Chapter 21

It was a cold August day. Some who are native to California might say that such a notion is impossible, however I am here to tell you, in the hearts of every Roman it was a cold day. August has been surrounded by death, tragedy, and failure. Gwen had been killed, Bianca has been captured. We were losing the war. I stood before twelth legion preparing to give an address, one that could be my last, "Good morning my fellow Romans. In percisely one hour I will take a charge into my father's domain. I will take a charge and a step towards invulnerability. Some have advised me from speaking of my plan, but I want every Roman, man, women, and child, to know that I have faith in those who stand amonst us."

I looked out to my family, Nico, who had grown to be more than my brother. Jason, who stood beside as my equal, as my friend, as my cousin and brother in arms. Hazel, my little sister, for whom I would do anything. Then there was Reyna, the girl I would lay down my life for, the girl that I am fighting for.

"I plan to take a dip in a foreign water, in a Greek water. Some say this is suicide, I say...its our last hope. The legion has seen my power, the world has seen my strife, but Olympus has seen the power of Darunia and his son, my cousin, Link. It pains me greatly that I will have to kill one of my own today, but it must be done, if it must be done. I do not know what obstacles lie before me, but I do know, any and every obstacle that stands between me and my sister, Bianca, will be destroyed without a second look, worry, or wonder. I have no room left in my heart for mercy towards the Titan army. They have taken my sister, killed my friends, taken the life of our former leader and praetor, the margin for error is zero. We march to perfection. The Romans are the ultimate war machine, never conquered in battle. Even the ancestors of the great empire did not fall due to lack of military power like every other emprie before them. Today we have some of the strongest leaders in the history of our world, and I am going to follow them, and assist in leading my fellow Romans to victory. Don't think of today as the last day, think of it as the first, for today we take no prisoner, we spare no lives, we set about a war machine, that cannot be stopped." I drew my sword and held it in the air, "Prepare my brothers and sisters, friends, and family, for tonight we march TO WAR! TWELTH LEGION!"

And in return the crowd screamed back, "FULMINATA!"

The legion went into a frenzy at my words. Many sat about to prepare the sentries that would defend camp. Many set out to sharpen weapons, warm up, or even spend some last moments with a loved one, for no one had a guarnteed home on this day. Today we were launching our attack on the black fortress, but that is just the job of the leigon as a whole. I, and my lovable younger brother, have a much more dangerous task ahead. We must go to River Styx and take a dive. We have been planning for more than two years now, but we still are afraid of a failure.

I sat in my tent for the last hour, holding Reyna as if she were my lifeline. We had a stop to make on our way out, but until the battle, this would be my last moment of peace. No words were said, but I knew it was time. When I stood Hazel, Piper, Jason, Luke, and Thalia entered the room. Reyna never let me go, but Jason spoke first, but not in words. He quicly stepped forward and brought his friend of three years into a hug, "You come back to us Percy, we need you tonight, we all do."

Percy clapped the man he considered a brother on the back, "You prepare the legion my friend, I will show up and lead the forces when you call for me."

Jason nodded his head, with tears in his eyes. Hazel rushed me next, however she spoke even fewer words, "Come back to us brother."

I gave her a sad smile as Thalia turned to him, "I ain't gonna kiss you Perseus, that's not my style. But I still wanted to wish you luck. Olympus needs you, we all need you."

They traded a short fist bump, as that was much more of Thalia's style then that left Luke standing there. He looked a little lost, but Percy rolled his eyes, "Come on Luke, I know you want a hug."

That was all he needed to hear before the son of Hermes came storming forward embracing his savior tightly. This was the only person Percy felt the need to say goodbye to, "You protect my friends Luke. Protect our people, remember what I said that night all those years ago about the code. Follow it tonight, it will be most rewarding when we hoist up a victory. You've come a long way from the hateful young man you once were. Congratulations, find your peace my friend, and do it quickly."

Luke nodded, but words never came out. He simply stepped back and I sighed, "Now where is my favorite know it all blondie?"

