Nemesis POV

"Father, you shouldn't be here," I said inside of the empty stadium. "The fates have been merciful with you because you've been sleeping but now … you are pushing your luck." Erebus was not physically here but I could feel his power. I heard my father chuckle at what I said but maybe I just imagined it as after a few minutes he had yet to respond.

Nemesis…

The core of my being froze forcing me to stand upright as he whispered from the unknown. I figured this is what mortals called chills, our bodies response to fear. Never thought I'd experience it as well, he taught and showed me marvelous things, things have sure changed.

Join me once again Nemesis… daughter and father united once more.

He had not been awake for millennia, he had been horrible to me the last time we crossed paths but he triggered my memories. Memories of when I used to be a naive godling and believed him.

You, your siblings and I… just like the old days…

I kept silent, I wanted him to leave but if what he said was true. Father was older than fate itself, stronger than mother, the olympians and maybe even Gaea at full power. Could he really make it like the old days? The days where we could do as we pleased?

No titans, No gods, No one but us… we don't need them to dwell in peaceful and eternal darkness.

"I…" I wanted to say yes so much, to take him up on his deal but that couldn't happen. It wouldn't happen, not after what he did. That piece of shit deserved what mother did to him.

The gods, titans and humanity… they will all kneel before us...

An image of Zeus himself and every other god I didn't like kneeling before me crossed my mind and I smiled a bit. That is what father promised me and I did want it, I was weak and needed my power back and Percy was just not getting me it fast enough. As if he heard me I felt my power increase a bit, my thoughts shifted to him and I knew I couldn't join my father, not now when I knew someone actually cared for me. He reassured me he will fulfill his duties as my champion at that very moment.

"I think it's best you leave father, I will never join you in your quest for I like my current life. I have people..." I paused myself realizing I had spoken without thinking things through.

I see…

Father could read my thoughts as easily as I could read a mortal's so I tried thinking of something else but failed miserably. Percy was in my mind a lot recently and sadly it made things worse at the moment. I did not expect him to try to control me so I had no chance to prepare and no way to avoid it. I immediately reached for Percy hoping he got here in time to help me fight him. When he arrived he looked different but I could tell it was still him, I wanted to use my favor no questions asked for something else, something more nice but I needed his help now. I tried to speak to him but I was no longer in control of my body.

Don't worry dear, I will release you from your mortal obligations…

I was barely able to interpret what went on in the fight, I could not remember every detail but through my possession I could feel what my body did. I said things to him, things that could have hurt him but he didn't listen, thank the fates he quickly caught on. If he had believed father was me I might have lost him as a friend forever. Regardless, he was now in serious danger of dying by my very own hand and to make things worse I was the reason he was here to begin with.

That is when he hit my father in a surprise attack, he lost control of my body because of the force Percy used and I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes he was there, he held my in his small lap and looked at me with cocern.

"Thanks for coming Percy, I didn't know who else to call." At first I could see pity in his eyes but he shrugged it off and then looked at me with hardened intensity.

"Don't worry about it Nemesis. Like I said, you're my friend and I'm your champion. If you need me I'll be there." And he was here, he would have died for me even after all Erebus said in my behalf, and I'm immortal! I put his life in unnecessary danger, why? Because I panicked, that's why.

"I'm sorry about everything he said. I don't think of you as my pawn and I'm sorry for fighting you in my true form. I was just so weak that Erebus was forced to use it." He nodded but shook his head as if clearing it and looked at me with curiosity. He seemed to think really hard about something and finally asked me it.

"Why don't gods use their true form more often? When you unleashed your true form, your power was incredible, I don't know if I could have beaten you." Realizing that I was still on a little boy's lap I stood up and summoned my Karmic Whip to recover my strength faster. It's a god thing.

"It is not something we can just do without repercussions. We use our true form when we flash but fighting in it is a completely different story. There is no such thing as free power Percy, in our true forms we don't just use our energy but we also use our life force. After all, a god's life-force , soul and energy are fused together. Use your true form a bit more than necessary and you die." Percy seemed to take it in and looked at me differently.

