Chapter 27

Arriving at the entrance to the small fortress Percy could see off to the otherside of the mountain the rising Mount Othrys was looking much clearer than the last time he had seen it. He knew it would only be a matter of months optimistically, but more likely weeks before the Black Throne of Saturn was reborn. He pushed this thought aside though as he considered his mission put forth by Olympus, "Everyone ready? This is where things might get dicey."

Hank snorted, "As if they weren't dicey enough as is."

Percy wanted to roll his eyes, but tried to remain serious, "Odds are we are about to come face to face with our first Titan. Jason, Mark, the three of us will take him together. The rest of you divide up and take on any forces that might also be here. Jason, what do you say about giving us a shock and awe entrance."

The boy grinned as his eyes flickered an electric blue, and he raised his sword to the heavens, taking a lightning bolt, and directing it straight through the door causing a massive boom blasting the door to pieces. Percy led the group into a run straight through the doors, and that is when he realized they may have miscalculated. Dozens of monsters ranging from telkhines, hellhounds, empousa, cyclops, and giants were in the room scrambling to grab weapons. Demigods were jumping for their weapons while Percy laid eyes on Lady Diana who seemed to be holding up a collapsing cavern, "Snatch and grab people let's go! Archers fire."

Five sets of arrows went flying as Percy drew the spear of Hektor and began cutting down monsters that got in his way. He reached the lady of Olympus quickly as he sliced through the chains that were holding her down, "Lady Diana my name is Percy Jackson I am here to get you out of here."

She wheezed out, "Run demigod the general is here."

He didn't have time to question her as a voice that froze everyone echoed through the room, "Greetings children. I hope you are here to swear fealty."

The Titan above him looked like a living statue. Dark slicked back hair, grey eyes that resembled stone, light brown skin, and a muscular build that made even Mars Ultor look tiny in comparison. He was at least nine feet in height with a brutal face, huge shoulders, and hands that could probably snap a flagpole in half. Unfortunately he could see the family resemblance between this Titan and the Lieutenant of Artemis. When he heard his voice it seemed as if the Earth itself was talking around him, and for the first time he felt fear in facing a relatively normal sized opponent. Percy steeled himself however, "Atlas. My name is Percy Jackson Captain of the Praetorian Guard. I am here to take Lady Diana back to Olympus and you stand in our way, and we will make you regret it."

The man laughed and it seemed to shake the ground, "Luke and Kyle did tell me you boys were arrogant, but I thought surely they were exaggerating."

Out of the shadows came the familiar good looking man that Jason, Percy, and Bianca faced on top of the Empire State Building looking much more alive than any of them would've expected. He wasn't alone though as a massive familiar muscular demigod stood next to him. Percy's blood boiled at the site of the former Centurion while Luke grinned, "No General, Percy Jackson look what the cat dragged in. We knew you would come."

Percy glowered at the two demigods, "Kyle Logan son of Hercules I had hoped we would meet again one day."

The man had a feral grin on his face. He looked like he had been working out, which was seriously saying something as the man was already built like a mountain, "Hello Percy. How's Gwen."

The humidity in the room seemed to shoot up, but before Percy could blindly attack the traitor Mark stepped forward, "We will deal with him later Percy. Stay focused."

Before the furious son of Neptune responded Bianca stepped forward, her eyes dark black like onyx, "Where is my brother Luke?"

The man merely smiled as he pointed his sword to the small crowd of assembled demigods, "He's around."

"Bianca?"

Percy felt his insides go cold as he saw a boy step out of the group of demigods. This boy was familiar to him. Percy had once seen this kid in his dream. He looked older now, and his eyes held a haunted wisdom that time often did to demigods who got to experience the real world. Bianca's hand shot to her mouth, "Nico...Please tell me you aren't with them...Please."

The general boomed with more laughter, "Oh it's all the dramatic family reunions today. Come children look and see how Olympus loves to split apart families. I see the son and daughter of Jupiter and Zeus have come back together, and now even the son and daughter of Pluto and Hades. Oh how those damnable split personas can cause strife. They separated you all for selfish reasons you see. They did not believe you were mature enough to handle such information. When my brother returns to power though he will do no such thing. He only wants Olympus my dear demigods. Bow before him, and gain more that you can possibly imagine."

