I deeply apologize for not posting sooner. I know it's been awhile and after such a dramatic chapter. I promise I will try to post sooner. Also I love your comments! And I have not forgotten you! I don't mind suggestions, in fact they can be good for me. Again I am so sorry and I hope I can live up to your expectations.

Percy slowly hummed a soft melody. A small melancholy tune that Triton recognized instantly. "No," Triton swallowed, "He... Uh- this is a lullaby. His mom's lullaby. I mean hi-his real mother's..." Triton heard it countless times before, and always in dolefulness.

Annabeth lost it. This can not be happening! She remembers their first encounter and refuses to believe it came to this- this- this horrid, whatever you call this! Percy; fiercely loyal and overprotective, like she ever needed that. No, never needed, but accepted nonetheless. Because that meant she didn't have to do it all alone. 'I have to stop thinking like that.' The wish for him to be fine fills her with such rage and bitterness that she feels she will explode... Because he isn't fine. He isn't okay. He isn't just gonna wake up and laugh it off like in the past. Yet, he still holds the will to hum his mother's song. 'Damn it! What kind of friend let's this happen!?'

Annabeth cried. And cried and cried and cried. Those pesky hot tears couldn't quite stop. She felt sick. Vomit, retching, sure makes one feel so wretched. She turned away keeling in a coughing fit. Her mouth now stained with clumps of an old meal with stringy saliva dripping down. Until she became a heaving mess. How could she hold anything after seeing him like that?

Triton doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what he is feeling. All he knows is that he feels pain. Emotional pain that seeps out in his tears and it hurts to bare witness, hurts to think, hurts to move... Triton can not help himself to think about how much it must hurt. Standing there, Triton begins to feel pain etch across his body. As if he is trying to figure out to sympathize with his brother... What kind of family, brother, is he for letting this happen? There must be a way to atone. To at least make up for this... To take away the pain... Because he should have been there for his brother! He should have stopped him... He could have saved him...

Triton broke down. He collapsed onto his hands and knees letting a few salty droplets drip down his chin and onto the hard ground. Percy wanted to be alone and he let him... He should have known better... He's a god for crying out loud! Triton should have felt something, anything! He should have known that his little brother was in trouble and been there to watch his back! He should have- 'Grover knew. Grover knew and didn't say a word! Not a damn word! He said that he was fine.' Triton mentally seethed. 'What a load of bull! He lied. And left. Because he knew he couldn't face us with the truth!' Triton was spiraling. Trying to find someone, anyone to blame. 'And Thalia. It was her-'

"Wha-what have I done? Th-This is all my fau-fault... I caused this... I caused Percy to le-leave..." Thalia murmured covering her mouth with her hands. She is trying to hold back her sobs, but they continue to pile up. And she can't stop her eyes from watering up. Though she refuses to cry. Not now. Not in front of everyone. "If I didn't- *hiccup*..." she couldn't. Thalia couldn't quite finish her thought aloud. A sob kept coming up anytime she tried. "I shouldn't have- *hiccup*" Thalia couldn't continue.

Thalia cursed at herself. She couldn't even bare to look at him because regret would come flooding in instantly. So Thalia peered upwards towards the sky... The only place she can. This way she can stop the tears that begged to fall. She let out a shaky breath that matched her hands... She didn't even have to look at him to feel regret. Her brain fries up. It's no excuse she knows; she owns her behavior. She tried to help, tried to be good, tried to do good, and then a trigger is flicked. Her emotions turn - cold, fearful, anxious... she backs away, flee or strike out at someone who is close to her. In these moments she wears no pride, merely shame and disgust because there is no damn excuse. Instead, Thalia constantly beats herself up over the fact that she acted the way she did... Thalia just wants to cry. 'But I can't. I shouldn't.' Thalia tells herself while drawing in another shaky breath.

"I'm s-sorry. I a-am so so sorry." Thalia mumbles, wiping away a stray tear that escaped. "I'm sorry." Her apology is for not being better, for not getting here sooner, for running him out of camp. For all of it...

