AN: Sorry for the long time between updates but here is the second chapter. But I should have chapter 3 up by the end of the weekend. Any way enjoy and review.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO.

"A half-blood of the eldest gods

Shall reach sixteen against all odds

And see the world in endless sleep

Immortal soul, cursed blade shall reap

A single choice shall end Hero's days

Olympus to preserve or raze."

Part 1

Bound

"What was that pact you mentioned?" Maximous asked.

"Back in the 1940's the Big Three Gods, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, where given a prophecy. The prophecy predicted the possible downfall of Olympus and the ending of the Age of the Gods. Now their children were already fighting a war that was, at the time, the bloodiest in history. With the addition of this prophecy that predicted one of their children could destroying them, just as they had their father, they decided to never have mortal children again.

"The all stayed true to their vows for a few decades. Then Zeus slipped up. He had not one but two children with a mortal woman. Then, about the same time that Zeus slipped the second time, Poseidon fell for another mortal. Zeus kept his children hidden for a time however and Poseidon was the one thought to have broken the vow first."

"So this Percy Jackson, was he the one who stopped all this?" Maximous asked.

"No," The Fates joined in.

"Was he my father?" Maximous pushed.

"Maximous," Chiron said choosing his words carefully. "Your father was a great man. Your mother was an incredible woman. Remember that. But yes, Perseus Jackson was your father."

"Who was my mother?"

"We will get there child. The full story of who you are is long. You must be patient so you can understand everything. Okay?"

Maximous thought for a long time then nodded. "Good," Chiron said before continuing. "Now Artemis was the first to discover Poseidon's… mistake and took Percy to Olympus for a trial."

"But he was just a kid. He didn't do anything wrong. Why was he put on trial? Poseidon was the one who broke his vow."

"Yes but the gods worked a little unjustly at times."

"It is the reason we made the decision to remove them from power when we were first born," The Fates added. "Good though they may have been they were petty, jealous, spiteful little children. But we also knew it would take someone truly exceptional to defeat them. We thought Gaea could do it with her giants, but they failed. We thought Typhon could do it but he failed. Finally we decided we needed a hero unlike any other. We spun the string carefully. We need a hero that returned to the world not just twice but three times after their death. The one who could kill the gods had to be willing to leave the Isle of the Blessed after they had achieved it."

"Three heroic lives followed by a forth," Maximous said. "No wonder it took thousands of years for you to accomplish."

"Yes indeed. But we also wanted his allies to be exceptional as well and the Panic-Bringer, Soul-Breaker, Flame-Forger, and even the Hero were all on their third lives. As for your father, the soul that would destroy the gods was originally Odysseus. After that he was Alexander the Great. Then the third time he was Robert E. Lee."

"You mean the Southern Civil War general?" Maximous asked.

"Yes," The Fates replied.

"But he fought for slavery," Maximous said.

"No," The Fates corrected. "He tried to stay out of the war but got talked into fighting. He fought for the South, not because of slavery or states' rights but, for his family. He was loyal to his state and family. Both had left the union and he only fought to protect those he cared for."

"Yes well let's continue," Chiron interrupted as he saw another volley of questions forming in Maximous' mind.

Chapter 2: Slave of the Hunters

Artemis sent word ahead for the gods to be gathered. It would only take a few minutes for her and the boy to reach Olympus and by then all of the gods would be gathered. If Artemis was honest with herself she was scared. She knew what the prophecy said about a child of the Big Three. The idea of what this boy could do sent chills down her spine, and by the time she arrived on Mount Olympus the boy had lost consciousness from blood loss.

Artemis arrived in the courtyard in front of the throne room and ran inside dragging the boy's limp body behind her. The other Olympians, plus Hades, at her request, were already there and crowded around the hearth.

"Artemis," Athena said, "Why have you summoned us here?"

Artemis noticed how Poseidon's eyes zeroed in on to the boy almost immediately.

"Yes," Hades growled, furious as ever. "What makes you think you can summon us like this?"

"Poseidon has broken the Pact," and with that response she tossed the boy at his father's feet. As she suspected her simple response threw the room into chaos.

Hades' rage suddenly reached new heights and all the gods stepped back. Athena looked like different possibilities were running through her mind. Hermes jaw dropped as Apollo held out his had like he was waiting for payment. Ares grinned manically and Aphrodite gasped. Hephaestus didn't seem too concerned as he continued to tinker with some gadget he brought from his workshop. Though he did tense slightly. Hestia looked sad. Thunder boomed overhead. Demeter looked mildly concerned. Hera and Dionysus alone looked truly unaffected.

Poseidon gently caught his son before he could hit the ground and examined him. He was the first to speak. "You shot him," he said coldly.

"So you don't deny it!" Hades roared.

Poseidon ignored his brother as he ordered Apollo over to heal the boy.

"We should destroy him immediately," Zeus commanded.

