AN: I put a poll up on my profile, feel free to participate if you would like. I am going to leave it up for the next few weeks just to get a feel for what you guys think.

Review Response: Etkowatches

As with anyone that takes the time to leave a review thank you it means a lot to know people are reading the story. I wanted to respond to this review because it is interesting. You're right, Percy won't be making a journey to return Annabeth to life. To be honest, even if he did I would have to make him fail just like every hero before him that has tried the same thing. The biggest reason I won't have him try is that a main theme if you wanna call it that I have in mind when writing this story, or more specifically Percy is acceptance of the things he cannot change. Obviously, he is struggling to move on but it's in moving on and growing as a person that he will be able to be happy. Clinging to the past is only going to hurt him and everyone around him.

Also, I made a change to Percy's domains to include currents because while working on this chapter I felt like Percy had less of a connection with the ocean than I wanted. Percy was the most powerful mortal son of Poseidon ever, and now that he is a god I want that to still come through as a major part of his powers (Yes he still has his storm powers and earthshaker powers). I am going to update the previous chapters to match this change so there won't be any confusion going forward.

As always I own nothing you recognize from officially published/licensed works, I only own my imagination.

Chapter 5: The Sun goes jetskiing on a fish

Nico was standing by the door to Percy's room looking less than pleased about something. and given the direction of his glare it was likely Apollo.

"Nico, what's the issue?"

Percy looked back at the ceiling as he tiredly asked the question, he had only just woken up and now he was having to deal with Nico possibly being angry with Apollo for some reason.

"Well Lord Perseus," Nico's tone was surprisingly venomous, "We have been without guidance since the war ended. No prophecies, no quests, nothing. Demigods are dying, nature spirits, Satyrs, even mortal family members of demigods, and here's Lord Apollo sitting around playing demigod like a good boy."

Percy's jaw muscles bunched as he gritted his teeth and turned to look at Nico wondering how he had learned that Lairus was actually Apollo. His strict instructions from Zeus had been to allow no one to know that didn't need to know or that hadn't figured it out on their own. Percy realized it didn't matter how they knew now so he pushed that train of thought aside. He knew better than most what was at stake but he also knew far more than most about what was causing the issues. Even his knowledge was woefully incomplete however if his encounter with the Creature that had put him in this bed was anything to judge by. The worst part was that Nico wasn't wrong, he had every reason to be royally pissed. Percy sat up and swung his legs down to rest on the floor so that he could look Nico in the face, and realized he would have to do something that he hated with every fiber of his being, not tell his friends everything he knew. He could feel the ancient laws just waiting for him to give them a reason to knock him down but he wasn't going to give them the chance, he was going to do this the right way especially now that he thought he knew what the fates wanted.

"You want to do something about it? Do you want a prophecy? A Quest? Fine, I know you're upset but this is bigger than us. I can't just fly off the handle and thumb my nose at fate anymore Nico, no matter how much I want to. I want to protect as many demigods as I can, but right now the only way that is going to happen in the long run is by seeing Apollo through this."

Percy's head hurt, he was tired, and he was annoyed as hell. Did Nico really think he was just letting Apollo have fun while kids were dying, and monsters were growing stronger and bolder? He looked over at Nico and he could see in his face that he had made his point.

"I'm sorry Percy I just... I feel them go when they die... Its... It gets to be a lot to deal with sometimes."

"I know you do Nico. I'm sorry that I can't do or say more but I am restricted by the same laws that the other gods are, despite my greater flexibility with demigods. Though I wasn't kidding and you are definitely going. I have a prophecy for you to chew on, or rather Apollo does as it's about him and not me for once."

Percy didn't mention that he was likely directly needed for the prophecy to come true as that would only raise questions, from Nico and Will, that he didn't have answers for. Nico exhaled a long breath that ended up sounding like a frustrated groan, afterwards he turned to Apollo.

"Well, let's hear it then."

Percy could feel the frustration coming from Nico's words and he shook his head laying back down already feeling tired of being awake again. He yawned hugely as he went over what had happened with the monsters and whatever the Thing down in Louisiana was. Percy remembered he had pulled the arrow out of his arm which meant he had touched it. Holding out his hand Percy focused on the memory and summoned one of the strange arrows into being. It was huge for an arrow, over four feet long it was also incredibly heavy, the arrowhead was made of a rough stony material that Percy finally remembered, flint. However, unlike the arrows Artemis had given him, the dark magic, or whatever it was, seemed as though was beyond his ability to recreate. He had hoped that one of Hecate's children or maybe Hephaestus' could have learned something from it but it seemed that idea was a bust.

Suddenly something hit Percy in the head, he flinched and looked around in time to see Will swinging his hand at him again.

"Who. Gave. You. Permission. To. Use. Your. Powers."

Will tried to smack him on the back of the head punctuating each word. Percy just blocked his hand with his upraised left arm with little trouble before sighing exasperatedly.

"I get it, Will. Would you...Would you stop trying to smack me? Apollo. Your son is abusing me. Me. What's a god gotta do to get a hand around here?"

