this was a fun one to write. I know it's fast- that's something I really struggle with and am working on it.

let me know what you think! r&r :D

"Zeus has heard our proposal, and denied it. Olympiad will continue to use Hyphen as an advantageous position." Chiron spoke to the council. The same hall the throne sat, a oval table with a map of the continent had been moved in, seating various Northern-based kings, Perseus, Achilles, Triton, Orion, Annabeth, and Poseidon at his throne. "What will we do with the daughter then, Lord Poseidon?" Poseidon sat quietly in his throne, stroking his beard.

"Thalia can be of use to us in ways other than a bargaining chip. She knows her father's habits and tendencies more than any of us could ever dream." Annabeth spoke up, as eyes darted to her.

"I agree. If Olympiad refuses to let Hyphen stay neutral, then we must take the time to prepare ourselves for the inevitable." Percy followed her up.

"Which would be what, General Perseus?" - a king.

"The inevitable is Olympaid marching northward. Likely to Tetun or Roden, seeing as they're the two kingdoms that are closest to the Great River, and Olympiad wouldn't risk getting surrounded. They'd want to take one before pushing any further, expanding for themselves, a safe zone, if you will."

"They'll have heard of our assault on Doru and assume our forces more scattered than they are, I'd expect something soon." Chiron said.

"And where does that leave us?"

"Olympiad's army is the only one on the continent that, when fully assembled, has the numbers to match ours, and while we may have the better warriors, they are not so far behind that we can risk splitting ours in half. The other option is to gamble- put our eggs into defending the more likely of the two kingdoms and hope that Olympiad falls into our trap." Annabeth said.

"And leave the other completely unprotected? We'd be sentencing them to suicide!" a noble from Tetun hissed. "I will not stand for this."

"I've got it." Annabeth said, rising. "Lord Poseidon, if I may propose…" she trailed off, and the king nodded for her to continue, "We know they'll be forced to attack one of two kingdoms. The most likely one is Roden."

"How do you know?" Percy asked.

"Because Azotela is split right now. Half and half, deciding whether or not to support Ruthage or Olympiad, and Azotela's northern proximity makes it unfeasable for Olympiad to send boats to get their supportive mages off the island, and they wouldn't have the manpower to portal off, so Olympiad will head to the kingdom closest to Azotela for magic reinforcements." she said. Percy examined the map of the continent before them. Tetun-Roden-Azotela. West to east, with Azotela just off the eastern coast of the continent.

"How are you so sure they'd move to get their mages?"

"Because if this war eventually comes down to North against South, the North has always been more supportive of Azotela and their magic. Olympiad without the reinforcement will be weaker with mages compared to the combined magical power of the North." Annabeth's voice never wavered- full of confidence. "Roden's fields heavily favor the defender aswell, seeing as how Olympiad will have to fight uphill in order to gain any sort of direct hit to the gate.

"We should use the western bridge across the Great River as an initial point of contact, then." Percy declared, unsheathing his knife and pointing at a bridge across the large body of water, "We don't have to win the war there, but Olympiad will have to cross that bridge." Percy ran a hand through his hair, "Father, I need permission to journey to Hyphen." the kings and other military figures rose in outrage.

"You can't go there! That's Olympiad territory!" He heard Annabeth hiss.

"Silence." Poseidon said, and despite his voice being monotone, everybody in the room listened, "I understand why you make the request, Perseus, and I will grant it. On the condition that Annabeth Chase accompanies you, I've heard rumor of her work in the raid of Doru and how she saved your life, and I think her magic will come in handy in certain situations."

"Thank you father."

Hyphen was a four-day ride on horseback. Percy had sent a message to Jason Grace that he'd be arriving, and Jason expected his company.

"How do you know Jason won't lead us into a trap?"

"His child is owed to my by the Law of Balhaimer, to defy that is to defy god himself." Percy said as Annabeth and Percy made approach to a hidden door on the backside of the castle walls.

"Is that why you've come here?" a voice said, a cloaked man next to the door. Percy dismounted, tying his horse to a nearby tree, walking to the cloaked man. Percy's own cloak was a complete wrap around his body- hiding the katana at his side.