"YOU WILL NOT!" Poseidon bellowed. The sea god's rage was greater than anything they had ever seen from him. The whole of Olympus shock with his voice as dust fell from the high ceiling. Now the gods took a step away from Poseidon, all except Hades and Zeus at least.

"Much as I hate to say this, Zeus is right. That boy must die before he has the chance kill us all," Hades said.

"If you so much as touch my sun I will tear down Olympus myself!" Poseidon roar, the ground beneath them shook slightly as if to prove his point. Poseidon my not be as powerful as Zeus, but, when he was angry, nothing could hold him back for very long. There was no doubt in any of their minds that he could follow through with his threat if they gave him the reason.

"Calm down Poseidon," Athena said, "You know what the prophecy says. It would be wise to end the boy's life now while he is innocent than later when he has destroyed us or suffered through the life of a demigod."

"Hold your tongue feather brains," Poseidon growled. "I will not have my son, who has committed no crime against us or any other, killed because of what he may do. Who is to say that he won't follow the other path and save us?"

"Oh please," Dionysus said, "we all know your children are unstable. And that is coming from the god of madness. More of them have challenged us that either Zeus or Hades' children. I mean I can count on one hand the number of times one of you children has actually been good. At least Father's children have always been loyal to Olympus, whatever else they may have done. And Hades children have always ignored us."

"Keep your personal feeling to yourself drunk," Poseidon growl. Dionysus flushed and took a step forward, he hated it when people called him that.

"Be reasonable brother," Hera said calmly. "This child may one day grow to destroy us. For the good of the people under our care we must do something. Swallowed by Sea Olympus is reaped. The Fates themselves gave those words to the oracle."

"Yes and it is only a partial prophecy, not even a full two lines. For all we know it could refer to something else entirely. If we try to do something to him now it could be the very thing that causes our doom," Poseidon said triumphantly.

"Exactly, it was only a partial, but is it wise to allow this boy to grow and become that threat." Athena said. "Despite that we know one of you three's children will destroy the world. Now you have slipped. We must eliminate the threat now before it can destroy us. It would be wise to simply kill him. A corpse can't kill you."

"You are arguing possibilities. Punishment can't be delved out based on who someone might do," Poseidon snapped. It was odd to hear him talking so reasonably.

"But it is that exact scenario that we must prevent from becoming a possibility," Hera argued.

The gods seemed to take it as the signal to attack, just as Percy regained consciousness. The only ones who didn't attack were Hephaestus, Hermes, Apollo, Hestia, Aphrodite, Hera and Demeter, though most of them were never really fighters to begin with.

Before any of the gods could reach them however Poseidon took out his Trident and slammed it into the floor of the throne room in front of his son.

Cracks shot out from the base of the trident and up the walls of the throne room. Pieces of marble fell from the ceiling. Some of the columns collapsed. They could hear the buildings outside caving in. All the gods except for Zeus fell to the ground, and Zeus only avoided that by rising a few inches into the air to avoid the shaking ground. A storm was raging outside, fueled by Zeus and Poseidon's anger.

Percy let out a scream of fear and instantly the storm died down as Poseidon turned to his son. In on swift motion he lifted his son into his arm gently said, "Shhh, my son. You are safe with me. No one will hurt you. I won't allow it."

Percy wasn't calm however and he struggled to get free. "My father is dead," Percy snapped. "He was lost at sea before I was even born!"

The Gods looked stunned at how well formed the sentence was for a child of Percy's age.

"Yes," Poseidon said, "Lost at sea is an accurate description. But you see son I am God of the Sea. That is why water heals you and does you bidding. Just like it does me."

Percy stopped struggling. "Y…You can control the water?"

"Yes and you will be able to as well, in time," Poseidon said. All the god stood frozen in place as they watched the conversation before them. Percy look slightly uncomfortable at his father's words however. Poseidon seemed to notice this and asked, "Have you already controlled water?"

Percy nodded and whispered, "Once."

"What happened?" Athena asked suddenly, curiosity getting the better of her. Poseidon glared at her but she ignored him. "Why did you control the water?"

"I…uh…it was an accident," Percy said guiltily.

"What did you do boy?" Zeus snapped.

"Zeus," Poseidon growled in warning. Percy was shaking in his father's arms. He was no bigger than an infant to the fifteen foot tall god. "What happened to you son?" Poseidon asked kindly.

Percy swallow and slowly began to tell them all about Gabe. How he was kind in the beginning but turned evil and began beating Percy and his mother. Apollo could see the damage that had been done to his body and the other gods saw him turn slightly green.

It took Percy almost two hours to tell the gods what happened and when he was done only a few continued to stare at him like he would suddenly jump up and stat killing them.

"A sad story," Zeus said evenly. "However, it doesn't excuse the crime at hand. Your existence is nothing more than a mistake. You must be punished for that."

"Zeus," Poseidon growled, "My son has already been through enough. You have no reason for punishment beside your own fear."

"I won't kill the boy," Zeus said flatly.

"Zeus," Hades protested whether it was for or against the boy's punishment none of them were sure, even Hades himself was unsure.

