Hello, my lovelies. I am so sorry for not updating sooner, but I think I've hit that midlife crisis, but in writing form. When I get to where I don't feel I can write well enough or I'm not interested and that's when I have to put it down and take a break. But I'm back now, and fully prepared to keep my usual updating dating routine (hopefully).

So, I got a review from someone who was concerned that the story isn't focused on Piper anymore. I will say that I am branching out to other characters, but Piper will remain in the lead spot. The story is currently in a general POV (if you've noticed I've stopped writing who the POV is in, because I've been feeling that the POV varies amongst people as I go and it just makes more sense).

I know Piper hasn't been getting a lot of attention within the past few chapters, but I've been focusing on character development lately, and I feel that Piper is developed at the moment and I need to get others to her level. I have a huge plot coming up, and I need to direct my attention towards characters like Leo and Octavian to make it work. Jasper is coming soon, and when they come, they'll come in big. I would say they have the small crushes on each other right now, but neither want attachments, and eventually they just won't be able to take it anymore.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series.

Wow. That was a long author's note.


Leo was steering the ship again.

Nico hung out by the railings of the ship with a gallon of ginger tea, just in case. Percy and Jason were below deck to discuss battle plans based on what they'd gathered from their knowledge of Jupiter's favored strategies, as well as the number of soldiers and supplies they currently had. Piper busied herself in her bunkroom with a little dagger practice, though she was secretly worried that Leo would hit a rough patch of ocean and she'd accidently impale herself.

It was an average day on the Argo II, or at least as average as it could be with a war coming in the following months. Time was running out and they needed more allies. Leo had mapped out a schedule to get them to major cities in the time they had allocated, but with a pit stop at Crete, they were officially placed on overtime. The seas had been good to them so far, as had the wind and they were making decent time, but Leo knew that a single storm could blow them off course.

Beside the helm sat a desk, that Leo had drug up from the captain's office and upon the desk sat a series of maps and writing materials. The maps were covered with lines and scribbled down time elapses for their journey. They were originally supposed to go straight to Aegae from Sicyon, but instead had detoured to Crete, so that line had to be scratched out and redrawn.

Leo prayed that there were no more surprise destinations from Percy, or from any member of the crew for that matter, because he wasn't sure they'd make it to Sparta in time. In Sparta, they'd rally their defenses and they'd be off to Rome, where they'd ambush Jupiter. Honestly, Leo wasn't entirely sure Jupiter didn't know they were coming; Jupiter had his resources and Jason had betrayed him. If it was anything, it'd be a little obvious.

When they docked in Aegae, Nico stumbled off the ship, the color returning to his face. Jason and Percy walked off the ship side-by-side in a heated argument; Jason was saying that they should surround the armies of Rome and attack from all sides, but Percy argued that they'd be spread too thin and thus easily defeated. Piper watched them with amusement, as she tucked her dagger through her belt instead of up her thigh. Leo walked off last, feeling proud that he'd managed to dock the ship in record time.

Halfway through the main area of town, which was the most crowded at this time of day, Nico stopped right in his tracks. Of course, Jason and Percy were still fighting as both were too stubborn to succumb to the other's plan. Piper hadn't really been paying attention, which was not something she did often; and Leo was busy playing with a few pieces of scrap metal he'd found about the ship, determined to make something useful out of the pieces.

So when Nico stopped, everyone tumbled into him, nearly causing everyone to fall and create a huge scene right in the middle of the busiest part of town. The only thing that would have given them away sooner was a giant banner saying that the ex-prince and general of Rome were strolling through town. The four who'd nearly fallen glared to Nico, each ready to demand why he'd stopped so suddenly, but before any could, Nico spoke.

"I want food." He said, defiantly.

"What?" Percy asked, in a voice that was slightly surprised, yet pissed off that was what he stopped them for.

"I want food." He said again. "Food. On land that I don't have to vomit up."

Percy breathed heavily through his nose. "Fine. We could all use a decent meal and a good rest."

