Son of the sea foam

by Master of thr forgotten

Not my story it is on ao3 I place it hear for my convinces if u don’t like that deal with it

11. 11

Son of sea foam

CaffeinatedFlumadiddle

Chapter 11

Chapter Text

Percy would rather face a hundred monsters than turn to his left.

As it was, there were so many eyes on him. So much shock and outrage. People were already raising their weapons - angry whispers mixed in with furious objections from all sides. Even some of the gods were looking at Percy with uncertainty. Still, he couldn't turn left. He wasn't ready for that.

"Hey- hey!" someone snarled, and Percy glanced over to see Mitchell disarming someone. "What the Hell do you think you're doing?" he asked and shoved the person down. There were more angry murmurs. "All of you are dumbasses. He just fought Zeus. Do you think your swords stand a chance?" Percy's heart sank. Oh. Yeah. Of course. He looked down and awkwardly shifted, a little uncertain of what to do next when something touched his leg. He jumped - peering down to find Lacy looking up at him with big eyes.

"Can I hold the trident?" she asked. The tension in his stomach loosened as Percy laughed weakly.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea-"

"Are you insane?" Drew's voice came next. Percy felt a swell of surprise to find several members of the Aphrodite cabin all filtering out of the crowd towards him. He tried to count. There were maybe six of them out of the... oh, gods. How many of them were there now? Twenty-one? Drew's yelling silenced the thought. "Who does that? How could you be so-? Silena, you let him do this?!" she asked and pulled him into a hug. Percy stumbled, almost falling at the suddenness of it.

"I think it was awesome," Jaime said stoically and looked at where Zeus was still under the nets. "Are we going to kill him?"

"You can't kill gods," Troy informed her and then looked at Percy hopefully. "Can I hold the trident?"

"He said no," Lacy reported back sadly. Jaime began loudly protesting that they could figure out a way to murder Zeus as Mitchell made his way up, crossing his arms over his chest. Percy cringed. He remembered Mitchell's comments of kátaras well. The rest of the cabin all fell silent. Silena was walking up - possibly to defend him when Mitchell took a few more steps forward, so he was right in Percy's face.

"You have a lot of nerve," he said. Percy swallowed. "Do you know how many canoe races we lost against the other cabins? And you didn't even think to cheat?" he asked. Percy blinked. "I told you that I bet twelve drachmas that we could win a race against the Demeter cabin, and you just let me lose my money?" Percy felt a smile spread across his face. "No, no! Don't look so pleased with yourself - Drew. Are you with me on this?"

"Yeah, what the Hell, Percy?" Drew said and threw up her hands. "And what was with that intro? You're ditching us for Poseidon?"

"Oh," he said and rubbed the side of his arm. "Well, I mean, he... he's my dad-"

"You don't know that man."

Percy laughed. He felt a swell of relief as Sam shook their head, placing a hand on him so that any residual fear morphed into a sort of tranquility. He wanted to be annoyed and the emotional intervention, but Sam might have erased that too. Perhaps it was needed, though. It was the confidence that he needed to finally look left.

Violet eyes were watching him. They shifted slightly - mirroring his mother's eyes as Percy turned and took a few steps towards where Aphrodite was waiting. Her expression was completely blank as he knelt, bowing his head. The people surrounding them hushed. Aphrodite said nothing.

"I... should explain myself," he began and bit his lip as he tried to find the words. "I never- I mean, I... I know I've taken advantage of you and your kindness. It... I hope you can understand why I did it - and I meant what I said! Everything I've done, I wanted to honor you for giving me sanctuary in all of this. I'm sorry that I lied. And Elliott Parker!" he added with a yelp and risked a quick glance up. He couldn't read her expression. "He wasn't Poseidon's son. He was a child of Phorcys trying to make Big Three kids look bad! So, um, it... please don't hate Poseidon kids. I definitely wouldn't ever hurt anyone in your cabin. Never. I just..." he trailed off, growing silent when he felt a hand lightly touch his head.

"Rise," Aphrodite told him. Bracing himself, he stood up and forced himself to meet her eyes. "Are you hurt?"

Percy frowned and then shook his head. Her hand went up to his cheek - brows coming together almost in confusion.

"You don't seem upset," Percy said cautiously. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you not angry I pretended to be your son?"

"Pretended?" Aphrodite repeated slowly. "Perseus, you are my son."

