A.N. I couldn't sleep last night, so I decided to write this chapter. Don't forget to vote on the poll.

I gulped, it's too late for that, I thought to myself, as a giant fifty-foot-tall automaton rose from the heaps of scraps, pulling its twenty-foot sword from its scabbard with an ear-piercing screech as metal grated against metal.

Zoe dove behind a pile of scrap metal, as Bianca did the same, and they both pulled out their bows. Annabeth put on her hat and disappeared. Clarisse pulled out her spear as I clicked tidal wave and prepared for what would nearly be an impossible battle.

"Is that Talos?" Annabeth gasped. Zoe shook her head, "It's too small to be Talos, it must be a prototype or something, the fact that it is here though is bad news, it must be the guard of this junkyard" She said worriedly.

I instinctively lit my sword on fire, it wouldn't do much, but hopefully it would at least help a little. As the girls began firing arrows, me and Clarisse were circling the giant automaton on opposite sides. The arrows appeared to be doing little more than irritating it though.

All of a sudden it lunged at me and I dove under the strike. I immediately realized that if its sword even grazed me, it would be enough to kill me.

I saw Clarisse dodge a strike and throw her spear into the side of its knee. Its body seemed to conduct the electric spear tip, but this seemed to empower it more than anything.

I started running a little bit, to draw its attention back on me. As it stepped towards me, that's when I saw it. There was this little hatch on the bottom of its foot. Apparently, Bianca saw it too as she said, "Percy, on its foot, we can get inside, distract it for me."

Before I could even disagree with her, she ran from behind her cover. I cursed before throwing a fireball at the automaton, effectively garnering its attention.

Or so I thought at least, what happened next none of us could have predicted. Zoe fired an arrow right into its ear, which appeared to just annoy the automaton. It then turned to her, but then saw Bianca approaching cautiously, it must not have liked that as it brought its sword down on her.

I screamed out, but it was too late. The sword connected with her, throwing her into a huge pile of junk. I wanted to check on her, but I knew in my heart she was gone. It should've been me, I thought. I should've tried to get inside of it.

I unclicked tidal wave, and summoned my bow. I then launched three flaming arrows right into its face, effectively distracting it. For the time being at least.

I sprinted over by where they were all gathered by Bianca, Annabeth was the only one with tears in her eyes, but it was obvious that they were all saddened by what had happened.

I immediately said that they all needed to make a run for it. I saw Clarisse and surprisingly Zoe about to argue before I steeled my nerves.

"NO, you guys need to rescue Artemis, and Thalia, I will take care of Talos, and I will catch up as soon as I can." I growled out. They all knew they wouldn't win this argument with me, so with one last look at Bianca they ran off, towards the exit, and ever so slightly closer to rescuing them.

My only thought was of hoping I would survive, and see them again, even Zoe. We had grown surprisingly close while on this quest.

That was soon replaced by anger. Anger that it should've been me, that I wasn't strong enough to save her, that I might not be strong enough to save the others.

I heard Talos approaching, but all I could think about was how angry I was. I eventually clicked tidal wave, bringing my sword back out, and I realized that in my anger my whole body had been engulfed in Greek fire.

I lit my sword on fire, then sprinted at Talos. I rolled under a strike, and jumped as high as I possibly could, before bringing my sword down right in the side of its knee.

It wobbled for a few seconds, before collapsing to the ground, with my sword still in its knee. I was also thrown to the ground, but I was on my feet much quicker than Talos was. I reignited my whole body in Greek fire, and hurled two huge fire balls into the automaton, one in the face and the other in the stomach.

It quickly spread to the rest of its body, and I knew it was finished. I finally relaxed myself a little, and realized how worn out I was. Keeping my whole body lit like that had taken a lot out of me.

I took out a square of ambrosia and popped it in my mouth, feeling a little better at best. I then decided to go over to Bianca's body and make her a proper funeral pyre. After I had set it up, and set her on there, I lit it and it went up in flames.

I sent a silent prayer to Hades, telling him that I was sorry that I failed him, before disappearing in a mist.

