Poseidon walked down the corridor, unaware of the different creatures that passed him, deep in his own thoughts. He was thinking about what Maria had said. There was a way to save the boy, and that way involved going against one of Zeus' most ancient laws. It wasn't that he was bothered about breaking a law of Zeus'; he had done that a lot of times over the millennia. In fact, saving the boy was the furthest issue in his mind. The main issue that was bothering the brooding sea god was the question of why he was even bothering with the fate of this one mortal. Over the millennia he had sired many children – both mortal and immortal – but this was the first time he had put so much work into caring for a child of his. The second question was the matter of Sally; what was it about her that sent his heart beating like it hadn't done in thousands of years? She was a one-in-a-million type of woman, no doubt about that. She was strong of mind, body and spirit but was nevertheless a gentle creature. He attracted to her in a way he had never been before. Was that why he was willing to go this far to save their child?

He turned down a corridor into a much older part of the palace. Very few people … or creatures, rather, ever came down here. In fact, he had all but banned access into this part. The newer parts were all good and well, but coming here brought back long memories of days past when things were much simpler. He had discovered that of all living creatures – and dead creatures – mortals were the fastest evolving. In a few thousand years they had evolved from un-intellectual barbarians into … well, moderately intellectual barbarians.

He kept going down level by level until he arrived into the oldest part of the palace. This was the original palace built so long ago on the foundations of another, much older palace; a palace that had been raised by Oceanus, the titan who was the swirling oceans of the world. It had been here Oceanus and his sister-wife, Tethys, had resided in the later millennia of their rule.

Poseidon walked slowly to a regular looking doorway, but inside wasn't a room but absolute darkness. Light was absorbed and none of it was reflected. Poseidon took a deep breath before taking a step into the darkness. As always, he got the same sense of vertigo. This was one thing he shared with mortals; he feared going into the unknown. What truly lay beyond the darkness? Being immortal, he both knew and didn't know, which often was more curse than gift. After a few seconds of motionless suspense, the oppressiveness of the darkness lifted. It was still absolute darkness, but he got the feeling, as always, that he was in a light blue room, like under the sea.

"Welcome back, Child. It's been quite a while," came a soft voice, booming at the same time. It was soft, clear and cultured, but booming in the fact that it seemed to surround him, like mortals' digital surround sound system.

A small smile spread over Poseidon's face. "Hello, Oceanus. And I count it at what, a millennia?"

"Too long," the Titan of the Oceans said.

Silence spread over the camp. Korgan hadn't left Hephaestus' forges in five decades. He radiated pure heat; all emotions that were connected with fire came to the surface around him. Even the youngest campers knew of Korgan, for big his reputation was, and they all moved back a little so they were at the edge of his influence. Unconsciously, they also freed their weapons so they could react faster should they be needed. Most of the Apollos had their bows in hand as they had been going to advanced archery class with Chiron, and the Athena and Ares cabin had their swords because they had just been to a double period sword class with Luke as the instructor.

Korgan was seven foot tall, made from pure celestial bronze with gold and silver linings. He had two bright green emeralds for eyes, his ears were tapered to a point, his mouth was lipless and he had no hair, eyebrows or eyelashes. His physique was well defined with a huge, barrel-like chest, a six-pack and muscle bound arms. In fact, if he weren't made from bronze and had jewels for eyes, he would have seemed quite human. His only piece of clothing was a war skirt favoured by the Roman warriors. A large, bronze gladius – a Roman sword – hung at his back by its cross guard. It had no sheath so the edges and point gleamed wickedly and invitingly at all who stared – an irresistible death.

Korgan's emerald eyes moved slowly in their sockets, assessing and evaluating all they saw, from camper to camper until finally they came to rest on Percy. The Punisher's face remained impassive as he looked into Percy's eyes. Percy did not once flinch or avert his gaze. He stared back with the same sense of inner strength in his eyes. Korgan spoke finally.

"The gods believe you to have stolen something of value, young hero." The Punisher's voice was rumbling and gravelly from misuse, but nevertheless commanding and severe.

"I didn't," Percy said. He was still looking into Korgan's eyes, his body relaxed but unassuming. Korgan looked at him for a moment, then his eyes strayed over to the cabins and the surrounding forest.

"This is all politics, and what more, godly politics," Korgan said disgustedly. "I do not believe you stole the item, but I have been ordered to either return with the bolt, your dead body or not at all by Zeus." The Punisher's eyes came back to rest on Percy. He was still in the same posture, his back straight, his body relaxed and his expression impassive.

