Chương 34: First Blood

Riordanverse

He comes on powerful wingbeats as loud and booming as thunder, accompanied by high pitched whistles and screeches promising violence to all who dare stand in his way.

Even with the pain from the burden of the sky, Aemon cannot help the grin that stretches on his face, full of bloodthirst for he will have his recompense. Koios will bleed for his transgressions and Aemon will see him blinded for the removal of his left eye and the burning of his right hand.

As Caraxes' high pitched roar echoes through the sky over Mount Tamalpais, Aemon releases his hold over his Conqueror's Haki, allowing Koios to move once again. Unfortunately for the Titan, before he can even properly gain his footing, Caraxes swoops from above and lashes out at him with his tail, sending Koios flying into the Titan fortress of Mount Othrys.

As the Blood Wyrm lands before his companion the roars of the other dragons echo throughout the mountaintop as they circle above before also landing.

"Aemon!" calls out Rhaenys as she vaults from her dragon's back and races towards him.

"Sister." greets Aemon with a smile while Rhaenys stumbles upon seeing his missing eye and the other results of Koios' torture.

"Who did this?" snarls Rhaenys as she gently cradles Aemon's head and looks upon his face.

Before he can answer, Jaehaerys and Aegon make their presence known. "I did not think it possible for you to become uglier, yet here you are brother." says Jaehaerys.

"Which of our illustrious ancestors are you attempting to emulate now little brother, Aemond One-Eye or Bloodraven?" jests Aegon.

"I think the Dragonknight and I have more in common, no? Dashing, skilled at arms, honorable." replies Aemon with a smirk and a wince Rhaenys touches him too close to his missing eye, causing Jaehaerys and Aegon to laugh.

"Honorable?" questions Aegon with a chuckle. "You are as honorable as The Rogue Prince and Bloodraven."

"We do not have time for thy jests. Koios will be back soon and bringing with him who knows how many monsters." says Zoë cutting through the mirthful air.

"She is right, we must free him before our enemies return." says Daenerys.

"Easier said than done, these are no mere chains. Hera had them commissioned to hold Zeus, the King of Gods, himself." Aemon says.

"I think I have the key." Percy interjects, bringing the group's attention to him. "A god named Fred gave me this, he told me I would know when to use it. I think he meant now." says Percy as he takes a silver key from his pocket and passes it to Rhaenys.

"Good, now come out from under there. There is a battle to be fought." says Aegon as the chains fall from Aemon's neck and wrists.

"He cannot, not unless someone else takes the burden of the sky from his shoulders." says Zoë.

"I'll do it." volunteers Percy, only for Aemon to immediately interject.

"No." says Aemon, causing the group to look at him. "At best we shall face one Titan, but truthfully speaking it is more likely for Koios to be joined by Atlas. Before them are two children of the Big Three, Athena's favorite daughter, and the Lieutenant of Hunters of Artemis. The death of one would be a major loss to the Olympian war effort, and the loss of all may well end the war before it truly begins, it cannot be any of you."

"That doesn't make sense. Whoever's holding the sky would be the safest person." argues Thalia.

"Nay, he is right." says Zoë. "We have the most experience when facing these monsters and hold the greatest chance of victory when facing the coming enemies even if it places us at risk. Inexperience could lose us this battle and the matter of whoever holds the sky would no longer matter." explains the Lieutenant, bringing a contemplative silence over the group.

"Jae." calls out Aemon, causing Jaehaerys to look at him.

"Aye, I know." says Jaehaerys as he kneels next to Aemon and places his hands on the cold pillar that is the sky.

"This will be quite painful, are you ready?" asks Aemon.

With a nod Jaehaerys braces himself while Aemon slowly relinquishes the burden to Jaehaerys.

For a brief moment, despite knowing that he currently shares the burden with Aemon, Jaehaerys does not think much of the weight nor the pain. The moment does not last and Jaehaerys finds himself clenching his jaw as the sky seeks to crush him when Aemon rolls away.

