Hey everyone,

I'm sorry the update took a little longer. I'm not so busy at the moment, but I have a lot of things that are approaching the horizon and updates will come much slower. A writer I am following, Anaklusmos14, has recently told his readers to view my story saying that I "update quickly" or something along those lines. Like I said, busy work is coming up ahead and update rates will decrease heavily. I hope that I can finish this story, and then when it is close to Christmas, I will begin releasing the short-stories. After the short stories, I think I will slowly release the next story (Second Titanomachy) near the beginning of January and finish it sometime between May to June. Then in the summer, I will finish this story off with a bang... unless I decide to wait until the fifth book of the Heroes of Olympus series to come out. I'm sure I will have another series for you guys to read if that is the case.

Anyways, hope you enjoy this filler chapter (TWO FILLER CHAPTERS IN A ROW?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, SHARKATTACK?!) and enjoy the beginning of the end of this FanFiction story.

Cheers,
SharkAttack719

Chapter 17

The Trojan Horse

"We need a way to trick the Trojans?" asked Odysseus. "I have the perfect idea for this. Trust when I say I do."

Perseus had just given him a brief breakdown of what he figured would be the necessary steps of action to be able to capture Troy's walls. Trying to ignore what had happened barely hours before, he told Odysseus what he knew would have to work. Trickery was pretty much the only way that they would be able to take down the city. There was no other option.

They had tried brute force, which epically failed, and they had tried sucking Troy dry. The latter option was still in progress, but Perseus knew that Troy had many allies and they would be able to somewhat hold out. Besides, even if all the inhabitants of Troy perish inside the walls, the gates will still be locked and the city could not be plundered. Perseus knew Menelaus would want to kill Helen with his own hands or his own blade.

"All right," Perseus said. "Tell me what this idea of yours is?"

"A wooden animal," replied the King of Ithaca, making the son of Poseidon frown.

"Excuse me?"

"A wooden animal."

Perseus stared at him in disbelief. "How is a wooden animal going to help us take down Troy?"

He rolled his eyes. "We get a wooden animal... a horse would be best. Then, we build it, away from Trojan eyes, and when it is done, we set the Greek army sail around to a certain spot... maybe a cove of some sort if we can find one. However, we make the horse hollow so that two dozen Greek fighters, that will include Diomedes, Agamemnon, Menelaus, you and myself, can hide inside. Then we keep an advisor down on the ground outside of the horse. When the Trojans come and find the deserted camp, the advisor will lie and say that the horse is an offering to Poseidon for a safe journey home. When they cart the horse inside of the city, the ships will sail back under the cover of the night and we will strike at them when they least expect it."

Perseus gave him an approving look. "That sounds like a brilliant plan. The Trojan Horse, let's call it. And the best place to build it away from Trojan eyes is in a place they wouldn't expect us to build it."

"Where would that be?"

"Ever been to Aeolis?"

"You mean... that place south of the Troad region?"

"Yes." Perseus offered Odysseus a drink, which the King of Ithaca denied. Continuing, Perseus said, "And there is a village down there that is full of Troy's enemies. They hate the power that Troy has. It is called Pergamum. Brisēís told me about them before she ran away and said that they had tried sacking Troy before. They were obviously unsuccessful. I think that it would be a really good place to build the Trojan Horse. It will be guarded by the people of Pergamum so we can build it in peace."

"Yeah! Do you know of any place where we can hide the Greek ships?"

"No," said the son of Poseidon. "There is nowhere I know of that we can hide our ships at, but I have a feeling that there is a good cove somewhere nearby."

"Wait... maybe something can be different..." Odysseus mused. "The horse is the Trojan's sacred animal, right?"

Perseus nodded.

"So then, we build the horse because it is their sacred animal and instead say that it is an offering to Athena," he continued. "You said that she is on our side? Make sure that we get her approval. I have a feeling as well. My feeling, however, is that of victory. We are going to taste it when this horse is done."

"Who will be the advisor on the ground outside the horse, though?" asked Perseus.

He frowned. "I'm not so sure... maybe we could get Sinon? He was a Trojan captive in the first year, who turned into a loyal soldier of mine. He might be able to help us out."

"All right, so we may be able to get Sinon in on this. What else do we need? We just need to search for a spot for the ships and to convince the rest of the kings that this is a good plan, not that it isn't. The other may have some doubts though. And what are we to make the wooden horse out of?"