It seemed that Will wasn't entirely satisfied with Percy's reaction or his willingness to comply with Will's instructions. Percy waved him away and turned to face the window pointedly ignoring Will so that he would return to the conversation about the prophecy. Percy knew that quests like these usually had three people as a part of them, though Apollo had originally faced Python on his own, that wasn't an option this time. It seemed like Nico and Will might be companions for this journey which Percy was uneasy about to say the least, though he wasn't sure why. Now that he was a god and the rest of the Seven were...gone. Nico was the most powerful demigod at camp, and Will was the best healer the Apollo cabin had produced in decades. Yet Percy couldn't quite figure out why he still had reservations about the pair of them going on this quest with Apollo, but it didn't take him long to figure it out as he turned to look at the pair of them as they sat discussing the possible meanings of the lines of the Prophecy. They were happy, despite everything they were together and they were happy. Percy felt another pang of loss as Will leaned against Nico's shoulder, it was such a familiar gesture that neither of them seemed to notice the action, but Percy did. Yet again he keenly felt Annabeth's absence being hammered into him as though the sight of her sightless eyes just before he slid them closed hadn't done that already. Percy shook his head already changing his mind, but before he said anything to the three people in the room with him he closed his eyes and focused on the Hunters of Artemis. There were plenty of demigods among them so he had little trouble finding them, though he was sure Artemis wouldn't be mad at him she wouldn't be super happy about that ability either. He focused on remaining where he was as well as the Hunter's location, it was an odd experience but one that he was beginning to grow used to as an aspect of him manifested at the camp. Percy returned his attention back to the room he was sitting in while the part of him at the Hunter's camp went to talk to Artemis about the idea he had while thinking about what should be done about the prophecy.

Percy walked slowly towards the Hunter's camp being very careful to pay attention to his surroundings and not make any quick movements. His caution seemed to be both pointless and warranted as when he got within ten feet of the outlying tents he felt a half dozen arrows flying in his direction. Rolling his eyes Percy simply caused the arrows to freeze in place and then disappear just as any weapon he had summoned usually did.

"Must you do that every time I come for a visit Thalia?"

She dropped out of a tree and walked towards him smiling evilly at him the whole time. She yelped in surprise however when her bow flew out of her hands into Percy's outstretched hand. As soon as he touched it he felt the familiar pulse of power that meant he could now summon and even alter an exact copy of the bow he held.

"Give it back Kelp Head."

Her voice was even but the clipped tone told Percy that she was less than enthused about her bow being pulled from her hand even if it was by him. He examined the bow closer and realized that Thalia had carved lines of greek into the limbs of the bow, and more than the lines in greek he saw names. So many familiar names, and many more he did not recognize, though he guessed they were the names of the Hunters who fell fighting against Gaea and more specifically, Orion. Percy felt a thrill run through him that felt somewhat like the feeling when he had first connected to his loyalty domain, though it was more muted than he was used to, he could feel his exhaustion making it more challenging for him to maintain control but he pushed thoughts about his current state away. Nervously Percy allowed the separation he normally kept between himself and the stream of promises that were constantly flowing through him, perhaps his exhaustion was actually helpful as even the promises felt less intense. He felt the echoes of a promise coming from the bow, or perhaps from Thalia herself so he focused on it. The exact wording of the promise was lost in the jumble of other promises but he knew that Thalia had sworn to never let her fallen friends and sisters be forgotten.

"That's a heavy oath to keep Thalia."

The words and names carved into the bow seemed to glow with a blue-green light for a moment highlighting once more the link to the promise Thalia had made to all those whose names she had lost. She stopped short looking at him with wide eyes, her lips parted as though she had been about to start speaking. The hand that she had extended to take her bow back dropped back to her side and he saw her fingers clench into fists at her sides. She pushed her hand forward to take the bow from him and he gladly relinquished it back to her.

"I'm sorry Thalia, I still need to learn how to deal with my domains. Can we start over?"

"Sure Percy. I'll go climb back up the tree and shoot some arrows at you now shall I?"

Even Percy could tell that she was putting up a show, her smile and joking tone felt forced and fake. Percy shrugged and turned to the interior of camp starting to walk, and giving Thalia a moment to collect herself if she needed it. She soon caught up with him and fell into step next to him, he didn't see any other huntresses around which he thought was odd but he shrugged it off, there was probably a reason for it. When they arrived at Artemis' tent they both ducked inside, first Thalia then Percy. When he began to straighten he raised his eyes and found Artemis' silver eyes looking at him unblinking as always.

"Why have you come here, Percy?"

Artemis was once more in her adult form which she had seemed to be doing more, though he wasn't exactly sure why he thought that. When he had been a demigod he had only seen her a handful of times, and she was in her adult form more of those times than not. He figured he probably shouldn't just ask her about it as it felt like the sort of thing Annabeth would call him a Seaweed Brain for. He shook himself from his thoughts mentally as he needed to actually answer Artemis' question and she was beginning to look mildly annoyed by his continued silence in response to her question.

"Well Artemis, I was going to ask if Thalia would accompany me and Apollo on the journey we need to undertake."

"Why Thalia and not one of your Campers Perseus?"

Percy bit his tongue to keep from saying something stupid and considered his words before opening his mouth again.

"She is the most powerful demigod currently alive, and because of your blessing, her abilities are enhanced even further. Well also I just trust her more than anyone alive, I trust Nico but... Thalia has never turned her back on her friends."

What Percy didn't say was that despite everything Nico had been through and everything he had done for them, there was a part of Percy that the more he thought about it didn't trust Nico. Percy felt odd even thinking about it but then he realized it wasn't entirely his own thoughts, once again echoes were reaching him from behind the divide in his mind. His loyalty domain was not allowing him to forget that Nico had more than once betrayed Percy's trust. It wasn't just that however it seemed to be conjuring all examples, the major moments that really showed where Nico's loyalties lay the more Percy focused on it the more he saw. He tore himself away from the river of promises in his mind and the images ceased, he found himself once again standing in Artemis' tent now with Artemis and Thalia looking at him as though no time had passed. Artemis saw the change in his face and he saw her brows knit together slightly.