Percy continued his soft melody. The coughing came in snappily, loud enough to be clearly heard from clear across the mountain top, and with a dry raspy hold that sounded as if his throat was collapsing. Along with it came blood soaked saliva that dripped into his ichor diluted pond. However, once his lung relaxed Percy continued right where he left off.

That was the straw that broke that camel's back. Her throated tightened letting in a short intake of air as her body started to tremor. She couldn't hold it in any longer. Suddenly gut wrenching sobs tore through her chest leaving her a wailing mess. 'It is all my fault.' Thalia scolded herself trying, but failing, to wipe away her streams of tears.

The two millennium old huntress has witnessed a lot during her time in the hunt; waging wars, political debates, tortured souls, dead innocents, nearly everything the world could offer... However, this hit differently. She has never personally met a mortal that didn't break after enduring so much. Only stories. And even those sounded like tall tales. Yet, here she stands, in awe, a dead man walking still walking. With the will to sing a song from memory. If she recalled this to anyone they might as well call her a liar... This simply can't be possible. Yet, it is though...

Zoe was warned, but didn't take heed. Now, she can not look away. Any attempt to locate Artemis became fleeting the moment her vision showed no sign of Percy. Her eyes kept getting drawn back to him, scouring his body for the wounds inflicted upon him. And Zoe couldn't help wonder why? Percy is already caught and imprisoned. So why?

She became entranced. She isn't fearful, sick, wailing, or enraged. No. She is intrigued. Because he doesn't appear to be broken. When in all honesty he should be, when all other men would be.

Perhaps she is cold thinking this way. It does not matter. She doesn't have any reason to feel otherwise. Nothing to tie her to him. The only thing she feels is an unruly sense of disgust of the immoral bastards that did this. Yes, she is also intrigued because past all the disgust and gut wrenching vile, Perseus held on.

She admitted it. Triton should feel relieved. This wasn't on him after all. It- it-it... It doesn't change anything. 'Percy' - gods, even mentioning his name wants him to bite his tongue. Perc-... He is still... crucified. That is the only way to describe it. Triton can practically imagine what he must be feeling. His body anchored to a single point, shackled. Any attempts to move would likely rip his flesh apart and be bruised continuously. His arms stabbed, a constant ache throbbing away. Never going away... Gravity is probably his worst enemy. His muscles, joints, and ligaments must be completely drained of all functionality under the overbearing pressure of the sky. Forcing him to fall, but fall standing up. He must be exhausted. His heart can't handle it. He's thirsty. A lot of blood lost. System shock. Beaten. Broken. Suffocating.

"AAHHHH!" Triton shouted in frustration above all else. The sky darkened even further shadowing the Princess's mood. It was very unbecoming of him to act brashly but, "DAMN IT ALL TO HADES! I'LL KILL HIM! I SWEAR TO GODS, I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!" Triton relishes in the power to reach up and bring down a handful of that cosmic swirl, to make a fabric from it that was ever-changing as the sky above is right now, and wear is as a suit of damned destruction. So let it be known that it is he, Triton, that brought down a cleansing rain. To see his manifesting rage swirling in the heavens that brings a kind of inner glee. A glee with the full intention of making a Titan fade tonight.

As if it were starlight pulsing through the graphite sky, lightning came in great networking forks. Illuminating the heavens above.

"Finally... I knew you would make it." The unmistakable voice of Artemis called out, hidden behind a broken column. Though her tone felt glazed over.

"Artemis!" Zoe gasped in joy, immediately taking the chance to sprint off in her direction. She downright ignored the tone shift of her mistress, instead she focused on seeing if she can be of any assistance to her. Thalia stumbled over her feet and followed suit. Over crumbled pieces of buildings, fallen columns, and past various other rubble. Annabeth, on the other hand, grew stiff when she heard her words, glaring in the direction of her voice, then following her friend. The brother didn't even bother to glance her way, no, instead his rage forced focus on finding the bastards who were held responsible.

