"And you may kiss the bride…" the minister spoke, as Orion and Reyna kissed before the altar in Ruthage. Percy, along with many others, clapped their hands. He was surrounded by Astibad royalty, from generals to the king himself, but he found himself looking back at where the mages were sat- exchanging glances with Annabeth. The ceremony finished, and the invitees moved to drinking and enjoying themselves for the rest of the night.

"Perseus." his father had found him on the outskirts of the celebration, staying sober as usual.

"Yes, father?"

"I need to send you and an escort to Hyphen immediately. After Zeus's… decree, it is only right we make diplomatic moves to ensure that we're fighting on level ground, and Hyphen's critical location to either side is an essential piece."

"What would you like me to fight for, father?"

"I want guarantee from Hyphen that they'll stay neutral through the conflict, otherwise their territory becomes forfeit, and we withhold the right to lay waste to their lands in order to win the war." Percy nodded.

"What type of escort am I to take?"
"A hundred men, the best, as well as a tactician in case things get hostile. I need you to make sure you don't jeopardize this through your goading, as I am confident you will meet Olympiad representatives there."
"Of course father, the queen is the daughter of Zeus."

Percy had chosen a hundred of his finest to make the three-day travel with him to Hyphen. He wasn't his father, instead of harsh, strict marching conditions, Percy insisted on making sure his men were rested and fed before even risking the chance of battle.

"We're just ensuring that they won't let Olympiad march their armies through the kingdom to get to us, instead forcing them to go the long way. We're promising to not destroy the outskirts of their kingdom."
"And if they decline?"

"Then we exit peacefully, and lay waste to a few towns on our way back home." Percy smirked at Achilles.

"What happened to the innocent boy who fought alongside me at Roden?" Achilles sighed.

"Milords, I've received a message from Chiron back at Ruthage." Annabeth, the tactician that Percy had chosen, rushed into their tent. Percy rose.

"Let it through." Annabeth waved her hand, and a cloud of mist created an image of the Ruthage throne room, showing Poseidon sat, harshly talking to Chiron.

"Father." Percy started, and Poseidon and Chiron both stopped talking, looking to the image.

"Perseus. We've received a message from one of our spies within the Olympiad higher up, and they've set traps within Hyphen territory for you. We need you divert course westward and head to Doru." Percy caught Annabeth's breath catching at the mention of the northern kingdom.

"Why Doru, father?"

"Doru is home to one of Hyphen's key trading routes, and if we can sack Doru, we'll send a message to Hyphen."

"One that says we acknowledge the side they've chosen." Percy growled, and Poseidon nodded through the image.

"I've already assigned the first and third cohorts to route and meet you there under the commanding of Ermentrude, and once you meet up with them, they'll be in your control, and at your discretion, Percy." Chiron spoke up.
"Chiron, don't you think this leaves Holar weak? If not, the surrounding cities?" Annabeth questioned.

"We're keeping over half a million men at standby across the Great River border, if Olympiad tries to pass even a hundred-man battalion through, we'll know." Chiron responded.

"We'll reroute course immediately, and I'll send messages through when we've arrived and met up with Ermentrude." Poseidon nodded, and Percy swiped his hand through the image. Annabeth tried to make way back to her tent.

"Annabeth, you stay here." Percy said, and she stopped cold in her tracks. "Your breath caught when we mentioned Doru. Why is that?" he asked, voice filled with accusation. Annabeth sighed, turning to face Percy and Achilles.

"Thalia Grace was sent to Doru by Artemis to serve as their royal mage, and I've heard rumors of what happens to mages when a city gets sacked." Annabeth said, staring Percy dead in the eyes. Percy let out a huff, before walking up to Annabeth and placing his hand on her shoulder.

"She will be protected through the battle, I guarantee you, Annabeth." he reassured, "I'll dedicate a search party for her once we've breached the walls, and once we find her I'll make sure she's sent to you. Hopefully Artemis doesn't mind us having both of her proteges." he smiled at her, and Annabeth nodded, walking out.

