Chapter 7

I stepped forward and shook the offered hand of the son of Hermes. I smiled, "Your father is a very good friend of mine. He speaks very highly of you and your skills!"

Luke looked disgusted at the word father, "My birth father maybe Hermes, but Chiron is my father in every way that counts."

I looked at Luke sadly and put my hand on his shoulder and surrounded us with shadows. He drew his sword, "You swore on the Styx!"

I glared, "Relax, I am not going to hurt you, I just want to talk to you in private for a moment. Please put your sword down."

Luke hesitantly did as I said and looked at me expectantly. I calmly stated, "Your father loves you. The only reason you are alive to this day is because he asked me to come help you and your friends. He can't interfere, you know that. He is helping your mom in every way he can, he is scouring the Earth looking for remedies to my father's curse. Even Hades is looking for a way to remove his curse, he only knows of one way, but we have to find a new oracle for that. Luke, don't blame your father, it wasn't his fault."

Luke looked at me in shock. His eyes seemed to fill with a little bit of hope. He turned around saying sadly, "My father still abandoned me, he didn't even give me as much as a weapon. Your father raised you from birth I don't expect you to understand."

I don't know why, but I felt connected to Luke and I had the urge to tell him my secret. I sighed, "I do, more than you could possibly know. Pluto is not my father."

Luke whirled around, "What? How do you explain this then?"

I knew he was gesturing to the surrounding shadows. I looked at the ground sadly, "My birth father is a much bigger ass hole then yours trust me. You saw my face all those years ago, he left me to be with a man that would do those things to me. Pluto adopted me, because he pitied me. Luke trust me, your father loves you. He would do anything just to be with you for a few days. I am going to change things on Olympus and when this war is over, things are going to be different. Stick with Olympus for now Luke, its not over."

Luke looked at the ground guiltily, "Percy... I-I-I already betrayed Olympus..."

I looked at him and my eyes widened. I immediately drew Ultor, "Traitor!"

I was about to step forward and kill him, but he held his hands in the air, "Wait I can explain! Please just give me my chance to explain. We are in your domain anyways, its not like I am going anywhere!"

I nodded at him refusing to lower my blade, "Swear on the River Styx that everything you are about to tell me is the truth and nothing but the truth!"

Luke said the oath and began his story, "I was recruited by Lord Kronos himself. He came to me in dreams and practically begged me to join his army. He promises me vengeance against my father, but that was before I knew that he cared. Before I knew that he was trying to make amends! Percy I swear if I had known that he was trying I would've never joined them. Please give me a chance to walk away. I can tell you all about their plans, I know lots of them. I haven't figured out who the Host for Kronos is going to be, but Percy, please."

I looked at Luke and tried to think about this tactically. If I kill him, one the Greeks will be pissed. Two I won't get to know what he knows. Three Mercury is going to be pissed. If I keep him alive I can turn him back to our side, learn what he knows, make Mercury happy, shit I can't kill him. I groaned, "Who knows? Does anyone? Are any of your Greek friends on this quest a traitor to?"

Luke shook his head, "I was supposed to betray everyone by killing Zoe Nightshade at the end of the quest."

I glared at him, "That's a snake like move. Atlas put you up to it?"

Luke nodded his head guiltily. I sighed, "No one can know. Not everyone is as forgiving or merciful as I am. But know this, if you betray me in anyway I will kill you. Your allegiance lies with me now Luke, I spared your life. You owe me nothing, nothing at all, I just ask for your loyalty."

Luke surged forward and pulled me in for a hug, "Thank you Perseus! I can never repay you for what you did here and the day you saved Thalia! Gods I am such a fool for trusting the Titans, they said my dad didn't care. They swore that he was just a horny dead beat that didn't care about any of his kids. I'm sorry, I knew they wouldn't be any better, I just wanted to get even with my father!"

I grinned, "I know all about getting even with father's trust me. At the end of this war, I will fight and defeat an Olympian for vengeance. I can promise you that."

