The Son of Leto

by TheRoman987

Dropped onto the streets of New Rome by a Titaness who didn't have time to raise a child, the baby was picked up by a politician who takes advantage of his powers in morally grey areas. Now a private killer, mercenary, and bodyguard of the most powerful man in New Rome, Perseus Jackson is a force to be reckoned with. Until he goes freelance, that is, and a silver goddess notices.

3. 2-Giants and Hunters and Legions, Oh My!

Chapter 2- Giants and Hunters and Legions, Oh My!

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July 29, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

"And you think this will work?" asked Percy, looking down at Nico.

He was lying on a table, in only his pitch-black boxers.

Medea nodded, "I am not as well versed in symbology as . . . others . . . but I believe this will work. Sir."

Percy sighed, "Are there any other discoveries we have yet to make? After all the trouble Daedalus went through, you just knew it all along."

"I will send you a list later, sir." answered the witch.

"Then begin your work." Percy ordered.

Medea hesitated, "You do not even wonder what I am doing, sir?"

Percy shook his head, "Tell me afterwards. There's every chance that I won't like it."

The witch bowed her head, "Yes, sir."

Percy sat in the corner, watching.

Medea and Daedalus, with scalpels clutched in their expert hands, began carving.

Symbols. Writing. After Daedalus 'discovered' them only a few days ago, Medea came forward to reveal that she had been using such tools for most of her life.

The two of them working together, if only for a few days, managed to discover something incredible. Percy didn't know exactly what -but the end result was supposed to be immeasurably powerful.

Nico was kept asleep and under the most powerful pain-killers Percy had access too. Even more than that, two tubes went into his person at all times: One was a flow of golden ichor. The other was watered down nectar.

Only the gods could eat ambrosia and drink nectar with impunity. So Percy was replacing Nico's blood with the blood of gods for this operation.

It was slow work, work Percy had no part in.

Daedalus and Medea were like two sides of one coin -the inventor, immersed in the technologies of the mortal world, and the witch, relying completely on magic.

It was no wonder the world of immortals and monsters was so backwards. The greatest minds of eternity were kept from achieving their potential.

And if Percy brought together the greatest minds of eternity, they could come up with technologies to solve every problem permanently.

Such problem was facing Leo. How to build a bomb big enough to destroy Tartaurus, but small enough not to destabilize the entire Underworld?

Hours later, Daedalus and Medea released their tools, stepping away from Nico's body.

"It is done, sir." Medea said.

Percy stood, "What, exactly, did you do?"

"As you know, the powers a demigod or legacy inherits are based on their parentage, sir. They draw such power through a connection -their godly parents- to the domains of their parents." Medea outlined, "This ritual is intended to bypass the godly parent entirely, instead connecting a demigod or legacy directly to the domain, sir. However, only the blood of a god would be able to handle such power, which is a second reason we requested that ichor was pumped into him at all times."

"So you will be creating a god?" asked Percy thoughtfully, "We will need their power eventually . . ."

The witch hesitated, "Not quite, sir. We give him the abilities of a god, but his blood will not cope with extended usage. His abilities will be greatly increased, and he will likely become stronger and faster as well, but should he draw on too much at once . . ."

"He'll explode?" Percy guessed, "Spontaneous human combustion?"

"Not quite, sir." Medea repeated, "The magic of the domain could change him utterly, turning him into a monster."

"Great. A monster with the power of a god."

"Or . . . more, sir." suggested the witch, "Should he lose control, he may be able to draw upon the power of the entire domain at once. There are few monsters that have the potential to do that, and they are on the scale of Typhon and Ketos."

"This just gets better and better. I can see why Zoë didn't tell me." Percy growled, "Is there any good news?"

"He should be able to tell if he nears his threshold, sir." Medea said, "If you have someone on hand to put an end to his life before he grows to that level . . ."

"Then all we have is a dead Nico. Just great! How could it get any better?" Percy almost shouted before tapping his earpiece, "Zoë. We need to talk. Right fucking now."

The former Hunter waited for him just outside the door.

"What. In hell. Were you thinking?" Percy growled, slamming a fist into the wall.

Zoë faced him calmly, "I have sentenced one of my friends to death, sir. He agreed before hand, knowing the risks and rewards. This is the reason I did not inform you."

"You said it was a small risk! Not inevitable!" Percy accused. The only times when she called him 'sir' was when she was appealing to his cold, logical, military-minded side.

Zoë looked impassive, "It is. Sir."

Percy scowled, "Go. Go away."

"No, sir."

"Just get away before I tear you apart!" screamed the dictator, "Nico will die because of you!"

"No, sir."

"You're killing him!"

"No, sir."

Percy fists itched to fly. If it was one thing he couldn't stand, it was betraying a comrade.

But he prided himself on giving his mind absolute control over his body. And he could certainly see the advantages of such a trade.

"Will he be up in time for this weekend?" Percy asked, calming himself.

Zoë nodded, "He will be ready, sir."

"Good." Percy spun, stalking away. He had someone to meet with, a couple of people actually, that could only secure in the most secret part of his secret Organization.

It wouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Percy didn't trust his own Organization entirely. Not all of them were driven by pure motives.

So Percy created an organization inside his Organization. Over time, he recruited people that his Organization targeted to kill, saving their lives.

Percy relocated their families as well, usually giving them much better lives as a result. Anything to ensure their loyalty.

He could now count on them to take care of a strange little boy, and a strange not-so-little girl.

C.C. didn't turn around as Percy entered, but the boy turned his head.

Percy had to admit, he was in terrible shape. Wires and tubes arced out from the boy's body in all places, trying desperately to keep alive a demi-Titan that really shouldn't be.

His name was Aethling. He shouldn't exist. By all rights, he should not be here.

But it only proved that Kronos was much more active in the world that Percy had originally thought -he had been laying the groundwork for his attack on Olympus before he found Luke -or did he?

This boy, if Percy had to guess, was supposed to be Kronos' secret weapon. He was eight years old, born of May Castellan and Kronos' horrible power.

A child with the power of an Oracle and the Titan of Time. The Titan Kind could see the advantages of having a child that could see the future much more accurately than the sons of Apollo.

But the child came out . . . damaged. Titans and mortals were never meant to procreate. Their biological differences were too severe -in that sense, Percy was unique.

May Castellan died in childbirth, and her son was born broken. He wasn't projected to survive, but Kronos spent much of his power ensuring that he did, and more than that, imbuing the child with his power. He was named Aethling by the Titan, and was left to grow.

Then Percy stole the boy, bringing him back here. After Kronos was killed, little Aethling started deteriorating rapidly.

Until he was at this point -on the edge of death.

Percy stood next to the seated C.C., "Can you tell what he is?"

"A fusion of a mortal's womb with Titan power." C.C. answered shortly, "A hybrid doomed to die. His blood cannot handle the power of the Lord of Time."

"I know. I didn't think he'd live long enough to be useful, either." Percy replied, "But now . . . I might have a chance."

C.C. studied him, "And he is that important?"

"He could have visions more accurate than oracle. He could mean the difference between success and failure."

"Do you know what that will do to him?"

Percy cocked his head, "He will never be loved. Or have a normal childhood."

"No matter what blood he has, the level of power he will have access to will kill him. Once he begins using them, he will have six years of life. Perhaps five."

Percy's eyes widened, and his mind whirled. Nico would die in a similar time, then. Or not -maybe, if he could control himself . . . no, Percy couldn't afford to think about that now.

Nico was perfectly willing to die for him.

"Per . . . Percy?" the boy asked, his voice frail.

The demi-Titan turned, only just in time to see green mist start to rise from his body.

The boy's eyes opened wide, turning green as well, and his mouth opened.

You, Warlock, shall walk the path of lies,

From which you hope to take your prize,

But those who seek to only stride,

Shall lose most dearly to their pride,

And even as the end draws near,

The growing darkness you shall fear,

For those who live in the brightest light,

Can not see the darkest night.

With that, the green mist drifted away, and Percy stared for only a second before a pencil and paper were in his hands.

"The growing darkness you shall fear." C.C. corrected, looking over his shoulder, "Not a kind prophecy."

"Mine never are." Percy slipped the pencil away, "Any guesses?"

C.C. nodded, "Warlock. From Old English, waerloga. Oathbreaker, scoundrel, monster. Traitor."

Percy raised an eyebrow, "Certainly fitting, then. Who do you think 'she' is?"

C.C. met his eyes, "This prophecy is yours to bear. Not my own."

The demi-Titan sighed, "I suppose you're right. Most of it seems pretty self-explanatory, though. I'm certainly lying a lot, and there's definitely a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. I'll have to not let myself get overconfident. Someone close to me will die -hopefully Clarisse- and I'll take revenge. Then . . . I'll have to figure it out."

"Yes . . . yes, you will." C.C. answered, her voice oddly distant. She was thinking, and thinking about something dark.

This was a good an opportunity to sneak away as any.

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August 1st, 2015, Fort Hunter Ligget, California

"General Jenkins, sir!" Percy saluted to the female Brigadier General. On either side, Zoë and Clarisse did that same.

Despite their hopes, Nico was still recovering. He couldn't attend.

"I'll be damned." General Jenkins replied, "I didn't think you'd show up."

"We're here, sir!"

"I can see that." the Brigadier General turned on a heel, "Follow me, boys."

Percy gestured, and the people behind him -men and women under Medea's tutelage- formed into two files and marched after him.

General Jenkins led them through the camp to a firing range on the far side. Instead of regular targets, however, there was a good number of concrete blocks, wrecked cars, and brick walls.

The black, male, Major General was waiting for them, "Perseus Jackson. These are the people you promised?"

"Yes, sir!"

The General turned, facing all of them, "From this moment on, you will be tested! Your success could save the lives of hundreds of soldiers! Your failure could sentence them all to death! Should you succeed, you will be given the option to enter the Armed Forces at a rank to be determined!"

Behind Percy, the two ranks of people, saluted, "Yes, sir!"

"Now, show me what they're capable of." the Major General ordered Percy.

