AN: In case some of you have not noticed, the number of chapters is still the same but the word count is higher. This is because I fixed some loopholes by rewriting the first 2 chapters and I combined Braving the Pit Part 1 and 2 into one chapter: Braving the Pit. That is the reason why I wasn't able to update yesterday.

TimeLordLady: Thank you for your valuable time informing me of the first two chapters not showing up properly. It is now fixed.

ro781727: I realized that you are right so I decided to rewrite chapter 1 to give them a more solid reason to give Percy to Tartarus.

Torrent14: Yeah, I'm trying to make chapters as long as possible but some chapters need to be short as sometimes, a particular title can only cover as far as a certain scene.

ZataraGrace: Thanks for the review and idea. I may do that in the later chapters.

I would like to thank all who read, favourite and followed this story and the reviewers fanticywalker, Please Read my stuff, DCReeder and Darkmoon111 for their valuable time reviewing my story.

Also, if I cannot update for a few days, it may mean that a fairly long chapter is up.

Disclamer: I do not own PJO or HoO All rights belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter 4: The Art of War

2 years and a half later...

I have been working down in the mines for quite some time already. My quota had already increased from four cartfuls to twelve. My skin is now as tough as hardened leather. My Cyclopes guards once used whips made of celestial bronze just for me to feel the pain. A year ago, my guards have disposed of their tools to punish me as I no longer need whippings for my endurance and stamina had built up and I rarely feel exhaustion during mining anymore. My muscles also became more defined but my body is that the build of runners or swimmers: small, lithe and light enough for me to run, jump, dodge and pounce easily but large enough to have power behind my strikes in a fight.

I left the mines and walked the path towards my home, that is if you consider a prison cell -where you are locked in every night with an ancient Titan of Destruction to train you- a home. The monsters stayed clear of my path as they have learned their lesson because the first week that Ugly no. 1 and no. 2 stopped taking me back to my room, monsters would try to attack me and of course, I taught them some lessons.

Once, a gang of a half-dozen Cyclopes surrounded me and the largest one which I presumed to be the leader stepped forward. Not wasting a stride, I pounced and punched him in the nose with so much force that he disintegrated. His goons, terrified on how fast I disposed of their leader, panicked and ran away so naturally, I hunted them all.

I was broken out of my musings when I heard the hiss of snakes. I turned around and saw Medusa with a veil covering her face. Apparently, she is a priestess who was cursed by my mother when she found my father dating with the monster in her temple. People say that Athena did it because she finds it disrespectful but I knew better. She must have been jealous.

"Well, isn't it the son of Athena?"

"What do you want Medusa?" I asked in a steely tone.

"Revenge." and she removed her veil.

I looked her straight in the eyes and laughed. "Nice try, but you have to do better than that."

"H-how?"

"As you know, you can turn people into stone because your gaze rearranges their atomic composition into that of stone. That is one of my first lessons with Perses, rearranging atoms and with my willpower, I am able to counteract the effects of your curse." I explained to the monster with wide eyes.

Without warning, she pounced on me. On pure instinct, I willed her blood to freeze and she dropped to the floor with a loud thud.

I smiled at her. "And yes, the same can be done to you although changing a matter from one state to another is easier." I uncapped Riptide and decapitated her. "Especially if it involves liquid and your father is Poseidon." I thought.

I continued on my way without much trouble. Soon, I arrived at the familiar obsidian double doors and proceeded to the training room. I saw Perses in his usual meditative position.

"Ahh, I see you are back Percy." he said without opening his eyes.

Yes you heard right. Perses and I have grown closer over the years. He became my fatherly figure and he treats me like how he would treat his son if he had one: unforgiving in training but pride gleaming from his eyes. He even addresses me as my nickname instead of child.

I nodded in encouragement and started my own warm-up exercises: one-hand handstand push up to strengthen my arms, stretching limbs as far as I can to increase flexibility for better dodging and so on.

"Now, use shadows to destroy that dummy." He said as he summoned a dummy, a bucket of water and a few firewood.

