A/N

Hey guys! I am back, maybe later than some hoped, maybe earlier than some had believed, but a writer is never late nor early, they arrive precisely when needed. My life's been a bit busy recently, got the old wisdom teeth pull out a few days back, got into this new game called War and Order on my phone that I recommend any fans of strategy to check out, and I've had to write at least a dozen tests and quizzes. You probably don't care about this, but meh, my author's note and I'll write what I want, lol.

I must say I was very impressed with the attention this got. Seeing as I'm a new writer with a small following, I didn't expect this many people to be following and favoriting already, it's pretty awesome! Thank you to all who have followed and favorited, and a special thank you to all who reviewed. Seriously, as I've said before, and as any other writer would agree, your words do wonders towards keeping my morale up and making me push myself to create the best work I can. It's the best feeling in the world knowing people enjoy your content.

Note to any with questions, if you ask them in the reviews, I shall answer them in here, just as I am about to do now :P.

Cupcake - Glad to see you over here my friend! Legacy has been updated again if you've not already read the chapter, hope this helps :P!

Zero Dark Thirty - As you'll see here, it is indeed Mount Othrys. Thank you! I've always wanted somebody to do one starting there, and when no stories emerged in the four year span I waited, I figured I'd do it myself, aha!

Fin the Demi God - Glad to see you over here supporting another one of my stories! I most certainly do not write in one sitting, God that would be hard, lol! My writing is spaced out to when I'm able to find the time, and generally on my free days I'll try to write at least 1k words, unless I get a flow going and I get carried away, haha!

Alright, once again thank you to all who reviewed, you're all my heroes. I'll stop rambling now and get on with it, hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer in the prologue chapter.

Chapter 1

Prophecy and Fate

It had taken a day for Perseus' host to reach the mountain, but as it came into view his men began to murmur. Dark thoughts and doubt crept into the Spartan warriors, however they spoke of such things in hushed tones lest their young leader hear them. He had known they would not like the idea of passing it by, but as the king had given the order himself there was little other choice.

Mount Othrys was huge in stature, and dwarfed its closest neighbour in height ten fold. In the ancient tales of old it had been the stronghold of the Titanomachy under Kronos, the lord of time. While Perseus knew there were many Titans still around, Kronos was not one of them, and so he realised the threat the mountain posed was minimal, aside from a few wandering monsters here and there. If he wished to journey through the garden of the hesperides, past the great hundred headed beast Ladon, then up the long winding path, he knew he would come upon Atlas himself holding up the sky. While he knew the Titan had done wrong, he pitied the poor soul. To be forced to sustain such a burden was a cruel jest by the Gods. Then again, the Gods themselves could be the cruellest of all beings combined when they felt the need.

Percy was beginning to grow uneasy with the lack of communication from Olympus as of late. Before the Spartan demigod left for his commanding post for the campaign in Thessaly, his father had come to him saying he had urgent news, but that he could not yet tell him as he needed more time to assure himself of the circumstances surrounding the topic. This had been over a half a year ago now, and still Perseus had received no word from the God of the sea.

He feared not for Poseidon's safety, after all such a thing would be silly. Why should a mortal worry for the life of a God? Still, the subject troubled the young Spartan deeply. What had his father needed to tell him that had been so important at the time, yet now seemed to hold little priority in the God's daily routines, as he hadn't even the time of day to visit his son about it again? Questions on questions constantly lined Perseus' head, all without answers, all riddles in their own right.

Alas, they were not to be answered in his given location or task at hand, so for the time being he believed it best to shove them aside for a later date.

I've been doing that alot lately it seems. He thought to himself, Maybe too often.

As his army marched on, the lack of cold air had become ever apparent as the mid day's heat took sway over the temperature around the Spartans, and soon it became too unbearable for them to handle. Professional lifelong soldiers they may have been; but all felt the basic needs of a human being, and even those of half Godly descent could fight the warmth no longer without a brief pause.

Pulling off his helmet and wiping a pool of sweat from his brow atop the back of his noble horse, Perseus called for a full halt. The men marching behind him stopped as one, unmoving like the now raised fist of their polemarch.

