AN: I am split about the last chapter. Some parts I like a lot, others I've got my reservations about. I decided to just post it because otherwise I will get stuck hmming and hawing about this detail or that.

Happy New Year everyone, I considered doing a short chapter on the first but I decided against it for your sake and mine. Also, my apologies if there is some confusion about the chapters being updated multiple times or however it may show up. I found something that I left in chapter 3 that I meant to go back and fill in later but had forgotten. When I updated the chapter I accidentally used the file from A New God chapter 3 instead of A New Life chapter 3. It should be fixed but if it is not please let me know.

As always I own nothing you recognize from officially published/licensed works, only my imagination.

Chapter 10: Strange Waters, Stranger Lands

The Jeep ran out of gas sooner than Percy had hoped. He had been refilling the tank using his powers but it seemed that they had finally failed. Now he couldn't so much as create a sandwich, anything outside his domains was impossible for him now. His domains however remained surprisingly untouched, no matter how far his senses had dulled, and how much of his power faded, he still felt the deep connection to his domains. He was thankful for it because after so long he wasn't sure how he would handle their absence. That thought gave him renewed sympathy for Apollo's stint as a mortal.

They were hiking through the woods on foot now, and only Thalia seemed to be unbothered. While he wasn't surprised he was irritated, not so much by Thalia's ease of handling the hike but his condition. His feet were sore! He almost laughed aloud as he realized that while his stamina wasn't a limiting factor it had been almost a decade since he had crossed any significant distance with physical feet. He knew his power would allow him to adapt much quicker and recover quicker as well but it was still a humbling realization that he was so used to flashing around he was getting sore from a hike. Looking up from the ground where he had been focused to keep his footing he saw both Thalia and Harley stopped ahead of him. Thalia was examining the ground and Harley it seemed had taken the opportunity to change his socks.

From Harley's behavior, he would have guessed there was nothing amiss but something about the tightness of Thalia's posture had him on edge. When he came even with her she waved him over and he knelt beside her. He was not a practiced tracker by any means but over the years he had started to pick up at least the basics from Artemis. He examined the ground around them and frowned. A confused muddle of footprints crisscrossed the damp section of the earth. He knew that the prints were at least a couple of days old because they had clearly been made in mud and it had not rained since their first night in Canada, two days ago.

"So which part of what we're looking at bothers you?"

He kept his voice low but not so low Harley would think they were trying to hide their words from him. Thalia pointed at a shape in the mud that he couldn't make anything of because it had been trodden over too many times to be recognizable, at least to his eyes.

"Look how deep this print is. Between the depth and its size it would have to be from something the size of a large bear or larger, but that doesn't make sense. The trail goes due south from here and unless I'm missing most of the signs its stride is longer than any natural animal I'm aware of."

"So it's a medium-sized monster? I'm depowered a bit but I could still handle most stuff with my hands tied."

Coming from him that boast was next to meaningless given his control of weapons but his point still stood. Thalia inclined her head and moved to sit on a nearby log. She was staring contemplatively at the prints and seemed lost in thought.

"I didn't let you finish did I?"

She smiled at him briefly before returning her eyes to the earth.

"Told My Lady you weren't an entirely lost cause. I know you won't see what I'm talking about so just take my word for it. The prints make it look like the stride is sort of uneven or almost lopsided. Even the strangest monsters I've seen don't leave tracks this odd. Even stranger, just listen. What do you hear?"

Percy closed his eyes and just focused on his hearing looking for anything out of the ordinary. He heard the wind in the trees, and the sounds of Harley digging in his pack, but something was missing.

"I'm not sure what but something seems off."

"There are no animal noises. No chattering squirrels, no birds calling, nothing."

As soon as she said it he didn't know how he had missed it. There weren't even insect noises so far as he could hear. The knowledge made his scalp prickle and goosebumps spring up down his arms. Then he began to wonder, could the odd presence from the other night... That was impossible, right? It was just too far. Even as he thought it he knew that it was little more than wishful thinking.

"It's Cernu..."

"Don't say it!"

Her voice rang off the trees and seemed overloud in the odd and unnerving quiet. He remembered learning that names have power, it was one of the first things he had learned on entering this life. He had spent so many years deliberately flaunting the rule, going out of his way to say any names he could just to see what would happen. Now here he was, deep in the Canadian wilderness, so far from home even his power as a god was diminished. For the first time in his life, he was thankful someone had stopped him. As much as his blood burned to meet Cernunos in battle he knew now was not the time nor the place. He needed more information, and more importantly, he needed to be sure the demigods were safe.

He realized that Harley was looking over at them concerned so Percy waved him over. After filling him in they sat in silence as he considered the information. Percy raised a questioning eyebrow at him and Harley just shrugged in response.

"Just gotta be more careful at night right? We knew this wasn't gonna be a cakewalk."

