They felt the messengers before they saw them. A deliberate show of power, attempting to use their strength to unsettle and oppress before any words were exchanged.
"Where is Hecate?" The voice echoed through the empty streets, even causing a small wave of air to blast against the group, forcing them to take a few steps back.
Though Hecate wasn't too happy with this, her voice remained light and calm, though she did nothing to remove the steel within the words.
"Who dares to be so impertinent in front of me?"
"Kratos, acting on behalf of Olympus." The smugness and pride within those words were not concealed.
While Hecate may not have a positive relationship with Olympus at the moment, even she knows not to slap their face in public, so she reluctantly appeared before Kratos and his two siblings, Bia and Zelus. She didn't invite them through the gates, allowing the wards to keep them out, partly in spite of using the authority of Olympus as a shield.
Kratos didn't waste words. Ignoring the apparent hostility radiating from the ancient Titan before him, he instead dutifully followed his orders.
"Is the girl here?" He initially tried scanning the city with his divine senses, but found that they were blocked from even crossing the walls. Obviously, the work of the one before him.
Hecate retorted. "Which girl? Hestia? No, she isn't here right now, but even if she were, I doubt she would be willing to talk to you."
Angered by the manner in which Hecate was treating them, Bia spoke out through gritted teeth, knowing force would disrupt their intentions here.
"Thalia Grace. Is she here?"
Hecate's tone held no warmth; the coldness and power she released even caused the three minor gods to clasp their sheathed weapons unconsciously.
"Indeed. But if you intend to do anything, be warned. When she passed those gates, she became an inhabitant of this city and, as such, under our protection."
Kratos' eyes narrowed. The power she silently radiated already discouraged him; no wonder Olympus was wary of her power. However, he had accomplished two of his tasks: confirming the location of Thalia Grace and understanding the structure of this city. Based on his experience, this place was indeed not meant to serve as a fortress. Leaving only one task remaining.
"Olympus is willing to show some mercy and allow her to remain here. However," Kratos took a step forward, coming face to face with Hecate. "Should you or that boy attempt to manipulate the girl into being the child of prophecy...you will all be thrown into Tartarus."
Hecate's eyes burned cold. "You tell your masters there is no need to worry; we are different from them. The child will not be used as a weapon."
Kratos' mouth twitched at the insinuation of Olympus, but he decided it was better to end it here. He turned on his heel, Bia and Zelus flanking him. Their footsteps faded into the night as they did, likely to deliver their report to Olympus.
Hecate turned, looking straight at a point in the air. To everyone else, there was nothing there, but as the embodiment of the Mist and a powerful witch, she had long noticed someone was spying on their conversation. The reason she allowed it was because she knew it was her son. Otherwise, the spy would surely suffer a backlash for such an act.
...
That night, the group slept in Hestia's Cabin. Normally, Lucas did indeed dream in his sleep, but tonight he had a rare dream. A very lucid one that felt more like he was actually at the place, a dream communication. But that was surprising; only his mother did such stuff, yet if they needed to meet, it could be done in person.
However, he soon found out who he was talking to.
It was a familiar place. He stood at the edge of a cliff. Below him yawned a pit, vast, endless. It swallowed all light, and staring into it chilled him to the bone.
He had been brought here once before.
Kronos.
"Serve me," Kronos breathed. "I will burn the old rot to ash. I will give you a new Olympus to mold; all I ask for is revenge for what they did to me. Look how they treat your friends, the girl fleeing for her life from the hands of her family. Join me; together, we can right this world."
Lucas ignored the titan's words, instead focusing on something else. The feeling he got from the pit had changed from what he remembered. It felt slightly colder, the pull stronger. Even the voice wasn't as weak but was more filled with vitality.
Kronos was growing stronger.
Seemingly impatient with the demigod's lack of reaction, Kronos attempted again to get Lucas to join him. While Lucas himself wasn't anything important, what he represented was. A demigod who could shake the morale of any opposing demigods, and with many powerful minor gods supporting him. If he could bring Lucas to his side, he could easily destroy Olympus.
Lucas didn't dignify the titan with an answer, ignoring his attempts to seduce him into joining a war. Realizing this, Kronos just scoffed, his sense retreating into the pit, silently condemning the demigod for not serving him.
However, while Lucas was a priority target for what he could bring to Kronos, his actual target was another demigod.
...
Unknowingly, Luke found himself standing before the same pit Lucas had before him.
"Welcome, Luke." A voice rang out from within, filled with growing power and sounding like a knife grating upon stone.
Luke flinched, stepping away from the pit.
The voice turned into a whisper, although it was still sharp.
"Serve me; I will burn the old rot to ash. I will give you a new Olympus to help those demigods who suffer under Olympus's arrogance; no more will the one you love flee in fear for her life. No more will those who look to you for support be given false promises of a better tomorrow."
Should Lucas be here, he would realize Kronos was simply using the same line on Luke that he did with him. Using the same lines to swindle Luke into joining him.
"Hermes abandoned your mother. Left you to rot in a cabin you hated. Lucas will see you chained to his dream if you let him. Break that chain, Luke. Stand with me. Stand free. If not for yourself, then for your mother. For Thalia. For your siblings."
A last echo of Kronos's words drifted through the cavern.
"Choose."