"Percy, what did you just see?"

Thalia looked around at Artemis and then back to Percy examining him more closely. He looked at Artemis unsure of how to answer the question, he didn't want to get into the troubles he had with his domains, at least not right now as it wasn't really important. Artemis however seemed like she was not going to let it pass if the expression on her face was anything to judge by even before he had voiced his complaints. Resigning himself to the conversation he decided to just get it over with.

"It seems like my loyalty domain has decided to be a pain in the butt. It was showing me the choices Nico has made, good and bad, that are related to where his loyalties are."

"Were the visions from his perspective or from an outside observer of some kind? Be accurate the distinction is important."

Percy thought back to the visions, thinking about it they were all very similar to the dreams he had once had as a demigod when he had observed events far away. They all had the same hyperrealism quality that he associated with his dreams but if past experience was to be believed then the events had happened exactly as he had seen them.

"I think from an outside perspective, but they weren't very long so there wasn't a lot of context to the decisions."

Artemis waved a hand dismissively at his final comment before responding.

"A choice is a choice, mortals often make choices they know to be wrong and use surrounding events to justify those choices."

"But just as many are forced to make choices that don't leave them any good options!"

Artemis regarded him, her unblinking eyes seemed to draw him in and pin him in place at the same time. It was an unnerving feeling, to say the least, but Percy wasn't backing down on this, sometimes bad choices were better than worse choices.

"Percy you are young. I know you have seen much in your years but you have no idea the things I have seen. You have seen the worst of the monstrous and the truly evil, of that there is no doubt. You have not seen the worst of humanity, mortal and demigod alike. There is always a choice Percy, you have been willing to make the hard choices because they were the right ones regardless of the consequences. Many are not, no, most are not willing to make the hard choice to do what is right because they are afraid of the consequences. They tell themselves it is because they had no choice, or because they didn't know any better or a thousand other excuses that I have heard a thousand times. Yet deep inside they all knew what was right and what was wrong, they ignored the part of them that spoke that truth to them, they ignored it and continue to ignore it because they are cowardly and weak. You have seen it, have you not Percy? You saw what happened to Zoe at Heracles' hands, you know what your mother suffered at your old stepfather's hands."

Percy gritted his teeth in anger, he hated having his own choices thrown back in his face at the best of times, but for Artemis of all people to do it to him like that seemed worse somehow. He hadn't made the choices he had because of some sort of sense of right and wrong, he had done the best he could with what he had at the time. His life was a never-ending series of near-cataclysmic events that he had somehow managed to walk away from leaving so many behind him. It felt wrong to suggest that he had just made better choices and that was why he was still standing here as a god when the rest of his friends had fallen.

"How can you say that?! People aren't perfect, so what?! They make mistakes, they make choices and sometimes it works out, sometimes your choices get people killed..."

Percy's voice died along with the burst of anger that had kindled itself in his heart, swept away on the tide of his grief, even now still so close to the surface. Artemis' face softened and she walked closer to Percy until she was barely three feet from him.

"Do not misunderstand me, Percy. The right choice is almost always the hardest, that is why it is hard to be a hero. It is much easier to live in the middle, never choosing to do good or evil, but you know that too do you not?"

Percy looked away from Artemis, only then did he realize at some point Thalia had left the tent. He saw the pelts on the wall and he was reminded of the first time he had ever seen them back in Maine on a cliffside after watching Annabeth be dragged into the sea. Then to the quest and the promise he had made Nico before he left, the promise he had failed to keep when he had watched Bianca sacrifice herself to save the other from Talos. The memory burned within him as one of his many failures to save the people around him, but he realized what Artemis had meant now. Had he not let Bianca make the choice herself she would have regretted it forever, and if he had gone the world may not still be standing. Percy wanted to break something, anything, he wanted to... He felt a hand on his shoulder and he froze, allowing Artemis to turn him to face her.

"I have made choices that I later came to regret Percy, but in order to improve you must acknowledge that regardless of circumstances the choice is yours, and yours alone. The only thing you can truly control in this world is yourself, nothing else."

"I feel like I've heard that somewhere before, a movie maybe?"

"It is an idea popularized by the Stoics of Greece and Rome. Where do you think they got the idea, Percy?"

No matter how long Percy was a part of the mythological world he didn't think he would ever really get used to the matter-of-fact way the other gods talked about ideas and events that were thousands of years old. Percy realized that wasn't true anymore, he would one day be like the other gods, looking back over centuries, millennia lived just as they did. Artemis was still little more than arm's reach away and was beginning to look distinctly uncomfortable.

"Percy? I... Never mind it is not important."

Percy sighed and stepped back respectfully, putting more distance between them. He shoved his anger down alongside his grief and returned to the former topic.

"So can Thalia accompany your brother or am I going to be going with him alone?"

"I'm sorry Percy. I cannot spare my lieutenant for long enough to be of any use to you. I do promise to bring any information we find that may be helpful to you but I can promise nothing more as we are."

Percy had expected the answer but that didn't mean he wasn't disappointed with it. He was about to leave when he realized that sh should ask her about the Creature he encountered in Louisiana and the arrows it had used. He once more summoned one of the massive arrows and felt his form flicker momentarily, the concentration to create the arrow causing his tenuous grip on his various aspects to slip slightly.

"Have you ever seen arrows like these Artemis?"

Her face tightened and her eyes narrowed angrily at the sight of the missile in his fingers. She waved a hand and it turned to ash disappearing into nothing before he could blink.

"Where did you find one of those to copy Percy?"

