Chapter 19: Readjusting

3RD PERSON POV

Percy slept in Apollo's temple to recover. Fortunately, unconsciousness lasted three days after traveling to the Throne Room. Unfortunately, sleep only came to him in three hour intervals due to Kronos' curse, so after waking from his unconscious state, he didn't find any solace in sleeping.

ARTEMIS POV

I stayed at Percy's side after he fell unconscious and just watched over him. He was incredibly peaceful and you would have thought nothing was wrong if not for the scars that covered his body. Slowly but surely on the third day, he stirred awake. He groaned slightly upon waking up and before I could control myself, I tackled him into a hug on the medical bed and cried into his chest.

He rubbed my back absentmindedly as I sobbed into his chest. He didn't react; no flinching in pain or groaning, but when I felt wetness on my chest and arms I pulled away in a hurry. He was bleeding from the fresh cuts that littered his body.

"Shit. Apollo!" I yelled and my brother immediately flashed in, followed by Hera, Hestia, and Poseidon. I pointed to Percy's wounds and they all looked upon him with tears in their eyes, but I noticed something was wrong. "Perseus, do you feel that?" I asked softly as I tried to read his face.

His face was the emotionless mask he wore on the rescue mission to retrieve Rebecca almost a year ago, but his eyes held a distant look in them. He softly shook his head to signal that he didn't feel them and Apollo got to work, bandaging him up and offering him nectar.

"Is the Hunt okay?" he finally asked, but his voice too was void of any emotion. I smiled slightly and nodded. "Just worried about their Guardian. They missed your meals for a month too," I said, trying to get him to smile even slightly, but to no avail. He stared off into space and nodded. "Son, what happened to you?" Poseidon asked gently, but Percy shook his head and asked a question of his own.

"How's the war? Has Tartarus attacked? What's happened since I've been gone?" he asked and the rest of us looked at each other and him in confusion. "Nothing has happened yet, Perseus. Should we be worried?" I asked and he furrowed his brow in confusion. Apollo seemed to catch on to his worry and asked, "Perce, how long were you down there?"

Percy looked at him as if to say, "Are you kidding me?" but instead told him, "A decade. Why?" I felt my heart shatter. Tears collected into my eyes and Hera and Hestia were openly sobbing. Apollo grimaced and all of that further confused my Guardian. "Son… you've only been down there for a month," Poseidon said softly.

I expected outrage or disbelief. Any kind of visible reaction, but instead, Percy stared straight forward with the emotionless mask. However, his eyes held an unbridled rage and fury I haven't yet seen from him. The room grew cold and Hestia placed a hand on his shoulder to reassure him out of it.

He was quiet for a while, but finally spoke again. "Mom, they gave me something down there to mess with my mind. Can you check and make sure that it's effects have worn off?" Hera steeled herself and nodded. She went to place a hand on his forehand, but he stopped her before she did. "You're not going to like what you see," he said in a low yet still emotionless tone. Hera nodded and placed a hand on his forehead.

HERA POV

I placed the hand on my son's forehead and closed my eyes. I was immediately bombared with the images of the torture he endured for the first seven years he was there. Every single day he was beaten, bones broken, skin cut, pierced, and slashed. 'My poor son. How did they do this to you? How did you endure this? Haven't you done enough?' I cried internally.

After the first seven years whizzed by, the last three came slower and I saw the potion that they gave him. A rather strong mind potion to weaken his barriers and play on his fears. I saw through his eyes how everytime he was tortured, they took the appearance of a loved one. 'Oh no,' I thought as I searched through them until finally his escape.

I snapped back to Apollo's temple and noticed the wetness on my cheeks. "T-They gave you a strong mind potion to weaken your barriers," I said, though my voice cracked. "The effects of it have begun to wear off with your time there, but I can remove them completely," I said and began chanting in Ancient Greek with my hand still on his head.