Percy had heard the false bravado that filled the younger man's voice too many times to be fooled. He glanced at Thalia; briefly made eye contact then jerked his chin slightly and she nodded. She began to explore further to see if there were any more tracks to find leaving Percy and Harley with a bit more privacy though they could still see her. For a long while, Percy just looked at Harley, searching for any clue as to his state of mind, but he couldn't find anything. So he just started talking.

"You know I was only twelve when I got sent on my first quest? It was Annabeth, Grover, and I trying to prevent armageddon. I went on too many quests after that and I've gotta say they never really get easier. There's nothing wrong with being afraid."

Harley sat against the fallen tree that Thalia had vacated just moments ago.

"Yeah. I know. All of your quests are basically required learning at camp. You know that right? It's a lot and it doesn't help having you around sometimes. Sometimes it feels like we're all just living in your shadow. How can any of us do anything worthwhile with you around? You did like most of Hercules' labors and you fought in two wars and won. What are any of us supposed to do that can compare? I know you don't care, you don't wanna be put on a pedestal because of how much it cost you. Here I am on a quest with you, and Thalia the daughter of Zeus and lieutenant of Artemis. Why am I even here? Lady Artemis said it herself. She sent Thalia because she knows I can't do anything."

Percy listened and tried to put himself in their shoes. Life for most demigods was better than ever because of how hard he had fought for them with the council. He had never sought the glory or whatever because that just wasn't him.

"You were meant to be here Harley. That's just about the only really good thing about prophecies and the Fates. When you're sitting in the woods and everything feels like it sucks then you know it's because some divine power has it in for you. On the other hand, it also means that of all the demigods alive it is to you that the Fates have entrusted with this task. For whatever reason that might be you are meant to be here. So no, you're not useless, heck how many of the weapons I've got stored were created by you originally? Who else is gonna go as far as you for these demigods? I've seen you looking at that picture of Sera when you think I'm not looking. There's no reason to be ashamed of that Harley. I let myself fall into Tartarus for love. You're going to get her back Harley. Just do yourself and her a favor and tell her how you feel."

Percy saw Harley pull the picture out and hold it between the fingers of both hands. He hadn't noticed before but there was writing on the back of the picture. He could just make out what it said but he stopped himself, whatever was written was meant for Harley and Harley alone. The silence between them stretched and was only broken when Thalia walked back over looking grim. She glanced between the pair of them and met Percy's eyes. He saw a question there but he shook his head and she seemed to accept his rebuttal.

"Good news, bad news, and worse news. Which do you want first?"

Percy groaned as he picked himself off the ground and brushed the earth, tiny sticks, and leaves from his pants.

"Let's go bad, worse, then good."

"Bad news is that it's definitely who we thought it was Percy."

He raised an eyebrow at that.

"That's the bad news?"

"Worse news is you're with me."

Percy felt a sense of resignation settle over him. Cernunos had been hunting Artemis and her maiden hunters for generations. In all likelihood, Artemis had passed back into Olympian territory meaning there was an even higher likelihood of a confrontation when they were not prepared for it. They were as much hunted as they were hunters now. Percy wished it was a far less familiar feeling than it was but such was his fate.

"So what's the good news?"

"Hudson Bay is less than a day's hike to our west."

Percy grinned, that was good news. Now it was a race, a race to see if they made it to the water or if would Cernunos catch them before they made it. Percy extended a hand to Harley and hauled him to his feet. He placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder and waited for him to look up at him. Almost glowing sea green met the dark brown and Percy saw the same fire of determination he had seen when Harley had insisted he wanted to help back in Camp Jupiter.

"Ready to move? There's no stopping from here to the water. If we get caught before then it's going to be that much harder."

Percy saw Harley's Adam's apple jump as he swallowed hard. The young demigod nodded firmly and Percy clapped his shoulder before turning to face west.

"Lead on oh cousin mine."

"You're such a dork Kelp Head."

They moved off Thalia in the lead Harley trying to keep up and Percy bringing up the rear. The Aias strapped to his left arm now was not the time for it to be hung on his back. He might need it and if he did there would be no time to waste.

Riptide flashed in the spotty moonlight, the alloy of Moon Steel and Celestial Bronze glowing bright enough to see where he was going even without the magical lantern Thalia had pulled out of her bag. The blade of his sword, Thalia's daggers, and Harley's spear were all coated with the evidence of their kills. As soon as the sun had set the unnatural stillness that had been there during the day had deepened even further. Even their breathing had felt overloud amongst the trees as they kept moving west.

They had been beset from all sides by droves of small shadowy creatures that seemed a now all too familiar sort of unnatural. From the way they moved to their very presence, they simply felt wrong, aberrations that did not belong among the natural order. Even normal monsters did not feel out of place in the world, they may not be visible to mortals but they were still a part of the world. These creatures however were most definitely not. Small and pale they had humanoid bodies but they were bent and twisted into awful forms. Some ran on two legs, some on four, and he had even spotted some on three sometimes alternating, and sometimes clutching a stump or shrunken appendage to themselves. Their eyes were huge and bulbous, blank black orbs that held as much malevolence as they did pain.