Leo was about to interrupt, saying they had no time to take a break; that they need to get to the palace immediately, but a look from Piper silenced him. They found a small fruit market, and each bought a ripe apple, except for Nico, who opted for a pomegranate, with the golden drachma coins that Annabeth had given them. They sat down on the side of the street to eat.

Piper looked about the chaos of the markets to see if she could find anything unusual, and when she couldn't she focused on her was too absorbed with his pomegranate to even notice anything else in the world was even there. Leo's apple sat in his lap and he'd take a bite every other minute or so as he worked with discarded wires and metal scraps. Percy and Jason had stopped arguing, so they wouldn't choke while they were eating.

Percy was leaned back against the rocky dirt of the street, lounging in a carefree way in the sun. Jason was leaned forward, almost sitting in the street as he stared aimlessly past the crowd and into the hills in the distance.. It reminded Piper of the first time they'd eaten together; on the edge of his seat, ready to bolt. It confused her that he still felt that way.

He had trusting friends, and yet he still wanted to run.


"Can the gods save you now, girl?"

"What do you think you're doing?!"

She clawed at Jupiter's arms that were tightly wound around her neck, with a sword in one hand, and growing tighter. Her eyes and mouth were wide with shock as Octavian stood there, frozen. He was going to kill her. As her airways were cut off, her eyes were beginning to water while her body was slowly shutting down from lack of life-sustaining oxygen. With her neck in a choke lock, she was in no position to refuse anything he requested.

"You have three chances and then you die." Jupiter said into her ear. Octavian's eyes went wide, but he didn't say anything. "First chance: tell me what my son is planning."

"I do not know!" She insisted.

"Chance two," he said, drawing blood from her neck as he pressed his sword harder into pulse point. "Tell me what my son is planning."

"The gods will not show me!"

"Chance three: tell me now, woman! What is my son planning?!"

"I know nothing!"

"Fine then." He said, slightly shifting his position to where his sword was in the perfect position to behead her.

"Wait!" She cried out and Jupiter grinned, knowing he had broken her will. "I cannot tell you anything, not because of who you are, but because I have been shown nothing. I can tell you nothing because I know nothing!"

"Then how can I know?"

"Perhaps if someone else asked?" She looked hopefully towards Octavian, wanting to save her own life.

After a split moment of decision, Jupiter released her from his grip and she scrambled towards her sitting place. She crossed her legs with haste in fear that Jupiter would grab her by her hair and pull her back to his sword. She looked to Octavian with such an extremity, as if begging him to ask quicker before Jupiter lost his patience. Octavian looked between the two of them for what seemed like an eternity for the young oracle before nodding, agreeing that he would ask in Jupiter's place.

She nodded and took a deep breath, allowing her mind to clear. "Approach, seeker, and claim yourself."

"I am Octavian of Rome, advisor to Emperor Jupiter."

She swallowed. "Approach, seeker, and ask."

"What does Prince Jason intend to do when he attacks Rome?"

Everything went eerily silent, as she closed her eyes almost automatically. The only sound that could be heard throughout the temple was the intake of her breath, and if one were to listen closely enough, the beat of her frantic heart. Seconds became minutes before she opened her eyes and shook her head. Everything was like death for a split second, as she swallowed fearfully as if she were looking into the eyes of Hades.

"Apollo offers you nothing." Jupiter grabbed her again, fisting his hand in her hair. She immediately reached for his hands as an automatic response to keep him from ripping her hair out of her scalp. And in desperation, she yelled out as she felt him going for his sword. "No! Please! Please I have a family!"

"I thought Apollo's whores didn't have families." Jupiter growled out as he wrapped he sword around her neck, still holding her by her hair.

"Maiden!" She retorted. "We remain chaste! But we still have families. They rely on me; Delphi feeds them in exchange for my sight! Without me, they shall starve!"

He shoved her away forcefully, causing her to fall. For some reason, Octavian came to her side much to her surprise. He gripped her forearms and helped her to her feet; she looked at him in shock, but accepted his concerned assistance. He looked at her, silently asking of her well being. She gave him a slight smile and a small nod, relishing in his slight kindness in Jupiter's rage.

