Ξ Sally's P.O.V Ξ
As I sat listening to how my son reacted to the arai and how he seemingly had no regard for his own safety if it meant that Annabeth lived. Something occurred to me and it cut me deep to my soul, Percy hadn't valued his own life, and I knew it was because of Gabe.
I had thought I'd managed to protect him from Gabe; that if I took the brunt of the abuse from him that Percy would be safe. I now realise how naive that was of me. I left Percy alone with him while I worked to support us, I assumed because he was a child he'd be safe. I was wrong, and Percy had tried to hide it from me, for years.
Looking back on it I can see it all clearly now, the day he started using sarcasm as a defence mechanism, it was because of Gabe, it was how he re-buffed Gabe, he made himself feel better through sarcasm because Gabe wasn't smart enough to figure it out, I had thought it was just another side to his cheeky personality like it is now but that wasn't why it started.
Gabe had abused him in some way, I wasn't sure exactly how but I knew he was the reason Percy had felt like his life wasn't worth living, that he was worthless. An unbearable pit of anger formed inside me, Percy's life was so valuable to me, to Annabeth, to his friends, it was so valuable to everyone, everyone except apparently, to him. That revelation alone broke my heart.
At least that was how it was before Annabeth, looking back on it and also listening to this reading that was becoming abundantly clear. Annabeth gave him a reason to want to live; Annabeth gave him a reason to value his own life. For that I would always be forever indebted to the young daughter of Athena who held my son's heart.
His cousins didn't know about Gabe, so of course they didn't understand, they thought he was sympathising with a Titan or a monster when he let their anger and hate sap his strength because he was very empathetic but I knew now that that was not the case. And I realised that's how he wanted it, he'd rather have them angry with him about something they deemed to be a stupid decision than have them know about Gabe.
Lady Hestia called the reading closed for the day and I wanted to speak to Percy but his father beat me to the punch. I also wanted to speak to Annabeth, maybe this reading could help heal Percy of more than one trauma.
Annabeth was walking back to the bedrooms we'd been given to stay in during this reading when I caught up with her.
"Annabeth" I said stepping into place beside her, "may I speak with you before you go to bed?"
"Of course Sally" She said, we walked in silence until we settled on a set of sofas by the hearth in the guest house. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked after we had been silent for a while.
How did you bring up your son's abuse that you knew very little about? I was certain Annabeth knew something, I just wasn't sure what, and did I really want to know? I took a deep breath and just bit the bullet.
"I wanted to talk about the last chapter; there were a lot of instances where Thalia and Nico called Percy an idiot for something I don't truly believe he has control over." I said and I could see Annabeth knew instantly what I was referring too.
"I know" Annabeth said and for the first time in a long time she wouldn't meet my eyes, instead she stared into the fire. I waited, it had always been an effective tool when trying to get Percy to tell me something and it also worked on Annabeth, during the time he was missing. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. "I know about him, that he hit you, that he hit Percy. I'm sorry you both went through that." She paused as if debating where to continue.
"I know Percy wants to be nothing like him. And, I know what he did to him, stays with him every day that he's not as confident as people, as I, thought he was. He hides it so well, or at least under normal circumstances, I'd hardly call that place a normal circumstance." She trailed off like she didn't know what else to say and I could tell it hurt her to talk about this, with me. I also for the first time had confirmation that Gabe had hit my son and I was angry about that, but I would have to process that later.
"Annabeth, look at me sweetheart," I said and took her hand, to try and offer her some comfort. "What Gabe did to Percy, to me, it shaped him, moulded him. I'm starting to realise just how true that is and I don't even know exactly what Gabe did to him. Apparently you know a little more about it than me because Percy has told you." I said, she flinched at that and I squeezed her hands gently. I didn't want her to think I had any ill-will towards her because I didn't.
"I'm sorry" She said.
"Don't be, I'm glad he at least has spoken to you about it. I suspect as always, he's trying to protect me, I'm not sure it's something he ever wanted me to know and that's okay. But, he was never a confident child Annabeth. He didn't have any friends at least not before he met Grover and not before he met you."