"This is an unredeemable event, but a soldier does what he is told, isn't that so, young hero?" both of them still had not moved from their respective positions, but the air started to crackle with energy as both contestants readied for battle. Everyone but Percy, the medjai and the monk had moved back to a safe distance, even Chiron. Percy gave a small nod.

Fast as lightning, Korgan jumped into the air. He brought both palms together and took a deep breath, and when he released it, a great fireball raged down toward Percy and company. It covered the distance between them in seconds and hit Percy and company head on. A hush filled the clearing as Korgan dropped back to the ground and watched the smoke clearing. After a few seconds, The Punisher shook his head sadly, commented on how unnecessary the deaths were, and turned back toward the spot he had appeared. A small fire was building up there, a portal. Several members of the Ares and Hephaestus cabins commented on the strength and speed of Korgan and the fire technique, the Great Fireball technique. It was supposed to be a minor C rank attack technique but the way it had been used superseded that.

"Please don't tell me that's all the great Korgan is capable of," came a voice from the edge of the forest. Korgan turned round slowly, surprise all over his face. He looked at the hole his technique had caused, then at the three emerging figures.

"Replacement technique," he commented softly, his impassive expression returning. "A minor technique any child can do, but to do it so fast and under such conditions? An interesting adversary you shall make, Perseus Jackson."

The monk gave Percy a gentle shove. "Acquit yourself well, Percy, but I am afraid that it is time we left. There are many matters we have to attend to. We have been called for duty."

"You still won't tell me who it is?" asked Percy softly. The medjai shook his head.

"Orders are orders, young warrior," Al-Sahib said, "but for what it's worth, I think you already know. You aren't lacking in brains unlike me, after all!"

"Don't tempt me," Matsuda said good-naturedly, but then he looked at the waiting Korgan and his face regained its serious expression. "I don't know why – maybe Buddha is calling me and my subconscious can hear – but I have a feeling that this will be the last time we meet. Whatever happens, I know you shall survive. Here, have this." The monk reached under his robes and took off his necklace. He put it around Percy's neck, kissed him on the forehead and turned round and shadowed into the forest without another word. Al-Sahib murmured an "Osiris bless" and went after the monk.

Percy stared after them for a moment, then turned round and faced Korgan. His back was straight, his body relaxed and his eyes alert.

"You have been bidden farewell, young Perseus, and you have bid those you love farewell. I gather you are prepared to die then." It was not a question.

"I am prepared for no such thing," Percy said. Korgan shrugged and muttered, "They never are."

Percy spread his legs and formed his hands into the tiger seal. Korgan raised an imaginary eyebrow as if to say "I don't know why you bother" and took hold of his sword. Percy smiled, but then his face turned totally expressionless and he crouched down, eyes closed, face down, and formed his hands into a strange symbol; it was like a sphere, with all fingers meeting. It was only apparent for a few seconds, and then all of the sudden, Percy disappeared. Korgan raised an eyebrow. "That's a very good trick," he commented, "but not good enough," he added as he moved his head sideways, dodging a knife that had come from behind him. He reached behind his back with his left hand and grabbed an invisible object. A moment later a leg came into visibility, along with the rest of Percy's body. Korgan threw Percy into the nearest cabin wall, which happened to be twenty yards away. But as Percy hit the wall, he suddenly exploded into a puff of white smoke.

"A Replacement? Interesting move, but what's your motive?" mused Korgan out loud. The Hephaestus cabin gave an appreciative sigh; replacements were one of their favourite techniques. A shout suddenly came from behind Korgan. He turned round and saw four Percys all standing with their hands in the ram seal. They were attempting a Shadow Bind technique. Their shadows stretched, but Korgan was too fast and he dodged them easily. There was little light left so the shadows could not stretch far.

"I guess you are out of luck, my friend," said Korgan. "Let me put you out of your misery." Again with lightning fast moves, he ran toward the four Percys and cut at them all with his sword. The all disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"All of them are replications? Your stamina amazes me, boy," Korgan said. This time it was the Apollo and Ares cabin that sighed appreciatively; after all, they were the cabins that had campers with the most natural chakra. "But again you seem not to grasp that I am your superior," continued Korgan. The next attack was a blur; Korgan turned round and loosed three knives. They flew with great speed and their aim was true. To everyone, it seemed that they had hit solid air, but a few seconds later, gurgling sounds filled the air and three Percys appeared with knives in their hearts. Korgan looked five more knives in different directions and again invisible Percys were hit, and then they all disappeared in puffs of white smoke.