He stared. Had she... somehow missed his, uh, announcement over there? Maybe she got distracted? Fell asleep? He wasn't sure. It could have been a boring fight. "Maybe not in the way I thought, but nevertheless," she said. Percy stared back at her in utter bewilderment.

"But, uh, Poseidon?" he said and held up the trident. Aphrodite scoffed. Then brought up both hands to place on his cheeks. "You still want me?" he asked - not really daring to believe it.

"Want you? This isn't an issue of wanting you. You are mine whether I want you or not," she said simply and lowered her hands. Percy stared at her as if she had grown a second head. "Listen to me." Percy swallowed. "There is a mortal saying... that we cannot choose our family. Often, this is correct. Rarely can we pick our children," she said with a shake of her head. "And I did not pick you - even if I claimed you," she said and clasped her hands together in front of her. "However, you did pick me. And for that, I am honored."

Oh, no. Percy couldn't cry. So many people were still watching him.

Eh, whatever. It probably wasn't appropriate to just hug a goddess, but Percy had a long day, and he was just so relieved. Aphrodite didn't seem to mind as she chuckled - running a hand over the back of his head as she squeezed back. When he let go, someone cleared their throat.

"Dad," Percy said and gave him a weak smile. "Um, I'm guessing you want this back?" he asked, holding out the trident. Poseidon grabbed it - though his eyes were narrowed at Aphrodite.

"Yes, thank you, my son," he said and then turned to give Aphrodite the fakest smile he had ever seen on an immortal. "And I must thank you for looking after him for all these years, Aphrodite. Even if you did not realize it. I am indebted to you."

"Aw," Aphrodite chuckled. "That is so sweet," she said and put a hand on Percy's arm. "But no."

"No?"

"No."

"Um, what?" Percy asked, a little out of the loop. He wasn't entirely sure what they were no-ing about, but he also got the feeling this argument wouldn't be resolved soon.

"Do you think you can just take him back?" Aphrodite asked. Poseidon rolled his eyes. "I raised him. I claimed him. Were you the one dealing with his endless, illegal quests? No. Giving him gifts? No. Receiving his prayers? No. My children taught him everything he knows. Don't pretend like you can just stake a claim and leave."

"You cannot steal my son."

"He's not your son."

"He-? Excuse me?" Poseidon said and huffed. "I did all of those things too! Just with discretion," he objected and then scowled. "I worried when Hades confided in me about Demeter's obstinance," he grumbled. Percy bit back amusement at the idea that Hades had called Poseidon to complain about the Nico-Bianca-Demeter situation. "You cannot follow in her footsteps. He is my child. He used my powers to defeat Zeus!"

"He also used mine," Aphrodite shrugged. "I- watch this," she said and turned to where the other Aphrodite kids were patiently waiting behind them. "Hello, my darlings!" she called over. "Lacy, sweetheart, who is Perseus to you?" she asked. Lacy looked over from trying to climb on Jaime's shoulders to stare blankly at them.

"Perseus? Who is that?" she asked and then grinned. "Oh! Percy!" she said when he waved at her. "That's my brother," she told him and then looked at Troy. "Why did she call him Perseus?" she whispered as Aphrodite smugly turned back to Poseidon. He scowled for a moment before looking out to the crowd.

"EVELYN!"

"Don't you dare try to include me in this!" Evelyn's voice answered. Poseidon spluttered as Percy had to look down at the ground to hide his smile. It was kind of flattering. He hadn't anticipated two godly parents wanting him. Whatever else Poseidon might have used as an argument was cut off by a sudden cry from behind them as Nico di Angelo pushed his way to the front and pointed at Percy.

"You were serious?!" he shouted. Percy shook his head at him in exasperation. "No, I don't believe it. You aren't Poseidon's son," he said stubbornly as Aphrodite gave a small 'aha!' under her breath. "It doesn't make sense - you have love magic!" he argued.

"I do?"

"He does?" Poseidon asked at the same time. Nico's scowl deepened as he stood up on a piece of debris from Zeus and Percy's fight.

"HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE THINK PERCY HAS LOVE MAGIC?!" he shouted. Rachel raised her hand. So did a solid thirteen other people. Apollo slowly lifted his hand before Artemis slapped it back down. "SEE?!" Nico shrieked. Percy stared - dumbstruck.

"Huh," he said and turned to Silena. "You really did a good job in helping me blend in."