"I'm starting to see that" She whispered. "I didn't back then though."
"I know, and that's okay" I said
"He's my best friend Sally, before everything else that's what he is and I had no idea. What kind of friend does that make me? I just thought he was more impulsive than the rest of us because of his connection to the sea, but the more I look back the more I'm starting to realise that although that might have been part of it, it wasn't all of it." Tears streaked her cheeks and I felt guilty because I hadn't wanted to upset her at all, but I had managed it.
"Annabeth, sweetheart," I brushed her tears away, "You didn't see it because he didn't want you too, he didn't want me too either and I suspect without this reading I might never really have known. I'm sorry if I've upset you, it wasn't my intention. I was hoping to enlist your help actually. And, you're a great friend to my son, trust me on that." I said and offered her a smile.
"Thank you. What did you want my help with?" She asked tentatively, I knew this reading was hard on her too and the fact she'd come out of one of her triggers too, perhaps now was not the best time, but I'd started it now so I may as well finish what I had come to do.
"The point of this reading is to help the two of you heal, or to at least show the rest of us how to help the two of you heal." I started, "I've come to realise that until my son met you, he didn't particularly value his own life, he was bullied a lot through school and he just accepted it as if his life wasn't important enough to stand up to them. But, he's always valued lives that matter to him, like yours, like Grover's, like mine. But, what Grover and I have never given him that you do give to him is self worth, a feeling of value.
"You heard his thoughts in that last chapter; he refused to die of gorgon's blood because it meant leaving you. I want him to feel like his life has value, Annabeth, I want him to want to live. I know he'll always put others before him, because of what happened, I can't change that." She looked at me knowingly.
"You think I can?" she asked.
"I think you already are" I replied.
"I think you give me too much credit." She said.
"Perhaps maybe he's taught you a few things too" I said, knowing Annabeth's fatal flaw to be pride, it was uncharacteristic in a way for her to think she'd been given too much credit and I knew she had affectively learnt to control her flaw with Percy's help.
"Yes he has, but don't tell him, I'll never hear the end of it." She said smiling lightly at me.
"Wouldn't dream of it" I smiled back, we were falling back into our old pattern of teasing my son, despite his absence from our conversation.
"My point is that you, even if you don't want to believe it, have given him a reason to value his life. I know he still doesn't value it enough, but I'm hoping that maybe together as a result of this reading we can hopefully get him to see how much his life is worth not just to others but to himself." I said.
"Sally, there's a moment from that place that's going to come up and it's going to make that very difficult. It's something I wanted to talk to Poseidon about because I think it's also given Percy a small fear about how powerful he could be and perhaps his powers. I won't go into it too much because it'll come up. But, it's potentially going to be the make or break moment for him feeling like his life is valuable. I know he's worried about it." She said.
"I see," I said and I'll admit this news concerned me greatly, "What exactly is he worried about?" I asked, she turned her attention back to the fire but she did answer my question as the fire's reflection danced across her eyes.
"He's worried everyone will see him differently, that they won't want to be near him, that the Gods might want to remove him from existence when they know how powerful he could truly be." She said.
"But, you don't fear him or treat him differently." I noted.
"No, he made me a promise and he's never broken a promise to me. I trust him, I love him." I got the feeling Annabeth was starting to feel uncomfortable, even if what she was saying was the truth. So I decided to try and steer the conversation in a different direction.
"I know you do sweetheart, just like I know he loves you too." I smiled at her and she returned it. "Annabeth, I have something I need to tell Percy, and I want him to be happy about it, and I need to tell him soon."
"I think I know what you want to tell him," She said, "I've been suspecting for a while, since we got back really, and well in this reading there have been signs, are you pregnant Sally?" She asked.
I was not surprised that the daughter of Athena, had figured it out, I smiled and nodded. Tears fell from her eyes but judging by her smile she was happy as she stood up and pulled me into a hug.
"Oh Sally, that's such great news, congratulations, you both must be so happy." She said to me and its true Paul and I were happy, but we were also nervous as to how Percy would take it. "You know he'll be thrilled about this don't you?" She asked.