Her voice was tight and angry though he knew her better now, there was something else too but he didn't quite know what.

"Well a few of them got shot at me. That one," He gestured vaguely with his hands, "I yanked out of my shoulder."

Artemis whipped around her silver eyes wide with shock.

"When? No, it matters not, it is not too late we need to see my brother... Damn my father's punishment, Apollo is worse than useless as he is, I didn't want to use these yet..."

"What is happening? Why are you so concerned?"

She glared at him for a moment before turning to a small chest he had not noticed sitting beside the pelts and her displayed bow. He could hear bottles clinking and what sounded like tearing paper when Artemis turned around holding three small paper packets. One was torn open to reveal a vial of an odd golden liquid that she thrust at him.

"Drink it now."

He took it from her but hesitated, he wanted to ask what it was and why he needed to drink it but as soon as he looked up at her he thought better of it. He yanked the stopper out of the vial and emptied it into his mouth. As soon as it touched his tongue his shoulder once more ignited into waves of pain. His knees hit the ground and he gritted his teeth against the pain, even as he fought it waves of heat seemed to suffuse him. Starting from his mouth and throat the heat felt like he had tried to drink molten fire, which coincidentally he was familiar with. However to his surprise, as the heat grew the pain in his shoulder started to fade away growing dull before fading entirely. Percy lay flat on his back looking up at the ceiling of Artemis' tent breathing hard. Even as he lay there he began to feel different, better actually. His power felt like it was coming back, his energy recharging and he realized there had been something draining him, eating away at his godly power.

"What the..."

"Indeed Percy. Those arrows belong to a group more beast than man, though they appear human from a distance. They curse their weapons with foul power, my brother would be able to tell you more. Well, he would under normal circumstances at least. All that matters is that had I not given you that vial there is no telling how long you would have lasted before you would need to reform. It eats away at your immortal essence destroying you from the inside."

At these words, Percy realized that he needed to get back to camp with the potion, fast.

His aspect that was sitting with Will, Nico, and Apollo asked them to go to Harley and not leave his side.

The Aspect of himself with Artemis explained the situation as fast and succinctly as he could.

"I wasn't the only one hit with one of those arrows. A demigod named Harley got hit too. If it would be able to destroy my physical form I can't imagine a demigod would fair better."

Artemis handed him both vials but didn't release them immediately.

"Give the second one to my brother so he can try to replicate it, I do not know how he created it."

Percy nodded and flashed back to camp, once again choosing to forgo his normal means of travel for the flashing most gods used. He released his control of the aspect that was seated inside the infirmary and he almost sighed with relief at the drop in effort. His feet landed on the ground just outside the infirmary, dashing inside he found Harley's room almost immediately. To his surprise everything seemed calm, Harley was even sitting up and talking to Will, and Apollo. Percy stopped short and he met Apollo's eyes who gave him a confused look. Percy gestured with his chin for Apollo to follow him as he turned and walked into the room he had been in when he had awoken. When Apollo joined him Nico came as well, both of them looking concerned.

"Harley is fine Percy. What happened? Where were you?"

Apollo asked as Percy paced back and forth in the room. He felt like he was missing something yet again but he didn't know what. He held up the paper-wrapped vials for Apollo to see, and heard Apollo suck in through his teeth.

"Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid! How could I have forgotten!"

Percy was surprised at the outburst from Apollo, even after being essentially turned into a mortal Percy hadn't seen Apollo so much as raise his voice.

"Curse my mortal memory. Of course, it's them and their stupid arrows and their stupid curse. Why am I so blind?!"

"Whoa whoa whoa. Slow down, Apollo. So some group of monsters uses some seriously nasty arrows. We know now, and we have these," Percy held up the vials again, "It's going to be fine."

But something in Apollo's eyes told him otherwise, and even Nico seemed to be shifting uncomfortably now.

"Percy you don't...Percy the curse on those arrows is made of through a ritual involving three key ingredients, they aren't always exactly the same, but they are always similar. Venom from a monster, human blood, and Darkness. When I say Darkness I don't mean the lack of light, regular dark magic, or whatever else you might immediately think of. Really think about what I am saying, Percy."

Even as the words left Apollo's mouth Percy felt his ichor run cold. He had run through the Palace of Night, which was suspended over the original primordial nothing. He looked up at met Nico's eyes where he saw the haunted feeling inside him reflected.

"Nyx..."

"Bingo. I don't remember everything but even when I had all my memories and my full mental capacity I couldn't fully comprehend what exactly it was or how it was made. Save that it involved a ritual and a blood sacrifice."

Percy swallowed hard, the thought that this curse, however, it was created, wasn't even completely understood by the god of medicine was far from comforting. A question occurred to Percy and the more he thought about it the less he thought he understood.

"If you don't even know how it was made how is there any way to create something that nullifies it?"

To Percy's surprise Apollo smiled broadly at the question, he seemed to be very proud of this specific creation.

"By combining the nearest things to the opposite of the ingredients as far as I could tell. The Golden Apples of Immortality, Nector, and no small amount of my own power."

Percy blinked at Apolo for a long few seconds then his brain caught up with his ears. Immediately Percy closed his eyes and just like he had with the arrows he tried to feel the power, and he did. It was so unlike Artemis' power, where hers was soft and gentle, the power he felt burned and seemed to hum. It was the burning rays of the sun and its purifying light. Where Artemis' power was quiet and refined, Apollo's seemed to rage, rage like a roaring flame, loud and raw. Of course, it wasn't Apollo's power alone, but at least he knew what it felt like now.

