Okay, so just a quick little fun suggestion I have for you guys before we get to the stuff more relevant to my story…

Some of you guys might not be interested, and if you despise Percabeth (I personally am not an avid Percabeth supporter, but I don't mind it), then you can probably disregard this, but I have suggestions for cool authors that have fun writing styles and nice short stories.

So there's more, and I might suggest them in the future if my memory gets better, but the two authors I would suggest to read are MaydayParade8123 as well as greenconverses. They're all basically one-shots, and their these two authors alone gives you an archive of cool stories to enjoy.

Now, don't just brush off these suggestions if you don't mind Percabeth, at least give them a try, I beg you, because I swear to god I found these authors and just binge-read these stories like no tomorrow because goddamn they're so good. Maybe they're a tiny bit repetitive sometimes, and Mayday's stories are a bit long for one-shots, but I don't mind it, and I honestly love it.

If you like these suggestions and want me to suggest more or even already know of these authors, gimme some feedback.

Okay, now onto more relevant stuff to the story.

I AM NOT GOING TO WRITE LEMONS.

I'm sorry to everyone who wanted them, I truly am, and I know there are a lot of you out there who really wanted them. I'm sorry, but I just can't.

The only explanation I have is that it feels out of place. Lemons just don't feel right in this story, and to be entirely honest, I've never written lemons so it would feel awkward to put a length of lemons that I would be ashamed of into a piece of work that I'm truly proud of.

I know I said I would write them if a lot of you wanted them, but I came to the conclusion that I simply can't bring myself to include them. Again, please don't hate me, and if you do, I guess I understand.

…

Okay, now that that's over with, I'm gonna be entirely honest with you, I don't know how long this story will be. I'm shooting for between 30 and 40 chapters (not including alternate endings), but I'm being really flexible on how many fluff chapters there should be and experimenting with different writing styles etc.

So hopefully I don't disappoint with the length of this story, but find peace in the fact that I'm definitely going to finish this story, even if I become sleep deprived and forever hungry.

It's been a long ride, and we're still not done yet, and I'm honestly a little surprised myself that I've found it within me to actually finish a story, so thank you truly for the support on this story.

Thank you, and here's the next chapter:

Chapter 29: He Would Be Fine

"Wait, does that mean you know who it is?" This was the immediate thought that popped into Percy's brain, his curiosity and burning desire to know who was behind everything coming to the forefront.

"Sadly, I do not." Hades shook his head. "All I was told is that Zeus is unfit to continue ruling over Olympus due to his countless mistakes and flaws, and that a new age shall rise as the corrupt rule of Zeus falls."

Percy raised an eyebrow in confusion. He understood that anybody could see that Zeus wasn't a perfect ruler, and that he was honestly pretty terrible in the past, but he also had assumed that the king of the gods had been improving.

"Their words, not mine." Hades shrugged.

"So…" Percy paused, in thought. "Do you have any ideas about who could be behind all of this? It has to be a goddess, doesn't it?" Hades rubbed his temple and rested his chin on his hand as he thought about Percy's question.

"It wouldn't be wise to assume we're dealing with a goddess, although I will say at this point it's highly unlikely it's anyone else." Hades said carefully. "I don't have any particular assumptions, but it would do you well to eliminate those who couldn't be a part of this."

Percy nodded, knowing exactly what Hades was talking about. He needed to narrow down the list of his possible enemies, which was pretty long now considering more Olympians were feasting for his death.

"Anything else, Lord Hades, or is that all the information you can provide me?" Percy asked, making sure to not sound greedy for more but rather curious if there was anything he hadn't yet mentioned.

"One more piece of advice, and then I can have Nico transport you to your home." Hades said. "Tread lightly, and take care to surround you with people you can absolutely trust, for I'm afraid that this rebellion has spread wider and faster than imaginable."

"Thank you, Hades. And one more question before I go, if that's not a problem?" Hades gestured for Percy to continue. "You're not going to join the rebellion, are you?"

