Decided to shoot these chapters out a little earlier than anticipated. I haven't finished Chapter 42 yet but I'm hoping I can complete it before the New Year. Sadly, I'll be away from the computer for the next couple of days which is why I decided to go ahead and post 40 & 41. Better to give yall something rather than nothing. I hope you guys all have a merry Christmas and I thank you for reading TDR. Enjoy! /DbNtv2wyhN

"Last night around seven, a massive explosion occurred at Mount Saint Helen."

"The state of Washington is evacuating and heading east to avoid the onslaught this eruption is causing. If it persists, the entire west coast may have to do the same."

"Over five thousand confirmed dead so far. That number is expected to rise in the coming days.

"My fellow Americans, I ask you to pray for the people affected by this terrible, terrible, tragedy."

"We will do all we can to help the great people of Washington state."

"Tom, what exactly caused this eruption? Scientists all agreed that we wouldn't see an eruption like this for at least a couple hundred years."

"I can't tell you, Diane. It's as if someone stuck a stick of dynamite in the volcano and it just caused all hell to break loose."

"Stop." Percy said aloud, seeping his wet hair out of his face as he let the warm water from the shower rain down on him. He wanted to stop thinking about it. He had to stop thinking about it. The eruption, Zeus, Polemus, the war,...Leo… it had to all stop for just a moment. He had made the mistake of turning on the TV when he came back to his office after delivering Leo's body to Will who would take care of it until they made a shroud. He wanted to turn off his brain after announcing Leo's death to all of his close friends and Calypso. He wanted to forget Piper and Jason's horrified expressions when he told them the news. He wanted to forget Calypso's wails as she collapsed to her knees right in front of him. He wanted to forget it all.

Staring down at the dried blood that was mixing with the water sliding down his body and into the drain, however, he knew he would never be able to forget.

"I-I'm cold."

Flinching at those final words, the demigod swiftly turned off the water and hopped out. Cursing himself for falling into the trap that was silence, he needed to have something to do. He needed to do something like chores or train. Just something to keep his mind occupied and not think about Leo or the war or the countless mortal lives he had ended. The thought of that made his heart race to the point he felt as if he were about to have a heart attack. His entire body raked with chills, forcing him to run over to the sink before throwing up whatever contents he had in his stomach. He stayed that way for what felt like an eternity, leaning over the sink as his body shook like a wet dog in the cold rain.

Once had no more left to give to the sink, he unsteadily leaned upward, wiping his mouth of the saliva stubbornly clinging to it as he stared at himself in the mirror. He didn't like what he saw in the reflection. This wasn't the man he thought himself to be. What type of man killed thousands of mortals? What type of man led his friends to a barren land only for them to be killed? What type of man promised peace, only to deliver war? Staring into his green eyes that seemed to be shattered into a million pieces, eyes so similar to the ones that had killed one of his friends, he hated what he saw. He hated the man who stared back at him.

"You're a killer." Athena's voice echoed in his head, causing him to flinch at the sight of himself before giving a powerful, swift punch at his reflection, shattering the mirror. Staring at his hand that refused to be pierced by the shards of glass, he wished he could see it bleed. He wished he could feel the icy hot flare of pain. He wanted to feel something else besides this deep hurtful sorrow he had bubbling in the pit of his stomach. It wouldn't stop either. The feeling would continue until the end of his days. Not even winning the war would make it go away. The deaths of his friends and family will always cling to his shoulders.

"Percy, you in there?!" The voice of Thalia rang out in the air, ending his unhealthy thoughts. Putting on a pair of sweatpants but forgoing the shirt, he walked over to the door and swung it open, revealing a disheveled daughter of Zeus who was still in her pajamas. She had a look of anxiety which he had never seen before on her. Her features were filled with worry and concern, all of which were directed at him.

"Thalia?" Was the only word he could let out before she threw her entire body against him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I just heard about Leo. Piper's screams in the hall woke me up." She said into his chest shakily.

