Chapter XIV

When we stepped before the gods I had mostly shaken the shock of Zoë's death, though the guilt still clung to me. I should have done something, even if Zoë had already accepted it, I shouldn't have done the same. Though I wondered if I could have truly changed anything, she had been rather sure of it herself, but I really wasn't a fan of such fatalistic notions, despite falling into them myself from time to time.

I glanced to my left at Bianca. She was holding up far better than I honestly had expected. Perhaps she was just bottling up her emotions or she was simply very good at dealing with loss, it was hard to tell either way. She had been largely silent on the way here, but she seemed quite collected which I found impressive, despite the fact she had only known Zoë for a week the two had seemed close.

My eyes turned towards the giant immortals sitting in front of us and swerved across them. It was easy enough to recognize all of them, the majestic thrones decorated with their symbols of power making it even easier or in Hades' case the lack thereof, seeing as he was no true member of the council.

However, there was one god who stood out to me, by virtue of being my father. I looked at Poseidon, there was no doubt he was my father, even if I hadn't known before it would have become clear as soon as I looked at him. It was clear whom most of my looks stemmed from, with the major exceptions of the eyes, those were Percy's not mine.

I wasn't sure how to feel as I looked at him. Angry? Hateful? Happy? None of these feelings truly encompassed what I felt like as I looked at him. Not that I was sure just what I felt. I had accepted Poseidon being that distant god who fathered me and had mostly buried by issues with him, nonetheless it was strange to meet him like this. I met his eyes, though it was just as hard to tell what he felt as he looked at me. But my focus soon shifted again when I heard Artemis speak.

"Welcome, heroes," She greeted us.

As if to greet us as well a mooing sounded, no doubt stemming from the Ophiotaurus could be heard. I had spotted the monster before, though I was far too much in awe of Olympus and the gods to pay too much attention to him. But now I saw him there floating in a magic water bubble, and Grover near him kneeling in front of Zeus. I had honestly expected and frankly hoped for it to be disposed of in some manner, but the happily swimming cow-serpent proved me wrong and made me feel a bit bad for my hopes.

I didn't have too much time for feeling bad though as the bleating voice of Grover could be heard as well as he came running towards us.

"You've made it!" He cried out relieved.

He started running towards us, barely remembering to turn to Zeus for permission, though the god was much too busy looking at Thalia, with which I interpreted as approval, to care much and just nodded for him to continue. He did and arrived where we stood. I greeted him as before with a simple nod as he hugged both Thalia and Annabeth before turning to Percy.

"Percy!" He said, panicked. "Bessie and I made it, but you have to convince them, they can't do it."

"Do what?" Percy asked.

"Eviscerate the Ophiotaurus, I presume." I said and Percy turned to me, opening his mouth to reply, though Artemis spoke once more.

"Heroes," She called again as she slid down from her throne and took a few steps towards us.

"The council has been informed of your deeds and of the happenings." She told us. "They know of Atlas' attempt at freedom. They know of Othrys rising in the west and of Kronos' gathering armies. We have voted to act."

I had to resist the urge to groan, which would have been quite disrespectful. How had the gods only now decided to act? They had been aware of my dearest grandfather's machinations for long enough now, I surely hadn't been the first to talk about it and still it took them this long to act?

The gods mumbled and shifted on their thrones, some seemingly still uncomfortable at the thought of actually doing something.

"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis continued. "My brother Apollo and I shall hunt down the most dangerous monsters, striking them down before they can pose a threat. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their prisons."

While I was happy to hear both of these plans I had my doubts when it came to the effectiveness of the latter. I was sure the elder Titans at the very least would be free before next summer. Athena was competent, I wasn't denying that, however, I knew how very capable Kronos was and he had been scheming far too long by now, they'd be free sooner or later.

"Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes..."

Artemis turned to her fellow immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would anyone here deny that?"

Her cold silver eyes moved from one Olympian to the next, as if challenging them to protest, none did. A very dramatic silence was filling the air. For a moment everything was still as the gods looked at each other, with how much power could be felt in the room it was almost palpable. Finally the silence was broken when Apollo spoke, not bothering to take off his shades nor his headphones, which I thought rather rude.

"I gotta say, these kids did okay." He said before clearing his throat. "Heroes win laurels-"

With terror I realized those were five syllables, a haiku was coming. I wasn't eager to hear it after the last one and seemingly Hermes was just tired of them as everyone else, as he quickly interrupted his brother, earning an offended look from his half-brother.

