A/N: I couldn't take leaving ya'll hanging. :)

-Addie-

"Hey, little sister," he whispered back warmly. I threw my arms around him, crushing him to me. He buried his face in my hair, gently squeezing me back. He smelled just as I remembered him, like a breeze from the ocean. Tears flowed from my eyes, no matter how hard I willed them not to. I had not seen him since that day I defended him from Ares, since the day I was cursed. Having him here in front of me was more than I could emotionally handle. Part of me could not believe that he was real. This had to be a dream. I had to still be knocked out. Was it like when I spoke to Tiberius? Was I having another fantasy or vision?

At the moment, I didn't care.

"I've missed you so much," I said thickly.

"I've missed you, too. I miss you every single day, Addie, every single one," he whispered to me. He held me for a few minutes, soothing me. I just couldn't believe it. Was I dead? Was I dreaming? I had to know.

"Ry, you're dead. They told me you died," I whispered into his shoulder. He felt real. This felt real. "How… what-"

He moved my head so it was resting against his chest, and I could hear his heart beating. The sound was deep, like thunder on a warm summer night. It echoed throughout him, sure and strong.

"You aren't dreaming. I was dead, Addie, but not anymore. I've come to get you, to save you." His voice was so comforting, so familiar. It was like he had never died, that he was always here.

"How, Ry? Did you escape through the doors? If Thantos finds you, he'll take you back."

"I came through the doors, but I did not escape. I was released," he stated. "I've been watching over you, Addie." His hands were rubbing my back, and they came up to my neck. He traced the tip of the scar that stood raised just over the top of my shirt. He learned back, his eyes narrowing. His hands traced my arms and chest, touching the various scars there. Now, I could see Ry clearly. He looked older than me, maybe in his mid-twenties. There were lines around his eyes and mouth, and grey circles underneath his eyes, like he had missed a few nights of sleep. He was always more outgoing and forceful that I was, and his face showed it. His hands came back to my back, his fingers running over the scars through my shirt. I looked away, ashamed.

"He did that, didn't he?"

I nodded my head, not meeting his eyes. It was no use lying to Ry. He would know if I was. I could feel the rage inside of him. I always had a connection to my brother, like a sixth sense. Maybe it was a twin thing. I glanced back at him, and I saw him narrow his eyes even further. I knew my brother could look absolutely deranged and dangerous when he wanted to, but it never bothered me. Ry would never hurt me.

"I would say I would kill him, but I will give you that honor," he said harshly. "You deserve it, after what he has done to you."

"Ry, I can't oppose the gods," I said quietly.

"Can't or won't, Addie?" he asked, poison in his voice. Ry was worked up about something. I finally remembered where I was. I looked around, and I was at the runes of Apollo's upper temple. There was no one around except Ry, and I began to worry. Where was everyone? Where they still underground? Uneasiness crept into my stomach, and I looked back at my brother.

"Where are the others? Did you see them in the shrine?"

"They are busy at the moment. I needed to get you away. I had to talk to you alone."

"They wouldn't have stopped you," I assured him. A thought tickled at the back of my head. But it couldn't be true. "Ry, who released you?"

"Do you really want to know, Euadne?"

I paused, fear taking the place of happiness. Why was Ry talking like this? I just stared at him, as my brain attempted to take what he was saying in.

"You always were the better of the two of us, the one with a more level head. You were the more powerful one. That's why they did it."

"You didn't answer my question, Orion."

He regarded me carefully for a moment, and reached for my hand. I took it, and he pulled me up.

"You have to understand, Addie. What they did to us, it was wrong. What they did to you was wrong. She'll fix it for us. She'll tell you the truth, show you what you are truly capable of. She can lift your curse, Addie," he finished pleadingly as he grabbed my hands in his own. I pulled my hands from his, and backed into the column. The thought that had tickled my brain now spilled to my mouth, and it was out before I could do anything to stop it.

"Gaia brought you back."

My mouth was dry. Ry reached for me, and I pulled away from him.

"She did, didn't she? You are working for her?"

He looked almost repentant, but mostly he seemed sad. He nodded his head, and I shook my head.

"She wants to destroy the world, Ry! She'll kill every single demigod, the giants will rule, the gods will be gone-"

"And that would be a bad thing?" he interrupted harshly. "They've brain washed you, Addie."

"I haven't been brain washed," I retorted.

"Gaia wants freedom from her prison. The gods are corrupt, Addie. The Titans failed at their second attempt at gaining the throne, but the Giants will not. They are far stronger than their older siblings, made to be the bane of the gods, to destroy them. This time, with Gaia awake at their side, they will not fail."

I shook my head, staring at my brother in pity. I knew he harbored a grudge, and I did not blame him. However, I never dreamed he would take it this far. His anger, the same anger my father's Roman side was famous for, was getting the better of him.

"Gaia wants, needs, our help, Sister. She has watched you, as I have. To have your fate snatched from you, to have someone tamper with it, is the worst crime imaginable. You deserve freedom, Addie. If you join her, she will give it to you."