"Yes, sir!" Percy moved off, "Kelly. Clarke. You're up first."

Two woman -the first to be taught- stepped forward, facing the firing range.

Bonnie Kelly raised her arms, and electricity crackled around them before she unleashed it on a car some three hundred meters distant.

A arcing bolt of lighting shot from her wrists, blowing the car away as it tore itself apart from the shear amount of energy being pumped through it.

Cristina Clarke chose to go a different route. She held out her hand, and a glimmering shield appeared above one of the concrete blocks. Concentrating fiercely, Clarke made a fist and jerked down. The shield mirrored her actions, crushing the block into dust.

"Bates, Reese, you're next." Percy ordered, and they stepped up to the plate.

Everyone had a turn, save for Zoë and Clarisse. Percy went last of all, bending his incredible knowledge of magic -gifted to him by C.C. No one knew exactly what he did, but the demi-Titan appeared to only point at a concrete block and a car, and they both exploded into dust.

General Jenkins had few words to say after watching such a display, and all were along the lines of, "Holy fuck."

The Major General looked more reserved, but Percy could tell he was hiding just as much surprise as his foul-mouthed junior.

Almost a minute later, he gathered his thoughts again, "That was certainly an impressive display."

"I hoped so, sir." replied the dictator of New Rome.

"You have shown us power, but what about endurance? Can they keep it up for an entire battle?" he questioned.

Percy was the one to gather his thoughts this time, "The greater the feat, the more energy it takes, sir. Leveling a street of houses would leave any of us unconscious -or worse- but more localized damage we could keep up for most of the day."

"Localized as in . . . ?"

"Enough to kill a fireteam hiding behind cover, sir. Not enough to destroy a house in a single blow, but very accurate." Percy answered.

"Hell, that's what we need. We should take them, Darnell." Jenkins said.

Major General Darnell was still reserved, "You will have our recommendation. Whether it is enough will depend on the President."

"Thank you, sir." Percy said, saluting.

"Thank me when it's over, First Lieutenant."

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August 2nd, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

Neither Zoë nor Clarisse commented on his display of magic, thankfully.

He had enough problems to worry about already, and one of them was the latest report from Alaska. Percy had been looking for Thanatos for a long time -he needed easy passage into the Underworld- but definitely didn't expect to find the god in Alaska.

What was even more worrying was that it looked like he was chained up, and an unusually large giant stood over him.

Minutes later, the giant's identity came back to him, or at least their most likely guess: Porphyrion.

Most of knowledge of the Giant War was lost -something that struck Percy as suspicious- but what they had said Porphyrion's first move during the last war was to kidnap Hera. It looked like he had a different target for abduction.

They could only be killed by a demigod and god working together, or so the legends said.

If Nico counted as a god, it would be very nice, but if not, Percy had a few minor gods in his pocket.

Either way, Percy was much more prepared for a war this time, "Queen Sess."

The dracaena bowed, "Ssssir."

"Do you know anything of the Gigantes?"

Queen Sess shrugged slightly, "Only the legendsss of my people, sssir."

"I see. In the future, remember exactly where your loyalties lie. You know what happened to Prometheus."

The dracaena Queen bowed, "Yesss, sssir."

"Good." Percy spun on a heel, turning away.

Ten minutes later, Percy was in a sealed room with Clarisse, Octavian, Zoë, and Reyna.

"Gigantes. Ideas, anyone? A prophecy?" Percy asked.

The magister equitum looked pensive, thinking, "I can't remember any from the Books that involve the Giants. Give me an hour."

"After this, then." the dictator surveyed the rest of the table, "We think Porphyrion has Thanatos as a prisoner in Alaska. There appears to also be a Legion fort nearby."

"Location?" Clarisse asked, "Size of their force?"

"Hubbard Glacier. As for the size, it's unknown. The base is about one fourth of the Legion's camp here." Percy shrugged, "But they didn't see any movement. So whoever it was who lived there could be out . . . or they don't live there most of the time."

Reyna suddenly inhaled sharply, "Micheal Varus."

"He lost nearly thirty legionnaires in Alaska." Zoë pointed out, "Attacking would be folly."

"Or it might be exactly what we need." Reyna replied, "We're already the laughingstock of the other Legions. We march north, kill Porphyrion, and take our Eagle back."

"But can we spare the entire 12th Legion?" Percy asked, "Who would defend New Rome?"

"Take the 6th Legion from Texas. They've barely lifted a finger in eight years." Reyna answered, "This was our mistake. We have to fix it."

"A victory would be good for our image and morale." admitted Zoë, "It would be useful."

"And we could re-take all the Imperial Gold weapons and armor Varus lost!" Reyna added.

"Good points." Percy acknowledge, "Get to it. I'll make an announcement later . . . and take some of my men, too."

"How many?"

"All of them. Nico, too. We'll put this off until he wakes up -I'll contact Janus as well." Percy sighed, "That should be enough godly power to kill him. Gods, I wish I was coming with you."

"We will return soon." Zoë promised, "With the head of that Giant, as well."

"See that you do." ordered the dictator, turning away.

Someone was waiting for him in his room. The official head of the magical branch of the Organization, he or she sat at Percy's desk.