"Yeah, it-it was…" He trailed off with a sigh, returning the hug around her small figure. He didn't really know what to say. He didn't feel like repeating what had happened at the forge, or reliving how he died. Thankfully, Thalia seemed to recognize his hesitation and instead elected to stay quiet, continuing to lean her body against his in silent support.

"You want some company for a while? It won't do you any good being alone right now." She asked but the way she had already closed the door behind them made it seem she wasn't going to take no for an answer. She knew her cousin well enough to know that despite the false calm persona he displayed, it was the exact opposite of what he was feeling inside of himself.

"I was going to go see my father and ask him a few things." He tried to wiggle his way out of the situation but Thalia's death grip made it impossible.

"When was the last time you slept?"

Percy reeled back slightly at the question. Where had that come from? Looking down at her sky-blue eyes filled with worry, he knew she was genuinely asking.

"Wha-"

"Percy, answer me for real. When was the last time you slept?" Thalia pressed, causing her cousin to crumble beneath her mother-like tone.

"I haven't been able to really. I get a couple minutes here and there. Maybe an hour or two if I'm lucky." He sighed, head held low.

Thalia elected not to reply. Instead, she led him over to his bed before throwing the both of them on top of it unceremoniously.

"Thalia, c'mon!"

"Nope." She stubbornly replied, throwing the covers on top of them before hooking her legs around his, preventing any form of escape if Percy so dared.

"What about Poseidon? I have to speak to him and figure out who Polemus is. And what about planning for the war? The tasks around camp. The-"

"Stop." The black-haired girl swiftly commanded, grabbing his chin to make him look her square in the eye. The duo stayed silent, green eyes on blue. One laced with anxiety and on the verge of breaking. The other filled with concern, worry, and sadness.

"You've been awake ever since you found us in the labyrinth. I haven't once seen you close your eyes for a minute since then. Not at Pangea and not when you went to see Hephaestus at the forge."

"It's busy being me." Percy tried an excuse causing Thalia to grip his chin a little harsher.

"You're only doing all this because you have to keep your mind occupied. It's the only thing keeping you sane. But there's consequences to that." She said, pointing a finger at his heart.

Percy's heart ached seeing his cousin's eyes weld with tears as she continued digging her shaky, pale finger at his chest. He'd never seen her look so scared, so vulnerable before, even when he had rescued her in the labyrinth. It seemed she was extremely shaken by the incident at Haleth's castle two nights ago. He couldn't blame her. He honestly thought he was going to die.

"And after what happened to you that night and then with Leo, I just- I just couldn't help but think what if it happens again? What if it-"

"I'm not going anywhere, Thalia. Okay? See, it's still beating." He interrupted, bringing both their hands to his heart.

Thalia let out a sigh as she tried her best to calm down. Sniffling, she wiped her eyes free of tears before snuggling closer to Percy's chest, soothed by the rhythmic drum of his heartbeat. The pair stayed silent as they were comforted by one another's warmth, resting their eyes for a brief moment. Something both of them hadn't been able to experience in a long, long time.

"I haven't been able to sleep either." She suddenly admitted, her voice becoming softer as she began to fall into the trance that was sleep.

"That arena, Antaeus, the scientist, it was horrible. The things I saw them do, it-it was something I never want to see again. And I couldn't help but think what if that was happening to the other hunters? What if it happens to me?"

Percy wrapped one arm over her body. Looking at Thalia now, snuggled up to him and beginning to let out soft, rhythmic breaths, he realized that despite the strong, powerful persona she always displayed, she was still just a girl. A girl who experienced things no one should ever witness. A girl who despite being a leader, needed someone to be there for her.

That someone was him. She needed him. Everyone needed Percy. Not just to help them be comforted but to also be their leader. Their inspiration. Their hero. And despite him wanting to be those things for his family, he was jeopardizing it by working himself to death. Thalia was right. What happens if he had another one of those heart attacks again? What then? What would become of camp? What outcome would the war bring without him there?

Sighing to himself, he knew what needed to be done. In order for him to be there for his people, to be the hero they needed, he needed to slow down. He needed to sleep. Something both Nico and Frank had warned about some time ago, yet he refused to listen. Closing his eyes and feeling Thalia's soft breathing hitting the crook of his neck, he relaxed in her embrace.

