Nico strolled across the ashes of felled legionnaires. The sun had barely risen above when Nick Stone and Chiara Benvenuti stormed the grounds. Coeus hadn't lied; the forces at his command had been split. Almost at the same time Camp Half-Blood was invaded, Camp Jupiter was on fire. When Nico shadow-travelled onto the scene, the last survivors had been forced to flee into the open sea just like the survivors of Half-Blood.

New Rome was already down to ashes, Temple Hill was so devoid of temples now that its new name was simply Hill, and the Mars Field was full of bodies. Nico was told Reyna, Frank, and Hazel had survived and led the escape effort. Terminus had faced the wrath of three other gods: Deimos and Phobos, the brothers of war, and Janus. After Terminus was defeated, the morale of the camp was completely lost.

Nick and Chiara stood beside him. Under the control of Coeus, they no longer teased Nico. They were now soldiers together on a mission, nothing more.

"How did the attack go?" Chiara asked him, watching a temple collapse.

"It was the same situation. Annabeth managed to come up with a ridiculous escape plan and went out over the sea. Coeus says they're going to circle around and try and make it here."

Nick scowled. "This Titan has so many resources. He has almost all the gods working for him. He has armies of monsters under his command. He has my mother for support and the power of foresight. How did he not know they would escape?"

He shrugged. "He has his reasons. At Camp Half-Blood, he just wanted to secure the Golden Fleece. Maybe here he wanted Terminus?"

"I know both of you probably don't want to talk about this but how do you feel?" Chiara pursed her lips. "About this whole mind control thing, I mean?"

Nico raised an eyebrow. She swallowed, "I just don't get it. I can't feel anything. I don't feel evil but all I can think about is hunting down these people. You get what I'm saying?"

He sighed. "It's mind control, we're not supposed to be able to feel anything other than what he wants."

"Yeah, but aren't we supposed to be all crazy and malicious or at the least blank-faced killers?"

"If you feel so strongly about it, maybe you should ask him. 'Hey Mr. Titan, sorry to bother you but why can't I betray you?'" Nick glared at her like be serious.

"He altered our brain chemistry so we're loyal to him. Severed our emotional attachments. Simple as that." Nico drew his sword and studied the cool black metal. "The real question is why he needs us? What can we do that his god servants can't?"

Chiara pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "Let's see...maybe he needs the gods for something else? Or it could be just to send a message. A sick joke. Like I'm gonna hunt you demigods down but with one of your own so it hurts more."

Nico shook his head, thinking hard. "No, this is a Titan who was given dominion over intelligence and foresight. He has plans within plans within plans and the prophetic advantage to know how his enemies will react to them. What use could three half-bloods have to him?"

"Okay, how about he's using us to blackmail other gods into joining him?" Nick said.

"Come on, they didn't do shit when the homes of their kids went up in flames." Nico almost wanted to slap him for being so stupid. "Here's an actual idea: Gaea needed the blood of two demigods to come back. Maybe he's shooting for the same thing?"

"The reasons for anything I do is none of your concern, half-bloods." Coeus announced.

All three simultaneously turned and knelt, heads bowed deeply.

"Bring me the Roman."

Nico rose and called over the gods. Phobos, Janus, and Demios knelt at his feet as well, offering up the head of Terminus.

The usually talkative god was now silent. His stone visage was battered and chipped in a few places where he was smashed for yapping too much.

In the hand of the Titan, he looked like a moderately sized rock. "Speak, Roman. I know you're dying to."

Terminus' voice was very quiet. "What do you want from me? I have failed my only purpose. I have no use now."

Coeus cocked his head. "You are correct. I would employ you to guard over my city but you would just betray me. Much better to kill you and take your power."

The eyes of the statue went wide. "No! I could never betray you! You think I like the Olympians? They're scum! I have no loyalty to them!"

Coeus' disturbing lips twisted into a smile. "Then why would you be loyal to me?"

Terminus stammered, trying to talk himself out of death. Coeus broke a chunk off his nose. "Silence now. I will deal with you later."

The Titan addressed the gods. "You have done well. Now return to the Underworld and be vigilant. When Demeter and Persephone sneak in, capture them and wait for me."

"Yes, my lord!" They disappeared in a flash of light.

Next he turned to them. "The demigods think very much alike. As Annabeth runs here seeking safety, Reyna will believe the barriers of Camp Half-Blood still stand. Flank them. Herd them like cattle and make sure they meet. After that massacre, you will see why I chose you three."

They thanked him and he disappeared.

"Do you think he can actually pull this off? Can he actually overthrow the Olympians?" Chiara said after a minute of silence.

"Yes. Or else they wouldn't have let the Titan carry out this genocide." Nick walked off to gather his forces.

After Chiara joined the son of Nike, Nico whispered to himself, "Spearheaded by the blood of Olympus. Why?"

Annabeth thought that if they ever came out of this alive, she would personally hunt down Hercules.