Percy turned to one of his nearest hoplites. The man was clad in the armour and gear of his personal demigod defenders, with his helm adorned by an ornate laurel wreath of matching material in golden bronze rather than the plume or plain coverage of a common higher class hoplite. The man gave a deep bow as Percy spoke.

"Have commander Andros alert the troops that we will be making camp here; if only for a small portion of our time. I would say the men need to rest with this bloody heat, but I too must admit I am bothered by it."

"It would seem my father is upset about something or flying too low again. More than likely the latter, or I have another accidental sibling on the way." The man joked.

"Aye, sounds about right." Percy smiled at the son of Apollo as the man hurried off to follow his order.

He dismounted his regal black steed in a quick manner and took up his reins in his left hand.

Master Perseus, might I be able to receive an apple or something of the sort? It is not easy to say the least having to carry someone in this dreadful heat, I feel a reward is in order here. His horse; Mávros, spoke through his mind.

"Aye, that and more my old friend." Percy called over one of the youths from the now unpacking army, chuckling all the while. "You there, have a few fresh apples found and brought back for my noble steed here, and some clean water as well."

The young one bowed hastily and ran off in the direction of the woods.

"That was ill thought out brother." Perseus turned as another voice came from behind him.

"Why pray tell is that Andros?" He asked, curious.

"We are at the foot of the mountain Perseus. That young man will be shitting his loincloth all the while out on a simple mission to fetch your horse an unnecessary apple from the woods. A Spartan he may be, but you know even the greatest of warriors know when fear is justified, and in the shadow of that evil place.." He stopped and pointed to the mountain. "It most certainly is."

Perseus nodded slowly, perhaps his second was right. He could have just as easily gone out himself to find an apple tree. Shaking himself off from any more sweat, he began to walk past Andros.

"I shall go and fetch them myself then. Have the men ready to move upon my return, we dare not delay our mission more than absolutely necessary."

"As you wish sir, but I must insist you take a guard with you. The woods hold many things lurking in the shadows." Andros replied, unyielding.

"Nonsense! I'm a man grown, I can take care of myself." He entered the treeline quickly with a cheeky grin on his face, ignoring Andros' calls from behind him. Shifting his sword belt then grabbing his helmet strap and slinging it over his shoulder with his shield, the prince set off into the darkness of the trees.

~LB~

This horse better damn well enjoy it. Perseus thought to himself as he picked the last of the apples he had found on an isolated tree from it's branches. It had taken him a good long while to find the things, but in the end he figured it was the least he could do. His stalwart companion Mávros had carried him over many miles since the first time he had ridden to battle, and the old boy's hair was beginning to grey. Perseus knew he would not see many more summers, and thus would do what he could for his friend before he left the mortal planes. Stealing one of the apples himself, Percy took a hefty bite, smiling in satisfaction as he turned around.

The sound of the apple hitting the solid dirt at Percy's feet was all that could be heard as it fell from his mouth in his state of shock, for standing in front of him now stood three old women. He scowled slightly a moment, but then the power that radiated off the trio hit him like a charging warhorse, and he knelt to the ground quickly. He knew who these three were, and he knew if they were here it did not likely bode well for his future.

"My lady fates, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to a humble Prince of Sparta?" The son of Poseidon spoke quickly and in a complimenting manner.

The middle women cackled, the one on the left rolled her eyes, and the one on the right simply smiled.

"Save your flattery for those that care for it boy." The one on the left spoke up.

"Nonsense Atropis you hag! The young man honours us, as is right." The woman in the middle reprimanded.

Atropis gave the middle fate a withering stare, but said no more. Satisfied, the middle fate returned her attention to Perseus; who simply stood gawking as beings of legend stood arguing like common mortals. Not that it was uncommon on Olympus by any means, but the Fates were different than the Gods.

"Close your mouth boy, we come with a prophecy. Your god Apollo is not likely to give you one with recent events.." She trailed off.

"Recent events, my lady?" Perseus questioned, confused.

"We cannot say, it is something you must experience on your own. We can however bring you this glimpse of a possible future through the riddles of our mother Ananke." From the middle fate.

The prince nodded and awaited their words.

Joining hands, the trio began to chant in one voice.

"Confident and bold, a leader to behold, the example of virtue, yet not first shall she choose.

Lost in the ways of the dying days, through the shelter of a patron, shall he return just as strong.