"I can't oppose them-"

"Of course you can't! You can't do anything without their permission. They've all got their little puppet strings tied to you, ordering you around as they please. We are better than that," he spat at me. He began pacing in front of me, as he always did when he was agitated. "We are the closest a mortal has ever been to the divine form. Our blood is more divine than mortal. Together, we could rule, Addie. You are more powerful than you have ever dreamed, and they have kept that power from you. Gaia wants your freedom, just as you want."

"They've been lying to you, Addie. You don't think it is strange, that they so easily accepted your offer? Did you ask Apollo why? Did he ever tell you?"

I shook my head, and opened my mouth to defend him.

"Oh, I bet he told you he was going to," Orion scoffed. "He's just using you, Addie. He will get what he wants from you, and then forget you, just like Mars, just like every other god has done to mortals for thousands of years. Are you really foolish enough to think they actually care? That he actually cares enough about you to act differently? They do not feel, Euadne! He only wants one thing… What would Tiberius think of this?"

His words crushed me, bringing every internal fear I had to light. I couldn't move. I braced myself against the column, taking deep breaths. The wind started to pick up, and the sky darkened. I was losing it. I closed my eyes, concentrating with all my might. Ry's hands came to my cheeks, and he stroked them with his thumbs, brushing the silent tears away.

"Don't hold back, little sister. It's time you knew the truth."

"What truth?" I asked desperately. I heard a shout from the distance, but I couldn't take my eyes off Ry.

"They set you up, Addie. The gods feared us, feared that we would destroy them. We were a problem that needed to be handled. They never intended to let both of us live. They knew what Mars was doing, and you played right into their hands. What would they have to fear from you, if you could never oppose them? The fates would not allow them to kill you, so they did the next best thing. They knew, Addie. They knew you would have done anything for me and Tiberius, to save the others. You so willingly gave up your soul, your freedom, and for absolutely nothing. They had every intention of cursing you, whether you or we had opposed them or not. You just gave them the simple excuse they needed."

"No….that can't be true," I whispered.

"Really? You never tried to oppose them, Euadne! You never made a move to attack Mars; you only defended me. They punished you for no reason other than they fear you. Why do you think some of them show such pity? They feel bad for their actions, as they should!"

"I…I don't…"

My mind was blank. It could not process what my brother had just told me. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a vile. He uncorked it and poured a silver dust into his hand. He knelt in front of me, and blew it into my face. I breathed it in, and immediately, I felt something cold encase my lungs. It felt like I was turning to ice from the inside out. I fell to my knees, coughing violently. Every inch of me felt like I was getting stabbed with needles. The ice was in my veins, my very soul. Ry knelt with me, rubbing my back gently. The cold started to ebb away, replaced with an empty, hollow feeling.

"I'm so sorry to tell you this, but I have to protect you, Addie. I know this is uncomfortable, but it will give you a chance to see, to open up your eyes. They set you up, Addie. No matter what you did, they were planning on controlling you. You were not being cursed because of your actions; you were cursed because they fear what you can do. They interfered when they were not supposed to."

He stood up, and the yelling that I had heard was growing louder.

"That powder gave you three days of freedom, little sister. You are not under their control, at least until it wears off. Gaia can remove it permanently, and give you the revenge you deserve. She wants you to have the freedom to choose. I love you, Addie. Choose wisely. "

With that he vanished, leaving me on the ground by the column.

I was in shock.

I felt hands grab my arms, hauling me up to my feet. Voices carried in my mind, but I could not understand them. Someone, maybe more than one person, carried me, but I couldn't tell you who it was. Everything was a blur, and I was numb to it all.

I was playing in back over in my mind, everything that had happened, everything that the immortals told me: They were right about you, Thýella Euadne Aurelius Maximus. Your life survives on its sacrifices, your soul now tethered to their immortal ones. What a clever way to bind a soul so capable. Such a strong will, such a strong life, to be so chained and helpless…. Oh no, daughter of Poseidon. They actually do care, surprisingly. The reason they gods act the way they do is mostly out of guilt… we need you to choose. We warned them, but they would not listen to us…

It just couldn't be true.

I felt like a volcano, one that was dangerously close to exploding.

I had to know. I had to find out.

Everything came back. The sound, the feeling of someone touching my forehead, all came back like I was waking up from a dream. We were back on the boat, and I looked up to see Piper and Annabeth looking at me in concern. I pushed them away and stood.

"I've got to go," I whispered quickly. I shoved through a few of them, and made my way to an open spot on the deck. My breaths came in short gasps, and it felt like my chest was constricted. With each moment, my heart beat faster and faster as the realization threatened to hit me. Lightning flashed overhead, and Leo yelled something about landing the ship, that he couldn't fly in this storm.

"Addie, what's wrong?" Percy started, reaching for me.