Silena closed her eyes.

"Oh, sweetheart," she sighed and walked over to where Aphrodite was gloating, and Poseidon was loudly beginning to object. She rubbed his arm. "I've bought you so many mirrors in hopes you might work through this," she muttered. Percy rolled his eyes as he let himself be led away. "You're not hurt, are you? I don't know where your weak spot is..." she said, stepping back to examine Percy carefully.

"No, I'm good," he said, grabbing her hands to stop her from poking at him. "But I do have a bone to pick with you," he added. Silena raised an eyebrow. "You promised me a tattoo," he said and held out his hands. "And now I have the Curse of Achilles, so I can't get one. You planned this," he added to her with a pout. Silena's lips quirked up.

"I think that if it isn't an attack, then you're good," she said. Percy narrowed his eyes. Was that a thing? He thought back to Achilles. He had scars all over his body... which was kind of weird in retrospect. Didn't his mom dip him in the River Styx as a baby? Maybe there were loopholes. "What would you even get?" she added, sounding genuinely curious. They had talked about it a few times back when he was twelve and desperately trying to blend in as much as possible.

"A grapevine or something. For Castor," he shrugged and then paused. "Maybe something for Thalia, too," he considered. Silena's face softened.

"I thought Castor was allergic to grapes?" she asked. Percy grinned. He had been. He and Pollux were deathly allergic because Dionysus was currently banned from wine or anything grape-related. It had led to one particular instance where Percy jokingly said Castor should try one and stick himself with an EpiPen only for Castor to do exactly that. Somehow, that had been a calmer time in his life.

"It would be an ode to his heritage and an attempt to annoy him from the afterlife," Percy reasoned. Silena rolled her eyes before hooking their arms together. She looked like she might say something else but was silenced by a loud gasp as Ares suddenly moved forward. Silena yelped and shoved Percy to the ground with her - sizzling heat blasting overhead as yells and growls of anger swirled around them. When Percy looked back up, Hermes and Artemis each had a hold on Ares as Athena pointed the master bolt at his throat.

"This is a disgrace," Ares hissed out and tried to pull away from the other gods' grips. "He is king! Release him!" he demanded. Athena narrowed her eyes.

"He has lost the fight."

"And you're in charge? Because some snot-nosed brat decided to crown you?" he asked loudly. Silena's hand tightened on Percy's arm. "I will not accept this. What of the rest of you? Mother?" he asked, turning to Hera. "Would you truly stand against your own husband for this wretch?" Hera's face remained blank. "Poseidon, you would go against him?" Poseidon also didn't answer. "Fools. I will release him myself-"

"Take another step," Athena cut in coolly. "And you will join him."

Everyone went deadly silent.

Unsurprisingly, Ares did the stupid thing and launched forward. There was another burst of light, and Athena had him pinned in seconds, bounding his wrists in bronze ropes. There were some screams from the campers - Clarisse stepped forward with an outraged cry.

"You can't do that! He's the God of War!" she shouted, shoving a few kids to the side to step forward before gesturing to the titan army. "Here we all are right next to the enemy, and you want to arrest the one person who can help take down the titans after you subdued Zeus!" she said. A few of her siblings all gave sharp cries of agreement. Athena hesitated, then looked at Ares with thin lips.

"He would release our father," she finally said. "And until we know his fate, I cannot allow that. I'm sorry, child."

Clarisse's face hardened.

"You won't disrespect us like this," she said darkly, looking around. "Well?! Anyone else have something to say?!" she asked. Percy grimaced as she shook her in disgust, giving Athena a hard look. "We will not fight with you. Have fun under the titan's rule," she said and turned away, grabbing one of her brothers' shoulders to shove him away from the crowd.

Silena cursed. "That's not good - Clarisse!" she called and gave Percy a quick kiss on the cheek before racing after her. "CLARISSE!"

Percy felt his previous relief zap out of him immediately. Now that Silena was gone, he felt a stab of concern as he turned to find everyone watching. A few people watched with their weapons out while others backed away - almost scattering when he met their eyes. He took a step forward, and one camper raised her spear defensively. Percy winced.

"Fuck off," Evelyn snapped as she passed by and shoved the spear down. Then smiled at Percy. "Hey there, champ," she told him and took Silena's place next to him. "Don't be stupid and wander off alone after all of that. They will still try to stab you in the back. You just took down a powerful god. Everyone is afraid of you," she told him bluntly. Percy deflated.