"I really hope so" I replied.
Ξ Hestia's P.O.V Ξ
I hadn't planned to eaves drop on their conversation but it had occurred in front of the hearth in the guest house and their words had drifted to me as I tended to the fire in the throne room. It gave me a better understanding for the young hero Perseus.
Why he was so empathetic, why he felt so much guilt over the loss of others, why he loved so powerfully, and why he was so loyal to those he loved. Why he felt so responsible when things went wrong. Why he always believed people and us gods should be better, could be better. Why family mattered so much to him.
It gave me a lot to think about as I tended to the fire, and I wondered what event could make him so fearful of others reactions to him.
Ξ Percy's P.O.V Ξ
My father had pulled me aside to talk to me about valuing my own life. I didn't really want to leave Annabeth I wanted to talk to her about why I'd done what I had down there but I knew I had to talk to my father on my own so I followed him out of the throne room, through the gardens and to his temple.
It was a difficult talk, for me but also for him, he asked me about my thoughts in the previous chapter. He asked me why I felt that way and how often did I feel that way.
I didn't want to, but I told him about Gabe, I told him about my school bullies and how they all made me feel like when something went wrong it was my fault. So much so that now I accept responsibility for things that go wrong, I apologise and try to repent for them but sometimes I can't always make them right, and how it pains me when I can't make it right.
I told him how finding out who I was gave me a little confidence, that my friendships with Annabeth and Grover helped my confidence, how over the course of that first summer I felt accepted and like I'd found a home. But, just because I had found a place where I was accepted didn't mean that I didn't feel all those things I'd previously mentioned.
He told me he wished he'd known I felt that way and that he was going to help me through it, regardless of Zeus' rules. I didn't really know what else to do other than thank him and accept his help.
Ξ
I found Annabeth already in bed when I returned to our room, but she was awake, she had stayed up for me and I appreciated that.
"Hey" I said as I climbed into bed next to her and kissed her cheek.
"Hey" she replied "how was your talk with your dad?" She asked.
"Difficult, he wanted to know why my thoughts down there were what they were. I ended up telling him everything-" I started.
"And you feel guilty because your mom doesn't know" She finished for me, and I nodded. "Well if it makes you feel any better she knows a bit" She said and I raised a questioning eyebrow at her and she sighed. "Your mom and I spoke while you were talking to your dad; she was concerned that I didn't understand why your thoughts were what they were that I thought you were being stupid like Nico and Thalia. But, I think she knew, even before I told her that you told me about Gabe, and that I wasn't really all that in the dark about it. I" She faltered a little before continuing. "I told her, I knew about Gabe, that he hit you and her, it was stupid, I know, I'm sorry."
"Annabeth, listen to me, nothing about you is stupid, do you hear me, nothing." I said with conviction and she nodded. "Okay so mom knows Gabe hit me, and she'll be angry about that and that I didn't tell her, but she'll know why I didn't, because she knows me, almost as well as you do."
"Percy, she knows you better than I do, you're her son, she knew Gabe had abused you in some way she just didn't know how and she knows it was more than a beating, I didn't." She had tears silently falling down her face and it broke my heart. "Percy" She whispered.
"Yes?" I asked, wiping her tears.
"Will you tell me?" she whispered "Will you tell me what he did? Everything?"
I didn't want to. I never wanted to speak of what he did, but if I couldn't trust Annabeth who could I trust?
"Okay" I replied, my voice felt weak and failing as I delved into my past, and truly opened myself up to Annabeth.
Ξ
Ξ Annabeth's P.O.V Ξ
Percy and I didn't end up sleeping last night. We talked about Gabe and how Percy felt during all of it, and how it had and was affecting his life. And, by the time we got through it all, the sun was rising.
"Percy, thank you for telling me" I said as he rested his forehead on mine, I knew everything now, and I didn't love him any less than I had when I didn't know.
"Thank you" he whispered, I place my hand on his cheek and rubbed my thumb back and forth affectionately before kissing him.