"I'll never let that happen to you." He said before falling into the trance that was deep sleep.

Sleep, however, wasn't easy for a demigod. And if one were to obtain it, it didn't come without consequences. Consequences that Percy was at the forefront of. Cringing at the sound of metal clashing against one another, he opened his eyes to reveal a setting he felt familiar with despite never actually being there before. He was on top of a mountain, evident by the sheer vastness of land that laid below him. Land that was ravaged by fire and storms the likes only a global catastrophe could incur.

Feeling his body involuntarily shift forward, he could only watch in silence as he was brought to the scene where the clashing of metal was. He couldn't take his eyes off what was before him. Four beings, radiating pure power, clashed with each other. Their speed and raw strength were something the likes Percy had never seen before. Truthfully, he couldn't make out much besides the sparks of weapons hitting one another because his eyes couldn't keep up.

This went on for quite some time. Chaos and destruction rained down on the mountain like a hurricane obliterating everything in its path. If his physical body was actually here, he had a feeling it wouldn't survive long. The pressure from their battle was on a scale not even Kronos had. This hard-fought conflict continued on for quite some time until eventually one of the beings got hit.

Finally slowing down, he had a chance to see exactly who it was fighting. Seeing green eyes and black hair so similar to his own, that's when Percy realized what he was witnessing. His suspicions were only confirmed further when he saw the flaming sword, the exact same one he saw painted on the cave, jutting out from Poseidon's back. He was witnessing the battle he saw painted on the cave.

"Poseidon!" Hades yelled out, reaching out in a desperate attempt to save his brother but it was too late. The damage had already been done. The sea God was quickly beginning to turn into a green mist, his essence returning to Tartarus where eventually it will reform again. He didn't go down without a fight, however, his trident piercing part of Polemus's skull.

"It'll take more than that to kill me." Polemus snarled with half his face unrecognizable. Percy couldn't imagine what the deity actually looked like but he didn't expect this. He looked almost like a demon with pale skin and antlers growing out from his head. He did have the same hair and eye color as he did though.

"Then allow me to finish the job!" Zeus yelled out, quickly conjuring a lightning bolt the size of a building before letting it crash down on top of the demon.

The son of Poseidon shielded his face from the blast, feeling the intense heat from the lightning hit his skin even though he wasn't physically there. Once the dust had settled, he could see the entire mountaintop had been leveled and if there was anything living on it, had been utterly destroyed. Surely nothing could survive an explosion like that? It was impossible. But hearing the sinister laugh from the monster echo throughout the air, it seemed reality was defied once again.

"Cute." Polemus reappeared from the dust, looking anything but. Half of his torso was missing along with one of his legs. Blood and intestines seeped out of him as he collapsed to the ground, gasping like a fish out of water.

Zeus and Hades, the last remaining brothers, helped one another to their feet before walking over to their enemy who was unfortunately still alive somehow. It wouldn't be for much longer however as the sons of Kronos conjured their power to end this pitiful demon's life once and for all.

"It seems your time has finally come, Polemus. After all that has happened in this three-year war, it's finally over." Zeus exclaimed, lightning flashing in his eyes mirthlessly.

"You've claimed many lives, creature. Now it's time for me to claim yours." Hades said, black wisps of shadows wrapping around his right hand as he knelt down in front of the demon.

"You might claim my life today but my name, my image, will live on. Look at the destruction I've wrought upon this world. Everyone will remember me. Everyone will remember what I've done." Polemus laughed, blood spilling down his mouth as he savagely grinned at the Gods staring down at him with disgust written across their features.

"Then we'll make sure that no one remembers. We'll wipe every memory you've stained clean. Your name, your actions, your entire existence, will be erased." Zeus snapped back, picking up the demon with a lightning-infused hand, and holding his pitful body high into the air.

Polemus didn't seem to struggle, seemingly accepting his fate. Although his mission wasn't completed, he'd caused enough damage to sedate his thirst for now. He'd taken out one of the brothers but next time, there wouldn't be any remaining.