Line Break

I reappeared outside of the junkyard, and noticed for the first time that I had a few tears in my eyes. I wiped them away, before praying to my patron.

I saw a flash to my left, and I immediately engulfed Hestia in a hug. Her presence immediately having a calming effect on me.

I pulled away and smiled sadly at her. She nodded to me showing she understood how I was feeling. She gave me a few words of encouragement before giving me another quick hug, and disappearing in a flash. In her place was a black motorcycle with flames designs on it.

I gave a small smile before hopping on, and speeding off down the road, hoping that I wasn't too far behind.

I rode like that for a couple of hours, going as fast as I possibly could before I saw a black pickup truck in front of me begin to slow down. As I was approaching it, I noticed a silver circlet on the top of the driver's head, bringing a smile to my face.

I started slowing down a little, relieved I had caught up. I pulled up right next to the window, and saw three shocked faces just staring at me. I motioned towards the next exit, and after seeing Zoe nod, I sped off and cut them off, before shooting down the exit ramp that would lead us to Hoover Dam.

I knew Zoe would be absolutely pissed that I cut her off like that, but it was definitely worth it.

I pulled up into the parking lot, and hopped off the bike. I leaned against the back of it and just sat there impatiently for a few minutes until they pulled in next to me and all got out.

"Jeez I knew you were really old, but I didn't think that you would drive like a grandma" I said with a smirk at Zoe. Clarisse and Annabeth both cracked up at this, while Zoe just looked shocked for a moment.

She then stormed over to me and gave me a hard slap across the face, "That was for cutting me off, and this" she said before punching me hard in the gut, making me double over, "was for calling me old." She finished with a smile.

"Damn you know how to throw a punch" I grunted out between breaths, "it was still worth it though" I said with a smile, after regaining my bearings.

"You have got to let me ride that" Clarisse said, coming up to me with a hopeful look in her eyes. I shrugged tossing her the keys, and she laughed as she hopped on and left to go on a little 'joy ride' as she put it.

Once Clarisse left, Annabeth was just giving us fact after fact about the Dam, and everything about it, and I politely told her that I couldn't care less about any of her facts, so she should just go explore while she has the chance, before we head out again.

Annabeth also went off on her own, as it was now just me and Zoe. "So, what happened back there?" Zoe finally asked. I looked up at her with regret.

"I'm so sorry Zoe, I told her that I would do it, but she wouldn't listen. She wanted to be the one to stop it, to fix her mistake. I'm sorry that I have failed you, and cost you a hunter. One lost in the land without rain. I shouldn't have given in when they wanted to go through, we could have just gone around" I said, looking away, not willing to meet her eyes.

She scoffed at that, "Perseus not everything is always your fault, she wasn't ready for this quest, I should've asked an older, more experienced hunter to come along. Besides, I was the one that shot it in the ear, causing it to turn towards Bianca. It is as much my fault as it is yours. You can't escape a prophecy, someone was destined to die there. It just happened to be her" she said sadly, probably thinking about her own line in the prophecy.

"You're not going to die Zoe. You know you are the only real friend I have ever had. Thalia is family, and I am nothing without her, and the Goddesses and Gods, well they were always too formal, too much like teachers. Annabeth is kind of annoying, and Clarisse is more of a comrade, but you, you are my only real friend." I finished smiling sincerely at her.

She looked shocked at this but said, "You are the only real friend I have ever had too, Lady Artemis is too formal, more like a mother, and the other hunters are like sisters." She finished with a slight blush on her face.

I decided to ignore that last part, "So thank you, for showing me that not all men are as bad as that vile Heracles, now, how did you escape the junkyard back there?" She asked, saying 'Heracles' with disgust.

I told her how I was overtaken with anger, and my whole body was engulfed in Greek fire. How I defeated it, and nearly passed out in exhaustion. When I told her about Bianca, and giving her a proper funeral, she surprised me by pulling me into a hug, thanking me. I chose not to comment on that, much to her relief, as I told her how I prayed to Hestia, and she conjured me up the motorcycle.