After several minutes of chanting, the glowing of my hand subsided and I looked at him again and it looked as if a weight had been released off of his shoulders. He offered me a soft smile, but I could see in his eyes that the effect of the torture had settled in. Tears trickled down my cheeks again as I pulled him into a soft hug and kissed his forehead. He flinched at the sensation ever so slightly and I felt my heart break again.

3RD PERSON POV

"We need to let him rest. Come on," Apollo said and led the gods out of the room for him to recover. Each gave him a reassuring hand on the shoulder or a kiss on the forehead as they exited to Apollo's living room.

"What did you see, Sister?" Poseidon asked and Hera began to cry again. "H-Horrible. They tortured him everyday for 10 years. Father and Polybotes being the main two, but every single monster he's defeated got their turn," she said and Hestia began crying as Artemis felt tears gather in her own eyes. Poseidon was shaking with rage and Apollo went deathly quiet and stared into space.

"How did he get out?" Apollo finally asked and Hera drew a shaky breath and replied, "The potion that played with his mind showed the monsters as his loved ones torturing him. His friends from camp, the Hunt, even his dead parents." The tears were flowing for Artemis now. "The day he escaped, they showed him the same scene from before his capture: Polybotes had Estelle with a knife to her throat. This time he actually killed her and it set him over the edge." Hera took a quick breath.

"Any restrictions he personally placed on his powers… he forgot about them and controlled Polybotes' blood. H-He made Polybotes kill Father and then used Father's blood to break his shackles before killing Polybotes," she finished with a whisper and shuddered at the thought. The others in the room paled slightly at the thought of how powerful Percy truly is.

"He's going to need time to adjust," Apollo said finally. "Let him stay here with me for a few days while his physical wounds heal. I'll have therapy sessions with him as well," Apollo added and everyone but Artemis nodded. The latter just bit her lip for she had just gotten her Guardian, friend, and secretly her love interest back, but she was being forced to spend more time away from him.

Hestia noticed this and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Eventually, Artemis nodded too. "What of the Council?" Poseidon asked. "I will tell them, but spare them the details. I don't think my son would want them to know all of his business. It's bad enough I told you all without his permission," Hera said and they all nodded again before heading off in their separate directions.

"Apollo… Take care of him, please." were Artemis' last words to her brother on the matter before she flashed out as well.

THALIA POV

I was at the archery range at camp training some more, but my heart wasn't in it. 'A month since he was taken,' I thought bitterly. The Hunt was adjusting as best as they could, but the guilt and sorrow was worn by all of them like a thick blanket. I was broken out of my practice and musings when Artemis flashed in.

"Milady, any word?" I asked hopefully. "He's back," she said and I tackled her into a hug. "Where is he?! How is he?!" I asked, but before I could get any answers, she silenced me. "Gather all of the Hunters at the cabin and I will tell you all," she said with worry in her tone that didn't make me feel better, but I nodded stiffly and ran off.

The Hunt was gathered and seated in the cabin before Lady Artemis, awaiting her words. "Our Guardian has returned," she said and the tears and smiles of relief broke out amongst them instantly. Estelle squeezed my hand reassuringly and asked, "Where is my brother?" Artemis looked down sadly at her which made my stomach churn.

"He is in Apollo's temple recovering for a few days before he rejoins us," she said and Estelle's breathing hitched slightly. "Recovering from what?" one of the hunters asked with a little fear and concern in her tone. Artemis sighed deeply. "Girls, Perseus was only gone for a month, but for him… it was a decade down in Tartarus," she said softly and everyone gasped.

"A-A decade?" I asked shakily. Artemis nodded and drew another deep breath. "In the decade he was down there, he was… he was tortured. Everyday," she said and the tears began collecting in my own eyes. "Kronos and Polybotes were the main two, but every monster he has defeated got their turn," she said and I was crying. 'Every monster. He's killed almost everything that the Pit has to offer. Oh Gods,' I thought.