Korgan frowned. "You are beginning to annoy me, boy. I have a valuable item to find."

"Then I won't hold you anymore," came a response. Korgan turned round for the last time, back in the direction of the forest where the original Percy had disappeared. Slowly the original Percy became visible, and to everyone's shock, he was still in the same position. Even Korgan seemed amazed, and his limited facial expressions managed to convey even that.

"You coordinated the attacks from there? Without me sensing you?" Percy shook his head. "It's the smallest detail that always escapes notice," Percy said. He rose from his crouch and flicked a hair off his face and opened his eyes. They gleamed with triumph. "Shadow Bind, success," Percy announced. Korgan looked like he was on the edge of losing his patience for the first time.

"Are you joking around with me boy?" he asked. He brought his right arm up, trying to throw his sword, but Percy suddenly stood at attention, and Korgan, because of the Shadow Bind, dropped his sword and stood at attention as well.

"Do you want me to show you how I did it?" asked Percy, and without waiting for an answer, he turned his own head sideways, and Korgan's head copied the movement. Everyone looked at the spot Percy meant; the hole the fire technique had created. A thing, long shadow stretched from it.

"He used the ambers to provide light for his shadow, and the hole itself to stretch and hide the shadow. Genius!" Chiron was positively beaming, despite the fact that Korgan did not look amused.

"What now, boy? You cannot hold me forever. You don't even have enough chakra to hold me for another five minutes."

"Patience, Korgan," Percy said. He started walking to ward Korgan, and Korgan had no option but to walk toward Percy. Percy stopped ten paces away from Korgan. He formed his hands into the tiger seal and summoned up a large amount of chakra.

"What are you doing, boy?" Korgan sounded bored. Percy didn't answer, but he suddenly thrust both palms into the ground. "Twelve Heavenly Points!" shouted Percy. A circle of light suddenly Korgan. Eleven purple lines raced toward Korgan, and when they were within a foot of him, they nearly formed a circle, leaving space for one more line. Korgan paled, if possible.

"I know this technique," whispered Korgan. Percy gave a half smile. He reached behind his back and took the object that hung there. He pulled off the cord and the leather wrapping fell to the ground. In his hand he held one of the objects his mother had given him before she was murdered. In his hands he held an object of great history, none of it good. In his hands, he held a jian blade – a Japanese sword – known as the Heavenly Sword of Kusanagi. Percy brandished the sword two-handedly and struck downwards with it. A purple flame ripped across the ground and completed the circle. Korgan had only time to say, "Oh," before a blinding flash of light engulfed him.

After a few seconds, the light cleared and Korgan was revealed … or what was left of him. He was in pieces. Percy's attack had destroyed him and all that was left was the head –half chewed off – and his gladius and the war skirt, still intact.

Half of Korgan's mouth moved. "Well done, boy. You used the replications as decoys and also used them to write down eleven of the twelve seals required for this technique. You had already done the first. I would applaud if I could. You are very intelligent. Even before we fought you had already though of a plan." Percy did not say anything, but merely sheathed his sword.

Korgan's eyes burned brightly. "But this isn't the end, boy. I will be sent back, or another in my place shall come to finish the job. The King of the Gods does not take defeat lightly." With that, a fiery haze surrounded Korgan's head, and after a second, he disappeared, every last piece of him.

A silence gathered around camp. No one knew what to do or say, even Chiron. Most campers knew Percy from when he was still at camp a few years back. He had been hopeless, barely able to summon chakra and not able to use techniques. Now he was an intelligent warrior who could use techniques, but to be fair, the amount of chakra he could summon could barely compete with the children of the lesser gods and goddesses like Nemesis and Aphrodite.

Suddenly a shout came from the big house. Everyone turned and saw Mr. D standing on the porch, looking absolutely livid.

"What's this, Chiron? I leave for an emergency meeting for three hours, and look what happens to this place! Are you that incapable? Do you have any idea how much it will cost fixing this? And the earful I will get from Zeus and the Dryads! The noise fixing this mess will take. Why, I will never get a moment's sleep! Tell me, which one of these brats is responsible?"

"Well, Percy had a fight with –" Chiron never got to finish.

"What? Him? He's back? Well, I have the perfect welcome back present. He's going to clean all this up, by tomorrow with no noise, or I will turn him into a dolphin and feed him to some hungry Great White Sharks!" With that, Mr. D turned round and walked back into the house, banging the door.

"And that is how he comes back to camp," Sam muttered to Annabeth, but when he got no reply and looked down from his branch in the tree, she wasn't there.