"How do you feel?" asks Aemon from where he lays on the ground.

"How long must I hold this?" grunts Jaehaerys.

"Not long." groans Aemon as he stands and stretches, his bones cracking from the movement. "After I blind Koios I will call out to you. Prepare yourself for I will be throwing him at you."

"Just be quick about it." replies Jaehaerys.

"And us? Where do you want us?" asks Rhaenys, not even sparing Aegon a glance as she usurps his authority and hands it to Aemon.

With a questioning glance Aemon looks at Aegon and Daenerys, as King and Queen command should fall to Aegon and Daenerys. And though he no longer commands a kingdom, Aegon is still the head of House Targaryen and should still be in command.

"Well, Lord Commander?" asks Aegon while Daenerys nods in agreement.

Deciding to address the matter at a more appropriate time, Aemon gives his command "Take to the sky. Two shall prevent any monsters from coming up the mountain while one assists with the battle on the mountaintop. Better our enemies come from the fortress than both Mount Othrys and the foot of the mountain to encircle us."

"What about us?" asks Percy.

Looking to the group of demigods and Hunters of Artemis, Aemon notes that this group before him is far more dangerous than the one who undertook the quest to save Artemis in canon.

"Who commands the enemies other than Koios and Atlas?" asks Aemon, causing the demigods to shuffle about uncomfortably.

"Luke." replies Percy with a frown.

"I take it there is a history there." Aemon comments, receiving a nod from Percy.

"Despite so, can you do what must be done?" he asks as he looks towards Thalia.

In canon, Thalia did not hesitate to kill Luke despite their history. In fact she perhaps despises Luke the most due to their history. His betrayal stung her in ways the others cannot comprehend.

With lightning sparking around her, Thalia brings her spear to bear. "Yea." she merely replies, ignoring Annabeth's horrified look.

"Good. Traitors must not be shown leniency. Kill him here and this coming war will at the very least be delayed for years until the Titans can find a worthy figure to lead their demigods. Without such a figure, most who would once entertain their cause will not do so and they may even face desertion from the demigods. Without demigods in their army their advantage can at best be the same as during the first Titanomachy." explains Aemon before turning to Zoë and Bianca, the one person he is quite surprised has survived this far.

"Your one purpose in this battle is to be a hindrance to Atlas. Maintain your distance at all cost and make use of your bows." he says, receiving a reluctant nod from Zoë.

Turning to Percy, Aemon takes a deep breath for what he is about to ask of him. In the books Percy was barely able to withstand Atlas's assaults. Hopefully whatever rewards he has received the DCG would aid in his battle this time. Otherwise he will have to survive until Aemon has dealt with Koios.

"If you can, do not hesitate to slay Atlas, but if you cannot, survive until I can help." Aemon tells him.

"Ok." says Percy resolutely. Perhaps it is due to his solemness, but Aemon can tell that Percy refrains from making a jape.

"Lord Commander." calls out Evelynn as she and Wild Hunt kneel before him.

"What is your command?" asks Evelynn as she presents him Longclaw.

Grasping the handle of his trusted sword, Aemon ignores the pain of his burned hand while bringing the blade to his face.

Regarding the rippling pattern of the valyrian steel blade with his lone eye, Aemon cannot help the excitement that flares from within him. Ever since finding the sword in the remaining ruins of Castle Black, this sword has accompanied him to accomplish deeds greater than even some of his greatest ancestors. From ending the line of the Red Kings twice, leading the greatest armies Westeros has ever seen, and even facing beings of myths of legends; Longclaw has accompanied him through it all and has not once failed. Now, once more, they shall create history.

"My Wild Hunt!" Aemon calls out, causing them to stand at attention, their heterochromic eyes glowing with power.

"You have one objective for this battle, the protection of all those before you. Let no monster interfere where they should not. You may number a mere dozen, but show them that this number is superior to any number of monsters, whether they be hundreds or thousands."

With their right hands over their hands, they bow before scattering to the edges of the mountaintop.