They had to be more of Cernunos' experiments, it was that or something Moros had dredged from Tartarus. Percy did not think he had even seen a tiny fraction of the horrors down there so if they were it would not surprise him. They had been moving as fast as they could through the dark trees for so long that Percy was Thalia not with them he knew he would be hopelessly lost. Even still the darkness seemed deeper below the trees than was entirely natural. He knew that they were cutting their race close but he had hoped they could make it. As the minutes ticked on his hope was beginning to fade as he heard a spine-chilling keening in the distance. It rolled toward them from the southeast and he had no doubt that it was Cernunos or one of his greater beasts.

Percy whipped around as he heard Harley grunt in pain and saw that he was sprawled on the ground. He moved forward and yanked Harley to his feet, not willing to waste any time. Unfortunately, the creatures following them thought his distraction was a perfect opening. More nightmares made solid burst from the trees, the ground, and even the shadows around them. Riptide was a silvery blur as the moonlight reflected off of it as it rose and fell. Within a handful of seconds he had dispatched seven or eight of the monsters but still more came. He knew that behind him Thalia and Harley were in much the same situation but he dared not look. The few glancing blows the creatures had landed on the three of them burned and sapped their strength unless they poured nectar on them. They couldn't risk running out of nectar nor could they let the wounds fester. It had become a battle of attrition and as of now, Percy didn't know who was going to lose.

For all of his strength, skill, and power, he was a much more powerful version of what he had been as a demigod. Would he age and die? No, but in this situation that was of little comfort to him with his companion's lives at stake. Then he felt it, in the distance he sensed the water. Still too far to be of significant use without exhausting himself but knowing that it was close was a comfort. Then their attackers melted into the night leaving not even a sound in their wake. Silence reigned in the darkened forest around them.

"Move. Now."

Thalia's words were a hoarse whisper that cut through the dead air like the crack of a whip. Percy turned and saw that the fear he had begun to see in her eyes was not nearly so contained any longer. Her mouth was pinched into a thin line and he could see the slight tremor that wracked her bow hand. He gestured to go and the other two took off toward the water, but he paused. He tried to extend his power outward and see if perhaps there was anything to find. As always it felt like he was trying to see through a thick fog but there was something. For him to sense it at this distance and with his power dampened it had to be big. Cursing he turned and took off after Thalia and Harley, every stride carrying him faster and faster.

'So close. Please.'

The thought swelled within him even as he glanced back searching for any sign of their pursuer. Still, he saw nothing, and as he once more turned to pay attention to his path. Unbidden a memory of stumbling through thick mist in search of something he couldn't find rose unbidden to his mind.

Eight Years Ago

"Calypso! Where are you?!"

His voice was strangely muted due to the mist he knew she was conjuring for that purpose. He heard her laugh in response but the sound could have come from anywhere, and given her skill with magic he couldn't trust his senses.

'Stupid game. Oh please, Percy. It'll be fun Percy. Oh of course you can't use your powers, Percy.'

He was going to have to find a way to get even with her at some point. Every weekend one of them got to pick a game and they had to play no matter what. It had started because Percy had realized that despite the years with Annabeth he didn't have a ton of experience with this awkward phase of a relationship. With Annabeth, it had just been years of denial following years of cluelessness that had ended when he had finally kissed her. With Calypso, it was different because they were both well aware of how the other felt. Calypso had her feelings and Percy was, well Percy was confused but despite everything he knew he would never leave her again.

He had enjoyed their games in the past and he had often won but today felt different. She rarely used the Mist on him so he figured something was up. A flicker of motion cut through the mist and he spun to face it. He lunged after it and his arms closed on empty air once again. He wasn't surprised by the lack of success but he was disappointed.

"Come on Calypso. How is this even a game?"

She didn't respond with words but he heard her laugh echo to him from what seemed like in front of him. He loved her laugh, he loved hearing it and causing it. Like her singing, it relaxed him and made him smile every time he heard it. He had an idea and though it was cheating he was just frustrated enough to try it. He stomped the ground with his right foot and used his power to shake the earth in a very localized quake.

"Percy! No powers!"

This time her voice seemed much closer so he turned to face a different direction and moved backward. He was sure she was just tricking him so he needed to watch his back. Not even three paces later gentle fingers covered his eyes and he felt her breath on his ear.

"Gotcha."

It was barely a whisper and a thrill ran through him from her closeness and her voice. He felt a sudden rise in his desire for her and he made to turn in her arms. She clung to his back however so when he turned she just hung on. He growled deep in his chest in a frustrated sort of way and he felt her laughing against his back.

"Not now Percy."

She seemed to be struggling to get the words out through her laughter which brought a smile to his face.