Luke nodded, "Who is your father Percy?"

I shook my head, "I can't tell you that. Its a very well guarded secret, that many have died protecting. Sorry Luke, I would tell you, but I just can't risk it!"

He nodded his head and I removed the shadows around us. We were back in the middle of the group everyone staring at us. I just grinned, "I was just talking to my cousins son, chill guys!"

I gave Reyna a knowing look informing her I would tell her later of what really happened. She gazed into my eyes searching for the story. Her now black eyes seemed to pierce right through me as if I was some kind of book. The group continued about their conversation about the forces we were facing. I could feel a few powerful scents on the mountain, but I couldn't single them out, because Ladon put off such a powerful one. It was kind of over powering, but I could feel that at least one or more Titans was at the top.

After a while everyone set up camp and we all went to our respective tents. Bobby still hadn't awoken yet, and I was hoping Somnus was having his way with him in the dream world. Jason and I shared a tent, but I was outside by the fire with Reyna. Annabeth asked me about a million and one questions and even had the nerve to flirt with me. It was annoying Reyna and I to no end. Finally after a while though she gave up and went to sleep in her tent. It was finally just Reyna and I. It was interesting. Under the stars just like old times. It reminded me of all the times we left the underworld just to have some peace time. I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the moment.

After a while Reyna asked, "So what was that whole Luke thing about?"

I peeked my eyes open a bit, "Rey, I need you to promise me not to flip out. I need you stay calm, because I have already solved the problem."

I sat up a bit leaning my arms behind me stretching out. She nodded her head and I sighed, "Luke was a traitor. He joined Kronos' army."

I thought she would be pissed, but her calm demeanor never shifted. She just threw her feet in my lap and laid back down looking at the stars asking, "So what are you going to do? Or what did you do?"

I just smiled at the amount of fate she clearly had in me. I just stared at her happily for a moment, before she looked at me, "What?"

I shook my head happily, "Nothing. I just told Luke all about Hermes and what he was trying to do to make things right. Then I told him a bit about my past and he eased down. I also explained how much his father really cared and how he would've had it worse. He had no idea that his father even cared. It was kind of heart breaking actually. Just because I know how much Mercury love his kids."

Reyna looked at me in shock, "So he was a traitor and you told him about your past that I don't even know!"

I shook my head, "Oh no, not that part of my past. I just told him that my father wasn't really Pluto. I told him the reasons behind the scars since he already seen them before. Don't worry Rey, you will be the first person I tell one of these days when I am ready."

She sat up and we were mere inches apart. She looked me in the eyes, "I don't care about your past Percy. I just care about what is happening now. No regrets, no death, just living life with and moving forward."

Moving forward. Its something I thought about all the time. Hell I knew the odds. I knew that I was going to live a short life, between the prophesy and seeking retribution from my birth father, this life couldn't end well. But as I gazed into Reyna's eyes I could see a future. I could see someone that would drive me and be my anchor to the world. I saw affection and maybe love in her eyes. It made my heart flutter, and my cheeks heat. I thought this was going to be the moment, the moment that I had my first kiss. But suddenly a voice entered our scene awkwardly, "Ummm...I just interrupted something didn't I?"

Reyna immediately backed away and stood up quickly, "No we were just talking!"

Jason gave her a look that clearly said Do I look stupid to you? Jason then looked at me, "Sorry Perce, its time for bed though, lights out we have a long day ahead of us."

I nodded my head and held my arms open for Reyna as she came in for a hug. We separated both blushing slightly. She walked over to her tint and walked in without giving me a second look. Jason looked at me apologetically, but knew better than to say a word about it. We both walked into our tent and I closed my eyes to prepare to sleep. Jason however had different ideas, "You didn't know about Thalia, did you Percy?"

My eyes stayed closed and I responded evenly, "No I didn't. I don't honestly know if I could've told you if I did know though. Many ancient laws were created to protect this secret. If I could've told you though I would've in a heart beat."