"Among other reasons, yes." Percy drew his sword, flicking the hood of the cloak down, revealing the sparkling blonde hair of Jason Grace. Percy sheathed his blade and held his hand out.

"It's good to see you, Percy." Jason said, voice quiet, and they shook hands.

"We tried everything we could to leave your kingdom out of the war, Jason, but Zeus showed his hand, he will not leave." Jason sighed, turning to Annabeth, who hadn't dismounted, still completely cloaked. "Are you going to introduce me?" he said, walking up to Annabeth, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Annabeth Chase, our most trusted mage." Percy said, and Annabeth dismounted her horse. "My father insisted I bring her, and I did not complain." Jason laughed, as Annabeth pulled her hood down and bowed before Jason.

"I see why." Jason walked back to the door. "I cannot guarantee your safety once we're inside of the walls, but I you will be able to see the child." Jason's voice was unsure, reaching for the door.

"Jason, I am not here to claim the child, I just wish to meet her."

"Him." Jason corrected.

"I was told it was a girl?"

"A boy, we were wrong. Cyprian Grace, just over six years old." Jason's face grew warm thinking about his son, as he opened the door, ushering Percy and Annabeth through the walls.

"There's something wrong. His aura reads a trap." she whispered to him.

Percy just nodded, "Zeus wouldn't personally try anything, he'd send someone else. A capture attempt, at most." his grin radiated under his hood.

"And what do we do when they attempt the capture?" she asked.

"I've seen you break bones with the snap of your fingers, I think we'll be fine." Jason finished locking the door and told a mage to re-bind it, taking the lead before Percy and Annabeth.

Hyphen hadn't changed much since Percy had been there when he was seventeen, the city was still the same, minor new buildings, with the exception of the massive battalions of Olympiad and Hyphen soldiers walking the streets. Nobody looked their way as they just looked like any other person from the Hyphen slums.

"Olympiad's forces arrived a week ago, just as you'd told us, Percy, and we tried to negotiate our neutrality, but Zeus's control over his daughter is too much, and now we're just an extension of Olympiad, a forward operating base, if you will." Jason's voice was hushed, "they've taken pleasure in beating our citizens, punishing anyone who spoke negatively about the South."

"A heavy price to pay for being the daughter of Zeus."
"You'll learn that Zeus cares less for his family then he does Poseidon's head." Jason stopped, opening another rear gate to the main Castle. The castle was quiet.

"Is he here?" Percy whispered.

"My son or Zeus?"

"Zeus."
"He is." Annabeth spoke up, eyes closed. "I sense his anger." Jason nodded awkwardly and took the lead.

"Our scouts were right. I sense no magic presence." Annabeth whispered. Jason led them up a tight spiral staircase further into the castle. Percy grew more weary as they encountered no guards on the way. They reached the top of the staircase, an elongated hallway leading to a large set of double-doors. Jason kept moving, opening the doors. Inside, Percy saw the six-year old Cyprian Grace laying on a royal couch in his mother's arms, his hair brown like his mother's. Percy entered the room, Annabeth tight on his side, and lowered his cloak.

"Perseus!" Piper gasped, standing and hugging the man, "You've grown so much since I've seen you. I never had the opportunity to thank you for your courage that night."

"What is she talking about?" Annabeth asked.

"Perseus fought Lord Zeus the night of my courting for my right to choose my husband when Jason intruded on the court, and won! Jason had the Law of Balhaimer for saving my father's life, and Percy took the same." Piper turned back to her son, waking him. Cyprian's eyes fluttered open, eyes the same blue as Jason's.

"Mother?" the boy croaked.

"Cyprian, this is Perseus Jackson of Ruthage, the man who saved your father's life, and let us get married." she explained, and the boy sat up on the couch. Percy kneeled, level to the boy's height. Percy grabbed the boy's hand, flipping his palms upwards, and feeling the callouses.

"You're teaching him." Percy muttered.

"In this world, Perseus, every man needs to know how to wield a sword. If only you could teach him, I am nowhere near you." Jason said.

Percy stood back up, "I thank you for this opportunity, Jason. I will not call the law into effect, as your child is yours to raise, but I implore that if you have any bit of doubt that he's not safe here, send him back to Ruthage with me, where I can guarantee his safety." Jason's face grew white.