"So Erebus could have killed you? If I had not knocked you out…"

"I'm fine Percy." I interrupted him, last thing I wanted was for him to start being all overprotective of me. For fucks sake I'm a goddess and he's a mortal, strong but a mortal nonetheless. "He got me by surprise but he is gone now. Besides even if I had died, I would have reformed after some time. It was you that I was worried about." I saw him blush a little and knew I had to leave, I had no idea why he was in a small boy's body but something told me it was to prevent this very situation. I saw him glance at my whip and answered his unasked question.

"This whip is my symbol of power, I just hope it didn't hurt you too much. It's my Karmic Whip, it only brings forth the pain you feel you deserve." Percy paused for a second but then smiled.

"It's fine. It barely hurt." He sounded convincing but I knew he lied, his eyes gave it away that it caused him much pain.

"Good, your dark water is very good at healing but I doubt it could have healed you if my whip had sliced you in half. Anyway, thank you my champion." I immediately flashed away and arrived at a human hospital. I could taste some nectar in my lips and wondered if Percy had given some to me since I don't remember drinking any.

"Nemesis?" Someone whispered, I turned around to see my brother.

"Thanatos," the air went cold and he gave me an angry glare as I had spoken his name in such place. He was disguised as a doctor, being the personification of peaceful death it made sense he spent his time in the hospital just waiting to collect the souls of the dying sickly.

"It's father, he's back." My brothers face changed from that of irritation to disbelief. He grabbed my arm with an iron grip and pulled me into an empty operation room.

"Impossible, you know as well as I do what mother did to him, he's not due to wake up-"

"I spoke to him you imbecile! He possessed me, he's here and he asked me to join him for eternal darkness or something! He wasn't specific but he has big plans and he isn't afraid of the fates!" Thanatos let go of his grip and seemed panicked.

"I need to inform Lord Hades, the Olympians must know or else all is lost, father is not like Gaea. He doesn't care for his children or have allies, he just has pawns and will achieve his goal no matter the bloodshed it leaves behind." Thanatos prepared to flash but paused to look at me.

"Did he say anything about mother? She could be in danger too." I shook my head and Thanatos nodded.

"I see.. it's been a long time since you visited but I'm glad you did even if it's under these circumstances. For all its worth, I'm glad you survived the ordeal Nemesis." I looked down and smiled a bit, after centuries of not talking to each other I had almost forgotten I had family members that weren't the worst of the worst. He wasn't nurturing or caring in any way, far from the best brother but definitely not the worst. I looked up to see him place his right hand on my head.

"Sleep," was the last thing I remember hearing that day.

No POV

Through the forest, three Roman legionaries struggled to complete their quest, the night had just fallen upon them just a few minutes ago and they had strayed far from their goal.

"We're probably going to fail this mission huh Robert?" A boy of about eleven looked at his eldest companion and waited for a response.

"He is not the leader of this mission Isaac and we won't fail it either. I know exactly where we are so stop worrying. Everything will turn out fine, I promise." The boy by the name of Isaac turned to look at Robert still waiting for his response. The kid of about thirteen looked at his companion and after a deep sigh finally answered.

"Peter is right about one thing, he is the leader of this mission. As for everything else we are completely lost, we are out of consumables and both of you need to sleep soon or else we will all die here." They kept on walking for a few minutes until Peter stopped.

"I say we camp here, we need to rest and as team leader I say this will be our next course of action." Isaac looked at Robert and shook his head. Peter was proving to be an incompetent leader to him so far so he rather listen to Robert even though he was proving to be a complete jerk. This Peter guy is optimistic but he is going to get us killed, and this Robert guy is only a tiny bit better. Father, mother, whoever you are please show me the way.

Two legionnaires set up a camp while Robert created a perimeter and set himself up as the only watch. As a son of Somnus he was duty bound to see things through till the very end. As long as he had unfinished business he was incapable of falling asleep which would be a great thing if not for his terrible mood and fowl mouth in the meantime.

"Robert seeing as we are tired and you seem fine you'll be on first watch again. Wake any of us up if you feel the need to, go it?" Robert groaned and pulled out his celestial bronze double sided battle axe.

"Fine Peter, I'll wake you up if I feel like it." Peter nodded and headed to sleep with Isaac.

An hour after his companions headed to sleep, Robert was about to patrol the perimeter when he heard the bells he placed there go off. He gripped his weapon firmly and carefully backed towards the tent to wake up his teammates.

"I thought you didn't need sleep on missions," said Isaac groggily.

