Fayden's really stepped up. Killed a Titan, met Styx, and FINALLY FUCKING GOT KISSED BY THALIA!
I say that like I didn't control every step of this story, but in truth, I've had most of this planned, and couldn't wait for it since the start. I was writing the meeting with Styx in my head while actually writing the fight on Mount Othrys. Also, I've completely revamped the first chapter of this story, because, being the first chapter, it kinda can't be the shortest one. So, I've added to it and you should go and re-read. Enjoy both chapters.

"Fayden!"

My eyes were still shut, but instead of black, red light seeped through my eyelids. I let out a groan.

"Fayden! Get up! Please!"

My eyes slowly opened. I blinked a few times, and then my ears exploded. The battle was still raging around me. I felt a strange tugging on my arm. Looking round, I saw Thalia trying to pull me off the ground, tears in her eyes. The moment she saw me, her face broke into a relieved smile, and she shouted above the row of the fighting,

"We need to go!"

I slowly looked around. Demigods everywhere were being forced back. The monsters were still in a great number as before, and we were being outnumbered. A jolt of energy surged through me, and I rolled up. However, my legs were still weak, and almost fell over again. Thalia was instantly there, supporting my arm. We started walking back towards the retreating force of campers and Hunters; I was desperately trying to keep in step and not accidently knock Thalia over. We limped past a dead camper, and I looked away, feeling terrible that I'd got so used to feeling nothing at the sight. Ahead, a group of Hunters spotted us and aimed their bows in our direction, watching for monsters.

A pair of Dracanae charged us as we fled, and twin silver arrows sped through the air. I didn't see them impact, but no one was chasing us. We met the archers, and they flanked us as we all ran from Central Park, heading for the Empire State Building. I was shaking my feet, testing their strength, when an awful, ear-splitting noise shrieked across Manhattan,

"REEEEEEE!"

I swivelled my head urgently, looking for the source of the noise. Thalia was sweating under my weight, but she managed to grunt.

"Sow. Percy's…on it."

I didn't understand, but kept on. We were outside St. Patrick's Cathedral when I finally pushed Thalia off me, testing my legs.

"You sure?"

She was right next to my face, and me looking up to say yes made our noses touched. I couldn't help but stare at her lips, remembering her kiss. She seemed to be thinking of the same thing, and hastily retreated, blushing, and mumbled something I didn't hear over the noise of battle. I limped forward, drawing my sword. I made it to the New York Public Library, almost at the feet to Olympus, where I saw Percy suddenly land and leap of his black Pegasus, before I was attacked. A Hellhound leaped out of the building, blood dripping from its teeth, skidding into my path. It was three times the size of the white Cadillac it smashed into.

It bared its teeth, and leaped. I limped to the side, and fell over, hitting against a New York Taxi. I slumped against the floor, inwardly screaming at my legs and Styx for doing whatever the hell she did that made me so weak. I suspected it was just being her presence, which terrified me, but I had other problems. Namely, the giant dog from the Underworld jumping at me again. I had just enough strength to fall over and dodge its massive paw swipe. Thalia had run ahead to join the fight, seeing the Empire State Building just ahead, and probably thinking I could survive that distance. Yeah, lol.

The Hellhound loomed over me, blood dripping on my neck from its teeth. I thrust my sword upwards, but it grabbed the blade with its teeth, tossing it away. Before I could even complain to Ares about the unfairness of that, I felt my small knife hit my stomach from inside my hoodie pocket. The Hellhound had opened its mouth, and I gagged at the smell, but I plunged into my pocket, and flipped it open, transforming it into a forearm length blade as the beast lunged. Its mouth stopped, with a tooth millimetres from my arm; my weapon plunged through the roof of its mouth. It whined, then dissolved into shadow. The adrenaline from the fight pushed me to my feet, and I managed to haphazardly jog over to where the main fighting had moved. Thalia saw me, and cried out, but I ignored her, swinging into a Giant from behind.

It collapsed, knees cut, and a swift sword through the back made it burst into yellow dust. With the opening, I jogged into where the demigods were encircled before it was filled by another monster. The moon was high and bright, as if Artemis was angry or fighting, and, I realised, she was probably both. I glanced behind us. The entrance to Olympus was merely six metres behind us. Looking around, I saw a mixture of campers, Hunters and nature spirits all slashing forward. I leapt at an advancing Laistrygonian, and it swung its axe at me. I ducked, and heard a nature spirit cry out as the axe spilt her in half, before she faded. I sliced down at the Giant's hand, hoping to make him drop the axe. In my battle focused mind, I forget that contact with magical metal usually kills monsters. His had was severed, and he burst into nothing. I turned to face the enemy, but blinked away at the rising sun.