Hazel cracked the first joke, "Probably trying to become your future sister-in-law, before Nico takes off with you."

I rolled my eyes at the joke, but most of the group stifled off laughter. I turned to Reyna, "I guess I have to go save the world."

"You use that excuse a lot." Reyna said crossing her arms with a small smile going to her lips.

I bowed deeply to her, "My apologies my lady. I will do better in the future just to let it all rot in my favor to you."

She looked like she might cry, but instead she pulled me into a hug, this one was not as fast as the others, she held on to me as if this was the last time she would ever see me, which was a real possibility. I sighed separating us just enough where I could kiss her. My friends whistled, but I only heard it for a second, until I tuned the world out around me, only one thing mattered, and it was her at this moment. A bomb could've gone off and I would've never known. When we separated I wiped a lone tear from her eye. I gave her a sad smile and turned away. I had never wanted to turn my back to my friends, but I knew if I didn't now, I never would.

I let the shadows pull me away and suddenly I was at the gates of Camp Jupiter. I looked off to my right to see Nico come out of the shadows with a sad look on his face. I spoke softly, "How did she take it?"

Nico shook his head, "Not very well. A lot of people are going to be unhappy with us when this day is over."

I sighed, "We did what we had to do Nico. You know that. I don't like as much as you do, but it has to be done."

"I'm scared Percy."

"You don't have to do this. Just help me fight my way through, then pull me out when you think its time."

Nico shook his head, "I have to do this, not for Olympus, but for Bianca."

I nodded in understanding, "For Bianca."

Silence took over us for a moment as we looked at the only living home we had ever known, "See you at the Gardens of our step mother?"

Nico nodded and disappeared. I was only able to take one last look before I did the same. I found myself in the Underworld throne room. I didn't need to look up to know that four gods and goddesses were in the room. On his throne the ruler of the Underworld, my father Pluto stood with his symbol of power in hand. On his left the women I considered my mother, Prosperina sat on a flower bed like throne. To her left was Demeter a surrogate grandmother that cared for me as a boy. Then a friend, and my fathers right hand man, Thanatos. I bowed to the powers of the room, "Father, mother, I seek permission to bathe in the River Styx."

This was a rehearsed speech, but it had to be given. Prosperina spoke softly, almost as if it broke her heart, "For what purpose do you seek such a permission."

Percy smiled, "To save Olympus."

The others all nodded while Prosperina spoke, "I give you my permission. Use it carefully Perseus."

I bowed to my mother and father, "Thanatos, are you ready for a fight, my friend?"

Thanatos took a step forward drawing a spear off of his back, "As a son of Nyx and Erebus I am always ready for a fight my young prince. But where is the other Prince, I expected Nico to be with you?"

My father immediately eyed my suspiciously as I gulped, "He is meeting me in mothers gardens."

Pluto tightened his grip on his sword, "Where is he right now?"

Percy took an inward breath, "Gathering an attack force of undead warriors, and Cerebrus. I believe he spoke of another hell hound named Mrs. O'Leary as well."

It was clear that Pluto didn't buy into my answer, but he nodded his head none the less, "Good luck son. I will see you on the battlefield."

"Of course...father."

With that Percy nodded at Thanatos and the both shadow traveled to the gardens of Prosperina. When they landed Nico had yet to arrive, Thanatos spoke gently, "You play a dangerous game son of Neptune."

I looked at the follower of my father curiously, "Since when have you ever referred to me as a son of Neptune?"

Thanatos chuckled, "At the same time that you started lying to your father."

I choked a little, "I don't know what your talking about."

"Don't lie to me Perseus. I can detect Nico Di Angelo in Elysium as we speak."

Not a moment later Nico appeared from the shadows with a few tears in his eyes. He nodded at me, while Thanatos just shook his head, "Lets go boys, we have work to do."

With that Percy, Nico, and Thanatos, all hopped into a nearby shadow leaving all hopes of abandonment behind.

Arriving on the banks of the River Styx the three beings of death scoped out a measly number of defenders. Percy spoke softly, "This has to be a trap."

