A/N: I'm back guys! Ya miss me? Some things have changed in the while I've been gone and there are things I forgot to mention before!

First off, thanks to Arya Annabeth Shadeslayer and nerdnerd for favoriting A2! Means a lot!

Secondly, thanks to the communities, Percy Jackson, Chaos and Primordial Gods and Percy Jackson gets help from Chaos for adding this story to your collections!

Third(ly?), thanks to bibliosexual's critics and pointers!

And last but not least, thanks to liggie for agreeing to beta and putting up with my constant pestering!

Now, with that out of the way, on to the chapter!

Chapter 5 – In Which I Dedicate Over Three Thousand Words to Characters You Aren't Interested In

Chaos and his child watched as Omega told the politician what would be happening to America for the next few months. The Lord of All sat in his throne silently for a moment, the temperature of his castle quickly dropping until ice began to sweep across the floor, walls, and ceiling. The young child looked up at Chaos and said, "Father?"

The large god roared, picking himself up from the massive throne of ebony and gold and effortlessly tossing it into the air, shouting "That damn boy!" With another scream of rage, Chaos made a quick gesture, clawing his hand over his heart and then thrusting it towards the seat of power. In a flash of light, the throne exploded into thousands of shards. The child watched this display silently, not reacting when shrapnel cut a thin line across one creamy white cheek, starting a quick flow of crimson blood. However, the World Maker wasn't finished. "He would carelessly reveal the entire history of the world, a history withheld even from the Olympians until a few short hours ago, to a mere mortal?" Chaos threw his hands wide and brought them together sharply with a sound akin to thunder.

In another world, soldiers cheered as the remaining enemies dropped to their knees and surrendered. Marcus cradled the body of his best friend in his lap and cried openly, tears spilling down his cheeks and onto his maroon uniform. He didn't notice as Brian's fingers began to twitch. Behind Marcus, a soldier screamed in horror and pain. Heads turned to watch as the man tried to shake off a second soldier who was viciously biting his leg; a soldier missing most of the left half of his head, which a cannon ball had torn away in a cloud of blood, skull fragments, and brain matter. All around, the dead from both sides were picking themselves up and lurching towards the closest humans. Marcus was snapped out of his despair to watch the newly risen undead, not comprehending what was going on until he felt a cold hand grip him firmly around his neck. He turned back to stare into Brian's blank, dead, eyes, the cannon wound that had killed him still seeping blood. Brian lunged forward and took his first bite of flesh in what would be a long existence of undead.

Now Chaos' daughter winced, hearing the growing screams of the soldiers as they realized this new threat couldn't be killed. "Father…"Chaos took a deep breath and, with another wave of his hand, recreated his throne, the pieces merging back together in a faithful recreation of the original. The Creator returned to his seat and, without a word, resumed watching Omega's journey. The child returned her gaze to her brother's antics as well, but her mind was fixed on the world that had begun its slow march to the end.

As the elevator rose to the top floor, Leonard grilled Omega for more information. "If your father is God, can he give you anything you ask for? Money? Weapons? An army, perhaps?"

"I'm telling you," Omega said, rolling his eyes, "Chaos isn't helping, just watching."

"And you're how old?"

"Three weeks, give or take a day."

"But you look like you're in your mid-teens."

"Listen," Omega looked the politician in the eye, "Do you honestly want to hear about how I was born to a single male parent?"

Lenny opened his mouth to reply, but shut it again after some thought. Omega smirked. "I guessed you'd say something like that."

"Alright, but what about your eyes?"

Chaos' child regarded him questioningly, "What about them?"

"Look at them, yourself," Leonard pointed to the mirror inlaid in the wall.

Omega stared at his blood red eyes for a minute and said, "I still don't get it."

"Red is unnatural. Anyone who gets a good look at those will think you're a freak, or worse."

"Really? Because, I, for one," Omega grinned, "think they look great!"

"And everyone else will think you're a monster in disguise," Leonard withdrew a small notebook and golden pen from his pockets, quickly jotting down some notes.

