Percy dragged himself onto the land, coughing and spluttering. He had underestimated the current of the river, but he was alive nonetheless, so his goal had been achieved – to stay alive. He was in another state, from how the area was laid out differently. He guessed he was in the Midlands of America. Good. He wanted to get closer to the Titan Stronghold anyway, so he could try and gather more intelligence so he can try his best to disrupt the alliance between Hell and the Titans.

If the Demons were one thing, it was suspicious and weary when dealing with outsiders. They do not like to take risks, especially if the risks outweigh the reward they would receive.

Drying himself off, Percy checks that the Sword of Enoch was well hidden away in his bag, and that his new pen was in his pocket, he set off walking down the side of the river, until he reached a highway, and carried on until he saw a sign telling him that Colorado Springs was 10 miles away. He was in Colorado. Not far then.

Percy readjusted the bag on his back, and took a deep breath of the sweet, fresh air coming from the trees off the roadside. He then proceeded to continue his trek along the roadside to the nearest town, so he could get something to eat, and then carry on his way to California.

The Demon Rites

Percy is on the run. The Hunters have caught onto his trail and are hot on his heels. He knew Artemis wouldn't give in until she caught him. Percy cut himself on a branch as he snuck into Alcatraz Island, and into the prison. He had lost the Hunters, but had just found himself a monster stronghold. A murderous beast was was prowling the prison, hunting for anyone not locked away in a cage.

How did Percy end up on the run from the Hunters? He simply just couldn't come up with a good enough answer to warrant Artemis not gutting him when she sees him. That and they think he's some form of Demon (they're not far off).

"I smell you, Demigod!" The creature hissed out in some ancient tongue, causing Percy to look around for a hiding spot.

He ducked into a dark courtyard, and he caught a glimpse of the monster through the darkness. The monster reminded him of one of the beasts he had seen in Hell. The top half was that of a woman, and the bottom half was that of a twenty feet long, black dragon. It was as evil as can be, even coming with a barbed tail to cause maximum damage to the creature's foes. The creature's legs and hair was made up of many little snakes. The part where the human met dragon is what caught Percy off guard though. It was bubbling, like the skin was boiling, forming deformed faces of animals, such as lions and bears.

Cautiously, Percy made his way around the cells, before he came across somebody familiar in a cell, all beaten: Bianca di Angelo.

"Psst!" Percy hissed at the Daughter of Hades. She looked up, and her eyes went wide from excitement when she laid eyes on Percy.

She cautiously looked up, and looked almost confused when she saw Percy.

"Percy...?" She asked, and Percy nodded, opening the cell door as quietly as he possibly could.

"Yeah, come on, we need to get out of here!" Percy whispered to her quietly.

"Wait, there are others here too!" Bianca told Percy, leaning against him for support as they stuck to the shadows.

"We will come back for them in a moment..." Percy grunted, but Bianca shook her head.

"Percy." She pleads, and Percy sighs, and lowers Bianca down.

"Keep in the shadows, and I'll have a look." He told her, and left her, moving as quickly as he could. He could hear some crying echoing through the air, and took that as the other prisoner in Alcatraz.

Percy crept through the prison, the weeping getting louder and louder until Percy found the source of the crying. And he was taken back when he saw the creature in the cell. Whatever it was, it was human size, and very pale, its skin similar to that of milk. It had been starved of sunlight for many, many years. The creature's feet were too big for its body, almost like a Disney cartoon. But then that's when it got weird – reminding Percy of what one of the monsters from Hell probably looked like if the mutations ever finalised. Rows upon rows of hands littered the monster's body; all tangled together as there were so many.

"Hey," Percy spoke softly, and the monster looked up, looking petrified.

"Leave me alone." The monster wept, and Percy sighed. He could sense the monster getting closer.

"Sorry, I can't do that." Percy remarked, and drew Riptide, "I'm breaking you out." And with that, he sliced open the lock like it was butter, creating a small "clang" noise. The monster looked up afraid, and dived into the back corner, petrified.

He heard the monster speak in some ancient tongue and start coming over.

"Look, I'm Percy, and if you don't want that thing to kill me and you, I suggest we run." Percy stated, jittering with anticipation.

The monster slowly stood up, and timidly let the cell.

"YOU!" The beast hybrid screeched. Both Percy and the many-handed creature looked at the beast in shock and fear.

"Oh no!" The monster cried out, and ran, fast.

The creature extended a pair of dragon like wings, and drew two scimitars with a roar, green poison dripping off the blades.

"Oh, crap..." Percy cursed before running too.

The monster had scooped up Bianca on the way, and Percy could see the two running as fast as they could. They were at the end of the hallway.

"This is where it is." Bianca said, and went into the cell.

"What?" Percy asked.

"A blue delta sign, Daedalus' symbol." She said.

"We haven't got time for a bloody sign, Bianca!" Percy cried out. He was panicking. The monster was approaching, and fast.

Without thinking, Percy threw his hand up at the concrete above them, and Percy thought about it breaking. The ground began to shake, and then the wall exploded, taking the beast with it.

"That will just annoy Kampê." The hundred-handed creature stated, and then Bianca yelped in surprise.

A dark tunnel opened up in the wall.

"Come on!" Bianca yelled, jumping in. The creature followed.

Kampê began stirring, and broke out from the concrete. Without thinking, Percy dove into the hole, not having a clue where he would end up.