Wait…that wasn't the sun. The moon was still glowing above me. Kronos was riding towards us on a golden chariot, scythe raised, battle armour on, which I thought unnecessary, seeing as he was immortal and indestructible. A dozen more Giants bore torches around him, and two icy Hyperborean's carried his massive purple and black banners. Dear old dad looked strong, fully rested. Asshole. He seemed to be taking his time, hoping we'd be tired out by the time he arrived. Even bigger asshole.

Annabeth appeared out of thin air, stuffing her cap into her back pocket, shouting,

"We have to retreat to the doors! Defend them with our lives!

We all mentally agreed, and started falling back when a loud hunting horn boomed over the city, echoing off the buildings of Manhattan. I turned to Thalia, although the horn didn't sound like the horn of the Hunter's. She shook her head in confirmation,

"Not us?!"

"Who?!"

The horns got louder. I glanced around. The echo made it impossible to tell where they came from. It didn't seem like enemy reinforcements. The remaining monsters looked as confused as we were. Then, suddenly, over on their left, Kronos' entire northern flank charged. I raised my sword, prepared to fight, but they ran straight past us, crashing into their southern allies. What the…?!

A new blast of the strange horns seemed to break the night. The air around the monsters shimmered and in a blur of movement, an entire force of cavalry appeared, as if they'd just dropped out of lightspeed. A voice shouted out,

"Yeah, baby! PARTY!"

A rain of arrows soared through the air, and smashed into the enemy. Hundreds of monsters disintegrated. I noticed the arrows weren't normal arrows, rather, some had pinwheels attached, some made a 'WHEEEEE' noise as they flew through the air. Others had red boxing gloves attached to the end. I heard Annabeth yell,

"Centaurs!"

And realised she was right. They weren't cavalry. It was a herd of centaurs. The Party Pony army exploded into the monsters in a painful number of colours. Tie-dyed shirts, rainbow afro wigs and those stupid oversized sunglasses were a common feature. Some had war painted faces. I saw a slogan painted onto the flank of one of them. I just caught 'HORSEZ PWN OR KRONOS SUX' before the centaur blurred away. There were hundreds, all crowding into the entire city block. A familiar voice cried over the roars.

"Percy!"

The son of Poseidon turned, and so did I. Chiron was dressed from waist up in armour, bow in hand, grinning in satisfaction.

"Sorry we're late!"

Another centaur charged past, yelling,

"DUDE! Talk later! WASTE MONSTERS NOW!"

He locked and loaded a…a paintball gun. I love the Party Ponies. Just pure, undisturbed Chaos. It was beautiful. A Hellhound was blasted bright Pink, before dissolving. The paint was obviously mixed with Celestial Bronze. Crazed voices yelled over the scattering monsters.

"PARTIES PONIES! SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER!"

Somewhere unknown on the battlefield, a voice that belonged firmly to an eighty's singer responded,

"HEART OF TEXAS CHAPTER!"

Pure, undisturbed CHAOS! This was awesome. A third voice yelled,

"HAWAII OWNS YOUR FACES!"

This was gorgeous to watch. There was only one thing more beautifu…actually no. I'm not saying that. Thalia kissed me once. (I love how I say that calmly, when my brain is still slightly short circuited from that experience) I'm not a simp.

Yet. Have you seen her?! She was watching the Party Ponies as well, her hair windswept, blood spattering her face. She had her bow out. Goddamn that girl was gorgeous.

*Cough*, anyway…

The entire Titan army turned and fled, being chased by hippy (I say this in looks only; they were by no means peaceful) centaurs wielding Nerf baseball bats, swords and punch-able arrows. Kronos' voice could be heard above everyone.

"Stop running, you fools! Stand and…ACK!"

This part, and I wish my phone didn't vanish when I wore the armour version of my dress, was because Kronos had just been sat on by a Hyperborean. I really hope my magical phone caught that…it seemed to automatically take pictures of my exploits even when I'm not using it.

We started pushing forward as well, attacking the retreating enemies. After beating them back a few blocks until Chiron started yelling,

"HOLD! On your promise, HOLD!"