Omega watched with a bored expression and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I can't let my business partner be run out of town for his eye color, can I? I'm getting you colored contacts. Also," Leonard continued, looking reproachfully at Omega's clothing, the same ones Chaos had given him, along with all the dirt, grime, and muck that came with weeks of traveling, "You're going to need new clothes."

"Hmm, why? I can't just get rid of these!" Leonard sighed and crossed out one of the notes he had written. "Then let me have them washed at least. And you can't go running around in the same thing every day. People will find it weird, and you need to seem as normal as possible."

"Alright, but they should be in the same style."

"Good, good. Oh, and one more thing."

"What?"

"It would be best if you told everyone you were my son, so they don't become suspicious of us traveling together."

"Orion Jonathan? Sounds idiotic."

"It's your name, not mine." The elevator came to a halt. "Ah, we're here." Once the elevator door opened, Leonard strode forward through a brightly lit hall of red carpets, vaulted ceilings, and famous paintings, Omega trailing slightly behind him. "This penthouse is a beautiful marvel of modern engineering. Nothing like it exists anywhere else in the city!"

"And how does a dirt bag with a lie for his campaign platform have the key?"

"Ignoring you," Lenny continued brightly, leading his rude brat of a business partner into yet another elevator, "We are about to enter a suite that is almost the equivalent of a three story house in floor space, all built on a single level at the top of one of New York's tallest towers. This will be your home as well as where we will meet to discuss the, ah, protectionof the city. I will be supplying you with everything you'll need to live a comfortable life as a rich American citizen, as well as information on everything you need to know so you can be a native. We're talking smart phones, TVs, imported food, maybe even some of tho-"

"Okay, seriously. How does someone like you get the money to afford any of this stuff?"

Leonard smirked and replied, "You aren't the only one with connections in high places, son."

The elevator ended its journey and slid open silently, Leonard again quickly exiting with Omega at his heels. The odd pair made their way down a new hallway much like the first, but with portraits of over-glorified business tycoons who were painted in such a way as to make Omega wonder if the artist had held a personal grudge against each one. He made a mental note to get them removed as quickly as he could. Leonard paused in front of two large, intricately decorated wooden doors that created the entrance to the penthouse. In the most flamboyant fashion he could muster, the politician removed a fine silver key from his pocket and, inserting it into the lock, exclaimed, "Welcome, my friend, to your new home!"

Peering inside, Omega felt the beginnings of an evil smile growing on his lips.

Troy's newest bar, The Fourth Legion, has seen quite a few odd customers walk through its doors. The bar tender, Richard, had memorized a lot of faces and exactly what they usually came in for. His favorite patron, a large brute of a man who wore an eye patch, would always come in for some mutton before telling Richard about all the cool things he and his brothers made back home. There was also the man with the mismatched eyes that dressed like a spy from old black and white movies who paid big money on any teenagers that came through wearing orange or purple shirts. Odd requests, but the money was good, so he didn't complain. And then there were the three old ladies who sat in the corner and knitted for a few hours. Sadly, none of these regulars had come in for the past month.

Instead, there had been one man who would come in, have a beer, and then pass out at the bar. Richard wouldn't mind so much if he didn't have to wake the man up before closing time every day, and if he didn't have to spend five minutes getting rid of the dust and grime the man's dirty head always left at the counter. Worst of all, the man had to be pushed and bothered into finally paying for his drink every day.Well, enough is enough, Richard decided, and made his way over to the sleeping patron, ready to lay down the law. This time, to his surprise, someone else beat him there. Two teenagers ran over to the man's side, a skinny girl with dark brown hair stopping just below the ears and a ridiculously fat boy with glasses. The two grabbed the man's shoulders and began to shake him, "Myrmidon, Myrmidon, wake up!" Myrmidon slowly came to, mumbling, "Uhh…what is it, you two? Can't it wait for a few more hours?"

"We think we found another half-blood!"

"What?" Myrmidon quickly rose from his chair, looking the girl in the eyes. "You're sure you found another demigod?"

