Once Awake Chapter 22, a percy jackson and the olympians fanfic

A/N: SOMEONE HIGH FIVE ME! Aíght, cause I know school's is eventually gonna end up eating up a good portion of my writing time I went hell hard and hot OVER 10K WORDS DONE! *Bows dramaticaly while being showered in roses and applause* SO Imma be straight with y'all. I won't be updating for a little while cause of my work load and whatnot. and to update more frequently I'd cut out quality as well as quantity and as a matter of pride I refuse to do that. So have this extra long chapter and enjoy.

As for the reviewer who asked for my classes, it's a whole lotta sciences and maths and labs which will have me slammed between assignments and reports. I know it's terrible. But the things you do to ensure your survivability after education I guess. Without further ado peeps, welcome to chapter 22!

Chapter 22: Shift Up

The next day was something else. The Hunters kicked it into high gear with training. Most of them were sitting with Lily and getting tips on how to combine Artemis's domain with their own demi-god powers. Surprisingly few people were irritated at taking lessons from a 9 year old but they had long since learned that new recruits ended up bringing more to the table than they thought. Especially with the generational gap between them and the older Hunters.

"Just try and draw connection between your parents' domains and hers. Mine is daylight and I treated it like the sun. Scientifically, moonlight is rays of sunlight reflected off the moon. From that standpoint I sort of drew on it as an extension of my powers and the blessing."

"Speaking of which" Thalia interrupted, "You still haven't told us who your parent was. Not to mention your story before you came here."

She fidgeted slightly displaying her obvious discomfort while Noir simply appeared behind Thalia. His eyes were slit and seemed to be daring her to push it. Atlanta opened her mouth but a glance from Noir stopped her. Lily noticed and shook her head ever so slightly.

"Gather up everyone. I'd rather not repeat myself…"

It was a severe contrast to the way she typically smiled and shrugged it off. Her eyes were downcast and she seemed more grey clouds than sunshine. Her emerald eyes were dull and lifeless as she walked towards the center of the camp.

It didn't take long for the twenty something odd Huntresses to gather up at the center of the camp for an unprecedented story time. Artemis herself had tried to coax the young girl to speak up but had got naught but jokes and smiles. Noir had taught her all too well it appeared.

She sat on Noir's lap where she snuggled in. He wrapped his hands around her waist and let his tails wrap around the two. Lily sighed heavily and squished herself as far into Noir as possible before she began.

"It started with school. Now I don't know why, maybe because I'm young and maybe I was the only one there without a mother, but everyone thought I was the cause. I really could care less then though. My dad was always warm, warmer than me. So warm I' m sure Hestia would've loved him too." She smiled at the memory before scowling,

"Then he got sick and it got worse. The other kids kept away mostly but when dad got sick they became cruel. Hitting me and throwing things telling me I was a curse. They said that it was my fault mom was gone and that my dad was dying. They filled my locker with trash, wrote curses on my desk, one girl even stabbed me with a pencil." She sighed heavily.

"Then I hit rock bottom. After a couple months of encouraging words and even warmer smiles, my dad actually died. I was devastated and I didn't even have time to grieve. There was this massive toss up for my custody between my dad's sister and the state. She would've won but her husband ended up declining the officer when she wasn't there. Before she could find me and pull me from the orphanage I was lost in the system already. I went form the orphanage to a group home and then from there to an orphanage a state over. Almost like someone wanted me as far away from my aunt as possible. After that I was adopted cause little green eyed girls are in high demand." She snorted derisively.

"The parents were nice, at first of course. I was just happy to be having a decent meal and room so I was a good kid. Apparently it wasn't enough, I was supposed to be a genius they stumbled upon to show off to their uppity friends and when I didn't deliver I was more like a pet they were stuck with. They eventually got bored of cursing my existence and tossed me right back into the system. I went from rock bottom to hell at this point. I was adopted again and had a little bit of hope. The man was friendly and kind. He was a children's doctor and a complete sweet heart. That changed quickly."

(A/N: Okay it physically killed me to write this bit and it's going to get rough so hang onto your underpants people. This may or may not contain triggers but I can't say for sure. I don't know anyone who suffers from them and have no intention of digging for 'em. This pat will be rated M for mature themes, abuse, and slight torture.)

She breathed in, held the breathe, and breathed out shakily.

"Being a doctor meant he knew the best ways to cut into flesh without leaving a scar. Something I learned all too well. He had always wanted to be an artist and used my body for a canvass. 'Skin raised and colors with the slightest pressure, but the marks fade just as easily! It's a more precise and easy easel to easily clean! Not to mention the more…trouble some ones I can take care of myself.' Is what he told me. He had a table in his basement he'd tie me to. Face down and gagged I couldn't do anything but cry. He'd always do it on Fridays so the school couldn't be suspicious as to why I couldn't attend the next day. Summer came around and that was my breaking point. I would still have the scars from then if not for Noir but looking back the man had some skill. He carved a Japanese Cherry Blossom tree into my back. The petals were his favorite part. He'd always take his time dragging an X-acto blade through my skin. 'just making sure I don't ruing the forms!' he'd cheerily explain while I screamed my head off. He carved in a river with waves included so all the more fun for him to have as he perfected the peaks and curves. I couldn't even tell what was up or down afterwards ad had no comprehension of time. He had even neglected to feed me before and after out little 'sessions'."

Some Hunters flinched at the sheer venom she spat the word with,

"It finally came down to me losing my sense of taste for a while when I found out he had a friend who wanted something different but worse from my body. I had heard him come down to 'asses the product'. He had even said the mural would make for a nice view for when he took me. That night I chewed for everything I was worth and bit through my gag. I didn't bother screaming and dislocated my shoulder in the process of freeing my hands. I twisted an ankle getting the bonds off my legs and practically tore out my nails as I scrambled though the basement window. I took in fresh air for the first time in what had to be months before I took off running. I hit a park first and high tailed it to the nearest jam packed city. I must've ran for a mile before I collapsed in a dirty ally way with a busted ankle and a limp shoulder. I was too terrified to ask for anyone's help after that incident so I avoided anyone and everyone. I eventually managed to set my shoulder and make an impromptu brace for my ankle but it still didn't do much for the hunger. I learned quickly not to bother with garbage cans after a hobo almost beat me to death for being in his area. Instead I was smarter than that. I found a few restaurants and would hide out nearby until delivery days. As soon as the workers backs were turned I race inside, grab the first things I saw, and high tail it as far away as possible. There were quite a few fire escapes so I made my home there. The building was practically abandoned so I set up a couple sheets of metal. Three walls, some moth eaten sheets for a bed, and a roof and that was me. 8 years old and living on a fire escape in gods know where."

"The only break I got or ever needed was when I met a certain wolf."

Her smile was almost blinding as she beamed at Noir. He smiled back and held her closer, kissing the top of her head.

"You'd expect me to be all, 'OH MY GOD A TALKING WOLF! He'll totally save me from all this!' Truth is I ran hard and I ran fast in the opposite direction as soon as I heard the 'Good afternoon' echo in my skull. He popped up in front of me with a, 'It's rude to ignore people.' And I screamed before I blacked out. I woke up back against a tree with a McDonalds Happy meal sitting beside me with Noir laying in front of me. That burger and fries was gone in a heartbeat, I'm telling you. As for Noir I straight up told him if he was going to eat me he'd have better done it right then since a full stomach was all I needed before I passed on. He laughed loudly before scoffing. 'Do you even-

"Do you even know how bad humans taste? You're either too stringy or too fatty! And I'm a wolf for Christ's sake man! If I have a heart attack I can't exactly go to the hospital for help with my cholesterol ya know?!"

Despite the situation the Hunt found themselves laughing with the two before they settled down.

