A/N: Thanks for all your reviews. It seems like I have just enough motivations to continue this one. My friend keeps pestering me about updating the next chapter and I guess I've done letting curiosity torturing her.

Retrobution: I really appreciate your review. I've been trying to correct all my grammar mistakes every time I write something and I guess I'm not too bad. If there are any mistakes I hope you can point them out for me! Thanks for your time.

Guest 1: This story isn't going to be like the typical ones you read. The whole plot is completely new and there will be plenty of surprises. Prepare yourself, okay?

Guest 2: Try to be patient, will you? I know it's really frustrating waiting for a new chapter but think about other readers, they have to wait, too! Yeah, it's so damn good to know that you're only happy to be my friend just because I write stories! Just kidding. Anyway, here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: Even in my wildest dream, the Percy Jackson series doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 2: Determination

Hestia's Point of View:

The arrival of the Romans has been a big surprise for everyone. The grudges between Greeks and Romans aren't something that can be erased so easily and it's just sad. I have to agree with Perseus. They're both demi-gods so why can't they just let it go? I think about all the chaos while burning a little fire for myself. Loneliness has become my friend for a very long time now and I have got used to being ignored. Nico di Angelo and Perseus Jackson are the first two demi-gods that pay me some concern and attention in decades. Of course, they're really busy to visit me often but both of them always sacrifice food for me and for that, I really appreciate. I hope one day, there will be more than two kids paying their interest towards the hearth.

It was really late, about midnight. Almost all the campers are asleep in their cabins now, even the Romans. They don't accept sleeping in the cabins with their siblings so they have built a camp near the forest although sadly, they don't notice me. It's understandable since very few people know about me. It hurts sometimes but like I said, I have coped with that. It's quite peaceful now after Perseus and Jason's fight. The silence covered the whole camp and I feel like it's trying in vain to ease the tension between Greeks and Roman. Suddenly, flashes enter my mind and I stumble forward. Dozens of emotions and feelings about family, friends, relatives, and enemies fly into my mind and I'm quite surprised that a person can have that many emotions in a minute. Then some plans are formed slowly and I recognize it is Perseus' mind I'm seeing. He's making a plan, a deadly decision again. I wonder if he will ever get a safe and peaceful moment in his life. Concentrating, I can feel his strong will and feeling about his solution to the problem. Even it's insane and quite impossible, he will be able to save everyone with that sacrifice. There is no hesitation or fear in his train of thoughts and it's obvious that he's preparing for it. Perseus is already starting to execute his not-so-safe plan. Without a second thought, I head to the Poseidon cabin. The hero of Olympus really needs to talk to someone now.

Percy's Point of View:

I'm going to strike. No regrets. No hesitation. No turning back. No doubts. My plan starts now and I'm getting things ready. Important things like ambrosia, nectar, bandages, clothes and drachmas are already sheltered neatly in my rucksack. I will steal mortal's money later when the first steps of my insane plan works. Now I have to come up with a show which is able to fool everyone, including the gods. I thought of my plans while packing my stuff. Earning trust is difficult, but the throwing it away is eating a piece of cake. The problem is Annabeth. She's smart; she will figure things out, either sooner or later. I need to make sure that it will cover their eyes until things are done. Maybe Athena will accidently help me by persuading her daughter to turn against me. Even it hurts that I will have to cut all ties with my family and friends after months being away from them, I will do it if it's worth it.

Right now, I'm preparing my nerves for the second bath in the river of Styx. I had lost the curse of Achilles when I was in Rome and now I need it back. Then I will save Nico out of Gaea's prison. The kid will go back to camp and sadly, I will trick him afterwards when he's safe with the campers. Selfishly, I want to take Mrs. O'Leary with me or at least Blackjack, but they can expose my plan. No, I have to be all alone. It's a depressing thought. I took out Riptide, my fighting companion for 5 years now. I will have to throw it back to where it belongs soon after I have taken the path I'm choosing. Since I don't want any burden with me when I jump down the river and rescue Nico, I have to leave the rucksack here, for now. I'll be back for it later. Just to be careful, I put some drachmas in my pocket along with some ambrosia. I take a deep breath and get myself ready to sneak out of camp Half-blood, my home. Suddenly, a gentle knock on my door s my train of thoughts. Shit! I cursed inside me head. Who the hell wants to see me in the middle of the night? I rub my hair so it can look like I just woke up and approach the door. Opening it, I greet the visitor with a big yawn and my hand rubbing my eyes.

"Perseus, you don't need to pull that act on. I already know it."

The gentle warm voice startled me. I saw two red warm cozy orbs staring at me with a concern expression on the face of Lady Hestia. Knowing that I can't trick her since she already knows, I said politely:

"What can I do for you, my lady?"

"Walk with me; we need to talk about whatever you're thinking about." – She says calmly.

"Does anyone else…?" – I ask with hidden panic.