She looked shocked at the display of power I had to have possessed to take out the giant automaton. Before she could say anything else though, I heard a loud "Mooooooo"

I looked around confused, "Hey I'll be right back" I told her and headed over to the edge of the dam, not waiting to hear her response. I saw a sea creature swimming around down below, so that's where it came from I thought.

I looked at the creature closely, it was half cow, half serpent. I gasped in shock realizing what it was, as Zoe came over to see what I was looking at.

She asked what it was, and I just looked at her with a worried look. "If I had to guess, that is the monster that Artemis was hunting before she got captured by the titan army. Zoe, that's the ophiotaurus. It is said that if you slay the beast, and burn the entrails, you will have the power to destroy the Gods." I said, looking at her trying to gauge her reaction.

She just paled, so I willed the water to hold it in place just below the surface, before looking at her expectantly. When she just stared at me blankly I said, "Zoe, kill it. I will hold it in place, and after it is dead I will send it to the bottom of the sea, somewhere no one will ever find it." I finished.

She looked unsure, so I gave her a nod of encouragement. She took out her bow, aimed, and fired, straight through the head of the beast. I sent it spiraling into the bottom of the sea, feeling good that there was one less threat we would have to worry about.

We turned to go back over by the truck, when Clarisse sped to a stop right in front of us. A wicked grin could be seen on her face.

"I gotta get me one of these" She said, seemingly in a very good mood after the ride. The motorcycle disappeared in a flash, and I knew Hestia was just relocating it to somewhere else, seeing as I wouldn't need it now. Clarisse on the other hand looked as if someone had taken away her favorite toy.

Just then Annabeth walked out, and came back over to us. She had this faraway look in her eyes, and I knew she must have enjoyed herself in there.

"Alright, let's get back on the road, I'll drive. Two of you will have to sit in the bed though, since there isn't enough room in the back" I said grabbing the keys from Zoe, who then called shotgun.

I was about to get in when I saw a spartoi turn the corner. It locked eyes with me, before saying something I couldn't understand, notifying the other spartoi of our presence I am sure.

I tossed Zoe the keys and told her to go and get everyone out of here. I could handle it, but she immediately shot me down this time. When she saw that I was going to argue, she threw me a death glare, making it clear that they had my back on this one.

I sighed, "fine, but you guys be careful, just watch my back" I said clicking tidal wave into sword form.

I lit it on fire before charging at the spartoi, I could only see two of them, but I am sure plenty more would be coming. I summoned my shield as I did a baseball slide under the first, bashing my shield into its shin on my way by, as it fell to a knee. I got up quickly and engaged the second. They were fairly skilled that was for sure.

I attacked relentlessly, until it slashed at me and I blocked it with my sword, and then bashed my shield into its chest throwing it back. Without wasting another second I lunged forward and stabbed it through the chest making it crumble to the ground unmoving.

I turned around and saw Clarisse engaged with one, while Zoe was holding two of them back with her hunting knives. I saw for the first time what Artemis had said about her. She didn't make mistakes, every move she made was perfect.

I saw Annabeth was engaged with one, and struggling with just her knife. I sent a fireball into the back of one of the spartoi battling Zoe, effectively distracting it, but when it looked over, it was just met with empty air. I reappeared by Annabeth, just in time to block a strike that would have killed her. I sent a hard kick into the spartoi's chest, before making sure Annabeth was alright.

After a nod, I turned back to the spartoi and threw my shield right at it, like a Frisbee. It hit the spartoi right in the chin and I quickly sped over and stabbed it in the chest, effectively killing it before it could get back up.

I turned to check on the others, and Zoe was now in battle with three of them, while Clarisse battled two herself. Counting them in my head, I thought that left just one of them unaccounted for. Annabeth went over to help Zoe, as I snuck over towards Clarisse.

She noticed me and smiled tiredly, struggling against the might of both, and not being able to kill them. I had gotten into position and gave her a nod, as she kicked the one back, who went flying right into me, and before it knew what hit it, there was a sword protruding from its chest.