"He Lies!" A voice boomed from the back of the room.

Zoe Nightshade came in dripping blood from her side, "My father wasn't there to see the bloodshed Romans and Greeks did to each other. The gods separate all thee for reasons. Was it right? That is not thy place to say, but it was wise."

Nico finished crossing the distance towards the group and embraced his sister tightly, "I thought I'd never see you again."

Bianca let out a sob as she held her brother, "You can't join them Nicki. You have to turn your back on them. My friends and I are here to kill them."

Nico pushed away from her quickly with a look of anger on his face, "You fight for Olympus? Do you know what they did to our mother?" What their King did to our family?"

Bianca recoiled at this, and the whole room just watched the byplay. Atlas watched in amusement, while others in trepidation. Bianca shook her head, "Our mother? What happened to her after we were taken?"

Nico's eyes were now glowing black like Bianca's were earlier, "Zeus killed her. Hurled a bolt of lightning at her just because she gave birth to us. Just because we were the only surviving children of the big three after the War. The only children born before the pact."

Bianca took a step back gripping her chest, "No he wouldn't. I met Lord Jupiter, and he was kind. He spared our lives, and allowed us to carry the information of your survival, and-"

Atlas laughed again, "Ah Jupiter. I heard he was more reasonable than his Greek Persona, but nonetheless. The King of the Heavens killed your mother. Could you really side with someone who caused such destruction to your family?"

Bianca looked between Atlas and Nico several times, and then turned to Jason and Percy. Jason looked pained, and disturbed, while Percy watched her with worry filling his eyes. Bianca put a hand on her brother's shoulders after several moments, "There is always more than two sides to a story little brother. I would like to hear our fathers version of it. I can't believe he would send us to the Greek and Roman camps if they were our enemies. I have met him a few times over the years, and our father is kind, and never spoke ill will of Jupiter or his children. My family is you, and Percy, and Jason, and the other people that came with me here today. Please just come with us. You don't have to fight. Just run. I will meet up with you when this is over, and we will go to our father and demand answers. He will listen to us."

The Lady Artemis broke the moment of silence struggling to get clear words out, "Listen to her son of Hades. I remember the death of your mother well, and there is more to the story. I swear it on the River Styx that there is more to the truth."

Nico looked conflicted as thunder boomed sealing the oath. A moment passed as everyone waited for his decision when his eyes came alight again, "I don't care to hear the other side of the story Bianca. They murdered our mother, and I can't side with someone who did that. I will help tear Olympus down if it means getting revenge on Zeus."

Bianca looked pained as she removed the cap from her pen, "I can't let you hurt my friends Nico. Don't make me do this."

Nico looked betrayed. He reached for his belt, and pulled out a black sword that looked similar to Bianca's, "Don't stand in my way B."

"I have too." She said firmly reaching to her belt pulling out a second sword tears coming to her eyes.

Nico looked angry at her declaration and with a thrust of his hands the earth shook and the ground split apart before him. Undead warriors began to rise from the ground. Atlas himself hopped down from the platform that he was on above them grinning like a mad man, "Oh I do love family drama. Reminds me of the good old days. Now I am afraid the only way to free the good lady is to take her burden. Which of you would like to volunteer?"

Percy's eyes were locked on Kyle bloodlust ripping through his veins. Before he could contemplate a plan of attack Mark stepped next to the angry son of the sea and grabbed him by the shirt, "I will handle him Percy. You have my word I will make him pay for what he's done, but we can't take Atlas without you."

The words Apollo said to him echoed through his mind. He was told that he may have to set aside his revenge for the good of the mission, and it killed him to do it, but he nodded and barked out, "Bianca take care of your brother. Jason, Thalia take Luke. Mark kill the traitor. Everyone else lay waste to our enemy."

Atlas roared out, "COME DEMIGOD IF YOU DARE!"

The group split apart in a frenzy of battle, and with a battlecry Percy took the spear of Hektor and lunged forward letting his anger overtake his body. Atlas had a seven foot javelin appear out of thin air as he deflected the first strike with ease that shook Percy, but thankfully Zoe the lieutenant of Artemis, was there instantly beginning to help push for an offensive.

