Chapter 7

I opened my eyes groggily to the sound of talking. It took a few seconds to remember the events of of the previous day. The fighting, the pain and struggle. I opened my eyes slowly scanned the room. I noticed all the walls were lined with photos and ancient Greek ornaments. Light crept in through the gap in the middle of the curtain but most of the room was relatively dark, with only a dim glow escaping from the small amount of light allowed to creep in. I tried to get up, moving my arm to steady my body and immediately wished I hadn't; the sharp twinge of a healing would rattled up my arm sending me straight back into the pillows my head was laying on. The talking in other room stopped almost immediately after the groan left my mouth. First through the door was a lady with dark hair and silver eyes who I assumed to be Annabeth. I nearly didn't recognise her...she looked so different to what I remember. I had met her once out of chance a few years before she died. Her and Percy were sailing and they somehow accidentally found my island. Things were so much more straight forward then. Percy was disgusted that the gods never set me free but he was old and his wife was weak. There was nothing that could be done. I don't have any ill feelings. I owe them...I owe Percy.

"How are you feeling" she asked. I could see concern etched on her face. Behind her a girl of similar looks walked in.

"Your going to feel a little rough for a few days but you should heal up fine" she assured me.

"You were pretty beaten up when you got here...you gave mike quite a scare" she added with a smile. Smiling back I tried to get up but I had no energy.

"Here let me help you." she said holding out her arm for me to take. Annabeth stepped to the other side of me and steadied me as I rose. I could feel a slight pain in my side but I ignored it this time. I just wanted to be up I hated but stuck in a bed its so...human. Being left in the state I was in last night reminded myself how dangerous demigod life was. I almost felt guilty sending Percy and Annabeth back into the action but I know it had to be done...there was no other way. As I stood up straight the two girls kept their grip on my arms to steady.

"Just give me a sec ok?" I asked looking at Annabeth. She nodded and let me go, signally the other girl to do the same. I switched my glance onto her...noticing how similar her features were. Same long dark hair. Same effortless beauty but her eyes were the deepest shade of green. The best of both parents.

"I'm Arianna...my father has said so much about you.". Involuntarily looked at the floor trying to hide my blush. Truth is I never fully got over him but I had to let him go. Annabeth was his soul mate. What could compete with that. Arianna gave a small chuckle. Damn she noticed. I just smiled tried to walk around the room.

"If you don't mind me asking Lady Calypso but why in Hades are you here? The gods are never usually interested in the affairs of the dead...to be honest not even the dead are...Ow! Mom!"

"Some respect please darling remember who your talking to" her mother scolded.

"It's ok she's right you have a right to know why I'm here. It involves Percy unfortunately so I'll wait till he-"

"Calypso?" I heard a mumble from the corner of the room. I hadn't seen him before because the area was completely covered in darkness where the curtains were drawn. He was sitting on a dark blue armchair fiddling with a small pen. His face looked tired. He looked like he had been sitting there all night. As he opened his eyes I noticed they were not the signature green I was used to. It was any icy blue. His body was more heavily built than I remembered as well. Still he was definitely him and I smiled as I saw him for the first time in hundreds of years.

"You didnt have to sit there all night you know...Im fine...I looked down my body. UI realised this was the first time since I got up that I even bothered to look at myself. I was covered in bandages from head to toe. In my leg I could see stitches had had to be used on a deep gash. This made me worried. Why wasn't I healing properly...I'm a god. Percy smiled as if to agree with my assessment.

"Ok fine-ish"I laughed and he smiled and got out his chair. As he stepped closer his face came into the light. He looked so handsome. Just the same as I remembered. Same air of goodness radiating from him. Same smile. Same man. He leant forward and embraced me and we hugged.

"You had me worried" he whispered in my ear.

"Who me? No need I always stay out of trouble" I smiled to myself.

"Looks it" he chuckled as he stepped away. He rejoined his family and looked at me expectantly.

"Ok I guess you want to know why I'm here now right?". They all nodded.

"Ok..." I stuttered. I really didn't like the thought of sending the two of them back into the fighting. They had done enough to earn an eternity of rest. If they die this time they wont go to Elysium or the Blessed Isles. They will be thrown into eternal punishment for escaping.

"There is food in the kitchen if anyone is hungry". A voice called from a room around the corner.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow and gestured for me to follow her.

"Come on...lets take this into the kitchen."

"Ok..." I started as 5 expectant eyes bored into me. I met Skye and Mike when I got into the kitchen and we all had sandwiches, chatting idly before we sat at the dining table to discuss why I was here. I could feel the expectation growing in the faces of each member of the family. We were sat around the family dinning table with me at the head. Annabeth and Arianna sat next to each other, still as stone waiting on what I had to say. Next to Arianna on the far side was Mike, hand in her his wife's, eyes darting between different members of the family taking in the atmosphere. He knew like the rest of them that this wasn't going to be good news. On the other side Percy and Skye sat patiently. I noticed that whenever he thought I wasn't looking he glanced over at me. I swear I could see pain in his eyes. Its been years...I didn't think he still cared. Skye looked intently at me.

