I still find it hard to include Percy in the side parts, the filler, of this story for some reason but I am trying... really hard because I want Percy to change from Aaron's influence, even if only a little.

""'

CLANGCLANGCLANG! Aaron gritted out as force shot from his sword, traveling up his damn arm making his joints ache. Still he didn't let up, countering Percy's slash and lashing out with his shield, knocking into Percy's elbow making the boy flinch. Still, Percy was winning, Aaron knew that. Even with wielding just a single blade against Aaron's sword and shield combo, Percy was faster, stronger and far better then Aaron was. He could go up against entire cabins at this point, even a few months prior when he was out of practice he was that good.

"You've gotten better." Percy smirked at him as he twisted his blade, locking it with Aaron's. With a single push, he managed to send Aaron flying back, jumping forward to slash hard against Aaron's blade knocking it out of place. "But not good enough." In a blur, Percy raised his leg and kicked Aaron in the chest, sending him flying back flat on his ass.

Scowling, Aaron just lay on the ground. "This sucks, you barely train and I work my butt off daily and your still that much better then me."

"Natural talent apparently."

"I hate you... ugh, even with the protective magic of my hoodie, I still felt that kick. Your freaking strong, you know that?" Standing up with Percy's help. " That's what, six fights you've won in a row?"

"Seven."

"Yeah whatever... I'm still a better archer, so there."

Percy just rolled his eyes. "Everyone is a better archer then I am, so that's not that much of an accomplishment. What'cha want you want to do now?"

"Not a clue... not a single clue really."

"Wanna hang out with Meggy? I haven't seen her in a while."

"Sounds great." And so they went off in search of their little Cyclops sister.

"""

"Aperi corda vestra, et audite vocem meam det mihi in auditorium." Aaron crumbled salt and ashes from a yew trees leaves in an arc over his altar, around the brazier burning bright. His other hand grasped tight his talisman, drawing from it the power of the dead stored within. "Aperi corda vestra, et audite vocem meam det mihi in auditorium. Aperi corda vestra, et audite vocem meam det mihi in auditorium. Aperi corda vestra, et audite vocem meam det mihi in auditorium." Power, cold and dark, the essence of Night and Death filled his body as his call reached out and echoed through the world. "Answer my call and come forth, Second Soul. Come forth Diane!"

Mist gathered, both Mystical and Mortal, filling the room with cold and power.

The fire exploded in growth, sizzling against the Mist before it died out entirely and from the Mist a single silver soul stood. She was beautiful in that Nymphy way, slick sharp facial features that bordered on Elvish. Everything about her was a silverish blue, and she radiated power though not on the scale of Agnes.

"I have come." Her voice was smooth, resonating with a rich cadence that bordered on musical. "I have heard your call, Aaron. What is that you need of me?"

"To be frank. I just needed to learn how to channel the powers of the others... so in this case I ask for knowledge. What do you offer me, should I draw on you?"

She smiled, her expression kind and warm unlike Agnes' fractured insanity wrapped in false kindness. "I offer my control over plant life, minor though it was. My lifeforce was strong, as is due my possession as the daughter of a Nymph. I offer knowledge of plants and animals. I offer my affinity for animal life, which is a product of my birth and my choice. I offer a stronger connection to Nature, to the Earth through which your power is key Within the collective I offer a stronger connection to the Earth to allow greater power to be drawn upon so you can cast spells of greater power. Other then that, I cannot say I offer much."

He smiled at her. "That is more then enough, I genuinely appreciate it, whatever you have to give. Perhaps you can help me with a spell now, so that I can get a feel for your powers?"

"That would be acceptable... what should we try?"

Aaron knew just what to do and grabbed one of the dead roses in his vase. "Roses can be used to replace any herb in any spell, as it channels the power of all aspects of the Earth. With your power, we should be able to bring it to life and hopefully plant it tomorrow so I can grow a rose bush to draw from in the future."

She smiled, this time more then her previously absent smile. This was a look of genuine happiness. "To tend to the earth once more... I cannot think of a better way to spend my powers. Thank you, dear child."

"Repeat after me, and allow your powers to connect me to the Earth. Do not fight it, let me channel you." Closing his eyes, but focusing on the channel he had opened with Diane, he started to utter a very simple spell." Terra est a vita. Terra est a vita. Terra est a vita."

The girl started to whisper the same spell, her words matching his as slowly her power poured through the channel. With her might, that of a spirit of Nature, the magic of Earth flowed into him without hesitation. Through him and his words, they flowed into the rose.

"Terra est a vita. Terra est a vita. Terra est a vita."

