A/N: Hey guys! I know must of you couldn't access this update because there was some sort of bug on FFN so I'm re-updating. Please leave a review to tell me if received an email for this update. Just to clear some things up, Thalia is fourteen now, in this story, and Luke is sixteen. I know its confusing, but bear with me. All will be explained soon. Also, Thalia was never turned into a tree. The tree was created, yes, but she escaped just in time. Oh, and Annabeth is fourteen too.

Okay so a friend of mine wanted a double update but I'm sorry, I can't. This chapter took me almost four hours to write and edit and I don't have enough time for another one, lol. Sorry, Chris.

Credit for the sword in the stone idea goes to ChrisQuaynor and credit for the other ideas (which I will not reveal now) also go to ZelotArchon and dwarvess from wattpad.

Anyway, here is your update! Vote, leave a comment, a kudos, a follow, a favorite, or a review. It's very appreciated. Also, this story can be found on A03 and too :)

I present to you, Chapter Two.

The hunters sat very very far away from Apollo. Thalia bit her bottom lip in distaste as she noticed Bianca sitting next to them. At the front of the bus, Apollo stood, chattering away with Nico did Angelo, who seemed to have gotten over his sister's… betrayal.

He was firing questions to the sun god so rapidly Thalia was surprised Apollo was able to answer them all. The son god stopped almost every five seconds to recite a horrible haiku and the sun chariot still hadn't taken off yet.

Thalia's eyes flickered over to the boy, who was asking eagerly, "Can I drive this?"

Apollo chuckled, and ruffled his hair, making Nico squirm. "No can't do, kid. You're too young. Maybe when you hit thirteen or something."

Nico pouted, and Apollo's gaze swept through the entire bus. Before landing on her.

Hell, no. Thalia scooted away from the god of the sun slightly, but Apollo was already making his way to her. "Thalia Grace! You'll be perfect for this. Your dad's the god of the sky."

She shook her head adamantly, but Apollo insisted, "C'mon. How old are you?"

Thalia hesitated for a bit, before speaking, 'Uh…fourteen."

Apollo's brow creased. "Oh. I always thought you were sixteen. Are you sure?"

Thalia gave him curt nod. "Positive."

The sun god sighed, before turning his gaze to the son of Hermes who was sitting by her side. "Do you want to drive, Castellan?"

Luke frowned, before saying uncertainly, "Uh, yeah, sure." Thalia made way for him as he walked past. She didn't know if he could still drive or not, but she was positive he wasn't going to kill them all. She pulled out her iPod from her jeans pocket, and stuck her earbuds into her ears. She knew it was risky for demigods to have cell phones. She, along with Luke and…Annabeth, were the only ones who owned them in Camp Half-Blood. The signals from the devices attracted monsters, but she was sure no monster would try to attack her while she was in the sun chariot. Well, unless they had a death wish, that is.

She watched as Luke eased himself into the driver's seat, flexing his fingers. Green Day blasted in her ears, and she smirked slightly as Luke gripped the steering wheel, uneasiness flickering across his features. It had been two years since he had driven anything. Two years ago, while they were on the run. When they had met Annabeth and Grover.

He'd stolen a car to get them from Connecticut to New York. He'd been fourteen then and she and Annabeth had been twelve. They'd almost gotten pulled over by the police several times. She smiled faintly at the memory, and shut her eyes.

Those were wonderful times.

"BRAKE! BRAKEEEEE!"

Thalia shot up, and gave out a yelp of surprise as Luke floored the brake. Was he trying to kill them or something?! She felt the bile rise up in her throat. She felt like puking.

A scream sounded through the bus as it pitched forward and slammed into The Lake. Thalia wasn't sure if it belonged to her, or Grover. Probably both of them. She heard a whoop of delight from the front of the bus, where Nico di Angelo was shouting, "This is so cool!' His hands were on the steering wheel and at once Thalia understood what was happening.

She glanced back at the Hunters, who were murmuring among themselves. How the Hades could they remain calm in such a situation?