"The Aphrodite kids aren't," he said and then perked up. "Mitchell was okay with it!"

Evelyn's face softened.

"That's great," she said gently and squeezed his arm. "But don't let your guard down. Especially not now," she sighed, looking at where there was a stirring among the groups. "Kronos has ordered us back to prepare for battle. He's trying to behave, but I can tell he's getting nervous," she said, wringing her hands.

"What do you mean?"

"I told him that we need to be as empathetic and fair as possible to keep our allies from following the rebellion. With Zeus gone," she took a long breath and pressed a finger to her temper. For a second, her eyes flashed gold, and Percy almost jolted back. When they settled again, she shook her head, looking vaguely annoyed. "With Zeus gone," she repeated. "He's really counting on Typhon to take down the rest of the Olympians," she said and grimaced. "If he had his way, he would attack right now."

It was honestly that route that made the most sense. The idea they were all just standing there... knowing that they'll all be killing each other soon was... strange. Percy looked around with a heavy heart. It was a harsh reminder that this really wasn't their war. They were just the soldiers in it. Evelyn tapped his shoulder to regain his attention.

"Percy," she said and smiled weakly. "The next time we see each other, we're going to be enemies. You do understand that, right?"

"We don't have to be," Percy said. "Honestly, Evelyn. This could be so easy. Ares just stepped out. Zeus is gone. I know you don't like the Olympians, but if you just joined us... people would follow you. We could take down the titans and focus on... I don't know. Infrastructure or something," he said. Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "You know, political... reformation... stuff," he decided. She laughed. For a second, it looked like she considered the words before the expression dropped.

"But they aren't going to bring Vera and Hugo back."

"They could," Percy objected. Evelyn looked at him. "Athena is in charge now. We could ask her," he said, though his voice was doubtful. He wasn't really sure how that would even work. Evelyn and Hazel were plants brought back to human forms. Could dead souls be resurrected? "I mean, Hades would be grateful for you helping Nico and Bianca and... wait!" he gasped and grabbed her hand. "Come here," he said and dragged her through the crowd to where Bianca was kneeling next to an exasperated Nico.

"I just had some centaur blood. Will, tell her I just had some centaur blood," he said, reaching out to lightly nudge Will. Bianca was frowning at where nasty black spirals were beginning to move up Nico's arm - looking concerning enough that nobody aside from Will and Demeter stood within a hundred yards of them.

"...but we're mortal enemies," Will said, looking down at Nico with a smugness that would have had Percy laughing in any other situation. Nico glared back up. "He did just have centaur blood," he added to Bianca. "I'm going to have my dad look at him-"

"Try Hera," Percy said, pulling Evelyn over with him. "Calypso said she was Hercules' greatest weakness, so she would be the best bet in healing the mark," he said. Bianca frowned, giving a slight nod. Her eyes flicked to Will.

"Yeah, I'll go get her," Will said and then gave Nico a sweet smile. "For my favorite mortal enemy," he drawled. Nico's lip puckered out slightly as he watched them go.

Bianca laughed. "I bet you miss him being nice to you now, huh?" she asked, ruffling Nico's hair. He muttered something lowly and drew his knees to his chest. Demeter frowned at him, a worried frown set on her lips before she looked over at where the rest of her cabin was sitting. Katie Gardner was watching in the distance - keeping a hand on one of the younger campers.

It looked as though the Demeter cabin hadn't been on board with Nico like the Aphrodite cabin was with Percy. He watched as Nico weakly waved at Miranda. When she turned away, he deflated slightly.

Side Note: When all of this was over, he was going to have some words with whoever was camp counselor of that cabin.

Filing that away for later, he opened his mouth to speak when Bianca suddenly brought out her bow and arrow, spinning around towards rippling shadows. Percy yanked out his sword - getting into formation instinctively before the form shifted into something a bit more familiar.

"Peace, Bianca," the voice said. "I have come as a... friend," Hades responded and looked around. "I heard Zeus was bested by a fifteen-year-old," he mused, and his lips twitched when he indeed saw Zeus still in the nets as Artemis and Apollo stood guard. "How fun."

"Have you decided to make yourself useful?" Demeter asked. "Bianca and Nico plan to fight for their freedom in this war. Will you join them?" she asked. Hades looked at her with utter distaste before turning to where Percy was.