"I don't want to lie to you, Perseus." Jason's voice was shaky.

"Tell me then, Jason." Percy growled.

"Percy." Annabeth hissed, "we've got company." the doors burst open, and in flooded a battalion, atleast thirty men, lead by King Ares of Hyphen.

"You're brave for showing your face here, boy." the king spoke first, in full armor, sword raised. Percy's anger bubbled, and he turned to Jason.

"I know you lied to us, and that you set us up, but to save your child's mind, I will not cut you down where you stand, Grace." Percy hissed, grabbing the hilt of Jason's sword and hitting over the head with it, the Prince of Hyphen crumbling to the ground, unconscious. Percy threw the sword out of reach, clattering with the stone floor.

"King Ares, I suspect Zeus is already aware of my presence, yet he sends another corpse my way instead of facing me himself." Percy kept his hands at his side, his sword a secret.

"The King asked me personally to handle you, and I will do anything to please the strongest Lord on the continent." Percy put two and two together.

"You're the reason they're using Hyphen as Olympiad territory, aren't you? Aphrodite wants nothing to do with her father, Ares." Percy looked back at Annabeth, who met his eyes. She was still radiating confidence. "If it is bloodshed you want on your floors, it is bloodshed you shall have." Percy unclicked his sword, the length breaking his cloak open, the hilt seamlessly fitting into his hands. "Zeus's son Hercules was not worthy of tasting this blade, what makes you think you're so special?" Ares walked closer.

"Hercules was weak, not a warrior. His accomplishments, falsified in an attempt to deceive your father, but he's smarter than we expected. I am no Hercules, boy." Ares stopped suddenly in his path. "Get him." Ares growled, and the men surrounding him charged Percy. Percy snapped to attention, cutting down Olympiad soldiers left and right. Duck under one strike- cut off a man's arm, one's leg, stab a third through the chest. Annabeth was no slack either, burning a group of five, forcing another clump to go mad, all until there were about fifteen soldiers left, all hesitant to fight the now back-to-back Percy and Annabeth.

"Stop throwing corpses at me, Ares, and fight me yourself. It's the only way you'll have a chance." Percy beckoned, and Ares spat on the ground, charging forward. Percy parried Ares's first attack, but quickly realized Ares was different from anyone he'd ever fought- he was incredibly strong. Every time Percy's sword caught Ares', Percy found himself being stunned backwards, unable to keep the lock. This was unlike any other fight, he'd always been the stronger wielder. Ares knew he had the upper hand, stalking towards Percy. Percy tried to swiftly strike at Ares's legs, but Ares parried the attack and managed a cut on Percy's shoulder. Percy cried out in pain, falling to a knee in front of Annabeth.

"Are you okay?" she dropped to his height.

Percy nodded through the pain. "I've got him." he stood again, facing Ares.

"You're out of your league, weakling." Ares bounded forward, missing a killing blow as Percy rolled to his left, in the movement he cut Ares's calf open. Ares growled, turning to Percy, charging again. Percy dodged the strike, now gushing blood from his shoulder. He started to feel weak, he must've thought the cut was shallower than it actually was. Ares galloped towards Percy, and Percy caught the sword of Ares, both of their blades going clattering out of reach. Percy immediately grabbed the knife off of Ares's hip, and stabbed him in the chest. Ares fell to a kneel.

"That knife is less than an inch from your heart, Ares. Any deeper, you die." Percy spat, hands stiff on the hilt of the knife. He noticed Annabeth grabbing his sword. "You will order Zeus to remove his men from Hyphen, declaring your own neutrality. Swear it to me on her." Percy nodded to Piper, who was covering her son's eyes. "Swear your daughter's life you'll do as I tell you." Percy hissed into Ares's face, who was wide-eyed, eyes locked with his daughter.

"I…" he hesitated, "I swear it to you, Perseus Jackson, on my daughter's life, that you will eternally kiss my ass." he spat a mixture of blood and saliva into Percy's face. Percy dug the knife deeper into Ares's chest, slowly.

"You still have time, Ares. Look at your men." he looked to the remaining soldiers, standing by the entrance. "Do you want them to see you die like this?"