She felt the bus rise out of the water, and let out a gasp of relief, scrambling forward. She was the first out of the golden death trap. Thalia was wet, and she didn't like it. She didn't like it at all. The snow crunched under her feet as she moved away from the lake and put more distance between her and the sun.

It was the third winter she had spent at Camp Half-Blood, but the snow always managed to surprise her. Thalia waited a few feet from the lake for Luke and Grover, who came stumbling out of the bus and towards her a few seconds later.

A now grumpy Nico di Angelo walked out next, an angry Bianca behind him. Thalia guessed he had just been scolded by his sister. She turned her attention back to Luke, and asked, "What the hell happened back there?"

The son of Hermes sighed, and answered her. "Nico wanted to drive." He said it so simply, as if it explained everything.

Thalia's gaze flickered to the hunters, who were tromping out of the bus, with a certain immortal god of the sun trying to flirt with them. She glanced back at Camp, taking it all in. She was so glad to be back.

Frost covered the chariot racing track and the strawberry fields. The cabins were decorated with the balls of flames they used every year. She got a warm, cozy feeling just looking at them. More lights glowed in the woods, and Thalia let out an inaudible sigh. It felt like home.

She heard Zoe's voice, but it seemed so far away. The hunters were heading to cabin eight, Artemis' cabin. Grover was speaking eagerly with the lieutenant of the hunt. Apparently he wanted to show them to their cabin.

Great, now the goat was sucking up to them too. She scoffed. She noticed Bianca and Nico speaking. The boy was scowling once again, but Bianca didn't seem regretful. After giving Nico a hug (which he did not return), she followed the hunters into the cabins.

"Take care!' Apollo shouted after them.

Thalia rolled her eyes, and the god of the sun turned to her, a laid-back grin on his face. "You too, Thalia. Stay safe. And remember. Prophecies almost always never mean what you think they do."

Her brow furrowed as the god jumped into his bus. What did that mean? What was he talking about? Thalia had to turn away as the sun chariot glowed. When the light died down, a red Maserati was shooting through the sky.

'Well," Luke straightened. "Let's go find Chiron."

They were an odd trio. Three wet demigods. A sulking ten year old. A glaring daughter of Zeus. A limping son of Hermes. A few Campers stopped to stare at them as they walked past, making their way to the huge blue farmhouse which served as the Camp Headquarters. The Big House.

Thalia took in the entire landscape. The camp felt so…empty. The campers were so little, but she guessed it was because it was winter. Only the year-round campers were present. All the others were scattered all over the world.

They got to the big house a few minutes later. Their activities director, Chiron, was seated at a table on the parlor, holding a deck of cards. He was playing against a stout pudgy man in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and sandals. Clearly Dionysus didn't know it was winter yet.

Thalia climbed up the stairs first, Luke and Nico di Angelo following after her. Chiron's brown beard was longer, as was his hair, and Thalia guessed he must have made it that way for the winter. He was in a fuzzy brown sweater, and a matching blanket was on his legs, covering his wheelchair completely. He looked up when he heard their footsteps, a grin spreading on his face.

'Thalia! Luke! And…"

"Nico di Angelo," Luke finished for him. "One of the demigods we went for."

Chiron's grin widened. "Ah, so that meant you succeeded. But, where is Annabeth?"

A frown crossed Luke's features, and Thalia looked down, refusing to meet her mentor's eyes.

It was Nico who spoke up. He brushed his dark bangs out of his eyes. "Oh, the blonde girl? She fell off the cliff with the manticore."

Chiron let out a gasp of disbelief. Thalia looked up. The centaur looked like he was having a heart attack. Dionysus looked bored.

"How unfortunate," he drawled. "Another pesky demigod is gone."

Thalia felt anger course through her veins. How dare he? She was about to move forward when a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. She glared at Luke, but didn't try to break free. At that moment, she heard a bleat.

Grover trotted in. He had a black eye, and a bruise on his left cheek, but was grinning crazily. "The hunters are safely in their cabin!' He announced.