"I'll always be here for you Percy" I whispered back "I love you."
"I love you too" he told me.
We got up and had an early breakfast, before everyone else got up and then headed out into the gardens to say hello to the sun for Bob.
Ξ
By the time we entered the throne room for the reading everyone else was already present. Percy and I took a seat by ourselves on one of the sofas; I felt the eyes of the room on us as we sat silently. I met Sally's from across the room; I had agreed not to tell Percy about the pregnancy so she and Paul could tell him in their own time. I tried to convey that we were okay and to pacify her worry, but with how tired we both looked I suspected I did nothing but make her worry more.
"Sorry we're late" Percy said I suspect for no other reason than to get people to stop looking at us.
Lady Hestia smiled at us and picked up the book to read.
Chapter 17 – Percy
Bob really knew how to use a broom...
... In a matter of seconds the arai were gone...
'They were gone but their curses weren't' I thought bitterly to myself, Percy must have noticed because he squeezed my hand.
'Daughter, I know it's difficult but bitter thoughts are what creates them, try not to let you mind go there.' My mom was trying to rationalise my thoughts and I agreed with her rationalisation but as she said, it was difficult.
...Percy wanted to thank the Titan, but his voice wouldn't work...
...He saw Annabeth a few yards away, wandering blindly towards the edge of the cliff...
...Bob followed his gaze. He bounded towards Annabeth and scooped her up...
...He carried her over to Percy and put her down gently...
"Thank you" I whispered to Percy.
"Always" I whispered back to me.
'I have a lot to thank young Perseus for don't I?!' My mom's voice sounded in my head and I stifled a laugh.
'Yes, I wouldn't be here without him mom' I thought back.
"What?" Percy whispered.
"I'll tell you later" I replied and squeezed his hand.
...The titan touched her forehead. "Owie"...
...Her eyes cleared...
...She saw Percy...
...a series of expressions flashed across her face – relief, joy, shock, horror...
"Thank you Bob" I whispered.
"Yes thank you Bob" Percy said next to me, just as quietly.
Ξ Nico's P.O.V Ξ
Percy and Annabeth looked awful when they finally showed for the reading. They'd skipped breakfast and they looked liked they'd skipped sleep too. I wasn't sure what had happened after the reading with either of them as my dad had dragged me away to talk to me about that place and my brief but awful time there.
Will squeezed my hand, it sent a wave of flutters through my stomach that I still wasn't used too, but I was starting to like – a lot. I'm not normally a touchy-feely person but I'm willing to make an exception for him.
I watched Annabeth and Percy talking quietly through the reading so far this morning and they looked okay maybe not quite happy but more like them. Just that thought alone made the conversation I had with my own dad last night worth it.
I wasn't the only one watching them and noticing the differences, I could see the whole throne room was. As usual the two of them were so wrapped up in their own private world they were oblivious to the rest of us. They were like me in a way, not just because of our connection to the pit but because we didn't let people in. Will and Hazel were teaching me to let people in, Percy and Annabeth just had to remember how – they used to always let people in, and I knew they would again.
Urg! Happy thoughts - Will's having a bigger effect on me than I thought.
...she cradled his shoulders and wept...
...Percy wanted to tell her it was okay, but of course it wasn't...
...His consciousness was like a small helium balloon...
...He knew soon it would burst...
...and his life would float away...
His life would float away... like mine would have if I continued to shadow travel without proper healing and something to ground my life to the mortal world. I suddenly remembered how I had treated Percy before I had left with Reyna and Coach Hedge to return the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half-Blood, I was angry and cold towards him and it wasn't his fault it was cupids. But that didn't matter I took it out on him and I was sorry for that now, I hoped he would forgive me.
Ξ Thalia's P.O.V Ξ
Artemis had pulled me aside last night and given me a lot to think about. I wish I had heard it from Percy himself but I knew he didn't want me to see him differently to think less of him, and I didn't if anything I thought more of him. I knew he could never know that I knew until he told me if he ever told me.