"I don't, the alarm went off at a few edge of our camp, there's something inside the perimeter. Get your asses off your beds if you both want to live." As if on cue Peter and Isaac geared up in seconds and pulled out their weapons. Isaac wielded a slightly damaged Roman gladius and a shiny iron shield while Peter sported a silver tipped spear and an imperial gold gauntlet on his left arm.

The three slowly made their way outside the tenth and patiently waited for the attack to be. They waited patiently for a few until minutes until Peter broke the silence.

"Are you sure of what you heard Robert, it has been a few minutes and I haven't heard a thing. Maybe it was a passing deer or something harmless." Robert groaned and they waited a few more minutes until Peter spoke again.

"It was a false alarm Robert, it's OK buddy, everyone makes mistakes. Let's go back to sleep Isaac, let Robert resume watch." Isaac reluctantly listened to Peter and headed back to the tent.

That's when they launched their attack, a figure in fur launched at Isaac when the boy turned his back only to meet the silver tip of a spear that traveled straight through its chest. When Isaac turned around he saw his leader pulling his spear from a furry creature, Peter had just saved his life. The creature burst into dust and left behind a seemingly worthless claw as a spoil of war. Isaac nodded in appreciation and together they joined Robert as he struggled to repel the other foes with his celestial bronze weapon.

They saw their teammate drop his double sided axe and pick up rocks to throw at his enemies. Confused, they looked at the enemies and noticed their humanoid appearance. They had tattered remains of clothes, large canines and blood filled eyes that hungered for flesh.

"Lycanthropes!" Shouted Robert, Isaac remembered his training and sheathed his sword.

"Stay behind me Robert, my spear has silver, I'm the only one who can kill them." Peter tried to take charge as the only person with a weapon that could defend his team. He put on a stern face but he was scared, he only killed the other beast by luring it into a false sense of security and surprising it, the fact it had been a lycanthrope that died instantly was just luck.

Robert looked at Peter and then at Issac, only he was completely defenseless against this threat. Isaac did not have silver but his iron shield could at least distract the enemy and buy Peter enough time. Maybe then they had a chance to survive.

The beasts wasted no time and eagerly used their powerful claws to attack the boys, Peter dodged and did his best to fight back the duo of remaining monsters. Fear held him back and prevented him from going on the offensive, only he had silver and his team depended on him to get them through this. If he went on the offensive the other one could make an easy meal out of Isaac or Robert, maybe even both.

You don't have to do everything alone son. A voice said in his head.

Peter had never heard this voice before but he knew it belonged to a man, no a god.

Communication is key to victory.

Peter tried to understand what his father was telling him but the enemy before him did not waver. His every thought was interrupted by relentless beasts and he was getting weary.

The right tribute to the proper god is essential Peter.

The resourceful demigod shot a quick glance at the lycanthrope's hand that had drpped from the dead enemy. That is the most useless spoil of war I could ever imagine, no god would ever want it. Not unless that god held a special grudge against-" Peter realized what he had to do but he was the leader of the mission, Robert was weaponless and all Isaac had was an iron shield, his place was up front defending his fellow Romans.

Wait! He thought, My father said I don't have to do everything alone… could he had meant that- He shot a quick glance and Robert while deflecting another strike from the humanoid beast.

"Robert!" He shouted and he threw his spear right at his companion's hands just as the son of Somnus had ran out of rocks to throw. Peter rolled on the ground behind Robert and rushed to the remaining hairy claw on the dirt.

Robert on the other hand tried his luck against the monster. While he was incredibly skilled and strong enough to use a heavy battle axe for hours his proficiency with a spear left much to be desired. He drew in closer to Isaac and tried to defend his companion with both ends of the spear to the point he could not properly launch an attack of his own.

Peter grabbed onto the claw and held it in the palms of his hands.

"Lady Lupa, Mother of Romans and Guardian of New Rome. I had the displeasure of encountering the foul beasts that tarnish the purity and honor of wolves and with my spear have sent one of them straight to the afterlife. I offer you the claw of a lycanthrope Lady Lupa." Nothing seemed to happen at first and Peter thought his efforts had been in vain but alas he was proven wrong when the claw vanished.

Peter turned to see his struggling companions fight for their lives, he dashed to Isaac when he saw him fall to the ground after a strike to his head. Peter picked up the shield and covered Robert, for a moment they were in sync and almost pushed the lycanthropes back, almost.