I sent a fireball into the second one as it tried to sneak up on her now. She whirled around shocked, before I saw the shield on her back. I told her to take a knee for a second. I then sprinted towards her and jumped onto the shield on her back, right as she jumped up, effectively launching me up into the air. I flipped over the spartoi into a barrel roll, before turning around and slashing my sword across its throat, dislodging its head from its body.

That is six dead now, four to go. I looked over and saw Annabeth, on the ground, with a pretty deep wound in her leg, but nothing fatal thankfully. Zoe was once again engaged with three. I told Clarisse to go check on Annabeth, as I flashed over by Zoe's side, drawing a yelp from her.

Before she could react, I blocked a strike aimed for her head while spinning, and simultaneously grabbing one of her hunting knives. All in the same motion I threw it right into the forehead of one of the spartoi. It wasn't dead, but it crumbled to the ground disoriented with a hunting knife in its head. I ran over and stabbed it in the chest quickly, ending its worthless existence.

I grabbed Zoe's hunting knife and got an idea. I threw a fire ball into the spartoi that was sneaking up on her, before throwing the hunting knife into the back of the one she was locked in combat with. I tossed my sword over its head, unbeknownst to it, as it turned around on me, wondering what stabbed it in the back.

She caught the sword and sliced through its neck in one swift motion. She didn't wait to see if it would stay dead though, as she turned around and battled the last one expertly. She was a blur of movements. Even I was amazed by her speed. She locked blades with it, before disarming it and stabbing it right through the heart, as it crumbled to the ground dead.

I gave her a nod of respect as she handed me my sword. I clicked it back into pen form, as she went over to gather my shield and Annabeth's knife.

I walked over to check on the both of them. Annabeth had a bad wound, but would be fine. I clapped my hands, conjuring some water, and then started healing their wounds. I looked over to ask Zoe if she had any wounds, but gasped at what I saw.

The last spartoi, the one I stupidly forgot about, was turning the corner and heading straight for Zoe, but she was looking the other direction. It was too late to warn her, so I did the only thing I could think of. I took out my pen and disappeared over to her in a flash of flames. I shoved her to the ground right as a blade was thrust through my stomach. I looked down at it in shock. In a last ditch effort to save my friends, I raised my hand and clicked tidal wave. It elongated into a sword, straight into its chest, and into its heart. I saw it collapse before I started falling towards the ground, my vision darkened as I plummeted into darkness.

Line Break

I awoke to a hard surface underneath me. Upon further investigation, I realized I was moving as well. My body ached, but I opened my eyes and saw bright blue skies, and trees whizzing by. I sat up, and immediately regretted it, as black spots danced across my vision. I conjured some water to drink, and ate a square of ambrosia, as the memory of what happened to me returned.

I got stabbed, at least Zoe was okay I thought. I then conjured more water and fully healed the wound to my stomach. Well it healed as much as it was going to, as I saw a new scar, joining many others on my chest. I then looked inside the car, and saw the three girls.

Annabeth and Clarisse were sleeping and Zoe was driving, eyes locked on the road in front of her. I tried to figure out how to open the small window, but couldn't figure it out, so I just reared my fist back, and punched right through it, cursing a little as I cut up my hand.

Zoe swerved a little, but got the car back under control, as she glared at me through the mirror. I could see a small smile tugging at her lips though. The other girls jolted awake when I punched the window, and just looked happy that I was better, and awake.

"Head for San Francisco, were searching for Nereus" I said to Zoe, who nodded and floored it, trying to get there as quick as possible.

"So, what happened after I got stabbed?" I asked Annabeth, since Zoe was driving, and Clarisse was in the front seat.

"Well after putting on your little display of power by killing seven of those things, while saving all three of us, you came to check on me. That's when the last one attacked Zoe, only she wasn't there anymore, and it stabbed you. Before you fell unconscious, you managed to kill it though. Then I fed you some ambrosia, and Zoe took out some water and poured it over your wound as it slowly closed up, and scarred over. Then we started driving." She said, looking at me in amazement.

I nodded, just happy everyone was alright. I then decided to try to get some rest before arriving in San Francisco.

Line Break

I awoke and saw it was about midday now. If luck is on our side we will arrive at the Garden of the Hesperides later tonight, as the only time you could enter is when day is becoming night.