"Any wood we can find," replied Odysseus.

"The Trojan Horse... can we do a basic overview?"

"Of course."

"All right, so we will construct a huge wooden horse, and hide a select force of men inside. We pretend to sail away, and the Trojans will pull the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night the Greek force will creep out of the horse and open the gates for the rest of the Greek army, which had sailed back under cover of night. Then we enter and destroy the city of Troy, decisively ending the war?"

"That's pretty much it."

"Great, now let's see what Agamemnon and the other think."

"That sounds deceitful and deceiving," said Diomedes, a grin slowly emerging onto his face. "I love the idea. When do we start?"

"That is, admittedly, the best trick I have ever heard of," said Menestheus. "I think it would make it better if we don't storm the palace right away. Let them come and see the city burning, all temples to Apollo destroyed."

Just this once, Perseus agreed with him. That would be best, for the royal family, namely Paris, to see the city under flames and all of the temples of Apollo gone. Hopefully he would be able to save Andromache, Priam, Hecuba and Cassandra... along with Hector's son. He knew those four definitely didn't deserve to die with their city.

Perseus had conflicted emotions about Aeneas. Aeneas was obviously the son of Venus, a demigod, as had been told many times. But he had stabbed Perseus from behind, even if the son of Poseidon had killed his cousin. He couldn't help but admit he wanted Paris dead, even if it truly was Apollo's fault.

He wondered if the god got hit by an arrow. He hadn't really paid attention after Achilles passed away.

Perseus looked over to the spot where Nestor once stood. The King of Pylos, Perseus' last reminder of Periclymenus, had fallen to one of his former friends just like his younger brother. The only difference was that Perseus hated Heracles whilst he was still alive. He didn't hate Ajax at all. He had reacted just as Achilles had when he heard of Patroclus' death.

It hadn't even been a month yet, but Perseus still missed Achilles dearly. Sighing, he turned to Podarces, whom they had called to give his input.

"Very good strategy," he said. "Guile and cunning, which I like."

"A way you can finally destroy Troy, brother," said Menelaus. "And I will finally get my hands on that inconsiderate bitch called Helen of Troy. She will finally fall, and that is why I will be grateful to you, Odysseus, for the rest of my life. Brute force never got us anywhere."

"Yes, yes," mused Agamemnon. "Ingenious. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. But all the credit goes to you, King of Ithaca. And, if Perseus helped, him too. I know of an island we can take temporary refuge on whilst Sinon or whoever tricks the Trojans does his work. Its name is Tenedos. We could keep me leading the ships and my brother inside the horse. As soon as night falls, we set sail for the shores of Troy once again. When the time comes when the Trojans are either asleep or unconscious from heavy drinking, you sneak out of the horse, send Podarces to Sinon, who we will make sure stays sober and around the guard towers. He will light the fire that signals the Greek army to enter the city and open the gates. Meanwhile, the group that stays in the horse immediately splits. Some head for the courtyard, some head for the city streets, some head for Apollo's temples. Immediately destroy everything and set fire to Troy. I agree with Menestheus. Let Priam watch his city burn."

Perseus was surprised that Agamemnon had come up with an idea that actually made sense. "That actually sounds like a good idea. Let's go for it."

"Let's put our differences aside," the King of Mycenae said. "We have a bigger enemy: Troy. Without working together, how will we ever defeat the city that is better than nearly every single city in Greece, aside from Mycenae, of course."

He cracked a smile. "Sure thing, my lord."

Agamemnon waved him to the side, pretending he didn't enjoy the joking praise. "Now, Odysseus. Are you able to bring this Sinon here? And Podarces. Go and grab me Phoenix, the Myrmidon commander. We will need him."

"Yes, Agamemnon," they said. Both of them darted out of the tent.

The second they left, someone entered, flanked on both sides by guards. Perseus felt his blood boil.

Neoptolemus had arrived looking as smug and greedy as ever. "Hey, Agamemnon."

It was clear that the King of Mycenae hated him as much as Perseus did. He gritted his teeth and growled, "You call me King Agamemnon or I shall have you whipped."

"Yeah," snapped Perseus. "We wouldn't want you to have to stay in the infirmary to heal your broken limbs again. Unless, of course, you are willing to sacrifice your body for an experiment."

Neoptolemus scowled, not even looking at him. He kept his eyes on Agamemnon, who was glaring back harshly. "My father, Achilles, has passed away, killed by Paris. It was obviously Perseus' fault because he let my father die. Give me control of the Myrmidon army. Now!"