Hades chuckled, but the humor in the odd sound was spread thin. He shook his head and tapped his fingers along the armrest of his throne.

"I told you all this because of my family's debt to you, but I cannot promise that I won't be a part of this movement." Hades said rather calmly, which didn't exactly make Percy any less anxious. He opened his mouth to argue against even considering the offer, but hesitated.

"Don't you think that with recent developments, what with you and Hestia getting your rightful places on the council, and demigods being claimed more consistently and whatnot, shouldn't you be… happy with Zeus' recent progress?"

"But you forget that most of these developments were forced upon us by yourself. Zeus' rule hasn't immensely improved by any means." Hades said with a dark smirk. Percy shrugged, relenting that the god of the dead was correct.

"But what about the recent council meetings? Don't you think Zeus and the council in general has improved over the past couple meetings?" Percy asked. Hades raised his eyebrows and copied Percy in shrugging his shoulders.

"Fair, but I also believe that a new method of ruling with the proper goals and governing could see more fair decisions all the time instead of having to rely on Zeus maintaining his course of improvement." Hades countered. Percy internally groaned, as even though he didn't know what the revolution had planned, he could've guessed that Hades wouldn't join them if they didn't know what they wanted to do.

"Alright, fine. But one last thing before I go." Percy said, the gears in his head twisting and turning to say one last impactful thing to change hades' way of thinking. "Think about the mortal world, about the demigods and humans that will be affected. A revolution among the gods incites violence and catastrophes of the greatest magnitude, and Earth very possibly could be left as a pile of ashes once everything's said and done."

Percy sighed, knowing that he had to further influence the god.

"Maybe you care about the upper world, maybe you don't. But I'm willing to bet my life that you care about Nico and Hazel and maybe even some other mortals, even if you won't show it." Percy smiled weakly, "Just… just think about what I said. I guess I'll understand if you decide to ignore my words, but I beg you to at least attempt to understand."

Hades nodded, their mutual respect for each other shining through the cracks of their now ended conversation as Percy readied himself to depart.

He understood what the stakes were now, and he knew exactly what he needed to do. He knew what his goals were and what his limits were, and he absolutely hated the fact that he was tied up in another major conflict.

But he was stuck in the middle of this now, whether he liked it or not. But this time, he wasn't fighting for the gods, he wasn't fighting to preserve an idea or protect the deities that controlled him. No, this time he would fight for himself. He would battle and bleed for those he cared about and the mortal world at large. He knew he would be needed and counted on, and this time, he wouldn't fail.

Percy tapped his foot anxiously as he sat on the flat but jagged rock that was inserted onto Purgatory's beach. The sand beneath his shoe parted as his heel rhythmically rose and fell, creating a bit of dust that was probably annoying the person sitting on an adjacent rock not a pair of feet from him.

He contemplated whether he should stop creating his own miniature dust pile, but his compulsive and pesky ADHD that he could never quite get rid of told him otherwise, and his leg continued to bounce.

He glanced to the person beside him, his fingers now dancing nervously across his jeans-covered thigh. Her blazing red hair was shining brightly in the blazing sun, forcing Percy to squint as he looked past her hair and to her thoughtful silver orbs.

He could find the calculating look in her shiny silvery eyes that was just too damn similar to the way Annabeth's stormy grey pupils looked when she was making a plan or sizing someone up.

Combine that with the fact that he still had no idea where they stood relationship-wise, and it was a recipe for him being filled to the brim with leg-bouncing nervousness.

He had just relayed to the goddess of the Hunt what Hades had told him, and had resorted to (im)patiently waiting for the deity to make up her mind on what they should do about the situation.

Well, Percy sort of already knew what he was going to do.

He was going to train his ass off.

And nothing was going to prevent him from doing that.

He was going to train day and night, hours upon hours, preparing himself for a battle that not just held his life in the balance, but also everyone he held dear for.