Chiron's brow furrowed. "I see we have a lot to talk about. Why don't you tell me what happened?'

Luke clenched his fist as Dionysus spoke.

No.

How dare he say no. They had spent the rest of the morning, recounting their quest to the god of wine and Chiron. Nico had gone halfway through with Grover to watch an orientation film Luke had never heard about. They had suggested a quest to retrieve Annabeth but this..stupid arse had said no.

The son of Hermes fixed his glare on Mr. D. "What do you mean no?'

"I mean exactly what you heard," The god said lazily. 'I'm not authorizing a quest to find Annie Bell-"

"It's Annabeth you bastard," Thalia growled out, slamming her hands on the table.

Mr. D' stifled a yawn. "I know, I know. But from the events you have just recounted, this Annie girl might already be dead."

Luke clenched his fists harder as Mr. D went on. "I will not risk the lives of any more demigods to find a single dead one. No one is going on a quest."

His vision turned red and he stood, eyes blazing with anger.

"Luke…" Chiron's voice held a tinge of warning, and Luke took in a deep breath. It would not be good for him if he tried to go against the camp director. He already had Ares and Hera as his enemies. He didn't need another. He shut his eyes, counting to five, before they flew open again.

The Hermes cabin counsellor fixed his glare on the god of wine. "Annabeth is not dead. I know her. She wouldn't give in that easily. If the titans have her, she'll try to buy time. They won't kill her. They'll want her alive, because she's close to Thalia."

The table was silent for a while, and Mr. D spoke up. "Well, whatever the case, Annie Bell will have to escape on her own. She shall receive no aid from Camp Half Blood."

This time, Thalia shot up. Her eyes were alight with raw fury. She pointed an accusing finger to Dionysus. "You want us gone. You don't care if we die or live. You're despicable. You disgust me."

Mr. D's eyes flashed purple for a second, but Thalia held his gaze. Luke didn't know why he said it. But next thing he knew he was speaking. "We're going to find her, Mr. D," His jaw clenched. "Whether you help us or not."

He spun, and stalked out of the big house, a livid Thalia behind him.

It was during dinner that Chiron announced the capture the flag game scheduled for the next night. Luke's food was untouched in front of him. His knuckled were pale from his fist being clenched so much.

He was going to find Annabeth. He wasn't going to let her down. He just didn't know how or where to start. And if Mr. D wasn't going to give them the permission to go out of camp…

He sighed. His ears picked up a few details about the game. Hunters versus Campers. Luke heard murmuring coming from the tables around him.

"Luke, are you going to eat that?"

He looked up at Connor, his brother, surprise etched on his face. "Uh no…"

"Great!' Connor swept his cheese burger off his plate, and Luke wondered why he didn't just summon one in his plate. Pushing the thought out of his head, he looked up, and met Thalia's electric blue eyes. They were clouded over, and she was gripping her fork so hard Luke was surprised it hadn't bent already.

He shook his head, hoping she wasn't blaming herself for Annabeth's disappearance. His gaze shifting to the Athena table. They were murmuring softly, all of them looking at the empty seat at the head of the table. Annabeth's seat.

So far, four of her siblings had asked for her whereabouts, and Luke hadn't known what to tell them.

Oh, your sister's been captured by the titans and is probably dead and Mr. D doesn't want to authorize a quest to search for her.

He looked back into his now empty plate, and fiddled with the goblet next to it. They had to find a way to get to Annabeth. But where could she be?

Sighing again, he took a sip.

That night, he went to see Thalia.

Luke snuck through the camp, making sure not to be seen. He knew the cleaning harpies were somewhere around but he he wasn't really worried about being caught.

The door creaked as he pushed it open, and he flinched slightly at the noise. He was sure she wouldn't be asleep. She would be thinking. She would be stressed. He moved past the empty bed, towards the back of the Zeus cabin.

She hated heights but he knew where she would be. Luke climbed the ladder, and made his way to the roof of the cabin. He wasn't disappointed. Thalia sat on the edge of the roof, swinging her legs. She looked up when she heard his footsteps and Luke made his way towards her.