With his eyes still closed he focused his power on the arrows and Apollo's power, just as he had with Artemis' before. When he summoned the arrow it came with a heavy burden on his power, he felt as he had before when he replicated Artemis' power. Hopeful, Percy opened his eyes and set the vials down on the bed next to him. He focused on the arrow and he could feel the barest trace of Apollo's power, not even close to enough if Artemis' arrows were anything to judge by. He cursed angrily tossing the arrow onto the bed as well, turning to look out the window. Percy could see demigods going about their days, moving from training to cabins, playing basketball or volleyball, and so many ordinary things. Percy knew they had to do something, and soon. He turned to face Apollo.

"Go get your gear together. I'm done waiting."

Calypso stared out at endless water as she had so many times before, but this was a different endless horizon. She was standing looking out over the Atlantic Ocean as she had been informed it was called. Hermes had done his best to teach her enough to get by during the month she had been staying at his palace. She wasn't comfortable in the modern world by any stretch of the imagination, but now no one would be suspicious of her apparent lack of all knowledge about the modern world. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, tuning out the sound of honking horns, voices, squealing brakes, sirens, and a nearly infinite number of other sounds and smells that were ever present in New York. She prayed to Poseidon, she had decided that she needed to give Percy space, but she wanted to know what was going on. After more than four thousand years isolated, she refused to isolate herself again.

Calypso prayed to Poseidon, she asked that he allow her passage to Atlantis. She knew she had little to offer but she had to try something, anything. She received no reply, no whisper or flash of light, but she heard a loud splash in front of her and she opened her eyes. Before her shaking its mane and whinnying was a Hippocampus. She thanked Poseidon and jumped into the water, climbing onto the Hippocampus' back and doing her best to hold on. As soon as she was settled the Hippocampus whinnied again and turned towards the open ocean. The wind rushing past her stung her eyes and within less than a minute they were already far from shore. Without warning the Hippocampus dived below the waves shocking her, the surprise driving the air from her lungs. She began to panic for a moment, but only briefly. She breathed as easily below the waves as she had when she had been young, after all, she was the daughter of Tethys, one of the titans who held dominion over the seas. She soon lost track of time as the underwater landscape grew darker and darker around her. It felt like it had been hours since she had seen anything in the pitch-blackness. Eventually, she realized that she could see the shape of the Hippocampus' head and neck in front of her.

She looked around the Hippocampus' neck and gasped, she beheld a beautiful, glowing city far beneath the waves. Even from this distance, she could see the Trident emblazoned on the seaweed banners that hung on the outer walls, the mark of House Poseidon. Even as she beheld the city the Hippocampus began to slow until soon enough it stopped, still miles from the city's walls. She started as a voice sounded through the water, it felt like it came from all around her and she couldn't see who was speaking.

"It is magnificent is it not," The voice asked though it continued without letting her respond, "What business does a titaness have with my father's city?"

There was a flash of light and before her floated a merman with two fishtails instead of one. His armor was a blue-tinted gray in color and was studded with pearls.

"Lord Triton," She bowed her head respectfully not wanting to anger him, "I prayed to your father and he sent this Hippocampus."

Looking at Triton more closely she realized that he resembled Percy a great deal though his skin was greenish, and the bones of his face were finer, giving him a more streamlined appearance. She thought Percy resembled his father much more, but she shook herself mentally, 'I'm not here to compare the sons of Poseidon.'

It seemed Triton had conferred with his father somehow because a moment later his expression cleared, though he still looked at her suspiciously.

"Follow me then, I shall escort you to my father."

Seemingly without prompting the Hippocampus began to follow Triton as he swam toward the city. Now however their path was angled upward to bypass the walls entirely, and she looked down curiously. She saw merpeople of all shapes and colors, an amazing variety of fish, and other sea creatures. Three small merchildren spotted them swimming far above and waved, their faces too far to make out distinctly. Calypso waved back but the children were soon out of sight. When Calypso looked back in the direction they were going she saw that they were descending into a courtyard before what could only be Poseidon's Palace.

As soon as she dismounted the Hippocampus whinnied and shot off towards what must have been a stable of some kind, but Calypso wasn't sure. She followed Triton through the front doors, which were standing open, and into the palace. She was in a massive entrance hall and she found that within the palace there must have been some unusual magic at work. When she crossed the threshold her feet sank to the floor and she was able to walk as easily as she would have above the waves, but Trition just kept swimming uninterrupted. She jogged to keep up until they were outside a set of massive doors inscribed with the Trident of Poseidon. Additionally, there were intricate carvings of sea creatures both mundane and mythical, they were innumerable and so beautifully wrought they might have been alive. The doors swung open but she moved to continue forward Triton did not continue.

"This is where I leave you titaness."

He disappeared in a flash of light without waiting for a response and Calypso turned back to the massive open door, her nerves returning in full force. She walked into the room and the doors closed behind her, there was no audible noise but she could feel the water around her shiver. Before her stood three thrones at the head of the room, the largest of which being the only one occupied. Poseidon sat on the central throne looking exactly as he had when she had last seen him. Clad in a brightly colored shirt that she remembered was called a 'Hawaiian Shirt' he looked out of place but his face was not angry. She curtsied formally before rising and speaking.

"Thank you for granting me passage Lord Poseidon."

He considered her for a moment as she waited for his response. When he spoke her fears were dispelled as to his attitude towards her, at least in part she knew better than to trust first appearances of the sea.

"You are welcome Calypso. While I do not forget your actions, if my son and nephew have taught me anything it is that holding grudges all too often ends poorly. You were born of the sea even if you are a titaness, and to the sea, you belong. So long as you remain loyal to Olympus you will find sanctuary here."