"GET AWAY!" I screamed, the boat shaking. Lightning hit the mast, and I buried my face in my hands. Percy reached for them and tried to pry them away from my face. I pulled away from him, shaking my head. What was I doing? They couldn't suffer for me and my fucked up emotions.

"I'm so sorry. I'll go; I'll catch up to you later."

I concentrated with all my might, and the familiar weightless feeling overtook me. I stood at the gate to Mount Olympus, and I pounded on the doors. Alexiares opened the door, looking at me in confusion.

"Euadne? I thought you were on assignment-"

"Where are they?" I questioned harshly. He looked at me blankly. "Where is the council?" I asked again.

"They are in the throne room, in a war council-"

I started that way, ignoring what he said after. I shoved past people, and their comments just bounced off of me. It was starting to storm here. Rain fell in sheets, and I became soaked as I walked up to the throne room doors. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled, the wind piercing my body through my wet clothes. Two guards made a move to stop me, but I shoved past them.

I threw open the doors, and all of them turned their gazes towards me. The whole council was there, including my father.

"Euadne?" he questioned, disbelief in his voice. I stopped at the edge of the circle, dripping water on to the floor. The storm continued to rage, releasing the feelings I knew were threatening to escape.

"What are you doing here, interrupting a council meeting? You have orders to be on that ship!" Zeus snapped at me angrily. He was right; I did have orders. However, there was no pain from disobeying them. Orion had not lied. Had the gods? I was staring at the floor, at the puddle that I had created. I could see the flames dancing in the reflection. I could feel the eyes of twelve gods and goddesses on me. I should be scared. I should be mad. But all I felt was empty.

"Is it true?" I asked. My voice was so level, almost quiet. It rang throughout the chamber, like I was yelling.

"Is what true?" Zeus asked. This time, there was a bit of apprehension in his voice. The tension in the room increased to a point that it felt like my body would be crushed with it. I looked up, straight into those ice blue eyes.

"Is it true about my curse? That you all had every intention of doing this to me no matter what I did?"

Some part of me was satisfied. I watched their faces go from shock, to disbelief, to outright shame and fear. Even Apollo looked like someone had gut punched him. None of them said a word.

"I would have never opposed any of you. I would have never dreamed of defying Olympus." With each word my voice grew louder and more pained. The volcano inside me was threatening to erupt. "If you needed control so badly, all you had to do was ask. I would have done it, and they all could have lived. They didn't have to die for something so meaningless! I didn't have to deal with him!" I screamed, gesturing towards Ares.

"You will not speak to us like that, foolish girl," Ares sneered. He stood, taking a step towards me. "Apologize for your insolence!"

"No," I breathed, my eyes closed.

"No?" he scoffed, disbelief etched in his voice.

"No," I stated once again, looking up at him. Everything was a haze, and I felt the rage bubbling at the surface. From nowhere, the words bubbled in my mouth. "After what you've made me do…After begging for mercy and my innocence, after two thousand years of never being able to stop you, I can now. No, I will not apologize."

He made a move to grab me or blast me, I wasn't sure, but I acted instinctually. The volcano in me erupted. Rage, hurt and fury fueled me. I blasted him away from me. Ares flew back into his throne, the marble cracking underneath him from the impact. Everyone was in shock, and I swear someone called my name.

"You will not touch me ever again," I warned him. The rage and anger left as quickly as it came, and my body started to panic. I needed to go. I had just attacked a god. What had I done?

I felt the sense of weightless take over me. I wanted out. I wanted to leave, and I didn't care if I ever saw another immortal again. I vanished, reappearing far away from Olympus.

It was a remote island, one I had visited before when I needed and was able to get away. No one knew about it, and they wouldn't think to look for me here. They would probably kill me now.

All the pain crashed into me at once, and the grief, pain, anger, and resentment that I had harbored for my ageless existence came crashing down on me in a single moment. It was absolutely paralyzing. I fell to the ground, curled up into a ball, and let the misery take me.

Orion was right about them.

So...now the truth is out. What do you think is going to happen?

I know this is another cliff hanger, and I'm so, so sorry. It will be a couple of days before I can update again.

I apologize for any typos and such. I was kind of excited to get this up, and its really late and I have a paper to write. 0-o

I had a guest review that asked me about writing a story that intertwined characters. I find that extremely flattering, that someone would want to write about my work. (Or maybe I'm just big headed and misunderstood the question.) While I own nothing PJO, some characters, like Addie, Orion, Urban, ect., I did come up with on my own. All I ask is that you give credit where credit it due. Please link me and give me the credit I deserve. I'd love to read it!

In the next few chapters, I'll be posting some one shots that didn't make it into the story over Thanksgiving Holidays. Which would you guys like to have? All? None? Let me know!

-Artemis finds out about Apollo/Addie

-Nico and Addie's first encounter

-The time Addie gets swallowed by a dragon

-Aphrodite uses Addie as a model

PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! :) Tell me how you feel!