"Good. You do that so I can come back with a vengeance. I promise you I will and when I do, I'll burn this entire world to the ground. I won't spare any lives and I'll destroy Olympus's image until it is no more but a faded memory!" He spat a glob of blood into the God of the sky's face. That would be his last act of defiance before Zeus squeezed his head until it popped like an exploded watermelon, sending a black, bloody, substance raining down on both of the brothers.

They didn't stop there though. No, Zeus and Hades treated his body just like they did with Kronos's. They tore and sliced through it like a hot knife through butter until eventually, all that remained was a fine sheet of black dust that floated off in the wind, scattering his ashes back to the ravaged battlefield below.

"If he comes back…this world will not survive." Hades said, looking off into the distance.

"He won't. His essence is far too scattered just like fathers. And if he does, we'll be ready."

"I hope so, brother. I hope so."

That was the last of the flashback before the setting around Percy began to shift. Far too fast to really comprehend, he could see the setting around him begin to change. The mountain was still there but it began to transform into a familiar city. The city of the Gods. Soon, all that surrounded him was the golden thrones of the Olympians, all of whom were sitting atop of bar Artemis.

"So we're in the modern day now." The son of Poseidon mused to himself, seeing that the Goddess of the moon wasn't here.

It was weird to be back on Olympus in a dream. He hadn't had one for a long time since Alaska prevented it but it seemed the Fates wanted him to see this for whatever reason. It didn't look good, Zeus had a look of worry which was something he rarely had. Paranoia sure but worry? That was new. Walking closer to the middle of the room, he could see Apollo chained with celestial bronze strapped around his arms and legs, preventing him from moving. It seemed the king had found out about his son's assistance to him and his sister.

Percy felt terrible looking at his cousin who had defeat written across his features. His body drained and pale, evident that he had been punished badly for his actions.

"There are stirrings." Zeus suddenly rumbled, biting the nail on his thumb. "Of a great foe rising once more."

"Surely not Kronos, father?" Athena leaned forward from her throne, looking slightly concerned.

"No. No. I'm afraid it is someone far more brutal and destructive than even the Titan king." He waved his daughter off, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants with a sigh.

"He's an old enemy. An enemy that took myself, along with my brothers, to kill."

The Olympians looked whiplashed as they sat on their thrones, contemplating what their king had just admitted to them. An enemy so strong that it took all of the Big Three to kill? What type of deity could hold such power? And why had they never heard of them before? Seeing his council members on the verge of exploding with questions, Zeus continued.

"He wouldn't have been so difficult to kill if he hadn't been such a conniving bastard. He waited until we were done fighting Father. That's when he struck. He unleashed hell on an already battered earth. An army of a million monsters that I had never seen before under his command. It was…" Zeus trailed off in a whisper, a faraway look in his eye as he relieved those horrific days.

"He almost ravaged this world to the point of extinction. The grass, the lakes, the oceans, all of it was on fire and there was nothing we could do about it except try to kill the bastard and hope that it would all end."

"You killed this man, I presume?" Athena questioned further, eager to learn something new in their history which was something she thought never to be possible again. Endless questions she wanted to ask but her father had a look that honestly scared her a little. It was that of fear. He was scared of this deity returning. She could see that he was doing his best to hide it but nothing like that could escape her eye.

"We did but not without great sacrifices. Our army that had just defeated Kronos's was decimated once Polemus attacked. Many Gods perished beneath his power, including Poseidon."

"Poseidon?! But how?!"

"Poseidon had been gravely injured in the fight against Kronos. An injury that Polemus exploited when the time came to face him. He had a weapon that had magic to it that I had never seen before. It was powerful enough to kill Poseidon to the point of almost fading. Thankfully, it seemed the weapon wasn't fully forged and lacked the properties to kill a God permanently."

Zeus didn't know if that was a good thing or bad thing considering what was happening now between his brother and him. He wished Poseidon had just died and stayed that way. At least then he wouldn't have to deal with that damn brat of his or this impending war. Since that wasn't the case, however, he now had to deal with that toppled with the fact that Polemus was returning once more to get the vengeance he promised all those years ago.