I wanted to rid the world of that... that ...Urg! I don't even have a name for him that's not insulting to animals! But, I was too late for that Aunty Sally had taken care of it and good for her.
Based on how tired Kelp Head and Annabeth looked this morning I'm going to guess they were up all night probably talking. I got the impression a lot of us had been up late talking, possibly about the same things.
Ξ
Hearing how close he was to death down there broke my heart, it was like losing Jason all over again but somehow worse.
...Annabeth took his face in her hands. She kissed him and tried to wipe the dust and the sweat from his eyes...
..."Lots of Curses," Bob said...
..."Can you fix him?"...
I was starting to understand the reaction to Bob a few chapters ago, why they felt like they were grieving rather than celebrating Percy's defeat of him.
...Bob frown. He picked at the name tag on his uniform like it was a scab...
...Annabeth tried again...
..."Iapetus"...
..."Before Bob. It was Iapetus."...
"Oh Gods! Please don't say he's getting his memory back!?" Piper whispered from next me.
That would be all they needed for him to get his memory back now, when Percy was dying but I got the impression that he wouldn't or that he didn't.
...Percy felt helpless...
..."I like Bob better." Annabeth's voice was surprisingly calm. "Which do you like?"...
..."I do not know anymore"...
"She's so strong" Piper whispered to me.
"Yeah she is." I whispered back, feeling proud of my friend, my family for being as strong as she was, not many people that I knew would or could be that strong, especially down there and especially when the love of their life was dying before them.
Ξ Percy's P.O.V Ξ
"I'm proud of you." I whispered to Annabeth.
"What for?" She asked.
"How you handled everything down there, how strong you were, how strong you are." I replied. Her cheeks coloured, it was cute, I tried not to smile but I couldn't help myself.
She didn't say anything else she just snuggled into me and I started to play with a stray curl absentmindedly as the reading continued.
...he crouched next to her and studied Percy...
..."I promised," he murmured. "Nico asked me to help."...
Again I found myself grateful for Nico di Angelo and his help. I looked up from Annabeth's perfect head of curls and found that almost everyone's eyes were on us. I found the pair I was looking for and tried my best to convey a silent thank you. Nico seemed to understand as he nodded discretely and I turned my attention back to Annabeth.
...He touched Percy's forehead...
..."Very big owie"...
...Percy sank back into his body...
A collective breath was released in the throne room. I hadn't realised how tense the atmosphere had been until now. I didn't realise how sleep deprived I really was, until now to have missed that.
...He still felt like he'd swallowed a deep fryer...
...the poison had only been slowed, not removed...
"Gods, Annabeth how did you fix this?" Thalia asked.
"I didn't" She responded, which made a lot of people frown, Thalia nodded.
"So Bob?" She asked.
"No" Annabeth responded tiredly, "well in a way" she amended rather cryptically, I chuckled a little because I knew the answer but I could see Thalia was frustrated and wanted an answer.
...He tried to meet Bob's eyes, to express his gratitude...
... "Bob cannot cure this,"...
... "Too much poison. Too many curses piled up"...
Thalia's scowl deepened as did Will's, I think he had assumed Bob would be able to fix my curses like he had Annabeth's. I could see him trying to figure out what I needed to heal.
...Annabeth hugged Percy's shoulders. He wanted to say: I can feel that now. Ow. Too tight...
"I'm sorry" Annabeth said looking into my eyes.
"You're forgiven" I replied resting my forehead on hers, I closed my eyes and felt her lips brush mine before I felt the family weight on my chest as she snuggled back into me. And I couldn't help thinking how lucky I was, to be able to call her my girlfriend.
... "Is there water anywhere?" ...
... "No water," Bob said "Tartarus is bad." I noticed, Percy wanted to yell...
Laughter, although it sounded a little bitter-sweet, rang around the throne room; even in the face of death I still had my oldest pal sarcasm.
...At least the Titan called himself Bob...
...Maybe he would help Annabeth if Percy didn't make it...
... "No, there has to be a way. Something to heal him."
For the first time in a while Aphrodite squealed, drawing everyone's attention from the reading to herself.