It didn't seem like a job I wanted, rounding up blood-crazed centaurs wielding baseball bats and paintball guns, but eventually the order got passed along the centaurs, and they turned away, letting the enemy scatter. We all turned back to the Empire State Building. Percy ran up to me.

"Dude! Koios!"

I winced at the memory.

"You cool?"

I nodded, and Percy continued.

"I saw the fight. That was amazing! How did you do that? I was tired the moment I finished fighting Hyperion?!"

I couldn't help but glance at Thalia. Percy saw, and smirked, staying silent. He replied,

"Ah. Well, anyway, get inside. You look a mess."

I wanted to protest, then almost collapsed. I swayed, and caught Percy's arm. He raised an eyebrow, and I muttered,

"You may have a point."

He laughed and walked off to somewhere else, leaving me to limp to a temporary infirmary tent some Apollo campers had set up. They were already full, so I had to lay outside on a mat. I was not going to get rest like this. Still, I turned over and tried to at least calm slightly.

Yeah, of course it didn't work. I'm not a Tibetan Monk. I don't just enlighten. I lay there thinking. About what Styx had said, that I would break both my oaths on her river and some point, but she would allow one to be fulfilled on a technicality. I'm not entirely sure why she was helping me. I thought about the various dreams I had had. One, in which the earth, was talking to me. I could only remember foggy details. Another, where, and after killing Koios I realised where I had dreamed, where I was in Tartarus, watching our enemies rise.

Krios, was still nowhere to be found, which I hoped meant he got stuck on the Inter-Tartarus Highway on Route Spontaneously Die for No Reason, but I doubted it. And then, a bodiless voice, so powerful I had collapsed spoke. I still had no idea who that was either. He had said his wife wanted to kill me. I think…I couldn't remember it well. It was probably the mental strain I was in.

And, fine, I'll admit it, if my brain was a pie chart, it looked almost like a solid circle. I had spent 90% of my time thinking about Thalia and her kiss. My emotionally slow brain had figured something out at last. She liked me. Hunter or not, she liked me. And I liked her. Even I could put two and two together. Still, I could feel her lips on mine even now. As if Aphrodite was guiding me, Thalia suddenly appeared in my field of vision. She had walked away from Chiron, Percy and Annabeth. My eyes followed her, and she seemed to sense it. Looking round, she met my eyes and grinned, almost pretending her face hadn't gone beet red. She seemed to have spent more time red than white recently. She walked over and sat down next to me. She didn't kneel, like a doctor treating a patient. She sat down, level with my chest, and leaned against a tent pole as if I wasn't lying on a hospital mat. I respected that. Respecc. I'll stop.

Thalia took a deep, tired breath, then looked down. She seemed to be trying to act like she normally would, hard as nails and not giving a crap, but her eyes (Its always the eyes, with everyone, its always the eyes) gave her away. She was worried. Of what I was going to start talking about. I looked up at her, and grinned, saying,

"Well. Thank god for the South California Chapter."

She burst out laughing. I grinned even wider as she bent forward. Her usually short hair had grown slightly longer recently. It reached her shoulders, meaning when she leaned forward it fell forward as well, covering her face. She lifted back up, brushing it out of her face. Still grinning, she replied,

"Only you can say that with a straight face."

"That's my thing."

"Yes, it is."

Her face suddenly dropped, and she looked worried. She looked down at me, and said,

"So…your fight with Koios?"

I groaned. I get it. I killed a Titan, but honestly.

"I'm fine!"

"No you're not! You literally collapsed! I had to drag you away from the battlefield."

I tried to argue, but she sent a swift glare my way. I rolled my eyes, and she asked, equally worried.

"Why did you collapse?"

I opened my mouth. Should I tell her? I mean, I'd sworn to her never to deliberately leave her and Styx said I'd break that. Finally, I decided to do what I do best. Some of the truth.

"I…uh…had a visit from a goddess."

Thalia looked shocked.

"In the middle of a battle?!"

I nodded. She frowned. She looked cute when she frowned…stop evading.

"Which one?"

I swallowed, then replied,

"Styx."

Her face was priceless. Her mouth was open, skin pale, eyes wide.

"Styx?!"

I merely nodded again.

"But…but…she's never revealed herself to heroes. I didn't think she could. What did she want?"

She had said the last question fast, as if realising that that might be the important point.

"She…um. I…kinda swore on her river to kill Kronos for, you know, doing this,"

I waved my hand around. Thalia nodded, and I continued,

"…and she turned up because it was the second oath I had made under the influence of the Fates."