"T-They gave him a potion to mess with his mind. The monsters came, but he saw his loved ones torturing him. The campers… the Hunt… even his dead parents," Artemis continued and Estelle began to shake and sob in my arms. Artemis tried to invigorate hope in us again and said, "He will be fine after he recovers. He will come back to us and everything will be okay."

I wanted to believe her, but I couldn't. 'Things might not ever be the same again. All those years ago, I thought I lost my cousin. My brother in everything but blood. But now, I think I may have actually lost him,' I thought bitterly as I held a crying Estelle.

PERCY POV

~Dream Sequence~

"Come on Seaweed Brain," the voice that so clearly belonged to Annabeth said, but I knew in my heart it wasn't. 'My heart knows it, but my mind can't distinguish the real from the fake,' I thought bitterly as the knife twisted in my shoulder again. "Scream for me, my love," she said again and stabbed a knife between my ribs.

The torture continued for hours. Always Annabeth or someone else from camp. Always mutiliating me beyond recognition. I got another knife across the chest and a kick to the opposite side ribs. I was used to the pain, but my body still refused to stay conscious for it all. In the end my body always gave out.

Before it did, I felt a hand that felt oddly like a claw grab my chin and lift my face toward the owner. My gaze was met by startling grey eyes. "I always knew you were weak. I can't believe you thought I'd pick you over Godhood," she spat at me as I succumbed to the darkness again.

~Dream Sequence End~

I bolted upright and immediately heard the frantic beeping of the monitors I was attached to. I was fighting for every breath until I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and turned to see Apollo. I slowly regained my even breathing and muttered and sorry and a thank you to my cousin. I didn't notice the pain of my wounds reopening, but Apollo quickly got to work rebandaging them.

"I expected you to be out for more than three hours," he said as he handed me a glass of nectar and subsequently a glass of water. I chugged the nectar and sipped at the water. "Yeah. Well, you have our Grandfather to thank for that one," I said void of emotion and he looked at me puzzled. I showed him the "K" underneath the bandages and he paled.

"Kronos' curse. I only get three hours of sleep and they're plagued with nightmares of my tortures," I said softly. Apollo put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him. "Tell me about it. Part of your recovery is therapy anyways," he said with a soft smile.

So I told Apollo all about it. The torture and my physical immunity to pain as a result of it. We talked for hours and he allowed me to get on my feet and walk around the room as I talked. He took notes on everything I said and how I believe a side effect of my time there is emotional immunity too.

"I feel numb Apollo. I know when I go back I'm going to hesitate around them and that's exactly what they wanted from me," I said. "I was scared of losing them before and now if I hesitate…" I trailed off.

"Do you still want to protect them all?" he asked after my rant and I looked at him incredulously. "Good, then nothing has changed," he said confidently with a smile. I stared at him for a minute and chuckled dryly. "It's going to take time. But you have me, Artemis, your parents, and Hestia to help you. Just take it a day at a time and remember your promises to me and my sister," he said, effectively closing the subject for today.

I sighed and looked at him. "What about you? You talked to Artemis yet?" I asked even though I knew the answer and he frowned. "Yeah… she apologized and asked for a chance to reconnect," he said softly. "Good. That's all you've wanted," I said and he hesitated. "I just don't know, Perce… it's been a long time and she's forgotten about me for so long…" he trailed off.

"'Don't just wait for the Fates to serve you your happiness on a silver platter'," I told him with a ghost of a smile on my lips. He mirrored mine and that was the therapy for the day. He walked me through some physical exercises that my scars allowed me to perform without opening up again, and the road to recovery had begun.

3RD PERSON POV

The next few days for Percy were spent the exact same. Therapy and healing with Apollo, followed by some exercising and power control so he wouldn't be bored stiff. He got visits from his mother and patron and they casually chatted. Percy didn't open up to them like he did Apollo though. He wanted to spare them the horrors and himself the pity. They didn't push him, but he could tell they knew more than they asked and said. He wondered if Apollo said anything, but quickly pushed that thought aside and figured it was mother's intuition.