The god of strength was chucking small boulders at them from a mile below the ground. He was amazingly accurate and relentless. Even as they tried to put some distance between them and the pursuing army or hiding in clouds, a random car would tumble past them so closely they could sometimes make out the model as it flashed past the windows.

He would bellow out insults and call them cowards with every object he threw. They gathered the remaining dozen of Apollo's children and fought back with arrows but to no avail. Sometimes a flock of winged beasts or wind spirits would come up and pester them or the pegasi and they would have their blood pumping so hard, it drove them crazy.

The pegasi were getting tired and Annabeth had no idea how they would be able to stop and rest for a night with the army at their heels. She thought maybe a mountain or a deep valley but they were having trouble finding one with enough ground that they couldn't be reached for eight hours.

She could tell the campers were losing faith. They weren't stupid. Even the newer ones knew this was most likely the end of the line. A few of them came up to her asking where Percy was or if where they were going was safer than Camp. She tried not to promise anything. She couldn't even guarantee that they would be alive in a couple hours when the pegasi got too tired to continue.

As usual, she found Will by the open door. He was leaning almost all the way out and Annabeth nervously pulled him back. Before she could say a word, he confessed his true thoughts. "You were right. I do think about taking a dive. When I hit the ground I'll wake up back in Cabin 7 where Chiron is announcing the Capture the Flag game tonight. Nico will always make an alliance with my cabin, regardless if we're up against Clarisse or Percy or you. He'll say what he always says: That way, I'll resist the urge to kill you."

He looked at her, smiling through brighter than usual blue eyes. "Either that or I'll end up in the Judgment Pavilion, trying to decide whether to go to Elysium or the Fields of Asphodel. Just forget everything forever."

Annabeth put her arm around him. "We'll find a way to break whatever spell Nico's under. Just have some faith. Please, for me."

Will scoffed, wiping his eyes. "All out of that. I swear to god after this, I want nothing to do with this pantheon. Demigods never get a happy ending."

She tried to convince them both that it would work out but it was so half-hearted she disgusted herself. "We can still turn this around. We can get the sword back, Lou Ellen can bring Chiron back. We can set up a new camp. We can..." Her conviction left her with a heavy sigh. "We can rebuild."

"Check this out, why in the name of the cosmos did we not get any warning about any of this? Screw whatever happened with Rachel, they should have been able to foresee something big was going down soon."

She shook her head. "I don't know. I'm guessing someone maybe captured the oracles or something like that. And if someone clouded prophecy, it has to be someone with enough power to be above prophecies."

Will spit. "Or my father decided to warn his Olympian buddies of what was coming but didn't have the fucks to give when it came to us."

"I can't believe that. I can't. If I start to lose that much faith, I don't know what I'll do."

"They didn't warn us that Gaea was coming or that they were gonna switch Percy and Jason around. No, they just shut down communications. I don't know why we're acting surprised. It's in their blood."

Annabeth just kept quiet. Will was voicing thoughts she herself was trying to refute. She didn't even have the energy to tell him to speak a little more quietly. Pulling the blinds on the window of the situation would help no one.

Then down below, along the highway, she spotted a car at speeds that weren't possible with this much traffic, weaving between hundreds of vehicles. She squinted, noticing the car was no car. It looked like a fat, big motorcycle.

She nudged Will. "You see that?"

Will didn't even have to squint. "Is that a horse?"

Then the lightbulb went off. "Hazel! That's Hazel!"

After a couple seconds she noticed, the daughter of Pluto was waving up at them. She motioned for them to follow and Annabeth rushed to one of the windows near the front. Will followed and the Stoll twins joined them, "Did you say Hazel?"

She threw open the glass and shouted at the purple-black lead pegasus. "Blackjack, follow that horse!"

Percy's old friend neighed and started descending. The campers started to panic, "Why are we going down?"

Another piped up, eyes wide in terror. "Isn't there an army of monsters down there after us?"

"What the actual fuck are we doing? You're gonna get us killed!" One of the unclaimed yelled.

Hazel and Arion led them to a small lake in the middle of the forest. They tried to find a spot big enough to land and when they couldn't just placed the cabin halfway into the lake. Good thing the waters were shallow. Annabeth threw open the doors and stumbled out. After being in the air for so long, actual stable ground was a little disorienting.

She threw herself into Hazel's arms, trying not to cry. Hazel rubbed her back, taken by surprise. "What the heck are you guys doing here?"

Annabeth drew in gasps, suddenly very vulnerable. "Chiron's dead. Camp Half-Blood is gone, we were attacked and Clarisse died and Percy went off and he doesn't know where we are and Nico-"

She broke off, sobbing. Hazel cursed under her breath. "Camp Jupiter was burned to the ground this morning. We were able to get about two hundred of us out by sea but the rest..."

Annabeth straightened up, gaining control. "Gods, this can't be happening. We were trying to make it to New Rome."

Hazel nodded, distraught. "Us too. What are we gonna do? Did you guys figure out what's happening?"

"We don't know anything. Our Oracle's connection was corrupted. Then the gods just stopped communicating with us. A god in black armor attacked the camp with a massive army but we don't know who it is."