"Um, yes first class." He said stopping him. "All in favor of not disintegrating them?"

I was very glad for the way this question was phrased, treating us as a collective, I was very sure that raised my chances of survival a decent bit. Though it also opened up another question, was Bianca included in that them? Did the gods know who she was? This didn't seem to be the case judging from everyone's, though mostly Artemis' and Hades' reaction, the latter seeming not all that bothered.

A few hands went up in favor but Ares spoke up, which I found strange as Aphrodite had already raised her hand, I didn't think the lap dog would be one to disobey its mistress.

"Now wait a minute," He growled and pointed at us. "They are dangerous, it would be much safer while we got them here-"

"Ares," My father stopped him. "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my sons to bits, neither of them."

I felt pride swell in my chest at that, despite telling myself that I didn't care about his opinion all that much, it felt good to hear words of praise from him, especially when they were defending you from inceneration.

"Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."

Thalia reacted uncharacteristically for herself, blushing at the compliment and looking at the ground. She rarely had all that many niceties left for her father, but in the end she still clearly cared.

"I am proud of my daughter as well." Athena stated, but clearly wasn't finished. "But there is a security risk here with those three."

While she definitely raised a valid point, this was still concerning my life and I wanted to argue. But I knew rudely interjecting would earn me no favors, especially arguing with the goddess of wisdom. Seemingly her daughter had no such concerns however.

"Mother!" Annabeth said indignantly. "You can't be-"

Athena silenced her with a firm look before continuing. "It is unfortunate that both my father and uncle have chosen to have more children, in spite of their oaths and especially that my uncle Poseidon chose to hide his second son from us till he revealed himself, despite the threat he posed and still poses."

I was incredibly thankful to my father as I heard that because judging from the way the Olympian council reacted to us in the current situation, I had no doubt I'd have been struck down by lightning if the gods had learned about me while I was still working towards their destruction.

"Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic." She mused on. "As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."

"Right!" Ares said. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin' thickheaded?"

He started to rise, but all it took was a very authoritative look from his father to have the cowed war god sink back down.

"I will not have you quarreling on this solstice." Zeus warned calmly, to no surprise siding with his quite well-known favorite, before turning to her. "Daughter, do you truly think it best to have them destroyed?"

"I do not pass judgment, Father," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."

Sly, I thought, pulling herself from responsibility, though it surely wasn't the first time if one remembered the Olympian riot.

"I will not stand to have them punished," Artemis stated decisively. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."

Frankly I had to disagree with her on the matter of how the Titans treated their pawns, at least the relevant ones, like me, they were leagues ahead of the Olympians, not that I complained, luxury was no equal to freedom or as angry demigods call it, neglect.

"Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."

"Don't call me sis!" Artemis told him annoyed. "I will reward them."

"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster must be destroyed either way. We have an agreement on that?"

The majority of the Olympians nodded and if I had been asked I would have as well, though my brother seemed to strongly disagree.

"Bessie?" He asked with slight outrage. "You want to destroy Bessie?"

The Ophiotaurus mooed and I turned to Percy.

"Perce, it is the sensible choice, you can't deny that..."

He turned to me and looked betrayed.

"How can you say that?" Percy asked. "He is just a sea creature..."

"And if the Titans got their hands on him he would be our all doom." I responded and held against his gaze till he broke off and turned to our father.

"Dad, you can't destroy him..." He pleaded and I turned to look at Poseidon as well.

"Percy, your brother is not wrong, if the Titans were to steal him-"

"You can't." Percy insisted and turned to Zeus. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess- the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as... as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!"

"Percy," I started again and he turned back to me. "It's not that simple... This prophecy can be prevented, it is not a question of when it will happen, but if it will. Besides, the Ophiotaurus carries no agency in it, he is merely a means to an end."

The Ophiotaurus mooed in protest, but I wasn't going to budge on this. Percy had to grow up and accept that sometimes you have to accept methods you don't like to achieve outcomes you desire. For a moment it felt like everything stood still as I looked at Percy, I knew he could be just as hard-headed as me. Our little standoff was however interrupted when Zeus spoke again.

