2. Parental Guidance

"So, I hear Hera pulled a switch with you and Jason," Poseidon said as he walked alongside Percy making their way toward the giant, Polybotes.

"Yes, she did," Percy said with anger clearly noticeable in his voice.

"She had her reasons, you know?" Poseidon defended.

"She could've found another way. She didn't have to go poking around in my head."

"Do you feel violated?" Poseidon half laughed.

Percy looked up at his father, "Maybe I do."

"Listen, I know sometimes it seems like we gods just do whatever we want without thinking of the consequences or how it will affect others, or maybe it seems like we do everything the hard way, but in all reality, what we do often benefits those we…violate. Son, how many times have you been played by the gods? Myself included."

"Several."

"And it's taught you how to deal with different situations and how to deal with us. It builds on your character and makes you a better man, a better hero. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I understand," Percy answered. "But that still doesn't mean I'm not angry about it."

"You can be angry about it all you want; that doesn't change anything. You're a tool of the gods, Percy, you always will be, you know that," Poseidon said. "And besides, it all worked out in the end anyway, right?"

"Yeah," Percy nodded. "I guess it did."

...

Aphrodite and Piper walked together in the darkness to scout the giant they would be battling.

"Piper…Piper," Aphrodite said trying to get her daughters attention.

"Hmm…oh, sorry mom. Were you saying something?"

"What's wrong, honey?" Aphrodite asked with concern. "Is it Jason? Did he break-up with you?"

Piper grinned and shook her head, "There's nothing to break-up between Jason and I. We're not together. We never really were."

"Is that what's bothering you, that he doesn't return your affections?"

"No, mom…he does. It's just…let's just say it's a work in progress," Piper told her.

"Sometimes it takes time," Aphrodite nodded.

"Yeah, so um, this giant we'll be fighting…" Piper started.

"Alcyoneus."

"Alcyoneus," Piper repeated. "He's bad news, isn't he?"

"He's the eldest of the giants and is second only to Porphyrion in strength and power. He's not easily outsmarted, and he's fierce and merciless in battle," Aphrodite explained. "So, yes, he's bad news."

"I…I had a dream about him," Piper said hesitantly.

"From your tone, I take it the dream was rather unpleasant."

Piper nodded.

"I wouldn't read too much into it," Aphrodite said trying to reassure Piper. "Dreams are open to interpretation. They can have several different meanings, and then again, they can have no real meaning at all. You shouldn't worry, my dear. I'm sure everything will be just fine."

...

As Hephaestus and Leo headed toward Mimas' home base, Leo fiddled with some scraps of wire that he had pulled from his tool belt.

Hephaestus noticed what Leo was doing and raised an eyebrow, "What are you making, son?"

Leo shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know."

"Let me see that," Hephaestus said taking the scraps of wire from Leo.

Hephaestus quickly fabricated something out of the wires and placed his creation on Leo's shoulder. The little mechanical spider scurried around Leo's neck and down his torso underneath his armor. Leo laughed as the spiders legs tickled his ribs, then the spider scurried into Leo's tool belt.

Hephaestus laughed and said, "Don't let Annabeth see that little guy. She'll freak."

"You're right about that," Leo said still laughing.

"So," Hephaestus cleared his throat. "Tell me about this girl of yours."

"Hazel?" Leo asked. "How do you know about Hazel?"

"Oh, Vesta's already played twenty questions with me about you."

Leo smacked his forehead with his palm and shook his head.

Hephaestus just laughed and put his hand on Leo's shoulder, "Don't worry, kid. I gave her a good report."

Leo looked up at his father and grinned, "Thanks, dad."

"So, a daughter of Vesta, huh? I haven't seen a child of hers in centuries. How did you get so lucky?"

"You know, I've been asking myself the same question."

...

"Have you thought anymore about what gift you want?" Apollo asked Reyna as he attempted to keep up with her power-walk stride.

"I've told you before, I don't want anything from you," she said.

"I know, you swore an oath and everything never to accept anything from me."

"Right," Reyna said sternly.

Apollo clinched his teeth, "Right."

It was quiet between them for a moment then Apollo said, "I thought you and that boy split-up."

"That man has a name, you know?" she scoffed.