"Father, if Polemus returns for war coupled with the fact that Percy Jackson will soon invade as well, I fear this won't be good for us."

"It won't, Athena, which is why I'm decreeing this. Any and all minor Gods along with all subjects of Olympus will fight. Any who don't will be labeled Jacksonist and will be dealt with."

Percy didn't have a moment to discern that statement before his world shifted once more, this time back to reality in his bed where he and Thalia still were. Sharply sitting up, he tried to control his breathing as chills went across his entire body from the cool draft in the room. Looking down at Thalia who was softly snoring into his side, he couldn't help but remember her father's words. All minor Gods ordered to fight for Olympus? That wouldn't fare well in the slightest.

He needed them just as much as Zeus did and he knew that. Minor Gods, as much as the Olympians hated to admit it, are the backbone of Olympus. They do the tasks that the Olympians would never do as it is considered beneath them. They get their hands dirty which was why Zeus was ordering them to fight this war. He knew that if Percy were able to recruit them, the war's outcome would be in his favor.

"Fuck." The son of Poseidon sighed to himself, rubbing his hand against his face. Without the minor Gods, this war would be a lot tougher than he had originally planned. Without them, he wouldn't have enough immortals to take on the Olympians that side with Zeus. Hecate, Artemis, Hades and Poseidon were extremely powerful and could take on their fair share but throw in the minor Gods who although lacking in power made up for it with their numbers, wouldn't be able to keep up. There's only so much a God can do.

"Mmmm, what time is it?" Thalia groaned out, rubbing her eyes as she shifted over on her back, the covers sliding off of her torso, revealing a bust underneath a thin shirt Percy had honestly never known she had.

"My guess is early morning." He replied, averting his eyes from the sight. Artemis and the hunters would have his manhood if they knew what he was sideeying. Wanting to get up and start the day as there was much that needed to be done, he attempted to get off the bed but the daughter of Zeus moaned in protest, clawing at his neck before getting him in a chokehold and bringing him down back in.

"You're warm." She slurred in a slumped stupor, cuddling into his side and breathing in his scent.

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Percy tried to get away but her hold on him was much stronger than he had anticipated. Not to mention the pair of breasts clamped around his arm, preventing him from moving in a certain direction lest he wanted to look like he was groping her.

"Greaaaat. Gods, if Artemis walked in." He thought to himself, already shivering in fear at the thought of what she would do to him if she saw the position he was in with her lieutenant. Suddenly, as if his life were a stageplay, that very Goddess opened the bedroom door, calling out to him.

"Percy, they're having Leo's funeral soon. You need to get rea…" Artemis trailed off, looking down at a shirtless son of Poseidon who had her lieutenant wrapped around him.

The son of Poseidon let out a squeak of fright, not believing this was really happening to him. Who was he kidding of course it was. He wouldn't be Percy Jackson without this type of shit luck being brought upon him. Silver and green stared at one another in silence for what felt like forever. It didn't help that Thalia was still cuddling into his side, desperately trying to lay him back down so she could bask in his body's furnace-like warmth.

"Get ready. Leo's funeral is in an hour." Artemis said in a neutral tone before swiftly walking out, slamming the door behind her which caused Thalia to be startled awake.

"Whaaa-"

Percy, once again, could only groan tiredly. What a way to start off the day. After kicking Thalia out of his room to get dressed, he put on a pair of jeans along with a warm jacket before exiting the building. Cringing at the frigid cold wind of Alaska that hit his face like pins and needles, he could already see a small gathering of people around Hazel's tree.

Guessing that was where the shroud was, he began to trek over there. Every step he took was like he was stepping in cement. He hated seeing shrouds, especially those of his friends. He had seen so many over the years that you would've thought he'd be used to it by no but no. There was no getting used to seeing your friend's shroud.

Arriving at the tree, he walked to the front where Piper and Jason were quietly standing next to each other, staring emptily at the shroud that had Leo's covered body on top of. Softly touching Piper's shoulder, shaking her out of the trance of sadness, she gave a shaky smile that didn't fully reach her eyes before giving him a hug.

