(A/N) Sorry about the long update, guys. I am so sorry.

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO

?UNKNOWN POV?

I stalked through the night, my footsteps not even making a sound on the earth. Most would've been alarmed, but it was quite natural in my eyes. I scanned my surroundings nonchalantly, my vision superior to others' in the dark. I would've enjoyed to show myself to other campers; pop my head through the window and delight in watching the horror on their faces. I abstained from it, though, since that would just ruin the plan.

I did intend to reveal myself to some and cause rumors to spread. Then I'd lead them on a wild goose chase to nowhere. Maybe if I caught some campers sneaking around at night I'd intentionally rustle the branches or step on a twig. With my stealth, I may just be able to get close enough to whisper, "I see you" in their ear, making it sound as creepy and phantom-like as possible. But now as not the time, for I had business to tend to.

I made my way into the forest silently, watching as the moonlight cast dancing blue-white shapes through the tree foliage. The sound of the crickets' droning chirping irritated me quite a bit and I found it rather difficult to concentrate on where I was headed. With a wave of my hand, the forest fell silent.

"That's better." I mused and smiled crookedly. I tightened the grip on my black cloak and pulled the hood over my head, concealing my face in shadow. I knew that there was a camp rule that you should never go into the forest alone, especially not at night, for that was when the monsters were most active. I disregarded the rules. Even so, they were not enforced very well; the cleaning harpies were no match for my superior power. I made them swear on the Styx to not tell a single soul of my whereabouts and wiped their memories for good measure. Oh the joys of being me.

I had never felt so much power coursing through my veins; pumping through my fingertips and pulling at my soul. It made my heart race with the adrenaline and my muscles quiver in anticipation. When I had accomplished a simple task that I am not going to tell you, for that would just ruin the fun, I had nearly staggered with the amount of strength that had slammed into me like a wave. What is this feeling of power? Of this drive to fight? I had never known this sort of intensity before. It was the first time in years that I had truly felt alive.

I made my way towards what is called Bunker 9, and passed the huge rock wall that could flip up silently. I saw the gleam of the metal lever that was hidden behind a cluster of ivy and smiled to myself and continued on. The trees looked like demons leaning towards me with grotesque faces of bark, clawing at me with claws made of branches and leaves that snagged at my shawl and clawed at my face.

From the thick foliage it was clear that this path had not been ventured down, probably forgotten as the generations progressed. Of course that old horse Chiron probably would remember if someone had mentioned it to him, but there was no one else who knew and therefore the memory remained dormant, and I intended it to stay that way. I took out a long black knife that I had stolen from the armory and began to hack away at the stray tree limbs, trying to keep the damage to a minimal; if anyone saw that a path had been cleared, they'd become curious and would be tempted to travel down it to see where it led to. The previous weapon, a sword made out of that…what do you call it…Celestial Bronze? Well it did not balance right anymore and the knife had simply called to me.

It had jagged edges and clearly hadn't called upon any other demigods, for it had been rusty with disuse. With a good soak in a vat of boiling water, it was as good as new. I finally emerged into a hidden clearing. The boughs of the trees were so close together that it was impossible to get through if you did not climb the trees first. There were gnarled thorn bushes everywhere and the ground was bare earth, devoid of all grass and flowers. A creature stood coiled in the center of the clearing, its slit pupils falling to rest on me.

"I'm sssso glad you made it. I was worried that you had forgotten." it said as it unraveled and to a staggering twenty feet in length. Its black tongue flicked in and out to taste the air, just in case anyone had followed me. The creature didn't seem alarmed, however, so it must've been clear to converse in private without any nosy ears overhearing our conversation. Its body was as thick as the marble columns supporting Cabin One and scales the color of swamp water overlapped across the soft skin, giving it impenetrable armor. The part of the eyes that was usually white was a dark yellow and its green irises protected a slit pupil.

The giant snake slithered over rather silently despite its size, coiling around my legs and up my torso so that it could look me in the eye. I could feel the corded, thick muscles under the surprisingly cold scales and how it could easily crush every bone in my body if it wanted to. However we were allies, acquaintances, even. It let me pull my arms from its coils and I stared directly into its reptilian eyes, my gaze unwavering.

"Good evening, Python." I greeted coolly and the snake, Python, bowed its head in acknowledgement. "I hope it was no trouble to get here in such short notice." The snake made a sound like a laugh that, despite my acquaintance with it, sent shivers racing up and down my spine.

"Oh it was nothing for me. I was concerned about you; if they, the camperssss, find out that you're converssssing with monssssterssss ssssuch as mysssself, they'll have your head on a ssssilver platter." it chuckled, which sounded very menacing and cold.

"I doubt they'll put two and two together; apparently I hold high authority and am well-respected amongst my demigod brethren." I reply with a wink. Even though most of the snake's body was circled on the ground beside me, the weight of even the small portion of it that was wrapped around me weakened my legs and made my muscles scream.

"You are certainly getting into character, my good friend." Python snickered. "You chosssse your hosssst well."

"Indeed. It was out of pure chance that he had simply wandered into the tunnel that I was residing it." I told him, my voice filled with humor. "I at least thought that I would get that son of Hephaestus that goes there every day to work, but I won myself a jackpot. Thank God that I made his flashlight batteries fail or else he may have seen me."

"Interessssting." Python hissed, his reptilian voice hinted with curiosity. "Doessss anyone know that Mr. Persssseussss Jacksssson is not acting himsssself lately?"

"Only a son of Hermes, but I took care of his sorry ass." We shared a cold laughter, but then my face hardened. "Though I assume that that nosy son of Jupiter and Perseus' girlfriend are suspecting something. They will probably begin to investigate."

"Then it is our pleassssure to lead them away from the truth." the monster replied.

"It most certainly is our pleasure." I replied; a cold, sinister, humorless smile slicing across my face like a crack in a sidewalk.