I cleared my throat for the third time since we sat down, dread growing inside my stomach. I had to force myself to speak because this wasn't going come naturally.

"Ok," I said again well you can probably guess this is not a simple house call to see how your doing. I tried to get hold of you two" I gestured to Percy and his wife, "at the island but it turned out you wasn't there...not the best timing to make a visit haha" I laughed to myself. Percy smirked to himself and Annabeth nodded.

"Surfice to say that getting here was a lot harder than I expected and I met some resistance." I gestured to my beaten up body.

"How did you get hurt anyway your a god...you should just heal" Skye asked curiously.

"Honestly I have no idea. It seems Zeus is getting more and more aggressive in his tactics and must have found or created a way for mortal weapons to hurt gods. I dont like it"

"Wait a sec...Zeus?" said levelly with his hands on the table. He spoke his name with contempt. Obviously no love lost there.

"He did this to you? Why?" he said with an underlay of anger lacing his words. His wife gently put an arm on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Yes Percy...or rather his soldiers. There is a war on up there. Zeus has turned into a tyrant. Camp halfblood as a propoganda camp for his men. The world is terrified. Some gods are presumed forever faded...others are just missing. There are a few of us fighting him but to be honest we are losing. Mortals citys are being decimated by his rage. We need help. We dont have any heroes anymore. Zeus destroyed our strongest soldiers in the first few years of the war. This has been happening for decades." As I finished the 5 faces that were once curious were now white with shock.

"You mean he's...there is another war?" Percy looked at me with shocked eyes. His fearful whisper was all I could hear over the silence that had now engulfed the table.

"Yes...though this war is a complete decimation. He is currently poised to destroy the last legion of demigods that live to fight him. With them destroyed the rebel gods have to get directly involved. As you know its against our oath. Who knows what will happen if we break it."

"Sorry if you think I'm being rude but that still doesn't explain why you are here...there is nothing we can do any more...we are dead" Annabeth said sorrowfully

"As I said Annabeth we need help" I looked at the two of them to let the comment sink in.

"She wants us to leave the underworld" Percy said in a level tone, almost talking to himself. He stared almost straight across the table, eyes not focusing on anything in particular. I nodded to confirm his dread and he looked to the table sadly.

Annabeth looked at me like I was crazy.

"Why us? Why not Another hero...you know what it doesnt matter its a mute point as its impossible to escape the underworld without the help of Hades and even his method still requires a mortal from the outside"

"Not impossible just hard Annabeth...very very hard". I paused to let this information sink in with the group. The look on each of their faces was hurtful to see. They thought that in death they could finally rest, free of the responsibility or demigod life. They should be. It was immoral to do this.

"If they are going so am I" Skye said levelly after a few minutes of silence. Her words nearly made me jump; the tension on the room palpable. Before that moment all I could hear was the sound of breathing. The silence was deafening.

"No Skye your staying here" Percy said, eyes suddenly alert.

"Dad you cant expect me to just sit her and wait for you return!" Skye raised her voice, clear emotion flowing into her words. I could see her eyes shining as she fought back tears.

"I haven't even agreed to go yet! I-" Skye cut her father off.

"But you will! You always do!" The faintest falter came off her voice as she stared at her father with a determined expression. I immediately admired her. I could her father in her.

"We don't know what we are doing." Her mother spoke from the other side of the table. Her dark grey eyes seemed to almost stare through her daughter and her anger slowly abated.

"You don't have a choice" Arianna said in a bored voice, her expression intense. It was clear she was deep in thought.

"There is always a choice. Its not the choices we have to live with, its the consequences. What we have to ask ourselves is can we live with the consequence of making the wrong choice" Annabeth explained. I was quite taken aback by that statement. Who knew she was so...wise.

"Calypso" she turned to me. "What will happen if we don't agree to...leave".

Civilisation will fall and the mortal world will most like be gradually destroyed. The Titans will likely take advantage of the weakness and wreck havoc on human kind. The gods will be cast down and some of them destroyed...it will be Armageddon." I finished making sure I made eye contact with each member around the table. I could see complete understanding etched onto their faces. They knew what needed to be done. Finally Annabeth spoke.

"Then the consequence of doing nothing isn't something I can live with, and neither can my husband." she paused and turned to face her husband. "We have to go" she said quietly. Percy just nodded.

"No" he suddenly said turning to his left to face Skye.

"What?" she said raising her shoulders.

"You're not coming with us."

"Are you going to stop me?" she countered with a wry smile. I could see Percys face start to redden with anger. He was clearly a protective father.

"If I have to..." he said trailing off. This time Skye smiled properly

"Don't make me laugh. I'm the best swordsman here". Percy shifted uncomfortably as if trying to repress a really embarrassing memory. I was really surprised with her; a better swordsman than her father? That I would love to see.

"We. Don't. Need. Help!" Percy said emphasising each word, trying to drill in the message that he didn't want her coming.