The lands of war, exist no more, but through the heart of its last, a mere remnant of the past.

Their heroic saviour, whom by kin deemed a traitor, need ride once more, lest they march through the deathly doors.

A final choice to end his days, Olympus to preserve or raze."

Together, the three voices cut out and their hands fell to their sides.

"You have been given the wisdom of fate Perseus. Take from it what you will, and do what you must. You have been forewarned, may the proper choices guide your path." The fate on the right spoke and inclined her head before all three simultaneously flashed away, causing Perseus to very rapidly avert his gaze.

"A bloody warning would've been nice.." He sighed brushing himself off, then thought on what they had said. If there was one thing in the world he hated more than Athenians and Persians, it was foolish riddles and prophecy. Why could they not simply inform him what would happen? Why cloud such an insightful piece of aid in the form of a nonsensical riddle that was likely never to be understood by the recipient?

The first line meant little to him. Clearly it had to do with a woman, and that he had no time for with his current situation in life. He was sure when he returned home to Sparta his mother would have arranged for him a strong political marriage, for more than a few noble women had already had their eyes on the handsome demigod before he became a war hero. He dreaded to think what things would be like after the conflict was over.

The second line he could not make sense of, however he assumed that by speaking of someone from dying days it meant a warrior of old; perhaps an elder demigod. He had thought this entire thing about him, but he knew not of any dying days.

At least not yet.. A small voice in the back of his head spoke up, before it was quickly pushed out.

The third line was one that truly made him tremble.

The lands of war could mean Greece herself, Gods know we've seen enough battle in the past years to earn such a title. He thought slowly; though he shuddered slightly at the thought, as the prophecy did state, "exist no more" right after. This was something he knew he'd have to put further thought into.

As he was about to consider the next line, the boy he'd sent out earlier into the woods burst through the bushes around him and fell face first into the clearing of Percy's apple tree.

Percy chuckled, and began to make his way over to the youngling, but the youth hastily rose to his feet. Rather than the embarrassed and apologetic expression Perseus had expected to see, he wore a mask of horror.

"Polemarch sir! You must come quickly, I fear it may be too late!" He ran back the way he came, and with a couple dozen more questions joining those that already occupied his head, Percy followed after breaking from his slight daze.

Pushing through the twigs, leaves, and the underbrush of the dark woods; Perseus struggled to keep up with the younger spartan leading him onward. He received more than a few scrapes from rogue thorns and branches than he would've liked, though the things were a minuscule annoyance at best. Eventually, he found himself bursting through the trees right behind where the boy seemed to be hiding.

"Get down sir, here with me!" The obvious hoplite in training insisted.

Perseus did as he was bid, then turned to gaze at the boy with an annoyed look.

"There had better be a good reason for all this lad, else you'll have to answer to the lash and no less."

The young man gulped slightly, then pointed behind Perseus. Sighing, the prince turned, and instantly a glare pushed his formerly annoyed features from his face. Directly in front of his line of sight stood the entrance to the Garden of the Hesperides, however it was not the location that troubled him. Standing at its front was a hulking giant of a man who wore a lion's pelt cloak upon his back and heaved a massive studded club over his shoulder. In front of that man upon their knees was a one of the most beautiful young women Perseus had ever seen.

Long midnight black braided hair ran cascading down right shoulder in the fashion that would've made Perseus assume she were a Persian princess had he not known the location. She was smaller in stature, but her stance gave off a graceful vibe even with the cold proud expression she now wore in argument with the brute to her front. It did nothing to mar her beauty however and for a moment Perseus lost his wits; captivated by it. One might even be so bold as to say enraptured. Her dark brown eyes, her copper-toned skin; why everything about the girl seemed to reach out and ensnare him where he stood.

"Sir, what should we do?" The young man beside him questioned, breaking him once again that day from his thoughts.

"Listen for now, but unless this turns violent I shall not interfere." The Polemarch responded, then tuned in his ears to listen in on the conversation across the clearing.

"You promised you would take me!" The beautiful girl exclaimed.

"Did I now? Why, I can't seem to recall saying anything of the sort." The man smirked with an egotistical expression plastered across his face.