"The risk is too great, Kronos knows very well that if one of you were to sacrifice it, they would gain the power to overthrow us." He stated. "How could we let such a possibility remain? My daughter will turn sixteen on the morrow, and even if she would not, the boys will in two years."

As happy as I was at Zeus not being convinced, I was very anxious at the way he formulated it, because I got the worrying notion that it included our destruction as well, and as I have stated often enough, that was something I wanted to avoid.

"You have to trust them," Annabeth insisted. "Sir, you have to trust them."

Zeus was not convinced, scowling at the idea. "Trust a hero?"

"Annabeth is right," Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoë Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."

She walked to her father and started talking in his ear. Again I looked at Bianca, from the way Zoë had treated her and talked to her I had gotten the feeling she wanted her to be the next lieutenant. But Artemis seemed to have different intentions, she would not have to talk to Zeus to elevate one of her Hunters to the position.

I heard Percy speak quick, hushed words to Annabeth, he looked halfway between passing out and throwing up. Before I could realize what he was saying Artemis spoke again, taking a few steps forward from Zeus' throne.

"I shall have a new lieutenant," she announced. "If she will accept it."

Under his breath Percy said something and I was sure he would drop to the floor any second now.

"Thalia," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"

I blinked twice and Percy looked as if someone had just taken the sky from him again. Everyone was silent, anxiously waiting for Thalia's answer, no doubt this was what Artemis had talked to Zeus about. But we didn't wait long as Thalia stepped forth and answered without much hesitation.

"I will."

A shocked Zeus rose. "My daughter, consider well-"

"Father," Thalia started, her tone confident. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again."

As she knelt down and started swearing the oath, it hit me with full weight what this would mean. If I walked out of here alive, the prophecy would be mine, well that is if it wouldn't fall to Percy. But quite frankly I wanted the prophecy to be mine. I knew it might mean my death, but it is my purpose, even if I was only raised for one possible outcome of it.

I wanted this responsibility, because in the end if I did not carry it, who should in my stead? There was no need to burden Percy, or even worse Nico, they both could live at least a semblance of a normal life. That was never an option for me, I wouldn't attempt for it to be, I had accepted my role long ago.

My mind was so sunken in these thoughts for a moment that I barely even noticed Thalia coming up to us and hugging Percy, only when she stepped up to me and did the same was I shaken from my thoughts. I hoped I wasn't blushing too hard as I returned it, but who was I kidding.

"I see you've found your home among your fellow trees, Thals." I remarked dryly, trying to keep a straight face.

Thalia jabbed me in the arm lightly, which I frankly deserved for such a horribly unfunny comment. But she smiled nonetheless and moved on to Annabeth and Grover, hugging both of them as well, before finally settling next to Bianca, the two Hunters standing side by side.

"Now for the Ophiotaurus," Artemis said, though my least favorite god spoke up.

"Hold up, the boys are still dangerous," Dionysus warned. "The beast is too great of a temptation. If we spare it and them, surely something will go wrong, who is to say that one," He looked at me. "won't go running back to his old masters."

Ah, I had to admit it was rhetorically clever what he was attempting, he was creating a choice and putting my death as a compromise if he couldn't convince the council of the rest. But I had no intention of letting some drunkard, even a divine one, outmaneuver me. So I stepped forth to speak, drawing attention to me.

"Lord Dionysus," I started, my tone as polite as possible. "I can very confidently assure you that, at least as long as I am sane, going back to our dearest grandfather is no option for me. I betrayed him, he might take me back, but I have no delusions over what will happen once I am no longer of use. As a good part of the present company can attest, being his descendant won't exactly do me any favors in saving me from damnation."

I looked around the present gods wearily, was that perhaps a bit too brazen of me? I hoped not, but I was still very much human, so my odds didn't seem too bad.

"The boy raises a valid point," I heard Hera state. "Father would not hesitate to rid himself of them after they've lost their use, why would they trust him over us?"

Honestly she was not the support I had expected, but there were far less useful deities when it came to convincing the council. And as I hoped a murmur of agreement went through the ranks of the gods, though it seemed not all were satisfied, Athena spoke up again.

"Even if that is so," She said, gray eyes intently on the Ophiotaurus. "It would still be safer to take care of them now, the boys and the beast-"

"No." Percy spoke up confidently. ""Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him."

I sighed, it seemed Percy really wouldn't give up on it, fine then, I'd let him fight this pointless and hopeless battle for the Ophiotaurus.