Jason didn't say anything for a while and I started to drift to sleep. Before I could fully enter the land of Morpheus Jason spoke up again, "Have you ever considered that we may be fighting for the wrong team?"

My eyes shot open and I sat up a bit staring at Jason in surprise. I was shocked that a son of Jupiter could actually question his father's leadership. I said, "Actually I have. But then I am reminded of what the world was like before our fathers took charge. I have spoken to spirits and souls who were around during the Golden Age, it was ugly and barbaric. Kronos would rule far more unjustly than the gods."

Jason sighed, "Don't you sometimes think you could do better? With so much power, don't you think we could make this place a better world."

I turned on my side and took off my hood meeting Jason's eyes,, "I have no love for the gods Jason. They are cruel, vengeful, prideful, evil at times, and mostly selfish. I support the gods because they are the best we have. Who would listen to us as leaders of the free world? We are just demigods, we can't rule this world so we have to help and guide our parents to make better choices. The path I have chosen to take is one of darkness, but I have chosen it. I choose to help my father, Pluto in any and every way I can. He may have made some bad choices in his life, but everyone makes mistakes. Immortals make more because they have forever to make them. If I ever thought there could be a more righteous side then the gods I would raze Olympus. Jupiter sent you and Thalia on different paths for a good reason Jason. I can't pretend to know those reasons, because I don't. But we have to have faith."

Jason nodded and relaxed. He sighed, "Why do you help me Percy? I just spoke treason, and you just told me some of your own personal thoughts and stuff. You could've killed me right there, because that's the Roman way."

I shook my head, "Your my people Jason, remember what I told you this morning. I take my code very seriously, and I am loyal to a fault. Its not in my nature to betray people Jason. Just be careful, the thoughts you have could take you down a dark path."

Jason turned on his side, "Thanks for everything Percy. You didn't have to bring me on this quest, but doing so you brought my sister and I back together. Thank you!"

I smiled, "Your welcome, now lets get to sleep so we can kick some Titan ass tomorrow!"

Jason nodded turning over, "Hoorah!"

Line Break

I awoke suddenly alert. Something was wrong I could feel it in the air. I looked over and reached out to smack Jason and wake him, "J wake up, something is wrong outside."

Jason's eyes shot open, "What, what is it?"

I shook my head, "I feel a disturbance around the camp. I can feel it casting a shadow, whatever it is its mad."

I drew my sword and stood up flipping my hood on. Jason followed suit and drew his weapon, but not putting a shirt on. We crept out of the tent to see Reyna and Bobby having an argument. We thought it was just a heated usual argument but suddenly Bobby pulled a sword on Reyna and rage entered my body. I tried to dart forward, but I was to late. Bobby grabbed her and disappeared in a golden light. I screamed, "REYNA!"

She was gone though. I ran over to where she was previously standing and just fell to my knees. Jason was right behind me wrapping his arms around me pulling me back, "Percy its going to be okay. We don't even know what happened."

Shadows surrounded the whole camp as I had not managed to control my rage. I couldn't believe I had lost her. I couldn't believe that after all these years of training I couldn't even save my best friend from a weak son of Heracles. Tears streamed down my face and the rest of the camp was now awake and alert. Jason never let go of me as I couldn't control the rolls of emotion rolling off of me. I yelled, "I am going to kill him Jason, I don't care if I get out casted from Rome, before this day is over I will reap his soul and escort him to Tartarus! Gods dammit! I was to weak, to slow, I couldn't save her!"

Piper came over to us and tried to get near me, but other than Jason no one dared approach. I then made eye contact with Luke. I stormed over towards him and slammed him against the shadow walls, "Had you ever seen that guy before? The son of Heracles?"

Luke stuttered, "I don't know maybe. Percy you don't even know how many people they have, I could've seen anyone in this camp and not remember!"