"He picked me up and brought me to this copse of trees in the park nearby and that was the first full night of sleep I'd had in a long time. Just curled up warmly next to the craziest wolf I'd ever met. I woke up the next morning with him gone, thinking I must be going insane. He came back a second later with a Walmart bag full of clothes, food, chips, water, and cards. He dropped it at my feet before shifting to ten foot, ten tailed wolf mode. He shot me with what I could only describe as a grin before saying, 'Get on loser! We're going on an adventure!'"

She wrapped her arms around a tail and pulled it to her chest.

"The rest is history I guess."

Many of the Huntresses were in tears. They all shifted to Noir who looked down with an unspeakable amount of love for the child in his lap. Thalia was the first on up to tackle them in a hug and soon enough it was a giggling mess of watery eyed girls that were comforting their sister as much as they were comforting themselves.

"Okay Okay! We still have training to do and I need to recover my manliness so enough cuddling damn it! I need to go be macho and hit things in a manly fashion while looking manly! I can't have people thinking I'm going soft over here!"

The Hunters chuckled while they piled off. Noir zipped around giving them all one last hug before he popped off to do whatever. Lily took a deep breath before heading for the training grounds. She had a family to protect after all.

Ogygia. 3rd P.O.V

Noir popped up on the beach, a somber expression on his face. Calypso had sensed the immortal flashing and gazed upon his human form for the first time. She was shocked at how good looking he was but more so at the loneliness that seemed to be trying to overcome him. She quickly walked towards him. When she was within arm's reach he blurred into her, toppling the two of them onto the sand. His head was buried in her chest as he took shaky breaths.

"I might have a family Caly. I might have a home… One I don't have to run from for once."

She still remembered the day he had vanished from her island. The look of pure depression and desperation in his eyes before he had vanished. She knew how much it must have killed him to leave her, even if it was to keep her safe. She was never bitter about it, just sad that she couldn't stand up to those that would break him through her. She clamped her arms around his shoulders, and there they lay. Hanging onto each other, two beings forever resigned to solitude for the sake of preventing harm. Calypso, whose heroes had someone or something more to save, and Noir, who couldn't stay in any one place too long for fear of bringing suffering upon those he loved.

"If…If we win this…I'll introduce you to them. All of them…

Calypso?"

He inquired.

"Hm?"

"If we win this…will you come home with me?"

She was startled to say the least. She knew for a fact he had spent millennia in solitude and had long since given up on hoping to live happily with those he loved, but her? They had been together a long time, now that she thought of it. Hundreds of years on this island were probably thousands in the outside world. She held him closer, and despite not being able to see it for herself, and knowing that there could be a million things that could ruin the whole plan, she couldn't deny him.

"Of course doofus. Who else will keep you from burning down your home every time to set foot in the kitchen?"

He chuckled weekly, both of them knowing his skills outside of pastries was non-existent. He pressed harder against her, snaking his hands around her waist and tangling their legs. He pressed a chaste kiss to her neck and cuddled into her before letting his breathing slow. Soon enough both of them were out like a light, relishing in the warmth of their respective friend as they slumbered on the warm sand.

Neither had slept so well in a long time.

Noir blinked to Camp Half Blood after a nice long cuddle session with Calypso. He loved her far more than he should. Truly. She was an easy target who was averse to violence and lived on an enchanted island that no one kept track of save few immortals, or even visited voluntarily. Once again, save a few immortals. He ran his hands through his hair frustrated, and walked right into someone else in his inherent thought trap.

He reached out and steadied the camper as he realized who he'd made drop their bag. Noir quickly handed Percy his bag and spun to walk with him as he made his way to Half-Blood Hill.

"Well deserved vacay I take it?"

Percy nodded brightly, "We have no idea when the mission we planned will be put into action but I do live near enough that I can be on call if need be. Blackjack will be able to grab me worst case scenario. Plus I went flying and almost got murdered a couple dozen times so this is more for my mother's health than mine really."

He chuckled lightly, "Not to mention I might be craving her cookies!"

They shared a laugh before Noir's smile grew,

"You know…I think I could eat."

With that they were suddenly standing in front of Percy's apartment. Before the son of Poseidon could object Noir had already knocked. He sent Percy a sly grin as they heard his mother's absolutely heavenly voice.

"Coming!"

Percy had enough time to sock Noir on the shoulder and he simply chuckled. Percy new there was absolutely nothing he could do to hurt the shifter but at least it made him feel better.

Sally Jackson's face appeared as the door swung open and she quickly broke into a broad smile when she saw her son. He was engulfed in a hug before she took in Noir. Warm brown eyes met liquid platinum.

"Well…I can assure you that it is no lie when I say" he knelt, "my absolute pleasure to meet you."

Percy grimaced as his mother blushed when he brought her hand to his lips. Percy fake gagged and Noir shot him a grin.

"Perhaps we should postpone introduction until we get inside?"

She nodded and led them both inside, closing the door behind them.

"With that out of the way allow me to make a proper introduction."

His tails unfurled and he pulled off his cap revealing his ears.

"Nice to meet you Ms. Jackson, I am Noir."

Sally Jackson fainted onto a conveniently placed tail.

"You're too smooth for your own good you know that?"

"Just be happy I'm not putting the moves on Annabeth."

"…Touché"

-Line Break-

It didn't take long for Sally to wake up and even less time to explain his presence and how he came to accompany her son. Once they got through the (toned down of course) details of Percy's latest endeavor, Sally faced him where he sat.

"Thank you for helping us and, more specifically, thank you for helping my son. The gods have little time to help if they choose to and hearing you rival the forces that started this world and coming down to protect them your self means more than I'll ever be able to express."

Percy couldn't help but nod in agreement as his mother bowed slightly. He always forgot exactly what Noir was with his relaxed and laid back attitude. He had only seen Noir show any form of aggression to those that were trying to hurt the people he cared about and outside of that he was always kind and warm. He wasn't shy about hugging people, or telling horrid jokes, causing crowds to groan with cheesy puns, and setting cheeks aflame (male and female alike) with teasing glances and the occasional raunchy flirts. Never had he seen Drew's legs give out the way they did after Noir had whispered in her ear. Up to this day no one knows what he said and he refused to elaborate. Always saying something about wicked whispers or blaming his manly charm as he flipped his hair dramatically.

He never put himself above them. He stood with them. He stood arm in arm with them.

Now was another example as a tail snaked out and tipped Sally's chin up so she could meet his eyes. Pure warmth pooled in his eyes as his smile lit up the semi dingy apartment.

"Child, a soul a bright as yours does not deserve the vessel that contains it. You truly deserve to be a queen, and were it within the set course I would make it happen."

Sally spluttered blushing something ferocious as he simply chuckled and shook his head.

"And that is why. I offer a kingdom, you decline. I offer wealth" he gestured to the simplistic apartment, "You claim to have more than enough. I hand you your dreams, you return them in order to claim them yourself. Truly humans never cease to amaze me, wither in their creative creation of cruelty or in their ability to perform feats the greatest of entities would not dare to attempt even with all of their power." He sighed, "If only you could see what I see when I look at you…Actually…"

He closed his eyes and slowly the room filled with warmth, it was laced with a touch of sadness and despair but quickly shifted to determination, trust, surety, and a heart melting protective love. Percy glanced at his mother and suddenly the sensation shifted to an undying and ferocious loyalty. A tender touch of a colossal amount of love and a harsh promise of pain for those that would come between the expresser and his love. Suddenly he realized this is what he felt inside of him whenever he thought of his mother. What they had felt previously was Sally's life experiences and hope and faith in her son.

"So much love in such tiny existences. Such a pure expression of care and loyalty. An almost feral protective nature that leaves no option but for the other to survive."

He breathed in long and hard before the sensations dissipated.