"You filthy liar! You promised if I helped you you would take me with you away from this place!" Her scream this time sounded more desperate rather than angry.

"I see… Well, I suppose I might have said I would take you didn't I?" The brute sighed.

"Yes! Yes you did!" The girl stated, the beginning of a smile forming on her face.

"Though, I do believe that there are many ways such a statement could be interpreted. I could always take you with me, or I could simply.. Take, you." He grinned evilly as he began to advance on the now horrified girl. She turned to run but her foot got caught in a loose tree root, and Percy watched as she stumbled and fell; tears falling freely from her face now.

"Please, please no!" She screamed as she turned to try and fend the brute off while he tore at her fine white chiton dress.

It was at this point Perseus decided he had seen enough. Swiftly he rose from his position of hiding and advanced out. He drew his blade from its scabbard and hefted his shield, then hit the blade on the blood red symbol of Sparta at its center. The brute turned with an angry stare.

"Begon now if you know what's good for you Spartan, know you not who it is you wish to challenge to a fight?" The man questioned.

Rather than acknowledge him, Perseus turned back to where the younger Spartan still sat in hiding.

"Boy!" He called. "Run along and fetch Andros. Tell him to bring a few of my guards, and a large cloak." The youth fled from his position back into the woods, in the direction of the Spartan army. Percy then turned back to the large man.

"I know you, Heracles." He spat the name out as though it was poison upon his lips.

"Then you know you had best be on your way, correct? A Spartan you may be, and one of influence at that it seems, but you cannot hope to match the greatest demigod to ever live in combat!" The arrogant man exclaimed, beating his bare chest once.

"You know I've never understood why people say that? I suppose it is Zeus' work, but I think I know more than a hundred others of our kind that I'd consider greater than you. Why, it appears to me you're nothing more than a walking savage, lugging around your brutish club and all." Percy laughed as he threw on his ornate helmet and entered a battle ready stance, staring down the now fuming Heracles with an unyielding stare.

His conversation with the larger demigod had given the black haired beauty from before time to retreat to a safe distance from him. She now sat hiding behind a tree; her head peeking out ever so slightly to watch what transpired between the son of Zeus and the son of Poseidon. At the indication that Perseus himself was also a demigod, the son of Poseidon saw a glimmer of hope replace the helplessness that had formerly taken control of her eyes. Heracles hefted his club in what Perseus' supposed he thought was a menacing manner, but it only made the Spartan chuckle as he began to walk towards the big man.

With a burst of strength that the brute was famed for, Heracles swung his club in an overhead swing, bringing it down on the shield the prince had raised just in time to block it. He rolled right and thrust his blade at the Son of Zeus' side, but the man swung his club with an unnatural speed for even a demigod and batted the blade aside. The prince staggered, only just managing to retain a grip on his weapon.

"You cannot hope to defeat me you fool, back down now and crawl back to whichever minor god you've been spawned from!" Heracles taunted whilst twirling his club in one hand.

Percy spat in his direction and made his sword and shield ready once more. "I don't believe my father would take kindly to you insulting his power sir. Zeus may be king of the Gods; but Poseidon is just as powerful, and those on his bad side tend to run into some.. accidents, shall we say."

At the revelation, Heracles, instead of growing more cautious grew more enraged; just as Perseus had hoped. The huge man charged forth with a mighty yell.

"When I'm done with you I'll throw your body into the sea so that he might witness the might of a true demigod!" He yelled as he made to bring his club down once more, aimed right at the Polemarch's Spartan helm.

Rather than rase his shield this time the prince decided to sidestep, and watched in content as the massive club came crashing down into nothing but dirt and grass. He then used his shield and with as much force as he could muster, smashed it into Heracles' face. The big man struggled backwards, dropping his club to hold his now gushing nose in both hands. Perseus knew he was not done yet though, and he did not let his guard down.

As predicted, the larger demigod drew a sword from out of what seemed to Perseus like thin air, and the weapon itself truly was a work of art. Clearly Celestial Bronze, it shone in the sunlight brighter than the Prince's own ornate armour, and its edges were sharpened to perfection. Heracles grinned; blood still dripping down his nose, and readied the blade. Perseus had always been a man of honour, and now that his opponent was only using a one handed blade he decided he'd drop his shield and match him.