"Why not?"

A different but also very familiar voice sounded from a distance in front of them.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't want to see that!"

Calypso's fingers came away from his eyes and next thing Percy knew there were yells of 'Surprise!' and 'Happy birthday!' all around. He was standing in the center of a party. His friends, his family, all of them gathered around dressed for the beach, save Hades. His uncle looked very out of place but Percy appreciated that he came. He had forgotten that his birthday was even close and now he was nineteen. It had been over a year since the end of the giant war. He felt a surge of gratefulness and love for everyone around him, especially for Calypso who was still clinging to his back.

The Present

Percy barked his shin on the sharp edge of a fallen branch which tore him from his state of reminiscence. He shook himself, frustrated that he had been paying such little attention to his surroundings. Until he looked around and realized with a chill that he was alone. Thick mist obscured the trees even a few feet away and a chill ran up his spine. Forcing his power to expand he found Harley but Thalia's presence was either too far for him to feel or... He didn't want to consider the alternative.

He felt a tug in his gut as he turned this way and that hoping against a hope he would sense her. A lopsided grin grew on his face despite the dire situation, they had made it to the bay. The water lay less than fifty feet away and now he knew that if he could just find Thalia then he could protect her and Harley. There was a sound like something speeding through the air some distance from him then a brief scream followed by the sound of a body striking the water. Percy whipped around but he knew that it was Thalia. How she had been thrown skyward he didn't know but he could feel her unmoving body hundreds of feet into the bay. Before he could move close enough to retrieve her he heard a rippling ululation behind him that sent ice through his veins.

"Which will you protect... Patron of Heroes...?"

The mist swirled around a humanoid figure as it stepped toward Percy. He knew immediately that this was no shade, no false puppet meant to be sacrificed. This was Cernunos' true body, and it sent waves of revulsion and unnatural fear coursing through him. Anger soon burnt all other emotions to cinders however as he beheld the one who alongside Moros had hunted one of his best friends. The one who had taught Moros his secrets of forbidden magic and twisted heroes for generations. Percy's power ignited like never before and the air around them shivered in response. It shivered as though quaking sending spikes of pressure into his surroundings.

"Yes godling I enjoy your rage. Were you not so blinkered I think you would make a magnificent ally, but I will have to settle for another SLAVE!"

As Cernunos spoke he gave no hint of his intentions until the last word was loosed with as much rage as Percy had ever felt from a single word. The cacophony of terrified creatures split the air and faster than even a demigod could react he was moving. Percy threw himself in front of Harley and raised his shield at the same time. A massive toothed club like the one he had taken from the creature at Camp Jupiter slammed against his shield. It struck like a freight train and he felt one knee buckle and he dropped to one knee. Percy drove himself forward even as Cernunos swung again, the weapon would have come down with even more force than the first blow but Percy was inside his reach now. With the power of his whole body behind it Percy slammed his shield flat against Cernunos' chest with enough force to shatter concrete.

Cernunos slid backward a half dozen feet before his weight and hooves digging into the ground brought him to a stop. Deep furrows scored the earth and hate burned in Cernunos' deep-set eyes. A line of black ichor trickled from the corner of his mouth and he spat on the ground between them before pointing his weapon at Percy's chest. Percy stood unmoving, shield raised, and he summoned Riptide into his right hand. Unlike his other weapons there was no shimmer of creation it simply appeared. The leaf-bladed sword swaying slightly as Percy kept moving, his weight resting forward on his feet. Ready to spring in any direction at a moment's notice. He didn't have to wait long as Cernunos roared again bringing the massive weapon he wielded around in a wide arc at Percy's shoulder height.

Stepping forward he pivoted so he was facing into the blow and thrust the shield into the blow at an angle. As it landed it caused his arm to feel as though it was filled with a thousand stinging needles from wrist to shoulder. His ploy worked however and the weapon was deflected upward slightly. Pivoting on his front leg Percy brought Riptide up and around catching the inside of Cernunos' upper arm with a glancing blow. Percy was fast but so was Cernunos who had pulled his arm away from Percy's blow enough to avoid debilitating damage. Black Ichor still began to weep from the wound and the black liquid quickly ran down his arm and wrist. They began to trade blows, faster and faster, the cacophony created was almost deafening. The sound of Cernunos' weapon crashing against the Aias, the scream of metal off bone. Seconds passed like hours and Percy had never felt so alive.

Every detail of his surroundings stood out in hyperrealistic detail. Every twitch of Cernunos' muscles as they fought on. He lost track of everything beyond his opponent and the ground upon which they stood as his fury built. He began to summon weapons, heedless of the cost in power. Each one struck home and more black ichor sprayed the earth each time. Now Percy made his first big mistake, as he committed more and more to offense gaps began to appear in his guard. After deflecting another blow from his opponent's weapon and landing a horizontal slash across Cernunos' shoulder he had his arms splayed to either side. Cernunos released his hold on his massive weapon then stepped forward and with his left hand struck at Percy's torso. The blow connected with a sickening crunch and Percy felt three of his ribs break. Every breath now sent lances of pain through the right side of his chest.