"What about Percy? Jason and Piper? Did they find Leo yet? And you were saying something about Nico?"

Annabeth rubbed her face and ran her hands through her curls. "I'll explain everything later. We have an army on our heels. Apparently Hercules decided he's sick of hunting monsters and wants more dangerous prey. We've been flying around in this cabin since last night."

Her eyebrows rose. "I can see that. Who's crazy idea was this? Strapping twenty pegasi to a building?"

Annabeth smiled for the first in a while. "Mine."

Hazel shook her head almost giggling. "Of course. You guys must have been pretty desperate. We should meet up with Reyna. At this point, it doesn't matter how many demigods group together, right? Monsters from across the country are gonna notice a gathering of this size."

By that time, the campers had walked out of the cabin and stretched their muscles. Will stood closely beside Annabeth while the other counselors stood watch for the army.

"If we're lucky, they'll decide we're too big to take on. But seeing how everything so far has gone our way, we can't count on that. We should take off. Hercules won't be stupid enough to let us know when he's close."

"HALF_BLOODS!" A voice carried throughout the forest, maybe a couple miles off.

Annabeth blinked. "Okay."

Hazel whistled for Arion and he trotted over. "Follow me. Reyna said we would be camped out on a mountain. It's not too far."

"Perfect."

They gathered the campers and rushed into the cabin. "Let's go, Blackjack! It's not too far, I promise."

He looked at her from the corner of his eye like, you expect me to believe that?

Despite everything and even finding out both camps were now gone, she felt hopeful. Reyna was strong and she would be strong even when Annabeth herself couldn't be.

She stood beside Will at the doorway again. This time, she noticed he kept a healthy distance from the edge. Over the roar of the wind and the tired whinnies of the pegasi and under his breath so quietly, Annabeth wasn't sure she actually heard it, Will murmured to himself, "Hold tight, Nico."

"So you wanna run all that through me again? Because I don't believe I actually understood what just came out of your mouth."

Athena crossed her arms and smirked. "Yes, don't worry, I fully expected this, Barnacle Beard."

Poseidon scowled. "Really? You're playing games in the middle of all this? You know Zeus just came by with his mucker Hecate and attacked me? Almost killed my wife and son in my own palace!"

"Not unexpected if we're being honest here."

"Regardless," Poseidon snarled. "I don't appreciate you making light of the situation."

"Fine. Then next time, you can save the fabricated incredulous request to repeat information you damn well understood the first time nonsense mortals rubbed off on you!"

"It's simply ridiculous. How can you possibly suggest we join forces with a Titan who's plan to save the world involves taking it over and slaughtering Olympians?"

Athena shook her head. "You have to look at the bigger picture. The Fates themselves made it clear we have no chance at fighting the Twin that's coming for us. Coeus told me this being who approaches has enough power to eradicate galaxies!"

"And you believe him?"

"Yes. We sure as Hades can't count on Zeus to do anything about it. From what I hear, he's fleeing to another world light years away from here."

Poseidon placed his hands on his hips. "Okay, it's kind of disrespectful to keep using Hades' name as an expletive, don't you think?"

"Now who's making light of the situation? I just revealed that Zeus is a coward who just abandoned us and that's the first thing you say?"

He waved a hand. "He told me personally before he tried to take my head. Despite the dislike we had for one another, Hades and I didn't hate each other. I want to honor his memory."

"You're as much a hypocrite as Zeus. When he was alive, you wouldn't even speak to Hades."

"You damn well know there's history behind that."

"Sure, sure. Getting back on topic, Coeus is our only serious chance, Poseidon. Believe me, I wouldn't be talking to you if I didn't believe it."

Poseidon rubbed his beard, pacing. "This is madness. One dog starts marking his territory and the Greek pantheon loses its mind."

She did a double take. "Things have been going south for the last century. Even you can see that. This is merely the culmination of a series of events."

"Yeah, I'm sure. How long do you think Coeus has been planning this? Biding his time?"

"Does it really matter? It's happening now and he's equipped with the perfect set of tools to get us through this. That's what matters. As much as I hate you, I recognize your value. With you at our side, we stand a better chance. However miniscule that may be."

Poseidon stopped pacing and stared out at the Manhattan skyline. The Empire State Building should definitely be on everyone's bucket list. The rose and golden hues kissed above the skyscrapers at sunset. It was enough to make a man weep under a couple calm reflective moments of peace and quiet. The view from Olympus was even more gorgeous. Unfortunately, the City of Gods no longer existed. The bastard Zeus had taken it with him and would probably be setting it up above some other skyline a hundred thousand light years away. Maybe further.

He finally turned. "I'm sorry, Athena. This Titan has destroyed the demigods camps. He is carrying out a genocide of our own blood. He killed my brother and took his domain as his own. Now he plans world domination and the extermination of the Olympians. How can I possibly join his ranks? If we ever meet I swear on the River Styx I will destroy him."

Athena sighed. "In that case...I'm sorry, Poseidon. Truly."