"Well, no," she bit her lip, "But he saw through the mist, though."

"Have you told your father?"

"No, we haven't been able to find him."

"Hmm," Myrmidon nodded, "Then we need to hurry." He motioned to each of the children and started towards the door. Richard cleared his throat and said, "Excuse me, but you still have to pay."

"Oh, well, of course!" The patron turned around and the bartender got his first real look at him.

Tanned skin and well-muscled, the kind of guy they put on the front of those sappy romance novels Richard's wife read, but it was hidden away by dirt, dust, and his mangy clothes. Even so, Richard knew this guy could hold his own in a fight. Myrmidon flicked his golden hair out of his eyes and went searching through his pockets for money, eventually coming up empty,

"Huh…I don't seem to have anything with me today…" he said with an embarrassed laugh. "Could you maybe put it on my tab?"

The fat kid brought his palm to his face, groaning, "We really don't have time for this, Mr. Myrmidon."

Richard sighed, saying, "Look, if you don't have the money, I'm gonna have to ask you to come back in the kitchen and work for it."

"It was one beer!"

"Money is money. Now come on!"

"Well," Myrmidon sighed, "I'm in a hurry, so…" Faster than Richard could register, the man quickly grabbed a nearby table and threw it at him, knocking the surprised bartender flat. After a quick apology, Myrmidon grabbed both of his teenage companions by the collar and ran out of the bar in what he hoped was the general direction of the fourth member of their little group.

With each beat of his wings, Thrylos rose higher and higher above Manhattan. The Red Eyed One had wished him to leave the two legs alone, so staying where their firesticks could hit him made no sense.Of course,the dragon mused, the firesticks have done no harm yet. What are the chances of them doing any in the future? He gave off a deep guttural snarl, a burst of flame spurting from his maw. No, best not to take chances. This intelligence the Red Eyed One had given him was a rather generous gift. Thrylos could plan ahead now; predict when his prey would flee or when and how it would fight back. If he could smile, the thought would make him do just that.

But the intelligence brought with it a sense of something Thrylos was unsure of, something he found disturbing. Unlike the minotaur, or Medusa, even the manticore, the two legs never recounted the story of Thrylos, and when he strained to remember, the dragon was not sure if there was a story at all. He remembered vast lands of snow and mighty forests, which he abandoned for this place at the defeat of the Titan Lord fourteen years ago, but no battles with heroes. No great acts of courage from the two legs to usurp his throne as king of the North. Thrylos didn't have a myth, but the Red Eyed One promised to change that. "Help me, and every god, mortal, and monster across the earth will know your name, the name of Thrylos." Not even a monster could refuse such an offer. His thoughts were pierced by the sharp screams of two legs from below. Thrylos swooped in to witness what was surely a monster attack in progress.

Some time ago, the Wall had stopped Thrylos and most of the Hellspawn, or monsters as the two legs called them, from attacking normal creatures. But now the Wall was gone. And in its place, the Hunt began. Large wolves were running down the street, chasing screaming two legs towards a second group waiting to ambush. One of the two legs' four wheeled chariots veered out of the monsters' path and crashed, rolling onto its side. Two wolves peeled away from the main group and attacked the chariot, pulling the driver out with their jaws. Thrylos looked back on the Red Eyed One's instructions. "Stop as many of the monster attacks as possible. That's the first step to receiving your reward."

Thrylos landed between the two legs and their hunters, pavement cracking as his crushing weight came to a sudden stop. The wolves snarled at the new obstacle, who replied with a massive roar, silencing both monsters and mortals. One wolf came forward, its muzzle and coat caked in blood, shouting, "What are you doing here, dragon? This ground is ours!" Thrylos was mildly surprised that the wolves could communicate in the Tongue of Beasts. "You must leave the two legs alone."

"What?"The wolf's anger was quickly replaced by confusion. "Why?"

Thrylos did not respond. Without showing this wolf the Red Eyed One's powers first hand, nothing would convince it. "Stop hunting the two legs or I will kill you where you stand!"