"Hey." She said into his chest, a few tears sliding down her cheek. The son of Poseidon elected not to say anything, instead offering her silent support. Truthfully, he didn't really know what to say because he was scared. Scared of what if Piper, Jason, and the others blamed him for Leo's death. It wouldn't be the first time he was blamed for someone's death and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

"I know what you're thinking." Piper suddenly interrupted his thoughts, grabbing his face with both hands to make sure he was looking at her square in the eye.

"It's not, okay? It's not your fault, Percy."

"I know but-" He tried to reply, grabbing her hands off of him but she stubbornly held on, making sure her message got across to him.

"There's no buts in this situation. Leo knew what he was getting into. Let's not taint his memory or his sacrifice by pitying him." She said, making sure her words were understood. The son of Poseidon sighed softly before nodding his head. There was no point in arguing about whether or not it was his fault. No one wanted to do that, especially at his funeral which was getting more crowded by the minute. In just a few minutes, the area surrounding Hazel's tree was brimming with demigods. All of Camp Freedom was here, standing silently amongst one another as they awaited the words of their leader.

Percy wanted to speak with Jason before going up to the podium but it seemed the son of Jupiter didn't want to speak with him or anyone else frankly, electing to stare at his best friend's shroud with dead eyes. Testing the waters, the green-eyed demigod attempted to walk up to him but was quickly stopped.

"Go speak." Jason said, not taking his eyes off Leo's shroud, the anger obvious in his voice. Percy, not wanting to cause a scene, promised himself to have a few words with his cousin later but for now should just focus on the funeral. Everyone was waiting. Walking up to the podium, he cleared his throat before looking up at the ocean of demigods, all eyes craned upward at him waiting. He hated giving speeches in front of huge crowds like this but he knew it needed to be done. "If not he then who?" was a saying he was starting to live by now. A saying that he was really starting to hate as well.

"I'm sure you all know but for those that might not, we're here to mourn the loss of one of our own who fell in battle yesterday." He began, his voice loud and clear in the cold valley air.

"Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus, died on a imporant mission. A mission that he knew needed to be done for the sake of our home and its continued prosperity. A mission that he knew he might not come back from but nevertheless did so." Percy stopped to take a breath, his eyes involuntarily darting over to Calypso who was being consoled by Katie Gardner. He could hear her agonizing wails of sorrow even over the harsh, billowing wind. Not being able to bear the sight, his eyes darted over to Jason who had his head cradled in one hand, desperately trying to keep his shaky lips at bay from breaking out into similar sobs.

Their eyes met for a brief moment, green on blue. Blue eyes seeping through the cracks of his hand that for one second held such disdain and anger toward him but were quickly wiped away by a blank stare. He thought he had imagined it but he knew better. He had been around them enough, especially Jason, to tell what they were feeling. He could tell, no…feel, the insurmountable rage coming from his cousin. A rage that would one day have to be confronted.

"Leo paid the ultimate sacrifice. A sacrifice that will go down in our history, forever to be remembered. He wanted what was best for camp until his very last breath so we shall give him our very best until it is our time to depart this world."

Lighting a torch, he picked it up before tossing it onto Leo's shroud, the flames quickly enveloping it like a blanket. Everyone stood in silence as they watched the embers fly high into the air. Calypso was finally able to keep her sobs at bay, wanting to get one last look at the man who saved her from her prison one last time before his body was reduced to ash.

"And when that day comes, hopefully, he'll greet us with a smile." Percy said softly, fire dancing in his eyes as he watched one more friend leave this world. Leave him behind. Looking away from the sight, he stared at the faces of his friends who were off in their own world. He wondered how many of them would leave him behind as well. How many would depart for the underworld, finally able to rest while he suffers in the mortal world? He didn't want to think about it as it brought a sickening feeling to his stomach. He didn't want to be the last one standing. That was a nightmare of its own. Continuing to look out at the crowd, people that would soon be at war in the streets of New York, he couldn't help but think that might be the case. He supposed only time would tell.