"You have a family?" Jupiter looked at her, without sympathy, ignoring the fact that Octavian had broken Roman and shown her mercy.

She nodded.

"Well then." He said, looking at the sword in his hand. "I do believe we have some things to discuss."

They spoke into the morning sun, though it was mostly Jupiter ordering her around with threats and blackmail. Octavian stood back, knowing he'd already taken his chances by helping her earlier. Though he didn't want Jupiter hurting anyone, Octavian knew that if he put his hands on her again, Jupiter would chop them off. Once the dawn had come, Jupiter was ready to leave before they were caught. He helped her to her feet, ungentlemanly, as he stood.

"I do believe we have an agreement." He offered his hand, and she had no choice but to shake it.

Her eyebrows were furrowed. "You're despicable." She hissed at him.

"Merely stones, young one."


They were walking quickly towards the palace.

They'd lost time when they'd stopped for food, and Leo, who had formed a master schedule so they'd arrive at Sparta in time, insisted they'd make haste to the palace to get the audience with Aegae's ruler over in the quickest amount of time. Although Leo urged the others to hurry, he couldn't get more than a fast walk out of them. He was fairly annoyed by this, but he couldn't do much about it; everyone else had some form of battle training.

When they arrived at the palace, they were allowed into a large foyer after a brief questioning from outside guards, but the guards placed outside the grand entrance to the throne room informed them that an audience was already in session and was to remain strictly private. Percy, Piper, and Jason were willing to wait, and Nico didn't particularly care, but Leo stated that they were already on a tight schedule.

"It'll be fine, Leo." Jason said, sliding lazily down the wall till he sat soundly on the floor.

"We'll have our audience, soon. Just take this time to relax." Percy said as he sat down tiredly next to Jason.

But Leo was persistent. "The Crete detour is already pushing our time limit, we have to get in now." He argued.

"What can we do, Leo?" Piper asked, sitting between Jason and Percy. "It's a private audience. We can't just barge our way in there."

"Why not?"

"Leo." Piper rolled her eyes. "You can't be serious."

He didn't answer. Instead, he walked to the grand doors, where two guards stood frozen on either side. He looked between the two, with a nerve in his eyes, though they didn't give him a single glance. Feeling particularly bold, Leo lashed out and pushed open the doors with a large heave. The two guards came to life and went to seize Leo, but he had already bolted inside causing his friends to jump to their feet to attempt to retrieve him.

There were two people, one male, one female, already inside the room, each obviously of high power. They sat on the ground at a low-set table, with untouched pastries set out before them. They stopped what they were saying as soon as Leo burst through the door, though their unfinished hand gestures remained frozen in the air. After a brief moment, the guards seized Leo, and both stood to their feet, their silk robes and jewelry slightly moving with the sudden motion.

"Throw him out of here!" The man yelled.

"No!" Leo shouted. "There's going to be a war! With Rome!"

"Wait!" The woman held up her hand, and the guards dropped Leo. She narrowed her eyes at him. "What war?"

Percy ran forward, next to Leo. "Please. If you'll just allow us a moment of your time, we'll explain everything." He said, bowing his head in her direction.

One of the guards stepped forward. "Milady, I beg your forgiveness. We will escort them from the premises, immediately."

"No." She said, sternly. "I want to hear what they have to say."

"Milady—"

She silenced him with a mere look. "I shall hear none of it. I am ruler of this land, and you are not."

"Of course, Milady." The guard dropped to his knees. "I hadn't meant any offense towards you."

"Leave us." She ordered, and once the guards had left, she dropped the heavy nature, but did not smile. "I expect you have a reasonable explanation for interrupting a meeting between houses. My name is Nyssa. This is Michael. Do not waste our time."

And as Percy had done before, he explained their reason to start war. He introduced each and every member of their small, but powerful group. Nyssa straightened at Jason's introduction and the talk of his father, never differing her hardened glare on him. Piper occasionally threw in information, about how they were already allied with Athens and Sicyon, which Michael seemed to be genuinely interested in.