I slammed him against the wall of shadows and he grimaced in pain, "Dammit think harder! Could he have been there?"

Jason and Zoe pried me off of the son of Hermes and Annabeth yelled, "What the Hades Percy?"

Normally I would be pissed that someone used my fathers name as a cuss, but I was distracted I only had one thing on my mind. I glared at Luke, knowing we couldn't explain. Instead he said, "Its okay guys. I know what he's talking about!"

Zoe then shot him a dirty look, "The only reason you would know any of Perseus' questions is if you were a spy!"

Luke's eyes widened and he gulped. I then threw several shadows at Zoe knocking her to the side as she charged at Luke. I growled, "No one touches the son of Hermes. He is one of mine now. His loyalty lies with me, and mine lies with Olympus. We can all discuss this later, after we raze this fortress to the ground. Not a second sooner, if anyone makes a move towards the son of Hermes I will kill you immediately for I do not have time for this."

Many glared at Luke. Annabeth and Thalia however just eyed him with betrayal. He tried to go over to them, but Thalia and Annabeth just walked back towards their tent. He walked over to me sadly, "They hate me..."

I took an emotionless tone once again trying to control my anger. I lifted the restless shadows above us and sighed, "They have the right to. All will be forgiven in time Luke. I don't have time to worry about this and neither do you. Right now we have two objectives, Raze the black fortress and save Reyna. Because so help me gods I will kill every person in my path if I lose her."

Luke looked at me in shock, "Why does she mean so much to you? I thought you'll were just friends?"

I stared at look trying to control my anger, "That is none of your concern! Come on we have work to do.

We all took down our camp site and within ten minutes began to tread up the mountain. It only took us about an hour to reach the garden of Hespiredes. I was storming in the lead and when the 4 immoral sisters showed up I made our conversation quick, "Move or be moved you immortal bitches."

They all gasped and my friends stared at me in surprise. Zoe looked bitter, but not towards me. They disappeared shouting, "Ladon awake!"

As soon as the hundred headed dragon approached us I turned around and shouted for my friends to lock hands. As they did so I grabbed Jason and Piper shadow traveling us all across the garden and to an entrance to the black fortress which was in site the second we stepped in the garden. Jason blew a low whistle, "Well that was easy. Not to bad shadow traveling a second time either."

Everyone else was dizzy and I am gave them a moment to control themselves. I thought Piper was going to vomit, but everyone started popping ambrosia or nectar to help them out. Zoe scowled, "Ladon will be looking for us, but he cannot leave the garden. We are safe for now, unless any of you have plans to return to the garden for the apple, he will never forget your scents."

Annabeth looked at Zoe in confusion, "How did you know that?

Zoe paled a bit, "I don't want to talk about it. Lets move quickly, this will be an ugly fight if my father is here."

I stepped forward without a second look behind me. I shot my hands forwards and shadows slammed against the door shooting it open. I walked in, "Where is the son of Heracles!"

I observed the room as I noticed there were three powerful deities in the room. Artemis, Atlas, and Krios. The son of Heracles stood in between the two Titans, he wore a crooked smile and I was determined to wipe it straight off of his face. I drew both of my blades and eyed my opponents, "You are out numbered a little over two to one. Surrender and I will make sure you escape your punishments allowing you to sit in normal immortal jails. I will accept everyone's but the son of Heracles surrender, he is dead."

The tallest man laughed, I knew this must have been Atlas. He stood like a statue of power and he was a hulking giant, even standing next to Bobby. He said, "No chance son of Pluto. You are in line with my daughter there for you are my enemy. I will kill you if you step against the most powerful demigod alive and the Titan Lord's host."

I stared in awe at Bobby, then I bust out laughing. Krios and Atlas glared at me while I shouted, "Oh how powerful he truly is? Did he tell you I beat his ass in front of the entire camp? Most powerful demigod alive, Kronos if you can hear me, where the Tartarus did you find these guys?"