Apollo thought for a second, "Dakota…I thought you and Dakota split-up."

"We did, but it's…it's complicated."

Apollo smiled, "It always is."

Reyna shook her head, "Oh, what would you know about complicated? Whenever things get tough, you just take off. What's complicated about that?"

"So, we're back to this argument, huh? Reyna, aren't you tired of beating this dead horse? How many times do I have to apologize?"

"For letting my mother die and leaving me to the wolves? At least one more."

"I'm sorry," Apollo sighed. "I really am, but you know there was nothing I could do to save your mother."

"You could've healed her, gotten rid of the cancer," Reyna said as tears began to well in her eyes. "I couldn't, but you could've.

Apollo grabbed Reyna's shoulder stopping her stride and turning her toward him, "You know I couldn't get involved. She was a mortal woman with a mortal sickness; as much as I wanted to, I couldn't get involved."

"And what about me? You couldn't get involved in my life either? Even after she died?"

"I took you to the only place I could," Apollo said sternly. "I took you to the Wolf House because I knew you were strong enough to survive, and I knew that Lupa could do things for you that I never could."

"And what's that?" Reyna asked. "What could she do that my own father couldn't?"

"Shape you into the person you are today; the brave hero standing before me," Apollo said as he wiped a solitary tear from Reyna's cheek. "And that gift…remember, the offer always stands. All you have to do is ask."

...

Jason walked beside Jupiter in silence. Jason kept taking a breath like he wanted to say something to his father, and Jupiter noticed.

"Is there something you want to say to me, son?"

Jason took a deep breath and said one word, "Thalia."

Jupiter either didn't know how to respond or didn't want to respond, but after a moment of silence, he finally said, "It was unfortunate that you and your sister had to be separated for all those years."

"Yeah, unfortunate," Jason said with a hint of sarcasm.

"You have to understand that is was for the best."

"Why?" Jason asked. "Because I'm Roman and she's Greek?"

"Among other things," Jupiter said.

"Would one of those other things be your wife? The same wife that took me away from Thalia when I was two."

"She is your patron, show some respect," Jupiter snapped.

"My Lord, I just want to know if it was best for Thalia and I or best for you that we were separated."

"Let's just say it was best for everyone."

"You could've at least told me she was alive and told her I was alive," Jason grumbled.

"To what end? So you two could look for each other?" Jupiter asked. "No, her destiny lied with the Greeks and yours with the Romans. Had you two not been separated, there is a very good chance both of you would be dead."

Jason thought about that for a moment then said, "She was in my dream…the dream with Porphyrion."

"And why do you think she was in your dream?" Jupiter asked him.

"She's on the other quest, isn't she?"

Jupiter slowly nodded, "Yes, she is."

...

"So, um…how's your mother?" Mars asked awkwardly as he and Dakota walked through the darkness.

Dakota grinned, "She's fine."

"And her…um…"

"Sam," Dakota stifled a laugh. "Her husband's name is Sam."

"Right," Mars nodded.

"They're both fine. I haven't seen them in a while, but I talked to mom a few months ago."

"Did you tell her about Berkeley?" Mars asked.

"How did you know about that?" Dakota asked with surprise.

"I make it a point to know when my children get accepted at prestigious universities and on full scholarship no less," Mars said proudly.

"You're not upset that I'm not going to West Point?"

"If you were Greek, I might be," Mars said. "So, what do you think about the Greeks?"

"They um…they're a different breed, that's for sure," Dakota nodded. "I can tell you're Greek aspect is in sharp contrast to your Roman aspect."

"What can I say?" Mars shrugged his shoulders. "There's two sides to every coin, right?"

...

"Mom, can I ask you a question?" Annabeth asked Athena as they made their way toward a blazing purple bonfire.

"Of course," Athena said.

"Am I really the most powerful of your children in this generation?"

"You are. That's why you were called," Athena nodded.

Annabeth shook her head, "The entire voyage here, I wondered why I was called. There were more powerful demigods than me at camp, like Thalia and Nico. I guess I just wondered why I was called and not one of them."

"You're here because I'm here, and as for Thalia and Nico, they're destined to be part of the prophecy, as well…just on the other end."