On the second day, Artemis came to visit him and update him on the Hunt and camp. Artemis could tell Percy had closed himself off from her and she hated that. She felt like she was losing him and the trust that they had built up, but she couldn't bring herself to force it out of him. "Thalia and the little ones were asking if they could visit. I could bring them by, if you'd like," she said and noticed Percy flinch and his breathing speed up ever so slightly.

"No… not yet. I'm not ready for them to see me like this yet," was his reply and Artemis frowned, but nodded in mock understanding. She also noticed the bags that had gathered under his eyes. "Are you getting enough sleep?" she asked with her voice weighing heavy with concern. Percy tried to smile, but to Artemis it looked more like a grimace and it didn't fully reach his eyes. "Yeah, I am." was his curt reply.

Finally the three days of recovery had ended and it was time for Percy to return to his duties and his mission. Apollo made him promise that he would play his guitar still when things got hard, and that they would meet once a week for therapy sessions. Percy was reluctant to agree, but did anyway.

Hestia got him some new threads. A fresh pair of cargo pants with magical pockets for ambrosia and nectar, combat boots with Stygian Iron studs on the toes, A long sleeve shirt to hide his scars, and a new coat with a hood and half mask with the same decals as before. The only difference was the sheath for his ax, Diagrápsei.

He bid them all one final farewell and fire traveled to camp.

ANNABETH POV

I was in the Big House, going over potential strategies that Tartarus and his forces could employ when a commotion outside caught my attention. I ran toward the crowd near the hearth that had flames roaring high into the sky.

The flames died down and a figure emerged from them. 'I recognize that cloak,' I thought as I surged forward past the crowd. "Percy?" I asked softly and the figure flinched before slowly turning around. There he was. My Seaweed Brain. But something was off. His body seemed remarkably tense around everyone, as if the presence of the campers was off putting. 'He was more or less fine with them before. What changed?' I thought as I crept closer. He tensed and I noticed the grimace on his face.

Before I could reach out to him or say anything, he disappeared into a sea breeze away from everyone. I felt the tears gather in my eyes as I looked around at all the campers and other Gods looking at me. I quickly turned my head and sprinted back to the Big House. 'Oh Gods. What happened to you, Percy?' I thought as the tears fell.

PERCY POV

I couldn't handle all of the camp plus Annabeth right now. Everything was still too fresh. I vapor traveled away to a tree to hide from them all and slowly steadied my pulse. I took one more deep breath and opened a mental conversation.

'Milady, I have arrived at camp. Where are you?' I asked and her reply was immediate. 'Percy!' she started excitedly before regaining her composure. A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth because of this. 'I am at the archery range,' she said and I vapor traveled there.

"Welcome back," she said before I could turn around. Before I could say anything, I was tackled from behind, but because I was so on edge, I flipped the assailant over my shoulder and drew a knife, pinning them to the ground with my knee and knife at their throat, ready to deal the final blow.

THALIA POV

I went to hug the Kelp-Head only to be flipped through the air and pinned in no time at all with a blade at my throat. I looked into my cousin's eyes and was terrified. His eyes held no remorse. Only the merciless killing intent of a man who had seen far too much, "Uhh. Hey Kelp-Head," I said nervously and he blinked a couple times.

He leapt back a meter and sheathed his knife with his head down in shame. "S-sorry, Thals," he hardly whispered. I look to Artemis only to see her heart break at the display before her. Tears vaguely began to gather in her eyes before she pushed the feeling down. "It's alright, Perce. No harm done," I added, but I could still see himself berating his actions.

"BROTHER!" a group of girls yelled as they ran toward him with happy smiles and tears on their faces. I looked at them with a smile and back to Percy only to see his breathing rapid and his demeanor tensed. Seeing him like that broke my heart all over again.

