XII

ARTEMIS

She wasn't in her right mind. She never had been ever since she realized who was taking control of Percy. Inner demons haunted every corner of her mind. There was nowhere to run. She couldn't accept the demigod's fate in this. What was going to become of him once the possession reached its final stages? Would he become what Luke Castellan had almost become? A mere vessel for a sinister being that desired nothing more than the destruction of humanity?

There was no way in hell she was going to let that happen. But there was no way to stop this. No real way except to kill him. And Artemis couldn't possibly do that. When the time came to choose the world or Percy…what would she do? What could she do? Percy was the savior of Olympus, hero of heroes. Could anyone take the life of this hero if he were to go astray…?

"Artemis…?" She jumped, resurfacing to the present. Turning around, she saw Percy standing there with a concerned expression. "Are you okay?" He waved a hand over her face.

"Uh, it's nothing." She smiled weakly.

Percy frowned, but didn't push the subject. His eyes narrowed as he stared off into the distance. "You know, I'm not sure why but I have a feeling that Gaea isn't the only problem we'll have to deal with soon…" He bit his lip, his hand moving to his pocket for Riptide. He turned to the goddess. "When the time comes…will you be ready for it?"

That sent a chill down her spine. Ready…ready for what? Did he that he didn't have much time left? Was this person Percy anymore? She clenched her fist behind her back, hiding her frustration. What can she do? What can anyone do? Was there really no way to end this nightmare?

Was it inevitable…for that prince of darkness to rise?

She looked up not quite meeting the demigod's eye. "I-I think." She murmured. Percy nodded and looked to the skies. She followed his gaze and traced a flock of birds flying south. Dark clouds billowed overhead, enveloping the sky in a blanket of grey. There was the distant rumble of thunder.

"I think we should anchor down somewhere and wait for this storm to pass." Frank called over to them. He had been helping Hazel block the holes of their craft. "The waters are gonna be dangerous in this type of weather."

Percy nodded and steered the boat to a small island that had come into view. "We'll set up camp over there." He turned, staring worriedly at the skies. "Has something happened up there on Mount Olympus?" For a brief second, his eyes flashed blood red in the fading light of the sun. He winced, rubbing his temples. "Ah, whatever."

Artemis stared at him, sadly. Soon, he'll lose himself. Forever. And then…they would have to destroy him. No matter what.

She wished a hero's life was not filled with so much tragedy. What would happen to his friends if they heard of this? What about his family?

It wasn't fair. This whole thing just wasn't fair.

She could almost sense the eyes of Angels watching over them, not as guardians but as executioners. She could feel the might of heaven preparing to be thrown at them…She didn't like the thought of killing him. Not one bit. And she was sure neither did the other gods and goddesses. Would they have to descend from their high roosts if this was not taken care of?

The last time that had happened, a whole city sunk into the sea.

This matter had to be taken care of by Mount Olympus. But...

Percy had saved them time and time again. To now take his life…it was too much.

"Stop thinking so deeply." Thalia came to stand next to her. "Things'll work out." She grinned reassuringly.

"Things have been going smoothly so far, huh?" Hazel commented as she made her way toward them. "At this rate, maybe we'll make it to Canada without much casualty."

Just when the words left her mouth, there was a roar that shook the skies and soaring down toward them at breakneck speed came dragons. Armed dragons with hooded riders. The sea stirred up into a whirlpool and a sea serpent erupted from its restless surface.

Thalia sighed. "You just had to jinx it." Frank gave a muffled cough. His face was pale as if he was about to puke. Was he seasick?

Lightning flashed in the skies. It began to pour.

"Gaea was right." One of the riders laughed. "They are just like sitting ducks to be eaten." His hood fell to reveal his features. It was Mark Antony. "I've come to take the Son of Neptune." His eyes glowed an eerie golden light. It was cold and harsh. He stared down at them with the contempt of a ruler. Arrogant and Cruel. His smile seemed to hide an insanity that Artemis couldn't quite understand. "Now, come."

"Like I'm going to go with you." Percy retorted, Riptide gleamed in his hand. His eyes were wild for some reason. His usual levelheadedness was gone. What was wrong with him? Then she realized. Its his control over his own body…Dangerous situations must trigger a response to the thing sleeping in him like a wake up call. Artemis looked at her hands. They were bleeding from her nails.

"We've gotta get away from them." Hazel exclaimed desperately. "Percy, can you get us to the island before they catch us?"

"It's too late to run for proper ground." The Son of Neptune's eyes flickered for a second and began to glow a pulsating red. "We'll have to fight right here, right now." Blood trickled from his mouth. "I'm already at my limit, too. The boat was about break apart anyway. I was holding it together through sheer willpower."