You are probably wondering: 'How Percy use shadows? He is a son of Poseidon and Athena, not Hades!'. Well you see, Perses once told me that my father's domains is the most powerful of the Olympians. His powers includes control over water which most liquids have. That means he have power over them even if it is on gas or solid state, meaning he have influence over air with water vapour. Also, by controlling the water particles, most preferably in gaseous state, he can create heat by willing the molecules to rub against each other very fast which can start a fire if near flammable materials. The fire creates light which in turn forms shadows, giving a small control over those elements. Heck, his father can even take the throne from Zeus anytime but he feels indebted to his brother for saving them from Kronos that if he can help it, he would avoid a fight not to mention his loyalty to his family which I inherited from him.

Concentrating, I willed the water in the bucket to float, turned it into vapour, moved it near the firewood and caused it to move rapidly, lighting the wood on fire. I then turned the vapour into an ice and formed an ice axe. With my willpower, I turned the exterior of the weapon into steel. The axe shrank greatly considering the difference in mass between the two materials. By controlling the water inside the hollow item, I moved it near the fire that the shadow of the blade is in line with the dummy. I made a chopping motion and the axe followed and so does its shadow, cleaving the dummy into two.

I fell to my knees breathing heavily after the presentation. Controlling liquids is as natural as breathing to me now but indirectly willing fire and shadows still costing a heavy toll on me.

"Very good Percy, you are getting better. I remember your first time that you can even hardly will the water to float. I guess the time in the mines is worth it after all." he praised.

It's true, I cannot even hold the water in midair properly but after training with the waters of the Rivers of Underworld -which fells like grasping an eel by the way- I have been getting better until I mastered and perfected the control of liquids.

"Rest now, I suggest to hurry after working in the mines tomorrow. You might want some rest before your training tomorrow. I will introduce you to an old friend of mine."

Line Break

Obeying Perses' suggestion, I finished an hour early in the mines today. When I arrived at my room, I took a nap to regain some of my energy. If my training today would be as tough as I expect, I would need every second of rest.

I woke up from my nap and looked at my watch: a few minutes before the training will begin. I washed my face and brushed my hair and entered the adjoining room.

The first thing I noticed is that Perses is not meditating and is laughing with a man who is bigger than him and is more muscled. The mysterious man turned to face me as if sensing my presence. He almost looks like my mentor except his eyes seems to be burning with fire.

"Ahh Percy!" my mentor called. "Meet Pallas, Titan of Warcraft and my brother. He will be teaching you the basic arts of war. Pallas, Perseus."

"Pleasure to meet you Perseus. I can see that my brother likes you a lot. Now enough babbling, draw your weapon and attack me." Pallas said as he draw a broadsword from his sheath and held it protectively with two hands in front of him.

I uncapped Riptide and we started to circle each other. I did not use Defender as I have refashioned it into a wide rectangular shield, effective to block projectiles such as arrows but useless against melee combat.

Being the less patient of us two, I charged him. Pallas brought up his sword and brought it down in a deadly arc. I stopped in my tracks and held both ends of my sword. He pounded into Riptide mercilessly with so much force that I was forced to kneel. No doubt that he is stronger than Perses. After his fifth onslaught, I felt him tense and I instantly knew that I would cannot hold off his next strike. As he brought the blade down, I rolled to a side and the sword bounced harmlessly off the floor. Seizing the opportunity, I made a wild slash to his left and made a gash across his forearm and inchor flowed out. He cursed loudly and next thing I knew, I was defending against wave after wave of his offences.

After a few rounds of exchanging blows, he jabbed somewhat sluggishly. I easily parried it and smiled. "He must be tired already." I thought. Then I saw him smirking. My eyes widened in realization: the jab was a feint. A pain exploded from my unprotected chest and I knew that he kicked me. I was sent across the room and was about to hit the wall when I willed the vapours to cushion my crash. Nevertheless, I still hit the wall with great pain.

I checked my injuries: a broken rib or two, a large gash across my stomach, a split lip and numerous tiny cuts across my body. A pool of golden inchor has formed in my feet. I could already see black spots dancing in my eyes. "Time to end this."

Gathering the last of my strength, I dashed towards the towering figure while holding my blade in my off-hand. With a cry, I made it look like I want to stab him in his knees. As I have anticipated, he skilfully deflected Riptide with his blade. He looked at me and grinned only to meet my fist. Looks like years of training with Perses improved me after all.

He stumbled back and I pointed my blade at his neck only to find him doing the same to mine.

"Well, looks like you surprised me young godling. I wasn't expecting to have a draw with you."

"Thank you sir."