Out of the shadows, Coeus materialized. Poseidon had a half second of warning before Coeus stuck a dagger in his side and another on the right arm. Using the handles as leverage, he kicked him directly in the spine. Poseidon didn't even get the chance to scream as the blow took the breath out of his lungs and left him broken. He crumpled to the ground and the Soul Eater jumped on him. He started punching away.

The first hit was to the throat, then the nose, next the eyes. Athena watched in horror as ichor splashed everywhere. Her armor got a golden makeover. She hated Poseidon so much for so long and now she felt empty as Coeus beat him to death. Goosebumps erupted across her back and the hairs on her arms stood rigid. She jumped a little with each sickening thud until she could take it no longer.

"That's enough! If you're going to kill him, just use the knife!"

Coeus had a nasty grin on his face. His eyes were excited and still hungry. "I'm just roughing him up a bit. Poseidon will not die today."

Already the God of the Seas was unrecognizable. His face was but a disfigured lump of bleeding meat. A couple of teeth were buried in the heavy fists of of the Titan. That didn't stop him from battering him a couple more minutes. By the end of it, Athena sat hunched against the wall, unable to look away. Both sides of Poseidon's head were caved in and some white peeked above the gold, pink, and black.

Poseidon's breaths sounded like they were coming from a straw. His body twitched involuntarily every couple seconds.

Coeus removed the teeth from his hands and tossed them at her. "Some souvenirs. I want to make sure you remember the moment you always dreamed of: Poseidon getting what he deserved. That's what you wanted, right?"

Athena could only stare at the teeth, disgusted with herself. She could have done something. Begged a little more. Physically intervened. But she hadn't.

Coeus ripped the shirt off Poseidon and draped it over his face. He snapped his fingers and Phoebe walked in. "Come, darling. No, don't look down there. I don't want you to see that. Just perform the spell. There's a good girl."

Phoebe got to work, siphoning the power from the unresponsive Poseidon. In a minute, Coeus had become twice as powerful as Zeus and Poseidon barely qualified as an immortal.

Athena placed a hand over her eyes, almost afraid to ask. "Why didn't you kill him?"

Coeus smiled. "I had my fun. I got my power. I was going to keep him for experimentation but you know what? I will hand him over to you. Do what you please. There are plenty of Olympians I can use. Consider this a token of gratitude for bringing him to me. Now get to work on bringing me the rest."

Together, Coeus and Phoebe walked out of the room, already deep in discussion over their next steps. Something about Pegasus. Athena stood in her corner, too weak to even stand. This was ridiculous. She was a goddess. An Olympian. This was her nemesis. Just kill him and move on. It would be considered mercy not revenge or vengeance.

Despite this, she found herself standing and approaching him. She removed the shirt from his face. She could not leave him like this. She could not kill him either.

...

...

...

She gathered his broken body in her arms and left the room.

Zeus slipped his robes back on, satisfied. He watched as Hecate rose from the site of their lovemaking and stretched. She fluffed her raven hair and retrieved her own robes, deliberately bending at the waist, wide open. Slowly, her curves and flesh disappeared under the fabric. She turned to find him staring with another monstrous erection ready.

She sauntered over to him, biting her lip. "Yes, my lord?"

He could only growl like a hungry dog. She laughed. "We can continue this another time. For now, I would like to leave the sex for places not designed to torture the body and soul."

"Try another stunt like that and I promise you won't enjoy where I stick it next."

She smirked. "Maybe that's how I like it."

Zeus could only stare dumbfounded as she walked away...

Zeus would give anything to return to that moment.

Shortly after they left the cave to explore the lovely views Tartarus had to offer, they were ambushed. They had wasted too much time satisfying each other's appetites and payed the price. An entourage of Titans had picked up the scent a couple hours ago and followed them straight to the River Phlegethon. Unfortunately, they were too close to the blast radius to use the Master Bolt. One blast might be enough to awaken Tartarus and that was bad news for everyone.

A millennia ago, Zeus with his 11 siblings and allies struggled to defeat the children of Ouranos. Since then, the King of Gods had grown his power exponentially. They outnumbered him four to two but he still liked his chances. That is until he realized how heavily the environment tipped the scales in their favor. The longer Zeus and Hecate spent here, the more their power decayed. Enough time passed that even if the numbers were even, it would be a close fight. Now with Hyperion, Krios, Themis, and Theia, they stood no chance.

They fled as fast as possible. Down in Tartarus, flight was not possible for any creature without wings so as to allow as few as possible to escape. Zeus was not sure what he was hoping for. He wasn't too familiar with Tartarus. They could be heading for the Bronze Prison where Titans had been held before or a vast lake of fire. Sooner or later they would have to fight. Or maybe if they could somehow make it to the exit to the next world...

"Where are you running to, my lord?" Hyperion mocked. "We just want to talk!"

Zeus didn't miss a beat. "And I just want to court your mother! Her thighs are spread, wet, and waiting for me as we speak!"

Hecate almost reached over to smack him.