She curtsied again deeper this time, she was thankful he was not angry with her. His words however told her that he was less pleased than he seemed. The comment about being loyal to Olympus was a pointed one as Percy was now a member of the council.

"Thank you, I don't know how I can repay you, Lord Poseidon."

"You can start by dropping the Lord when we speak informally." He laughed at the surprise on her face, "Percy chafes against the tradition and etiquette as well does he not? I may not be able to claim sole responsibility for that but the sea does not like to be caged, no matter the cage."

Calypso bowed her head slightly, unable to keep the fond smile from her lips at the mention of Percy's tendency to eschew formality.

"Indeed Lo... sorry, Poseidon."

With a flurry of motion, Poseidon disappeared from his throne and reappeared a few feet in front of Calypso, now human-sized.

"Follow me Calypso. I have told the healers you were going to be joining us for the foreseeable future. I daresay they are excited to meet you, your skill with healing proceeds you, though you may learn a thing or two as well."

She smiled widely as she followed him through the halls, she had hoped that she would be able to be of use. Besides her weaving and gardening, she had done little else other than healing that could be of any use and she was always glad to learn more. Especially given all the stories that Hermes had told her, and the stories she remembered Percy telling her about his adventures. Hopefully, their paths would cross again and they could maybe start over without her curse looming over her.

Percy stood impatiently on Half-Blood Hill scratching Peleus on the corner of his jaw as he waited for Apollo. For the god of the sun he struggled to get going, though now that Percy thought about it, the sun was just beginning to rise. It was November eighth, it had only been five days since Tyson had repeated the prophecy to him. It was too long, he had waited too long and Harley had nearly paid the price for it. As the sun peaked over the horizon it turned the sky into a beautiful combination of colors from dusky purple, sugar maple red, and fiery orange. For a moment Percy was transfixed by the raw beauty of the world before him.

It reminded him of everything he was fighting for, that despite the darkness that inevitably falls each night there is a dawn, a sunrise worth fighting to see. He closed his eyes the first rays of the morning sun slowly beginning to warm his skin even now so late in the year. He knew it wouldn't last but that made it all the more important he enjoy it while it lasted, before the grays and white and black of winter once again stole the beautiful colors from the world. In that moment that Percey stood admiring the sunrise for the first time since she had fallen Percy was able to remember Annabeth and smile, a sad wistful smile, but a smile all the same.

"You would have loved this sunrise, Wise Girl. You always did like them better than sunsets."

It was as if the sun had lit a torch in his chest that had been blown out. It had reminded him that there were things worth doing, worth seeing, worth living for. The memories of all that he had lost still hurt, and he knew that there would be times when he would be all but crippled by them, but for the moment they felt a little lighter. He smiled again remembering all the good memories of his family, from crazy family dinners, to the games of capture the flag, and so much more. They felt closer than they had in a long time and he remembered a quote that he couldn't quite remember where he had heard it, maybe a book Annabeth had been reading or something.

'Those that love us never really leave us..."

He felt the warmth in his chest spread to the tips of his fingers and toes, warding off a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. He took a deep breath, exhaling a plume of white vapor that roiled and curled in the air, seeming to glow in the rays of the sun.

"I love you. All of you. I always will."

He felt the promise in every fiber of his being, it reverberated in his chest and felt as though it echoed in his ears. The god of loyalty he truly was, with that thought he realized Artemis was right, as usual. He needed to stop running from what he was, and stop thinking about his new powers as new tools, they were as integral to his being now as his senses or his ichor. Percy let the separation of the aspect that he created to contain the river of promises fade away. At first, the deluge still overwhelmed him, too much information too quickly. He soon realized however that was because he was trying to focus on the words, he was searching for something he could grasp and understand as he would have as a demigod. He had to let go, let it flow just as he did with water or his newfound ability to summon weapons.

The noise began to fade, becoming like another current in an ocean of twisting tides, currents, and waves. He felt more...complete, settled in himself. Like another puzzle piece had found its place inside him, bringing him another step closer to being able to see the full picture. His contemplative state was interrupted by Peleus turning sharply, his head pulling away from Percy's fingers. He had almost forgotten he was scratching the dragon's jaw, and it seemed the dragon had not minded in the slightest. Though now Peleus' attention was focused on three figures climbing the hill towards Percy. It wasn't hard to figure out who they were, especially given that one of them was a centaur.

Chiron it seemed was escorting Apollo to the hill, and Will had accompanied him. Nico was nowhere to be seen which came as little surprise to Percy for two reasons. The first being Nico would be nearly nocturnal if it were not for Will's influence. The second being that he was unlikely to make the effort to get up early after Percy had told him he wasn't allowed to accompany himself and Apollo on this journey. Nico had still been rather annoyed by the revelation that Lairus was actually Apollo, but that was nothing compared to his anger at Percy. Even after explaining that he needed someone powerful to remain at camp, that more people would make them easier to track, and more Nico was obstinate in his refusal to accept Percy's plan. Will had dragged him off before Nico could say anything he would regret, but Percy knew he would have to make amends eventually, especially because no matter how he tried to ignore it his domain of loyalty would not let him forget Nico's past choices. Percy would explain everything later, not yet though, he refused to let another friend die if he could prevent it.

Percy knew he would need to learn to accept that heroes in his care would risk and lose their lives, but for now, he could do something and protect his remaining friends. He once more set an invisible aspect of himself at the border of Camp Half-Blood as well as Camp Jupiter as they had rejoined his main consciousness when he had been unconscious. Unsurprisingly nothing was amiss or even awake aside from the guards in Camp Jupiter as it was still hours before the sun would rise there.