The Demon Rites

Percy reappeared in a dark tunnel, the only noise he could hear being the monster known as Kampê trying to force her way into the tunnel. It was strange, as if the place was lost in time. He could barely see the hundred-handed monster and Bianca, even though they were pretty close.

"This way," The creature said, one of its many hands slapping Percy on the arm in a motion to follow, "We don't want to be here for when Kampê enters."

"And where is here? And who are you exactly?" Percy asked, following the creature into the darkness.

Bianca remained silent and followed just behind Percy.

"This is the Labyrinth." The monster answered, "And I am Briares, the Last of the Hekatonkheires."

"A what?" Percy asked. He wasn't the most clued up on Greek history, he only learned what he needed to – such as how to kill Demons.

"A Hundred Handed One, Percy." Bianca answered, and Percy nodded.

Briares nods in agreement and points down the tunnel. "You two should get out of here as soon as you can." He suggested and Bianca agreed.

"Where will you go?" Percy asked. He didn't like the idea of leaving Briares down there. He looked strong, and he didn't want to lose someone like that.

"I need to find the Gods and help them." He said, "I can't build something as good as Zeus' bolt without my brothers, but I can still try."

"And where are your brothers?"

"They have faded; just like I will in time. When we lose hope and belief, we fade into nothing. And unlike you mortals who have an afterlife, we have nothing." Briares answered.

Percy thought for a second. He then looked Briares dead in the eyes. "Then come with us."

"Pardon?" The Hundred-Handed One looked confused.

"Come with us. We will take you to the Gods. But I need you to make something for me." Percy said.

Briares nodded. "Take me to the Gods, and I will help you."

The two shook on it.

Bianca then piped up, "I thought you were with Annabeth and Nico...? The rescue party?"

Percy turned to her, "The what?"

"The others are being held captive in some arena, with a giant. A fighting pit." She answered, and Percy went white.

Why hadn't she mentioned it before?

Percy sighed, and looked between the two.

"I will find them, you two get out of here and find Artemis, and she was hot on my trail when I found you – But don't tell her about me." Percy ordered.

Briares shook his head. "We had an agreement-"

"I know we did. Artemis can help you. Meet me at camp Half-Blood, Briares, and I have something for you to build. Otherwise, we will lose them, if it's a fighting pit. The demons will be there." Percy snapped, and Bianca nodded.

"I'll help him find the Hunt, Percy. Just please keep my brother safe." She said, and limped off, Briares following.

Percy was all alone, in a dark, ever changing tunnel. And he had to find some demigods in there?

Why did he not think it through?

The Demon Rites

He had been searching for a long time. Percy had actually lost count of how long he had been searching for the fighting pit Bianca had told him about. He had no clue where it was, or even where he was if he was to be honest with himself.

The sound of slithering enters Percy's ears. Darting to the side, hiding in a small crevice in the wall of the maze, Percy remained silent as a group of dracaena passed, discussing something.

"Luke will be happy with usssssss." One of them said.

"Yesssss; but only when he completessssss the ritual." The other said.

Luke was alive? Percy had seen him die. He had seen Thalia kick him off the edge of a cliff. Surely that had killed him... right?

Percy shook the thoughts outside of his head. He couldn't let them distract him. He had to find Nico. But at the same time, what ritual were the monsters referring to? He had to know – as it could be disastrous.

Keeping to the shadows, Percy crept behind the monsters, ensuring he stays far enough away that they could not catch his scent, but not far enough that he could lose them. He followed them for a while, until they approached a set of large doors, and they pushed the doors open. An arena appeared beyond the doors. Percy sped up his walking a little, and the scent of blood almost knocked Percy off his feet. Many had died in there.

And something in his gut was telling him that's where Nico was.

Percy walked through the doors, and there he saw Nico at the edge of the arena, petrified in armour as he watched a fight before him.

Taking a few steps forward, Percy watched Lee Fletcher fighting three demigods at the same time. He was getting tired.

One sliced deep into Lee's leg, blood leaking all over the sandy floor. With a cry of pain, Lee collapsed to his knees, blocking a blow with a sword, only to be disarmed.

"NO!" Thalia screamed from the corner, and Percy looked at her. Tears streamed down her and Annabeth's faces as they too watched it all unfold.

A third demigod walked up behind Lee, a club in hand. Percy saw how petrified Lee was, almost like he was crying. Then there was a sickening crunch as the club collided with the back of Lee's head, causing him to collapse to the floor.

Blood was everywhere.

Percy was shaking.

He looked up, and he saw the culprit; the person who had orchestrated this whole war.

Luke, in all of his glory, was sitting above them all in a seating gallery.

"LUKE!" Percy roared his eyes almost aflame with rage. All eyes turned to him as he slowly walked forward, uncapping Riptide and twirling it. He pushed Nico back and entered the Arena.

"I challenge you, bastard." He announced, pointing his sword directly at Luke.

The Demon Rites

Hey!

So I've been an asshat, I know.

Times have been, uh, tough? I guess that's how to put it. We all go through a rough patch, and I've been going through mine, I guess.

But yeah, sorry I've been AWOL for another 6 months. I'm not going to abandon this story; I've just been trying to find my footing before updating. I forced myself to update this one again. I'll try to have one out by Christmas, but I won't promise you guys anything.

If it turns into another 6 months, by all means, PM me and spam me! And I'll get off my ass and write when I get some time.

Anyhow, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I look forward to seeing a review! ;)

Until Next time!

The Prince of Souls