Thanatos shook his head in disagreement, "Your father rounded up the spirits this morning under the command of your man Stonewall, most of the monsters were laid to waste. However I sense the work of a God."

Nico and Percy both looked at Thanatos strangely, "Not a Titan?"

Thanatos shook his head, "Definitely not. The power level is strong, but it isn't quite a Titan. Whatever it is, I do believe we will be able to defeat it."

Nico grinned, "Then what are we waiting for?"

Percy put a hand on his little brothers shoulder, "Let me go alone first, draw out the enemies in case this is a trap. That would give you two a chance to kill a few before they even know you are here instead of just getting surrounded."

Thanatos nodded, "Good plan Prince. Do as you do, as mortals would say."

Percy nodded and shadow traveled mere feet into the docks of the river. He immediately drew his bow and fired upon a few of the dracnae that were nearby. However a cloud shot towards him faster than he could even breathe. It absorbed him, he looked around to see he was no longer in the same place he was previous moments ago. He was standing on top of the hill at Camp Jupiter. The whole place was in ruins, fires burned throughout the city, New Rome was nothing, but a wasteland.

The image completely shifted to a room that felt familiar. An older man with a fake smile sat on the throne that was once that of his fathers. In chains were his friends and family, the people he had failed in the war. He dropped to the ground and wanted to scream, but nothing reached his lungs. He just stared in terror in what his failure had brought. He wanted to curl up in a ball and die, but he couldn't even find the strength to do that.

Suddenly he was back on the banks of the River Styx and the sounds of clanging metals were ringing throughout the banks. He heard Nico scream, "Percy, get up! We need your help."

Percy looked blankly around the room. He feared the images he had seen had already come to pass. His emotions had gripped his abilities like water grips lava. Slowly his senses returned and he realized that he had been tricked. Only a few gods could have had that power, the twins of Ares however were the first two to come to mind. When he looked towards his brother he realized that two identical looking men were fighting Nico and Thanatos one to one. Thanatos seemed to be holding his own, but Nico was clearly being affected by the gods power. Percy growled roaring in anger and drew Ultor and charged towards the battle. I swung upwards in a deadly arc in an attempt to decapitate the man that had engaged Nico, but I was barely blocked while Nico attempted to sweep out his legs, and hit its mark hard.

Percy barked, "The Titans send two fucking minor gods to stop me! What do they think I am some sort of rodeo side show! I have killed two of them already, what more do they want from me!"

The god growled, "We may be the minor gods, but we are some of the strongest in our brethren."

Nico laughed darkly, "Says every other minor god we meet and defeat. Seriously, you call yourselves gods, but you get beat by your superiors children. What's you peoples problem, I think we have all had daddy issues at one point, but this is ridiculous."

Thanatos threw one of the unconscious twins at my feet, "This one is Phobos the one you have on the ground is Deimos, dispatch of them quickly, we are running out of time."

Percy nodded preparing to decapitate the god, but Deimos cried out, "You'll never stop your worse fears from coming to life Perseus Jackson. I have seen the son of Darunia. He is so powerful, even if with a bath in the River Styx you won't win."

That is when Nico put his sword point on the man's throat, "That is why we are both taking a dip. Two sons of Pluto will be invulnerable in battle. The world will have no idea what him them, because you won't live to tell them."

Nico then forced the blade down with his causing the Minor god to erupt in a golden light, sending him for a round or two in the depth of Tartarus. Thanatos did the same for Phobos speaking softly, "I thought that is what you two were planning."

Nico and Percy both exchanged sad looks, "It's what must be done. For our sister."

Thanatos nodded gravely, "Never have two people ever tried to bathe in the styx before."

The Lady Styx however decided to appear at that point, with a familiar young man beside her, "Then again, never have two young heroes had the blessing of myself before dipping in my river."

Percy bowed, "Lady Styx, Lord Achillies. Time suits you well old friend."

Achillies smiled bringing Percy in for a strong hug, "I have missed you Perseus. I knew one day you would take a similar path to my own, however, I never imagined another would follow with you."

