigh broke the silence.

The figure smiled.

"I’ve been noticed then?”

“No.” Percy replied, squinting his eyes. “Who are you dude?”

The being paused.

“A joker? And no self-proclaimed Lord of the underworld either.”

The grey disguise fell away.

The Titan stood revealed, his form solidifying into something terrifyingly real and his power distinctly became noticeable, a pressure forming on Percy’s shoulders.

He was tall, taller than any mortal man, with silver hair that fell past his shoulders and eyes that gleamed like polished steel. His features were sharp and angular, radiating a cold intelligence that made Percy's instincts scream danger.

“He’s a bit busy right now.” Percy replied, ignoring the danger. “Feel free to leave me your name though.”

The being chuckled. “I’m afraid I don’t have time for this, if my presence is known. It would appear I'm in need of a different location. If you move without hassle, I will give you a swift death.”

“Mm, I’m going to pass. I still don’t know who you are.” Percy said, swinging his sword around.

The being narrowed his eyes and the pressure around him became even more crushing.

"Iapetus."

“A titan.” Annabeth grimaced.

Percy frowned. “Not quite a god… but basically one right?”

“They’re bound by the same laws.” Annabeth replied with a nod.

Percy grinned, mostly because he knew the Angel of Death was watching.

No wonder Kai had felt safe if he had a whole faction of this.

Lucky Angel.

“My name does not make you reconsider?” The Titan asked.

“Nope.” Percy replied.

The Titan sighed, eyes flickering towards the empty space that Hades palace sat miles away.

“Then let me show you your folly.”

"Only one way to find out." Percy said.

The Titan charged and Percy moved to meet him, a spear of silver light materialising in his hand. The weapons clashed with a sound that rang across the Fields like a thunderclap.

Percy felt the impact all the way up his arms.

“…”

Even suppressed, the Titan's strength was immense. Each blow sent shockwaves through his body, rattling his teeth and threatening to tear Riptide from his grip.

He pushed through it.

Thrusting his sword, parrying the counter and dodging the quick spear that nearly took his head off, his sword slashed out in a counter.

A strike slipped through Percy's guard and carved a line of fire across his ribs.

He stumbled back, gasping.

Annabeth was there in an instant, her blade intercepting the follow-up strike and diverting her attention to him

Unfortunately the power difference was blaringly obvious as Iapetus batted her aside and Percy barely stopped a killing blow.

He nervously looked around for Azrael.

Oh dear.

Power erupted from him in a wave that sent both demigods flying. Percy crashed into a cluster of wandering shades, scattering them like bowling pins. The impact drove the air from his lungs and left stars dancing in his vision.

He forced himself up anyway.

Annabeth was already on her feet, a trickle of blood running from a cut above her eye. She looked as bad as Percy felt.

Iapetus advanced on them slowly, savouring the moment.

A massive torrent of water exploded up and pushed the Titan back, further freezing and encasing his hands. The Titan’s eyes glowed and light burned around him.

Percy’s eyes glowed green and the Titan’s focused narrowed.

Percy raised Riptide one more time.

Iapetus drew back his spear.

Then a blur moved.

Which was to say the world moved around him before he could comprehend.

The Angel of Death crossed the distance between them in a single step, her form blurring into something that Percy's eyes couldn't quite follow.

One moment she was twenty feet away, the next she was directly in front of Iapetus, her hand pressed flat against his chest.

The Titan's eyes went wide.

Light erupted from Azrael's palm. Something that swallowed rather than illuminated. It poured into Iapetus like water into a drain, and everywhere it touched, the Titan's form began to crystallise.

Silver frost spread across his skin.

His movements slowed, then stopped entirely. His expression froze in a mask of shock and fury.

Within seconds, it was over.

Iapetus stood motionless, encased in a prison of dark ice that seemed to drink in the ambient light. His eyes still moved, tracking Azrael with impotent rage, but the rest of him was utterly paralyzed.

"Sealing complete." Azrael said calmly, as if she had done nothing more strenuous than closing a door. “A good job demigod.”

Percy stared.

Annabeth stared.

“That felt easy.” Percy commented.

“Don’t be fooled.” Azrael replied coldly. “He was beyond weakened and strangely, he was tired when we found him. He has been using his energy for something.”

“He’s weakened… by how much?” Annabeth asked.

“At his prime he would be stronger than Atlas.” Azrael commented idly. "I will leave him here for Hades." Azrael continued, stepping back from her handiwork. "He will want to determine how the Titan escaped Tartarus in the first place."

A ripple passed through the air around them.

Percy felt it in his bones, a shift in the fabric of reality that made his teeth ache. Divine attention, vast and ancient, focusing on their location like a spotlight.

Hades had noticed.

Percy wanted to respond.

He wanted to say something witty, something to cover up how completely outclassed he had just been. But his brain was still trying to process what he had witnessed.

Azrael had ended that fight in seconds.

How the hell did Kai pull that?

-{Kai}-

What followed was a brief explanation of what had happened. Initially, after revealing Kronos had been sealed, Hades had rightly assumed that Azrael sealed Kronos into me; her face was funny when Hades said that.

That had led to the disbelieving look I was thus subjected to.