"And why should we trust you?" Hephaestus asked with rumbling voice.

"As my Uncle has said," Percy said. "there are still two years till either of us will reach sixteen."

"Two more years in which Kronos could deceive either of you," Athena said. "Two years in which much can change, my young hero."

"Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated.

"It is only the truth, child. It is a bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boys."

I wasn't sure if it was out of genuine care for the monster, regarding his previous statements, or just to spite Athena but my father stood up.

"I will not have a sea creature destroyed, if I can help it." He said. "And I can help it."

His trident, a three pronged, twenty foot long lance appearing in his hand, glowing with blue light, power radiating off it. A clear show of power, he was about to act, that much was clear.

"I will vouch for my sons and the safety of the Ophiotaurus." He declared, challenging any opposition.

And there was opposition, Zeus himself rose.

"You won't take it under the sea!" He said decisively. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession."

"Brother, please," Poseidon said, as if they had such arguments a thousand times already, which they probably had.

Zeus' bolt flashed into his hands, crackling with lightning, a power play similar to that of my father. And it seemed to be successful, my father relented and sighed again.

"Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boys will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."

Zeus considered the proposal. "All in favor?"

A lot of hands went up, all of the elder Olympians, Artemis and Apollo of course, Hermes, Aphrodite, Athena, Ares and Dionysus abstained, of the latter I was the surest he would have voted for the opposing option if there had been a vote for it. Though I guessed if you wanted to count him Hades was among those who abstained as well, though I wasn't even sure he was able to vote on the decisions of the council.

"We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes... I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"

Before I could even realize what was happening, I stood in one of the beautiful gardens we had seen while approaching Olympus. My armor had disappeared, hopefully to be found back in my cabin and I felt it replaced with a camp shirt, jeans, sneakers and a light jacket, appropriate attire for the warm night air of Olympus, winter seemed to be exclusive to the mortal world.

A gigantic party engulfed all of Olympus, the Muses could be seen playing lyres and other instruments, I think one of them was called a Pandura, though I hadn't been very attentive in the lessons of Oceanus' court musicians. But I knew that none of these instruments, despite what I heard, were a piano or saxophone, which confused me, since I definitely heard those.

Around me stands filled with appetizers and drinks were popping up, manifesting from purple smoke, no doubt the work of Dionysus who was walking around, Ariadne in arm. He was in an unusual form, much younger than usual and much less of an eye-sore. He looked actually happy and since I was as well, I did both of us a favor and made a wide berth around him and his culinary creations, one could never know what turns to poison ivy and suffocates you if you eat it.

Leisurely I strolled through the shadowy garden, I was unsure just who or what I was looking for, not that I had much time to think as a quite significant number of gods came to speak to me. Among others, I talked to whom I presumed was Psamanthe. I think she was the goddess of beaches if I am not mistaken, though quite frankly I could be very wrong.

Of course she is just an example of the many gods who came to congratulate me, minor and major alike. I learned many things, for example the fact that Hermes was far more likable than Luke. I guess that stems from not being a revenge-crazed maniac. I had just bid my goodbyes to Pasithea, one of the graces, when I spotted Bianca in the distance in a shadowy pavilion on one of the hilltops.

I was about to go over to her, but then I saw the rather important company she was in, Hades and Artemis, something was brewing there and they all had quite serious expressions. That was not a conversation I wanted to barge into, so I steered away, walking into one of the quieter paths along Olympus' edge, looking down on New York below.

Leaning on a marble railing I looked into the distance where I believed Camp to be, I wondered if they had another capture the flag game tonight, it was a Friday after all. But my thoughts were cut short, when I heard approaching steps behind me.

Turning around it didn't take me long to identify who I was looking at, mesmerizing brown eyes, majestic golden crown and the regal white dress.

"Lady Hera," I greeted as I bowed.

"It seems my uncle Oceanus has grown no less diligent when it comes to teaching manners." She remarked and I remembered her past.

"That he has not," I agreed. "though I believe the purpose of our wardships differed quite significantly beyond that."

"It certainly did," She looked displeased. "a shame that even he has turned, he and Tethys seemed still amiable when I last visited."

"I do not think Tethys likes you any less," I said carefully. "she is merely acting in support of her husband, not that it should surprise anyone."