"Poseidon?" he asked. Percy nodded. "I knew it," he muttered and shook his head. "Nobody thinks to listen to me. Has Aphrodite acted as heinously as this one?" he asked with a gesture towards Demeter. Percy wouldn't use the word 'heinously' but figured a nod would still suffice. Hades pinched the bridge of his nose. Demeter crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. "I have... come to speak to Athena," he said slowly. "With Zeus gone..."

"Are you going to try and take the empty seat?" Evelyn asked from beside Percy. Hades blinked at her. "Hugo would have liked that," she smiled at him. Recognition flickered in his eyes.

"Evelyn Laurent," he greeted. "I've been hearing much about you... again," he added with a snort. "What is it with children of mine being so besotted with creatures of the sea?" he asked. Percy tilted his head. Were Hades and Poseidon a common pairing among demigods? Nico made a choking noise from the ground.

"Does this mean you're going to fight, my lord?" Demeter asked, shifting the conversation. Hades opened his mouth only to find Bianca's weapon still leveled at him.

"I would perhaps consider it," he said and raised an eyebrow at Bianca. "If the new council might think to right Zeus' wrongs. Nico has been asking about me joining the Olympians as it is..." he added with an exasperated look down. Nico shrugged.

Bianca's eyes narrowed slightly before her look shifted to Demeter.

"You would really do that?" she asked. Hades narrowed his eyes right back at her. It was actually crazy how much they looked alike now that Percy saw the same expression on their faces. "Interesting," Bianca said, and a shadow of a smile touched her face. "I'll have to ask my mom, though. I'm not allowed to accept strangers' help."

Nico laughed. When Hades looked at him, he quickly turned it into a cough.

"You know who I am."

"You... do look familiar," Bianca said and then wrinkled her nose. "Are you Lady Persephone's husband?" she said and lowered her bow. "Nico, I think this is our brother-in-law," she said. Demeter beamed at her.

"Bianca, stop," Nico said, voice apologetic as he looked at Hades. "He's an important god. Don't be rude," he said. Bianca fixed him with a surprised look. "He is our mother's brother. That makes him our uncle-"

"You've ruined my children," Hades said, turning to Demeter. "You awful, awful woman. What have you done to my children?"

"You mean my children?" Demeter asked innocently. Hades threw up his hands.

"I'll leave-"

"No!" Nico and Bianca said at the same time. Hades scowled at them.

"I'm sorry," Bianca said. "I know you're our father. Thank you for coming," she said.

Percy cleared his throat. "Is... is nobody else bothered that brother-in-law, uncle, and father were all technically correct?" he asked. The group turned to him. "No? Just me? Okay," he said. Evelyn leaned in.

"I think it's weird."

"Thank you."

"Uh-huh. Why am I here again?"

Oh. Right. Percy had initially come to ask Nico and Bianca to appeal on his behalf, but now that Hades was here himself...

"Hugo and Vera," Percy spoke up, regaining the group's attention. "Would you resurrect them?" he asked. Hades looked back at him as if he had somehow sprouted three more heads. "Hugo was your son and wrongfully murdered," he reasoned. "And if he came back, Evelyn might join our side, which would probably bring even more demigods over, so we outnumber the titans," he added. Evelyn made a choking noise - apparently, she hadn't expected this.

Hades' expression went through a couple of different variations of shock before settling on something a little more exasperated.

"Is this what you're fighting for?" he asked Evelyn. She tensed, and Hades gave her almost a pitying look. "Hugo cared for you deeply. That is the only reason I will not blast you for such an inane suggestion," he said with a shake of his head. "Hugo is in Elysium," he said. "Do you expect me to pluck my son from paradise to place him in a world he is unfamiliar with to fight a war that is not his simply to appease you?" he asked. Evelyn's breath caught.

"They... are all in Elysium?" she asked uncertainly. Hades' expression went guarded. Finally, he nodded. Percy glanced over at Evelyn, but she gave nothing away.

"The dead are dead. Even if wrongfully so," he said, voice going almost gentle. "For those whom the Fates do allow to return from such a state...there is always a terrible price."

This was not going how Percy had hoped. He waited for a bigger reaction, but Evelyn only turned and walked away - not even dignifying that with an answer. Percy raced after her.

"Evelyn!"

"I can't do it," she said when he caught up. "Let me go back with the titans."