"You dare demand something of me, you lowly fool?!" he roared. "Achilles was the last king of Aegina that there will ever be. As soon as this war is over, the Myrmidons will be granted places to stay in Mycenae and their wives and children will move with them."

Perseus felt as though he were in a pot of boiling water. He felt hot and his entire head felt like exploding. "You will never become the commander of the Myrmidon army," he hissed. "And his death was not my fault. If you dare try to change fate, horrible consequences will follow. Your father died honourably and well. The same cannot be said for you." Perseus felt different, as if he were speaking from a spirit from far away. He didn't feel like himself. "You will be killed by one who calls you their enemy in a painful execution."

"You cannot even lead an army," retorted Neoptolemus, treading on thin ice. "You're but a peasant from Athens. Yeah, I heard the rumors. Peasants aren't even good fighters."

"Then explain your broken limbs."

"You surprised me."

"Never judge a person by their outside looks and basic facts."

"Then why are you doing that for me?"

"You killed five people because they wouldn't serve you luxuriously. You are an asshole. And you are nothing like Achilles."

"Fine. Then fight me for leadership of the Myrmidon army if you're so great. No killing, though I would seriously like to put you out of your misery."

Menelaus snorted. "Then you clearly haven't seen him when he gets angry. You were too busy with your shattered knee."

"I will accept your challenge," said Perseus. "Outside?"

"Wimp," Neoptolemus sneered. But he obliged and walked outside.

He turned to Agamemnon. "When I have him in a leg lock, toss me a good length of rope and some sort of movable platform."

Then, he walked outside and pulled his hair clip out. Neoptolemus laughed when he saw that, until Anaklusmos finally re-emerged as a three-foot-long sword. Perseus tapped his bracelet, and Aegis sprung out, the head of Medusa seemingly screaming at him.

He stopped about a spear-length away from Neoptolemus and said, "Let's get this fight started."

Neoptolemus put on his helmet and growled. He reached forward with his spear, ready to spear the son of Poseidon and roast him on the fire, but Perseus was far too quick. He knocked the spear aside with his shield and immediately lunged for Neoptolemus' testicles. With a quick swipe, they fell to the ground in a bloody and gooey mess.

The fifteen-year-old boy screamed in pain, which Perseus nearly felt pity about. He immediately deactivated Aegis and Anaklusmos before pinning the son of Achilles to the ground. Agamemnon took this as the sign that he needed and tossed Perseus the rope. Then, he passed over a brazier as a platform.

Perseus grabbed the rope and tied it around Neoptolemus' neck. He went over to a wooden pole that held a giant chlamys over in case of rainy days and put the brazier under the boy's feet. Making sure he was still standing properly, he climbed up the pole and tied the rope. Then, dropping down, he kicked the brazier out from underneath Neoptolemus, which caused the boy to drop like a ball.

The boy's eyes bulged and he struggled as he began to suffocate.

Perseus pulled out Anaklusmos just in the nick of time and cut the rope away from the nearly unconscious kid. He heard the unmistakable gasp and heaving breaths from Neoptolemus that told him he would eventually get enough air. The boy lay twitching on the ground.

"Next time," Perseus growled, "do not be so cocky and prideful. Just because your father was the great Achilles doesn't mean you are great. And you want my arrogance to play out? Fine, I'll tell you the truth. I was an Argonaut, two generations older than you. I know more than you ever will."

With that, he put away Anaklusmos and turned to Odysseus, Sinon, Podarces and Phoenix, who all arrived during his beatdown of Neoptolemus. "So, we going with the plan?"

"Put the plank over here," the goddess spoke. "Just make sure that the horse is covered in leather, though not completely surrounded by it, so that it will seem as though there are no entrances. Keep ropes tied to its back so that you can belay down. Also, make sure that the trapdoor can be opened from both sides and that there are small holes in the body so that you can peek outside."

"I already checked the trapdoor, Lady Athena," Perseus said. "It works perfectly fine. And there are already hole in the horse's body. But that rope and leather idea sounds good. This is a very intricate and well-thought design. I wish I had something to sacrifice to you right now. Tell Apollo I'll be seeing him soon."

"It is not wise to challenge a god," she said, passing over the plank that she was holding. "Not even if he is not the best at close combat."