Nico bowed, "Thank you for your blessing Lady Styx. Lord Achillies, is there any last advise you can give us?"

The ruler of Myrmidons spoke with a laugh, "Don't hold your breath, the pain will not allow it. Don't attempt to step in the pain will not allow it. Dive in, for either way, if the fates allow you surface there is nothing you can do to change their decision. If they are with you, you will surface, no matter what. If they are again you, you are dead, no matter what. I wish you boys both luck. My curse served me well. It will be many years, before it comes to bite you, but remember, when the war is over, and you are ready to live the lives of normal mortals, just take a bath in a river that never belonged to Greece."

Percy and Nico both looked confused at that, but Styx just smiled, "When the time comes, you two will know what to do."

Percy and Nico both walked to the edge of the bank, and Styx spoke softly, "Think about what anchors you to the world. Think about one spot, that you are willing to put your life in. In this one spot, you will have vulnerbility. If you are hit there, it will be pain like the river, if you are stabbed there, death will be swift and punishing for those who attempted to cheat it. Beware sons of Pluto, once you enter the river there is no turning back."

Percy and Nico exchanged looks and Nico spoke quietly, "If this is the last time we ever see each other alive Perce, I just wanted you to know-"

"That I've been a real pain in the ass? Yeah I know! Its what I do...I love you too little brother, but this won't be our last moments alive together." Percy said as he began to take a step forward.

Nico didn't respond, he just followed. Percy being the older brother had decided to go first, but instead Nico had other plans, "See you in Tartarus!"

He then went and dived straight into the water. Lady Styx laughed and Percy looked at her strangely, "He may have been the first to ever enter my river with a smile, he is in good hands Perseus, it is now you I worry about."

Percy nodded and dove right in after his little brother.

I had felt pain in his short life, but nothing even compared to the amount of acid that was burning away his body. It was as if someone was taking a thousand knives and planting them everywhere at once. He tried to scream, but for the second time that day, pain failed to reach his lungs. He had imagined the pain many times when he thought about dipping in the Styx, but no thought was even imaginable to the agony he now felt. He saw his worse memories in the asile of the damned. But he kept swimming. He kept trying to find a light. He saw his mother die before his very eyes. He thought he had lost the fight, but then he saw the light. Strangely it took place in the eyes of a monster. A monster that he nearly thanked every god for. For that monster was the Chimera. Of course his feelings of gratitude were not truly towards the monster, but the situation that followed the battle for his best friends life. He saw Reyna, the little girl he once knew, but then he saw her age before his eyes, to the beautiful young women he now knew and loved. They were hanging out on the beach in Oxnard, it was just the same place that they had shared their first kiss. The song was playing and she stood up offering her hand, "Aren't you going to dance with me my Dark Prince?"

Percy looked up to the love of his life and graciously took her hand, but with her other hand she put on the small of his back with a smile, "Make sure you make your vulnerable point somewhere I can hit so I can keep you in line."

Percy smiled back at her, "Of course my lady."

With that he felt his body fly through the air and hit the concrete hard. He heard a yelp and then an intense booming laughter as he felt a strong arm pick him up. He was very disoreintated, but he was alive. He recognized the two voices conversing, but when he opened his eyes he found relief wash over his body. In the arms of his father was not only himself, but Nico who looked much like him a little disoreintated. Nico grinned, "Looks like we did it Praetor. Though dad isn't thrilled about it."

Percy chuckled, "I can't believe you beat me out Centurion."

Pluto howled with laughter, "We can tease and shoot the shit later boys, right now we have a battle to win."

That seemed to bring Nico and Percy both back to their senses. Both seemed to take on a steady glare of deterimination. Percy spoke with a tone of certainty, "I have waited my whole life to see our army in action father."

Pluto grinned like a mad man, "they will not disappoint, my son!"

(A/N) I'm back! This story has spoken to me, I feel the need to finish it. I am about six to eight chapters away, maybe more, but I will finish this as quickly as possible. I have pretty much the rest of the story drawn out in my mind, so I only have to write it. Please review and I hope you enjoyed!