"Percy…?" Thalia looked bewildered. "What's wrong? You…don't look yourself."

"I'm fine!" He yelled, making everyone jump. "Artemis, call your chariot. The boat won't last for another second." He stared up at Mark Antony. "As for Gaea's henchmen…I'll deal with them." He strode forward and crouched as a wild animal would for a jump.

"Percy," Artemis spoke. "Don't tell me you..."

"Percy, we can't leave you here." Hazel protested.

"We'll fight with you." Thalia shouted over the sudden howl of wind.

Artemis looked between them and a sinking feeling settled in her. "We won't be able to fight these people here. We're outnumbered." She blew her hunting horn, summoning her silver war chariot. "All of you, get in. We're going to make a break for it." Besides that, she had to get them away from Percy as fast as she can. He was barely in control even now.

"But Percy…!" Thalia gazed determinedly back at her. She closed her eyes, pained. This was going to fast. Everything was moving way too fast.

"Don't worry about me. I'll hold them off long enough for you all to escape." He called over his shoulder, red glowing veins were starting to show through his skin as if his blood had been replaced with liquid fire. "We'll meet up…at Hubbard Glacier."

"Hubbard Glacier…?" Hazel looked taken aback. "How do you know that place?" She demanded.

"Shadows keep whispering into my ear." Percy replied cryptically. "They tell me things."

Artemis' eyes widened. It couldn't be...

"Now, go."

He leapt fifty feet into the air, Riptide flashed red as he brought it slicing through the head of a dragon as it flew at them. Its rider yelled and lightning struck Percy full in the chest, Riptide spinning from his grip. He grunted in pain. Blood flowed from his forehead.

"Percy!"

Artemis turned away. "We have to go. Now." She ushered the others onto the chariot and took off.

From on the ship, she could see Percy stagger to his feet. His veins were more visible, glowing a brighter red. He yelled and the sea answered. Waves the size of skyscrapers rose to take dragons and riders both in its torrent. Hands made of water grabbed at the air, crushing enemies. Mark Antony shrieked out a name and the islands around them rumbled. Gaea was lending her strength.

Percy screamed out an incoherent battle cry. Water gathered into the skies in a cyclone of torrential might. Hands of the sea grabbed at the Roman betrayer but his dragon weaved through them all heading toward Percy. Spears of water hurled itself at the dragons flank. It roared and they blew away like leaves in the wind. Percy charged the man, his eyes glowing blood red, crying tears of blood.

The possession was moving to the next stage.

"Percy...!" She heard herself cry out. No, no, no, no. This wasn't happening. Not like this. Not now. She could feel the rift between them growing ever larger. Like there was a chasm separating them. She wanted to reach out and take him away. Save him from himself. But their hands won't reach. She was completely helpless.

The two clashed in a fury of sparks and metal. The boat under their feet exploded. Percy leapt into the air, roaring as he gathered water about him for another attack. All the while more and more of the sea gathered in the sky in a cyclone. He brought his sword up over his head, his red eyes wide. Crystals appeared around him in a ring of shards. They flew at dragons and riders, slicing them into crimson ribbons.

Fists of the Earth smashed into Percy as the islands' sediment formed hands of their own. "Two can play at that game, boy!" Antony bellowed, his entire body was glowing gold now. His form was deteriorating, skin was starting to peel. Fists of dirt pummeled the demigod repeatedly.

Percy's eyes widened as he was sent flying into the sea below. There was a crash. Sea spray erupted. Then, for a minute there was calm. Antony smiled and turned to look up at Artemis and the rest. "Now you."

Then, the sea began to glow red like the water had become lava. The world seemed to shake as red flames encasing Percy blasted the waters apart. "We're not through yet." He winced suddenly, doubling over, cradling his dead.

He screamed out a long wail then went silent. A new presence overtaking him. Something evil. Old. Intelligent. That sinister feeling overtook Artemis' senses for a moment. Then vanished.

A hand touched Artemis' shoulders. She looked over to see Thalia staring at the scene before them in horror. "What's happening to Percy?" her lieutenant asked, pleadingly. "This isn't his power. This isn't how he is. This isn't him!"

"I think we'd better go." The goddess replied quietly. Tears threatening to fall.

The last thing she saw was Antony getting enveloped in red flames as Percy went out of control.

She clenched her fists, eyes closed, trying to maintain her composure. "Percy...I swear. I'll find a way to save you!"

It's finally begun. Armageddon.

…

Thank you for reading. Until next time...