"If such souls don't deserve royalty I don't know if anything else does."

He smiled so gently at the pair, they almost melted beneath the genuine elation in his eyes. Just the notion of happiness he got off the two, who needed nothing more than each other, was infectious. He felt bubbly and giddy as they smiled at him and then each other.

"Ya know…if you really want to thank me Ms. Jackson. I heard you make some world class cookies."

Percy practically beamed while Sally laughed lightly and got up. Heading towards the kitchen with Percy hot on her tail to help.

Noir's ears twitched and his tails flicked as he watched the two bumping shoulders and generally goofing around as they got the ingredients together. Noir sighed heavily and wiped at the tears that threatened to spill. Percy flagged him over and he grinned. He might not have a home of his own yet, but having so many people willing to welcome him into theirs made his entire being sing. He swore that Sally and Percy would wake up to the nicest home he could imagine. Before that, he had pastries to prepare.

It wasn't long before the trio were covered in flour, tossing handfuls at each other, and giggling like fools as they waited for the cookies to bake. Noir's smile could only have been brighter if Lily were there with him.

When Noir popped back up in the Hunter camp, the Hunters were nowhere to be found. He expanded his senses and found them near, in, and around a small river that pooled into a small pool.

He decided to not bother heading in that direction and made his way to the camp kitchen. He couldn't make a proper meal by any means, but he knew his way around Dulcè (A/N: I'm not particularly well versed, but I'm still pretty sure that translates to 'Sweets' in Italian). Sally's motherly nature (and ability to school him at Uno) had lit a fire in him. He was still giggly and giddy so he decided to lay a trap for the Hunters. A 'sweet' surprise if you would. He chuckled at his pun before walking towards the kitchen tent. He had work to do after all.

Not ten minutes later the Hunters found what had to be the picture of heaven.

"Crème Brûlèe, Beignets, a variety of Tarts, Vanilla Bean Custard, Chocolate Mousse, Salted Caramel Crunch Bars, Red Velvet Cake, Black Forest Cake, New York style Cheese Cake, Apple Pecan Caramel Crunch Pie, Strawberry Pie, and an assortment of Ice creams and Gelato. Bon Apètit!"

The Hunt had to double take as they took in Noir. He stood there in a simple pair of black jeans and a T-shirt with an apron on and a chef's hat sitting crookedly on his head. Never had they seen such a bright smile on his face. He looked genuinely happy instead of his typically content mood.

"Well? What're you waiting for? The Queen?"

The Hunt, as a whole, lunged for the dining table.

They plowed full force into the confections entirely unaware of the change Noir had instituted. He snickered and blinked away. Only Lily noticed an eyed the deserts suspiciously before she truly noticed what was wrong. She groaned and let her forehead fall onto the table edge. Atalnta looked down at her and her eyes widened in shock before she looked down at herself and almost choked.

"NOIR!"

Noir sat in a tree a hundred of so feet up in the air, struggling to stay upright as he laughed heartily.

The Hunt spent the next week in varying sates of fashion, though Lily constantly strutted about the camp showing off her new digs. Phoebe had joined the fashionista in the camp strut when she ended up in modern blood red digital camo combat pants, a pitch black cut off tank top, and a fading maroon denim cut off jacket. He chestnut hair fell in waves and her blood red lipstick added to the look. Smoky red and black eyeshadow brought out her naturally dark eyes. Lily walked around in a teal blouse that complemented her eyes and a pair of white shorts. A gold sun bordered in silver flames hung form her neck while her blonde hair sat in a high ponytail, leaving her wavy locks to bounce with every step she took. Other than those two Noir was not welcome in camp.

As it were he simply spent more time with Calypso and surprisingly both Artemis and her lieutenant. The two had simply shrugged at the wardrobe change and moved on. The trio quite often ended up at the bottom of a lake, where Noir had created an air pocket, chatting and watching the confused trout swim by. The peace they were enjoying really rather didn't last long, and the end to it came with Percy's 'not date' with Rachel.

Noir had taken a break to hang with Percy before 'vanishing' while the two went for a drive. He watched almost giddily as Rachel asked what it would take to get him to kiss her and almost blew his cover sky high with the impulse to flash the two of them in front of Annabeth while she asked. The urge almost won when Bekendorf landed on the hood of Paul's blue Prius.

"Is it time?" Percy inquired.

Bekendorf simply nodded while Percy profusely apologized to Rachel only to be cut off by a kiss from the red head. He was completely red in the face when he stepped out of the car.

"Wait! We need to get Noir!"

Noir popped up beside him in owl form, "Present!"

With that they were off.

"I take it you don't want me telling Annabeth about that do you?"

"Oh dear gods Bekendorf please don't"

Bekendorf chuckled.

"It's not him ya have to worry about anyway."

Percy blanched before Noir sped up leaving the two plus Blackjack in the proverbial dust, cackling like a maniac. Percy groaned helplessly knowing his life had suddenly gotten a lot more complicated.

-Line Break-

As soon as the Andromeda was within sight range the disposition of the trio changed drastically. Everything went dead quiet save for the sound of the wind rushing past.

"Just drop us on the deck and steer clear Blackjack. We survive this and I'll have a pile of donuts for you when I get back."

The Pegasus whinnied quietly before they dove, wind snatching at their clothes. Soon enough Blackjack pulled up and both demi-gods were off his back before his hooves touched the deck. Noir flipped upside down and shifted, landing in a crouch in front of the two with only his serpentine tail to aid him this time around. By the time Percy drew Riptide Blackjack was long gone and the trio was on the move, Bekendorf clutching his (A/N: Man Purse XD) satchel to his side as they moved quietly to down to the lower decks. They heard footsteps and dipped into the nearest open door.

"I'm telling you I smell demi-god!"

"Bah! The last time you smelled demi-god it turned out to be a ham sandwich!"

"I'm telling you there's demi-gods on board!"

"Your heads not on board!"

The Telekhines continues to argue and the trio waited until they were but distant whispers before they moved again. They found the engine room soon enough and cracked open the door slowly. They didn't make a sound as they entered and stealthily approached the Telekhine at the counsel, where he typed away furiously. When Percy was within 6 feet of him the monster froze. He lunged for the alarm and Percy swiped to intercept.

And missed.

They thought this was there end when something stiff pierced the whole way through the monsters neck. Noir gently pulled the Telekhine impaled on his tail away from the alarm button. They breathed a sigh of relief and Bekendorf set to work as Noir and Percy guarded the door. Percy nodded his thanks but Noir simply waved him off.

Bekendorf was still setting up when Noir and Percy heard voices approaching.

"Bek, how much longer?"

"3 minutes"

"I don't think we even have 30 seconds."

Percy nodded and bolted out. By the time Noir was out behind him the squad of approaching monsters was reduced to 1 with a lunch box that Percy warned to get off the ship. He then took off through the ship causing a massive distraction while Noir sprinted to catch up, refusing to make his energy signature bigger than absolutely necessary.

He and Percy stormed through the ship and down to the galley. They found the absolute angriest crustacean ever sitting in a fountain in the middle of the base shopping level.

"FFFFFFTTTTT!" the massive crab foamed as it charged. Percy and Noir split up watching as it skid across the ceramic floor.

"Didn't Hercules crush this think beneath his heel or something?"

"Not gonna lie kiddo, I think it might be a little bigger than your Reeboks."