Thalia seemed confused.

"Wait, second? And under the influence of the fates?"

I was surprised.

"Yeah. Remember? I swore never to leave you."

Maybe the casual way I said this combined with what was quite obviously on both of our minds, regardless of what we were talking about, made both our faces grow hot. Thalia awkwardly brushed her hair out of her face, trying to find something to do to not look at me. I continued,

"…and I didn't really mean to say the second one. It just…came out."

Thalia was still blushing, but she dropped her hair, looking embarrassed all the same.

"But…you swore the first one, right?"

Her voice sounded so hopeful, and I nodded, almost instinctively, just to not displease her. God, I'm a simp and I'm not even with her.

"Well…yes, but the moment I did the three old hags appeared behind you."

Thalia gasped, looking annoyed.

"And you didn't think this was a thing you should tell me?"

From my lying position, me raising my hands meant putting them directly in the air, but I did anyway.

"Hey, I blinked and they vanished. I thought I was seeing things."

Thalia rolled her head, her eye roll was so strong, muttering,

"Why do I like such an idiot."

Then she froze. I had leaned back, not looking at her, and by all appearances, not paying attention, but I had heard. Thalia coughed, and said,

"So…why did Styx care?"

I was lost in my thoughts. She liked me. I mean, she kissed me, so that much is obvious, but actually hearing it, that was different. She said she liked me.

"Fayden? Did you hear me?"

"Yes," I murmured, "I did."

The fact I didn't then answer her question kinda gave away what I was talking about, and Thalia's face went from confusion to utter terror.

"You…you…"

I sat up, turning to look at her.

"Yeah. Styx wanted to know why the Fates were so interested in me."

Thalia's face looked like she'd just been alleviated of all burdens. She glanced at me, and my small smirk removed her relieved face. I had heard both. She coughed, and said,

"And?"

I raised an eyebrow, but replied,

"She decided to help me out. Which was surprising to say the least."

Thalia seemed to have forgotten the previous moment.

"Wait…she helped you?!"

I shrugged.

"Well. Not really. She gave me information. Not sure if that was helping."

I saw Thalia's 'go on' face, and continued,

"She said that I would break my second oath…"

My explanation was interrupted by Thalia's gasp of fear.

"Wha…you're going to…no!"

I shook my head.

"Just wait. She said I would kind of complete it, but she hates technicalities. Her help was granting this technicality as still completion of my task."

Thalia looked shocked.

"So…you'll be the one to kill Kronos."

I nodded. Thalia looked sheepish, but something of her usual-self sparked, and she spoke confidently,

"And what did she say about your other oath?"

It was my turn to act awkward. I decided at the last second not to tell her.

"She didn't say anything about it. I guess it's up to me."

Thalia seemed relieved and not at the same time. I guess I understood. With Styx's help on my second oath, I was given a definitive. I will fulfil it. But not saying anything, regardless of the fact she could've said something bad, was worse, because not knowing, but being aware that bad things might happen, is worse than just knowing bad things.

Since when was I a philosopher? I'm not wise. Apparently, that's not true. I'll take what I can get. Let's think of some quotes.

'I think, therefore I am.' Wait, that's taken.

'A society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.' Ok, I know that Thucydides said that. This is just open plagiarism.

'If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change…OW!'

I'm sorry. I'll stop.

Back to the conversation. We both stayed silent for a while, then she slid down the tent pole, so she was lying down next to me. I love how we can just have a serious conversation, while just staring at the sky. Also, smooth, Thalia…smooth. Finally, a small cough escaped my mouth, and I turned my head to look at her. It was about a centimetre from her face.

"So…earlier."

Thalia pretended to not understand.

"Uh…"

"Nice try."

Her face went red and she immediately tried to come up with excuses.

"Well…I just…you're my friend…Koios is…"

I grinned.

"Thalia."

My voice seemed to snap her out of her daze. She looked directly into my eyes, and I grinned again. Inside, I was as nervous as she was, but…I'm better at hiding it. She had a light pink blush on her face.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

"Ok."

Of course I didn't kiss her. You kidding? I'm not that cliché. Besides, we were surrounded by campers, and more importantly, Hunters. I really wasn't in the mood to look like a porcupine. So, instead, I asked,

"Why did you do it?"

She seemed surprised I asked.

"Uh…because I like you."

Now, of course, is the time my amazing brain and ability to read people disappears.

"But why? I mean, you're a Hunter?"

Thalia looked like she wanted to slap me.