"Their marriage is still a miracle compared to some others..." She said with a cold smile and I had no doubt she was talking about her own, though Hera quickly continued, not dwelling on the topic for too long.

"I suppose I should thank you for helping in keeping this family intact a bit longer." Hera stated and I was admittedly confused.

"My contribution to Artemis' freedom was rather negligible,'' I stated. "My brother should be thanke-"

"Artemis is not who I am talking about," She said sharply. "my oldest brother would not be here today, not if his daughter wasn't."

This shocked me and my mind raced, the implications of the comment confusing me even further. The gods knew who Bianca's father was? Hera looked slightly amused, my thoughts surely unhidden from her.

"Yes," She confirmed. "It is an open secret at best. My husband has attempted to kill them before. He surely has not forgotten and neither has the rest of my family, everyone knows what happened. Hades' wrath after their mother's death made sure of that."

I scowled as I looked away. It were acts like these that made sure the ranks of Kronos' armies kept swelling, moments like these were those where I regretted my betrayal ever so slightly, but I knew the Titans would be no better in the end. But even her father had encouraged her to keep low about, considering Zeus' wrath.

"Speaking of family," Hera noted. "I will leave you now, though I will be watching you."

She walked off and left me deep in thought once more, though I quickly realized what she had meant with that last sentence, my father, Poseidon, was approaching. This was a conversation I had expected to come, but not one I was looking forward to, it would inevitably be rather awkward, that I was sure of.

"Father," I greeted him, unsure how to look at him.

"Theseus," He replied and stopped a few feet away.

"Is this conversation even acceptable with the laws?" I asked.

"My brother will tolerate it," He said firmly.

"Very well then," I said, though I was unsure how to go on.

"You are quite different from your brother," He remarked and I shrugged.

"I was raised quite differently," I said, deciding to hit the most relevant topic right away.

"Yes," His face was unreadable. "I should not have allowed that."

"I have little right to complain, I could have been eaten after running away at the age of seven or so." I stated grimly. "Being a ward to Oceanus was a blessing compared to that, a gilded cage maybe, but many demigods would gladly have had my life."

"Yet still you left." He said and I nodded.

"Your children have a tendency towards impulsive decisions, don't they?" I asked. "I think my namesake best shows that."

"He had been my favorite son, but those impulsive decisions cost him many things, in the end even his life." He mused. "But you are right, the sea does not like to be controlled, it is against your very nature."

"I'll try not to have it be my end," I promised. "so far it has served me well enough though."

Thunder boomed overhead and I got the feeling that was meant for us. Poseidon scowled slightly as he looked up.

"It seems your uncle is a bit impatient today," He commented and looked back at me and in that moment I remembered something.

"Um, Father, this might be a bit of a strange thing to ask, but I promised a certain sea monster something." I started and saw a small smile on his face and so I continued.

"I originally meant to ask you together with a sacrifice," I said. "but could you send the Ethiopian Sea Monster somewhere more exciting?"

"All my subjects will have to take more active roles, war is coming to my domain as well. But do not worry, he'll have his fun."

I nodded satisfied and once more thunder boomed overhead, Poseidon scowled again.

"I should go, we wouldn't want any rain on Olympus," He said, before looking at me one last time. "You have made me proud so far."

And then he went off and I went in the opposite direction. This spot seemed to attract more Olympians than the beautiful princess of some Polis, I was sure Apollo wasn't far away either and the last thing I needed was another haiku of his.

Perhaps I should go looking for Percy, it couldn't do any harm to talk with him, after all we might not be seeing each other for a while. I was sure Percy would still go back out of camp, despite the burden now on our shoulders.

I climbed up a marble staircase, leading up a hill, on the sides terraces spread out, inviting to relax among masterfully crafted wells, little bronze birds chirping on their edges.

When I arrived on top I had a good view of the party happening around, the hilltop was relatively calm, a few minor deities strolled around, but I was unbothered. My view soon shifted to one of the dance floors where I spotted Percy who was dancing with Annabeth. I smiled, perhaps that dork had finally mustered up the courage to confess?

"Aha," I heard a familiar voice say behind me. "finally I've found you, you just up and vanished back there."

Bianca came up and leaned on the column next to me. Instantly I noticed something was different, she wasn't in the Hunter uniform she had worn before, though her hair was still in the same braid. But there was something else, she seemed less... huntery in general? It was hard to find a word for it, a collection of subtle things playing together, no ever so soft silver glow despite the moon very much being above us, the way she carried herself, it was hard to say what gave me that feeling.