Cernunos pressed his advantage and rained blows down on Percy. He had thought Cernunos was fast before but now, unburdened by his weapon, Percy was hard-pressed to keep up. The closest thing Percy had experienced to this level of speed was sparring Hermes, but his friend didn't have the same force behind his attacks that Cernunos did. Percy had been backed up several steps but now he was beginning to be able to keep up with the pattern of his opponent's attacks. His chest burned like fire, and his arms felt as though they were almost solid bruises, but he ignored all of it. Then he felt it, Harley was swimming for Thalia. He could feel the disturbance in the water that was now only inches behind Percy.

Before Percy had time to call the water to his aid Cernunos kicked him so hard that Percy felt his feet leave the ground. He struck and shattered several trees before coming to a stop. The world spun around him and his vision flashed black and gold. As he was able to focus again he coughed up ichor. Golden fluid splattered the ground and he raised his eyes to find Cernunos standing holding someone by the neck. Baring his teeth in a silent snarl he found his feet and took a step forward. Then he froze on the spot, horror filling him at the sight before him. He had thought it must have been Thalia or Harley, but they didn't have caramel-colored hair. Cernunos bellowed with demented laughter and he threw the body at him. It rolled to a stop and Calypso's sightless eyes stared up at him.

One heartbeat, two. The world went white.

Bedraggled and gasping Harley dragged Thalia to shore. She wasn't moving and she felt cold to touch.

"Thalia. Thalia!"

He started shaking her trying to get a reaction, anything. His attention was split which wasn't making the situation any easier. There were explosive crashes and the sound of splintering trees. Looking up in horror Harley watched Percy's body shattering trees. Then things made decidedly less sense. Cernunos chanted in a language that Harley didn't understand and he didn't have to wait long to find out why. The streaks of black ichor staining Percy's sword, his shield, and even his body flared with power.

Looking back down he shook Thalia's shoulders again and to his relief, there was a sign of life. She shifted as he shook her and though it was clearly involuntary it was something. Then he heard a sound that sent him into immediate fight or flight mode. So terrible was the cry that Thalia was torn from unconsciousness, only to immediately vomit a copious amount of water. Looking around Harley found Percy but he was even more confused by what he saw. It looked like Percy was cradling someone in his arms. Even from here, he could see that Percy's arms were empty. Then came Cernunos' laughter and Harley felt like digging a hole and crawling inside.

The mist around them was whipped into whispy nothing and for a moment they could see unobstructed. Then the wind began to roar, water was torn from the bay, and began to swirl around Percy. The next instant Cernunos transformed before their eyes, the sight was sickening but Harley couldn't look away. Cernunos took off moving north and without so much as a backward glance Percy followed. Each time Percy took a stride Harley could feel the impact through the earth.

"We need..." Thalia stopped talking and coughed several times, "We need to contact someone, anyone."

"What's going on?"

Harley didn't understand what was happening.

"Moros... Moros is the Spirit of Doom... He can... He can force you..."

Thalia was still heaving and coughing every few words so Harley grabbed his canteen of nectar and helped her drink some. Color began to return to her face and her coughing was lessened.

"Because of his nature, Moros is a manipulator. He is not a force of nature like Percy or our parents. He is an idea given form, he was born from the night and it seems like somehow he was aiding Cernunos. I remember stories of cursed visions, my sisters, heroes, forced to see their worst fears come to life before their eyes... I have a way of getting help but..."

Her hand drifted toward her pack absently as though she didn't realize she was doing it. She seemed hesitant and Harley couldn't stop himself.

"What is it? What's the problem?"

"It was a gift from Nico, one-time use. I have another idea but it's gonna cost us. If I pray to my lady she might just hear me, but if we sacrifice something of enough value, enough power, then it might give us a better shot."

Harley held out his prized possessions without hesitation, the pen that became his spear and the lighter that became his shield. They had been gifts from his father when he turned fifteen. Glancing north he could see the path of itter destruction that was being carved through the trees.

"Take them. None of this matters if we can't stop this. Percy..."

Harley could barely wrap his head around what was going on. Stranded in northern Canada, Percy was under the influence of something, they were beyond the gods, and now he was losing his spear and shield. Tears of frustration stung Harley's eyes but he dashed them with the back of his hand. Thalia was already working, the spear planted point up in the earth, strapped the shield to the spear, and wrote a note that she tied to the weapon. Dropping to her knees and bowing her head, Thalia began to pray. Like a spotlight from above a shaft of silver moonlight engulfed the spear and shield. When it was gone so too was his faithful weapon, his undefeated shield, and the note.

"What now?"

"Now we wait."