He slowly turned around and greeted them, flinching at the affectionate contact each one gave. Slowly he overcame his stiffness and hugged them back tightly. Not letting go in fear that if he did, he would never see them again. He quickly put them all back down and ruffled their hair one last time each before turning to Artemis.

"Milady, I apologize for my absence and I am ready to take up my duties and mission once more," he said with this half-bow. Artemis nodded and said, "I must make sure your skills haven't faltered in your rest," she said and I rolled my eyes. I could have sworn I saw signs of a smirk from Percy, but it must have just been my imagination.

In one motion, he rose from his bow, summoned his bow and launched five arrows at a target 50 meters to his right without looking away from Artemis. Each one was a bullseye and split its predecessor. I felt my mouth hanging open and Artemis' and the little ones' expressions weren't much better.

"I believe I am ready," he said, devoid of any emotion that made me and Artemis frown again. Artemis nodded and sent him and the little ones to gather the remaining hunters before we set out. I approached Artemis as we watched the group disappear into the camp.

"He's different. Colder. More merciless, like his warrior switch is constantly on," I said with a frown and looked at Artemis to find her with a similar expression. She sighed deeply. "He'll be back," was all she said but sounded like she was trying to convince the both of us.

3RD PERSON POV

The Hunt gathered up and set out from camp. They had no leads to go off of, so they were starting back at square one. They set up their camp in Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania that evening and gathered at the dining tent shortly after.

"What would you all like?" Percy asked and got various answers. He summoned the food for everyone and a couple slices of pizza for himself. Instead of taking his seat at the table with the little ones, he wolfed down his pizza and vapor traveled to maintain his post and watch the camp.

Everyone looked at Artemis uneasy because he had decided not to eat with them. They feared he was devolving into his old ways again. The little ones looked down and picked at their food half-heartedly. "Girls, he will be fine. Just… give him time to readjust," Artemis told them and got some numb nods from the hunters.

Percy took up his post and the rest of the Hunt went to sleep. He had nothing of interest to report and Artemis returned after her trip for the evening. "Nothing to report, Milady," he said and Artemis frowned. "Percy, you know you can still talk to me," she said and he sighed and nodded. Artemis didn't push him, but gave him a soft smile and dismissed him.

Percy went to bed and was plagued again by nightmares.

PERCY POV

~Dream Sequence~

"How the mighty have fallen, Kelp-Head," not-Thalia said as she jabbed me again with a spear. "I can't believe you were the Hero of Olympus. Pathetic," she spat at me and kicked me again in the ribs.

'This isn't Thals. This isn't Thals,' I chanted the mantra in my head as her fists connected with my face and stomach.

"I should have stayed a tree that way I wouldn't have ever met you. No wonder Annie left you, you pathetic piece of shit!" she yelled and stabbed me again.

~Dream Sequence End~

I sat up with a jolt. 'Only another three hours. This is going to take some getting used to,' I thought as I rubbed my face and got out of bed. I went to the lake nearby to rise off. I made sure no one was around, so they couldn't see the scars.

The water reinvigorated me from the nightmares and I quickly dressed after my dip and headed to Artemis' tent. I knocked. "Come in," she said and I entered. She was surprised to see me.

"You're awake already? It's only been a few hours," she said with a frown. I shuffled my feet, "Just couldn't sleep," I said hoping she'd drop it. She crossed her arms and scrutinized me with her stare, but eventually let it go. "I want you to perform your normal duties today. You will be getting back to your mission tonight," she said and I nodded.

"Percy, are you sure you're okay?" she asked softly and the amount of care and worry in her voice warmed my entire being and broke my heart at the same time. "I'm fine… Arty," I managed to get out and see the small smile that graced her lovely lips.

I gave my short bow and exited the tent with one thing on my mind: 'Tonight is going to be interesting.'

AN: There's Chapter 19! The adjustment for Percy is going to take some time. Will Artemis pull him out of it? Stay tuned! As always reviews are welcome and thoughts and ideas as well. Until next time!