She gave him a small smile as he too a seat next to her. "Hey, Luke."

"Hi, Thalia," He greeted.

She turned her attention away from him, towards her tree on the hill, which was what she had been gazing before he arrived.

"We're going to find her, Thals," he spoke softly. Even as he said those words he had a hard time believing them.

Thalia sighed, and turned to him. "But if I had been more attentive this wouldn't have…," she paused, "What if…what if we don't find her?"

"It's not your fault. And We will," He reached out, and took her hand. "I promise."

"But…"

"Don't think like that," he scolded her softly. Thalia looked surprised for a few seconds, but then recovered quickly. She glanced at their hands, and smiled, nodding.

"Thanks. You're right. We will find a way. Like we always do."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, and Thalia spoke. "You're going to be the captain for the game tomorrow?"

He hummed slightly, tilting his head to the side. "I suppose so. Unless you want to co-captain?"

She chuckled. "No, I'm good." Thalia stood, pulling her hand away. She smirked at him. "You should go for your beauty sleep, Castellan."

He scoffed. "Does this-" He motioned to himself, "Look like it needs a beauty sleep?'

She laughed, and he grinned, standing. 'I'll leave you now. Good night, Thalia."

She smiled back, standing too. "Good night, Luke. And make sure your ass doesn't get whooped at capture the flag tomorrow."

He laughed. "Don't worry, we're going to crush those hunters."

They both climbed down the ladder, and Luke sent a cheery wave to Thalia as he walked out of the door. "Sleep tight, Thals."

She smiled back. "You too, Castellan."

Perseus brow furrowed in confusion. Where…was he? He glanced around, eyes wide, and realization dawned on him. Another dream. He was asleep.

He recognized this place. The huge bronze gates. The golden grass. The stone slab in the middle of the plain. The gleaming bronze sword sticking out of it. The engravings on the hilt.

It was his sword. Theristís Psychón. θεριστής ψυχών. Soul Reaper. [A/N: Yes, Percy's sword isn't Riptide. At least, not yet. This sword is just here for plot purposes. He'll get Riptide soon enough. This book is going to be filled with so many surprises…]

It had been eons since he had wielded that sword. He missed it. He wanted to feel the grip of the hilt of his sword once again. He wanted to run his finger across the blade. He took a shaky step forward. This was The Plains of Perseus. A sacred grove, which belonged to the Titans - To him. It had been where the last battle between him, Perseus, and the gods had taken place. Where he had almost killed them all…

His sword. Only the most worthy of heroes would be able to pull it out. After the gods had exiled him, and hadn't been able to pull out the sword, they had bound it to Ogygia. If the sword was pulled out by the most worthy hero, the boundaries of Ogygia would collapse. He would be free. It was a pretty stupid decision on Zeus' part. The sky god had thought the sword was unremovable. Many heroes had tried to pull it out. They had failed. Hercules had failed. Theseus failed. It was the most powerful sword in existence and as he had said before, only the most worthy hero could free him.

He had been waiting millennia for his hero. So long. He didn't know if he could wait any longer. Of course, he wasn't going to wage war on the gods like the other titans desired. He just wanted to escape the Island. He just wanted to live a normal life.

He took another step forward, and then froze when the voice reached his ears.

"You…It's you."

He spun slowly, and his eyes widened when he noticed the girl. Thalia. The daughter of Zeus. How had she gotten here? He stood in silence for a few seconds, staring. What in the name of Kronos was she doing in his dream again?

"Well?" She snapped. "Did you suddenly turn deaf? Who the Hades are you?"

He gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up a bit. "Perseus."

She frowned in confusion. "Perseus?"

He gave her a sharp nod. Yes, that was his name. Thalia shoved her hands in her pockets. "Can you tell me what's happening?" She questioned. "Do you know where Annabeth is? Why am I the only one who can see you?"

He held up a hand for her to slow down. "One, I don't know what's happening. Two, I also don't know why only you can see me. Three, I have a question of my own."