Bobby growled and attempted to step forward, but Atlas put a hand on his chest, "Halt, you must remain unharmed until you merge with my brother. I will fight the coward son of Pluto."

Krios stepped forward, "As will I!"

I growled, but Jason and the others stepped forward, "Yeah you forgot about us!"

Atlas grinned, "Oh no I didn't!"

He snapped his fingers and suddenly three demigods stepped out into the light. They stood beside Artemis who was still clearly struggling to hold the sky! Atlas smiled, "Say hello to some of the Titan's children, we have very many of them in the modern age and even a few in each camp. Prepare to die spawns of Olympus!"

I smiled, "Well how about we make a little change to this! You can't attack me for the fates would kill you for breaking the ancient laws. So how about I show your 'children' whose boss, and then you and I can duke this out later. Sound good cupcake?"

Atlas growled, "Wrong, you will attack me first or I will kill your little girlfriend. I know you are a coward Percy Jackson, but surely not one that will kill a lady? Show me your face, so we may dine in Tartarus together!"

He snapped his fingers and a light shined down on Reyna's face. She looked beaten and lacked a few pieces of clothing. I knew exactly what happened here. Rage entered me like I had never felt before I barked, "Jason! Step forward, you fight Krios, I will take Atlas. Everyone else pair up, no immortal walks out of here in one piece today."

Atlas cleared his throat, "Hold son of Pluto. I almost forgot about my friend, he has a duty to act upon."

I turned around and followed Atlas' eyes. I saw they were on Luke, but he glared defiantly at Atlas, "You lied to me. The reign of the Titans will never take hold. Go to Tartarus you son of a bitch!"

If looks could kill Atlas would've splattered Luke's blood all over the walls. I however gave a wicked grin, "What can I say? Hermes is a friend!"

With that I took of my hood glaring at Atlas. He looked at me curiously and I couldn't think of anything else but hatred and anger. Suddenly I darted forward with the speed of Mercury slashing at Atlas, he barely had time to deflect it as I pushed him backwards with the force of my strikes. I struck down with a blurry of movements, but his javelin followed it at the speed of light. I couldn't even comprehend how he was blocking my strikes, but I certainly did not want to allow him to go on offense with his speed. I swung at his head and feinted another strike down with Ultor slashing across his thigh. He screamed and shoved me backwards and I stumbled a bit. He charged at me and I summoned skeleton warriors to hold him back. I also summoned shadow after shadow to hold him down. Just to keep him back I surrounded all of them in a brick wall. I quickly whirled around feeling a knife coming towards me and met Bobby's blade. I roared and the ground shook. I kicked him in the stomach with super speed and elbowed him in the face as he doubled over. I whirled back around as Atlas had broken through my defenses and charged at me. I caught his first strike and countered it with my own nicking his hand and blood dripped down. I dodged one strike that went straight by my face and parried impaling his arm with riptide. He fell backwards clutching his arm in pain, "This is impossible! I cannot be defeated by a simple demigod!"

I looked back at Reyna who was still unconscious. It wasn't as bad as I previously thought. She still had most of her clothes on they were just really cut up to the point it looked like she had nothing. It still disgusted me at the thought to what Bobby did to her in the short time it took me to get here. I looked back at Atlas with hatred. He glared at me and prepared to attack again, but I reached out towards a nearby fountain of water and surrounded myself with it. Atlas and everyone else stopped staring at me in awe. The water was growing and growing and everyone was in such shock to do anything. Atlas screamed, "What kind of witchcraft is this?"

Soon there was a monster wave of water behind me, and I just smirked, "Say hello to your burden once again!"

I then hurled the now boiling water at Atlas and he screamed in agony. Krios stared at me and before he drew his weapon and charged. I dropped the water and clashed blades with Krios. My energy had been sapped, I don't know how I was going to beat him. Suddenly Jason jumped in the fight with me and helped push Krios back, it wasn't long before Bobby Joined Krios' side though and we all fight in mosh pit style. Jason and I fought side to side to repel the Titan and Praetor. Krios got a good slash on Jason's face and he screamed in pain. The titan tried to lunge forward, but a lightning bolt rocked the fotress and struck Krios in the chest. This caused him to fly backwards and Jason to dart forward trying to hack Bobby to pieces. While I turned my attention back to Atlas.