When the trio reached the top of the hill, feet of horse and human alike crunching the snow, Peleus moved his head back nudging Percy's hand. It seemed now that he knew there was no threat to the Fleece he was eager for more scratches, so Percy obliged him as he waited for someone to speak. It ended up being Apollo that broke the silence.

"So is there a reason we had to wake up so early? Or do you just like torturing me?"

"Apollo it's like seven thirty, it's hardly early at all."

Percy found the conversation incredibly humorous as he would have likely been even worse than Apollo if he was still a demigod. Luckily for Percy becoming a god meant his version of sleep was rather different than when he was a human, and it was much easier to get up when he wanted to. Apollo it seemed was well aware of what Percy had just been thinking of because even though he couldn't see Percy's face he called him on it.

"Stop grinning like an idiot. I think my younger sister is right. You are a Kelp Head."

Percy laughed and turned around, his hand leaving Peleus' jaw much to the dragon's displeasure. It soon sought out Will's attention as he seemed an easier target at the moment. Chiron stepped around the dragon and dropped a hand on Percy's shoulder, the old centaur was smiling too.

"It's good to see you smile again Percy."

"Thanks, Chiron, I think I'm starting to get better. Only just but I'm getting started."

"Good. That is good. Just remember you don't have to do this alone."

Even a day ago Percy might not have appreciated that nearly as much as he did now, the fire in his heart now reignited burning brightly once more. He smiled at Chiron again before growing more serious given the real reason they were here.

"Got everything you need Apollo?"

"Pretty sure I do. Remind me again why we are taking such a terrible method of transportation?"

"Hippocampi are not a terrible method of transportation."

"We are going to be completely soaking wet for days until we reach Florida. Also, why are we going so far south? We don't even know where to look I can't remember anything."

Percy had decided they would travel by sea for the beginning of the journey because he had far more control of the situation at sea. On land, he was much more limited in the amount he could control their immediate surroundings which could prove fatal for them both. In Apollo's defense, he was partially correct so Percy waved his hand at Apollo. The clothes Apollo was wearing flashed a blueish green before fading back to their normal definitely not glowing state.

"Well, the biggest reason we are headed south first is that we can travel on the ocean if we go that direction. The other reason is that Python made a mistake in dragging my consciousness to him, I couldn't tell you exactly where he is but I have seen stone like that chamber is made of before. It was when we were in the Labyrinth and ended up in Arizona."

They bid their farewells to the others and made their way down the hill, technically they were still in camp as they were headed for the beach but it was still the beginning of the quest. Apollo jogged to catch up with Percy's longer stride and stronger legs more easily managing in the snow. By the time they reached the beach, the sun was no longer painting the sky with riotous color. It was beginning to be hidden by the gray clouds that so often obscured the sky this time of year. When they stopped at the edge of the surf Percy threw his mental voice out toward the sea calling for aid. He could feel two Hippocampi respond and begin to make their way toward the beach. When they made their way onto the sand enough for Percy and Apollo to mount them Percy realized he recognized one of them.

'Rainbow? Is that you?'

'Yes, my lord. You should know, I carried a friend of yours to Atlantis not too long ago.'

'A friend of mine? To Atlantis? Who are you talking about?'

Percy could not think of anyone he knew that could breathe underwater, or that had any reason to venture into his father's domain. Rainbow seemed to find his question humorous and he bobbed his head making a noise that reminded Percy of Blackjack.

'My lord, your father sent me to bear her to him. I never heard her name but Lord Triton referred to her as a titaness.'

Hearing this Percy wasn't sure what to think, he knew he needed to keep moving and get going with the quest but Rainbow had made him think about Calypso again. She had gone to Atlantis with his father's blessing, he had thought she said she was going to visit her sisters but he knew he would only get a headache going down that road. He shook the thought off once more paying attention to his surroundings, but before they climbed onto the backs of the Hippocampi Apollo grabbed his arm stopping him from going any further.

"You're telling me that the entirety of our plan right now is based on a thirty-second mental trip you took to only the interior of the delphic temple?"

"Uhhh, yeah, pretty much. You got a better idea?"

"I mean...no but..."

Percy just started to climb onto Rainbow's back, leaving Apollo to scramble up onto his Hippocampus. The pair started off headed northeast to swing out around Long Island so they could head south without passing through New York City. Once they reached the open ocean Percy laughed aloud when he looked over and saw Apollo clinging to his Hippocampus as though his life depended on it.

"How are you doing Apollo?!"

Percy had to shout over the rushing wind and spray of the water that parted before the on-rushing Hippocampi as it did before the prow of a ship. He received only a strangled yell and cursing as a response from Apollo, which only made Percy laugh harder. He extended his senses as far as he could, feeling for anything out of the ordinary in the ocean around them. It was invigorating to be on the ocean, he was a son of Poseidon so it had always felt like home to him. After becoming a god his connection had only grown. His domain of the tides and currents had seemed odd to him at first, as a demigod he had more often than not embodied a single aspect of his father's nature, the Stormbringer. Now that he was riding the waves again, he could feel the twisting currents like massive rivers flowing within the ocean itself, hidden just below the surface.