"I swear to god Fayden. I like you! How hard is that to just accept. I. Like. You. And as for being a Hunter, well. Swearing an oath against boys doesn't mean you suddenly hate them all. Besides…"

I was surprised, as this was the most she'd spoken about herself emotionally in a long time. I stayed silent, letting her continue.

"…I've liked you since before that."

Now I was properly confused. Speaking softly, I replied,

"So…why did you join them?"

Thalia swallowed.

"Because…because I didn't realise that until after. You know…when you shouted at me for joining them."

I blushed at that memory.

"Sorry about that."

Thalia grinned, and I grinned back. Then she frowned. I suddenly realised, like the inattentive moron I was, that she wanted an answer.

"…Oh…I like you too. Well, it's a little more than that…"

Thalia had gone bright pink, but she was smiling ridiculously happily.

"Really?"

I nodded, suddenly aware of how public we were, lying next to each other outside a tent at the foot of the Empire State Building, but replied,

"Why do you think I was so mad you joined the Hunters?"

Thalia suddenly frowned, with a look of dawning on her face.

"You said you were mad I wouldn't be around?!"

I shrugged cheekily, smiling.

"You were mad cause you liked me? Even then."

Ok…this was about to get cringy. Please, forgive me…or skip a paragraph to avoid the scrunching of the facial expressions.

I smiled with pure happiness on my face, then leaned in. I kissed her on the lips in the same way she had done to me, a soft kiss on the lips for a few seconds, savouring what she tasted like, then pulled away. I so desperately wanted to look around, to see if anyone saw that, but kept my eyes on hers. She reached up and touched her lips with the tips of her fingers, looking like she wasn't aware of doing it. Her eyes flicked up to mine, electric blue meeting brown and gold. I whispered,

"Always."

I'm sorry. CRINGE. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

Thalia's face had become a good unreadable, if that makes sense, as if all the positive emotions had short circuited her brain. Good, she can have a turn, springing a kiss on me like that.

Like I didn't enjoy every millisecond.

I swung up, leaving her lying there, thinking, or possibly just staring, it could be either. Anyway, I headed over to where Annabeth, Chiron and Percy were still talking. I had barely reached them, when a helicopter came flying through the sky. I was shocked. It was a deep civilian red, with green letters on the side, reading: DE.

My mind went back to before the mission aboard the Princess Andromeda. Rachel Dare. Didn't Percy say her dad was rich? I'd bet decent money those letters stood for 'Dare Enterprises', or something similar. Ahead, I heard Annabeth sounding rather indignant and annoyed, like Rachel had encroached her personal space, or rather…and I smile to myself as I thought this, her Percy-nal space. I'm sorry, but I think that was pretty good. Anyway, she cried out,

"What is she doing here?! How did she get through the barrier?"

I jogged over. Chiron was frowning, is tail flicking nervously.

"Who? What mortal would be insane enough…"

The helicopter suddenly pitched forward, speeding in random directions as it spun towards the ground. Chiron gasped as he cried out,

"The Morpheus enchantment! The foolish mortal pilot is asleep!"

We all watched in horror as the helicopter careened sideways, falling dangerously close to a row of office building. I realised, with a stab of fear, that if it didn't crash, Aeolus' minions would most definitely smack it out of the sky. I was desperately thinking of a plan, and Percy seemed paralysed.

Annabeth, on the other hand, who probably already had a plan, or was just winging it, which worked out anyway, curse Athena, had whistled and a Pegasus had swooped at of nowhere. He nickered something at Percy that sounded proud, and Annabeth leaped onto his back. I heard her growl,

"Come on, Percy. We have to save your friend."

I ran over to where Chiron shuffled back and forth, watching Percy and Annabeth swoop into the air. I turned desperately to the centaur.

"They're gonna get chopped up by the helicopter blades!"

Chiron said nothing, watching nervously. The Pegasus seemed to be a fancy flier, weaving in and out like a tiny bird. The helicopter had edged ever so lightly closer to the office building. It hits the building it'll smash to pieces. It collides, hits the ground and go boom.

Way to go for the complete success of making the situation not even remotely tense. It'll go boom. Honestly. I watched as Percy and Annabeth got closer, than my eyes bulged as, when they had got close enough, Annabeth had grabbed the door. Of course, as in every demigod scenario, something went wrong. The wing of the Pegasus caught against the helicopter. He plummeted, leaving Annabeth hanging from the side of the door. I watched speechless as Percy fell to the ground and Annabeth hung from the door, body buffeting in the wind.