"What is it?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"Are my brethren truly rising once again?"

She seemed stumped, and then her eyes turned as wide as saucers, before she took a step back. "Brethren…you're a titan."

He glanced away, before looking back at her. "Yes."

Her eyes widened. "Perseus. Perseus," she repeated. "I…I've heard about you. From Annabeth. You…you almost killed the gods. But…you're no older than fourteen. You're just a child-"

His eyes darkened. "I am several millennia old, girl. I am not just a child. I am older than most of those pesky gods anyway."

The sneer which accompanied his words made Thalia shrink back, before she steadied her breathing. 'If you're a titan, why did you help me? You're supposed to be trying to kill me. Or turn me to your side. Like all the other titans are. Because I'm the prophecy child."

His glare softened. "I…I don't know. It felt…right." Prophecy child? Which prophecy? He hadn't heard a prophecy since before his exile. And then it dawned on him. He had. Aphrodite had spilled the words of the apparent Great Prophecy to him a few years ago. Almost seventy years before. Or at least, that was what it had seemed like. Time was hard on Ogygia. She'd come to his Island drunk, and had been trying to seduce him, as usual. She had informed him of the going-ons on Olympus. The prophecy, the Oracle's curse, Zeus trying to kill two of Hades' spawn…

Thalia regarded him for a few seconds, before speaking, "You're supposed to be exiled on an Island. How are you here? How were you in Maine?"

"I don't know that either," he shrugged, running a hand through his dark unruly hair in frustration. "It's a wild guess but I think the Titans are trying to get me off Ogygia. I don't know how but every time I fall asleep I'm transported far away from the Island."

"Oh.."

"Yes, oh," He agreed.

Thalia gazed around, seemingly taking in her surroundings. 'Where are we?" She questioned.

He was about to answer when another voice spoke first.

"Uh, Thalia…who are you speaking to?"

He looked up with a start, and the pursed his lips. Another demigod had barged into his dream. The blond kid. Luke Castellan.

Perseus sighed at Luke's words. Of course, he couldn't see him. He must have thought Thalia was crazy. Luke glanced around, and asked another question. "Where are we? Why are you in my dream?"

Perseus scoffed. His dream? He rolled his eyes, and turned his attention to Thalia, who was looking uneasy.

"Perseus," she finally spoke. "I'm speaking to the guy who saved me in Maine. The one none of you could see. His name is Perseus." She pursed her lips, and Luke looked perplexed. "Well, okay. But, where are we?"

She sighed. 'I don't know, Luke. I just appeared here when I fell asleep in my cabin a few minutes ago."

Luke nodded. 'Me too. I just dozed off for a few seconds and then…wait, what's that?"

His gaze had shifted towards the sword. His sword. Perseus cleared his throat, and spoke, "That's mine."

Thalia glanced at him, an amused look on her face. "He can't hear you, Percy."

He and Luke spoke at the same time. "Percy?"

Thalia chuckled. "Yes, you look like a Percy."

He looked at her in confusion. "I do? What's a Percy?"

"This feels so weird," Luke muttered. Perseus tried to guess what it must look like to him. His best friend speaking to empty air.

Thalia laughed again. "A Percy is…well, I don't know."

Perseus was genuinely perplexed. "Percy." The name rolled of his tongue so easily. He liked it.

Luke cleared his throat, and asked again. "What's that?" He pointed to the sword behind them, and took a step forward.

"Luke…"

He didn't seem to hear Thalia. Perseus noticed his blue eyes glaze over as he walked forward. He took another step. Then another. He was getting closer to the sword.

Luke reached out, and Perseus gasped in pain as his hand passed straight through him.

"It's like…its calling to me. It…it wants me to hold it. It wants me to pull it out."

Perseus eyes widened. It was happening. Luke walked straight through him. He was bathed in a golden glow. His eyes were wide. His hands were shaking as he reached out for the sword.

"Luke, don't!" It was Thalia.

Perseus stood, transfixed. He couldn't do anything to stop Luke's progress.