Zoe stopped the car at a pier, and we all got out. She led us over to the pier and I saw an old guy that could have been a relative of Santa Claus'. Zoe pulled us aside and smirked at me, "You won't be able to just waltz right up to him. You're going to have to mask your scent" she said smiling evilly.

The next thing I know, I reeked, and I looked like an absolute hobo. I felt like I had just bathed in garbage.

I decided to just get on with it as I walked down the pier, stumbling around, pretending to be drunk.

I then pretended to trip and flew right into Nereus, who shrieked and yelled curses at me. Before he could dive in the sea, and find out that I was a son of Poseidon, and that wouldn't work, I clicked tidal wave and put it to his throat.

He surrendered, before telling me that the same rules apply, I would only get one question.

I thought about it, "how do I save my friend Zoe, if she is prophesized to die on this quest?" I asked seriously.

He laughed, "That's it? That's simple. It is in the prophecy,

And one shall perish by a parent's hand

Unless siblings separated only by their fathers foil their plan

You and Thalia, must combine forces to save her from her father. Only the power of Hestia and the power of the sea can save her now" he said, before turning into a goldfish and diving into the water.

So, me and Thalia would have to combine forces somehow to heal her? No, no, no. Patience, I thought to myself, now that I know we can save her, I can figure out how to do it later. I jumped into the sea to wash this filth off of me, and then climbed back onto the pier.

I walked back over to them before gesturing them over to the car. I got fresh clothes out of my pack and grabbed the keys. Zoe in shotgun, and the other girls in back.

We drove in silence for a while, neither really knowing what to say.

It eventually got really foggy around us and I knew we were getting close. Almost on instinct I stopped the car, and told everyone to get out.

"We have to travel on foot from here, the Garden of the Hesperides is right up there" I said, as they nodded. We hurried up the mountain, all of us just wanting to get this over with.

We came upon a tree that was littered with golden apples. The apples of immortality, Hera's wedding gift from Zeus, I thought to myself. I then noticed the hundred headed dragon coiled around the tree.

I whispered to Zoe, "Do you think Ladon remembers you?" She gave a nod, but looked uncertain. "I may have a very bad plan" I said to her, making her go pale.

All of a sudden four beings shimmered into existence. They all looked eerily like Zoe. Tthese must be the other Hesperides.

"Sisters..." Zoe began, before one of them hissed, "We see no sister of ours, we see three demigods, and a huntress of Artemis, all who will soon be dead" She was about to retort, but I beat her to it.

"We're not here to take any of your golden apples, so we'd appreciate it if you guys left and let us carry on" I said confidently.

They looked displeased, one of them spoke up, "All I have to do is say the word, and Ladon will awaken, ending your lives" she snarled at me.

All of a sudden Zoe yelled, "Ladon, wake" The hundred heads uncoiled, and looked around towards the familiar voice. The Hesperides shimmered out of existence, leaving us alone with Ladon.

"I don't have time for this" I ranted, "everyone grab hands" they did as I said, and I grabbed Zoe's hand before disappearing in a mist, right as Ladon was making his way over to us.

We reappeared higher up on the mountain, out of his reach, and sprinted up towards the top. When we got there, I paled, while Zoe gasped. It was the throne room of Mount Othrys, it shouldn't have been there though, it was reforming.

She then laid eyes on Artemis, and rushed over to her side.

"No, it is a trap, you must leave" She pleaded. Zoe just tugged on the chains around the goddess's wrists and ankles.

"Well isn't that touching" A voice boomed. Atlas walked out from the shadows. Luke Castellan, the traitor son of Hermes at his side, and bound and gagged at his side was Thalia. This almost sent me into a rage, but Annabeth put a hand on my shoulder calming me down.

Luke looked fearfully at me, then turned his attention to Annabeth.

"Let Thalia go" I yelled, steeling my nerves.

Atlas sneered at me, "This is a family affair demigod, you have no right to interfere." He then turned to Zoe, "Yes, it's been many years Zoe, how is my little traitor doing? I will enjoy killing you" He said, laughing maniacally.