I suddenly saw Rachel's arm appear, trying to pull Annabeth's arm into the copter. It missed, and Annabeth had to readjust her grip to avoid falling to her death. Her hand slipped slightly, and my heart jumped to my mouth. Rachel tried to reach her again, but couldn't.

My terror addled brain suddenly realised something. The stupid moron down on the ground, otherwise known as myself, could manipulate time. Percy had slammed into the ground, and Chiron ran over to immediately give the flying horse medical attention. Percy seemed fine, but he stared up in horror at Annabeth swinging from the helicopter, slowly slipping off.

Then, all of a sudden, the entire thing, helicopter and Annabeth, had glowed gold and slowed down, so the helicopter moved silently, the blades quietly moving through the air. I could feel that Rachel and I guessed the mortal pilot was also frozen. I concentrated, ignoring the looks from around me, and angled my hands slightly, so Annabeth suddenly sped up again. She seemed to immediately understand, and easily climbed to the open door, jumping into the almost completely frozen flying vehicle. I saw her climb into the pilot's seat, and at that moment, my arms collapsed. I still had energy, but…see, it's like…imagine that when I use my powers, my arms feel like I've got five kilo weights on them, or ten kilo weights on them. I might still be able to do a little more, but I can't lift my arms. Anyway, the helicopter suddenly sped up, and after a heart wrenching tilt, it suddenly straightened, and slowly started hovering to the ground.

Since when could Annabeth fly a helicopter?! I watched as it slowly landed, and the blades started slowing down. Percy ran towards it, with me right behind. I got there just as Annabeth snapped,

"What are you doing here, Dare? Don't you know better that to fly into a warzone?"

Rachel looked nervous.

"I…"

She glanced at Percy.

"I had to be here. I knew Percy was in danger."

Annabeth's face showed obvious annoyance and a hint of jealousy, which amused me. She growled,

"Got that right."

Percy opened his mouth, but Annabeth continued,

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have some injured friends I've got to tend to. Glad you stopped by, Rachel."

She was not even remotely glad Rachel had stopped by, but before anyone could say anything, she had stormed off. Rachel sat down on the kerb and put her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean to…I always mess things up."

Percy stayed silent, then Rachel spoke again.

"What the hell happened? I was plummeting towards the ground, then I was just…still. I was frozen. So was the whole helicopter?"

Percy smiled and gestured back to me as I walked over. Rachel seemed shocked, but shook my hand.

"Uh…Fayden…right?"

I nodded.

"How did you…?"

She mimicked freezing, and I laughed. She actually stayed pretty still.

"I'm a demi-titan. Son of Kronos, at your service."

I mocked bowed, like a waiter would. Rachel looked like a goldfish. Even with the red hair.

"You…a son of…"

She seemed slightly more shocked than other people were. I frowned.

"Rachel? You ok?"

She seemed to be spluttering over the answer.

"I…I may have had a vision about you."

Ok. I'll admit. I'm mean. This question confirmed that. In a perfect poker face, I asked,

"Really? What was I…er…doing in this vision? Or… who was I doing?"

My face showed pure innocence, and Percy roared with laughter. What? I'm 18. It's not wrong. Wait. No, that makes it worse. Rachel had gone burning red and I quickly followed up by saying,

"Its ok. Many women suffer this plight. Just own up to it."

Percy's legs looked weak with laughter, then with a reference to when we had done something, and I emphasise similar, to him when I first met Rachel, he said,

"Ha! Your turn!"

The red head spluttered,

"I…It was not…that kind of dream."

She had mumbled the last part. I laughed, and grabbed her shoulder.

"Its ok. Seriously though, what did you dream?"

Rachel turned to Percy.

"I've been seeing things. I mean, not just through the Mist. This is different. I've been drawing pictures, writing lines…"

Percy nodded.

"In Ancient Greek. Do you know what they say?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I was hoping…well, if you'd gone with us on vacation, I was hoping you could have helped me figure out what's happening to me."

Right. I if you'd read this far into my story, you are aware I don't do serious situations very often. So…

"Ah, Rachel."

She turned to me, confused. I played the part perfectly, looking like an embarrassed dad.

"I should really let your parents tell you this, but the changes are normal. Everyone goes through them? In particular, what are you feeling? Do you hate everything? I heard that's a thing for girls. Small amounts of bleeding?"

I shook my head worriedly.