"I'd rather die honorably than live knowing I've been beat." Ares spat, and Percy sighed, pushing the knife all the way into Ares's chest, who cried out in pain, falling on his back. Percy stood, taking his sword from Annabeth who was now at his side, sheathing it.

"Piper, your father is dead, the only person who wanted those Olympiad scum here in the first place. You have the power to convince your mother to tell her father to take his army elsewhere, that much is up to you, though." Percy walked up to Piper and Cyprian. Percy moved her hands away from his eyes, meeting the sky-blue. "If you ever find yourself in danger, run North, and find me. I will always find you, Cyprian Grace." Percy said, standing, and offering his hand to Annabeth, who took it. They walked out of the room, fifteen Olympiad soldiers standing, white-faced, not daring to make a move against them.

"That will not please Zeus." she said, voice hushed as they rushed back down the staircase they'd come up. "I wonder what he'll do to Piper and Jason…"
"He'll do nothing." Percy stopped in his tracks, turning back to her, "if I hear even a rumor that Zeus punished those three for Ares' insolence, I will march a million men to his doorstep and have my sword at his throat before he's even gotten the chance to wake whatever whore he'd slept with the night before." Percy spat on the ground, "Let's keep moving." They threw their hoods back on, and made their way through the streets of Hyphen, word spreading of Ares' demise clearly, as soldiers scrambled to gates and Percy spotted mages entering the royal castle. They quickly made their way back to the front gate, where a group of five soldiers were hushed speaking.

They tried to sneak by, "Hey! Nobody leaves the castle!" one shouted, all five running to meet Percy and Annabeth. Percy stiffened, turning to them. Annabeth suddenly clapped her hands next to him.

"You will let us leave." she spoke, and Percy started to fall for the magic, wanting to open the door for her, but snapped out of it. The five guards were not so strong, all five stumbling over eachother to open the gate for them. Annabeth led the way, mounting her horse, and Percy did the same.

They'd taken a stop at Tetun, a day out from Holar, the capital of Ruthage. They tied their horses up at a public stable before making their way into an inn.

"We're checking in with a scout of mine." Percy explained as he opened the door for her. The inn was mostly empty, spare the miners and soldiers that were enjoying their own company. Percy led her to the bar that was central to the space, pulling two stools out.

"What does a scout do in a place like this?" Annabeth asked.

"Not a meeting spot." Percy flipped through the bag at his side, pulling a coin out.

"What can I get 'ya?" the innkeeper asked, and Percy set the gold coin down- a lion on its hind legs engraved in the center. The innkeeper took one look at the coin, grew white-faced and looked back up at Percy, who flicked his hood down.

"And two of your finest."

"Yes, milord." the keeper hurried back, immediately returning with two cups of ale, before disappearing into the back.

"Who knew the Prince of Ruthage had connections in Tetun's slums?" Annabeth joked, taking a sip of her ale.

"I grew up with the owner of this place, his parents were like family to me." he took a swig.

"Servants?" Percy shook his head.

"Nobles in Holar, but one night…" he grimaced at the memory, "Do you know Theseus's story?" Annabeth nodded.

"A little bit. A ruthage commander who went insane and rampaged through the kingdom one night."

"One of the families he murdered…" Percy's eyes flicked up to behind Annabeth, as a man pulled her hood down from behind her.
"How much is he payin' ya, darling? I'll double it." the man's breath reeked of ale and smoke. Percy stood, but Annabeth put her hand on his chest, sitting him back down. Annabeth snapped her fingers in the man's face.

"Your home is currently being looted by the same band of gangsters who killed your wife." she whispered the man's ear, and the man's eyes grew wide, before he rushed out of the inn, screaming.

"Never do that to me." Percy said, watching the man trip over himself as he ran out.

"Your mind isn't weak enough for me to do that to, it'd only affect you for a moment, I think." she took another sip.

"Percy!" a man hollered, a medium-sized brown-haired, brown-eyed man walked out from the back, walking with a major limp.

"Grover." Percy stood, shaking the man's hand over the bar.

Grover turned to Annabeth, "and you are?"

"Annabeth Chase, I'm just accompanying Percy." Grover took the hand she held out and kissed it.