Little did they know there would be two people saying almost exactly the opposite in a palace on Mt. Olympus soon enough.

Artemis was unused to being on the sidelines, the last time she had been able to keep an eye on things. This time her lieutenant and one of her best friends were deep in foreign territory. Though she could always watch that which the moonlight touched it grew harder and harder the farther north they traveled.

Her ichor burned to be by their side and she knew that her twin, Hermes, and even Hades had expressed a desire to throw caution to the wind. It was amazing to see the subtle changes that were the result of a single demigod turned god. Even now she stalked the northern reaches of their territory, on alert for any sign that she was needed. It had been days and while she knew they lived she was spinning in circles with the waiting. Then she heard her lieutenant, crystal clear, and terrified.

Her power surged and a spear and shield appeared before her, a note tied to the weapon. Reaching forward she tore the note free and read.

'We need help. Percy has been affected and it reminds me of some of the stories about Moros and his power. There is no time, help us, my lady. Please.'

The note ignited with silver fire and Artemis in another of her aspects appeared before Calypso.

"They need us and I need you. I have no skill with magic such as we face, and if anyone can help him now it is you."

She had barely nodded in agreement when Artemis flashed them both to the northern reaches. Calypso now clad in the silvery gray gear of the hunters looked around at her fearfully.

"What's happening Artemis?"

As quickly as possible Artemis explained the spear, shield, and note, as well as her theories as to what Percy was affected by.

"That's why I need to send you. We both know that Percy cares for you more than life itself. If you can't find a way to break through then no one will."

"Wait send me? Aren't you coming?"

"The sacrifice they gave me was powerful but not that powerful. I can send one person to their aid and one person only. If I tried to accompany you then there is no telling what would happen. The best case would be we only make it halfway, worst case... Well let's leave it at that, shall we? I need time to prepare now, this will not be easy. You will know when I am ready."

Artemis took a deep breath and grabbed the spear. In her mind, she called out, 'Sister! I have need of you!' Moments later Athena appeared with a sound like the screech of an owl. They made eye contact and as only beings of immense power could, Artemis shared all that she knew with her sister. Athena's mouth was now set in a grim line as she her hand spear. Artemis gave it willingly and watched as she began to inscribe arcane symbols on the ground. Hecate may have been the goddess of magic, but Artemis did not trust her. As Artemis watched, symbol after symbol, a ritual circle slowly, teeth-grindingly slowly, came into being. Artemis recognized that the letters used were not Greek but something older, something more powerful. With each completed section Artemis felt a buzz at the base of her skull that began to grow stronger.

It took Athena almost an hour and a half to inscribe the circle to the level she was satisfied with. She handed the spear back but before she let go she held Artemis' gaze. Once more thoughts and ideas were shared in an instant that would have taken precious minutes to say aloud. Athena's frustration was clear, her hope, and the despair for her kidnapped offspring were also present. The last of these most powerful of all, it had an intensity that surprised Artemis. She had always believed her sister to be a being of nearly pure logic, reason, and thought. There would be time for that later right needed to send Calypso on her way.

"Calypso. Last chance to back down if you wish. I will not force you to go."

The look of indignation on the titaness's face was not surprising in the least.

"I understand, but I must warn you. After I activate the circle there is no going back. You will either find your way back with the others or you will never return."

Calypso didn't even blink, she met Artemis' gaze with steely conviction. Not for the first time Artemis regretted that the titaness had not joined her hunt. She would have been a powerful addition and an even better sister. She however begrudge her any further than that, she respected Calypso and Percy far too much for that. As Calypso stepped into the center of the circle Artemis laid her palms on the spear and shield. They began to glow before dissolving into silvery motes of power that rushed arms. The amount of power was incredible and if she could see herself from another's perspective she would have realized that her eyes had become entirely silver, no pupil, no iris, no white. Fully silver orbs that glowed with power. She extended a hand and the power flowed back into her fingertips, silvery motes shimmering off her skin.

She had never felt power like this before. She had been born with her domains and she was familiar with their power. This was raw, burning, and heavy in a way that hers was not. Sne felt as though her limbs were growing heavier and despite her godly strength, she knew she had to release the power. So she laid a hand on the place Athena had instructed her to. Spreading like flame from her touch the symbols began to shine with silver light until the whole area was lit as if by the full moon on a cloudless night. Then just as the final symbol began to shine she spoke a final command aloud.

"Find him Calypso. There has never been a man equal to him and there may never be again. Even I must recognize that, but he needs saving this time. Even he can't fight his own mind... Incipe."

With her final word, she felt her power begin draining away at a prodigious rate. When the light finally died and Calypso was nowhere to be seen Artemis collapsed to her hands and knees. Even with the power from the two sacrifices it had taken more of her strength than any one action ever had. The last time she had felt this drained was after days of nonstop fighting against the storm giant, Typhon. She could only hope that it had worked and that somehow Calypso would be able to find and break whatever curse their enemies had laid on his mind.