I looked over at Zoe who nodded. I clicked tidal wave. It appeared in sword form, and I then summoned my shield, before saying, "Zoe and Annabeth take down the monsters, Clarisse go after Luke and Thalia, Atlas is mine" I thundered before sprinting at Atlas. That's when all chaos erupted on the top of that mountain.

He laughed as I approached. I sprinted forward and went into a baseball slide under him, clipping his shin with my shield, much like I did against the spartoi. It worked just as well, it sent him to a knee with a grunt.

I got up quickly and slashed my sword across his back. It was a small cut, but it still shocked the titan.

He growled, before turning around quickly and swinging his javelin like a baseball bat, catching me in the chest and sending me flying. I landed roughly, but still climbed to my feet. I saw a few arrows sprout from a chink in Atlas' armor. They did little but irritate him, although it was an effective distraction as I threw my shield at him like a Frisbee.

He tried to duck, but couldn't in time, as it caught him in the chin and sent him to the ground. I threw a fireball at him, and he grunted as his flesh burned. When he put it out, I was right in front of him, slashing at his neck, but he blocked it right in time. He took advantage of my momentary lapse there and went on the offensive.

His strikes were powerful, it should be a weakness, but it isn't with him. His speed is remarkable for someone his size. He swung his javelin like a baseball bat again, but I expected it this time. I ducked and moved to go on the offensive, but he moved inside my guard.

He reared back and punched me in the face with such force that it threw me back and my sword tumbled over the edge of the mountain. It would return eventually, but not in time.

Zoe jumped in front of her father, and stood toe to toe with him, hunting knives to javelin. I ran up to an enemy demigod, and dodged his spear before grabbing it, and pulling forward. His face met my fist as his nose broke, and he lost his grip on the spear. I grabbed his neck and twisted. The sickening crunch of his neck snapping was all I heard.

It was cruel yes, but he is a traitor, he got what he deserved. I charged back over to Atlas as I saw him backhand Zoe, and then embed his javelin deep into her stomach.

Rage is all I felt as I engaged him again. He was taken aback with my speed and strength at first, but then regained control. My inexperience with a spear quickly giving him a big advantage. He quickly disarmed me and took me in a bear hug.

I couldn't breathe. This is it, I thought, as it felt like all my bones were breaking. Then the bracelet on my wrist caught my attention, well more specifically the flame charm.

I concentrated with everything I had and lit my entire body in Greek fire. Atlas screamed as his body was burned badly. I fell to the ground and gasped for breath.

Just then I remembered a few lines of the prophecy, and knew what I had to do. I hobbled over to Artemis, and took my pen back out, which had returned to me. I clicked it and tidal wave appeared in sword form. With one swift slash, I cut the chains that were binding Artemis. I knelt down next to her, and what I felt was unimaginable pain, and I wasn't even holding it alone yet.

"Artemis give me the sky" I said confidently. She looked unsure at first, but I said, "You have to, he's too strong for me, only you can defeat him"

She nodded, and rolled out from under the sky. She charged at Atlas, who was still recovery from the extreme burns I had given him.

Once I took the full weight of the sky, I almost passed out, immediately regretting setting my whole body on Greek fire, as it had drained me of so much energy. I shook those thoughts away though, as I focused on the battle at hand. Artemis was little more than a blur of silver. I heard her speak in my mind.

"Perseus be ready to let go, when he comes flying towards you, start loosening your grip." I nodded, and started loosening my grip when I saw Artemis land on the ground in front of me. I smirked knowing what would happen.

Atlas started boasting as if he had won, but when he brought his javelin down, Artemis moved ever so slightly. It missed her and connected with the ground. She grabbed it and pulled like a lever, sending Atlas flying right into me, as I let him hit me and push me out from under the sky.

I rolled away, and got to my feet as I saw Clarisse holding Luke at spear point. He lunged at her, his last ditch effort, but she kicked him in the chest. He stumbled backwards, and lost his footing, before tumbling off the side of the mountain, much like my sword had.

I heard Annabeth shriek and go over to the edge of the mountain with tears in her eyes.