"If he kills me with his divine form, I'll make sure he is known as the coward who had to defeat a mortal by showing his true form," he said. "Aiding Hector kill Patroclus had already crossed the line. Guiding that arrow just earned him my eternal hatred."

"Lust for revenge is also unwise," Athena said indifferently. "But I must agree that killing Achilles did Apollo no justice. He will be embarrassed at his failure to protect the city he is the patron of. Troy is doomed to fall."

"I didn't say I was going to disrespect him," Perseus snorted. "I'm just not going to respect him. His kids... well, they're their own people so they can prove to me that they're fine. We'll see."

He climbed up and placed the plank where she had told him to put it. After he finished adjusting it, he grabbed some of the adhesive, which was made from animal parts, and glued in the plank of wood.

Athena came over and muttered something before the adhesive solidified and the plank became fastened into the horse's side. Perseus pushed it a few times, just to make sure that it was fastened in place.

When he was sure it was fastened, he dropped down and dusted his hands off. He placed the cup of adhesive down, not caring that he was spilling some. That was because the Trojan Horse was complete.

It had come with a few struggles (mainly dealing with the citizens of Pergamum who wanted a huge ransom to be able to build in their city), but it was finally complete. The only problem that had come with that was that the people of Pergamum had launched an attack at the miniature Greek camp that had been assemble outside of the city. Agamemnon ordered the sack of the city. They didn't worship the gods with large temples, so they had nearly charred the entire city.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he went over with his hammer and threw it into the brazier. "To the forge god Hephaestus," he muttered. "Now that that is done..."

"Congratulations," Athena said. "The Trojan Horse is finally complete. The Trojans will finally pay for what they turned me into."

For a second, Perseus was confused. Then he remembered the new names. "Oh, you mean how your name is now Minerva?"

The goddess' eyes flashed. "Don't call me by that name!"

He looked down, avoiding eye contact. As much as he wasn't scared by anything, he was afraid of what she would do to him if he called her that one more time. Her eyes looked like storm clouds, like tornadoes ready to swoop in and cause destruction. She probably inherited that from her father, Zeus.

"Of course," he muttered. "Let me just... uh... get Odysseus. And then you can leave because you're done your work and you know... Thanks for all of the help. I'll make sure I sacrifice something to you soon."

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Athena roll her eyes in a very un-Athena-like way. Then she snapped her fingers and with a bright flash, she disappeared.

True to his word, Perseus went looking for Odysseus, who was on lunch break. It wasn't too hard to find him, but he had to wait for Diomedes to stop talking to him before he could tell them of the completion of the horse.

They were just speaking about stupid things that Neoptolemus had done and talking about captives. Both seemed to be heavily anticipating the Sack of Troy. Perseus knew he had spoken about it as well, but he wasn't exactly too keen on the idea of burning down an entire city with its inhabitants inside of it.

"Let me guess," Odysseus said as the two wrapped up their conversation. "The horse is done?"

"Pretty much," he replied. "There just need to be a few more additions. We must add ropes to the back and cover certain parts of the horse in leather. We have to disguise the trapdoor because that is our only exit."

"I still don't know why there's only one exit," remarked Diomedes. "We could have multiple instead."

"It's so that it is harder for the Trojans to locate the trapdoor," replied Odysseus. "Don't worry. If all goes according to plan, we won't need to rush quickly out of the horse. Podarces will go out first and run to Sinon. But that's pretty much it."

"Whatever you say," shrugged the King of Argos. "You're the brilliant trickster, not me."

"All right, let's leave Perseus in peace," Odysseus said. "Let him think on his own."

They laughed before waving goodbye to him and leaving to monitor the leather placing. Breathing another sigh of relief, he went to get his lunch. He grabbed some bread and a couple of meats before sitting down exactly where the other two had sat down with a grunt.

Only two bites into his lunch and something shimmered in the air right beside him. It was obviously an Iris-message... but from who? Their face slowly merged together in a blend of colors to form the face of a girl he knew very well.

"Brisēís? Why are your eyes closed?"

"She was killed," a familiar voice said from the opposite end. The body of Brisēís was dropped lightly to the ground as Zoë appeared in vision. "By Trojan archers. They shot her down as she was heading up the side of Mount Ida. They've got scouts all over the place. Excellent hunters but they're men, so they're nothing compared to the Hunters of Artemis... and yourself of course."