He only a little shorter than Percy, and her black scarf seemed to whip in a breeze Percy knew had no right to be here. His hair was dark brown, streaked with black, and her eyes the same. Loose black clothing hid his gender for the most part, and she'd never tell.

No one knew his or her gender, calling her 'he' or 'she' alternately.

He was Emory Martins, son (or daughter) of Viduus.

What was important was the package she brought. It was wood, dark and rectangular. Hinged on one side.

"Is this it?" Percy asked.

Emory inclined his head slightly, "The stylus used by Chaos to write the Ancient Laws. Under Mount Kronion."

Percy gently opened the box, exposing perhaps the strongest artifact to ever exist.

The pen, indeed, was mightier than the sword.

Even C.C. was visibly surprised when Perseus showed it to her, but offered little information.

Daedalus and Medea were no help, and nor could Zoë determine what exactly to do with it.

Percy snapped the box shut as they left Medea's wing of the underground base, "Good work. I'm sending you north."

"North?"

"We believe Porphyrion has risen. He has Thanatos chained up, and I can't say with absolute certainty that Queen Sess and Prometheus won't join him. So, kill him before that happens." Percy laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly, "This needs to succeed. I won't accept any other outcome."

Her gaze darkened, "Yes, sir."

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August 4th, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

Percy stood at the end of Nico's bed. They had to wake him -this mission couldn't wait any longer, and Percy needed him in the field.

There were remarkable changes to the son of Hades. There was always the stench of death and decay around him, an aura of loneliness and dread . . . but now it filled the room, oppressive, bearing down on it's occupants.

Percy didn't care. Those feelings and that smell weren't anything new to him.

Medea stood by the headboard, lighting crackling across her fingertips before she lightly brushed Nico's temples.

The son of Hades gasped sharply, coming to a sudden awakening.

He groaned in pain, and the shadows at the corner of the room began writhing, almost reaching out ro him.

"Nico. Control it." Percy warned, "I didn't teach you everything just so you could lose control now."

Hearing his words -hopefully- Nico growled, opening his eyes and sitting up.

Daedalus was immediately in front of the demigod, shining a bright penlight into his eyes.

Nico, predictably, batted it aside.

"How do you feel?" Percy asked, "Are you ready for combat?"

Nico swung his legs out of bed, but they wouldn't hold his weight and he crumpled, "Not right now, sir."

Percy gritted his teeth, "You have a day. Then you're marching to Alaska."

"Alaska?"

"We think Porphyrion rose there."

Nico blinked, his eyes re-focusing, "Not Porphyrion. Alcyoneus."

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August 4th, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

"Alcyoneus?" Percy asked.

"The bane of Hades. Pluto." Nico said haltingly, pushing himself up on his hands before they, too, failed him, "Ask Reyna to get . . . Hazel."

Percy didn't bother moving -Reyna was in the room as well, but Nico couldn't see her from his position.

"Back on the bed with you, punk." Clarisse said, picking up Nico by the armpits and getting on the medical bed again.

Nico nodded his thanks, nodding off again.

A quarter of an hour later, Reyna returned with another girl in tow. African-American, with curly brown hair and striking golden eyes. Hazel, Percy presumed, and she immediately went for Nico.

"What did you do to him?" she demanded, looking back at Reyna. Then her eyes widened as she realized the other occupants of the room.

"No honorifics, please." Percy said smoothly, "A half-sister's love for her brother is more important than petty things such as that."

Hazel blinked.

"Thy brother will recover." Zoë assured the legionnaire, "He is resting now; He will be accompanying us north."

The daughter of Pluto nodded silently.

"Now, what do you know of Alcyoneus?" Percy asked the distraught demigoddess, "Nico said you know something of use."

Hazel nodded again, looking a bit torn.

Percy listened as the daughter of Pluto told him everything. Alcyoneus, Gaea, Queen Marie, Pluto, and the island where the ritual took place.

He'd have to visit sometime . . . or at least send Emory there. Of the whole organization, she was likely the most skilled in magic. Even more so than Medea or himself.

"Your willpower and service should be applauded. I hereby declare you as Hazel Levelsque, daughter of Pluto, in her first year of service." Percy intoned, and her arm lit up. Arbitrary promotions were one of the better parts of being dictator, after all.

Hazel looked stunned, and her face twisted in pain as brands burned themselves into her arm.

"Now, I believe you still have work to do." Percy dismissed the newly-made legionnaire with a wave of his hand, "Reyna, if you would escort her out?"

Reyna saluted, Roman-style, "Yes, sir."

By the time Hazel left the Organization's base, she had forgotten it's location and her memory was altered accordingly. To her knowledge, she had just filled in the dictator of New Rome with all the information she had in a government building.

Reyna, beside her, was watching the daughter of Pluto. If she had any knowledge of what happened, the new legionnaire would be pulled aside and killed quietly.

So it goes.

"When do you think we'll return?" Hazel asked.

Reyna stiffened for a second before relaxing slightly, "As soon as the mission's done and Alcyoneus is gone. Two or three weeks is my guess."