With that done, Aemon turns to Percy "Follow me." he says as he walks towards Caraxes.

"I know that this is not what you want." Aemon tells Percy before quickly raising his hand and silencing the demigod as he makes to speak. "You do not want to fight a war, you do want to kill, and you do not want to have to constantly watch over your shoulder to survive. And I understand, for war is bloody and ugly and dirty, and every kill takes something from you each time. But you must understand, this is your lot in life, this is the fate that has been handed to you. You cannot continue to ignore it and do the bare minimum to survive while hoping that the supernatural will leave in peace. In our world, peace is a privilege afforded to the strong. If you want peace then become strong enough to attain it with your hands, and if strength is not enough then supplement it with cunning." Aemon says.

For a while there is silence between the two as they regard one another. Aemon looks into Percy's eyes, hoping to see some form of understanding, some form of acknowledgement to what he has told him. Percy meanwhile silently regards Aemon, as if this is the first time that he has seen him and truly understands how different Aemon's views are as opposed to what Percy himself considers the norm.

"And what if that's still not enough?" asks Percy through gritted teeth.

"Then at the very least you will die with no regrets, knowing that you have done all you could to attain what you seek." Aemon replies.

Before Percy can answer him however the ground shakes beneath their feet as Koios appears before them, standing behind what can only be described as a living statue.

Standing as tall as Koios, with dark slicked-back hair, gray eyes like stone, light brown skin, and a very muscular build is Atlas, commander of Kronos' armies. Despite wearing a suit, Atlas exudes a powerful presence the dwarfs even Koios', and despite not having personally witnessed him commanding an army Aemon senses that he would be a formidable foe to strategize against.

Next to Koios is Luke Castellan himself, looking somewhat sickly with ghostly pale skin and white streaks of hair.

And behind all three is an army of monsters numbering in the hundreds.

"How generous of you half-bloods to deliver yourselves to me. The first blood in this glorious war shall be spilt this night. The question is, which of you will die first?" asks Atlas. "You, daughter? Or perhaps your subordinate? Or better yet, Athena's favorite daughter?" taunts Atlas

"No!" exclaims Luke as he steps forward. "Annabeth and Thalia don't need to die." he says.

"I say who dies and who lives." snarls Atlas as he glares at Luke.

Before Luke can reply, Aemon interjects.

"Pathetic." sneers Aemon as he regards Luke. "You claim your cause is for the demigods, to give them a better life and yet here you are; the face of this rebellion with no say in who lives or dies." Aemon says.

"Who are you?" demands Luke with a glare.

"Elfling." says Atlas. "This is not your war, why do you meddle in affairs beyond you?" asks the Titan.

Before Aemon can answer, Rhaenys does from her seat in her dragon saddle "You made it our war when you chained and tortured him."

"Perhaps if he had not interfered I would not have mutilated him." says Koios.

Raising Longclaw, Aemon points his sword at Koios, his lone eye fiercely glowing blue like a star in the night sky, "I will blind you for that." he promises before turning to Atlas "Willingly return to your punishment or be forced to Tartarus."

With a bloodthirsty grin on his lips, Atlas draws his sword "Come and make elfling."

"He's not your opponent, I am." says Percy as he steps forward, Anaklusmos firmly in his hands.

With a smile filled with pride, Aemon nods at Percy.

"Thank you for volunteering to be the first casualty of war!" roars Atlas as he charges towards

With the sound of the dragons taking to the air, Aemon leads the charge, his sword clashing with Koios' as they meet in the middle.

"You should have stayed under the sky. At the very least you would have lived." says Koios.

Ignoring Koios' words, Aemon looks at the stump where there was once a hand before looking back into Koios' eyes with a smirk.

An enraged roar erupts from Koios' lips as he swings his stump at Aemon's head. Without his left eye Aemon is barely able to perceive the coming assault before dodging back with a stumble. With another roar Koios brings his sword to bear and launches an offensive while Aemon is disoriented.