"Know…? No, only me, Perseus. You don't have to worry about that." – The goddess shakes her head lightly and gave me a reassuring smile.

With that, I get out of my cabin and close door. It's going to be a long conversation.

Third person's Point of View:

Percy followed the Goddess of Hearth to the forest. He wondered if Hestia was going to tell him to ditch the stupid risky plan of his or not. Anxiety filled the green-eyed demi-god. How did she find out? He didn't even reveal anything. Silence swallowed the whole camp. Everyone was asleep. When they reached the place that Hestia usually sat and burned the fire, they both stood still for a while. Lady Hestia began; it was her conversation after all:

"Perseus, I've discovered the path you're choosing to take. It's against nature and we both know that."

"I really appreciate your warning and your concern, my lady. I have considered it really carefully. I know exactly what I am doing and what risks I'm going to take." – replied Percy clearly. He had prepared for the answer.

"I personally suggest with all my heart that you should re-consider it, Perseus. Never had anyone, gods, demi-gods or mortals came up with a daring, insane, deadly but with a for-seen expected result like that. I must say, you're one rare flower, Perseus Jackson." – The goddess eyed the mortal son of Poseidon carefully like she was trying to see every corner of his soul or having a great effort defining what he was made of to create such a mad plan.

"My lady… - The teenage boy spoke quietly. – "This plan, I'll make sure it works. We don't have to lose any more lives if I can hold on to it. I don't do this to show off, obviously or to prove how brave or powerful I am. I'm doing this because I'm afraid, afraid to suffer when death seeks for my friends and family. Surly, it will cause great pain to the campers along with my parents but it is worth to sacrifice. They will heal and find more joy in life if they have a chance to live. And for me, I'm a mortal, and not just any mortal but a son of the Big Three; I will die, sooner or later. I don't regret it."

Another pause ruled. The goddess heard Percy's confession and to their surprise, tears formed at the corner of Hestia's eyes. The hero of Olympus didn't know what to do and just when he opened his mouth to say something, Lady Hestia said:

"You're very determined, young Perseus. How are you planning to inform your mother and step-father of this?"

At this, Percy seemed to startle. He didn't think of that. A sharp jolt of guilt ripped through his soul making him frozen. He knew the Goddess wasn't telling him to not do this, not directly at least. She was trying to find some worthy reasons for him to let go the suicide attempt. Speaking of his mother, he needed his mother's blessing if he wanted to bath in the River of Styx, otherwise it wouldn't work. I'll take my chances. – thought Percy.

"My lady, I wasn't planning to let anyone know about this plan and that includes my mother and step-father. This is completely between me and Gaea and I really don't want anyone to get involved. For that, with all my respect, may I know how did you find out about this?" – His sea green eyes looked straight into Hestia's red blazing eyes.

"I'm the Goddess of Hearth and it's me who makes clear-sighted mortals, Perseus. I can see things the others don't, and that's also your crazy loyalty towards your family and friends. Of course, our wise Lady Athena has pointed out for the world to know but she only sees the bad side of your flaw. I guess in the end, young Perseus, you have turned your weakness into a kind of strength that helps you do crazy things." – replied Hestia thoughtfully.

"Thank you for caring about me, my Lady. I know this has to work, because the grudges between Greeks and Romans are too serious to be forgotten. I think I better execute my plan right now and before that, I have something to entreat, Lady Hestia." – Percy was about to kneel in front of the Goddess but she immediately shook her head.

"Tell me, hero of Olympus. I shall grant your entreaty."

"I'm hoping that you could swear on the River of Styx that you won't reveal my plan to anyone, even Blackjack and Mrs. O'Leary before it succeeds." – replied the son of the God of Seas serious with a total grown-up businesslike tone.

Lady Hestia blinked her eyes slowly. Of all requests, Perseus asked for this. The Goddess sighed heavily and spoke:

"I, Goddess of Hearth, swear on the River of Styx not to tell anyone, gods, mortals or animals Perseus Jackson's plan before he accomplishes it. Also, I give Perseus Jackson my blessing."

Thunder boomed on the horizon. Percy tried to understand what the Goddess blessed him for, and then realization hit him. Hestia gave him the blessing to bath in the River of Styx. The son of Poseidon swallowed air into his stomach and bowed at the Goddess. He said:

"I'm very grateful for everything you do for me, my Lady. I can't swear on the River of Styx, but I promise I'll try my best to make it out alive."

Lady Hestia gave the boy a weak smile and after that, Percy left. He approached Thalia's Pine, the gate of Camp Half-blood. The black-haired demi-god looked back at the place he considered as home before the suicidal mission.

"MRS. O'LEARY!" – He shouted, not too loudly and a giant hellhound ran towards him. He patted her on the head and said:

"How about a trip to the Underworld, big girl?"

A/N: Was it good? Was it bad? Give me some reviews, folks! I appreciate everything. I'll try to update once a week, but no guarantee. But one thing for sure, I'm not going to abandon this story!