"All normal. Don't worry."

Rachel just stared, as Percy shook his head, obviously calling me a moron in his head. Rachel suddenly got it and smiled.

"Fayden."

"Hmm?"

"You're an idiot."

"Yep."

"And you're amazing for it."

"Yep."

Rachel let out a short laugh, then turned back to Percy. The son of Poseidon looked uncomfortable, but suddenly, Rachel's smile vanished. She flinched like she'd just been electrocuted. I immediately stopped laughing.

"Rachel?!"

She blinked, then looked up at us.

"Percy. Something is about to happen. A trick that ends in death."

I wasn't laughing. I'd pissed off Fate (capital letter was deliberate) too many times to underestimate this kind of thing. Percy frowned.

"What do you mean? Who's death?"

"I don't know."

She looked around, as if expecting someone to suddenly drop dead. I doubted they'd die after performing a magic routine.

"Don't you feel it?"

Percy looked nervous. I turned to her, asking,

"Is that the reason you came here?"

"No."

She paused.

"I'm sorry. I'm not making sense, but the thought just came to me. The message I wrote on the beach was different."

Now, I guess Percy dreamed this, because I had no idea what she was talking about. Percy answered,

"Perseus. In Ancient Greek."

Right, so he did know. Rachel nodded.

"I don't know it's meaning. But I know it's important. You have to hear it. It said: Perseus, you are not the hero."

I was surprised, to say the least. Percy looked like he'd just been slapped with a fish. I may or may not have done that once, so he knows what it's like. The fish in question apologised to Percy profoundly, and then Percy used it to beat me up. You didn't hear that from me, and not important. Said Percy spoke in disbelief,

"You came thousands of miles to tell me I'm not the hero?"

"It's important," she insisted, "It will affect what you do."

I was curious. Percy was the one the Great Prophecy was directed to. Did Rachel mean another child of the Big Three? It wasn't possible. I said as much.

"Not the hero of the prophecy? Who else could it be?"

She seemed to look at me strangely, and I was reminded that she had said she had dreamed about me. Finally, she shook her head.

"I…I don't know. That message was all I know. I had to tell you because…"

"Well!"

Chiron had cantered over.

"This must be Miss Dare."

Percy looked ready to snap at Chiron, which meant the centaurs presence was probably needed, calmer of emotions as he was. Percy introduced Chiron briefly,

"Chiron…Rachel Dare. Rachel…this is my teacher, Chiron."

Rachel looked as glum as Percy did.

"Hello."

She did not even seem remotely interested in Chiron being part equestrian. Chiron observed her in his…way of observing things, as if he could see a panel above their head, telling him all their personal info.

"You are not asleep, Miss Dare. And yet, you are mortal?"

"I'm mortal."

She said it like it was a disease.

"The pilot fell asleep as soon as we passed the river. I don't know why I didn't. I just knew I had to be here, to warn Percy."

"Warn Percy?"

Percy stepped in.

"She's been seeing things. Writing lines and making drawings."

Chiron seemed curious.

"Indeed? Tell me."

She told the centaur the same thing she'd told us. Chiron stroked his beard.

"Miss Dare…perhaps we should talk."

Percy suddenly looked scared, as if he knew something horrible would happen.

"Chiron."

The centaur looked at him.

"You…you'll help Rachel, right? I mean, you'll warn her that she's got to be careful with this stuff. Not to go too far."

Chiron's tail flicked. He seemed to understand Percy's hidden message.

"Yes, Percy. I will do my best to understand what is happening and advise Miss Dare, but this may take some time. Meanwhile, you should rest. We've moved your parent's car to safety…"

"Wait, what?"

Percy quickly explained, and Chiron continued,

"The enemy seems to be staying put for now. We've set up bunks in the Empire State Building. Get some sleep."

Percy looked annoyed.

"Everyone keeps telling me to sleep. I don't need sleep."

Chiron smiled.

"Have you seen yourself lately?"

I got to say, the horse had a point. His clothes were in tatters. They were scorched, burnt and sliced up from the night of constant fighting. Percy seemed to begrudgingly agree, but said,

"I look like death. But you think I can sleep after what just happened?"

"You may be invulnerable in combat," Chiron chided, "But that only makes your body tire faster. I remember Achilles. Whenever the lad wasn't fighting, he was sleeping. He must've taken twenty naps a day. You, Percy, need your rest. You may be our only…"

He caught my eye, and his expression flickered. He altered his last sentence,

"You may be one of our only hopes."