Due to his missing eye Aemon is forced to completely rely on his superior speed to dodge and parry the Titan's furious assault.

Despite being on the defensive however, Aemon is not flustered, calmly and gracefully dodging, parrying, and moving about the battlefield as he leads Koios to his desired position.

He and Koios have danced this number before, albeit with the positions switched. It is now Koios who attacks while he himself defends, a grievous error on Koios' part for despite his missing eye affecting his vision the difference in speed between the two is such that Koios will always fall short of injuring him.

Worse yet for Koios is that while in their first encounter Aemon sought to slay him, now he merely wishes to incapacitate him. As such he does his best to dodge and parry, keeping minimal contact between their swords and staying far from Koios' reach without seeming impossible to reach.

It is a delicate balance he walks, near enough to entice the Titan yet far enough so as not to be harmed. For he were to even be grazed by Koios' sword or punched by his Stygian Iron gauntlet the damage may just be enough to put him out of the fight; especially since his armor is no more and the torture he's received at the hands of the Titan has already significantly damaged his body.

As he judges the position to be sufficient, Huginn swoops in from above with a mighty caw in Koios' ears briefly distracting the Titan.

Were they mortal that brief moment would be too fast for Aemon to take advantage of. Unfortunately for the Titan they are anything but mortal and that single moment proves to be his undoing.

Rolling between the Titan's legs, Aemon slashes the back of his knees; his valyrian steel sword cutting the unprotected area to the bone and bringing the Titan down to his knees with a cry. Before he can recover, Ghost emerges from the snow and slashes his claws through Koios' right eye.

"Prepare yourself, Jaehaerys." Aemon calls out.

And with the Titan still disoriented, Aemon kicks Koios, sending him flying at Jaehaerys who allows the Titan's flying body to push him out from under the sky.

"NO!" screams Koios as the sky crushes downwards, pushing him to his hands and knees in order to hold the burden.

Looking at Aemon with a venomous glare from his remaining eye, Koios lets curses fly in ancient greek.

"I told you, Koios, I would blind you for that." says Aemon as he plucks out the Titan's left eye, causing him to scream.

Silently regarding the eye in his palm, a thought appears within Aemon's mind. He may never be able to see in his left eye again and eventually he will need to place something in the socket lest he be like Bloodraven who proudly displayed his missing eye for all to see. And what better replacement than the eye of the one who did the deed.

Without a second thought to this idea, Aemon places the eye in his empty socket before turning to Jaehaerys as he stands.

"How do you feel?" asks Aemon.

"Better." remarks Jaehaerys distractedly as he stares at the Titan's eye in Aemon's socket. "Is that wise?" he asks

Ignoring Jaehaerys' question, Aemon turns towards Percy's battle. The demigod holds his own well against Atlas, and despite tiring and being on the defensive the ferocity in his eyes burns as brightly as ever.

"Come, let us bring this battle to an end." says Aemon as he charges towards Atlas.

…

Taking to the sky, Rhaenys leads Silver to the charging army of monsters. When the command erupts from her lips her dragon bathes them in dragonfire, easily reducing their numbers by a quarter.

Ahead of her she can see Aegon, Daenerys, and Jaehaerys' dragon bathing the fortress of Mount Othrys in dragonfire, the fortress becoming the focus of their assault without any monsters coming from the foot of the mountain.

Turning her eyes to Aemons' battle, she feels her heart tighten in her chest as he barely dodges and parries his opponent's furious assault. She briefly considers helping by engulfing the Titan in dragonfire before quickly discarding the thought and returning her attention to the enemies below.

With four more passes she turns all of the charging army into gold dust while the Wild Hunt disposes of any stragglers.

Looking at the mountaintop once more she sees Aemon leading Jaehaerys towards Percy and feels a sense of relief fill her. The battle is all but won now.

Author's Note: I forgot to tell you guys that I won't update during the week of major holidays, sorry about that. Anyway, what do you guys think about the chapter and the story so far? I also have a patreon if you guys want to support at: patreon.com/servantambrosius