"FFFFFFTTTTTTTT!" and the crab was charging again. Percy caused the fountain to explode, and tossed a high pressure blast right into its side sending the monster crab sliding. It hissed angrily and charged once more. Percy took off towards it and in a feat of pure awesome, baseball slid beneath it and jammed Riptide into its underbelly. He slid out the other side and didn't bother to stop and admire his handy work as Noir and Percy continued running. They were intercepted by two dracaena charged them. Noir split their spears with his bare hands and decapitated them with the same motion. He ripped a nearby 'You are Here!' map of its stand and tossed it flipping over Percy's head just in time for it to catch two arrows that would've turned Percy into sea food ala mode. As soon as they barreled into the corridor towards the stairs, Percy took the lead as a Demi-god stepped down the last step in pajama bottoms and a bronze breast plate.

"For Lord Kronos!" He continued to yell as he charged Percy. He side stepped and grabbed the kid's wrist before bodily tossing him clean over himself and Noir as well.

"If you want to live, get the other demi-gods and get off this ship!"

They left the frightened demi-god and took the stairs two at a time.

"Nice toss."

"Why thank you."

They exploded onto the helicopter pad where they were supposed to meet Bekendorf on.

"Where…?"

A deep voice boomed out.

"Looking for your friend?"

Kronos smiled cruelly as he stood above Percy and Noir on an upper deck. As if rehearsed Hell hounds hopped from the nearest shadows, while Dracnae archers appeared alongside Kronos on the upper decks, and Laistrygonians blocked off the stair well.

Percy quickly drew Riptide and Noir took up stance beside him. His palm outward, right foot forward, thumb curled in, and one hand folded behind his back.

"Ah Ah Ah!" Kronos tutted.

Bekendorf was brought forward between two Laistrygonians, bound and bruised with his messenger bag on his side.

The monsters started to edge forward before Kronos raised his hand. He beckoned them forward and Noir let Percy lead.

"Afraid to lose to me Mr. Mighty Power?"

Noir's smirk would've made the Kraken run for his mommy.

"You're below even Percy so why would I lift a finger?"

Kronos snarled as Percy stepped up

"When I'm done with you demi-god you'll-"

"Yada Yada Yada. Can we skip the death threats and get to the part where I kick your ass?"

Kronos charged and they met in an explosion of sparks. Percy danced backwards while Kronos pressed his 'advantage'. Percy admitted that Kronos was good but the greater portion of his strokes were Luke's movements. He parried and blocked easily enough but the weight behind the swings were far more than anything Luke could've managed. He two handed Riptide and slapped Kronos's horizontal strike above his head. He kicked out a heavy blow. Kronos stumbled back but Percy felt like he'd just kicked a fridge. He still pushed the advantage and slashed across his chest. Kronos simply took the blow and skirted away from it, spinning in with Backbiter as Percy rolled Riptide into and icepick grip and led the strike off target with the guard. He jumped back and took Riptide into a traditional grip as he charged Kronos again. Suddenly he wasn't moving. He was stuck as Kronos walked leisurely towards him.

"Well? Are you just going to sit there while your compatriots die?"

"If I ain't moving dumbass it's cause I don't have to. If the Fate decreed his death only then would I need to act, however, you should remember: A fight isn't over till one of you is dead and buried."

Kronos spun but it was too late. Water exploded up over the side of the ship and doused the entire deck. The time spell broke and Percy fought with renewed vigor. Kronos finally lost is patience and allowed Percy's downward strike to bounce off his skin and returned the slash. Percy jumped back too late and Backbiter drew a line from his waist to his shoulder. Suddenly began to slump as energy drained from his body. He remembered that the blade severed souls as Kronos lazily twirled the cursed weapon. He busily gloated to Noir's face while Bekendorf made a simple gesture to the watch on his wrist. Percy mouthed 'how long?' and he formed an O between his forefinger and thumb. There would be no delay to the explosion once triggered.

"We even caught your mechanic with the help of our spy before he could plant…Where did you say you found him again?"

"Heading towards the engine room?"

"You're sure?"

"Yes My Lord."

"Did you check his bag?"

"…No Milord."

Percy could practically see the vein popping on Kronos head as he stared down the Laistrygonian.

"Did you think to see if maybe he was TRICKING YOU, YOU BUFOON?!"

The Laistrygonian paled and released one of Bekendorf's hands as he tumbled about the satchel. He paled some more and flipped it upside down, spilling out cans of beans and preservatives.

"SOMEONE GET TO THE ENGINE ROOM!"

A Telekhine broke out towards the stairs as Bekendorf slowly brought his hand to his wrist while Kronos ranted about imbecile subordinates. Percy tried to move towards him but he shook his head.

"Wait…What's that on his wrist?"

Percy wasted no time and made the pool explode, sweeping monsters over board as he sprinted for the edge of the deck. He plunged into the ocean and began gaining distance before the explosion rocked the world about him and lit it up bright green before the heat slammed into him. He drifted out of consciousness with an apology on his lips, and tears in his eyes.

Percy woke up floating on air. He opened his eyes and rapidly squinted until they adjusted. He found himself underwater. He sat up and the sheet that was covering him floated off. The shirt he was wearing was gone (again) but thankfully he still had his jeans and Riptide in his pocket.

He quickly drew it and spun when he heard a door open behind him. The poor Naiad let out a surprised 'Eep!' and backed into the wall. He out a breathe of relief and replaced Riptide's cap. He smiled at the terrified water nymph.

"Sorry, battle reflexes." She nodded and blushed.

"M-My Lord your-"

"Please, just Percy is fine." He smiled once more leaving the poor Naiad to somehow get her heartbeat under control.

"P-Percy, Lord Poseidon instructed me to take you to him when you awoke."

His smile broadened, "I don't supposed I could get a shirt? I' don't want to be blinding people!" he chuckled.

'Please' she thought, 'That smile is more than enough.'

"Of course My- Um…Percy." He nodded and floated off behind her.

Quite a few other Naiads almost required medical attention when Percy smiled as he floated by. When he finally got a proper shirt he floated off with the Naiad in the lead.

"Ah! Now that I remember, I never asked your name."

"Marina…"

"A beautiful and fitting name."

Poor Marina was making her best effort to not melt into the sea currents. She took a silent breathe to steady her pulse before she continues to lead Percy.

Soon enough they were in the war room where a meeting was in session.

"My Lord, Lord Percy is awake and I have brought him as you requested."

The eldest man there, wrinkled and hunched, lifted his head. The eyes were the same but Poseidon looked like he aged 100 years since the last time Percy saw. Poseidon whispered something to a dolphin who chittered a response and took off. Marina bowed and dissipated into the sea. Percy whispered a 'thank you' to Marina and the water warmed slightly about him as he approached his father.

A Merman with two tails sneered at his as he approached the council.

The side of Poseidon's eyes crinkled as he smiled, "Percy, you just missed my lieutenant Delphin. And this is my heir Triton."

Triton simply snorted, "I will attend to the front lines Father. I won't fail you."

He sneered as he floated past.

Percy finally took a look down at the tiles. They seemed to move as the forces on the battlefield did in full real time. Poseidon leaned heavily on his trident as one the blue sets was smashed to pieces. Not seconds later a massive boulder crashed through a wall in the courtyard. A courtyard that was filled with injured mermen.

"Where do you need me?"

Poseidon met his son's determined gaze and sighed.

"Your battle is not here Percy, and though Oceanus is giving me problems"

A massive serpent came spiraling down from the opening in the dome roof and Poseidon raised his trident. A blast of Sea Green energy rammed into the freight train of a sea serpent. It dissolved into a mass of goldfish that darted away.

"I will be able to handle it especially since…"

He gestured to the courtyard where they watched Briares caught a boulder and tossed it back before he smashed a massive squid away. He bellowed and took off after it, 100 hands spinning like propellers as he took off into the murky depths.

"If only I had a dozen more like him…Regardless, I must meet Oceanus in battle now. Here, you'll know when to spend it. Good luck Percy, though somehow, I get the feeling you won't need it."