Why was every method of traveling magically simply the worst? Even Percy's special method of getting from place to place was just awful, or rather it used to be. This took the cake by a mile without contest. Calypso felt as though she had been blasted into pieces and sent beyond all possibility of comprehending more than the fact that she was moving. Then in an instant, it was over, silver smoke curled off her arms and clothes, and for one moment she was reminded of one of the ridiculous moving pictures Percy had shown her. The next moment a body hit her so hard she almost toppled onto the ground. It took her a moment to realize Thalia was hugging her. Relief swept through her and she returned the embrace.

"Tell me everything."

"Okay. So... No there is no time I will sum up."

Calypso couldnt help the tiny smile that forced itself onto her face despite everything. She forced herself to be neutral before anyone noticed though. After Thalia's summing up of the situation they all began to follow the trail of destruction that had been left in Percy's wake. As they went the trail got smaller and smaller but it was obvious that it was not because Percy was tiring. Where at the beginning of the trail there had been a wide swathe of indiscriminate damage, now it was a narrow path of more focused damage. Branches had cracked, undergrowth destroyed, and even some fallen trees at the beginning. After the path had narrowed however it was a very different story. There were many fewer downed branches and many fewer downed trees, but those that were had been shattered.

Percy was in control, but only just. They could tell that his pace had not slowed, and his path had not deviated in the slightest. Where the footprints of Cernunos' beastly form were found so Percy went. Hours crawled by with horrific slowness and just when they were beginning to think they may have to stop for the night they found more black ichor splattering the trees and something even worse. A polished metal shield with words carved into the surface that read, 'Thalia, Harley. Stop following me. You need to get the demigods to safety. While chasing Cernunos I felt some nearby, head due west from here. Be careful but they need you more than I do.' The words were even less comforting to them than finding nothing would have been.

He knew they were following but he hadn't known about Calypso. He was lucid enough to remember his mission and even take steps to see it to its end. A prickle of a deeper fear ran up Calypso's back as she considered everything. After so many years she had become used to how unstoppable Percy was in many ways, she had become used to not having to worry. She had become used to even being able to accompany him. She was lost and she didn't know what to do. She knew that Percy would insist that the heroes were more important right now even if his mind had not been warped by Moros and Cernunos. She also knew that deep down no matter how much she loved how much he cared for others she loved him before all others.

"Thalia, Harley. Go get the demigods. I'll follow Percy."

"Calypso! We can't we have to stick toge..."

Thalia started angrily but Calypso cut her off.

"Remember the prophecy? The second line?"

Thalia paled slightly, her mouth set in a grim line.

"The untamed wave."

Calypso nodded feeling sick to her stomach. Percy had never fully managed to put his past behind him, she knew some scars ran just too deep. She knew that at his lowest Percy feared his power and himself. Over the years he had told her every story from his life save one, the story of what had happened to him in the Pit. He had told her things here and there but she knew that he was holding back.

"As long as he's chasing Cernunos away from the demigods then he can fight. Even if he doesn't know it he would be holding himself back for fear of hurting them, hurting us."

"Stupid Kelp Head and his damn nobility."

Thalia's words passed into dark muttering as she kicked at a rock. The air briefly smelled of ozone and Calypso felt the hair on her arms raise as though from static. Then Thalia met her eyes.

"You better get to him. Because so help me if he dies I'm gonna kill him. You too. If you die I'm going to have to kill you both."

Thalia turned and looked up at the sky to get her bearings. The night was old and from how far the stars had turned Calypso guessed that it was nearly four in the morning. Thalia shook her head and dropped her pack in order to dig through it. She pulled out ambrosia and handed some to Harley before stuffing the rest into her mouth. Calypso looked at Harley who seemed to be lost in thought absently staring at the piece of ambrosia in his hand. He turned his head and looked back at Calypso but she wasn't entirely sure what to make of him. Percy had saved him from this same foe when Harley had been only seven years old. Now here he was and she didn't know why, not exactly.

"Harley?"

He tried to force a smile but he failed even worse than Percy always did. She gave him a look that said, 'Don't even try it.' He only shrugged in response and kicked at a stone that went rolling away.

"Thalia, can you give us a minute?"

She walked away without a glance back at them, Calypso knew she would probably stay within her enhanced hearing range but Harley would hopefully feel more comfortable.

"Why did he bring you?"

Her voice was soft and there was no accusation in her tone. She simply wanted to understand, but before he could answer they heard heavy footsteps and Thalia skidded as she came to a stop.

"We need to move. Now. I can hear something coming this way."

Calypso looked at the pair of them and moved toward the path north.

"Find them. Percy thinks you can do it. I need you to let me go."

There was another discharge of static and ozone as Thalia glared at her.

"You're set on this aren't you?"