"But-"

"But what? I'm not accepting that!" she said, voice rising a few octaves. "I can't. I... If I can't bring them back...what... I mean, what have I even been doing?" she asked. "What was the point of me coming back?" she asked. Percy swallowed. "Isn't your fatal flaw loyalty? You get it, right?" she asked.

Percy wasn't sure he did. Honestly, maybe if they were someplace awful like the Fields of Punishments, but...

"I'm not sure this is loyalty," he told her. "Hades has a point. You'd be dragging them into all of this-"

"He's lying," Evelyn said, voice growing louder with each syllable. "They aren't in Elysium. The gods wouldn't allow something like that. No. When have they ever shown that kind of mercy?" she asked. Percy closed his eyes. "I have the right to take back everything they took from me-"

"Do you?" Percy interrupted. Evelyn looked at him. There was tension in the air - a sense of betrayal, but Percy couldn't decide who, exactly, it was coming from. "If that's what you truly believe is the right thing to do. If you really have lost all faith in the gods. If you really think Kronos will be kind to all of those under his charge..." he trailed off. Evelyn opened her mouth to answer, but a scream cut her off. They turned to find Will rushing over to someone on the ground.

"Get it off! Get it off!" A camper shrieked. Murmurs began to rise as Hera swept down over to look down at the demigods with curled lips. What was this? He was about to ask when another scream followed. Then another. And another. Percy grabbed a camper who had suddenly gasped and looked down.

Marks. All of them were covered in red marks. Hercules.

"Shit-" Pollux's voice came from behind Percy as he shoved by. "Cal said that Hera could probably heal this, right?" he asked. Percy felt a jolt of alarm as he looked down to see a mark had also appeared on his arm. He looked over at Evelyn. None of the titan demigods had any sign of it. Grabbing Pollux, he narrowed his eyes at her.

"I guess Kronos decided to play dirty after all," he told her and shoved Pollux away from the increasingly panicked crowd. Gods were trying to keep everyone calm as Percy moved through them all.

"HERA!" he shouted and pulled Pollux over. "This is Hercules' mark. You're his greatest enemy. You can heal this," he said and pushed Pollux towards him. He was hoping Will had already brought her to Nico. If not, he was next. Hera glanced up from where she was looking over a different demigod. Gods, please let her actually help... please... please, don't be an asshole...

"Let me see," she said curtly and put her hand over the demigod's arm. Her hand glowed. When she pulled it back, the mark was gone. This was good news. The bad news was that the demigod collapsed. Hera pursed her lips. "It... appears I can," she said and dusted her hands off. "But it is a big thing to heal. He will be unconscious for three days to fully recover," she said with a nod towards the unconscious demigod.

"Three days?" Annabeth asked, suddenly appearing next to him. "But we're fighting soon. Apollo?" she asked, turning to him. There was a flash of light, and Apollo knelt down - fingers trailing over the boy's form for a moment before shaking his head.

"I could wake him up, but the curse would come back. If Hera's power is really the only thing that can heal it, then it'll need time to work through Hercules' powers. This isn't a measly injury or illness I can cure by snapping my fingers," he said with a hint of regret. Annabeth's fingers twitched to her own arm. Percy felt his stomach twist to see the red dot also forming on her. Calm. He needed to stay calm.

Annabeth swallowed. Evelyn had called her forces back, leaving them alone with the Olympians, the campers, and rebels. She looked down at her arm and grimaced. Then shook her head.

"I guess I'm going to fight through it then," she said. "I'll find Chiron and get more centaur blood. I don't know how much he can give, but maybe he can call some other centaurs in to help. The Party Ponies or-"

"What?" Percy spluttered. "Annabeth-"

"I'm going to fight too," Pollux decided. "I'll tell the others what the options are," he said and turned away. Percy grabbed his arm. "Don't be an idiot about this," Pollux sighed. "I know what I'm doing."

"You do not," Percy argued. "You and Annabeth are- wait, Annabeth?" he frowned and turned to where she was standing. "Why aren't you with Luke?" he asked. Annabeth looked at him for a couple minutes. He supposed her mom was a hotshot now, but he got the feeling that wasn't the tipping point for her. Annabeth sighed, giving him a weak look. It was tired. Pained.