"I will however," Zeus continued, "Ensure that he remains forever in the service of Olympus. And mark him for what he is." Before anyone could react Zeus launch a blast of lightning at the Son of Poseidon. The bolt struck Percy on the left side of his face, burning a trident into his skin over his left eye and down his face. Percy screamed in pain before an opaque silver collar appeared around his throat and his voice vanished. Chains of the same material snapped around his wrist and ankles.

The lightning vanished as Poseidon rose from his throne and blasted half the throne room apart. Before he could cause much more damage however Zeus and Hades blasted their brother into unconsciousness.

"Artemis," Zeus said. "It was you who found the boy now the boy will forever server you. From this day on he will be known as the Slave of the Hunters. Take him to your camp he will do everything you or your hunters ask of him. If he fails punish him. Never kill him but make sure he faces the consequences of disobeying us."

Zeus sent another bolt at Poseidon and bracelets of the same material formed around the Sea God's wrists. "Poseidon will not try and retaliate against you. Dismissed." The gods flashed out one by one and Artemis left with the Slave of the Hunters forced to follow behind her. Athena alone remained.

"Are you sure that was wise Father?" She asked.

"It was the only option left. Olympus can't afford to be at war with itself. You of all the gods should understand that."

Athena nodded and left the room.

After the Slave of the Hunters arrived at the camp that night and was given an old holey tent where he silently cried himself to sleep. After that night he never again cried and for many years to follow the only emotion that occupied his heart was hate.

The Slave's first week with the hunters was the easiest. They didn't expect him to do much and Artemis was teaching him how to do his duties. He was given a tent to sleep in and the girl Phoebe was given authority over his punishments.

The tent wasn't much really. It leak, had a dirt floor, didn't keep the wind out, and was just large enough to hold him. It was no better than a coat and a couple of sticks. He didn't know what ever happened to Mrs. O'Leary but he hoped she was safe somewhere. And for the first couple nights as he lay in a moth eaten sleeping bag he dreamed of escape. But the time never came.

His chains didn't allow him to move very quickly or quietly so when the hunters got close to their prey they would tell him to wait there and come back for him later. He was beginning to think life with the Hunters wouldn't be two bad. Then he entered his second week of slavery.

Phoebe's first punishment was on Monday. He burnt breakfast. Phoebe yelled something about incompetent males before ripping the shirt off Percy's back. She whipped him five times. Five may not sound like a large number but when it comes to the whipping of a four year old it is so far beyond the necessary that it becomes heinous. The only hunter that showed any signs of disapproval was Zoe. There was a strange look in her eyes, like each lash was felt by her. Still she did not stop Phoebe. Artemis felt it was extreme as well but only told Phoebe to be less extreme the next time. Phoebe ignored Artemis' instructions.

Percy was kept away from the water so his wounds wouldn't be healed quickly and by the end of the second week his back was a mass of torn flesh. Only then was he allowed to bath and heal his wounds. The following days turned to weeks, which turned to months, which turned to years.

As he grew he only got stronger. The chains grew with him but had long since worn sores around his wrist and ankle. By the time he was seven he was already very handsome, which only caused more tension with the Hunters. His hair was almost waist length and tied back with a piece of leather.

His shoulders had started to broaden and the work forced on him by the hunters turned him lean and muscular. His hand were rough and callused. He no longer wore cotton clothing. He only wore animal skins the Hunter's provided him with. He would cure the hide and stitch it together into shirts and pants, he wasn't allowed shoes.

At the end of each week he was permitted to bathe and heal himself for the next week's punishments. The brief joy he felt at meeting his father turned to resentment and then into hate. The man said he would protect Percy but he didn't and Percy would never be able to forgive him for that.

The joyful light that had once occupied his eyes was gone. In three years with the Hunters it was replaced with nothing but hate. And that hate only grew when they showed up.

When Dionysus returned to camp Chiron know he was in a bad mood. He returned in the middle of dinner and immediately started to bark orders for the satyrs to bring him his meal. Chiron resigned himself to the fact that he would have to have a talk with the wine god tonight once they retired to the Big House.

Once the night was brought to a close, early by Dionysus orders, Chiron immediately asked, "I take it the meeting did not go well them, my lord."

"Old Barnacle Beard has broken the Pact," Dionysus replied.

Chiron's eyes bulged. "But the prophecies?"

"Oh yes we had a good long discussion about that. Artemis found the boy while out hunting. He is maybe three years old or so, I'm not sure. He is highly intelligent though, he spook to us quite clearly about what all has happened to him. Zeus and Hades however were not pleased."

"I can imagine."

"You should have seen Hades face when Zeus said he wasn't going to kill the boy. Not to mention how angry Poseidon was for it even being brought up."

"It was bad a take it," Chiron said keeping his feeling about the gods killing children to himself.

"Well the throne room and about half of Olympus needs rebuilt," Dionysus growled. "Damn could I use some wine right now."