"Let's hear your jokes when I split your head in half!" The Titan of Light snarled.

"I split your wife in half a century ago!" He snickered.

Hecate fumed. "Really? You're a King speaking like a mortal 12 year old. Grow up!"

"Don't fret, my beloved. I'll split you in half all you want after we get out of this."

Hecate decided she was going to hand him over to the Titans when they reached the edge of Tartarus where below lay the Sea of Chaos.

Zeus cursed under his breath. They heard the steps behind them start to slow into a jog. Hecate muttered, "Not good. What do we do?"

"What else? We fight."

Hyperion smiled cruelly. "I want him. The rest of you, take the woman. Completely."

Krios guffawed. "With pleasure. My next heir is long overdue." Themis and Theia glared at the back of the males' helmets. Pigs, they thought.

Zeus readied himself. "You sure you want me alone? I don't like to use olive oil, boy"

Hyperion drew his blade, face purple with rage. "Keep that up and I'll stick it straight down your fucking eyehole and I don't mean the sword."

Zeus calculated the distance to the edge and adjusted his footing. The terrain was glass. Maybe the scales had just tipped in his own favor. "Yes, very clever. I wonder why Ouranos never appointed you Titan of Old Comedy. I'm willing to wager my Master Bolt you wrote the Lysistrata."

Before he could finish, Hyperion howled and threw himself at Zeus swinging for a decapitation. It was beautiful to see psychological warfare at work. Zeus sidestepped and aimed a devastating one-two to the elbow and shoulder, fast as lightning. Hyperion grunted and the sword dropped. The King of the Gods kicked at his knee and took all of five seconds from start to finish to wrestle the Titan to the ground.

Zeus put his lips to his ear. "And my father chose Atlas over you to lead his armies? I wonder why."

Hyperion snarled like a rabid dog, struggling fiercely to break out of the headlock but Zeus simply tightened his grip. They both reached for glass at the same time, looking to throw some shards into each other's eyes. Great minds think alike. Hyperion missed completely but Zeus actually made contact. The Titan wasn't a complete fool, he shut his eyes tight as he could and lit himself on fire.

Zeus roared but held on. He had to end this now. As he prepared to yank at Hyperion's neck in a dozen different directions, a pair of hands yanked him by the hair away from his brother. Krios shook him like an umbrella, kicking at him. Zeus managed to find footing and leap, tackling him to the ground, aiming his head slightly above the Titan's stomach. The air went out like a balloon and with it, his strength faded. Zeus placed all his weight on his chest and started pummeling him.

"You fool!" Zeus bared his teeth. "You could have taken my head and you choose to fight with your bare hands!"

Five punches in, Zeus' battle instincts kicked in and he rolled away in time to avoid another decapitation from the fiery sword. Krios staggered to his feet and joined his brother, their dignities stripped away.

"Come now," Zeus breathed heavily, trying to asses the situation. "Two armed Titans against one unarmed god? You're embarrassing yourselves. Then you go around asking how we overthrew you."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hecate go down. The Titaness sisters also thought themselves above using blades. They were flailing and screaming like three banshees in a flurry of hair and limbs. Any magic Hecate attempted was dodged or deflected. He wondered why she wasn't using the Mist then remembered down here, only one reigned supreme: the Death Mist.

He made to charge at the brothers and they immediately began flanking, Krios finally drawing his sword. Zeus discharged two arcs of lightning, catching them both by surprise. He almost changed course to push them into the Sea of Chaos but he caught a glimmer of a blade and headed there. He scooped up Themis, remembering a time when they were married. They had been too good a match, making babies powerful enough to overthrow him such as the Fates so he divorced her and said goodbye, tossing her into Tartarus.

He barely hesitated.

Krios cried out and dove for her as she went over the edge. Zeus saw him hit the ground and get almost dragged into the Sea. He had somehow caught her. Zeus took a split second to kick away Theia from Hecate and took off, sliding for 4th base. Hyperion intercepted him, skidding feet first into the side of Zeus' head. As the King recovered, Hyperion yanked at Krios' legs with all his strength and brought them up.

Zeus spit out ichor. "Congratulations, you're actually thinking now."

He felt Hecate creep back to back with him. The Titans recovered as well and started circling them.

"I must admit," Hyperion gasped. "You are formidable. But you have no chance at victory."

"Really?" Zeus began calculating again, his fingers rubbing across the cool metal of the Master Bolt. "I like our chances."

Far in the distance, where they came from, they heard a voice boom across the fog. "TITANS! SAVE IT FOR ANOTHER TIME! PERCY JACKSON HAS ARRIVED!"

Hyperion hesitated. The other Titans looked to him for guidance. He rolled his neck, tightening his grip on his blade. He finally gritted his teeth. "Damn it all! This isn't over, Zeus."

They took off, running into the fog.

Hecate's eyes were as large as he had ever seen them. "They choose a demigod...? Over us?"

Zeus scowled, insulted to the core. It didn't matter why they wanted Jackson, it could not compare with the glory of killing Zeus! What was this?