Lightning continued to net the sky as Zoe and the girls made their way in front of the goddess. The same goddess that was captured right after Perseus. "Artemis are you alright?" Zoe inquired, moving around the rock to get a better look at her. Which was odd... The celestial bronze chains were hung loosely around the stone and didn't even touch the goddess. And she was standing upright leaning back on that very same rock. Which means that her sisters weren't lying. But there is also another thing... Her body was facing away from Perseus.

"I am fine." Artemis answered quietly. Zoe took the chance to gaze over her just to make sure. And true to her word, there wasn't a single scratch that had befallen her. Zoe took notice that she was no longer in the same appearance she was usually with her hunters. She had the appearance of a young adult. Her eyes still flashed silver and her auburn hair was in a low ponytail. She seemed perfectly fine. "Just as Perseus promised I would be." Wait, what?

"How could you let this happen!?" Annabeth hollered glaring. They were warned that she was freed, but apparently that meant nothing. Only acting as fuel on the fire of towering rage. "You couldn't even bother trying to save him!?" She continued huffing.

"Any move I would have made would only put Perseus in in harms way even more so. If there was any other way, I would have taken it to ensure this wouldn't have happened." Artemis sighed. It was a truly difficult decision.

"You could have done something!" Thalia shouted in Annabeth's place.

"No, I couldn't have." Artemis shook her head. Percy coughed again causing the goddess to visible wince.

"And why not!?"

"...Percy made a deal with the devil over hell. One that not even the Titans can break without repercussions."

"What kind of deal?" Thalia scoffed, but then remembered the dream she had.

"Not even I know the full details, but in exchange of letting Atlas free the camp was not to be touched for the time being... As well as not letting any harm befall me during my imprisonment. Percy stated that any pain they wish to give, let it fall on him instead." Artemis crossed her arms over her chest and bit the inside of her cheek a little.

"And you let him!" Annabeth hollered once more.

"Of course not! A boy taking my punishment? Hah! Don't make me laugh... *Sigh* The more time passed and the more he continued to take... And after freeing me only to lose consciousness soon after. I couldn't just abandon him knowing what they were willing to do while I was around. What would Percy look like now if I had escaped? That is a fate far too cruel..." Zoe looked at her mistress and saw something. She was lying! Or rather she was leaving something out. Something she didn't want to mention. What she is saying now isn't even the half of it. Zoe can tell.

Suddenly the goddess's whole demeanor changed. "And if you dare raise your voice against me once more, you'll be another trophy hunt for my girls. I let it slide because I know you are distraught. I will not have it slide anymore." Artemis glared shutting them up. She moved away from the pillar and towards Percy, leaving them behind to mull over what she just said.

Zoe jogged up, "M'lady?"

"Yes?"

"What aren't you telling us? We had dreams and in them and... you told him stories? and got him to spill why he willingly came here. Not only that, but you've been... off now that I look at you directly. What happened?" Zoe was deeply concerned and spoke softly

"Now would not be the right time to tell." Artemis answered without batting an eye.

"...Does it have something to do with what my sisters told me? About how you've become infatuated with the boy?" Zoe was not one to beat around the bush, but this time it might have done her some good. Because the hellish glare Artemis launched at her nearly caused her to take back her words.

"Think carefully about what you say next..."

"..."

"To think my own lieutenant doubts my vow. How absurd. I may look at Perseus differently now, but that shan't change anything. Consider it... A bond, if you will, through shared circumstances."

"Is that what you would call it? Because I was thinking of something much closer." A particularly deep, strong voice rumbled across the summit that clawed on the very ground they walked on. His voice filled the sky with a deep rumble. "You don't call what you two shared merely a bond. That'd insult the lad." Atlas's laugh boomed across the heavens without any of the humor behind it. His laughed mocked her.

"You're dumber than you let on if you believe that would be insulting." Artemis responded twirling her body around already posed with her bow. Ready to strike any given direction if need be. Her eyes darted from spot to spot searching. Zoe at her back mimicking her movements.