"Do you have something to tell me, Perseus?" Achilles asked as Percy turned and walked back into the tent.

"What do you want me to say, Achilles?" he sat back down over the map, sketching a line between their current position and Doru. "I think we might end up on the other side of the fortress…" he grumbled.

"You've never acted that way around any woman before, Perseus. Always stone-faced and dismissive, but you sounded like you actually cared for her. Again, do you have something to tell me?" Achilles said, sitting opposite him. Percy looked up at his mentor.

"I have nothing to tell you, Achilles." The older man nodded.

"I know you've been given freedom to marry outside of the kingdom's politics, Perseus, but a woman like that isn't just a pretty face. She's also a knife through your heart."

Percy had set up camp with the two cohorts they'd joined ranks with, just outside of Doru. Percy, out of respect for King Vulcon, allowed him to prepare his forces outside of his castle walls before calling for a parlay.

"I don't like this. We should've attacked when they were unprepared, we had a major advantage." Annabeth said. They were alone in his tent, going over a map of the city inside of the walls.

"I like the way you think, Annabeth, but that wouldn't be very sporting of us, now would it?" he asked, marking an entrance to the castle.

"What does being sporting have to do with any of it?"

"Sometimes it's about winning the battle, and sometimes it's how you win the battle." he said, sensing her smirk.

"It's never about losing?" she asked.

"You have to lose for it to be about losing. I never lose." he dipped his pen in ink, marking another entrance.

"Have you organized the search party for Thalia already?" her voice grew quiet.

"Of course. Why else do you think we came to Doru?" he said, and Annabeth's head flicked up. He met her eyes, and took a moment to admire her- perfect skin, pointed chin, her blonde hair that was usually down was tied up messily behind her head, and her eyes looked like they could kill- as always.

"King Poseidon said it was for trading routes." Percy scoffed.

"It was never about trading routes. Hyphen has enough backing from Olympiad already to last out forever without Doru's trade." Percy said, and Annabeth frowned at him, which made her even more gorgeous. "Annabeth, who's Thalia's father?" the woman opposite him grew wide eyed.

"No. We are not about to commit this amount of slaughter just to capture one daughter of Zeus." she hissed.

"I mean the trade route was a real reason, but a coverup. Zeus wants to use his connection to Hyphen to gain an advantage? We will just kick him where it hurts. Once Zeus knows we have Thalia, he'll be forced to bargain with us, and we'll negotiate Hyphen's neutrality." Percy said simply, and Annabeth stood.

"No. I will not stand by as you take my best friend captive for war negotiations." she spat, trying to walk out the door, but Percy caught her wrist, standing with her.

"Nothing will happen to Thalia. I promised you that." He said quietly to her, but her eyes stood angry. "We don't need information out of her or anything of the sort, she just needs to be in our possession."

"I hate the political power moves that we have to make." she said, throwing her head into his chest. "Why can't we just put two armies on a field and fight it out?"
"Trust me, if it were up to me, I'd go duel Zeus right now and end this whole thing, and run off with you." she looked up at him after that, a skeptical grin on her face.

"Run off with me?"

"Oh I've been planning it, Annabeth. Once this war is over, either I'm King of the South and you're my queen, or Triton is King, and me and you get to go peacefully in the gorgeous Ruthage countryside, living like a god and goddess." He'd actually dreamt that.

"You think that you're going to take Zeus's place in the south after this war?"
"My father grows old, Annabeth, and he cannot rule the entire continent once we win. Someone will have to take the south, and who better than the man who kills Zeus himself?" Percy said, inching Annabeth closer to him, trying to lean down.

"We're about to wage war, and you want to kiss me?" she raised and eyebrow. "I thought you took pride in your patience." He scoffed at her, turning a heel and sitting back down over the map.

"If you make me wait too long, maybe I'll go visit the brothels in Holar's depths and see if they can't-" his head whipped around, out of his control, and Annabeth stood behind him, arm outreached, but not touching him. She was controlling his body. She forced him to stand up, walk to her and kneel before her.