"You still have a little more than a hundred years left to serve before Zeus will allow it," Chiron reminded him.

"Oh yes and believe me the party is going to be monumental when I can drink again."

"I expect so," Chiron said. Just then a soft green glow funneled down from the attic. The mummy the oracle inhabited was standing on the balcony looking down at then. Green smoke flowed from its mouth to form four boys, all between fifteen and eighteen. The boy on the left was a scrawny Hispanic boy that look like he was about to get in trouble. Next to him was the tallest of the four, he looked rather like Poseidon. Next was a blond boy with a scar on his upper lip. Finally the boy on the right was the youngest and also shortest of them. He looked thin and almost evil. Then they began to speak.

"A new king bound in chains," the Poseidon look alike said.

"By peaceful giant he was trained," said the boy with the scar.

"Fire and Thunder set him free," the Hispanic boy said.

"His wrath brings the gods to their knees," said the evil looking boy.

Then together they finished the last two lines, "Swallowed by Sea Olympus is reaped, The Hero will bring the world to peace."

The mummy collapsed. There was a long silence during which the two immortals only stared at one another.

"We'll have one of the campers take it back up in the morning," Dionysus said at last.

"Agreed."

"It's going to be a long night," Dionysus whined as he flashed back to Olympus.

When Dionysus delivered the news of the prophecy to the gods and Zeus refused to reverse judgment on his son Poseidon's rage broke. Just as he said so often, the sea couldn't be restrained.

Poseidon's rage following the enslavement of his son was unlike anything the world had seen before, except perhaps Typhon. In the years that followed earthquakes shook the world more often. Tsunamis tore apart the coastlines and hurricanes ravaged the world. Poseidon may not be able to take revenge directly but he would take his revenge on his family.

He started with Athena. He had always hated the woman but after that day his hate reached a new level. He cursed all of her children. Never again would a child of Athena ride a horse. Anytime they were near the sea the Naiads would attack them. Plus the Pegasi at Camp Half-Blood would always leave fresh piles of dung around the Athena Cabin. Cyclopes in particular took to hating the children of Athena, though they never receive an order from Poseidon to attack them.

Hades was next. The deaths caused by earthquakes, storms, and the like began pouring into the underworld at an alarming rate. Hades suddenly found himself having to personally control the expansion of the Fields of Asphodel. He had to open up a second Judging panel. Charon was on constant overtime and the constant earthquakes sent stalactites into his palace. Even Persephone had to lend a hand to keep things in the Underworld under control.

Next was Demeter. Her cold indifference during Percy's "trial" infuriated him. From then on any time one of her children tried to water a plant the water would turn to acid and kill whatever they were trying to grow. Droughts devastated the Midwest and brought her precious cereal production to a low.

Next he went after Dionysus. The wine god had always liked alcohol but now Poseidon turned his private stashes to vinegar. His children on the other hand were cursed to have every ounce of wine or cool-aid or other alcohol, depending on their age, turn into water. Anytime one of Ares' children touched a trident, harpoon, or net their hand was given instant third-degree burns.

He didn't do much to Apollo or Hermes' children. Though any prank the Hermes cabin tried to pull that involved water would inevitably backfire on them. Hephaestus and Aphrodite escaped as well. Finally he only had revenge on Zeus. Though how he was going to do that he wasn't yet sure.

Until he learned about Thalia and Jason Grace. Not only had Zeus broken the Pact twice but he had also broken it before Poseidon. But Poseidon wasn't Zeus or Hades, he wouldn't pass judgment on the children so quickly. He would however use them.

Thalia, Luke, and the new girl, Annabeth had been walking through the Virginian woods, south of King George, for about two weeks now. They had encountered several monsters, mostly hellhounds but they had also seen a dracaena as well. Annabeth wasn't that good with a knife but she was picking it up very quickly. They hadn't been together long but Thalia was already close with Annabeth, but they could both tell that Annabeth had a small crush on Luke.

One night they were wondering through the woods looking for a somewhat safe place to sleep when a great golden stallion appeared in front of them. The horse was a beautiful towering draft, at least nineteen hands high. The horse was strong and muscular and appeared out of thin air. There was a wild look in its eyes.

Together they stared, the horse at them and they back at the horse. Then the horse jerked its head to the side like it wanted them to follow it. Slowly the horse turned and started to walk away.

"Do we follow?" Luke said.

"I think it wants us to," Thalia replied.

"It could be a trap," Annabeth said.

"It could but if one of the gods sent him we have to follow," Luke countered. That settled it, and besides what was the worst that could happen?

The followed the Horse for about an hour. I always stayed distant but still close enough to be seen. Finally they reached a small cliff overlooking a lake. Sitting in the moonlight at the edge of the lake was a man in a simple folding beach chair. They couldn't make out many details with his back toward them. He looked like a fisherman. The horse stood next to him for as Thalia, Annabeth, and Luke, all inched their way toward the two. Finally when they were about six feet from the man, weapons ready of course, he spoke.