"I never thought I'd see the day that Percy Jackson took in the company of a woman, never less a mage." he smiled at Annabeth, before turning back to Percy. "What you want to know can't be discussed here…" he looked wearily at some of the guests, "May I suggest a more… private space?" Grover led them around the bar and Annabeth looked down- his left leg wasn't human, rather a wooden peg that'd been sewn onto... Annabeth almost puked at the sight of the flesh meeting wood.

The back of Grover's inn was less of an inn and more of a brothel. Various high-ranking Tetun officials and crimelords enjoying the accompany of gorgeous women, and as soon as Annabeth walked in, many eyes shot to her, some turned to jealousy once they saw Percy, and others to fear once they recognized him. Grover led them to a booth off to the side of the brothel and motioned for them to sit. A woman, completely naked, immediately brought three drinks to the table. Percy instantly switched his and Grover's.

Grover just laughed, "You never change, Percy." and he took a swig. "I wouldn't poison you, Percy. A hundred thousand soldiers might be at my doorstep within the hour, your father needs you too much. Can't imagine what Triton would look like leading an army." Percy laughed, drinking his.

"I wish I could've visited you on different terms, Grover, but these recent years…"

"I know too well, Percy. The verge of war has impacted my business too… I have no more free time, from your father's requests to simple street-men wanting things." Grover sighed, taking a swig.

"What is it you do? Sorry, Percy hasn't informed me." Annabeth spoke up.

"Ah, Percy never was one for talking, even to girls as gorgeous as you, Annabeth. I am Tetun's top-tier potion brewer, servicing anyone, from bums to King Poseidon himself." Grover took a drink, "These recent years, business has been off the charts, but… I am too busy for my own good. My people are stretched thin."

"I can help with that, Grover." Percy spoke, but Grover waved him off.

"You introducing my business to the Ruthage military has made me more money than most men can only dream of, Percy. I will not take your manpower." Another swig. "As for your information, poisons and death potions have spiked in recent months… whether that's natural or a consequence for Olympiad signing the declaration of war… Anyways, a man came by asking for me personally a week ago."

Grover sat up in his side of the booth, looking around at some of the men in the room wearily, "wanted a powder- Cyanide based, instant death. As I do with those types, I asked the reason, and he told me it was for the man whom his wife was having an affair with, but it didn't take a mage of Annabeth's power to tell she was lying."

Grover caught her eyes, "you thought you were fooling me, girl? I can smell the power radiating off you. You're one stray comment from snapping necks with thoughts." Grover drank more.

"What was he wearing?"

"All-black cloak, not the type you find down here. Made from royal silk, I have no doubt. I cursed the vial with a tracking magic." Grover drank again, slamming the now-empty cup down. The same naked women came back, replacing it with a full one.

"Where is it?" Percy was still calm.

"Just outside of Holar, as of this morning. Right now?" he closed his eyes, "Inside of the city. Close to the castle, but not inside."

"Did the man give you a name?"

"Ethan Nakamura, and he didn't lie." Swig.

"Can you share with me the scent?" Annabeth asked, and Grover nodded, pulling a piece of cloth from his pocket. Annabeth held it up to her nose, wafting the scent into her nose. Her head snapped back for a moment, worrying Percy, before she returned to normal.

"The vial is hot, the man has it in his hand. Still full, too. If he holds it much longer the cyanide in the vial will burn through the glass and incinerate his hand." she mumbled, "He's close to the castle, but not close enough to be worried." She pocketed the cloth.

"I need that, y'know." Grover motioned for the cloth back. Annabeth rolled her eyes, ripping it in half and giving it back. "Azotela trained?" he asked.

"Artemis herself." Grover scoffed.

"Must've had a fucked up childhood for her to extend her training."

"You?"

"Self-taught. Working with herbs and potions, you learn a thing or two." Grover toasted to her, and Annabeth reciprocated, clanking their mugs together.

"Aye you do." she responded.

"Anything else?" Percy interrupted. Grover took another look around, leaning towards Percy.

"My eyes within the army tell me that they're preparing for mobilization. Saying he overheard his commanding officer talk about the hills of Roden and how they think they can take advantage of the uphill. Something about an encircling movement." Grover took another look around. "I'd expect Olympiad to march by month's end."