Hazel nodded and fell silent again.

Probably better that way.

Inside the HQ, Percy looked at his watch and cursed, "I'm going to be late. Don't contact me for-"

"We know." Zoë laid a hand on his shoulder, gently shoving him forward, "Go."

Percy nodded, breaking out into a sprint as he reached the engine room.

Inside, faces looked up at him.

The dictator of New Rome entered the location he wished, then disappeared seconds later.

He stepped out of a building right next to a favorite restaurant of New Rome, turning to raise his hand in greeting to the other Praetor of the 12th Legion.

"Jason! It's good to see you again." Percy said, his lightness of tone a stark difference from even minutes ago.

The blond son of Jupiter blinked, "I didn't think you'd be here, sir."

"Come now, just because I'm a dictator means I can't have lunch with a friend?" the son of Leto patted Jason on the shoulder, "And no 'sirs', please."

"Yes, si-" Jason started to say before Percy's grip tightened on his shoulder, "-oww."

"Let's eat, shall we?" asked the dictator, guiding Jason inside the restaurant and taking a seat.

It was no surprise that the table he chose was the next to get a waiter.

"Cheeseburger for me, please. With fries." Percy ordered cheerfully.

Jason nodded, "Same."

The waiter, a teenage boy a year or two older than Jason, mumbled something and raced off.

"So, Jason, have you ever been to Alaska?"

Jason shook his head, "It's too dangerous for demigods. Micheal Varus' expedition proved that much."

"Micheal Varus . . . have you ever wonder why he mounted that journey?"

Jason shook his head again.

"It wasn't a journey for glory or honor. The scouts I sent to Alaska found this." Percy reached into his pocket, pulling out a small notebook, "The journal of Micheal Varus. It tells of how he had to try twice as hard as anyone else to gain recognition of any kind. Being the son of a two-faced god, everyone expected him to betray them."

Of course, it was no such thing. The journal never touched the hands of Micheal Varus, and the handwriting inside was all faked.

"Why would he do that, though?"

"He had a dream. Jupiter and Juno spoke to him, ordering him to lead the Fifth Cohort to Alaska." Percy sighed bitterly, "The gods sent him to his death."

"Why?"

"They must've finally noticed him, and his parentage as well. They didn't trust him because of who his father was." the dictator shook his head, "A son of Veritas like myself wouldn't provoke that kind of reaction, hopefully."

Jason's eyes widened -his father would condemn someone to death because they were a son of Janus?

Percy must've noticed, because he smiled slightly, "Oh, they've done things like that before. The gods don't care about us mortals. Even so-called 'heroes' like you or I."

Jason's hand clenched around his burger, practically crushing it, "That isn't Roman. Varus should've had a trial . . . he had to be proven guilty."

"When have the gods ever needed proof? Did Juno need proof to take Io? Despite raping Callisto, your father still walks free. Despite making Hercules kill his loved ones and practically enslaving him, Juno is hailed as a heroine of Rome. It doesn't sit right with me."

Jason knew the myths Percy spoke of. But the dictator wasn't done yet.

"I can't help but think on what the gods have done. They've forced their way on thousands of mortal men and women, making those mortals love them, then breaking their hearts." Percy scowled, "Over and over and over. Infidelity at it's greatest level."

As if shaken out of that deep though, Percy looked up, "Oh, sorry to cloud our meal with such dour conversation. I'll see you when you get back, yes?"

Jason nodded, still mulling over all that Percy had said.

The dictator smiled as he stepped out. He needed Jason to hate Jupiter.

He needed The son of the King of the Gods to kill his own father.

Jason was the only one who could. Little did Percy know that Jason would go missing the next day. The day the 12th Legion was scheduled to start marching north.

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August 6th, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

"Daedalus, you have something for me?" Percy asked, entering the lab.

The eccentric weapons developer scurried over, "Yes, yes, sir. Over here."

There, hanging from chains, was a set of Imperial Gold plate armor. More than that, it looked like it there was a layer of chain mail under the plates.

"And what is it?"

Daedalus shook his head, "No, not that yet, sir. Here."

The inventor lifted a small box filled with little triangles of steel. Little triangles with words engraved on them.

"What are they?" Percy asked.

"Scent-changers, sir. Every demigod and legacy and monster and god and Titan have a scent, and this makes you smell like something else. Sir." Daedalus rushed.

"Would they hide my scent as well?"

"Yes, yes, of course, sir."

"How many do you have?" Percy questioned.

"They're easy to make, but I wanted to have a lot of them before presenting them. I have about a thousand, sir." answered the inventor.

"Good. Send them north. Get them to Anchorage before the Legion arrives." Percy ordered. Gods dammit, why couldn't he be marching north with his legion?

Because it's your duty. He reminded himself, walking away.

But this was also an opportunity. Now that Zoë was gone, he could finally interrogate his . . . special captive.

"And here I thought you learned your lesson the first time you were captured in recent years." Percy gloated, standing in front of a chained-up Artemis.

The resolute goddess refused to rise to the bait, and instead spat defiantly.

The spit never reached the demi-Titan. It crackled with energy and burst apart in midair.