"If you ever…" she started, before releasing her grip on him. He fell to the ground but quickly regained his composure, standing.

"As you wish, milady."

Percy, Achilles and Annabeth all waited on horses nearly a hundred yards in front of their five-thousand man army as the King of Doru rode up to them.

"Am I allowed to talk?" Annabeth asked.

"Not unless spoken to, though I have no doubt you could do more damage than I could, he will see it as a sign of disrespect if you talk out of line." Percy responded. The king approached, his light escort mirroring Percy's- an advisor and his son.

"The gods have blessed us with a gorgeous day here, King Vulcon." Percy started as the king and his escort arrived.

"Whatever it is you're here for, Lord Perseus, I'm sure we can solve it without bloodshed."

"You know what you've done, Vulcon. You signed a treaty with my father decades ago saying you'd exclusively trade with Ruthage, yet you continue to break it in order to help the Olympiads- may I remind you, just sent a declaration of war."

"As a general and leader of men, surely you can sympathize with wanting the best for your subjects, Perseus." Vulcon tried to argue, but Percy didn't see any of it.

"I view myself and my warriors as equals on the battlefield. Equals united for one goal, not a king leading his subjects. We gave you warnings years ago for breaking the treaty, Vulcon, yet you continue to disregard Ruthage for the power we are, therefore you must pay the price."

"Can I negotiate for my family's safety?" Vulcon asked desperately.

"Father-" the son spoke up, but Vulcon hushed him.

"I will fight as you do, Perseus, but I must ask you to make sure my family lives. They're all I care for." Percy nodded.

"Your family will live, but your blood will be spilt here today, Vulcon. I want you to ride back to your men knowing that King Zeus of Olympiad brought this upon your kingdom." Percy said, and Vulcon nodded. "Send message to your guards at your castle to make sure everyone is safe and secured for the siege. Mages included."

"I shall. I look forward to meeting you on the battlefield, Perseus."

Percy rode back to his men, barking orders and discipline at the lines of warriors. Achilles dispersed from him, passing messages down the ranks.

"No raping of the women, no killing of the children! We are not destroying the city, only the men who find themselves brave enough to protect it, and stupid enough to do so against Ruthage!" Percy roared, and the ranks in front of him reciprocated with an "Aye!" He turned to Annabeth, who was on her horse next to him.

"I will find Thalia alongside the other Doru royals within the castle, and when I do, I will send her with an escort to you, milady." he spoke, but Annabeth shook her head.

"You may siege all you want Perseus, but when you breach the castle I shall come with." she insisted, and he didn't deny her. Percy dismounted his horse, a handler coming forward to take it back to their mobile stables, and he turned to the slowly advancing Doru army.

"Archers!" he yelled, the order being repeated down the line, and the Ruthage archers took aim, firing high into the sky. The arrows landed, some short, but a lot falling on the weak Doru army, which lost a few rows to the initial barrage. Percy turned to the men behind him.

"See me now, Tartarus, God of Death, King of the Underworld, Lord of the Afterlife, our judge, jury and executioner! May you bless us with fortune and fury on the battlefield, for we spill blood in your name!" Percy unsheathed his sword- the same katana he used against Hercules, and pointed it to the air, lowering it, until it pointed at the Doru army.

"March!"

The large Ruthage force advanced, unlocking shields in the first row. Percy felt at home as the Doru army closed in.

"Shields!" one of the commanders behind him yelled, and Percy knew the front row would slow down, as they locked shields, and prepared their spears.

"Fire the flares!" another voice yelled. A smoke signal from behind Ruthage lines appeared, and the two siege machines- two ballista, launched their massive artillery deep into Doru lines. One landed just in front of Percy, and almost on beat, he engaged with the front line of Doru. He was a machine, hacking down soldiers left and right. He bashed one with his shield, stabbing another behind them, whirling around to split open a spearman. The Doru army was overwhelmed, unprepared, and losing. Percy cut open another man, before locking eyes with the trembling King Vulcon. The king ran, passing through some ranks, but Percy cut the men down, until he was locking swords with the King of Doru.