"Sorry, just the strength of love between them..." she trailed off and I think I even saw Artemis roll her eyes at the love goddess, but it seemed more good natured than normal.
I looked down at Annabeth and whispered "Now if ever there was a compliment" just loud enough so only she could hear me.
"I know" she whispered back and I could her smile even though I couldn't quite see it.
...Bob placed his hand on Percy's chest...
...as soon as Bob lifted his hand the relief stopped. Percy's lungs felt as hot as lava again...
I would be thankful to never felt that sensation ever again. Annabeth squeezed my hand as if she knew what I was thinking.
Ξ Fredrick's P.O.V Ξ
I listened in stunned silence as to what my daughter and her boyfriend endured in that place. I didn't even have the strength to try and help my daughter when she had her panic attack in the last chapter and I felt like I'd failed her all over again. A parent's worst nightmare is to see their child hurt or in pain and I was living that fear right now and it was paralysing.
I'd spoken to Sally and Paul this morning, when we were returned home, we were going to visit New York and spend time with Annabeth and Percy. I'd had all the confidence to try and comfort my daughter at breakfast but her absence reminded me that she was with the one person who could comfort her and it wasn't me.
'Don't get too stuck in your own head Fredrick, our daughter loves you' Athena's voice sounded in my mind, I still found it weird but fascinating that she could do that.
... "Tartarus kills demigods"...
..."Tartarus will not heal Percy. The pit hates your kind"...
"Well it's not like we have any love for the pit either" Grumbled one of the young demigods, she was older than Annabeth but not by a lot, she was big and strong in appearance a daughter of the war God if I had to guess.
The red-headed girl next to her whispered something and the strong one frowned and folded her arms across her torso as if she wasn't altogether happy with the response.
Annabeth and Percy seemed to be in their own little bubble, as my wife liked to call it, again. I was kind of glad that they were it seemed like a sense of normalcy had been returned to them, and for that I was sincerely grateful.
... "I don't care,"...
... "Even here, there has to be someplace he can rest, some kind of cure he can take"...
Oh Annabeth! I was seeing just how much my daughter truly cared about Percy. I knew she claimed to love him but I thought maybe it was a school girl crush, a phase. It was nothing against Percy, I thought he was a very good match for Annabeth and I approved of him wholeheartedly. I knew how smitten he was with my daughter or at least I thought I did. I was starting to understand just how far they would go for one another, and I was grateful my daughter had found someone who loved her so strongly that he would fall into hell for her.
... "I SMELL HIM!"...
... "BEWARE, SON OF POSEIDON! I COME FOR YOU!"...
"Polybotes" Sally whispered from my right but the silence allowed the whisper to be heard around the throne room. There was a sharp intake of breath from some of the demigods which caused Percy to look up at his mother, he met her eyes and nodded, confirming her worst fears.
The giant born to oppose Poseidon was chasing her son and my daughter through hell, and they were in no state to defend themselves. I shared her fears.
...Annabeth struggled to get Percy to his feet...
...Even with Annabeth supporting almost all of his weight he could barely stand. "Bob I'm going on, with or without you," she said. "Will you help?"...
I have never been as proud of my daughter as I am in this moment. I should have been, and had I had known everything she'd done I would have been. But, in this moment right now, learning how brave, how strong and how far she was willing to go to save Percy, I've never been prouder as a father, than I was right now.
"Annabeth" a girl said awe present in her voice, this one was one of her friends she sat with her yesterday, what was her name, Piper that was it. Annabeth turned to face her and smiled slightly at her in understanding.
I looked over at the Gods, Athena was looking at our daughter with pride, Aphrodite was as well and Poseidon he was looking at my daughter gratefully.
I looked at Percy and Annabeth and noticed they'd entered their own bubble again and they were having one of their unspoken conversations. They had a bond so strong they didn't even have to speak to each other.
...Bob looked at Percy...
...Percy wished he could read the Titan's expression...
..."There is a giant who might know what to do."...