The repercussions of a possible civil war among the gods were endless and beyond imagination. Just… just take a minute to think. When Percy was at the mere age of 12, hurricanes and freak weather storms had ravaged New York simply because Zeus was missing his symbol of power and was in a pissy mood and was mad at Poseidon.

Now increase that impact on the mortal world tenfold, and multiply it by infinity, because yeah… Percy had a hunch that the Earth would just explode from all the gods fighting each other. He shivered just thinking about Artemis sending all wildlife to trample on all the gardens of exotic plants around the world.

So, in basic terms, Percy needed to try his absolute hardest to prevent a civil war from happening, and needed to prepare himself for a war unlike any other for the extremely likely chance he would be caught in between a battle of the ages.

Because this isn't some minor disagreement we're talking about. This would be a full on revolution, with pitchforks and torches and the whole shabang (Shabang? Who uses that word nowadays?).

Finally, after a moment of silence that Percy had filled with his own insecurities and worries, Artemis spoke to pull him out of the vacuum-like vortex that was his mind.

"I will side with my father." Artemis said, final and without doubt. Percy nodded in agreement, knowing before he even initiated this conversation that Artemis would stay loyal to Olympus. "But I pray it doesn't come down to who's on what side."

"Have I already asked if gods can pray?" Percy asked absentmindedly, muttering to himself and not entirely attempting for it to be audible to the goddess next to him.

"I assume you know what I'm referring to, Perseus." Artemis said with a roll of her eyes. Percy cleared his throat in an attempt to get himself back on track, and nodded more firmly this time.

"I do. We can't allow the gods to fight, even though we have no idea who we're fighting against." Percy said, grimacing still as his imagination ran wild for the consequences of a war greater than any other.

Artemis bit her lip, an action that Percy had begun to notice more recently as the goddess' image of perfection had begun to fade into her true self, almost alike to Aphrodite. That wasn't to say that Percy knew the true Artemis, for he was fairly certain that he was far from knowing the mysterious and guarded goddess, but rather that he didn't think of her as an eternally formal and stiff goddess who held respect for but a few males in this astronomical universe.

"Yes, we must also delve deeper into that mystery," Artemis said quietly, her voice steady but with outlines of hesitation and nervousness running along the edges of her statement. "I will see to it that I will ask around and inform the people that I trust with my life."

At this Percy's mouth opened, his jaw tightening as his mind immediately flew to Artemis' closest family member. He closed his mouth, his lips pressing together tightly as he bit the inside of his cheek. He didn't want to keep secrets from those he trusted, which was a small list (yet also much longer than he would've thought only a few months ago).

Keeping secrets was the last thing he wanted, but Apollo was a tricky situation, and he suspected the god had a reason for being pulled toward the side of revolt.

"Alright, I trust you to do that." Percy said, not condescending or anything of the sort, but a statement that told of his genuine trust in the goddess. Maybe it was an irrational trust, but all the signs from Aphrodite to recent experiences pointed towards Artemis being a reliable friend and ally. "At the same time, I suggest we prepare for the likely possibility that we will have to fight at the forefront."

"Agreed." Artemis said, brushing a cluster of stray red hairs away from her face and peering toward the blinding sun that rested above the bright blue lake. Percy's hand twitched, and he immediately looked away as he blushed in shame at just the thought of touching Artemis' hair.

It wasn't really his fault, he was simply curious (at least that's what he told himself). Okay, so maybe Aphrodite's words and the fact that now Artemis also knew had influenced him a little, but in his defense, he had never really touched red hair. Sure, maybe in his foggy memories he had brushed his knuckles against Rachel Elizabeth Dare's bright red locks, but that was different.

While Rachel's hair was curly and wild and just vibrant, Artemis' was auburn and more subtle and just looked so smooth and silky. Was it wrong for maybe a tiny piece of him to want to touch such majestic hair? Probably not.

Was it wrong of him to compare Artemis' hair to Calypso's? Probably.

But again, he couldn't help it. He blames his ADHD (but then again, he blames everything on his ADHD).