"I would put those weapons down if I were you. I may not have come here to kill you but that doesn't mean I won't." The man stood and turned to the horse, "Thank you son, you have helped me a great deal today. I won't forget that, regardless of what happens." The horse whinnied and took off with a boom that rattled the demigods' teeth.

Picking up the fishing pole that had been resting next to him the man turned to face them. The fishing pole changed and morphed in a gleaming golden trident. Suddenly they realized who stood in front of them. Poseidon, God of the Sea, elder brother to Zeus, and Thalia's uncle.

Poseidon examined them with hard eyes. "Thalia Grace we have business to discuss." When he saw her nervous expression he smiled. "Relax, I won't kill you without good reason. It will just be your job not to give me that reason."

"You can't threaten us like that," Annabeth snapped.

Poseidon raised an eyebrow and said, "I would be careful about who you ordered around mortal. I haven't killed a Child of Athena in many centuries now. I would hate to break that record for something as disgustingly prideful as you." The may not have been a clap of thunder, or a rumble through the ground but his words still sent chills down their spines. He was powerful, one of the Big Three, and one thing was clear. He was the one in control here not them.

"How can we help you, my lord," Luke growled.

"Don't bother adding 'my lord' if you mean it as an insult. But I do have a job for Thalia here. You two can help but you should know that if you fail the consequences will be severe."

"And if we refuse," Thalia said.

"We both know you can't do that. If you continue toward the north along the riverbank you will find a camp. In that camp you will find something I need you to free from the…people there."

"So you are sending us to die in a monster camp," Thalia whispered.

"They are monsters of a sort but not the kind with fangs or horns or tails. When you arrive they will not take kindly to Luke. But they will welcome you to stay the night. Once you find what I want you to steel you will have to run. Go east to the ocean. I will protect you there."

"What are we looking for exactly?" Annabeth asked.

"You will know when you see it. Oh, and whatever you do, don't mention I sent you." With that Poseidon vanished.

After about ten minutes of arguing whether or not they should follow Poseidon's instruction the trio set off to the north. The night was alive with the sounds of insects and other wildlife. They didn't speak much. The memory of his aura of power was still fresh in their minds. That was what a god was supposed to be like. Just by being around him they had felt like a rowboat in the middle of the ocean. They felt insignificant.

Their thoughts ran in circles as they walked. Why did Poseidon seem to have such hatred for Thalia? After all he had always been relatively friendly to his nieces and nephews. What were they steeling for him? Obviously it was something that was very precious to him but why didn't he just take it himself? The only thing they could think of was that Zeus had forbidden his brother from doing so. In which case they were screwed either way. Either they angered Zeus or they angered Poseidon. And neither of the gods was someone you wanted to be on the bad side of.

They all had that feeling too. Like something was watching them, something big and dangerous.

Suddenly Luke, who had been leading their march, stopped. "There's a fire ahead," he said quietly.

No sooner had the words left his mouth that a silver arrow zipped so close to his face that the fletches brushed against his nose.

Luke jumped back in surprise only to feel the tip of a dagger against his back. Thalia and Annabeth drew their weapons but as the girls stepped out from the trees they froze.

"I would not do that if I were thee," said a girl's cold voice.

"Who are you?" Thalia asked

"I am Zoe, the Lieutenant of Artemis. What are you doing here?"

Thalia was stunned. What had Poseidon been thinking? She knew he wasn't always the smartest of the gods but she never expected that he would want them to steel from the Hunters. What could they possibly have that Poseidon wanted? Well, she thought, I guess he just wanted to trick me into getting killed.

"I am Thalia, Daughter of Zeus. We are just looking for shelter. We have been on the run for a while," Thalia answered.

Zoe stared at her like she was trying to figure out if they were lying. There was something else in her eyes too. Worry? Finally she said, "We will see what Lady Artemis has to say about the subject."

They were lead to the camp by Zoe and five other Hunters. The whole way Luke had a knife to his back that prodded him along. There weren't any weapons pointed at Thalia or Annabeth but they didn't feel any more welcome than Luke at the moment.

When they entered the camp the first thing that caught their eyes were the tents. There were about ten of them, all lined out in a crescent moon shape. The largest tent was in the middle with the flaps down. There was a large fire with an empty spit hanging over it. There were a few fold out picnic tables around the fire were more girls were sitting. As Thalia suspected there were no boys in the camp. Oddly though there were two wood posts about three feet apart with metal rings at the top. None of them could think what they were for. Hanging up game maybe?

Just then another group of girls walked into the camp. This group was led by a red-haired girl that looked wilder than the others. "How was thy hunt Phoebe?" Zoe asked.

"Could have been better. The idiot was so loud all the good game was scared away. We did get a decent boar though. It is getting cleaned now. Who are the fools?" the girl, Phoebe growled.

"Demigods. We are taking them to Lady Artemis."

"Surely not this boy. You know our rule…" Phoebe began.