"Still as fiery as ever I see. Hmm, no matter. The trap is already sprung." Atlas's voice continued to hover, "Though I thought someone would jump at the chance to take his place. I guess I over did it! HAHAHAA!" His laughter rolled once more. Artemis's hold tightened, almost turning white. While her stoic face was replaced with a sneer.

"You'll pay for that!" Artemis growled. Zoe was stunned. This is far from what she expected her mistress to act like.

"Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?" The bastard's voice seem to solidify as he made his appearance. Before they could even see him, they felt him. His aura radiated power with an almost overwhelming sense of strength. Along with the raw confidence of a leader that overbore his regalness. Atlas's steps were heavy as he walked past several broken columns in his attire.

It's been a long time since Zoe last saw her father, but he still hasn't changed one bit. The same dark slicked back hair. The same cold grey eyes. The same proud expression. And still very big. But now he wore his Greek armor with a massive light pole sized Javelin. "How would you make me pay when you're taking turns carrying my old burden? After your dear Perseus drops dead Artemis, you shall feel what he felt. For all eternity!" Atlas roared smacking a pillar, leaving it a now pile of dust. With that he flexed his fingers and leered right at his to soon to be victims.

"I wouldn't count on it." Artemis responded notching an arrow.

"His death shall bring in a new era!" He completely ignored her, raising his hands in a proud fashion. "Yes! The first blood in a new war has already been spilt!" Artemis took the chance to fire an arrow seeing that he was getting arrogant. Though it was futile. Atlas easily swatted the arrow. "I will enjoy watching the life drain from your eyes." Atlas smiled twirling his Javelin.

"Zoe, go to the others." Artemis ordered.

"I am not leaving." Zoe stood her ground already facing her father.

"Good girl. Stay and watch your father mercilessly wipe the floor with a weakling." Atlas taunted, crouching slightly. "Or would you rather watch the two girls die at the hands of their former comrade?" Zoe's eyes widened significantly, but before should could properly react Atlas was already on her. He thrusted his javelin towards her face, but over two thousand years of experience saved her. She tucked and rolled out of the way already drawing her bow. But Atlas begun swiping his weapon towards. 'He's faster than I thought he'd be.'

Before she got hit, Artemis intercepted the strike with her daggers deflecting it over their heads. Stopping it by force and strength alone would be nearly impossible. Even for someone for the likes of Artemis. She rushed forward, while Zoe jumped back taking the chance to fire successive shots at the chinks on his armor.

Though Atlas was beginning to resemble a pin cushion, he didn't show down a single bit. "Come on! I thought you could do better than that!" Atlas spun his Javelin trying to sweep Artemis's legs, but she was quick to the air, "Let's see what you got!" Atlas taunted again as if he was playing around with her. Atlas saw the jump coming and kicked the goddess across the courtyard landing awfully close to Percy. She landed on her legs and withdrew her bow amongst the dust.

Zoe rushed over trying to provide cover for her while she lined up her shot, but Atlas seemed to hardly notice her anymore. "I thought you would have wanted to kill the traitor first!" Zoe shouted making herself a target. And taking away the attention from her mistress.

"I'll deal with you later! Right now I want my vengeance against the gods while I still have the chance!" Atlas gleefully spouted turning his attention back to the moon goddess. But it was a split second to late. An arrow imbued with the power of the Goddess of the Hunt zipped through the penetrating the chink in his left shoulder.

"AAHHHGGHHHHHH!" Atlas roared in pain.

Annabeth tried to not lose her cool, but having a goddess tell you to leave the subject alone again just irks her to no end. Don't they understand that the more something is forbidden the more knowledge dives deeper to seek it out? It's an urge all humans crave. And twice now was she denied any real answers concerning her friend. Annabeth clenched her fists and scrunched up her face a little.

"I know that look." The voice sounded unhealthy, sickly even, but there was no doubt who spoke.