Calypso's hair, he had touched. Her caramel brown hair was as silky as Artemis', if not smoother. Her hair was slightly more wavy than the virgin goddess', but both were fairly toned down. Both also wore their hair down, something that opposed the messy and simple ponytails Annabeth used to always tie.

Percy shook his head, his cheeks tinting red. If he kept going down this path of comparing everything Artemis did to Calypso, and vice versa, he would just be sitting around all day like a lovesick fool as his mind focused on two different but equally beautiful women instead of a major potential conflict on the horizon.

And dammit, he did it again.

But then again, Annabeth had said that he should let her go and explore his options…

Again, Percy shook his head, this time adding a knock to his temple with his knuckles just as insurance to get him back on the more important topic.

"Percy?" Artemis asked, snapping her fingers and waving her hand in front of his face. Percy blinked in confusion and squinted.

"Sorry?" Percy asked. Artemis sighed, although he could see a strained smile playing at her lips. It sort of reminded him of Annabeth, and son of a bitch he did it again.

He needed a swear jar, but for comparing. He needed a compare jar.

Maybe he would just give someone a drachma whenever he found himself comparing the three people in his love life (sort of. Did Annabeth count?). Yeah, that sounded like a sufficient idea.

"Were you even listening?" Artemis asked, although it looked like she already knew the answer. Nevertheless, her lips were upturned in a strained smile.

"Um… sorry. I kind of zoned out." Percy said, rubbing the back of his neck and bowing his head apologetically. Artemis sighed, although Percy could find some fondness in her eyes. It astounded Percy that even while their relationship was in such a strained state, Artemis found it in herself to not blow up at any time Percy was even somewhat annoying.

"Well, just know that my hunters will increase their training regiment, and that if you so desire you may participate in their activities." Artemis said. Percy nodded, signaling that he would indeed join the huntresses if his own training allowed it.

"Does that mean you'll be staying here?" Percy asked. Artemis nodded, her expression returning to being unreadable.

"Apparently." Artemis said neutrally. "I must inform my Hunters of what awaits us, we must prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

"Alright, I'll leave you be then." Percy said, getting the message. Artemis nodded in return and rose from her rock. She stretched her arms out, causing Percy to bashfully look away as he heard the goddess' limbs slightly pop and got a view that he didn't quite mind, but also didn't want to get again anytime soon for fear of being smited.

"Oh, and Percy," Artemis interrupted Percy as he himself stood up, still refusing to look at the goddess. He steeled himself - probably being a little over dramatic - and looked up, his vision immediately snapping onto Artemis' face. "We'll talk later."

Percy swallowed, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. He nodded, not able to give Artemis a response before she turned to jog towards the Hunt's camp. He inwardly lectured himself for being such a stuttering and stupid fool, but he couldn't do anything about it, so he resorted to padding off towards his cabin in the other direction to ready himself for his own training.

What the son of Poseidon didn't expect to see was Calypso leaning against the front of his cabin, smiling softly as she spotted the man she was looking for. Calypso didn't exactly see Percy's mind running rampant with possibilities for why Calypso would want to talk to him, but she did spot his hand twitching slightly while part of his bottom lip disappeared under his top row of teeth.

He didn't know why he was so nervous today, maybe because he was ping-ponging back and forth between two people that had pretty volatile relationships with him right about now, but he really shouldn't have been so anxious. He knew these people, and he trusted these people, so there was really no reason for him being so damn foolish.

"Calypso." Percy greeted, swallowing and stopping a few feet shy of her after walking up the steps. Calypso pushed off the wall, releasing herself from her leaning position, and went to embrace Percy.

Apparently, she knew what happened down in the Underworld, even though he hadn't said anything about it since he had returned.

Percy closed his eyes as he buried his face into Calypso's deep brown hair, relishing the smell of Calypso and the feeling of being comforted.