Calypso nodded immediately and she thought she heard Thalia mutter something under her breath. She wasn't sure but it might have been, 'Two peas in a gods dammed pod.' Before either of them could protest further Calypso turned and took off, following the trail Percy had left behind him. She heard Thalia curse again but when she looked back she could see the pair heading west between the trees.

"Okay. First things first."

Even as she jogged Calypso reached behind her and removed a shortsword from the side of her pack. Stopping just long enough to belt it around her waist she was soon moving again. Her easy stride ate mile after mile because unlike Percy and after so long stuck on her island she had spent hours walking, and running through vast and beautiful landscapes. It was one of her favorite things to do over the past few years and something she relied on when Percy was being difficult.

The trail turned this way and that, criss-crossing until near sunrise she heard the howl of a hurricane in the distance, then the world went quiet and she redoubled her speed. However, when she finally came upon the site of the fight she found Riptide stuck through the bowl of a tree. Horror spread through her and her fear threatened to choke her for a moment. Then she shook herself. No, she was the wife of Perseus Jackson. More importantly, she was a titaness, and even though it was not as powerful as Percy's her blood was every bit as immortal as his.

Going to the tree she wrenched Riptide from the trunk with a crack like a whip. She stuck it in the side of her pack where it would be secure until it returned to him naturally or when he summoned it.

"I'm coming Percy."

Their breathing was haggard and their steps uneven as dawn approached. He knew they needed to sleep and he was more than willing to just lay on the ground. Thalia would insist on finding a decent campsite but he thought he could probably sleep on a rock for all he cared right now. They had only just managed to shake off their pursuers for the third time that night only a few minutes ago. Harley walked straight into a tree because he was too busy lost in thought.

"Ah, it's no good. You ne... We need to sleep. Give me a second."

Thalia pulled a small fabric package out of her pack and tossed it over her shoulder. As soon as it struck the dirt it expanded into a small tent.

"Come on get inside. It should hide our scent and keep them off us for a while. He was too tired to worry about the fact that she said should not will. When he crawled into the tent he realized it was bigger inside than it looked though not by a ton. He quickly got his bedroll off of his pack and unrolled it, collapsing onto his back almost immediately. He was asleep before Thalia had even gotten her own bedroll out.

As usual, though his dreams were less than kind to him. At first, they seemed like the usual combination of memory and overblown realism that came with unconsciousness but then something shifted. The dream became razor-sharp and he got the feeling that what he was seeing was really happening. What he saw almost made him sick to his stomach. Percy was chained to a tall wooden pole, his wrists connected well above his head to the point he couldn't even rest his weight fully on his feet. The chains glowed dully, the telltale sign of enchanted Celestial Bronze. However even worse was the gold that stained the ground around Percy's feet. Wounds wept tears of golden ichor and even as Harley watched more ran from the corner of his mouth.

Harley tried to move, to look around, to shout, anything, but nothing worked. Then an incredibly thin, pale figure walked up to Percy almost through where Harley found himself rooted. The figure moved his head as though he had felt something and Harley would have frozen if he could move. The figure returned its attention to Percy and began to circle him.

"Wakey wakey, Hero of Olympus."

His tone was cold and mocking. Every syllable dripped with hate and derision, but Harley could also hear fear. Unfortunately, he also recognized the figure's voice, though this time it lacked the disjointed feeling from the last time he had heard it. This voice featured all too often when he dreamt of the past, of being captured as bait for Percy himself. This was Moros, not a puppet, not a stand-in, this must be his true form. He thought he understood why Moros operated through fallen heroes now. Moros had appeared thin initially but the longer her looked the worse he seemed. His bones stood out in high relief beneath pale, waxy, almost translucent skin. His face looked like a death mask and his eyes were like empty sockets.

"The Hero of Olympus, caught in our little web. Oh how sweet your end will be when it finally comes. I have been waiting for this almost a decade but I will have to wait a bit longer. Wouldn't want..."

Percy looked up and spit a mixture of saliva and ichor into Moros' face.

"First Cernunos, now you. Don't you freaks ever just SHUT UP!"

Harley, even disembodied as he was, felt Percy's final two words like a physical blow. Moros stumbled back a half step before he forced a calm demeanor. The image was still shattered and Moros knew it. He stepped back toward Percy and grabbed his hair yanking it back as if to pull his head back. Percy's head didn't move, despite his condition, the chains, and Moros having no such limitations. He simply glared with enough intensity to send monsters and men alike running for safety.

At that moment Cernunos' voice sounded just behind Harley.

"Hmm, who do we have here? An unseen observer?"

With only a whistling sound as a warning, Cernunos' massive weapon passed through where his body should be standing and Harley shot upright in the tent with an already conscious Thalia.

"They have Percy."

AN: This chapter bounces around a lot and again I was stuck in going back and forth over this detail and that detail. Thank all of you for reading and I hope this chapter does not disappoint.