He handed Percy a sand dollar and flashed on his armor before flashing out. He sighed heavily before he clipped it onto his necklace. He wondered briefly how Tyson was doing but decided that he would see his brother soon enough. He fingered the beads on his necklace hoping to gods that Bekendorf might still be alive. He willed the currents to carry him through the roof and out into open sea. He turned around and watched as the war beneath the sea lit the depths with clashes of power. He watched as a man on a chariot pulled by the absolute largest lobsters he'd ever seen, with a serpent for a sword mounted an underwater hill. He stood tall as Poseidon rolled towards his opponent. His Atlantean silver armor shone in the dark with his trident in hand as his chariot was pulled by two massive Hippocampi.

Both sea deities roared and there armies clashed as they slowly approached each other.

As the first eruptions of power clashed between the two immortals Percy crammed the currents beneath him and shot towards the surface heading straight for camp. He had a report to make.

-With Noir, before Percy's awakening-

The camp was in turmoil when the guards saw Noir bounding towards them from across the Sound. They were happy to see him but then they noticed the figure he was carrying. The single figure. The Apollo cabin was ready and waiting for when Noir stepped onto the beach with Bekecndorf on his back. He was badly burned and bruised, bleeding steadily from various wounds around his chest and legs. Noir laid him down with the utmost care and stepped back as the Apollo campers rushed to help him. Silena was there in a heartbeat, tears sprung to her eyes as she watched Will Solace and Lee Fletcher pulling shards of metal from his body as the rest of the cabin continued to chant hymns to Apollo. Nothing was working, they could see the rise and falls of Bekendorf's chest beginning to slow. The panicked and paling faces of the attending Apollo campers did nothing for the morale. If this was to be the first loss of the war then it would be a devastating one.

Silena was sobbing at this point, Will pulled away and Lee went to follow but Silena clamped a hand down on his wrist. He met her watering eyes and shook his head grimly. The sobs came forward more powerfully. Clarisse stepped forward and wrapped a hand around her shoulder but she shook it off and stood. She grabbed Noir by the collar dragging herself up to him.

"Do SOMETHING! Save him! Please you have to do something. Please!"

Noir simply stood as she desperately gazed at him, pleading for him to raise his hands and wave away her despair. He stared right back, the blaze of platinum a solid wall of hardness.

"I cannot. His time had come, his fate is written and it is not my place to intervene."

"SAVE HIM ANYWAY! I DON"T CARE ABOUT FATE I WILL NOT LET MY MISTAKE BE HIS END!"

People were confused about what she meant but Noir simply snarled. She stumbled back slightly as rage played on his features.

"Would you have me tear apart the rest of these demi-gods fate to save his? Would you have me rend apart that which MUST be for all to prosper for your sake? Are you truly selfish enough to ask me to sacrifice whatever advantage these demi-gods have gained to save one person who fell by your action? Do YOU even know the cost of a life Silena Beuragard? DO you truly know the cost of what you ask?!"

Silena was trembling as an ethereal wind blew his hair every which way. His platinum eyes looked like a tempest of flames as they swirled and whirled. She shook her head in the negative as she cowered, Clarisse stepped protectively in front her, trembling ever so slightly however.

"Then know that the price of a life in another!" he roared, "So who's will it be little girl? Whose Life will you take to restore his or are you genuinely willing to give your own life for his? Is that the extent of your love or is he merely a toy to you?"

Rage and determination replaced despair and depression. Silena bodily shoved Clarisse out of the way and drew her knife. She whipped it into a reverse grip and placed it over her heart. Her other hand shot out and grabbed Noir's and placed it over the pommel. All he had to do was push and her life would be over, regardless challenge shone in her eyes and Noir complied. Silena felt the knife pierce her skin. She closed her eyes and waited for Thanatos when the pressure in her chest was relieved. Noir was smiling softly and took the knife away from her chest. He guided her over to where Bekendorf laid, life slowly slipping away from him. They stood across from each other, Noir's hand clamped over hers as she held the knife.

"Bring forth the Scales of Balance."

The same scales were there but this time supersized and the three women were present in the flesh once more. The Fates stood proud and beautiful at 22, the three sun staves each glowing with in their respective state, or smouldering in the case of The Fate of Death.

"A Life has ended against our wish. We refuse to continue forth without this souls flame. We will have him back and we shall match if not exceed the tribute."

The scales above them almost entirely rebalanced and the Fates nodded to Noir.

He knelt with Silena and in a burst of platinum a severed string appeared in his available hand. He pressed it to Bekendorf's chest before lifting his hand and took Silena's free hand in his. Her hand held his wrist and in a motion that made her yelp drove it clean through his hand. Pure platinum flowed down engulfing the string and mending it. Soon Bekendorf's body was engulfed in a platinum glow. He took a massive gulp of air, his eyes flickering a slight platinum, and then passed out.

Noir nodded and removed Silena's knife from his hand. It melted into goop afterwards but he didn't seem too disturbed.

"The payment has been made. A life offered, a life received, a life returned. I fulfill my end of the contract and hold the contractors to their word."

The Fates stood before Silena and Noir, "We, as the dictators of the contract, find the terms and payments acceptable. The contract has been fulfilled. The life you have stolen from Fate…May the price have been worth it."

And on that sinister note the Fates and the Scales vanished warping of reality.

The Apollo campers shakily wheeled Bekendorf away. A glare made every other camper except for Clarisse and Silena vanish. Noir's glare went up a level as Clarisse cowered but refused to move from beside her friend. After Silena helped Clarisse and Chris get together they were the best of friends. Silena had learned how to use that dagger form someone afterall. Not to mention that was the knife Clarisse had given her that Noir had just melted. Yeah they got along and constantly sparred but they Noir was still monstrous and she had no idea what would happen to Silena. Noir had said it was a life for a life and since Silena was still standing there whatever he had to say or do to her would probably not end well.

He sighed heavily when Clarisse didn't back down, though he was slightly impressed.

"Well I suppose you wanna know why you're still alive huh?"

They both nodded, "I figured that if you were willing to give up so much for him you'd probably wanna live with him, so I sacrificed something else in exchange for his life. That Advantage that allowed me to act with more power than my enemies? Yeah I have a greater restriction now, meaning I possibly won't be able to save as many lives as I'd like to in the coming war. However since I was the one to make the sacrifice on your behalf as it was your request we entered a technical contract. I provided that which you could not for you to take back that which was worth your life to you. Therefore, what do you think you owe me for returning that which was worth your life AND the life you would have paid to return it?"

It was obvious.

"My life. I owe you it twice over."

He shook his head.

"Unfortunately for you the actions of The First are weighted much more heavily than that. The Fates cannot even act to replace the lives they planned to take as, in essence, I have removed you from the weave of The Fates themselves. Normally you would be removed from this plane of existence for all things dictated by the Fates remain there unless such things existed before them. As such you and Bekendorf technically shouldn't exist on this plane of reality anymore. However, Bekendorf's life string was returned to the weave which means he will eventually die a natural death and achieve Elysium for his actions. You, on the other hand, owe your life not once over, not twice over either. You owe me almost 100 lifetimes Silena. That was the amount of lives I could've have guaranteed through the war. Now I can only hope to save them. Regardless, Silena Beuragard, as the provider of your desire and the fulfiller of the contract on your behalf I claim my owner ship over that which is needed to balance the scale of sacrifice. You are mine. Your Life. Your Soul. Your mind. All you shall dedicate to me and me alone. None shall hold dominion over you save myself, and until the debt is cleared so it shall remain. Approach and receive the brand for all who approach shall know that you are mine, and would they raise a hand against you they will be subjected to the full force of my power. As you are mine you fall beneath my protection. I will never abuse you. I will never betray you. Upon clearing your debt you will be guaranteed paradise in the afterlife. Until such a time has come, I will be your King."