He hadn't really dwelled on on what had happened down in the Underworld, he didn't really want to, but he was reminded of the fact that his friends were gone, and he attempted to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill out his closed eyelids and into the titaness' hair.

Percy choked, a version of something between a sob and a chuckle escaping his throat. He hugged Calypso tighter as she returned the gesture, rubbing circles into Percy's back as she whispered soothing and comforting words into his ear.

The tears escaped, but it wasn't because Percy lost the battle. He simply stopped fighting and allowed for the waterworks to flow. He wasn't okay now, because his friends had just died for the second time. It would be worrying if he was okay.

But as Calypso held him in her arms and comforted him as he cried into her shoulder, he knew that eventually, he would be fine.

Sorry for the late and somewhat short chapter. AP tests are in full swing now and I'll try to update this weekend, but no promises.

Here are review responses.

I'mNotSureKT: That's sweet, thanks for the kind words.

parallaxyt: Thanks, definitely some fluffy stuff this chapter and more next chapter. And yeah, definitely going to keep messing with you guys. It's just too fun.

TheFiction101: Yeah, Percy's definitely not going to be okay immediately, and I didn't really convey that too well in this chapter, but it'll definitely take some time.

Ronnie R15: Indifference? I'm fine with that. Not super duper into changing the title name myself, was just curious what you all thought.

PercyJackson'sWorstNightmare: Thanks, glad you felt something during that moment. It was fun to write, and it's always nice finding out myself just how people will emotionally react depending on their character development, personalities, etc.

byeaccount23: Sorry about the no lemons, and maybe / maybe not to the thing about Zeus lol.

Gibson1014: Yeah, Hades is such a polarizing character. I see in a lot of stories his personality is flip flopped, but I like my version.

nihster007: Sorry about the no lemons. Just curious, not trying to be rude, how relevant / important would the lemons be to your interest in the story?

Darklord1702: Sorry, genuinely sorry for being sort of misleading.

NBAChampion2005: Cool to have you associate the title with this chapter. I honestly don't even remember how I came up with it. I just had a concept for a story in mind and I guess I made a title on the fly right before I published the first chapter.

Warped12: Yeah, the rebirth is a concept I've had for a while just as a way to relieve Percy in a sense. Glad you enjoyed the bittersweet goodbyes.

LoverOfArtemis: Sorry for being kinda untruthful, hope you continue to read the story.

Jack's Shack of Story Yaks: Lol, your welcome.

KitKathy520: Lol, giving you guys a hint that was already mentioned in the story, I'm so funny. I'll probably have Percy later contemplate what exactly it means to fight for Olympus, so that'll be fun to write, but glad you like the chapter and personally I think Hades was pretty informative. Percy already knew some of the stuff, but he also was in the dark a bit so it was good information for him to know.

MasterTrident: Thanks for the rant of lemons, it was honestly one of the big things that made me realize I was only going to write lemons to appease the readers and not appease myself. Writing lemons is just something I don't want to do at this stage of the story as I don't think it fits, and I honestly wouldn't know how to write it. So thank you, you truly helped. And I get what you mean about Percy's empathy / understanding.

Guest12345: Aphrodite's your favorite character!? That's so cool, I love how your favorite character is someone kinda unconventional and not really a main part of the story.

Aimaritur31: I love you too! Glad you love the story!

Sir Gewen Baudelaire: Yeah, sorry if that disappoints you. I just don't personally like three-way pairings for stories, but I'll definitely try to do an alternate ending for it.

Dank Axon: Sorry to disappoint, maybe I'll try to write lemons on the side to see if it feels right, but I'm not promising anything.

Jontybh: Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked the interactions.

Suzaku Mizutani: Yeah, I get what you mean about suicide. Understand what you mean about the lemons too, thanks for the advice. For the title, we'll see what happens. I'm putting that on the backseat in favor of focusing on the actual content of the story.

Holl0w Dan: Yeah, Demeter's always kinda a non-factor in literally every story I read. Nobody has any clue what to do with her lol.