"Only weak men hide behind their soldiers, scared of fate." Percy spat, parrying a wild swing. "You rather throw corpses my way than face me yourself." Percy dodged another swing, before countering and cutting open the King's knee. The king fell to the ground, and couldn't get up. He scrambled backwards, trying his everything to avoid death. Percy cut down another swordsman trying to defend Vulcon.

"May Tartarus bless you in the afterlife, King Vulcon." as Percy swung down, cutting the man's head from his body.

The battle was swift- Ruthage decimated Doru's army, easily Percy's fastest victory to date. Their ballista breached the weak gate quickly, and the Ruthage army rushed through the opening, cutting down whatever guards Doru had left. Percy marched his personal cohort straight to the castle doors, Annabeth fast behind him, cloak on. They met resistance at the gate- a fifty-man shield unit. Percy readied himself, but Annabeth stepped forward, twisting her arms out, as the men holding shields screamed in agony, all falling dead.

"I pray you never do that to me." he kissed her on the cheek through her cloak, advancing and cutting down swordsman after swordsman.

"Back off the door!" he yelled once it was clear. Annabeth stepped forward, lighting the wooden gate aflame. It didn't take too much time for the gate to completely burn down, and for Ruthage warriors to rush through. Percy and ten of his cohort rushed upwards through the castle.

"They should be on the higher floors- closer to the throne room. Plans show they have a war room of sorts." Percy said, swiftly cutting down a guard, the corpse stumbling down the steps. "Only three more floors above this one. Split into groups, and start kicking doors.

"Aye, sir." the cohort responded, and they split up. Annabeth followed Percy up to the top floor, where there was a long hall lined with the treasures and prizes Doru had come to acclaim leading to a main set of doors. Percy led Annabeth, pushing the doors forward. Annabeth heard the twinge of string, and stuck her hand out, feeling the arrow, and holding it in place. When Percy opened the doors, he saw the entire royal family as well as a number of guards, and an arrow floating in place just in front of his nose. He turned around and Annabeth smiled at him. He turned back to the room.

"Your king is dead, I suggest you lay down arms and choose life over death, as many of your peers are." Percy walked into the room. Annabeth followed him, still cloaked.

"What do you want?" one of the guards asked.

"Is there a Thalia Grace in our presence?" he asked, and the familiar mage came out from where the rest of the family had been huddling.

"Percy?" she asked.

"I've got a request from a friend of mine that I see your protection out of the kingdom immediately, Thalia." and Annabeth took her hood off. Thalia let out a sob and ran to Annabeth, pulling her into a deep hug. Percy kept his eyes on the four guards in the room.

"You may choose, all of you. There is no shame in life over death." One of the guards rushed Percy, and he parried one strike before cutting the guard's arm off and piercing the armor like it was butter, pulling his sword out of the man's chest and cleaning it on the table in front of him. The three other guards laid down their arms.

"Are you kidding me?" a woman hissed from the family, Percy assumed it was the queen.

"You three may leave the room. There are four men downstairs, tell them you've surrendered and you will be spared." the three walked out of the room, leaving just the royal family. The woman who'd scolded the guards stood.

"I am Queen Vesta of Doru, and I will not stand for this! You have committed several war crimes by launching this siege of our city." she hissed, pointing an accusing finger at Percy.

"Prince Perseus of Ruthage allowed your city three days preparation for the battle today, as well as giving your king the pleasure of a parlay where he bartered your safety, Queen Vesta. I suggest you remain silent and prepare yourself for what your new leader has to announce." Annabeth said from his side.

"You let your mage talk for you, Perseus?"

"My mage speaks the truth, therefore I have no problem with her speaking out of line. I do see that weakness runs in the royal line here, however. Instead of facing your enemies in pride you throw bodies at them to try and delay the inevitable, just like your husband. Pathetic." Percy spat at his feet.

"Is my husband…?" Queen Vesta asked, face growing white.

"I had the pleasure of killing him myself." Percy smirked at the queen.