Percy seemed to want to complain, but I slapped his shoulder, saying,

"Come on Ariel. Get some rest. You need it."

He grumbled, slapping my had away.

"Fine," he waved his hands at Chiron and Rachel, "Talk."

Then he trudged off. Chiron turned to me.

"You too, Fayden. You may not have the curse of Achilles, but you are equally as important as Percy. I don't know why you collapsed during a battle…"

My mouth opened in shock, but Chiron held up a hand.

"Yes, I know about that, anyway…I recognise when someone was talking to an immortal, and judging from your weakness afterwards, it was a powerful one. You are as special as Percy in this war. Now go rest."

He made a strong argument. I nodded, and turned away, saying,

"Yeah, ok. See ya Chiron. Rachel, nice seeing you again."

Rachel nodded, and then, as I turned away, she seemed forced to blurt out,

"Percy is not the hero of the prophecy!"

Chiron turned to the girl; eyebrows raised. So did I. The centaur asked,

"What does that mean?"

I looked at Rachel.

"You've said that?"

Rachel shook her head, like she was trying to describe something to a stupid person.

"No, no. Percy is not the hero of the prophecy. You must figure out who. And I think you know."

This was staring so intently at me, I had to be as dense as the paving at my feet to not get what she was emphasising. I nodded, and calmly walked away. As I walked back towards the lobby ahead of me, I heard Rachel and Chiron start talking. I saw that Thalia, and the infirmary tent for that matter, was gone. As I entered the lobby, I saw where she was. The Hunters had taken a few of the bunks for their ranks, and Thalia was fast asleep on the bottom bunk of the nearest. I looked up, and to my surprise, so Zoe. I'd completely forgotten her! I felt like crap as I walked over.

She was awake, sitting up in her bunk. She saw me coming and held up a hand.

"Zoe, I'm so sor…"

"Shh. From what I heard, you had to fight a Titan. It's fine."

"That's no excuse," I responded stubbornly.

She smiled.

"Well, thank you, but really, I'm fine. I healed up quickly. Anyway, that's not important. Why did Thalia walk in here like someone had just kissed her? She seemed catatoni…"

At her description, I had flinched. I couldn't help it. Zoe noticed, and gasped. She seemed torn between wanting to gossip like a school girl and maintain her stiff upper lip Hunter thing. What surprised me, was she wasn't angry. She leaned in, and muttered,

"You kissed her?!"

I nodded bleakly.

"Why are you not dead?"

I smiled, replying,

"I was returning the act."

Zoe's mouth fell open.

"She…she kissed you first?"

I nodded. Her face seemed frozen in shock.

"I…"

I frowned.

"Why are you not mad? She's a Hunter?"

Zoe scoffed.

"Please. She obviously had a thing for you. The moment we left, after the Battle of the Labyrinth that became obvious."

I stared at her.

"Wait, so…you know? And you didn't tell Artemis?"

"Why would I tell Milady? Thalia loves being in the Hunt. It would get her kicked out. Besides…"

She leaned in.

"…I think she knows as well."

I shook my head.

"Ok, now I know you're lying. If she knew, either Thalia wouldn't be wearing silver, or I'd be a fine species of Jackalope."

Zoe laughed, shaking her head.

"Come on, Fayden. You've seen Milady. She's been more friendly to you that towards any male, ever."

I frowned.

"Er…"

Zoe knew what I was thinking. She groaned.

"Everyone thinks Artemis liked Orion. She liked his hunting skills. Gods. She didn't even like the man that much. She killed him after all."

I was shocked.

"So…Artemis knew, and didn't do anything?"

Zoe nodded, then frowned.

"Well, I' m guessing. Milady is far from oblivious, and with Thalia gushing about you consta…"

A muffled voice interrupted her.

"I do not…gush."

I leaned over, and saw Thalia's glaring face staring up at me. I noticed a soft pink glow on her cheeks, and wondered how long she'd been awake. Zoe seemed guilty at being caught, and I quickly said my goodbyes. The last thing I heard as I headed for an empty bunk was Thalia saying,

"You knew?"

I laid down in the bunk, and fell asleep almost instantly, exhausted from the battles I'd fought recently. For once, it looked like I wasn't going to dream.

And there we go. Sorry it took so long. I was binge watching more Vikings. Still, got it out, and it appears I've extended the norm for chapter size, so it'll take longer to upload each one. Hope you guys don't mind. Peace.