"Mind thy place. I am the Lieutenant, I am well aware of what is to be done. Tis not thy place to lecture me," Zoe growled threateningly. Phoebe and Zoe stared each other down for a few seconds.

"Of course, Lieutenant," Phoebe said at last.

The trio followed Zoe over to the middle tent. Before they entered Zoe looked at Luke and said firmly, "Thy will stay here."

"Not like I have much choice," Luke grumbled. He jumped slightly the hunter behind him gave him a sharp little jab with her dagger. "Yes ma'am," he rephrased immediately.

Thalia and Annabeth reluctantly followed Zoe into the tent.

Inside the tent, sitting cross-legged on a bear skin rug, was a girl about their age with auburn hair. She seemed to give off a slight silver, moon like glow. Her silver eyed stare seemed to pierce through them.

"Hello sister," she said calmly to Thalia, "And hello to you as well Daughter of Athena. Have you come to join my hunt?"

"Join your hunt?" Annabeth whispered in confusion.

"Yes. I offer all maidens a place here. You can make friends, learn how to fight, and live in immortality."

"Immortality!" Thalia said in awe. She had to admit she found the idea attractive. To live forever would be amazing, it would be godly.

"Yes," Artemis said kindly, "Though you must give up the company of men."

"Well where is the fun in that?" Thalia grumbled as she lost interest. Glancing over to Annabeth she could see that she too was tempted by the offer.

"I'm sorry but we have been on the run for a long time now. We can't just turn our backs on Luke, my lady. He is our friend, we can't just leave him." Annabeth's reply was worded perfectly. Artemis didn't seem to upset by their response.

"Just how long have you been traveling?" Artemis asked.

"Years," Thalia replied.

"A few months," Annabeth answered.

"Well I must say you have done very well on your own. Most demigod don't make it more than a few days out on their own. Especially on as powerful as you Thalia," Artemis said kindly.

"Thanks," Thalia said, not knowing how else to respond.

"Tell me, when was the last time you ate properly?" Artemis asked, sounding truly concerned.

"Weeks," they said together. Hunger was something they got used to while they were on the run.

Artemis sighed. "Well you may stay the night. Though the boy," she said the word like it was the worst insult she could think of, "must remain outside the camp. I will not have him spending the night near my girls." The goddess's protectiveness over her hunters was at the same time inspiring and insulting. What did she think Luke would do surrounded by thirty well trained hunters?

Just then Annabeth's stomach let out a growl. "You are hungry," Artemis said with a smile. "Dinner should be ready soon. Though it may not be that great. Our cook is rather…incompetent. While you wait Zoe will get you and the boy separate tents set up. In the morning you may leave. It is dangerous for such young demigods to be wondering alone at night. As I am sure you have learned by now."

Zoe led them out of the tent. Outside they could hear the Hunters laughing and joking with each other. The fire was roaring away and a boar was now skewered on the spit above it. That however wasn't what caught their attention. Instead it was the boy standing next to the fire and rotating the spit.

He was around Annabeth's age but that was where the similarities ended. His hair was black, his skin deeply tanned, and his eyes were dark like a stormy ocean. He face might have been gentle were it not for the deep scowled on his face. His eyes were full of anger and hatred. He looked wild and dangerous. But most of all he looked like a child version of Poseidon.

Poseidon was right as soon as they saw the boy they knew he was the reason they had been sent here. The boy could only be Poseidon's son. Looked like Thalia wasn't the only mistake of the gods. But none of them could figure out why they would have steel the boy from the Hunters. After all the Hunters may not like men but they were allowing him to be here so what was the problem.

They started to take a closer look at the boy as they followed Zoe around the camp. There was a scar along the bicep of his right arm. There also a trident shaped scar branded into the left side of the kid's face.

As Zoe showed them how to set up their tent, using Luke's as an example to ensure he was far enough away from their camp, Thalia wondered why he was with the Hunters. Finally Zoe left them alone and returned to camp.

"Did you see," Luke began.

"Yeah," Thalia said, "looks like my father wasn't the only one who made a mistake."

"Did you notice the chains?" Annabeth asked.

Luke nodded but Thalia said, "Chains?"

Luke looked at her oddly. "There were chains around his wrists and ankles. And what looked like a metal collar around his neck."

"But why would he be in chains?" Thalia whispered.

"Judging from the look on his face," Annabeth answered with a slight shiver, "it has something to do with the Hunters."

"You don't think they put him in chains?" Luke gasped.

Annabeth shook her head, "No, but Artemis was always said to be very… violent toward males in the myths right."

"Yeah but what about the chains?" Thalia asked.

"And just how are we supposed to even get him out of here. It's not like they are just going to let us walk out of here with him. I mean I know Poseidon told us to go to the ocean but we are over a hundred miles from the sea. There is no way we could get there before the Hunters caught us," Luke complained.

"We have to try. If we don't Poseidon has already said he will kill us. If we do try and fail then he will kill us too," Thalia said.

"Well technically he only told you that," Annabeth whispered. When the others glared at her she snapped, "Don't look at me like that. I am just stating the truth."