"Annabeth" A boy that looked a lot like Annabeth said "That's a huge risk"
"I know Malcolm, but it was a risk I had to take" Annabeth said, and I knew that if faced again with the same choice she wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Percy squeezed her arm, and smiled at her before pressing a kiss to the top of her head affectionately. It warmed my heart to know that as strongly as she loved him, he loved her just as much.
... "A giant. Uh, Bob giants are bad."...
... "One is good"...
... "Trust me, and I will take you...unless Polybotes and the others catch us first".
"Damasen" Athena said, and Percy and Annabeth faces looked ashen, as they nodded in response.
Ξ
~ Author's Note ~
Hi all, thank you for reading and leaving your POV suggestions, I really appreciate them and you, it helps me form an idea for how the chapter is to play out, so again thank you! I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter I'm fairly happy with it, parts were really hard to write so I hope they have come across how I wanted them too and how you hoped they would!
Callum Runchman – Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm glad it cleared up some of the Calypso drama for you that was what I was aiming for, with Leo's POV. I'm glad you're looking forward to those chapters – I just hope that they live up to expectation! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Jgaskins - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! And thank you for your minor criticism; I hope the beginning of this chapter helped with that? Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Chriskidd2001 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm glad you enjoyed all the POVs; I really try to incorporate all of those asked for or suggested if I can along the way. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Booknerd555 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! Hopefully this update was soon enough? Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Gabe1234 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm glad you are enjoying the POVs as mentioned above I really do put a lot of consideration into which I can use and incorporate from review suggestions. I will of course try and put an Ares monologue / dialogue in about Damasen if I can make it work. The fight with Nyx and her children will be a tough set of POVs to do – but I'll try my best I might need a reminder closer to the time – we're a few chapters out! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Silverphoenix233 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I tried my best with Nico's POV in there I hope it met your expectation – I have an idea for Will's POV later on in the book so please bare with me for that one. I honestly don't have an answer for you on Zoë, I wish I did. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Bookaholic4ever - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I know you wanted more of Zeus' POV but I didn't think it fit with how I wanted this chapter to go. I will be bringing his POV back at some point soon though! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
LilBumkin - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I hope the small Hestia POV met your expectations. I hope to post at least one more chapter before Christmas if I can but Merry Christmas to you as well! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Icefire99 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm sorry I've not been able to include the Artemis / Hades POVs in this chapter , I debated putting a short Hades POV at the end but I really liked the end note of Fredrick's POV that I didn't want to take away from it. But, I've noted them down and I'll try and work them in soon! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
captainMcSchizzle - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I honestly believe that pride comes before a fall, and I think as the youngest sibling he worries about not being powerful enough and that he'll lose what power he has the same way his father did when they over threw him. I'm not sure if I can work it into the story but I might try later on. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
SarcasmRocks - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I hope this chapter reflected the stage you feel Annabeth and Percy are at. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Evanora Emrys - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I was trying to convey that he was angry that his son wasn't the hero, rather than he was angry that his son didn't fall, apologies if that's not how that read. Please let me know what you thought about this chapter.
Adityade342 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm glad you like all the different POVs, please do tell me which is your favourite, even if it's biased, I'd like to know. I think a lot of people forget the fortune cookie moment as it's mentioned more in the Mark of Athena than the House of Hades. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Reynafan - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I hoped Thalia's POV and Fredrick's POV hit the mark for you! Glad you picked up on the MoA moments what did you think of the BoTL moments I added in Chapter 16? And thank you – I really appreciate that I would be one of your favourite authors' thank you! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
WiseGirl14 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I hope you caught the introductions to Percy's state of mind, for the Akhlys parts that are coming up? If you did I hoped they hit the mark. If you want to throw the king of Olympus I'll leave that to you! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Cinder121 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! I'm sorry I couldn't work Will's POV into this chapter, I do have a plan for him really soon so it will appear in one of the next few promise! I would love to read your story I will try and get around to it this week if I can! Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
AyaTheDoggo - Thank you for your review, I'm sorry you were disappointed I hope you enjoyed this one more. Please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Guest Dec 11 - Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoyed! Here's more, please let me know what you thought of this chapter.