PERCY

Koios just didn't know when to shut up. He kept babbling incoherent accusations and threats, probably about how he'd boil them at the bottom of the sea and make them watch reruns of Xena : Warrior Princess once he'd gotten hold of them.

Whatever it was he was shouting, Percy was pretty positive it wasn't friendly encouragement.

"Stop bumping me, Jackson," Triton spat as Percy stumbled over a loose stone and into the god's elbow.

"Terribly sorry, oh son of the sea. I'll try to be more careful about where I dodge sudden death."

Koios lunged again, dark metal flying, Triton and Percy both sidestepping away in different directions. For the god of foresight, he was horrible in hand to hand combat.

He bashed and trampled everything in his path, relying on his brute strength to cover for his dismal inaccuracy. Even so, it was all the son of Poseidon could do to dodge every blow and avoid the harsh cut of the titan's blade.

Triton stood opposite him now, on the other side of Koios, pointing his trident threateningly. Percy could only hope he wasn't the target.

"Well, son of the sea? Well? Here we are then. I had my suspicions of course, but I chose to believe you would take the intelligent course of action. I, quite evidently, was wrong. I must now remedy my mistake." Koios' voice was glacial, his lips curling up maliciously in a horrible grimace.

"Yes, well, about that - " Triton began, focusing the triple prongs and letting loose a magnificent jet of liquid.

Percy didn't have to worry about being the target, but that didn't mean he got away from getting royally soaked.

Koios staggered and glared at his former ally.

And then turned and…retreated.

The great sword hung heavy at his side, still unsheathed, and his figure was swallowed up by the shadows and the dark.

"What in Hades just happened…" Percy breathed, still dripping and frigid but looking between Triton and the spot Koios had just been standing.

"He's not giving up, if that's what you're thinking."

"Right - well, of course not…" Percy looked away in annoyance.

How does Triton know he's not giving up? Weirder things have happened. Gods, all I did was think it, doesn't mean I actually believed it would happen. That much.

"This isn't going to work, though. We can by no means fight side by side. It isn't practical." Triton continued to scrape the fork of the trident at the frozen stone. It made Percy grimace.

"You're right," he agreed. "We have to work together. When he comes back," he added quickly.

Triton looked at him like he'd just proposed they slow-dance with Medusa.

"No. That's not going to work either. Working together clearly hasn't been effective. I can easily fight him on my own, but with you getting in my way - "

"Then don't get in mine and we'll be just fine." Percy resented being blamed for Triton's inability to see in the peripheral of his slimy green face, but pointing that out now might not work in his favor. "Neither of us can beat him on our own. If we cooperate we at least stand a chance."

"Out of the question. I - "

"Please, Triton."

He hushed, looked Percy dead on. "What?"

"Oh, gods, don't make me say it again. I need your help. And you need mine, admit it. You don't actually want the earth to drown, do you? You're just trying to save face - though for who I'm not totally sure."

Triton was silent and Percy could tell he was seriously thinking about what he'd said. Which he hadn't expected. Hoped, but not expected.

"Well, maybe - "

"Triton - "

He sighed and bowed his head, setting the trident right side up and firm. "I suppose, yes. I suppose you are right."

"Hm - what was that again?"

His brother looked like he was exceeding boiling point. "I said, you. Are. Right. Don't push it, Jackson."

"No, no, of course not! Never dreamed of it."

"Now, since we're supposed to be fighting together, we should find something to practice on. There are two problems here, after all."

"Right, where's - "

"Little help!" Annabeth echoed across the cavern, making the two jump only to turn and find her pinned between a tiny edge of rock and a giant, arm raise Oceanus. "Little help would be great."