Zoe was in the fight keeping her father back with arrows, Piper was trying to fight Bobby from a distance, Annabeth was slashing at Krios invisibly with the help of her hat, Hazel and Luke were fighting two remaining demititans and it still wasn't enough. Atlas landed a solid kick to my chest and I slid across the room while Jason was now having to fight Bobby and the standing Krios at the same time. Thankfully Luke stepped to the plate and tried to square off against the son of Heracles. Everyone was now losing. I looked over to Lady Artemis and we locked eyes. I said, "Give me the sky, you kill the son of Heracles and put Atlas back under here, I won't be able to hold it for long!"

Artemis glared, "You won't be able to hold it at all whatever you are."

I knew she was gesturing to my display of power, particularly the part with the water. I ran to her and slashed threw her chains. I then stood under the sky, "I Percy Jackson take the Titan's curse!"

Everyone looked at me as Artemis dropped down to the ground the weight of the literal world fell on my shoulders. It hurt of course, but I didn't need to even think that to know it. Pain just shot through my body, I looked up to see Artemis a blur of silver send Atlas back my way. Atlas had know idea what was going on, but it didn't take long for Artemis to get under Atlas. She finally managed to swiftly kick him straight into me knocking me over and the sky toppling straight onto his back.

Atlas shouted every profanity known to man. I however just laid there to injured to do much. I did however look up and see Krios fighting Jason, but I looked to the side of the room and monsters were converging. We were dead. Even with Artemis. Reyna was by my side, somehow managing to free herself from her chains. I hadn't even seen her wake, but I was dying, I could feel my life force fading. I had used to much power. Reyna cradled me as I think she could tell I was dying as well. I prayed for Elysium with my friends, but then a miracle happened. Suddenly two black armored warriors appeared from the shadows. They quickly grabbed onto Jason, Thalia, Piper, and Annabeth then disappeared into thin air. Hazel ran over to Luke grabbing him then Zoe before disappearing. It was now just Lady Artemis, Reyna, and I. I ran options through my mind, but Artemis clearly saw that we were dead and that she wouldn't make it over to us in time. She looked at me apologetically and I nodded at her in approval. She then disappeared in a flash of golden light.

I stood up heavily and Reyna tried to keep me down. Krios, Bobby, Atlas, and several high class monsters glared at me and began to approach us. Reyna held my hand, and I felt some strength begin to return to me. I turned to her, "No matter what happens, I will never regret saving you in that alley."

Reyna looked at me sadly, but before she could say anything I turned to the son of Heracles, "For touching her Bobby Drake, your life will end swiftly, but your punishment is only just beginning."

With that I put my hands on the ground and smashed the concrete. The whole mountain began to shake. I felt my earth shaker powers flow through me. I don't know where I found the power or the energy, but I knew this was the only way Reyna would get out alive. Then I raised my hands in the air as if I was lifting something heavy, and the ground underneath me shot up. Monsters were sent straight to Tartarus and I went flying threw the air. I felt myself flying through the air with Reyna's arms wrapped around me. Before we made impact on the wall we disappeared in the shadows. We suddenly reappeared in front of all my friends, I looked at Reyna in the eye as I felt like my final words were coming. My friends surrounded me and I said, "I could think of worse ways to die."

(A/N) Just in case there was confusion there Percy didn't have the strength to shadow travel without killing himself. It was to be assumed that in his dying breath he would take down the fortress instead of just taking them to safety. Reyna in the end found the power to shadow travel them out of there! Anyways, just wanted to explain that tid bit. Twenty reviews and I will update tomorrow, other wise I will post Monday :)!