"Yeah well you could have been a little less blunt," Thalia mumbled.

"Come on," Luke said. "Let's get something to eat we can figure out what we are going to do later."

When they rejoined the Hunters in camp the boy was still tending to the boar. The Hunters were continuing to ignore him and the only thing that seemed to have changed at all was that the boar looked slightly more cooked.

"Careful you don't burn it this time boy," Phoebe yelled. The boy flinched at her voice but continued to tend to the meal. "Wouldn't want a repeat of last time would we?"

At that comment the boy seemed to shake a little. The trio sat down at a table, away from the others, but not before noticing the scowl on Zoe's face. Whatever had happened last time was something Zoe didn't approve of. They also noticed similar looks on a few of the other girl's faces. It was almost like the Hunters had been divided because of the boy's presence in their camp. A few minutes after they sat down they found out why Zoe and the others had scowled.

It happened when the boar was almost done. It looked delicious to the three demigod who hadn't had many good meals since going on the run. One of the hunters was walking to the table with a picture of what Luke assumed was lemonade. Just as she was pacing the boy he turned around to grab something of a nearby table. The problem was that when he turned around he bumped into the Hunter sending the jug to the ground. The girl let out a small yelp that drew everyone's attention.

Phoebe and Zoe stood at the exact time. The girl looked around and said, "Oh Phoebe it's not a problem…" She never got to finish the sentence however because Phoebe spoke over her.

"Nonsense," she growled, "The boy must enjoy making us waist rations." Now it was Phoebe's turn to be interrupted.

"Phoebe now is not the time," Zoe chided.

"You know my duties. You are not allowed to interfere with them," Phoebe growled.

"We have guests. There is no need for them to see such things."

Phoebe shot a pointed glare at Luke and said, "Wrong he needs to know the consequences of his actions." The message seemed meant more fore Luke than the Son of Poseidon.

"It was a simple mistake. It could have happened between any of us," Zoe snapped.

"Males are forbidden contact with hunter he cannot go unpunished. The punishment must be swift and powerful."

"But it must be just," Zoe couldn't finish however because just them Phoebe slapped her. A red palm print instantly appeared on Zoe's face. When Zoe turned back to look at Phoebe her eyes were cold and dangerous. Some of the girls even took a step away from her. Phoebe alone stared the Lieutenant of Artemis down. "Strike me again and you may find yourself short and arm," Zoe growl with a viciousness that reminded them of a wolf. "I am still the Lieutenant of Artemis and you are nothing but a warden. Remember your place before you lose that as well."

"My orders come from higher up than you, now get out of the way," Phoebe snapped. Stepping around Zoe she grabbed the boy by his metal collar and jerked him over two the two posts in the camp. At Phoebe's whistle chains appeared out of thin air and restrained the boy by all four limbs. He could have moved more than half an inch, though he still struggled.

Luke realized what was going to happen a second two late. Phoebe grabbed the boy's leather shirt and ripped it off. Thalia's face drained of color, Annabeth swayed like she was about to pass out, and Luke reached out to keep Annabeth steady as he fought back the gag he felt coming.

If the patchwork of whip scars weren't bad enough then the fresh wounds were. Some looked infected while others still dripped a small amount of blood. The worst ones even oozed a nasty looking green pus. There had to be over seventy scars there.

"Let's see," Phoebe growled, "Two for the lemonade you spilled, and five for touching a Hunter. That might make a dent into that thick skull of yours. Not that it ever does much good."

"Look away," Luke growled at Annabeth and Thalia. Annabeth instantly turned and buried her head in his chest. Thalia on the other had was too stunned to look away.

The first lash instantly drew blood. Poseidon's son's head jerked up and his mouth opened in a scream that made no sound. Annabeth flinched and crack of the whip. Each of the six lashes that followed yielded the same result and by the fifth lash Annabeth was crying. Thalia had finally turned away after the sixth but her face was tinged with green when she did.

Luke forced himself to watch through the whole thing. It was then that he realized who the true monsters in the world were. He had seen hellhounds, dracaena, even an empousa or two, but now seeing what this girl was capable of doing to a little boy, well that was a real monster. And the only person who could have given orders to Phoebe that Zoe couldn't interfere with was a god. They were the real monsters.

When the cracking of the whip came to a stop the Son of Poseidon was no longer struggling against the chains. His breathing was ragged and labored. Phoebe whistled and the chains vanished. Poseidon's son collapsed on the ground. He didn't even try to get up.

"Get up," Phoebe growled. When he did nothing she began to kick him in the ribs. She didn't temper the blows either. After just the first kick he was coughing up blood.

There was a flash of silver and suddenly Zoe stood with a drawn bow pointed directly at Phoebe's head. "You will not kick him again," Zoe commanded.

Phoebe froze mid kick and stared at Zoe in shock. "The Slave must learn to obey," Phoebe said.

"The punishment has been served. Now let the boy be," Zoe deadpanned. There was no room in her voice for argument. But the Phoebe was still determined to follow through with here punishment.