"Please, don't lower yourself like that." mocked the dictator, "You have information I want. It's information I already know, but I want it confirmed. Now, you've told no one else about me, correct?"

Artemis still didn't answer.

"You know, I've heard that switching from Greek to Roman, as a goddess, is very painful if it's against your will." Percy said, "But I'm afraid I know not how. So this will have to do."

His left hand sparked with electricity as his right brandished a knife, cutting away whatever clothing Artemis had. She struggled, but the Imperial Gold chains held well.

"Sorry about your current state of dress, but this works better with no insulation." Percy apologized falsely, then laid his hand over Artemis' heart.

A scream was torn from Artemis' throat as pain coursed through her body.

The focal point of all veins, arteries, and capillaries in the human physique: The heart. From that organ, power traveled throughout the goddesses' body with impunity.

Percy frowned, pressing harder as the screams reached new levels.

Before he drew it all out at once. Every single bit of electricity and bioelectricity in Artemis' body.

That split second of numbness before the torture began again.

"That won't work." a new voice said.

Percy turned, recognizing C.C.'s speech, "Of course it won't."

Artemis slumped into unconsciousness as Percy lifted his hand.

"I'm not doing this for information." the dictator said, "I'm disguising my true objective with another."

The girl's mouth quirked, "I see. You seek to kill her."

"She will choose to fade if I inflict enough pain on her." Percy answered, "And she'll do it quicker if she thinks she'll keep information I desperately need from my grasp."

C.C. hummed, before going to a corner of the cell and sitting down.

Percy frowned, but did nothing to stop her. Instead, he turned back to the goddess and brought her to a sharp awakening. "That didn't work very well, did it? You fell asleep far too quickly."

Artemis groaned.

"I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way." At a gesture, a rack of sharp, pointy implements were brought in, "Let's start with the basics, shall we?"

Percy picked up a sharp, thin dagger and twirled it in his hands, then slammed it through the flesh of her shoulder.

"No, who am I kidding?" asked Percy, "I haven't quite figured out a major god's organs yet. You'll have to remain alive for it all, of course, but that's your loss."

Gently, Percy removed the dagger and instead picked up a scalpel.

Flames curled around it, sterilizing the tool before Percy began making careful incisions down Artemis' front.

"So far, you're not so different from Hecate. Did you ever figure out what happened to her and the other minor gods that sided with the Titans?" asked the dictator, talking mostly to himself, "I could show you later. They've been put to good use."

As soon as he finished a cut down the middle of Artemis' ribcage, Percy took what looked like a small kind of buzz saw from his trolley of tools.

It started up with a high-pitched whine, and Percy gently cut apart the two sides of the goddess' ribs.

"There we go. Easy does it, now." the dictator gently -but firmly- pried apart Artemis' chest, giving little heed to the golden blood that flowed from her body freely.

Artemis herself had long since passed into unconsciousness.

Now was time for Percy to start comparing organs. He had previously torn apart both minor gods and Titans . . . but there was a remarkable difference between them.

Artemis' insides, however, matched neither a minor god's nor a Titan's. She was almost in between the two.

That was curious. Were major gods perhaps a species between the two? Or were they simply a variation on a theme?

Regardless, Percy saw all he needed to see. He carefully fused bone and stitched together muscle and flesh before forcing nectar and unicorn draught into the goddesses' body.

"Take her back to the cells." Percy ordered, taking off nearly-invisible clear gloves, along with his now-bloodstained clothes.

With a flash of fire, they turned to ash and the dictator walked away.

He had much to think about.

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August 14th, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

Percy would never admit it, but he missed the action. He heard the journey of the 12th Legion, going north to Alaska. Apparently, Amazons existed. That was new.

He'd have to send an envoy to them soon enough. Probably Zoë.

In the meantime, it was boring sitting at the lead of an empty building. C.C. was still teaching him, and that damned prophecy still hung over his head, but time flowed at it's own pace.

He learned, though. With the building full of researchers and witches like Medea, Percy might as well learn all he could.

His biggest question, however, was left unanswered. That was, "Why me?"

Why was he, Perseus Jackson, successfully born from a Titan and a demigod? Percy had a suspicion, but it couldn't be proven without dissecting himself.

There was a set way already to determine how powerful a demigod -or demi-Titan- was: Blood purity.

If a mortal and a god had offspring, the child was a demigod: 50% god and 50% mortal. If that demigod mated with a god, their child would be 75% god and 25% mortal.

With that in mind, Percy had tracked his lineage as far back as he could, doing the math.

50% of his blood was Titan, from his mother. From his father came 48% godly blood and 2% mortal blood.

Now, presently, Percy was standing over his father's corpse. It had been preserved relatively well, and Percy looked down at it with contempt.

He didn't care who's corpse he was cutting into. He wanted answers.

And he got them. His father's innards almost matched those of a minor god. Almost.

So while children of Titans and mortals couldn't survive, perhaps Titans and nearly-minor gods could procreate?

With that thought in mind, he contracted Daedalus and Medea to find out exactly what was going on. They came back with good -and bad- news.

