The Roman scouts were taking their midday break at Annadel State Park. Their camp was near a copse of trees and as was typical of a six man group three of them acted as sentries while the others ate, switching after half an hour. However with all plans they rarely work out as the Romans were about to find out.

Percy crouched hidden in the shadows as he observed them; typical Romans never changed anything not even when they knew a Graeca had been among them. The closest Roman was a mere 30 feet away a distance that could be easily covered. Now for the show to begin, focusing on the closest Roman he focused on the man's blood willing it to heat up not enough to kill but to cause extreme agony. Percy's handiwork provoked an immediate response the Roman legionnaire fell to the ground convulsing screaming at the top of his lungs as his blood seared his veins. The rest of the Legionnaires surged forward the medic among them dropping to the ground next to his comrade as the rest formed a defensive formation around them.

Percy's vision started to blur red as his hate surged forward. Taking a deep breath he calmed himself this was a test. He couldn't just rush in and kill them all even though that was what his body yearned for, a craving only the blood of the Romans could slake for a while. Looking around he spotted a pebble by his foot it was about the size of his palm with a few jagged edges. Perfect. Winding up like a pitcher he heaved the stone at the nearest soldier watching it connect with the man's shield as he lifted it to block the oncoming projectile. A series of shouts in Latin sent three of the Romans into the woods searching for the unknown assailant. Percy waited for them to pass his tree before casually stepping behind the rearmost roman and plunging his fangs into his prey. Causing the man to scream out for help as the fangs drew his blood from him. The other two Romans pivoted raising their shields with their gladius' poised to thrust and were shocked with what they saw. Their compatriot lay before them pale drawing in raspy breaths as blood oozed from his neck were a set of distinctive puncture wounds pierced his flesh. Behind him was a man garbed in black, a sword was sheathed at his waist. His face was pale as the snow except for the blood leaking out the side of his mouth, and his eyes that were a blazing inferno. Shouting their battle cries they charged the man hoping to push him back away from their fallen comrade. Little did they know that was Percy's plan all along, as he made his retreat seem weak and furtive he lead them deeper into the trees until they were completely bewildered as to where they were, having lost sight of their quarry.

"Lost something have we?" Percy called out his voice smug with self satisfaction.

After a brief murmured conversation one of the Romans called out "So you can talk, I thought for once the monster wouldn't yammer before we killed it Gus."

The other Roman, Gus apparently nodded failing to hide a snicker "To right Julian, I thought we'd get some peace and quiet for once."

Percy paused letting the silence work on their psyche for a bit sure enough Gus and Julian started hollering "Where did you run off to scum? Afraid that you can't fight toe to toe with us, unlike some Graeca , who can't fight to save their life?"

Percy rolled his eyes and made a show of yawning broadly letting exaggerating the noise that comes with it. "I suppose I should get it over with but know this Romani scum…when I'm through with you, you will beg for death." That said Percy vaulted out of the tree he was in only to disappear in a shadow and emerge from behind them. Percy's foot shot out smashing into Gus' knee making it pop out at an unnatural angle. Sidestepping the typical roman shield bash and thrust combo Percy summoned water to blast Julian in the back knocking him onto his face. Pressing his foot into Julius' back he reached down and grabbed his dagger then stepping backward he dropped to his knee and plunged it straight through Julian's hamstring and ripped it free then making an identical cut on his other leg.

Julian was screaming something in Latin whether he was crying for his mama or cursing Percy, Percy didn't give a rip walking up to Gus still gripping the dagger he slammed the hilt into the man's cranium knocking him out cold. There's Hecate's messenger, and a present for when he wakes up. Percy thought grinning wickedly. Turning to leave Julian for the meantime Percy retraced his steps back to the first Roman he had attacked bending down he slipped the blade between the man's ribs. The man's breathing hitched temporarily fading into a gurgle as he died. Three down three to go Percy thought to himself. Moving back towards the original group of Romans he saw a falcon just starting to fly off away from the trio Percy shrugged the message would never reach New Rome in time for it to affect the outcome. Cracking his knuckles audibly he smirked when he saw the three Romans look up at him in fear. Their fear was almost tangible for lack of a better word he could hear the quickening of their blood, the increase in sweat, and something else looking at the three of them he noticed a darker spot on one of the Roman's tunics. So that was what that smell was. Lifting his hand he focused on the water inside their bodies seizing control of their limbs then making two of them stand back to back he forced the third to shove his spear through them both. Releasing his control when he saw the life leave their eyes he watched the third Roman weep over them. He was about to finish off the last man when a voice spoke to him in his mind. Use my gifts champion remember you are not only Hecate's but min as well Nemesis said softly.

Walking up behind him Percy grabbed the man's soldiers jerking him around to face him so he could see into his eyes. In his mind he saw all the hurt anger and damage this man had done also he saw the man's intent behind those actions the man had no moral fiber in his body. Some gift Percy thought in his mind he saw Nemesis holding a set of scales that were leaning all the way to one side destroy this man in both body and mind she stated firmly making him feel everything he has done make him relive his worst moments.

How? Percy thought.

Imagine everything you bore witness to and shove it back into his mind she stated matter of factly.

Nodding Percy did as he was bidden and sent the thoughts back like mail stamped return to sender. He knew the exact moment it worked for the man's sobs began to grow louder as he begged with someone not there.

"Ralph please don't go, I didn't mean to abandon Theresa I mean I would never…"

Acting as if he cared for the man Percy handed him his gladius which was still at his hip.

"You know what you have to do, I believe." Percy said calmly. The Roman whose weeping never cease nodded as he took the gladius and plunged it into his stomach, falling over as he twitched spastically.

Once he was dead Percy returned to Gus and Julian in the woods. Once he got within earshot he called loudly "My friends I thought I had lost you don't worry, Good old Percy here wouldn't ditch you like that oh no, no, no, no I never forget to take care of my friends." Offering a silent prayer to Nemesis he asked her for the tools to enact the beginning of his crusade of vengeance. Half a minute later a cross materialized next to him. Julian's eyes widened his entire frame now visibly shaking. "Oh yes indeed I never forget a friend."

Half an hour later Percy stopped and admired his handiwork Julian was now aerial and bare-chested a message scrawled across his chest in blood "For Annabeth". His grief surged forward at that moment mixing with his hate causing the ground to shake in his despair and anger.

CALM YOURSELF!Hecate's voice screamed in his head you'll never get her back if the mere memory of her causes you to lose your control like this!

Percy's eyes widened in shock Get her back he thought weakly, Hades would never… his thoughts trailed off.

Yes but Hades isn't in control anymore is he? The doors of death have been opened remember? Nemesis' voice chimed in.

Feeling for the first time hope Percy hurried to finish his task healing Gus' leg and positioned him in front of Julian's cross, he left a note scrawled on his shield saying to look up.