With a gestured Silena was before him. He splayed his hand above the ground, palm down. The earth splintered as a blade shot up.

It was a gorgeous broad sword. The blade was pure platinum and about the edge black runes glowed and shifted. The center of the blade, just above the guard, was hollow. A black and platinum whirlpool swirled into an unseen abyss. The guard itself was black as well, expanding back towards the blade in a sharp V with the tips tapering back in towards the blade, creating a ¾ diamond. The grip was fitted to his hand and the pommel was a platinum spade embossed with a void black sun. He gripped the blade and platinum flames engulfed his wrists and ankles. As they traveled up his extremities his armor began to appear, woven from the flames as they traveled over his body. His dragon scale chest piece was now obsidian centered with obsidian and his knee plates mimicked his gauntlets flames. His cowl was woven from shadows themselves and his crown was made of the same platinum flames that burned in his eyes, Floating above his head and spinning slowly. His right shoulder pauldron was a black wolf head made of some kind of light speckled material they couldn't identify. Its eyes burned with the light of a neutron star. When they looked back the sword had split to have two hollows on either side of the blade. It connected to the extremities of the guard forming a trident blade that he hefted as if it weighed nothing.

"Silena Beuragard. Approach and kneel."

She did just that. Noir smiled quite apologetically at her and tapped both her shoulders with the blade before driving it into the ground in front of her.

"Rise and grab the blade."

She complied and was engulfed in his signature flames. When the flames cleared she wore similar platinum armor except with the petal scheme as his gauntlets. Each one was cored with a vibrant sapphire. He didn't have gauntlets but her vambraces still extended far enough to cover the back of her hands. She had twin pauldrons that extended slightly outwards and the neck line of the chest plate covered her neck but wouldn't restrict movement. Her legs were clothed in a platinum plated leather battle skirt. a matching pair of obsidian and platinum greaves protected her feet. Her hair was up in a long braid, weaved with platinum lined black ribbons, and upon her brow sat a black circlet that looked of woven vines. Upon the vines platinum flowers with black centers were molded. Her brown eyes were framed in platinum eye shadow that sparkled beneath the sun and her lips remained almost nude, a slight sheen the only indication of any changes made.

Clarisse's jaw was on the floor and Silena's joined hers as she looked down at herself.

Noir only smirked.

"As the individual in debt I will have you serve me to your greatest potential. I will help you achieve it, and I will provide you the tools to attain it with as much ease as possible. As the ruling Head, I welcome you as a retainer of my household."

She released the blade and it was gone in a twister of platinum but her armor remained. Noir smiled softly.

"I suppose I have to take up training you huh? Ah well! I guess you'll just have to join me at the Hunt or wherever I need to be I suppose…"

"What?!" Clarisse exclaimed, "You can't just come in and take-"

Of course I can" he interrupted face completely serious, "her entire being is mine. He time is mine. Her life is mine."

Both girls looked downcast but grimly accepting.

"However, demonstrate exceptional work ethic and I can definitely be persuaded to give you a couple weeks off every now and again?"

His mischievous smile made the both of them groan but eventually smile. Silena was happy. She had Charlie. She had her life. Soon she would be strong enough to fight back against Kronos. She asked Clarisse to give her time to see what she would be responsible for beneath his instruction. Clarisse finally caved after she promised to talk with her as soon as possible. When she was gone she turned back to Noir who seized her hand and drew it up to where he could see the scythe charm hanging on her wrist. He grabbed it and it turned to ash, blowing away in the wind.

"Good, now you are entirely mine." He nodded before he let go and it was her turn to grab him.

"What about my family? What about what we'll tell the campers? What about-"

He laughed heartily and pulled her into a hug. Suddenly she was sitting at home with her parents across from her along with her little sister.

Noir's voice echoed in her head

I told you. Your everything is mine including your happiness, both of which I enjoy. Since I can't force them from you I might as well do my best to make sure both stick around eh?

With that she felt his presence leave her.

Just think of me when you're done. I have a feeling you have a lot to catch up on.

She lunged at her family with tears in her eyes. She happily spent the day cuddled up between her mom and sister, while her dad cooked dinner. She wasn't sure why her house was safe, or why she knew they'd be fine, but she simply chalked it up to a certain platinum eyed entity.

Percy arrived at camp just in time to see Noir disappear with someone else. He scratched his head and shrugged, deciding not to question the polymorph's actions or motives. Dealing with gods gave him a headache, dealing with existences that preceded the Primordials themselves? He couldn't be bothered. He made his way up the beach and towards the pavilion hoping he was still in time for lunch. He was quickly tackled by Travis who began dragging him to the Big House.

"Meeting now! Food later!"

If it weren't for his grim tone Percy would've groaned and whined, as it were he took off in a dead sprint trailing only slightly behind the Son of Hermes.

They walked into the Rec Room and quickly took their seats while Chiron addressed them.

"We have no time to waste waiting for Silena to return or Bekendorf to wake up so we will fill them in on the happenings of this meeting afterwards. First I'd like to congratulate Percy on the success of the mission. According to the sea nymphs the Andromeda was practically powder after the explosion. We breathe a sigh of relief and owe a great debt to Noir who denied The Fates Bekendorf's life as well. We must still address the reason for Silena's claim to fault for Charlie's state but before that there is a more pressing matter. A mist if you please Percy? "

Percy complied while Chiron used a prism to make a rainbow appear.

"Iris please accept my offer and show me the Olympians in battle!"

The image formed after Chiron tossed the drachma, though the campers had trouble believing their eyes. Glowing streaks of color zipped around a massive storm system that was making its way across the country. They could only see a ghostly hand every now and again reach out and swipe a t the gods' chariots while they hurled powerful blasts into the main body of the storm. The steps of the beats shook the Iris message itself while the campers stared in horror.

"Noir was indeed right that the target is Mt. Olympus but Typhon is only a distraction. The Olypians are busy fighting him but the most powerful of Gaia's children will not fall easily. It will be up to us to defend Olympus while the gods fight the Storm Giant. We must gather our forces and fast. I have already sent a message to the Hunt and they will meet us in the city. For now, ready weapons and supplies we will need to move out soon."

With that the counselors broke apart and Connor went to inform the Hephaestus and Aphrodite cabins of the decision in place of the respective counselors.

"Belay that." Noir stepped in, "I have one more thing to add. Poseidon is indisposed as he fights Oceanus, though Percy already knew that. Hyperion is marching with the Titans. Iapetus had been…Rehabilitated per se so we don't need to worry about him and Krios is also indisposed. Hopefully you will only be facing down Hyperion. I do know for a fact Prometheus is free but that slimy snake is so opportunistic I can't get an accurate fix on whether or not the coward will actually step up to the plate himself, or if he'll hide behind someone else. That's about it. Percy."

The demi-god met his eyes

"You, me, and Nico need to have a talk" with that he blinked the two of them away and the councillors got up to deliver the message.

And were stopped once again were interrupted as Clarisse slammed her knife into the table.

"What about MY chariot!"

Lee Fletcher growled, "I think you mean MY chariot!"

"We led the assault. We claim the loot."

"We stole it from the pile and hooked up the horses! We claimed it!"

"This is crap! We do all the hard work and you get the awards!"

"All the hard work?"

"I'm sorry were you the one on the ground surrounded by monsters?"

"We weren't without our difficulties!"

"Yeah, well now you're without the Ares cabin."

She stood up leaving her knife in the table facing the shocked campers.

"The Ares cabin has been disrespected too many times as simple mindless brutes only good for fighting and brawling. Now our honor has been marred and you will fight without this cabin."

She roughly shouldered her way through the rest of the councillors, her blade a harrowing tomb stone to the proverbial death of the Ares cabins support. They all shared grim looks as they moved off to inform the rest of the campers. This was not going to go well.