"Luke!" Annabeth twirled around only to be with the edge of his sword pointing directly at her right eye.

"Don't try it." Luke noticed her hand twitch towards her dagger. The dagger he gifted her. "I don't want to hurt you, so don't make this difficult." He said.

"Yea? Then drop your weapon and make it easier on yourself." Thalia sounded a little too unnerved. This was her first look at Luke since... well since way back. She stuck her spear right in the crook of his back.

"Thalia! How good it is to finally see you again!" The way Luke sounded chipper was completely unsettling. "I thought you went after the goddess and her lackie."

Thalia pressed her weapon to his back harder, but Luke hardly seemed to care. "I said drop it." Luke didn't.

"I thought you had more sense than this. What are even doing here? It'd not like you have an reason to be." Luke peered over his shoulder to take a gander at his old friend.

"I came here to rescue Percy and finish this damn quest already. So, drop it."

"Hmmm, so that's what why.. If I drop it I lose my leverage. And it's not like you can drop your weapon either. A stalemate." Luke smiled. Like a creepy smile.

"I'm not that little girl that needs protecting anymore Luke." Annabeth kicked back with her heel, but Luke sidestepped out of the way.

"Good thing I was wrong then. You know you'd both make-"

"Don't even try it. We know what you're up to and don't want any part of it." Annabeth reasoned. It hurt that someone she admired has fallen so low. But that hardly matters. They came to do finish this quest and by the gods were they gonna finish it. No matter what.

"Aww don't be like that. Even Percy was more reasonable when we talked. Well, he did have the sky on his shoulders so it's not like he had much of a choice." He provoked, rubbing the edge of backbiter. "A shame what happened to him though."

"You have no right to feel any shame. Especially after what you guys did to him."

"I had no part in that. I refused to have any part in that... not- It doesn't matter." Luke covered up. "I came here to stop you. That is all."

"Luke you don't have to do this."

"That, or convince you to join." Luke ignored her plea. "I mean after all we went through. The countless deaths we escaped, on the run, with only each other to watch our backs. No help from our parents. Why do you still fight for those pathetic excuses for Olympians? Why care for them when they gave us nothing, but agony and loss?"

Triton seriously considered to blow the war trumpet that he possessed. The twisted conch shell that once blown into brought forthright a terrible roar from a mighty beast. One that is said to frighten even the giants. The very same one that has never left his side since the day he came into possession of it. Even in times of sleep. It is always with him.

Now seemed as good as time as any to use it. However it would be for naught. The summit is no place to call the waves to rise. "Damn it! Where is that lanky bastard!?" Triton was beyond raged and frustrated.

The wind continued to pick up as Triton was finding nothing to unleash his pent up anger. There was absolutely no sign of anyone, living or not. And it was pissing him off all the more! Someone was going to die. It doesn't even matter anymore who. A lowly monster, a demigod, God... Anyone would do! Someone is paying for this atrocity. Gods, even the Fates can be held responsible!

Triton heard the whale of someone in pain and without thought jumped at the chance to move. Though it sounded awfully close to his brother. 'I swear if Percy receives so much as a scratch, I will wipe every last thing responsible from the furthest depths of Tartarus itself!' Triton clenched his jaw jumping past a few trees.

In front of him stood Artemis with her bow slung at her side. Also his brother who still looked awful, but not any worse than last time. With a quick peek he saw him. The tall bastard himself. The muscle headed freak. The egomaniac sadist with family issues. That dick...

But this was too close. Way too close for comfort. There is no way in hell is he going to allow his brother any more semblance of pain. Not anymore. A plan. A plan... He needs a plan. Something to keep his brother safe. Safe? No, they need to save him...

He quickly sprinted to his brother, ignoring the goddess's side eye. "What are you doing?" At least she sounded polite...ish.

"Percy. Can you hear me?" Triton ignored her completely.

"Trust me, I tried." Artemis quietly tried to say.

"Percy, I need you to listen to me. I'm sorry, but you're not out of the woods yet."