The King made up his mind. "They cannot simply walk away from me. We're going after them."

Hecate lunged for his arm. "My lord, that is suicide! It is Hades and Poseidon all over again! We are in their domain! Please, in our condition we stand no chance!"

Zeus' balled his hands into fists, knuckles white. Shaking his head, he couldn't help repeating himself. "This is an insult, they cannot walk away from me. No honor, this is an insult, I will be disgraced-"

Hecate grabbed his face, directing it to her own. "My lord, please! We have a child in my belly, my husband. He grows as we speak, please! The child!"

Zeus began to register what she was saying. His ego was still there, gnawing away at his very core. Never before had anyone insulted him like that. To walk away in the middle of a fight for a half mortal of all people. Poseidon's son. Perseus Jackson.

The more he looked into her eyes, the more he pushed it to the back of his mind. Finally, he nodded. "Let's go. Now, before I change my mind."

They walked away, Hecate still clinging to his arm like she was afraid he was gonna suddenly run off in a fury. But no, they marched together in search of the Mansion of Nyx.

You're part Primordial.

Those words replayed over and over in Percy's head as he fell. Percy had fooled himself into believing he didn't understand what Pontus had been talking about. Of course he understood what the Primordial had been implying but in his mind, he was the son of Poseidon and Sally. It just wasn't possible for Percy to be three species.

Then Coeus came along. Percy still wasn't sure he trusted a word he said. The Titan could've been talking out of his ass for all he knew. Just because your enemy gives you information it didn't make it credible. However, given the situation, how could Coeus have been lying? How many demigods actually made it out of Tartarus without outside help? Oh, that's right. Zero.

Regardless, Percy couldn't wait for a miracle to drop out of the sky. Not that there many of those coming his way. Nobody but Coeus knew he was here. His chances of being rescued were nil. Thanatos being captured meant the Doors of Death had to be around here somewhere. But that also meant he couldn't leave without someone in here holding the elevator button for 12 minutes.

Or could he?

He remembered a moment back at Camp Jupiter in the middle of a war game when the Roman legionnaire Gwendolyn had been resurrected minutes after dying. Why had she been able to come back so quickly?

She didn't have to crawl out of Tartarus, Percy thought.

Okay, back to square one. Last time he had seen Bob the Titan and Damasen, they were locked in battle with the living embodiment of Tartarus. Was there any possible outcome where they survived? Even if they had, could he ask them to sacrifice themselves for a second time to save his hide? Of course he could. His family needed him. He promised Annabeth he would come back. He promised Coeus he would be back for him. He didn't intend to break any of those promises.

Demigod...Percy Jackson!

Percy curled into a ball. The Pit was calling him again. Ever since Coeus had tossed him in here, it had taunted him. His mind was penetrated and violated. Once or twice, Percy felt his sanity start to trickle away. The dam was close to bursting. The more holes he patched, the more leaks appeared. He was now falling for the second time into the very Pit of Evil. All his worst memories were coming back.

Tartarus was fighting Percy for his sanity and winning.

It came to the point that the only thing keeping him going was not even the thought of returning for Annabeth, but returning to wreak vengeance on Coeus. That was a horribly unhealthy way to think but Percy couldn't rely on his happy memories to save him. The Greek world was taking a turn for the worst. He was starting to think Camp Half-Blood was outdated. Starting to doubt Chiron and his ways. How could the Centaur know half his demigod students would eventually die on a foolish quest for the gods and still work for them? How could his father-

Percy screamed as if he was being burned to death. The voices were getting to him. Tartarus took the memories in his brain and twisted them. He became Luke Castellan blaming him for not keeping his promise. He became Nico saying he joined the other side because he lost faith in him. He became his mom telling him to stay away from her and her family. He became Bob the Titan asking why Percy had abandoned him down here. He became Annabeth confessing she no longer loved him.

Percy kept a death grip on Riptide with both hands, his thumbs tight on the cap. Slowly, the pen came closer and closer to his own neck. Percy choked back a sob.

Yes...Do it! Why do you fight?

Percy swore if he just opened his eyes, he would find his head on Annabeth's lap. She would stare down at him laughing at some stupid joke he said. The sand would be warm on his back, the setting sun kissed his face gently, and a warm sea breeze would ripple their hair.

Percy gathered his will and his eyes flew open. Darkness. And red.

The fog cleared from his mind but Tartarus gave him one last laugh before fading into the background. He was here.

The clouds below were just as crimson as he remembered. The hot foul sulfuric air vented upwards. Below the familiar landscape stretched for miles and miles. Black rock and sands of broken glass. Percy remembered how lost he and Annabeth had been last time and tried to take in as much landmarks as possible. To the North, there was a vast range of black mountains. Terrifyingly enough, there was the massive corpse of a cyclops big enough to rival the twelve Giants sitting on a throne between an opening. A field of boulders lay between three of the rivers of the underworld and the cliffs that Percy remembered were like giant steps leading up into the darkness. Over to the left and down, a string of rolling hills went as far as the eye could see.