One of the monsters managed to injure Peter's left thigh with his overgrown nails and the demigod knew he wouldn't last much longer. Peter felt the shield get heavier and fell on his knee, without intending to dropped the shield. The lycanthrope triumphantly roared loudly in anticipation for his well earned meal.

"Peter!" Shouted the eldest companion, the son of Somnus cried in anguish and looked at his fallen allies in desperation. He was the last one standing, the weapon he wielded was not even his and his enemy would soon be joined by the one taht brought down Isaac and Peter.

In a last ditch of effort Robert adopted a position to protect Peter and Isaac from the lycanthropes even though he knew that it would only delay the inevitable.

"Robert," he heard Peter say behind him. "I'm sorry for everything. If I had let you lead the quest maybe we wouldn't be in this mess." The lycanthropes halted their assault momentarily, they figured Peter's spirit had been broken. They retreated a few feet back to give them their last moment of hopelessness, with a triumphant roar they figured the battle was already won.

Peter had realized that he had led his comrades to their deaths and all because of his desire to prove himself. He wanted to be a real Roman. At the end his efforts to redeem himself had been in vain.

"I just wanted to prove myself so much, I am not worthy of-"

"Shut the fuck up Peter, you did the best you could. After watching you be a fucktard for six weeks straights I had given up hope in you. However, today you showed me why you were the chosen leader of this mission instead of me, it's because you have the spirit of a hero Peter, even if you're weak. I'm glad you lead me on my final quest and... someday I hope I see you in Elysium." Peter saw Robert grip the silver tipped spear and prepared for his final charge.

"Robert!" Screamed Peter with the hopes of stopping his friend but Robert didn't listen. He was determined to make this his final stand, he would die in battle before his fellow brethren.

Robert rushed at the lycanthropes, ready for his heart to be pierced by the sharp claws of the beasts but was stopped short. From the sky descended a winged white creature and its rider. The easily distinguishable cloak of the Roman praetor swung as the person who wore it jumped from the mythical beast.

The white Pegasus landed on a lycanthrope pummeling it to the ground with such force that bones were cracked. The demigod by the name of Reyna reached for her back pocket and with the silver knife she always carried she sliced the remaining beast's neck as easy as butter. In the course of three seconds the monsters that had proved so much trouble for the Roman legionaries had turned to dust leaving only piles of golden dust on the forest floor.

"Are you okay Romans?" Asked the praetor. Robert gave her a half smile and fell on his knees as well. His final burst of adrenaline come to a halt and his body's hurt was making itself known.

"Praetor, I'm sorry you had to see us like this," said Peter.

"Nonsense," said Reyna as she pulled out Ambrosia squares from her pouch. She handed Peter one for Isaac and himself and a final one to Robert. "It's my duty to join fellow Romans in battle and it fills me with pride knowing you guys fought till your bodies could stand up no longer."

"Robert has not slept in over a month praetor," Peter said.

"Say no more Peter, the quest is over Robert. From the looks of it the quest has failed, therefore you are relieved of your duties, get some rest legionnaire." Robert wanted to protest but his weeks of lack sleep had caught up to him in a second. He fell to the floor unconscious and with her considerable strength Reyna picked him up over her shoulder. Reyna carried the son of Somnus inside the tent and came out to see two eager demigods.

"Where are we going praetor," asked Peter as Isaac regained consciousness.

"We aren't going anywhere, I will be on guard while you guys sleep and tomorrow morning you three are heading to New Rome. You can have my food and supplies, I have a journey of my own and with Guido here, I won't need most of my supplies."

"Thank you Praetor but I must insist, let us accompany you on your journey, I let my team down and am filled with great shame. I must redeem myself."

"He is right praetor, we failed the mission but Peter saved my life twice today. Just give him one more chance praetor." Reyna noticed the fierceness of the requests and nodded.

"Very well Peter, we leave to the Greek camp tomorrow morning." The sky flashed of lightning and thunder soon followed. The sound echoed through the forest and lingered far more than it typically should.

"Umm, that was no ordinary bolt and thunder right praetor?" Asked Isaac.

"No, that was a calling for the gods. Get some rest legionnaires." Peter and Isaac nodded and headed inside their tent leaving outside their fellow praetor.

Something really bad is coming soon. Thought the demigoddess. I can feel it.