Chapter 12

-Percy's POV—

When I came to talk to Chiron about my father, I wasn't expecting my father to come running in through the Big House doors screaming my name. So when I saw the sea god with his now gray hair and extra-wrinkly eyes, I think to say I was shocked was a bit of an understatement. Of course I'm even more surprised of why this surprised me in the first place. Was I not to expect a visit from my father after running away to be with the evil child-eating titan?

I wish I can say I said something real cool like, 'father.' in a mysterious voice, or something like, "Well, well, well, will you look who it is?" But it didn't exactly happen like that. Of course it never goes how I want it to these days. No when my father came in the brilliant 'Hello' that came out of my mouth was, "You look like shit."

Real smooth Percy, real smooth.

I saw Chiron give me a knowing look like we shared some sort of secret. Poseidon just stood there looking at me. Hurt? You could say that. Happy? You could say that too. Expectant? Yeah, he did look pretty expectant which is why what I was about to do sparked a little flame of guilt in the pit of my stomach.

"I didn't come back to ask for forgiveness. I want nothing to do with the Olympians or this camp. I only came here to talk to Chiron about a few matters and that is all." I said dangerously low.

My father gave me the look of a kicked puppy. He looked so broken down and tired. I knew I wasn't planning on showing any weaknesses, but something inside of my snapped.

I looked him up and down and asked, "What happened to you anyways?"

Poseidon frowned slightly. "My powers are weakening. It seems someone of my own must have betrayed their natural ways. By using my element in a different way it's been causing me to fade. It seems to be taking its toll on me quickly."

I froze. I was causing my father to fade. I was the reason my favorite place in the world was... dying. And I have no doubt in my mind the Kronos knows this. That he planned this.

I was jumped out of my thoughts by a hand resting on my shoulder. I looked up at the worried eyes of Chiron. His mouth was forming words but no sound came out. I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts.

"Percy." He was saying. "Percy are you alright?"

I looked around and noticed my father had left. Must have been called back to his palace or something. I thought.

"Chiron." I started. "What if this... Person... That betrayed my father, were to use his or hers natural water abilities and the other powers?

Chiron seemed to study me for a minute before replying, "I think that maybe his power will return enough and balance out. He won't be as powerful as he would normally have been, but he'd survive."

I relaxed slightly. "But he wouldn't fade."

Chiron nodded then said, "Percy," he gave a slight pause. "Are you hosting Kronos?"

I was waiting for him to ask this question. I'm sure they all want to know. I figured I'd let them sleep tonight and tell the truth. "No Chiron, I'm not hosting Kronos. I'm leading the army, training the monsters, the other demi-gods, but that's about it. I'm not stupid as to trust Kronos, but I know what's right and this is it."

Chiron visibly relaxed after that first part only to tense up again. Poor centaur, I should stop worrying the man… err.. Horse man? "How can you possibly believe this is right?"

I grinned. Payback time, I thought.

"All in good time my dear teacher. Good things come to those who wait." I forced myself not to laugh and to keep a straight face.

Chiron sighed. "Being the mysterious oracle is not your job. Why can't you just give me an answer?"

I smiled slightly. "How about this: Things aren't always what they seem."

Chiron nodded slightly like he accepted and approved of this answer. "Very well Perseus."

I flinched. "Percy."

He smirked before becoming serious again. "Be careful. Try not to make any rash decisions unless absolutely necessary." He said with a knowing look.

I mock saluted Chiron before backing out of the cabin and walking out of the camp.

-Nico's POV—

Later that day in a council meeting with the gods.

"Did you guys notice how normal Percy seemed to be? It's not like Luke at all." Said Apollo after everyone watched the replay of Percy and Chiron's conversation. All the ones close to Luke flinched at the mention of him.

"What do you mean?" asked Piper.

I stood in the shadows silently watching the meeting. I'm pretty sure the only one aware of my presence is my father and possibly Chiron. But that's only to be expected of course.

"I mean, he seemed so relaxed. Like this didn't bother him at all. Like he didn't really have a reason to fight this war against us. It was as if this war was just a game to him." Apollo said.

Athena nodded. "That could just be because this was is home."

Jason shook his head. "Percy was never the type to go against the gods. He hates a lot of you, but not as much as the titans."

Most of the gods flinched at that. I looked over to the corner where Hestia sat tending a small flame. She rarely ever leaves Olympus or the campfire but she seemed to be making an exception for this meeting. She seemed at ease as always like she knew the truth; which she probably did.

"Did you see how he asked about Poseidon right away?" asked Annabeth.

Everyone nodded.

"Plus his care towards Peleus. He still cares about us even if he is trying to pretend he doesn't." she continued.

Chiron nodded. "I noticed this also. Let's not forget his worry towards his father."

Poseidon's eyes rounded. "You think he still cares?"

I laughed as I walked out of the shadows towards an empty seat. "Of course he still cares Uncle. He's Percy. He has a plan. Best thing we can do is trust him to come through in the end."

After the gods and demi-gods got their heart beats to return to normal Leo quoted Percy's earlier words, "Good things come to those who wait."

Hermes pondered this for a second. "You think he has a plan we don't know about yet." It wasn't a question but more of a statement.

"Bingo." I said.

My father, Hades, gave me a look.

Guess I said too much. I thought. Woops. Oh well, they needed the push.

I shrugged and said, "Too bad we don't know what that plan is."

Zeus sighed heavily. "Is this all for tonight?"

"Wait." A voice said.

We all turned to see Thalia. Just in time, I thought.

"Yes daughter?" Zeus asked.

"I have some news on Kronos battle plans." She said taking a seat.

Everyone looked confused except Annabeth who looked more worried.

"What?" Artemis spoke up. "How did you do that?"

"Percy asked me to join his side." She lied. It was a good lie, but I know Pinecone face too much to be fooled. The others, not so much.

"What?!" Practically everyone exclaimed, Zeus the loudest.

Thalia seemed unaffected by the outburst. She just shrugged. "So I said yes."

"You what?!" boomed Zeus. "You're my daughter! How could you!?"

Thalia just rolled her eyes along with Athena and Annabeth.

"Did you not hear her come in and say she's brought us news of the attack?" asked Athena. "Clearly she has been spying for our side."

Everyone finally quieted down.

"It's not much, Kronos only trusts Percy and the other Monsters along with Gaea at the moment. But I was able to find out they will be leading an attack towards the Empire State Building in two weeks."

"Two weeks?!"

Thalia nodded grimly. Even I was shocked.

"That doesn't give us much time to plan." Hephaestus said.

"Probably what they wanted. A surprise attack in a way." Annabeth said.

Hazel nodded. "They've probably been planning for a long time. Kept it quiet so we wouldn't expect a thing."

Zeus sighed. "We'll meet up again soon." And with that the gods flashed out.