"Why don't you want me to come?" Skye snapped back. Her face was reddening with anger.

"Because…its…its too dangerous!" Percy spluttered.

"Just because you weren't a father most of your life doesn't mean you can start being one now that your dead" Skye shouted back. I could see the colour drain from Percy's face.

"Low blow" I said looking to the table. Arianna shook her head.

"You shouldn't have said that" she said in a low voice. Skye looked flustered, caught between the need to apologise and the argument she was originally trying to make.

"Dad…I am coming whether you like it or not." She spoke slowly, boring her eyes into her fathers. For a few minutes there was silence. Finally Percy spoke.

"Mike" he turned to her other daughters husband. "Do you have a practice arena in your garden?". Mike smiled knowingly.

"Of course, follow me" he said getting out of his chair. He walked to rear of the room, which was behind him, and gestured Percy to follow.

"What are you doing Dad is this really the time-"

"One on one" Percy cut in. "Single combat swords only…oh and no powers" he added smiling.

"You're just making this easier for me". Skye teased.

"Winner gets his-" Percy ignored her

"More likely her" Skye smiled

"way" Percy finished, walking behind Mike out the door into the back garden. The rest of us stood up to follow. We wasn't going to miss this. Two of the best fighters of all time pitting against each other in single combat. Who wouldn't be interested?

I followed at the back of the line of family members as they walked outside.

The light hit me immediately as I stepped through the door. I didn't realise how dark it was inside until I stepped onto the stone tiles of the patio. The garden was beautiful; remember I am someone who knows a lot about nature. It was about 2 acres in size dominated by the practice arena at the back. Lining each fence was flowers from every corner of the globe, emanating an array of different colours. In one corner I could see an away of carnivorous plants including some huge Venus fly traps. I mean huge they stood about 30 feet tall. It could spend all day describing each and every flower in perfect detail but right now I was interested in something far more important. As I walked onto the grass, the floral smell washed over me. I felt relaxed and refreshed. I could feel my wounds and bruises from the previous nights troubles heal up and disappear.

The arena was circular in shape encased in a small palisade. The ground was a rust colour from all the dust and dirt. As I followed the family inside I noticed that there were raised platforms on either side of the arena where I spectators could watch.

I was so wrapped up in looking around that I barely noticed Annabeth stop in front of me until I walked into her.

"Ouch"

"Sorry" I muttered. She just turned and smiled. We came out of our line and made a crescent moon shape around Mike, me standing almost central. Mike stood next to a wooden box in front of us, about the same size as a wardrobe, a box that until this moment I hadn't realised was there.

"Skye…Percy, say your names very clearly when I tell you to". Percy nodded, standing to the end of the crescent on my right.

"Percy you first" Mike instructed. Percy stepped forward a pace and spoke slowly.

"Perseus Jackson". The moment he finished speaking, the boxes lid flung open.

Silver battle armour flew out the top and sped at Percy, fitting itself around his body. His armour was a shining silver with a gold trident engraved in the middle of his chest plate. His vanbraces were also gold. I could see the clasps and buckles doing themselves up around his body and in seconds he was in his fully battle suit minus his helmet. He held his arm out fiddling with the watch his wrist. I heard a click and his legendary circular shield formed on his arm. He used his other hard to flick the lid of the pen he was fiddling with earlier and Riptide appeared in his hand. He looked as if he was ready for the Titan wars all over again. In essence he was.

Mike turned to the other end of he line and gestured to Skye, her emerald eyes glowing with excitement. She stepped forward.

"Skye Jackson" she said with a smile.

More armour flew out the boxes open lid. This time instead of full battle armour, just a small chest plate and metal wrist guards melded onto her still form. She was around the same height as her mother and just as slender. She twisted two silver rings on each hand that I hadn't noticed before and two knives formed in her hands, each about a foot and a half long with two more spikes on each side of the hilt about a third of the blades length. It looked like she was holding two mini tridents just with shorter outside edges. She spun each blade round her hands with professional ease, flipping one out of her hand as she palmed the other across to meet her other hand. She looked completely at ease.

The father and daughter made their way into the centre of the arena and faced each other, light from the artificial sun glowing in their faces. Skyes dark hair glowed radiantly, her slender fingers gripped tightly around her blades, eyes intent now in concentration. Percy looked back at her with the same intesive expression, rubbing his sword hand across his shield

"Salute" Mikes voice rang out clearly. He dragged the box the armour came from out of the arena and rested it on the side. He clapped his hands and a set of stairs appeared out of nowhere leading upwards towards the viewing platform. The platform itself was made of pine wood by the looks of it and was rectangular in shape with an open window at the front. As I made my way up the stairs with the family, the two warriors saluted each other with their swords, bringing their right hand up their chin and down again to rest on their sides. For a few seconds they stood absolutely still.

I stood now inside the wooden platform looking down on the open arena. Mike made his way up the stairs and stood beside me. All was silent.

Finally I heard him bellow.

"Begin!"