"The other end? Do you mean the other quest?" Annabeth asked.

"Annabeth, you know as well as I do that most wars are fought on multiple fronts. Just look back to last summer and the Titan War. You may not have known it then, but the Romans were fighting the same war to fulfill the same prophecy; they were just fighting on a different front, and now, this other quest, its premise is based on the same strategy: divide and conquer."

"I'm really the most powerful of your children?" Annabeth asked still with a little disbelief.

Athena smiled, "Unlike most demigods, your power is not readily seen; it lies within. And you're beginning to wield that power with more confidence and less hesitation. You're learning to trust your instincts giving yourself the ability to troubleshoot quickly and effectively. You strategize, you make plans, you set goals, and you see them through, even when you have to make adjustments to your stratagem along the way. Your wisdom far exceeds that of any of your siblings. And you may not realize it, but you were vital in the defeat of the titans. You ensured Percy made the right choice in the end. You trusted your instincts, and as a result, Kronos was defeated."

...

Leo and Hephaestus slowly and quietly approached a blazing orange fire that shot twenty feet into the air. Leo pulled his binoculars from his tool belt and peeked through the lenses. He saw the giant, Mimas, stoking his bonfire. Mimas looked exactly as he did in Leo's dream a few nights ago. He towered a staggering thirty feet into the air on his jet black, scaly legs with dragon's claws for feet. His muscular torso was armored with iron plates as black as his legs. His eyes were solid white, his head was shaven, and his pale skin was blistered with burns. His razor sharp fangs were visible at the corners of his mouth and the blisters on his lips made Leo almost sure that this giant could breathe fire.

"We shouldn't get too close," Hephaestus whispered to Leo. "He'll smell you."

Leo lifted his arm and smelled his armpit, "I don't stink that bad."

Hephaestus rolled his eyes, "You know what I'm talking about."

Leo continued to glass the giant then whispered, "He's one ugly dude."

"And he's as mean as he is ugly. He looks to have all his strength and power back. He'll be a tough opponent."

"He'll be an impossible opponent if we can't get him out of Phlegra," Leo whispered.

"Hopefully Athena's working on a plan for that," Hephaestus nodded. "Come on; let's get back to the ship before he discovers we're here."

...

"Stop, stop, stop," Apollo whispered quickly grabbing Reyna's wrist as they approached a white-hot bonfire.

"What? Do you see him?" Reyna asked.

"Yeah, he's gathering more wood for his fire. Wow…I'd forgotten how big that thing is," Apollo blinked.

"Hence the name, giant," Reyna pointed out.

Apollo rolled his eyes and muttered, "Smart ass."

"How big is he?" Reyna asked still unable to see him from that distance.

"He's about twenty five feet tall and as broad as my sun chariot is long," Apollo whispered then gagged. "Ugh, and he smells like a garbage truck."

Reyna looked at her father and chuckled, "I guess I get my weak stomach from you."

"Definitely," Apollo whispered still trying not to gag.

"So, you killed this thing once before?" Reyna asked.

"Yeah, me and Asclepius killed Ephialtes in the first Giant War," Apollo nodded.

Reyna raised an eyebrow, "Asclepius?"

"My son, my Greek son. He was a student of Chiron's," Apollo explained. "You know, you're a lot like him. He had the gift of healing like you do. Although, he didn't have your attitude."

"I guess I got that from mom."

"Definitely," Apollo nodded.

...

Percy stared across the dark expanse of land to see the face of Polybotes illuminated by the blazing blue fire. Polybotes looked the same as he did during Percy's first encounter with him on Pikes Peak six months ago. He wore the same bronze armor over his muscular frame, and used his utility pole sized spear to stir his bonfire. His face seemed to be even more pale and brutal in the firelight. His solid white eyes were cold and calculating, and his dark hair was tangled with even more debris than Percy remembered. His pale yellow, scaly legs and his enormous claw feet were even thicker and stronger than they had been back in December.

"He's stronger now," Percy whispered to Poseidon.

"He's had six months to regain all his strength," Poseidon nodded.

"Cybele said he would rise again."

"And risen he has," Poseidon whispered. "And thirsty for vengeance, I suspect."