As far as he could tell, last time they had landed a little to the West of where Percy was now. They followed the River of Fire, Phlegethon; Using it to heal, they had used it to survive their fall. The bad news was, Percy's landing this time around was going to be much worse. He was headed for a massive pitch black lake. And from his view, all five of the rivers converged in this one spot, dumping the worse of their qualities into one area. Percy could survive a fall from any height if it was in water. But this was one that he wasn't sure he would swim out of.

Along the banks, he could see about a dozen monsters drinking out of the stuff. Hell hounds, winged hags, dracanae, and a dozen other monsters. He wasn't sure but Percy thought he saw the freakin' Nemean Lion itself over to one spot on his own, taking a sip. Quick as a viper, the massive shadow of a serpent snapped up the large wildcat like it was a fly. The Lion barely started a roar when it disappeared under the waters, leaving behind only ripples.

Oh my gods, oh my gods, oh fuck! What the fuck was that?! Blood pumped through his veins like never before. Eyes wide, Percy swiped Riptide from his pocket and uncapped it. At the very least, the Titan hadn't stolen his blade. Small comfort when a black lake with a sea monster awaited you. Even as he swiftly approached water, he could see a spiked fin big as a school bus slide along the surface.

He panicked, instinctively redirecting himself to land right on top of the serpent thing then did a double take. Not every monster had to be attacked. He had no idea how big it was. Why attack it? He would try and land as close to shore as possible. But then he thought, what if the water was too shallow to cushion the fall? That monster probably wasn't hungry anymore but how often did it get to feast on demigod meat? He had to land in the middle to be sure.

There was not enough mental preparation for what was about to happen. Too many outcomes, too many things that could go wrong. He decided to shut off his pessimistic side and just act. He was surprised to find the water was easier to control than last time. Instead of fighting him, the unholy water cooperated. The control was fluid. Just as he hit, the water exploded like a geyser and swallowed him right up.

The first disturbing detail he noticed was not that the water was actually pitch black. It was not that he could clearly sense dozens and dozens of anaconda sized snakes swimming along the bottom or the enormous shadow of the monster swallowing the last of the Nemean Lion only 30 feet away. It was the texture of the water itself. It was thick like syrup, maybe a little thinner. And it wasn't cold at all, somewhere between boiling and lukewarm. Instead of feeling the combination of the five rivers - forgetfulness, fire, pain, hate, and misery - he felt himself...absorbing? He could certainly feel the different aspects, but they weren't as strong. It was like he was taking them in and retaining some of the qualities, quickly growing accustomed.

He sunk like a rock, his feet touching the sludge. The smaller serpents slithered away and he could feel their fear. The big guy, however, his head snapped in his direction. His eyes were fixed directly on his, even across their distance and in pitch black. He charged and Percy readied himself. The apprehension he felt earlier evaporated. This snake probably survived for thousands of years down here, feeding on monsters, growing stronger. Its death on the mortal world was most likely a faint memory, almost like a dream. Percy would remind it how it felt.

As it opened its maw, ready to swallow him alive, Percy used his agile reflexes and went under, stabbing along its scaly stomach. His slash was deep and long, adding gallons of blood to the mix. He kicked up, swimming in circles, stabbing like a maniac. The serpent hissed and doubled around, eyes glowing red with hate. Percy had no fear, diving into its open mouth. He swung left and right, the forked tongue floating away in pieces. Its mouth snapped shut and the throat muscles worked fiercely, trying to swallow him. Percy snarled, and hacked away at the insides of its cheeks, stabbing right through the roof of its mouth, and cutting down the throat.

Percy was more than happy to go down its throat and cut his way out but the serpent gagged and spit him out. Percy was relentless, almost gleeful when he stabbed through its eyes. Blinded and vomiting pieces of lion meat, it shriveled up, shaking violently. Percy cut a third hole where its nostrils were and swam along its length, slicing its back open.

It started bleeding out, its strength sapped. Percy was not done. He summoned the waters, creating a whirlpool on the surface. They floated up, breaking the surface atop a massive black waterspout, the serpent trapped in the center. The cyclone carried them to the shores where a hundred monsters scrambled away. The water tornado left the serpent on the banks on its side. Percy jumped off and redirected the water straight into the serpents open maw, watching as its body stretched. The serpent's eyes went wide, bulging. In a matter of seconds, it exploded into visceral chunks, spraying blood everywhere.

Percy stood knee deep in the water, covered in blood and holding Riptide. He breathed heavily, teeth bared fiercely. He waited for the monsters to swarm him. "What are you waiting for?" He dared them to.

Then off to the right and closest to him, a hell hound sat on its hunches. And a dracaena bowed, laying her shield and sword on the sands of broken glass. A Laestrygonian giant kneeled on both knees, his face practically kissing the ground. The rest promptly followed. Percy almost dropped his sword, mouth agape. He realized he was radiating such power, such hate and pain that the monsters recognized him as the Alpha.