The battle had begun. It was mayhem. Percy and Zoe became involved in the deadliest dance in the books as Atlas toyed with them swatting away arrows that rained down on him from the huntress, while also deflecting strikes from the demigods before him. A three pronged attack, and he looked like he was only getting warmed up.

Percy attacked with a ferocity he had rarely used before. He knew that if Atlas was given the chance to go on the offensive they were all dead. It couldn't have been clearer just how outmatched they were. Zoe was spinning in and out of the attack with a combination of her hunting knives and arrows like a professional dancer, never giving the man even the slightest chance to fight back. It wasn't promising. Percy rolled under one of Atlas' wilder strikes, and jumped back up behind the Titan of endurance with the intention of making him deflect from two separate directions, and he did it with ease. Percy would go up, Zoe would go down, yet somehow the Titan still managed to deflect the strikes and break the arrows coming at his face. A scream came from Summer, and a quick glance around the battlefield showed their side wasn't doing well. He wished he had time to analyze more, but Atlas was starting to find the rhythm and with a massive spinning strike Percy felt like his spear was hit by a truck. He kept his feet though and reminded himself just who he was trained by. It didn't take much for Atlas to turn the tables on them, but Zoe's words shook him, "Perseus help Lady Artemis. NOW!"

With a scream Zoe surged forward bringing attacks faster than Percy could even comprehend. In that time Percy dropped to the floor, and hit the ground hard with his fist making the mountain shake to its foundation. The enemies were all thrown off balance, but his friends had trained through his Earthquakes before, and recovered faster than the enemy as they reversed the tide. Monsters were cut down, enemy demigods were killed.

His forces were beginning to free up, and he felt like they were going to win this but Atlas just laughed through the earthquake as he whirled through Zoe's strike and cut straight through her, kicking her backwards into a nearby wall. Percy watched in disbelief as the huntress flew through the air and crumbled to the floor on impact. In rage he surged back forward intent on taking the Titan's head and removing it from his body. He pushed himself harder than ever before. He felt the familiar rage sit in his stomach as the mountain rumbled further. For Gwen, and for the fallen huntress he would never surrender. He fought and fought screaming with power as he went. Swearing at the Titan when he finally slashed a part of his spear through the man's cheek. The spear seemed to bounce off, but the effect was immediate and the golden ichor was spilt. This angered the Titan greatly as he surged forward and kicked Percy backwards. He felt his spear take most of it, but even still the force sent him spiraling backwards. Atlas laughed, "All that for a drop of blood."

Before Atlas could advance on him though he saw a silver blur dart forward saving his life. The other huntress Naomi had engaged the Titan. She was faster than anything he had ever seen, and knew the daughter of Hermes must somehow be managing her fathers super speed for a moment.

In Percy's brief moment of relief he surveyed the battlefield in the blink of an eye. Jason and Thalia looked like they were having much more success with Luke. Mark and Kyle were a flash of swords as the two pushed the other for advantage. Reyna was fighting two demigods at once, Michael was slicing through a legion of telkhines, Summer was firing arrows into the monster swarm, Larry, Hank, and Laila fought off other demigods with all they had seeming to easily take the advantage. In the center of it all though was a sibling matchup that rocked the core of the world. Bianca and Nico were canceling each other's powers out left and right, but Bianca was easily proving to be the better fighter. Atlas was loose though, and somehow this huntress was single handedly keeping him at bay. They needed divine intervention, and they needed it now. Percy shakily rose to his feet, and did his best to get over to where the Lady of Olympus was holding the invisible force up, "My Lady if I free you of the burden can you fight?"

The woman wheezed out, "Yes, but the burden will crush you. You can't hold it."

Percy shook his head, "I've been told I can't do a lot of things, but I can tell you we can't beat Atlas, and your Lieutenant is dead. You are our last hope. Lady Artemis I take the sky from you."

He lifted his hands as he prayed to his father and Lords of the Ocean to support him once again. He felt an immense weight fall on his wrist, and shoulders as something he couldn't see came down upon him. If that was a lot it was nothing compared to what happened when the Lady of Olympus came out from under the sky. What he was lifting was so heavy he could hardly even breathe. It felt like a thousand dump trucks were on his shoulder. It was the weight of the world. Literally.