Percy, Noir, and Nico stood at the edge of the clearing where a single jaw was clenching.

"You can't be serious Nico."

"Perce, you speared him with fifty pounds of force over an area less than a square micrometer and he stumbled instead of being shish kebabed. I don't need access to the time stream to tell you that what he's suggesting is the only way Luke could possibly house an immortal in a mortal body without disintegrating."

"But the Styx? Really?"

"Yes Percy! It's the only way you'll be able to fight on par with Kronos!"

"Not to mention it'll keep you from getting your soul reaped."

Percy wined both at the recollection of the cut he received from Backbiter and the last lines of the Great Prophecy Chiron had filled him in on.

"Fine…"

"Great! But we have to retrace Luke's steps first. We need to make sure we get all the steps right, which means we have someone to visit. Noir are you ready?"

"Lead on little goth!"

" . -"

They were already gone.

-Line Break-

They reappeared near a Colonial house in Connecticut. The house they were facing had its walkway lined with little stuffies of Greek monsters. The place looked almost haunted with weeds breaching the gaps in the stone walkway. The tiny Medusa seemed to smirk at him while excessive amounts of wind chimes set an eerie tune.

"Well…Who wants to knock then?"

Percy and Nico dropped a step as they walked up and Noir found himself at the door with the two behind him.

"I have been betrayed it seems."

The two boys stifled a laugh and he knocked.

His knuckle had barely touched the door when it swung open.

"LUKE!" the old lady called. She looked like she enjoyed sticking her finger in light sockets with the way her white hair was sticking out everywhere. Suddenly Nico and Noir had swapped places. Now it was Nico who was being hugged viciously while Percy struggle to reign in a chuckle before she fixed wild eyes on her.

"LUKE!" suddenly Percy was in a crushing hug. Gods her wiry frame belied her strength and her gaze ghosted over Noir and Percy looked horrified as she grabbed his and Nico's wrists and dragged them inside as Noir simply trailed behind. They were both seated at a table while May Castellan flitted about, making sandwiches and pouring lemonade. On one counter was a stack of trays filled with burnt cookies and on another was a stack of Tupperware bowls filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

You could tell the older ones that seemed to have a melted green mess in them. Noir's face was fixed on pure remorse as he watched Luke's mother. She was pulling another tray of pitch black lumps out of the oven when Nico finally spoke up.

"Ms. Castellan-"

"Yes dear?"

"When was the last time you saw your son?"

She froze momentarily and her smile faltered before it came back more strained than before.

"He came back, looking sad and frantic. Asking for my blessing before he up and vanished again."

Her smile was borderline creepy as she laid out a meal in front of them before turning back and washing lemonade pitchers. Nico nodded to Percy and they both rose and made to leave when Percy felt a grip of iron on his arm and was swung around.

May Castellan's eyes were a reptilian green as she rasped, "A horrible fate! Terrible! Suffering pain! Death and Hatred! The Fate of the damned!"

Percy stumbled back before Noir gently removed her hands from Percy. Nico scrambled out the door while Percy backed up slowly watching as Noir gently held the frail woman whose face was streaked with tears as she continued to rasp about a painful end.

"Sleep child for your sight is your torture, you have opened your eyes to events you could not know, and now your clarity is your curse. Sleep child."

The force of the intonation made May slumped into his arms. Noir held her like she was centimeter thick porcelain and gently set her on the couch where continued to breathe evenly.

He and Left the house to find Nico and Mrs. O' Leary playing further up the hill.

"Shall we get a move on then?"

Noir shook his head. "We have another meeting to attend before we can leave. Follow."

He didn't wait for a response and led them into the nearby woods where he sat them down in a clearing. Not a second later a campfire burst to life in front of them and Hestia stepped out of the flames. She saw Noir and kind of scowl/grimaced and he gave her a teasing smirk. Percy knew something had happened there but decided against asking.

He and Nico bowed while Noir walked closer smiling smugly.

"What? No hug?"

Hestia would've looked murderous if not for the golden blush though the fiery turmoil that was her eyes was still pretty scary. Despite the warning in her eyes, Noir still swept her up in a hug and sat down placing the child like goddess in his lap upon which she punched him but didn't move. She settled into his chest with a huff while Noir rubbed his arm smiling cheekily.

She turned and addressed the demi-gods before her. "Sit heroes. I believe you had a trying visit with Ms. Castellan."

She waved her hand and all sort of foods appeared in a flash of flames. Roast beef, warm buttered breads, mashed potatoes with hearty gravies, and much more. The kind of home cooked meal every family should have but never does. Percy thought he wouldn't be hungry after the moldy peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate chip charcoal (A/N: Say that 3 times fast!) but found himself practically inhaling a roast beef sandwich he put together in record time. He saw Nico indulging himself just as much while Noir chatted quietly with Hestia. Their faces were completely serious and they turned back to the demi-gods when they finished eating.

"Are you sure you wish to continue down the same path of power as Luke did?"

"It is the only way Milady."

The Hearth flared into a column of unnaturally red flames before they died down once more.

"The greatest power sometimes is to know when to yield. Do you understand?"

Percy nodded vigorously while Hestia smiled slightly. "I like you. Not to proud and a good portion humble. When Dionysus was awarded godhood I stepped down to prevent a civil war."

"The council was unbalanced then, 7 guys and 5 girls."

She nodded, "There come times when you must back down Perseus. For now, know that when you are in need come to the Hearth. I am always there. I cannot do much but I can return you to your own Hearth."

The world flipped upside down and then went black.

When the world righted itself Percy was in his living room with Nico and Mrs. O'Leary's head was poking in. She woofed happily shaking the apartment while a muffled voice called out.

"Sally! When did we get shag carpet wa- GAH!" THUMP

Percy guessed Mrs. O'Leary's tail had flattened the unknown speaker while his mom walked in from the kitchen. She saw Percy, then Nico, and then Noir blinked in as well.

"Long time no see Mrs. Jackson. Sorry bout the dog, but she's not one for the outdoors."

He chuckled while she eyed the massive hellhound before turning a glare on Percy.

He swallowed nervously and let out a chuckle, "Hey mom…I thought you always wanted a dog?"

The glare intensified.

It took a little bit of shifting and a mock earth quake before everyone was seated in the Kitchen while Mrs. O'Leary's head sat in the door way. Paul Blofis, the mortal Percy's mom had been studying with from her program, was at the table as well, in a bathrobe, covered in coarse black hair, while his own looked like it had been through a wind tunnel.

"So let me get this straight. The Greek gods are real and based in New York?"

"Yup" said Nico.

"You're half gods?"

"Yeah" Percy chuckled out

"The Titan Lord is rising and wants to destroy Western Civilization?"

"Unfortunately" Sally muttered out

"And now you're on the way to the Underworld to obtain a blessing which will melt away your soul if it fails to fight a force that controls the part of the fabric of reality alongside an entity that existed before him who's helping keep other existences like him form obliteration all possible opposing forces and taking over all of Reality?"

"Yeah pretty much sums up my average Thursday really."

Mrs. O'Leary let out a world shaking WOOF! To make sure they hadn't forgot about her. Sally tossed her a T-bone that disappeared in a flash of teeth. Paul was quiet before a smile broke his face, "Remarkable!"

The assembly blinked once. Then twice.

"Huh?" Noir summed up for them.

"It's not every day you meet a being that's been alive since the beginning of the world! Or even get confirmation of ACTUAL gods that interact with mortals! Wait…if the legends are true then are the golden apples as well? Can one acquire one and-"

He was cut off as Noir conjured a golden apple as if it were nothing.

Four pairs of eyes widened before he made it vanish again.