The wolves began snarling and howling, preparing to fight when a new wolf spoke up. "Stop."

At once, the pack grew silent and parted to allow this monster to come forward. The wolf appeared old and deranged, with large clumps of fur falling out that reminded Thrylos of the partially skinned rats the two legs sometimes had with them. Poodles,he recalled. Behind the dragon, the two legs began screaming again as they fell into the ambush the wolves had already laid out. Thrylos silently cursed for forgetting it before turning his full attention to the demon poodle. The poodle, who must have been the pack's leader, tilted its head and said, "Why have you broken the pact? All intelligent Hellspawn agreed on how this place would be divided!"

The dragon was growing tired of this nonsense, and didn't want to admit he had only been an intelligent Hellspawn for the past two hours. He raised himself on to his hind legs, wings spread, and roared, "Your petty divisions mean nothing to me! I am Thrylos! If you want this land, then kill me for it!"

The demon poodle charged, ready to accept Thrylos' challenge. Behind him followed the rest of the pack. Thrylos brought a forelimb down on the poodle, hearing bones crack with a sickening snap. Carried by the strong muscles in his long neck, Thrylos' head snapped forward and bit down into the neck of another wolf. The dragon's mouth quickly filled with pain and he threw the wolf high into the air, thinking,Poisoned blood. The poison was eating away at his teeth and gums, so Thrylos did the first thing that came to mind. The beast released a jet of flame from his maw, incinerating the poison and turning another wolf into a howling torch. The wolves split way and surrounded Thrylos, now wary of his fire breath. The demon poodle, still crushed under Thrylos' clawed foot began to thrash, screaming, "Attack at the same time!"

Without hesitating, the wolves threw themselves at the dragon. Thrylos spun, throwing the demon poodle at one of his assailants, his tail striking two more. Another burst of flame took down another monster, the strength of the fire sending the burning wolf sailing backwards. The remaining attackers landed on Thrylos, using razor sharp claws and fangs to get a firm grip. The dragon roared in pain, and with powerful beats of his wings, picked himself up into the air, the wolves hanging on the best they could. Reaching a good height, Thrylos angled out and began to fly. Gaining speed, he spun in midair, feeling a wolf lose its grip and plunge back to earth. Thrylos began a complicated flight path, rapidly rising and then diving twice as fast, looping and banking at random intervals, all the while feeling the unwanted passengers falling off and hearing their strangled cries as they realized that in the battle between wolf and concrete, concrete had a tendency to win.

Now only one was left. Thrylos could feel it tugging at the base of his neck. No amount of shaking had removed him, so the dragon opted for a different tactic. Spotting a solid looking building, Thrylos raced towards it, spinning at the last moment so that the momentum he had gained was all placed onto his back, and passenger, first into the skyscraper. The wolf's howl of pain was muffled by the dragon hide it had been holding onto. Thrylos beat his wings and pulled himself away from the wall, taking off in the direction the demon poodle's body rested. The monster that had just been turned into the world's ugliest pancake crumbled into dust and was carried off by the wind.

The demon poodle had been trying to limp away when his reptilian antagonist returned. Thrylos slowly made his way over, the smoke trailing from his jaws the only sign of his amusement. With one long talon, the demon poodle was flipped over, hitting the ground with a grunt of pain. The dragon bent down and said, "Spread this tale to all Hellspawn: the two legs are not to be harmed without my consent, and I will personally kill any one or thing who acts otherwise."

"Of course," the demon poodle wheezed, both happy and confused at having survived this ordeal. Thrylos lifted off the ground and, with another roar, flew off into what was to surely become a long day of monster hunting.

A/N: Aaaand we're clear! Sorry to anyone who wanted to see where that cliffhanger from last chapter was going, but I wanted to bring everyone else up first. That being said, you can say goodbye to everyone from this chapter for a while. Next chapter and on will be focusing on Alex and his little adventures through whatever nasty adventures I can cook up. Mhwahahaha!

This time I really mean it, no more bi monthly updates! I really will cut down on the time between each chap!

'til then, see you later!

Alex