Over and over again, they whispered the simple spell until finally Aaron released the flow of magic and opened his eyes... only to gape in amazement at the sight of what was now a full on Rose bush a solid foot around in each direction, with roots and buds and thorns.

"Holy shit... you really are amazing, aren't you?" Diane giggled, then faded away, her task complete... however, she was not entirely gone. Even with Agnes' presence being the most potent, he felt little Diane in the background, subtle and sweet and eager to help him once more. "That was amazing. I need to do that more often... but first, to plant my rosebush and hope no one else hurts it."

Suddenly, like a lightning strike, an idea came to Aaron.

"That... is a really, really good idea...What do you think, Agnes... Diane?"

Both women's pleasure rushed through him, and he felt as if a sliver of Agnes' insanity faded away in the moment and genuine affection filled her bitter soul.

""'

"Can you help me?" The Witch boy turned to Dionysius, a kind smile and warm look to his brown eyes. It was hard to resist, so much like Ariadne that it took the God by storm. Dirt covered his hands, fresh from tilling a path of soil, and sweat his brow from the hard work in the warm fall air. The kid reminded him so much of one of his own children, or Demeter's, that it touched something in the God.

How could he say no to the boy like that?

Dionysius nodded, waving his hand towards the Rose bush as Aaron placed it on the newly tilled soil in the space behind the Big House. Instantly the roots of the bush lifted up before digging into the black soil, curling and digging until they were deep and widespread. The power of the God of Vegetation flowed through the ground, causing the Rosebush to grow considerably, until it was almost three feet in diameter

"Thank you." Aaron said as he kneeled, closing his eyes to pray. Dionysius didn't bother to listen in to the boy's thoughts, though he could, respecting him enough to leave then alone. "There... Now we just need a statue to be placed here."

"Do you really think it wise, to celebrate mediocrity?" He didn't mean to sound cruel, he actually liked Aaron, but he could not help but question the boy's actions.

Aaron turned to him. "Only the most extreme of evils or goods deviate one from Asphodel, most of us end up there and we should honor those that go there. They shouldn't be forgotten. No one should be, not like that. Not when the afterlife is actually a thing, when we can speak to and honor them to actual effect."

"Your kinder then most deserve, you know that right?"

Aaron just shrugged. "You'd be the first to say that." He opened his arms in a wide gesture. " I am excited, we can turn this place into a full on magic garden and honor the dead all at once. I owe the Spirits of Asphodel a great deal, so this is a great way to pay them back, especially if I use Diane's power to make this place grow into something incredible."

"I think my sons would like to aid you in that, and I do believe the Nymphs and Satyrs will enjoy the increased natural feel to this place... Very well, you can have this entire space behind the Big House for your Garden. You must tend it while you are here, and honor the dead through it as you plan. Decorate it as you feel fit, but never forget that it was I who allowed you to create it."

"Like I could forget that, thank you dearly my friend."

Nodding, Dionysius turned to the Rose bush. "What else do you plan on planting?"

"Oh a lot of things... jasmine, pansies, mint, marigolds... anything I can use for my spells. Sage is a absolute must, it is just too useful. I wan to grow a few small bushes and trees, planting what will eventually become a Nymph I hope to guard and care for the garden in my absence when I am on missions."

"That can be arranged... I will have my son's tending to the garden as well." He smiled, not caring if he was seen. "You have come far, child, I actually like you."

"I've notice, though I do not know why."

"Your not ungrateful or the type to be selfish like most Heroes. You appreciate all you are given and are respectful despite the burgeoning talents of your magic. You have developed power at an outstanding pace for a pure mortal. You almost deserve to be arrogant and yet you are not. I appreciate that, if nothing else."

Aaron blushed. "Thank you, again. I try to be humble, I know enough about Greek myths to know what Hubris or Arrogance can cause. I've learned from it and try to model myself to be better."

"Well keep up at it."

As Mr. D was about to leave, Aaron stopped him by calling out his name. "How would you feel about modeling for a statue? You did help with this garden, it would be remise to not include you..."

The god was unable to mask his smile. "Well, I can't see why not."

"Maybe it should be in the center of a pond, I think that would be a nice addition to this place. Don't you?"

"That would be nice."

"And we can use Pyre ash in the soil and create an altar to place offerings for the dead... this Garden needs a name, don't you think? I was thinking Earthspring Gardens. Sounds nice, doesn't it?"

Dionysius couldn't help but smile. " It sounds wonderful."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

A powerful filler chapter that was fun to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.

Open your hearts, hear my call and grant me an audience

From Earth comes life