As the day continued on and the sun began its descent towards the horizon Percy figured he would give Apollo a break for an hour or two before continuing after sunset. He mentally directed Rainbow and the other Hippocampus, who told him its name was Bill, towards the coast. Percy had known they were moving fast, even without his ability to have perfect bearings at sea he would have known as much as soon as they were within sight of the coast. In eight hours they had gone from Long Island Sound to all too familiar waters. Almost six hundred miles in eight hours, Percy couldn't exactly do the math on how fast that meant they were going in miles per hour but he knew it wasn't slow. If they continued on their current course toward the coast they would make landfall within sight of Fort Sumter.

The memories related to the fort were bittersweet for Percy, though leaning towards bitter now. He still remembered standing on the deck of the Argo II, Riptide crossed with Jason's golden gladius, working together to bend the sea and sky to their will. It was in that fort Annabeth found another piece of the puzzle on the path that lead her to the Athena Parthenos. Percy had Rainbow and Bill towards Charleston instead of near the fort, where he doubted he would be able to find pizza as easily as in the city. When they eventually found themselves on dry land Apollo collapsed onto his back holding his head.

"The ground is moving. Why is the ground moving Percy?"

Percy hauled him up and snapped his fingers clearing the seasickness in an instant. He shook his head at the god-turned-mortal and moved off down the street looking for somewhere to eat when he smelled it again - Serpent. Percy willed another spear into existence forgoing Riptide for the moment for a simple reason. The mist could easily disguise a spear as a walking stick, the sword was more likely to be seen as a baseball bat or something similar which was still suspicious in the middle of a crowded street as sunset approached.

"Something is wrong Apollo can you smell it...? Apollo?"

Percy turned around and realized Apollo was nowhere in sight, in fact, he was alone again, in the dark chamber. He growled with frustration, shattering the spear in his hands into pieces.

"What do you want this time Python? I don't care for these chats you overgrown garden snake."

The rumbling laugh came again, shaking the stones beneath Percy's feet. Percy continued to scowl at the darkness until the eyes appeared once more and he heard Python's second voice in his head.

"They told me you had spirit...little godling...it seems they were right...I will enjoy breaking it all the more...did you enjoy our first little...adventure...Louisiana is just ssssssoo far from New York..."

"You'll pay for that Python. You hear me?"

Python only chuckled again, the sound like an avalanche filling the room around him until it stopped all at once. Percy blinked and found himself on the street in Charleston again sitting against a street light, Apollo was kneeling in front of him shaking him by the shirt.

"Percy we don't have time for this there is something here. Wake up!"

Percy reached up to remove Apollo's hands from his shirt and clambered to his feet. He dusted himself off while scanning their surroundings. He glanced at Apollo and replied to him in an undertone.

"What did you see?"

"Nothing but I know when I'm being hunted. There was a feeling like I was suddenly very small as if I should freeze and stay very still or it would see me."

"It?"

Percy asked as he began walking quickly back the way they came, but before moving more than twenty feet he saw something. A blur of motion on the extreme edge of his vision, and on the rooftop across the street from them.

"Apollo get your bow out now. Or your swords. Pick one I don't care which just be ready."

Percy could feel it now too, a sort of overwhelming presence that made him feel like prey in the eyes of a predatory animal. There was also a feeling that reminded him of the creature in Louisiana, a sort of ancient and forgotten feeling.

"Whatever it is we can't let it hit us with anything. It's probably buddies with the Swamp Creature that shot me and Harley."

Apollo seemed to bristle at his words, and Percy felt a surge of power from him that was like an echo of the power in the vials. All too late he spun towards the building just as Apollo loosed the arrow he had pulled to full draw. It leaped from the string and seemed to give off tiny shockwaves as it flew before striking something that let go of an unearthly yowl that stunned the mortals around them. Percy grabbed Apollo and threw him towards the top of the building, jumping after him Percy landed moments after Apollo. He was thankful his godly strength was sufficient for the task as teleporting would have sent up a beacon to every monster within one hundred miles. Even as he landed Percy thrust forward with his powers and four massive arrows once more materialized to intercept the arrows flying at Apollo.

The figure before them was humanoid, though cloaked so Percy could not make out details. A pair of antlers sprouted from the hidden head, they were wider than the shoulders of whatever this cloaked thing was. Gnarled and stained with what looked like lichen, it was like the antlers had laid on the ground for months before being attached to whatever this thing was. In the lengthening shadows that accompanied dusk setting in Percy knew they were at a disadvantage but that ceased to matter as the creature began to laugh. It was clearly not the same thing that had attacked him and Harley, as the sounds of their laughter were incredibly different. The one in Louisiana had been a choked sound that reminded him of a cross between a hyena and a garbage disposal, but this one, this one sounded like a bellowing hind and a laughing man together. Moments later it coughed, choking on its laughter the sound becoming wet and black blood splattered on the roof between them as it spat at them.

Before either of them could act the creature threw back its hood and it was all Percy could do to control his reaction. Dark shadows pooled under heavy brows hiding his eyes and bloodless lips stretched in a terrifying smile. Despite all the things wrong, his face was undoubtedly human, but it was Apollo's reaction that made Percy freeze. He heard Apollo gasp and then say a name that Percy knew, Annabeth had told Percy his story, and Nobody was going to forget that any time soon.

AN: Again yes I added another aspect of the sea to Percy's domains because his connection to the sea wasn't deep enough for me.

Finally getting to see a bit more of the strange creatures that Percy and Co are going to be dealing with in my story rather than Roman emperors. I have read the first Trials of Apollo book and I know some stuff but I am not trying to follow the plot of those books outside Apollo's punishment and The Oracle of Delphi stuff. Even that is not planned to be like the small amount I remember about the Trials books.

Also sorry for the cliffhanger the chapter was getting a bit long I just kept writing, and it was just too good of an opportunity.