Percy would likely die before he hit fifty. But he'd live until then, and it was just as likely that any children he had with any creature would live a human lifespan.

Look to the future. Like he always had.

He was interrupted when his earpiece crackled.

I've captured the rest of the Hunt. No one escaped. Clarisse said.

Percy sat up, Where were they?

In New Rome. replied the daughter of Ares, Probably hoping to rescue the rest of them.

Bring them back here at once. Short-handed as we are, we need to get them in chains as fast as possible. Percy ordered, Casualties?

Two wounded, one critical. One death. Clarisse reported.

Percy sighed -they were losses he could ill afford, with most of his men in the north. He was operating with a skeleton crew right now -chances are, he'd have to take a few missions in person before Zoë and the others got back.

Half an hour later, Clarisse came knocking. The captured four Hunters were led down through the base, and Percy kept an eagle eye on them through the cameras at all times.

That was when he noticed Pheobe smiling slightly.

And something started hissing.

Percy knew exactly what it was -gas. He installed it all through the base, either sleeping gas or poison. This was probably the former.

The son of Leto ran for the gas masks he also kept, but he knew he wouldn't make it. Hell, he designed this place to be foolproof -if he was at the controls.

Sadly, he wasn't.

Percy's world rock as he crumpled to the ground, sleep taking him into it's warm embrace.

Perseus Jackson. A voice, in the darkness of his dreams.

Percy turned, looking around as a landscape formed. This wasn't reality, but it certainly looked so. There was New Rome, and Camp Jupiter.

He was standing on a hill, and the Caldecott Tunnel was under him. In front of him, a woman formed.

She was wearing a black shawl, and was very pale. Her eyes were brown-black, and they looked . . . odd.

The Giants. That could only mean this was . . . "Gaea."

The women inclined her head, "Perseus Jackson."

"Congratulations, you know who I am." the dictator said dryly, "Why are you here?"

For a second, she seemed taken aback. But Gaea gathered her thoughts quickly, "I sleep. Soon, I will awaken. And when that happens . . ."

Behind her, New Rome erupted in flames.

Percy's eyes widened. It brought back memories . . . running through the streets . . . the screams of the burnt and burning . . . collapsing buildings . . . the stench of scorched flesh.

Angrily, Percy shoved the thought out of his mind. He couldn't afford to be distracted now.

So he watched as Rome burned down, and smiled, "You put so little faith in Romans. We are adept at recovering."

Now he took control of the dream, focusing his will. As he watched, flocks of people returned to the ruins, building them anew. High towers replaced broken houses, and New Rome itself expanded over the Little Tiber, connecting with San Francisco.

"Lucid dreaming. An inexact art, but aided by Morpheus' magic . . . I haven't had a strange dream in a long time." Percy looked at Gaea, "Mark my words. Even now, your son is being killed by my men. You will not wake. I will end the age of gods and Titans. I will usher in a new world of humans. There is no place for you there."

The goddess of the Earth frowned, "You would have made an excellent pawn."

"I think you've overstayed your welcome." Percy growled, and the goddess abruptly disappeared, forced out of his mind.

Instead, Percy walked into this dream of New Rome, walking through it's streets. This was what his subconscious wished New Rome to be like, and it would be good to make note.

When he got to the Organization's base, it was gone. That was good.

He wasn't terrorizing the city anymore.

Percy instead went to his mansion outside of New Rome, where he spent his years in house arrest. It was redesigned, but more importantly, there was real life in it now. Percy saw himself, running through the back yard with Gwen, fully healed. There was another girl there too, with gray eyes and gray, smooth hair like . . . Leto? It couldn't be. It wasn't-

"Get up, you son of a bitch!" Clarisse howled as Percy woke up -aided by a swift kick in the guts.

The dictator coughed and retched, getting his brain into gear quickly, "What happened?"

"We got fucked by those Hunters!" growled the daughter of Ares.

"Tell me exactly what happened." ordered Percy, getting to his feet shakily. Horrible stuff, that gas.

"You fucked up. That's what happened." Clarisse said, her tone unchanged.

Percy didn't bother being gentle -his state of mind currently didn't allow for that. With one hand, he latched onto the back of Clarisse's neck and pulled forward, while the open palm of his other hand slammed into her nose, knocking the insubordinate warrior back as few steps.

"Tell me. What the fuck happened!?" Percy growled back, "Or I'll beat you into next Friday!"

Clarisse backed up, glaring at him.

Percy, meanwhile, stepped forward. Electricity crackled around one fist, and fire engulfed another, "I'm real fucking tired of you, Clarisse. Either you respect what I say, or I'll kill you. Right here, right now."

He was in no mood to argue, and it showed in his voice.

Clarisse was a military women. She knew when she couldn't win a fight, "Fine. The Hunters released sleeping gas in every part of the base except the string of rooms they used to escape. Hell, we didn't have the people to stop them."

"I see. Where did they go?" Percy asked.

"East, from what our trackers said. They're still transmitting, but it's getting faint now. We don't have any fancy satellites."

That was a major pain in the arse. Despite their breakthroughs in technology, they didn't have the resources to properly use most of them.