I looked over to Atlas and saw him re position the sky on his back before bellowing, and screaming about how he will kill each and every one of us.

All of sudden I was on my back, and there was a blur of black on top of me. Realizing what was happening, I hugged Thalia back with just as much force.

My eyes widened after that though, as I looked towards Zoe. Artemis knelt next to her, with a tear in her eye. All of a sudden it hit me, and I knew how to save Zoe.

I ran over there, Thalia right behind me. I skidded to a halt a foot away from Artemis, "Artemis, do you trust me?" I asked pleadingly.

She looked questioningly at me before nodding, "I promise I will explain after, but we don't have much time" I said, as I picked up Zoe, and turned to Thalia, "Lightning travel down to the ocean below" I said, disappearing in a mist with Zoe, leaving them both standing there shocked.

I reappeared a couple feet in front of the ocean and looked at Zoe, she didn't look too good, "Perseus, what are you doing?" She mumbled weakly.

"Just keeping a promise to a friend is all" I said looking at her seriously. All of a sudden Thalia appeared, and I put my plan into action.

"Thalia, there is only one way to heal her. I am going to bring her into the ocean, and use my water powers to heal her. That won't be enough though, only with your help, using your healing powers from Hestia, will this work" I finished out of breath, already walking into the ocean.

Her whole body was submerged, except for her head. I had my hand on her stomach, while Thalia did the same, an orange hue coming from her hand though.

Very gradually color began to return to her face, and the wound eventually closed up. She was unconscious, but she would live.

I brought her back onto the beach, to find the questioning eyes of Artemis. "That's what I asked Nereus, how I could save Zoe from the prophecy, he said only me and Thalia working together would be able to." I explained.

She conjured up her chariot and said, "We have much to discuss on the way to Olympus Perseus" She said with a pointed look at Zoe. I only nodded.

After we got in the air, Annabeth and Clarisse had gone to sleep, exhaustion overtaking them from the battle they had just won. Zoe was still unconscious, and Thalia joined her. I was the only one that knew that she was afraid of heights, and always passed out in the air, something I wanted to help her work on.

Artemis turned to me questioningly. I began to recount the tale of our journey, and of how we had become friends along the way. I told her how I promised Zoe she wouldn't die, and how I make it a point to never break my promises. She looked at me, shocked at hearing the journey we just had. She pulled me into a hug, thanking me several times for saving her Lieutenant, both on the quest, and from the death blow that was prophesized from her father.

We then talked about the upcoming council meeting, and she assured me that she would make sure the council voted to start to act against the titans and their growing army. I nodded relieved at that.

We fell into a comfortable silence, occasionally reminiscing about past memories. She'd tell me about some of her past hunts, and I would happily listen. I felt so relaxed, just sitting here with Artemis, like old times, just talking, as if a war wasn't on the horizon.

Eventually we arrived on Olympus, and we woke up the sleeping girls. Zoe came up to me and pulled me into a hug, thanking me over and over. I waved her off, just telling her that I don't break my promises. This made her smile. I told her that I would explain everything to her later after the council meeting.

We walked down the streets of Olympus. Streets that I have walked down almost every day for the past three and a half years. I bumped Thalia with my shoulder, just making small talk with her after telling her that I would explain everything that happened on the quest later, after the meeting.

We got to the throne room doors, and Artemis grew to her godly height. She turned to us with a smile, "Let me go in first, wait a few moments before following" She said mysteriously with a smile. She walked in and the throne room doors closed just as quickly as they had opened.

I looked back at Zoe, Annabeth, and Clarisse, and gave them nods. I jokingly looked at my wrist, pretending there was a watch there, and tapped my foot impatiently.

After a minute, I threw an arm around Thalia's shoulder and pushed the doors open, my only thought being, "I'm home."

A.N. There's Chapter 5. Yeah, I haven't really read the titans curse in a while and was just going off memory, as you probably noticed last chapter, and this one. I noticed I haven't been getting as many views or reviews lately. Is it just a boring story? I don't know maybe it's just coincidental, but any input and tips would be greatly appreciated.