"He's going to be harder to defeat this time, isn't he?" Percy asked.

"Much harder," Poseidon nodded.

...

Dakota and Mars stopped walking when they came within a few hundred yards of a towering red fire. Dakota tossed his helm into the air and it transformed into a pair of night vision goggles. He put the goggles on and stared at the giant he had seen in his dream.

"Mimon," Dakota said to Mars.

"A formidable opponent," Mars nodded. "He'll be challenging to defeat."

Dakota grinned, "I like a challenge."

"So does he," Mars said. "He's fearless and brutal…and smart."

"How'd you destroy him the first time?" Dakota asked.

"With my bare hands."

"Nice," Dakota nodded.

"Not really," Mars sighed. "He was destroyed, but my daughter, Alcippe, was killed in the fight."

"Alcippe? That's Greek, isn't it?" Dakota asked.

"Yes, I fought as Ares in the first Giant War. Alcippe fought by my side. She was my most powerful child at the time. She was a fierce Amazon warrior."

Dakota shuddered, "Amazons."

Mars grinned, "I take it you've had an encounter with the Amazons."

"Something like that," Dakota nodded.

Mars just grinned, "Let's go, son, before he notices us."

...

The purple bonfire roared as Annabeth and Athena approached Enceladus. Annabeth slipped her Yankees cap onto her head so she could get a closer look without being seen. Enceladus circled his bonfire as if he were pacing. His skin and bronze armor were covered in ash. His eyes and huge fangs glowed white in the light of the fire. The scales on his green legs rippled with his every move as did his muscular biceps.

Annabeth felt a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to see Athena.

"He's ready for battle," Athena whispered. "We'll have to devise a strategy to lure them out of this land."

"I've already been thinking about that," Annabeth nodded.

Athena smiled, "Of course, you have. Any ideas?"

"A couple," Annabeth said. "We'd better get out of here before he smells me."

"You're right," Athena nodded, then she and Annabeth walked back toward the Argo II.

...

"I'll never get used to that smell," Piper whispered as she covered her nose with her hand.

"They are foul," Aphrodite nodded as she saw Alcyoneus from a distance.

The colossal giant towered nearly forty feet into the air. Alcyoneus poked and prodded his enormous wooden staff into a raging yellow fire. His scaly, bright blue legs and claw feet were pelted with burning embers from the fire, but the giant didn't even notice. His lifeless white eyes bore into the fire with intense concentration. His grey hair was matted with dried blood, and his armor was covered in it as well.

"He's as big as Porphyrion," Piper noticed when she saw the giant.

"And he has regained all of his strength," Aphrodite added.

Piper turned to her mother, "How are we supposed to kill this thing? I doubt I can charm speak it to death."

"We'll figure something out. He's not indestructible. I've killed him once before, but I'm sure he's learned from his mistakes. He'll be more challenging to defeat this time."

Piper took a deep breath, "Great."

...

Porphyrion stood near his blazing green fire, eyes and fangs shining in the light. The scorch mark on his face from his encounter with Jason last winter was still evident. Other than that, the giant looked no worse for wear; he actually looked even stronger and more powerful if that was at all possible.

"He'll be seeking revenge, you know?" Jupiter said to Jason as they stared at Porphyrion from a safe distance.

Jason remembered the look Porphyrion had given him just before disappearing into the ground at the Wolf House.

"Another time," Jason said. "That time is now."

"Indeed," Jupiter nodded. "He hasn't forgotten how you foiled his plan to drain Juno of her power. You'll be his main target."

"For some reason, I'm not entirely surprised at that," Jason said then looked up at Jupiter. "Porphyrion told me he was created to destroy you, and he knows exactly how to kill me. Is that true?"

"It's true, but remember, I've killed this giant before. I know exactly how to kill him, too. We'll just have to get to him before he gets to you."

"How do we do that?" Jason asked.

"Very carefully," Jupiter said. "This giant is smart and extremely powerful. We'll have to be prepared for anything and everything."

"I understand," Jason nodded to Jupiter.

"Come, my son," Jupiter said turning Jason back toward the direction in which they came. "Let's get back so we can plan a strategy and so you heroes can get some rest before tomorrow because it promises to be a long day."