"You…" one of the children spoke up, rising from the group and launching himself at Percy, but Percy threw his elbow into the boy's skull, and he dropped unconscious on the floor. Percy drew his sword, ready to spill more blood.

"No! I will listen to whatever you have to say, Perseus." Vesta spoke up.

"Seeing as your husband's met his unfortunate demise, Doru would need leadership, as we are not decimating your workforce." Percy walked over to the window that overlooked the city. There was minimal fires- some minor fighting and a lot of Doru soldiers in custody. He turned on his heel back to Vesta. "Do you think you are fit to lead the kingdom?" He saw Vesta's eyes light up slightly.

"Do not assume you will be a free reigning Queen, merely a puppet for Ruthage rule, as we have instituted across many northern states. Your husband was similar, bound to us, but not owned by us, and he didn't like that, and…" instead of the city, Percy turned to the field that the battle had taken place on. Doru corpses littered the grass. "If you decline, of course I think we could figure something out with one of your children, maybe even a Ruthage high-noble." Percy examined the three other children that were on the floor, huddling in fear.

"I can rule, milord." Queen Vesta bowed before Percy. He boasted an evil grin.

"Good. You will tell your subjects that Vulcon got deep in messy business, double-crossed the wrong people, and paid the price for it. I will leave some of my forces here to ensure a stable shift in power, and expect further diplomats at your door along with a new mage…" he turned to Thalia, "seeing as we have different ideas for her."

"Will that be all, Lord Perseus?" Vesta asked.

"Yes, I will give you time to grieve your loss, as well as recoup your kingdom, Queen Vesta, but do expect Ruthage company coming soon."

"Butcher's bill?" he asked Achilles, walking side-by-side with him out of the palace.

"We've estimated that Doru lost nearly four-thousand men in the siege, as well as another five-hundred within city walls, compared to our five-hundred dead. Mostly front liners outside of the city. I've heard nothing so far as to civilian losses, but I do know that the sixth was making noise in the lower districts."

"Go see their commanding officer, and make sure he knows that if we find anything upsetting, its his head we're coming for." Percy said. "Annabeth!" he called up to the two women in front of him, who turned.

"I need you to open a message to my father."

"Yes sir." She waved her hand, and from the precipitation in front of her, an image of his father, head in hands, on his throne came forward. Percy instinctively kneeled.

"Lord Poseidon." he started.

"Perseus! Thank god. I'd gotten the time estimations just before and this message was just late, I was starting to get worried. How did it go?" Poseidon stood, walking to the front of the image.

"The siege was successful, and Doru is now under our control. Queen Vesta understands her position as our puppet and will be compliant with diplomats on their arrival."

"Vesta always was a stubborn one… who did you threaten to get her to agree?"

"Her son attempted to attack me, but I was merciful and let him live." Poseidon laughed through the image.

"Did you retrieve the subject?" Poseidon asked, voice much more harsh. Percy pulled Thalia to his side.

"Of course I did, father. Ensured the King ordered the mages be kept with his family, therefore nobody got to them before I." Percy felt Thalia's angry glare.

"Excellent as always, my son. I expect you and the cohorts back at Ruthage in two day's time." Poseidon swiped through the message.

"Why did he call me 'the subject?'" Thalia spat. Percy started walking to the gate.

"You think we actually cared that Doru broke trading laws? If kings were held accountable for that, Ruthage would be wiped off the map within a week. No, Thalia, you are simply just a piece to get Zeus out of Hyphen." Percy said as he walked through the gate, marching to his tent. Thalia kept pace with him.

"You raided an entire city, killed thousands just to get to me? You could've negotiated with Vulcon very easily!" Thalia nearly screamed. "Speaking of the king, I bet you heartless devil showed him no mercy." Percy wheeled on her, his six-inch height advantage looming over her.

"Vulcon dug his own grave dealing with the south. We were coming for him whether he liked it or not, you were just an excuse to speed the process up." Percy sighed, "you have my guarantee, Thalia, that while you are in Ruthage, you will not be harmed. I will see to it, as will Annabeth."