"Looks like your skill with the blade is amazing but Perses says you have not carried a spear or javelin or an axe yet."

"Yes sir."

"Well that will change now."

I gulped.

Line Break

A year and a half later...

The last year and a half went smoothly for me, or as smooth as training with a relentless teacher can be. I no longer work in the mines in the morning. Instead, my mentors teach me all day round. Pallas taught me all kinds of skills with weapons from swords to dual wielding a mace with a throwing knife while Perses trained me in creating earthquakes and hurricanes for causing massive distraction and destruction.

I have already perfected my technique with most weapons especially the sword but I suck at archery. On my first try, I somehow managed to miss the target which is around half a dozen meters in front of me and instead hit Pallas who is somewhere behind me. As impatient merciless teacher as he was, He didn't let me even take a nap for the next two weeks until my arrow have hit the target, or rather, the target beside my mark.

Line Break

On the last day of my training with Pallas...

I woke up early and proceeded to meet Pallas in the adjoining room. Today is the last day of our training and would be the day to determine if I will pass his test or not.

Surveying the room, I saw him sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room which I find surprising since I usually find him hacking away dummies when I arrive.

"Sit with me Perseus." he said and motioned to the floor in front of him. "As you know, I am very proud to be one of your mentors. I couldn't find a better student. Before I fade, I want to give you my blessing."

"Wait? Fade? As in gone-completely-from-the-world fade?"

"Yes Perseus, it is my time already. Now would you accept my blessing?"

"Yes, I accept."

"Very well, close your eyes." I obliged and did so. "I, Pallas, Titan of War Craft hereby blesses Perseus so that he may have my skills in battle."

I opened my eyes and saw Pallas smiling sadly at me which is very unlikely of him.

"Remember Perseus, always follow your heart so that it may guide you to your destiny."

And with those last words, the titan of War Craft ceased to exist.

For the first time, I felt sadness in my life. While Perses is like a father to me, Pallas is like my uncle. After a few moments, I sensed another presence in the room.

"So he had faded already, huh?."

"Y-yes." I answered, choking back a sob. I don't want to show weakness.

As if reading my thoughts, Perses said: "Well now Percy, tears do not show weakness. It shows how strong you are for braving those things. Don't worry for my brother though. He seems happy that he can now rest."

I looked at Perses and saw that he have wet eyes. Looks like he loves his brother more than he have let on. I smiled at him.

"Now that you have seem to compose yourself, I want to ask you a favour."

"What is it Perses?"

"You know my wife Asteria?" I nodded. I have heard of her but I did not know that she was Perses' wife.

He continued: "I sense that she is upset for around a few days already and I want you to check up on her, give her this letter and do your best to help her."

"Why me? Can't you go?" I asked.

"I can't. My lord has tasks for me."

"Where is she located?" I asked him.

"On her newly formed island."

"What if one of Zeus' agents see me?"

Perses face darkened at the mention of the name. "They won't. That island was made specifically for that reason. Asteria created it to escape Zeus' advances on her."

I said a really smart answer:

"Oh."

But I have another problem: "Will Lord Tartarus agree to this?"

"Yes. I have already talked to him about this. He agreed as long as you swear on my brother's wife that you will return after the task."

"Brother's wife?"

Perses laughed at my obliviousness "Don't you remember that Pallas' wife is Styx?"

"Oh. I Perseus Jackson, swear on the River Styx to return to Tartarus as soon as I finish the task."

"Good." He handed me a ring with a black stone in it. "Take and wear this. Once outside Tartarus, taking this off will flash you back in this very room. I will flash you to her island tomorrow morning."

I took the ring and wore it in my middle finger. "What is the name of the island by the way?"

"Ortygia."

Line Break

AN: Does the island ring a bell to you? What about the fight scenes? Hate it? Like it?

If some of you may wonder why Percy does not use his power much in the fight, it is because even if he is a god, he has no domain, making him pretty much like a full immortal demigod. As of his water powers, the only water available is vapour which is pretty scarce as suggested that it did not help much cushioning his fall.

Also, Pallas and Perses are a little soft to Percy because he earned their respect and spent a long time with them and here in my story, Pallas is not one of Tartarus' sheep that follows the god like a sheep that why he told Percy to follow his heart.

I decided to update every other day rather than daily in exchange for longer and better chapters.

Thank you for reading!