Hades didn't understand for a second, but when he did, he gave me a surprised look. "You sealed the Titan Lord."

"It was a group effort," I replied hesitantly.

"I'm sure it was." His tone suggested he didn't believe that for a second. "And what of the other one? The Devil."

"A Lucifer to be precise." Michael supplied.

Hades' expression remained cold. "A Lucifer. Operating on Olympian territory. Interfering with Olympian affairs."

"Rizevim Livan Lucifer," Michael replied instantly. "He interrupted the otherwise successful plan and attempted to ambush me with Atlas. He fled when the battle turned against him."

"How convenient for him." Hades' fingers clasped as he leaned back in his chair. "The devils have grown bold."

"I don't believe it was the New Satan Faction. If that's where your mind is heading." I commented.

I shrugged. "I'm sure they're doing plenty of other stuff."

Percy shifted. "We did run into someone, too. When we were attempting our own escape."

Hades turned his attention to the demigod. "Oh?"

"You may speak freely here," Hades said. "Outsider gods cannot hear their names spoken in my realm."

"Nemesis," Annabeth said. "She attacked us in the defence of Kronos, only to retreat after we held her off."

"The Goddess of Revenge. You were able to ward her off?"

"It was mainly Percy's efforts."

Hades assessed them for a moment, a hint of surprise at that particular revelation. "Nemesis isn't a weak Goddess... you should be proud. As for this group..."

"The Khaos Brigade," I said.

Hades remained unfazed.

"You've heard of them," I observed.

"Indeed. A coalition of malcontents from various factions."

"Well, it wasn't as quaint when they tried to conquer Heaven." I dryly replied.

"Evidently." Hades studied me for a long moment. "You seem to know quite a bit about them."

"We've had encounters," I replied. "And I'm just getting started."

I was going to watch them burn.

"I see." He let the silence stretch before exhaling.

"I shan't keep you for too long. You clearly need rest." He glanced at Percy and Annabeth. "If you desire, I can have these two sent back to Camp Half-Blood."

I shook my head. "I can handle it."

"Before we go." I met his gaze directly. "What's your real motive here, Hades? You didn't bring us to your palace just to ask questions you could have asked anywhere."

The God of the Underworld chuckled.

"Perceptive." He rose from his seat, moving to stand before one of the green-flamed braziers. "Very well. I'll be direct."

He turned to face us.

"I wish to form an alliance with Heaven." Hades revealed.

The Archangels' expressions remained carefully blank.

I felt Gabriel's grip on my arm tighten slightly, but her face betrayed nothing.

"An alliance," I repeated, surprised. "Between the Greek Underworld and Heaven?"

Michael became pensive. "An alliance between a Greek and Heaven? After the disputes over Italy, I do believe our two Factions distanced quite a bit."

"Indeed. Perhaps that's precisely why it is a good option." Hades replied smoothly.

"I could see the benefit," I said, finally staring at him properly.

It hadn't even materialised as a thought in my mind.

I had been looking for Allies. While I was confident Heaven's power would only continue to rise, having allies could never hurt.

"Alliances have become so rare these days." Hades said. "Everyone clings to their old partnerships, ancient agreements. How about a change?"

"And how would this benefit us?" Azrael asked.

"Beyond the obvious threats of the Khaos Brigade. Rogue Titans. The bats operating freely on foreign soil. These are symptoms of a larger disease." His dark eyes met mine. "I am merely offering a mutual alliance against this threat. Once it is dealt with, we would review this alliance."

A short-term alliance.

"But I understand this will have to be spoken to with the Lord Yahweh himself." Hades said slowly.

It was then that it dawned on me.

He wasn't setting up a meeting because he was technically in a position of power. Hades coming to Heaven would put him at a disadvantage in some sense.

"We will consider it." I decided.

Hades flashed me a wry smile. "In that case, I have only one more thing to ask of you."

I sent him a questioning look.

"My children, the two I believe you know quite well." Hades said blandly. "They are no longer safe in the Lotus Hotel. Would you be able to take them in?"

Percy whistled. "At least take him out to dinner—"

He took that moment to remember where he was and promptly shut his mouth.

Hades' stare rested on him, and divine power began filling the room.

"Not a good way to start a request for help," I commented.

Then he returned my gaze and rolled his eyes.

"If it helps, they are baptised."

Gabriel perked up.

"Then don't blame me if they like the church better than whatever hospitality the Greeks have offered," I remarked.

Hades visibly became offended.

"Gods can't interfere." Hades retorted.

"I'm sure the world remains ever thankful for it." I prayed.

Percy choked while Hades snorted.

"Is this an acceptance?" Hades questioned.

"It is."

"And what am I to owe?"

"Nothing. We don't trade children." I smiled innocently.

Gabriel's innocent beam next to me highlighted that as it almost filled the room.

Hades closed his eyes, but smirked. "Very well, I thank you for your generosity."

A few more subjects were skimmed upon until we finally left the Underworld shortly after.

Hades had been gracious enough in his farewell, offering the use of his Domain to travel and expedite our departure. To which I had declined.

This did reveal one thing: I needed to focus more on my own power.

-END-

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