"I need to pull it out…" Luke murmured, his hands still shaking. "It's my…its my destiny."

Perseus heartbeat quickened. Luke's fingers curled around the hilt.

And then the dream faded into dust and mist.

Luke sat up with a gasp. His forehead was beaded with sweat. His eyes were wide, and he realized his hands were still shaking.

It was as if he had been possessed. He hadn't been in control. He hadn't been able to stop himself. Oh gods…what had happened?

Thalia bolted up from bed at the other side of Camp. Luke…something had been happening there. Something extraordinary. Something magnificent. Luke had been about to pull the sword out.

He had looked possessed. She didn't like it. She didn't like it at all. He hadn't listened to her. She took in a shaky breath. She didn't understand what had just happened. But she knew it was bad. Very bad.

Perseus jumped five feet out of his bed.

Adrenaline pumped through his veins. His eyes were crazed and wild.

He knew who was destined to free him from exile.

The goddess Artemis ducked a slash from the claws of an empousa. Ducking low, she stabbed it in the chest, and sidestepped almost immediately, to avoid a club from a cyclops. She morphed into a black panther, and leaped onto the cyclops, tearing its throat out, before moving onto her next monster.

She had been surrounded and attacked during her search in the woods. The monster was near. She could sense it. Her uncle Poseidon's domain was somewhere near too. She slashed a hellhound out of the sky as she morphed back human.

These monsters were organized. They had a leader - who hadn't come out yet. She didn't know if the monsters were brave, or stupid, for trying to attack a goddess. She had walked right into a trap the moment she stepped into these woods.

She shut her eyes, and concentrated.

And then they flew open, glowing silver, A wave of silver energy exploded from her body, turning any monster near her into yellow dust and sulphur.

She took in a deep breath, as the glow died down. Her eyes turned back to normal. She had done it. She needed to leave, before the leader appeared.

She turned. And stopped.

The leader of the monsters was an Olympian.

Apollo parked his Maserati in the green fields of Delos, and walked out, pulling out a pair of shades, and putting them on.

Delos. His birthplace. It had been a while since he had been here. He strolled through the fields, making his way towards the cave where he knew his mother would be.

Apollo stopped at the entrance a few minutes later, and called out, "Mother! I'm home!"

No response.

Weird.

He walked in, more cautious now. Leto would have swooped out to see him immediately she heard his voice.

The cave was dark, and empty. Well, at least that's what he thought at first.

"Hello, Apollo."

He looked up at the direction the voice had come from, shock, and surprise edged on his features. "Uncle Lelantos…"

"The General succeeded, My Lord," The girl dropped into a bow. Behind her, the Olympian spy snorted. A deep rumble came from the pit.

"Good. You have the twins?"

"Yes," she spoke with confidence. "The twin gods Artemis and Apollo are on the Mountain now."

"Has Perseus been released yet?"

As usual, his voice sent chills down her spine. She kept her head down as she spoke. "No, Lord Kronos. But we have managed to find out who can free him."

"Who?" The Olympian spy questioned.

The girl spoke softly, her voice resonated through the entire terrain. "Luke Castellan."

A scoff from the Olympian. "You can't be serious."

"I am," she said with indignation.

The Titan Lord's voice sounded like a knife scraping stone. "Find him. Turn him to our side."

"It shall be done, My Lord."

A/N: So I'm done. This chapter is really really short, although its 4k+ words. I'm aiming for 10k+ now. Anyway, Like I said, leave a vote, comment, review, follow, favorite, and kudos.

And again, as a reminder, Thalia's fourteen. It's been two years since she almost got turned into a tree. Luke is sixteen. Annabeth is fourteen too. There is an Olympian spy. The twin archers have been taken. There is a girl, who works for Kronos. Perseus knows now that Luke can pull out his sword and free him from exile. Dionysus refused to launch a quest to find Annabeth.

Yeah, I think that's about it. Thanks for reading! PM me if you're confused about something!

And also, from next week, I'll be enlisting the help of a beta reader. So be prepared.