"Thanks for the compliment, even if I don't truly deserve it," Perseus said kindly. He took a bite out of his food. "So what happened with Brisēís? Why was she heading up Mount Ida?"

"We don't know," Zoë responded. "We just got here, and I recognized her face. Achilles used to have her as his lover, am I right?"

"Yes."

"Well then..." She glanced to the side, presumably at one of the Hunters, and gestured to something with her head. "Listen, Troy is about to fall. It is at its weakest point. If you attack it tomorrow, you will be good to go."

"I thought Artemis was fighting for the Trojans?" he asked. "Why are you giving me advice?"

"Artemis fought for the Trojans because she was respected more in the Troad," Zoë said. "In these past nine years, we have been getting a name for ourselves: the Hunters of Artemis. More cults and temples have been going up for Artemis. She's starting to sway. Only the fact that Apollo is fighting for the Trojans is keeping her from switching completely."

"So... we're almost on the same side?"

"Somewhat."

Perseus smiled and sat there for the next couple of seconds before taking a deep breath. Instead of saying anything, he just continued staring at the Iris-message.

"What did you want to ask?" asked Zoë suddenly.

"Huh?"

"You looked like you were going to ask something," she said. "What is it?"

He hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask her. "You remember when you laughed at me when I told you that I could have broken that promise I made to you? Well, Achilles thought I haven't broken it yet, and you seem to think that as well... And I was wondering... Have I broke my promise to you?"

"Remember what you promised me yourself," she said. "If it is so important to you to make it up to me for what you have done, remember it yourself. If you can't, then it isn't important to you. But the fact that you're trying makes me feel a lot better." A warm smile graced her lips. "The Hunters just have to get used to you, that's all. And you know, I can't help but think of those days facing the gorgons. Remember when they came to us and nearly destroyed us?"

He had a feeling that she was talking about their kiss. "Yes," he replied.

"I really think that Aphrodite's trying to fuel those emotions again," she said. "I mean, they've always been there, hiding. But now they seem more prevalent. Do you feel that? Do you think Aphrodite's trying to get revenge on Lady Artemis? By creating a love with her lieutenant and another man?"

"I do feel them sometimes," he admitted. "And... I hope Lady Artemis finds out it is Aphrodite. I don't want it to be ourselves."

"Neither do I."

"Not that I mean it in a bad way," the both of them said simultaneously. They flushed.

"Um... well, I'll speak to you soon, Zoë," Perseus said.

"Goodbye, Percy."

Then she swiped her hand through the mist and the image dissolved.

The ships were ready to sail. The soldiers were nearly done packing everything, and not a moment too soon. Tomorrow was the day that fighting supposed to resume after "Achilles' funeral."

Achilles had already been given a funeral, his body already buried. The Greeks were still lamenting, but were mostly reserving their energy for the sack of Troy that was oncoming. They were doing this in his honor anyways. And for the gods.

Perseus loaded the Myrmidons onto their ships, sending most of the men all the way back to Argos and then to Mycenae. Phoenix would lead a small contingent of fifty Myrmidons into the city to help destroy it. Tents were packed up, food supplies were put into ice boxes, and armour and equipment were stocked in the very interior of the storage deck of each ship. Many of the ships rendered useless at the end as many men had died, so instead, they burned them as offerings to Poseidon and the gods who favored the Greeks.

It was at sunset that the Greek ships were ready to leave for Tenedos. Agamemnon set sail and led the Greek down, leaving Sinon, Odysseus, Diomedes, Menelaus, Menestheus, Podarces, Perseus and a few other men behind.

"You know what you must do, Sinon?" asked Odysseus.

"Yes, my lord," replied the loyal soldier.

"Good. We are now ready to enter the Trojan Horse."

He was the first one to climb up the ropes and crawl through the trapdoor to get inside the giant wooden horse. Then, one by one, the soldiers climbed up into the horse, quietly thumping against the empty carcass of the wooden horse.

Perseus was last. He took one last look at the Aegean Sea, checked to make sure his weapons were there, and closed the trap door.

All they needed now was for the Trojans to take the bait.

Hey everyone,

Hope you enjoy this chapter. Remember to tell me if you like it or not.

I apologize for any grammatical errors in the chapter above and if any historical facts are actually wrong. I have spent my time looking through different websites, and even a couple of books, but the story that will continue may have incorrect historical info. Still, I believe it just adds to the effect.

Thanks a bunch,
SharkAttack719