"Get on the horn with Zoë. Tell her what happened and keep her on the mission." ordered the son of Leto, "The engines?"

"Still there. That's something, at least."

Percy rubbed his forehead. Artemis probably contacted Olympus already. Or had she? Would she seek to challenge him alone? Or was she still unconscious? In which case, had her Hunters contacted Olympus?

No, from what he had heard, the gods hadn't responded to contact for the last eight days and counting. Something was wrong on the floating mountain, and that was good.

Dammit.

"Get me a meeting with Octavian."

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August 25th, 2015, The Forum, New Rome, California

"And now, our victorious forces return!" Percy announced, pointing out the marching 12th Legion. Reyna, Zoë, the centurions, and the standard-bearers all marched into New Rome instead.

Percy had to threatened absolute Tartaurus for Terminus to relent even the slightest bit on his overzealous border-guarding.

"Now, finally, we have regained our eagle! The eagle of the 12th Legion, thought lost!" Percy announced, "Now, finally, we have avenged Micheal Varus! The Praetor of the 12th Legion, fallen in battle! We have won a great victory, Romans! One giant, the bane of Pluto, lies dead in Alaska!"

The crowd cheered, hands in the air. Everyone liked a dictator who won.

"We have shown our mettle! Our courage is unmatched! For we have entered the Land Beyond the Gods and defeated a threat to our Republic there! But can we stop there? Can we rest on our laurels?" Percy asked the crowd, "No! We must push forward! For even now, Gaea stirs! She threatens our city, our lives! We must stop her! More than that, we must stop her from ever rising again!"

The crowd cheered as the eagle entered the forum, being marched all the way up to the rostrum where Percy gave his speech.

Jacob the aquilifer stood at the base of the platform, flanked by the centurions with the eagle raised high. Meanwhile, Reyna and Zoë joined Percy and Octavian on the platform.

"However, I have sad news as well." Percy said, his voice dropping, "Our valiant praetor, Jason Grace, has disappeared! We believe he has been captured by Gaea's forces. So, Romans, it's now or never! We must all do what we can to rescue him and thwart Gaea once again. Romans, will you fight? Will we stand together? Will we rebuff Gaea like the proud people we are?"

The crowd roared a response, all of them affirming his speech.

"Then, Romans, I need you to fight! I need you to give it everything you have! For there is no turning back!" Percy announced, "For now, and forever, Rome has been guarded by the mightiest of it's Legions: The Twelfth Legion FULMINATA!"

Lighting arced down from the heavens, connecting with the eagle. It seemed to come alive, with electricity sparking over it's wings and it's eyes glowing blue.

The crowd cheered all the louder.

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August 25th, 2015, Organization Headquarters, New Rome, California

"Thanatos. Letus. Mors. I have a few questions for you." Percy said, facing the God of Death.

Thanatos was chained up, of course, and Nico was there to counteract any death-related tricks he might have up his . . . well, his tunic didn't exactly have sleeves, so . . .

The god's voice was surprisingly mellow, "I cannot bring back those who died, Perseus Jackson."

Percy sighed, "You know, I really wish people stopped calling my full name. It isn't dramatic or suspenseful if you can just read it off my nametag."

Thanatos chuckled slightly, his voice deep and rich, "I have no need for suspense. I am Death."

"Yeah, yeah, I suppose I don't need to either. Anyways, the Prophecy of Seven tells of the Doors of Death. Where are they?" Percy asked.

"The Doors of Me. I thought you would ask." Thanatos replied, "In this mortal world, they are in Epirus, Greece, in the lowest level of the House of Hades."

"My father's greatest temples. Only those near death could reach the bottom floor." Nico said.

"That shouldn't be a problem. The other side?"

"In Tartaurus." the god said.

Percy smiled, "Even better. Where in Tartaurus?"

"On his beating heart. In the center of the lowest level." supplied the god.

"Heart, you said?"

"Heart. Tartaurus, the father of the Giants, has a heart. The pit of Tartaurus is his body. His heart is the center of it all." Thanatos informed.

Percy's smile grew, "Now, that's even better. I thought I'd have to collapse the whole of the Underworld. One, last question: Where is Tartaurus located relative to this mortal world? Rather, it's under the Pacific Ocean, correct? The center is in the Mid-Pacific Mountains."

Thanatos looked momentarily shocked, "Yes."

"Stellar. Sadly, we just rescued you, but now I'm keeping you in prison. Sorry about that." said Percy as he left the room.

Zoë was waiting for him just outside, "Thy interrogation was successful?"

"Sure was. After we re-capture Artemis, we'll need to travel to Greece." the dictator smiled, "We'll invade Tartaurus, plant Leo's bomb, and put an end to this once and for all. It'll be perfect."

---

A/N: That's chapter 2. What do you think will happen if Tartaurus' heart is reduced to scattered atoms? Will the monsters still reform? Will they die in the mortal world if stabbed? Will the Earth's crust implode? Also, yes, I was majorly inspired by Code Geass, which is why I have C.C. She's a rather important figure from Greek Mythology, incognito of course. Care to guess who?

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