Everyone stayed that way for quite some time, not daring to be the first one to walk away. Leo Valdez, who although ditched them in the first battle of the revolution, was a pioneer of Camp Freedom. He had helped build this camp with his bare hands. It was only fitting that he received a proper send-off. Something to which the close friends of the son of Hephaestus were thankful for. He wasn't perfect. He was immature, pervertish, and to the simple gaze, a deadweight to the group. To those who knew him, however, he was so much more. He was a friend, a builder, a warrior. A person who although wasn't perfect, damn well tried to be for the people he loved. That was who Leo Valdez was and that will be how he is remembered.

After the entire shroud was burnt to ash floating in the wind, Percy decided to announce something while he still had the camp's attention. He announced that they would have a war game later this evening. This brought many confused looks directed at him but he knew this would be good for everyone for not just training for the next battle but also to relieve some stress and maybe take their minds off of losing a good friend for a little bit. Gods know he needed it and judging by the excited faces of a lot of the others, it seemed they were too.

"We'll begin at six in the evening. Prepare yourselves and your cohorts in the meantime." He finished, finally dismissing the demigods who tried not to show their eagerness but failed miserably. It seemed it was only Jason who didn't seem excited, instead electing to trudge his way back to his cabin with his head held low.

"I'll make sure he's there tonight. He needs to let off some steam." Piper said, standing beside him as they watched the son of Jupiter disappear inside.

"Yeah, I think everyone needs to. Plus, we really need to start training like an army now. The invasion will be here before we know it." He replied much to the daughter of Aphrodite's approval. It was a good idea. She just hoped it wouldn't get out of hand.

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, you?"

"I hope. Leo was one of my best friends. A friend that I could always rely on to ease the tension in the room. Now that he's gone…it's like a light has shut off. You know what I mean?" She said, looking up at Percy.

He knew exactly what she meant. He's lost too many not to. Hugging each other for comfort, the duo said their "see you laters" before walking off to do their respective jobs. Piper to go console Jason. Percy to go clear the misunderstanding with Artemis about what she walked into earlier this morning.

Walking inside their bedroom, Piper couldn't contain her shocked gasp as she looked at what laid before her. Their room looked like a hurricane had just passed through it. Furniture, clothes, and the bed were strewn about everywhere. The mirror on the wall was shattered into a million pieces as well, blood littering the ground in consequence. She could see Jason sitting on the mattress that was now on the floor, the blood from his wounded hand tainting the pure white cloth. His back turned to her, he didn't notice her presence. His shoulders rocked heavily as the sobs of grief quickly set in.

Walking over silently, Piper sat down next to him, electing to wrap her arms around him in comfort. Jason didn't acknowledge her presence, continuing to weep into his bloodstained hands that were leaking all over the wooden floorboards. The pair stayed that way for what felt like hours, finding solace in each other's warmth, something they thought they would never feel again after losing their baby and now Leo.

"He-He's g-gone. Just like that, he's gone." Jason hiccuped, looking at his girlfriend with bloodshot eyes.

Piper nodded silently, not knowing what to say which was something she hated to admit. She was a daughter of Aphrodite for Gods sake. She was supposed to know what to do in emotional situations like this. Instead, all she could was offer presence for him. She hoped that was enough.

"It's his fault. It's his fault that he died!" He spat, his eyes taking on a crazed look that caused Piper to reel back slightly.

"It's the Gods fault, I agree." Piper reassured but Jason shook his head angrily.

"No, No, No, No. It's because of him that Leo died. Along with Hazel, the campers that fought in the battle, our child! It's his fault! Along with those sons of bitches he let inside of camp." He snarled like a lion, pounding his bloodied balled-up fist against his forehead.

Piper felt her heart quicken as she watched the madness unfold inside her lover. With a hesitant hand, she placed it on Jason's own, not minding the blood seeping through the cracks.

"Please don't tell me you think it's Percy's fault." Her voice came out more as a whisper, her eyes filled with worry and concern.

"Of course it's his fault!" The son of Jupiter slapped her hand away, standing up furiously.