Numbly, he waded out of the waters. He kept waiting for the effects of the water to subside and for them to realize he was prey but they never did. They sat there, staring at the sands, unwilling to look him in the eye. He cautiously walked through their ranks, away from the lake. Once he went past the last of them, he broke into a run. He kept running and running, looking back every few seconds. The majority began scavenging immediately, feasting on the meat left behind. Only one followed him: Kelly the Vampire. She was in her cheerleader outfit, disguising her donkey-robot-vampire hybrid shit.

He stopped abruptly and almost decapitated her. She dropped to her knees, wailing. "My lord, wait! I only ask to serve you!"

"Give it up!" He snarled. "Last time I was here, you tried to kill me!"

"That was before. Now...you...your aura, it is intoxicating!"

"I bet." Percy didn't lower his sword, glaring through her skull.

"Please! You just slew the Serpent of the Pit! The pet of Tartarus himself! You swam through the Delta. None have ever bathed in its water and survived! You will be a legend in Tartarus forever!"

"You think I want that? You think I want to be here?"

She reached a hand out tentatively, as if touching him would be the greatest of honors. He smacked it away with the flat of his blade. She wasn't fazed. "I can help you! There are many exits out of the Pit!"

Percy stopped breathing, calculating the odds. Would Coeus have thrown him in here if he had a chance of escaping? The Titan of Foresight had guaranteed he would die here, falling into Chaos. How likely was it things would work out this quickly? Nevertheless, he had to try. If she was pulling an act, he could kill her easily. He gripped the sword tighter. "How? Show me."

Kelly the Vampire stood slowly. "There are three main exits all guarded by powerful monsters."

"More powerful than that snake?"

Kelli smiled coyly. "Nothing you can't handle, I'm sure. There's the River Styx, guarded by the original Hydra itself. There's the Tunnel of Hades, dug by the Big Three when they came to free the Elder Cyclops millennia ago. That one is guarded by Kampe, mother of all monsters. And then there's the aquatic exit in the Sea of Blood, guarded by Charybdis. That one in particular is very nasty."

Percy scrunched his eyebrows. He couldn't just pick one. He had to know more. Before he could ask, a breeze passed by them. Kelli's smile faded quickly. Percy's skin crawled. He recognized that feeling. "Was that-"

Kelli nodded. "Kronos."

Percy raised his sword menacingly. "You led me to him!"

"No, I would never, my lord!"

"You worked for him," He barked. "That's why I wasn't attacked! Kronos wanted me to himself!"

"I swear! He hasn't stirred since his defeat!" Kelli's lower lip trembled.

Either she was a good actress or she was telling the truth. Again, another breeze passed, this time carrying more than just wind.

"Percy," A voice whispered.

He almost jumped. "Luke?"

"Come see me. I await you at my father's shrine. Hurry, please." The voice faded.

Kelli just stared at him, eyebrows raised. He began to realize. "You didn't hear that, did you?"

"Hear what?"

Percy had to think fast. Was he going crazy? He had to get out of here before he truly went insane but he couldn't ignore Luke's voice. He just couldn't.

"Take me to the shrine of Hermes."

"As you wish, my lord. I suppose you are hungry after such heroics." She flashed a brilliant smile. "Last time, you and that Annabelle girl used it as a bed. Maybe I can use it in a similar fashion to demonstrate my loyalty."

Percy shut her up with a death glare. "Take me there. Now."

"Just saying. It's hard to get some action down here."

They travelled for a few miles in the direction of a huge forest when a scream behind them echoed. "WHERE IS HE?"

Percy knew that voice. "Hyperion."

Kelli nodded. "I guess they know you're here now."

"FIND HIM! HE CAN'T HIDE FROM US FOREVER! HEAR THAT, SON OF POSEIDON? WE COME FOR YOU!"

Percy shivered. He remembered those were almost the same words he told Coeus right before this whole situation.

Kelli misinterpreted him. "Don't worry, my lord. I won't betray you and neither will any other monster here. As far as we know, you're the King of Monsters."

Percy's brain clouded over. He felt numb again. This wasn't happening. "Just go." He heard himself say. It didn't matter now if he found a way out of here. Tartarus would be a part of him forever."

A/N:

Wuz happening? Quick, before I forget: anyone else remember how in Blood of Olympus, the Athena Parthenos is returned to Camp Half-Blood? Yeah, me neither. :(

I guess now that I brought it up, I'll retcon it? It's kind of a big plot hole but if I go back for re-writes, Coeus is just gonna find a way to get rid of it or maybe with Olympus closing down, Athena is no longer powering it. Whatever, I don't think it's that big a deal.

Don't forget to favorite/follow/review. Let me know what you guys think. I finished most of this chapter a few days ago but I couldn't figure out Percy's part. I spent hours trying to come up with a map of Tartarus and a hierarchy to it all. I think I got some good shit cooking but I'll let you guys decide that.

That's about it. I guess my only question this time is what kind of overall vibe are you guys picking up from the story? I hope you enjoyed and I'll be back soon! ;)

P.S. That was a little over 8000 words so a round of applause for anyone who got through it!