" .GODS!"

"Alright Alright save the fan girling we still have matters to attend to."

Paul nodded in understanding and went to play with Mrs. O'Leary while Nico filled Sally in on the plan. To say she was shocked was an understatement.

"Absolutely not! I forbid it I can't have you going off-"

"Mom." Percy interrupted her tirade. "I need to do this. My friends, innocent lives are at stake. I'm the only one who can and I need to start here."

She was about to start again when Paul clapped a hand on her shoulder keeping her from saying anything. She looked angry before she looked resigned. An understanding passed between Percy and Paul before Sally broke his grip and stormed over to Noir. She grabbed him by the collar, pulled him out of the chair, and slammed him bodily into the wall.

"I don't care what you have to do to make sure he comes back in one piece. I don't want to know what you'll have to do, but you WILL make sure he comes back. AM. .STOOD?"
Noir's eyes were wide along with everyone else's. Even Mrs. O'Leary covered her eyes with her paws.

Then he began to laugh. It wasn't loud but it was laced with power. The air began to vibrate and the water in their glasses started to float. The windows warped, the floor seemed to turn to liquid, and the table bent at the middle making it look like an 'M'. He continued to laugh but Sally didn't back down. He finally stopped and wiped tears from eyes that boiled the air with power. He stared right back with an almost feral smile and for the first time, Percy was truly afraid of Noir, especially when his hand raised towards his mother. He tried to move but couldn't and began getting more worried by the second as the cabinets began to flake to pieces. His hand finally reached above her head and exploded into flames.

Sally did not flinch.

He brought it down rapidly and- patted her head. Reality seemed to shatter into pieces, and when the shards cleared the apartment was back to normal and Noir was once again seated, except with his feet on the table and Sally was back where she started. She looked at Noir and he winked. She knew what she just thought had happened hadn't happened. At least on this plane of reality. As if reading her thoughts he nodded. She hardened her demeanor and crushed Percy in a hug.

"You will always have my blessing. Now make sure you win this and come home in one piece otherwise no more cookies for you."

He gave her a cheeky smile and kissed her cheek before Noir waved his hands and Percy, Nico, and Mrs. O'Leary were gone. Noir remained before giving Paul a slightly predatory smile.

"Make sure you keep her close. I might like her more than I should."

With a suggestive wink to the both of them he was gone as well.

-Line Break-

Percy, Nico, and Mrs. O'Leary appeared in what looked like a park.

"Where's…?"

Noir blinked in a second after.

Nico fixed him with a look, "What were you doing?"

Noir smirked, "Paul." Percy laughed his head off while Nico spluttered and turned incredibly red. His pale complexion did nothing to help with the situation. He wondered if Noir knew about…

A subtle nod Noir gave made him want to dig a hole but the reassuring smile that followed made him think otherwise. Noir noticed Percy bent over at the hip laughing too hard to see and made a zipping motion over his lips and smiled brightly. Nico felt the vice on his heart loosen and joined the laughter. When they finally calmed down Percy's face scrunched.

"I can sense Grover, sort of. It's fuzzy, like his end isn't receiving properly. I'll see if I can't get through to him."

Percy closed his eyes and squinted in concentration. Knowing that this tended to take longer than the performer thought, Noir conjured a pack of cards and waggled his eyebrows at Nico. The son of Hades smirked in response and sat down cross legged. He'd spent enough time in the Lotus to know exactly how to play.

Five minutes later Nico and Noir were staring intently at each other. Both had their shoes, socks, and shirt sitting beside their respective owner. Percy opened his eyes and raised a brow at the two.

"Do I wanna know?"

"Old maid was boring and we didn't having anything to bet for Texas Hold 'Em so we decided on Strip Poker. We'd stop at Boxers but we did double bets where you could remove two pieces of clothing, put one piece on and remove one from your opponent, or put back on two pieces of clothing. I'm not playing with powers or setting the deck so it's all chance right now and I refuse to lose."

Nico grunted in agreement before Grover dropped out of the trees with a surprised bleat right onto their game scattering the cards. Both threw their hands which consisted of 2 aces each. They saw each other's hands and groaned. Noir flashed their clothes back on. They stood and hauled Grover up with them.

"This ain't over Di Angelo"

"Yeah, I still have to leave you in your drawers in front of the campers."

"Wrong! Get a tan ghost boy otherwise you'll blind everyone with all the sunlight you'll reflect without ya T-shirt!"

"Oh No! You'll-"

"A'ight A'ight! You both pledge your imminent domination over the other through your absolute power. Can we move on now? You're starting to sound like every bloody opponent I've faced so far that can manage coherent speech."

Both glared at Percy, and then at each other, before huffing and turning away.

Percy and Grover shared a look and a smile as the two walked off in a seemingly random direction as Nico led slightly, bickering but smiling slightly. Percy was happy to see Nico smiling, he still felt horrid about Bianca but at least now he can make sure nothing happens to Nico. He was slightly uneased at how frantic Nico was about getting him to the Underworld but quickly dismissed it. He and Grover trailed behind with Mrs. O'Leary behind them.

"What happened to you anyway G-man? It felt like you were asleep on the other end before I woke you."

"I was. I was recruiting the nature spirits in the area when I felt a disturbance in the area. I approached and found this man who was walking through the park. Mortals would just curl up as he passed and fall asleep. When He was gone they would get up and continue on as if nothing happened. I confronted him, asking who he was and what he was doing. He simply laughed saying he'd give me a nap. I tried to get away but I couldn't look away. His face Percy, it was just a blur, constantly changing and with each one I kept getting sleepier. The Dryads that go me here said I just curled up and went to sleep. Speaking of which, what month is it?"

"August." Percy replied

Grover paled, "I've been asleep for two months…" he whispered.

"You're lucky you woke up at all. You encountered Morpheus, God of Sleep. A, so called, minor god that works under Kronos. I repeat myself when I say, you are incredibly lucky you woke up at all."

Grover nodded and gulped as the group came to a halt.

They came to a rock pile in the middle of a clearing.

"The Doors of Orpheus. We'll need to provide some sort of music."

Percy shook his head, "I don't sing man."

Grover piped up, "I can play a few bars of Nirvana that can split rocks."

The other three winced and Noir patted Grover's shoulder, "I got you covered bro."

We come running
We come running
We come running
We come running

Under a pale blue sky
You never felt so cold
Another sleepless night
How could you ever let go
How do you recognize
The dirty face of gold
Behind that crooked line
Where you never knew you'd go

Headed for the open door
Tell me what you're waiting for
Look across the great divide
Soon they're gunna hear
The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running
Never go where we belong
Echoes in the dead of dawn
Soon they're gunna know
The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running

The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running

When the worlds gone quiet
I see you dancing slow
Feeling satisfied
Where you never knew you'd go

The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running

Days go by
Feeling broke and tired
Remember
Always remember

The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running
The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running

The sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running!

As Noir finished the rocks shook and ground apart, a horrid grating sound that made the group cringe after Noir's grand serenade. The saw stairs that seemed to descend to the center of the earth. In a way that was true. The only light was a single green flamed torch near the entrance that Nico removed from the stand. Mrs. O'Leary raced down the stairs and Nico followed behind at a slower pace. Grover grumbled about never going underground again and walked off, saying something about heading back to camp and getting the nature spirits ready.

Percy went to follow and Noir grabbed his shoulder.

"Semper Fi Perseus."

With that he headed first. Percy recognized the Latin saying as 'Keep the Faith' a military slogan and worried slightly since Noir had never used his full name. He took the words to heart and began the long trek to the afterlife.

A/N: The song is We Come Running by YoungBloodHawk and I do not own it but it is a good listen. If I genuinely don't get a review for 13K words I have no idea how to please you people.