"That was a mistake Spartan, you'll be needing that." The son of Zeus laughed and charged again, attempting to thrust his blade into the prince's shoulder.

Perseus was not ready for the speed at which the man's strike would come, and barely managed to deflect the sword, gaining a glancing blow in the process. Blood rushed forth from his now open wound as he spun and swung his leaf-shaped short blade at the chest of Heracles. The man blocked it with a quick flick of his wrist, but instead of swinging his own sword again he lunged forth and grabbed the prince's chestplate; hoisting Perseus high up in front of him and causing the younger demigod to drop his blade. He struggled to get free, but was caught in the iron grip of Zeus' son. The Polemarch thought a moment before the realization that he still had his dagger at his side came to him, and he chastised himself for being so forgetful.

Percy swung his legs backward, then with his new momentum threw them forward into the face of his enemy. The big man's grip let up, and the prince took the opportunity to pull his knife from it's scabbard. As he fell from his former position up high, he plunged said dagger into the shoulder of Heracles, and the large man let out a roar of pain. He swatted out blindly, and sent Perseus flying back into a tree with a loud crack sound flashing across the clearing.

Groggily, Percy leaned on the now destroyed chunk of wood and watched at his angry opponent marched toward him; a look of nothing but malice clouding his features.

"I call to the powers of the sea.." The Spartan mumbled in his half conscious state. "Aid your prince.."

He raised a hand slowly, and sure enough a rumbling sound was heard in the distance. Heracles turned in its direction; clearly perplexed, just in time to get hit full force by a huge torrent of water from a nearby river. The water drove him back and he went flying further downstream, his magical sword falling from his grasp.

Slowly Perseus rose to his feet, the price of using such a large amount of his powers in his already injured state had taken a toll on him, but he had to check on the girl. He made his way over to her, stumbling, and went to a knee in front of her hesitant form.

"He shall bear you no harm from this point forward, this I swear fair lady." Perseus managed to get out, before he toppled forward, his energy lost.

To his surprise, the girl caught him as he fell. She removed his helmet and looked him in the eyes, cradling his head in her lap.

"Never have I met a hero truly of your valour brave sir, might I recieve the name of my saviour?" She questioned slowly, her eyes sparkling like the stars on a clear night.

"Perseus m'lady, my name is Perseus." He smiled slightly, but grimaced at the effort.

It was clear that at least a few of his ribs were broken, maybe his shield arm too.

"You're hurt.." She said in a depressed tone. "All for me, you poor soul.."

"I need no pity Hesperide, and you need not blame yourself. I did what I did because it was the right thing to do, as would any man of virtue." Percy coughed out, chuckling as much as he dared with his ribs.

The girl let out a sad chuckle herself. "I suppose so."

Percy heard shouts in the distance, and knew that his men were coming for him. The girl seemed to hear them too, for she began to panick. The prince put his hand on her arm to comfort her.

"All is well, the shouts belong to my men. Tell them I instructed that you were to be given anything you needed, and that you are to take my personal tent back at camp." Perseus instructed, feeling the cold grip of unconsciousness closing in.

"But my lord!" She tried to protest, only to be cut off.

"Perseus." He corrected, "Or Percy if you so wish, and there will be no protests."

Her mouth opened once more, then closed it slowly, and gave him a small smile.

"Thank you, brave hero." She leaned down swiftly and pressed her lips to his, and for a moment, Percy was lost to a blissful state.

It was the second after she pulled away that the darkness took him, and he faded out of consciousness to the sound of his men drawing ever closer.

A/N

There we go, second chapter complete! I want to say I'll stick to a schedule for this, really I do, but I just can't. I found this chapter that when I give my writing more time to flow and for ideas to come to my head, then I like the end result ten times more. That's not to say that my updates here will take months, as I assure you that would only happen maybe around exams time, but they will take longer than the one week span I'd previously been giving myself for Legacy, (Which by the way, I would really appreciate if some of you checked out! Shameless plug I know, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do).

PS: Hope yall liked the prophecy, took bloody forever to think of the damned thing and I still don't think it was that great, ah well, aha.

As always, I hope you all enjoyed. Much love and may the Gods guide you all, for the night is dark and full of terrors,

Chrome.