His eyes were swimming but he was able to make out two silver blurs that were now working Atlas overtime. He had never seen an Olympian fight before, but he couldn't help but be impressed by a speed that no mortal could even pray to possess. A minute passed, and he wasn't sure how he would hold it a minute longer. Every second felt like years. Suddenly a voice entered his head, "Prepare yourself."

Percy looked up to see a body flying in his direction, and he braced for impact as Atlas in his silver armor knocked him over. The Titan howled in pain and anger, "NOOOOO! I can't be back under here. NO! I was only out for a few months. Luke!"

Percy reached into his pocket for an ambrosia square and quickly felt some of his strength return. It seemed that after Atlas went back under the sky the remaining monsters and demigods ran to a full retreat. Percy slowly stood to his feet as the woman in silver approached him, "I have not yet decided if that was incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. Either way you have my thanks."

Percy didn't want to walk away from the Goddess and be disrespectful, but his blood was still boiling with the need for revenge, and before he could decide on that she placed a hand on his shoulder, and he felt his strength return. It was like bathing in the Ocean, "Go end this battle Percy Jackson."

He gave the goddess a firm nod, "Yes my lady."

Percy saw that his troops were on cleanup duty at this point though, and saw that many were even considering to pursue the retreating enemy. Unluckily for them the Ocean was nearby. He raised his hands into the air, and roared with power as a massive tidal wave came from below and shook the mountain side with impact destroying the retreating enemies with ease. He then took his spear and began waving through the remaining enemies like butter. His goal to carve a path to Mark and Kyle still battling in the center. The battle was over in a matter of minutes from there.

He surveyed the fight heaving for breath. Somehow Kyle was still alive, but how that was Percy wasn't sure. Mark was glowing red, and fighting with the blessing of Mars yet somehow the son of Hercules held him at bay. The fight continued for a moment when finally Mark with a massive swing attempted to take the boy's head off, but to Percy's surprise the blade snapped against his skin. Kyle stumbled in pain, but his head was intact, and Mark's sword was broken. Kyle grinned at the Praetor, and with a fast thrust a blade went straight through Mark coming out of his back. The man's eyes flashed, and Kyle ripped his sword out, killing the Praetor immediately.

Not a moment passed before Percy was on him. His spear was a flash, and he desperately wanted the boy's life. For Gwen. For Mark. It didn't take long before Percy had him disarmed, and the Praetorians had circled him preventing him from escaping. No one attacked, but Percy growled, "I don't care that you took a dip in the styx, you will pay for the lives you've taken. I don't care if we have to chop you into pieces, we will find a way to kill you."

The demigod let a nervous look flitter across his face. He was left with no weapon, and was completely surrounded by Roman's who wanted his head on a pike. Percy raised his hand to signal close ranks, and the surrounding Praetorians began to slowly push forward closing the gap with intent to kill. Percy himself surged forward and took a powerful slash across the body, and thankfully the spear of Hektor was designed by Hephasteus himself or his weapon may have shattered. Kyle fell to the ground at the force of the strike, and in the blink of an eye he disappeared.

Percy stared at the now empty spot the traitor had been in disbelief. Thinking he may have gone invisible, Percy barked out, "Tighten the lines he must still be here.'

Lady Artemis however spoke behind them, "He is gone. The Titans have interfered somehow…"

Percy continued to stare at the now empty area, and wanted to scream in anger, but felt the wind come out of his sails as his eyes drifted over towards Nico and Bianca who were the last two fighting. Percy locked eyes with Jason who nodded at him as the group began to move over towards the last pair still locked in combat.,

Bianca clearly had Nico on the ropes, and the boy's eyes were starting to widen in terror as he surveyed the battlefield realizing he was the only one left. They clashed blades, and in a real fight Bianca could've carved him open, but instead she tried reasoning with him in their stalemate, "Come back with me Nico! We can figure this all out together. Please."