After a near half hour of discussing and compromising, Nyssa agreed to offer a portion of her armies of Aegae. At this, Michael, who the group later discovered to be the ruler of Delphi, promises to throw his support behind their cause as Delphi had been a major point of interest many years ago during the wars amongst Greece and Rome. Both cities, being large in power and wealth, had been targeted, and both rulers craved revenge.

"Then it's all settled." Percy said, a small smile creeping up on his face. "Both cities shall participate in the war on the side of the rebels."

"We shall." Nyssa nodded her agreement. "Jupiter is a tyrant. We are kings and queens, but we rule fairly. Jupiter has never done such and must be stopped. We will free Rome and Jason shall rule with a gentle hand." Jason swallowed at this, almost as if he were afraid of the responsibility. But he will only receive that responsibility if they were to even win the war.

"I suggest that you five visit the Oracle."

"The what?" Leo furrowed his eyebrows.

"The oracle." Michael repeated. "She—"

"—Is a holy servant in the temple of Apollo." Percy interrupted. "She is possessed by the Spirit of Delphi, and therefore, she can see the future." Everyone looked at him for a moment. "I was a naval captain." Percy shrugged.

"And there is the possibility she can provide insight on your journey." Michael added.

"Then it's decided." Piper spoke. "We're going to Delphi."


The young oracle sat, with bruises about her neck, in front of a dimmed brazier.

Jupiter and Octavian stood off in a corner, talking quickly and quietly with the sun on the rise. She could not hear them as they spoke in low tones, and her true sight offered her nothing. The horrid agreement Jupiter had presented her with chilled her blood, but she still had one last chance. The things he was going to make her do required two people: his son and the supposed traitor.

If they did not arrive, Jupiter would have no choice but to stay to his promise as she would stay to hers. It would help her sleep tonight, but the fear that she could not see what is to come might prevent her eyes from closing. She fiddled with hem of her cloak and the dead skin on the heels of her bare feet, as the whispers of Jupiter and his advisor softened until the room was silent.

They did not speak when they walked up behind her, but their sandals echoed against the cold floor that she had become so used to. Cold. Just like their black hearts. Jupiter's, at least. She did not know enough about the young boy, Octavian, as she had learned, to judge him in that way. But as for Jupiter, he would be going to depths of Tartarus; she could feel it in her bones. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking.

She heard him draw in air, perhaps to bid her farewell or maybe to threatened her once more, but he never got the chance. Her vision went dark, as a familiar feeling overtook her for a short second. No words came out of her mouth, but flashes of images clouded her mind as sounds of laughter over the crash of the sea invaded her ears. When her eyesight returned she found Jupiter standing over her with a wild look in his eyes. He grabbed her by her hair and pulled her to her feet.

"What did you see?!" He demanded.

"They're coming." She said, trying to loosen his grip on her scalp.

"Who?" Jupiter asked.

"The ones you seek." Her hand was atop of his as she tried to uncurl his fingers. "Your son and your general."

"Just them?" He unclenched his hold, but only slightly.

"No. There are more. I see a black-haired boy with a sword of night. A boy with a Latin fire in his blood. And a pretty-faced girl with a fury for revenge." She realized too late after she spoke her words as to what she had said. This girl. Could she be the traitor Jupiter wished to kill?

"All five of them?"

"Yes." With that he dropped her and she scrambled from him.

"Well then." He said, chuckling. "I'll just have to be here when they arrive."


Once again, I am so sorry for the wait, it's been like two weeks. I'm really, really sorry. I hope I haven't lost you guys. I'm sorry if this chapter is a little messy. I normally write in one day, and this was done over the course of four different days, and none of them were even close to each other. I'm normally scared to do a chapter over a period of time, because I feel like I loose the story and the writing style as I write over different days. It's just never worked for me, but I hope you enjoyed anyways.

READ AND REVIEW!


I'm back, my Awesome Possums! :oD