"All of it is and I'm tired of pretending it's not! If we didn't let him drag us all the way out here, Leo would still be alive! A lot of our friends and our child would too! But nooooo, we let him drag us by the collar like a dog, and look where that got us! Stuck in another war bigger than the last!" He finished, pounding his chest angrily as he spat down at Piper who could only stare up at him with astonishment.

"W-Where is this coming from, Jason? It was Ares that killed Hazel. It was the demigods loyal to Olympus that killed our friends. It was them that killed our child. You know that."

"Exactly! It was the demigods of Olympus that killed our child. The very people that destroyed our camp and walked us in chains to Olympus! Why don't you see that?! Why can't you see that it was his actions that led to those outcomes, huh?! You can't honestly say he hasn't had a part in all that! Look at where we're at now because of him! We're in another war again and this time I don't think we're gonna make it…"

"No, No, No, Jason, look at me. Baby, look at me." Piper quickly stood up, clasping her hands against his face. "You can't think like that. You know Percy cares for all of us. You know he doesn't want this war either but these were the cards we were dealt. And yes, I'm just as angry as you are about him letting in some of those people that destroyed camp in the beginning. I wish we didn't have to deal with them. I don't even want to look at them. But I just have to deal with them being here because they can help us win this war. They swore loyalty to Percy. There's nothing we can do about it except keep moving forward and keeping our trust in him. You even said that when we were still traveling throughout Alaska before camp was built."

"That was before all this shit happened. That was before the man I loved like a brother showed up on my doorstep dead in the hands of the man I trusted to take care of us. Look where that trust has put us, Piper. I would've thought you'd know better. Our baby is dead and we'll be too if we keep following Percy."

SLAP!

The room went silent as the duo stared into one another eyes with a mixture of emotions. Jason subconsciously brought a hand to his already reddening cheek, looking at Piper who had furious tears brimming in her eyes. He could see just how angry she was at that remark he'd just made but truthfully he didn't care. He stood by it. Percy was at fault just as much as Zeus and Ares were. That was his firm belief and no one could change that.

"Percy has done so much for us. He's given us a chance at a better life free from the Gods. Sure, it might not look like that right now but we knew from the start that it wouldn't be easy. We're going to have to fight and make sacrifices if we want that. You can't give up now, Jason. Please, for me, don't give up."

The blonde-haired demigod sucked in some air, desperately trying to keep his anger from spilling out any further. He didn't want to do something to Piper that he would later regret. He just didn't understand her. Why was she so loyal to Percy? Why did she keep defending him? It pissed him off to no end. He had a feeling why that might be which he desperately hoped wasn't true. He'd seen the way she looked at his cousin. He's seen the subtle side glances and the way they embraced each other for a second longer than necessary. It sickened him to see his girl be like that with another man. He didn't think there were any romantic strings between them but he wasn't quite sure. What he did believe was going on between the two, however, was that Piper felt safer around Percy. She looked up to him and thought highly of him. Perhaps more than even him, her boyfriend.

Now that was something Jason couldn't handle well. Maybe it was jealousy at Percy being better than him at pretty much everything or maybe it was his pride of not being the strongest man in Piper's life. Whatever it was, it lit a fire inside him that wouldn't die until he settled things with the son of Poseidon. Looking at his girlfriend's multicolored eyes that seemed to silently beg him to stop, he debated with himself. If he decided to do what he was planning, it could jeopardize all that they had accomplished over the last two years. If he succeeded in taking the power away from Percy, it could end his and Piper's relationship along with the rest of his friends.

He didn't want that but he couldn't think of any other possible way. Percy needed to be stopped before he could kill any more of their friends. He couldn't bear to see Piper's or Thalia's lifeless corpse next. He would do anything to prevent that from happening. Even if it meant taking on the most powerful demigod of all time. With that final thought sealing his conviction, he softly took her hands off him, pushing past her much to her dismay.

"You put a lot of trust in the man that let in the very people who killed our child. You don't see it because you're blinded by your loyalty to him but I promise you, Percy is just as guilty as the rest of them." He said, closing the door behind him and leaving a disheveled Piper who was terrified for what was about to happen.