The guard started to form a circle around the two, clearly indicating that leaving under any condition that wasn't total surrender was not an option, and the boy looked even more scared. Finally when the two separated Bianca dropped her weapons, "Kill me Nico. Is that really going to make you feel vengeance for our mom, because I am not fighting you anymore. The Titans forces have been defeated here today. You're on the wrong side."

Nico seemed to contemplate the idea of killing his sister for a moment, and Percy was already planning how he was going to intercept the boy before he could even think about it, but instead his shoulders slumped, "The gods don't care about us Bianca. Why do you fight for them?"

She gave him a sad teary smile, "I don't."

He looked puzzled at her answer, but she motioned to the people in the circle, "I fight for them. My friends. The people who took me in, and turned me into the person I was meant to be. A warrior, a daughter of the Underworld, and the best me I can be. Lay down your weapon Nico you've done nothing here today that can't be forgiven."

The boy seemed to consider her words, but he shook his head, "They will never take someone like me B. I am glad you found a home, but my place is out there."

She looked like she wanted to step forward, and grab him but Percy was at her side, "Stay out of this war Son of Hades. You are welcome amongst us anytime. You are getting a one time free pass because of your sister, but if we see you on the battlefield again as an enemy then you will forever be one in the eye's of Rome."

He looked at Percy in surprise, but nodded his head, "Thank you. You all have given me a lot to think about. Bianca, we will see each other again one day."

With that he took one step backwards, and the shadows took him away. Bianca fell to her knees and cried, while Percy wrapped his arms around her in comfort. The group broke apart immediately as the others went to gather around Mark, and give their friend some space. As it became just the two of them she cried into Percy's shoulder, "I lost him again."

He kissed her on top of the head gently as he rubbed circles into her back, "This fight cost us a lot, but taught us much as well. Your brother will be back, but if nothing else I don't think he will go back to the Titans. He will look back at this loss by the Titan army and realize with only one Olympian we won this battle. and he will realize a lost cause when he sees one. We dealt a crippling blow today, but it's hard to call it victory."

Bianca looked at him, "Who?"

Percy grimaced as he wrapped an arm around her directing her towards the gathered Praetorian Guard all looking stunned. Tears coming down from nearly everyone. She shook her head, "No."

They walked over to the group, and saw that the Lady of Olympus looked different than before. She looked older, and her outfit was more form fitting than her previous one. Percy knew this was the lady Diana, and she was waving her hands over the body wrapping it in a beautiful purple shroud. The letters SPQR became quickly apparent, "He was a good Roman. He served the legion with great honor, and died for the cause of Olympus. He will be honored among the stars. A blessing I have not granted to a male mortal in nearly five millenia."

With a final closure of her eyes she looked to the sky, "The warrior constellation."

Then she sighed as she placed her hand on another shroud that was completely silver, "My Lieutenant shall join him. As the huntress constellations."

Everyone looked to the sky to see a new line of stars in the horizon. Diana then sighed, "Percy Jackson, I need you to come to Olympus with me to explain all this. Everyone else may go back to their respective camps. I trust I don't need to remind everyone how imperative it is that this secret is kept."

Thalia then stepped forward, "My lady I turn sixteen tomorrow. The Great Prophecy."

Percy felt his insides freeze at her words, and Diana considered her, "This is something we will discuss on Olympus. I am afraid you, and Naomi are not out of the woods yet. There is much to discuss."

Percy asked worriedly, "My lady, we were all under the impression that I was the child of the great prophecy."

The woman eyed him carefully, "The fates work in mysterious ways son of Neptune. You are indeed destined to be the Child of the Great Prophecy, but I cannot say more for now. Romans go bury your praetor, and prepare an election wisely. The war has drawn more blood tonight, but it is going to get much worse before it gets better. Prepare yourselves."

With that she snapped her fingers, and the Praetorian guard along with Mark's shroud was gone.

(A/N) Mark is dead. Zoe witnessed history repeat itself. Kyle has bathed in the River Styx, and the Praetorian Guard takes a hollow victory. Join me in two weeks when we discover what Olympus thinks of the threat that lies ahead, and just where Nico might have run off to.

Cheers, and see you all in two weeks!

This chapter was Beta approved by James Marx. That's for your hard work!