"He didn't obey the command given to him by his masters. For that he will be…" Phoebe began and went to kick the boy again. Before she could finish however and arrow flew so close to her face that a few strands of hair fell to the ground. The girls around them let out small gasps.

"That was an order," Zoe said in deadly calm. "It is I who was appointed lieutenant not you. Do as you were instructed or suffer the consequences. But be warned next time I will aim for you."

Nobody moved for a long moment. Finally Phoebe lowered her foot to the ground. "Yes lieutenant," she said. She walked back to the tables. As she reached Zoe however she leaned over to the hunter and whispered, "You won't always be in favor girl. And when that day comes I will take pride in ending you."

"I will be sure to disappoint thee," Zoe said flatly. Zoe took over cooking the meal after that. It took several minutes for the Son of Poseidon to stand and when he did his eyes were emptier than ever. The gingerly put his leather shirt back on. He then walked over and took back his duty of cooking. But as he gripped the spit they notice just the slightest tremble in his hand. Luke was the only one who realized that tremble was not from fear but from rage.

Once the dinner was ready Luke was given only a miniscule amount, still more that the Son of Poseidon however. Even at that he didn't have much, neither did Thalia or Annabeth for that matter. Luke kept seeing the image of what Phoebe had done to the boys back in his mind. Dinner was quiet and Luke noticed that some of the Hunters weren't eating much either. Zoe and Phoebe kept shooting contemptuous glares at each other. The happiness that had been so prominent earlier was now gone. It had been replaced with a tension that was so thick Luke was surprised Artemis didn't come out of her tent to question what was going on. Then again, judging from the boy's back he had been here. Maybe the goddess was used to this by now.

When it finally came time for bed the girls began retiring to their tents and Phoebe lead the boy out into the wood where, presumably, he had a tent. Thalia and Annabeth both glanced at Luke. Silently they all agreed they would meet up once everyone was asleep and make a plan on what to do next.

Luke walked out into the forest and climbed into his tent. He waited for a while but soon found himself being shaken awake by Thalia. Annabeth was there too and both looked anxious at what they were about to try.

"We took our tent so we could use it again later. They shouldn't mind, they have plenty after all," Thalia said.

"Good idea. What is the plan," Luke whispered.

"Annabeth and I were thinking and most likely they already know we are awake and leaving. So whatever we do it will have to be quick," Thalia replied.

"Really," Luke snapped, "I thought we'd have all the time in the world."

Thalia scowled at him. "Whatever we do we'll have to get those chains off him. They will make too much noise and slow us down too much otherwise," Annabeth said. "Do you think you could pull that lock trick of yours on the chains Luke?"

"Maybe. I have never tried it on a godly metal before. And those chains definitely aren't made of a mortal metal. It might not work. But think about it. Those chains could also be holding back his powers. We've seen how powerful Thalia is. How powerful would a Son of Poseidon be? Those chains may cancel out godly powers. But I will try."

"Well," Annabeth said uncertainly, "I think we should do that then. We only get once shot at this so we have to make it count. I imagine that if Poseidon wants us to take him to the coast we can assume he will be helping us escape somehow. After all the ocean is a couple hundred miles from here."

"Sound like as good a plan as any," Luke said. And the set off.

The good news, the Hunters seemed to be sleeping soundly.

The bad news, things still went wrong almost instantly. First off, his lock picking power didn't work on the chains. Second, by the time they had even found the boy it was starting to get light again. The hunter kept him well hidden. Third his legs were chained to the ground like a dog and none of them could even budge the stake he was chained to. Then there was the biggest problem.

The Son of Poseidon was terrified of them. Luke wasn't sure why and the boy had no voice to explain. He thought the silence had something to do with the collar around his neck. They all tried talking to him, though he seem to shy away from them every time they got near. Despite the whippings it almost seemed like he wanted to stay with the hunters, or was at least more terrified of what would happen if he left than if he stayed.

He was drastically different than what they expected. He wasn't quite as full of hate as they thought though it was definitely there. Mostly he seemed like nothing more than a frightened little boy.

"Come on kid," Thalia suddenly snapped, "Your dad sent us here to free you."

The boy stared at them with something new in his eyes. Hope? Slowly the boy reached out like he was going to point and wrote in the dirt, Who is my dad?

It was a test. He obviously knew Luke could tell that but he wanted to make sure they were here to do what they said.

"Poseidon," Luke answered.

The boy wrote in the dirt again, Chains are unbreakable. Stake is made of steel. Bronze might cut it.

Luke nodded. "Thalia will you cut the stake with you spear?"

Thalia nodded pulling out here spear. The tip crackled with electricity and the boy started to get nervous again. Before Luke could point this out, or the fact that she might electrocute the boy if she used lightning, Thalia struck the stake.

Lightning crackled up the chains and suddenly they exploded. The four demigods stood there in shock. The problem was the noise of the chain's exploding woke the Hunters.