"Hey," I greeted her. "Are you good? That conversation seemed rather serious."

"Yeah, it was, at least in the beginning." She answered and I raised a brow.

"Can you share without being incarcerated?"

"I certainly hope so," She said and smiled a playful glint in her eyes. "but why don't you guess first."

I sighed but looked at her intently. Trying to pick up on something else perhaps, because my first thought was quite the assumption to make. But the longer I looked at her, the more my suspicion was confirmed.

"Now I could be wrong," I started and she gestured for me to go on. "you don't happen to have left the Hunters have you?"

"Bravo," She said, clapping lightly. "first guess, good job, ever considered becoming a detective if this hero business doesn't work out?"

"I am afraid I don't have much of a choice if it does not, I'll be dead, though I guess you'll be not too far in line to taken over the role." I remarked though I frowned. "But we are getting ahead of ourselves, I didn't think you can just leave the Hunters, nor did it seem like you wanted to, so why the change."

"Oh, this really is more of an exception I think, definitely will still end with getting turned into an animal more often than not." She said quickly. "I think the fact that it's only been a week and we just saved her helped quite a bit. Not to mention that I wasn't the one who insinuated it."

"Your father?" I guessed, surprised. "That's why he was there?"

"Well, remember how I told you he had talked to me in a dream?" Bianca asked and I nodded. "That was one of the things we talked about."

"But why did you leave?" I asked, still not quite grasping her motivation. "You seemed happy in the Hunt."

"I was," She confirmed. "I didn't leave because I didn't like the hunt, I left because things changed on this quest."

"For example?" I prodded on.

"Part of the reason why I joined the Hunt was the promise of a new family," She started and paused for a moment. "and I got one too. But in that junkyard and when I talked with my father, I started to wonder whether I had left my old one behind and if I truly could?"

"But I thought you were tired of being the big sister all the time?" I asked, thinking back to our talk.

"I am" She agreed but added on. "and I don't think I'll be again, but I don't just want to leave Nico either."

"Besides," She said. "before I joined you might have told me something about godly parentage, but it didn't feel real at the time, it felt like I was an orphan still."

"And that changed as well..." I said, continuing her train of thought.

"Exactly, you see where I am going with this?" Bianca asked.

"I think I get the gist, so your father didn't want you in the Hunt? Why?" I asked, coming to my next question, though she waved it off.

"It's difficult to explain, some other time." Bianca said, shaking her head and I let it go.

"Fine then, I'll guess I'll have to take that for now" I begrudgingly said. "So, will you be coming to camp with us then, Bi?" I asked and she huffed at the nickname.

"Don't you dare start calling me that."She said and I just smirked which got a sigh from her but she continued on.

"For now, though I can't say for how long..." Bianca answered and again I raised a brow, prompting her to elaborate.

"He wants to take us to him, at least for a while, I don't know when, but it seems to be soon." She explained, though this only raised more questions.

"Can he do that?" I was surprised, I was pretty sure that was a grade A violation of the ancient laws. "No wait, let me rephrase that, is he allowed to do that?"

"You tell me..." She chuckled and looked behind me. "Or you can ask him yourself."

I turned around and there was the unmistakable lord of the dead walking towards us. A chill went down my spine, I had not noticed him approaching and I understood why he was feared, it was eerie. There was no doubt that he was Hades, not if his daughter was right in front of me, not that many beings give off such a powerful aura either way.

"Lord Uncle Hades," I acknowledged the god.

"Nephew," He said, though I found it hard to tell just what tone his voice carried. "would you mind leaving us?"

It was not a request, that was clear, but I wasn't going to protest and turned to Bianca.

"Well," I said. "I guess we'll talk later,"

She nodded absently, clearly more focused on her father than me.

Deciding to heed Hades' wish I headed down to where I had spotted Percy. There were still so many questions whirling in my head. Why did Hades want her out of the Hunt, and why did she agree.

And what for the sake of the gods was I supposed to make of this?

AN: That was… interesting to write, the first 2k words were difficult, but after that it was rather smooth sailing and quite fun. A proper OC arc should start with the next chapter, I had to tie the threads together though.

as always, feedback in any shape or form is highly appreciated!