"I... did some thinking," she said and looked over the sea of demigods. "Luke is right about most of this. Almost all of it," she said with a shrug. "And if he was being reasonable, then he would switch sides now that Zeus is gone. I mean, he's angry with Hermes, but... I know what he's really after," she said and shook her head. "He wants Thalia back too. If Kronos hadn't offered her, then he would be with us too."

"And... you...?"

"Thalia wouldn't want to come back. I know that. Luke does too. Deep down," Annabeth said and crossed her arms over her chest. "And I told him that," she added before biting her lip. "I've given him all the loyalty I can," she finally said and took a long breath. "Now it's his turn. We'll see what he does." Percy grimaced. Her voice broke at the end, and he couldn't help but open his arms up a bit. For a second, he thought she might judo flip him, but instead, she rushed in and hugged him tightly.

Percy wanted to say Luke would come around, but... he didn't really know. Percy hoped he did, though. For Annabeth, if nothing else.

Behind them, the gods all gathered closer as Athena stepped into the center of the group. She waved her hands. Twelve seats appeared. Annabeth stepped back, eyes flicking over the impromptu thrones warily.

"We must create some order," she said and sat on the middle throne. Everyone fell silent. "This is an opportunity for us to reconstruct the seats of power," she said, eyes flicking around. "Apollo, Artemis. Do you accept your seats back?" she asked, waving her hand. Two of the seats flickered to gold and silver. Artemis and Apollo looked at one another and then moved to sit down. "Demeter?" she asked. Another seat shifted into a throne filled with flowers and wheat. Demeter gave Hades a smug look before walking over to take her throne. "Hermes and Dionysus. Am I to assume you will also join?" she asked. Ares roared from where demigods were guarding him - keeping him a solid hundred feet away from Zeus. Percy got the feeling Athena might not offer him his throne back. Not quite yet, anyway. Dionysus and Hermes each walked up and sat down. "Poseidon and Aphrodite?" she asked. Percy turned to find his parents still next to each other - both glaring heatedly at one another. Athena grimaced. "You are free to refuse," she added, almost hopefully. Aphrodite tossed her hair over her shoulder and sat down.

"For all my children, I accept this honor," she said. Poseidon shook his head in disgust.

"We shall have to ask Sally Jackson her opinion on this matter," he said and took his throne. Aphrodite laughed.

"She would agree that we have two children," she told him. Percy almost rolled his eyes but then backtracked.

"Wait - two children?" he asked, a little alarmed. Aphrodite looked at him.

"Ah. Yes, you haven't seen your mother recently," she frowned. That was sort of true. Percy still spoke and called her, but given that Zeus had been trying to kill him all year, it wasn't like he could have gone home. Hadn't Aphrodite been on lockdown? How had she seen his mother? "Well, don't worry. Your sister isn't born yet-"

"Excuse me?" Poseidon began, but Athena had cut him off, throwing irritated looks at everyone as she cleared her throat.

"Hera," Athena said and looked at her. Hera rose herself to her full height. "You are taking this all... calmly," she noted. "Your temper has been famed for many years. Do you have nothing to say?" she asked suspiciously. Hera looked at her thoughtfully. Then to Zeus and Ares. Percy almost felt a little bad. That was her husband and son. He wouldn't blame her for going against them.

"Keep them alive," she finally said with a nod towards them. "And I will join you. That is all I can offer for now. I cannot promise my loyalty or my support. Only that I will wait until the dust has settled to strike."

Well... at least she was honest. Athena seemed satisfied by that either way. Her hand flicked, and a peacock throne appeared beside her. Some people whispered. It looked as if Athena hadn't demoted her, weirdly enough. Hera also seemed surprised as she took her place next to Athena.

"Hephaestus?" she asked. He also stepped up to accept his throne. Finally, everyone turned to where Hades was watching with absolutely no expression. Athena smiled at him. "Hello, Hades," she said and looked at him. With a flick of her wrist, another throne appeared. "Ares is unavailable to fill his throne at the moment... but I would like to keep the balance."

Hades looked at her.

"I know you can count, Athena," he finally said. "My presence would do the opposite of keeping the balance."

"Who said I was done?" she asked, and one more chair appeared on the opposite side of Hades' offered throne. "Aunt Hestia?" she asked and smiled. Percy followed her gaze to find that the girl he had spoken to earlier was indeed in the crowd, tending to some injured parties. "You once held this seat and then gave it up again to keep the peace. I would like to ask you to restore that balance today."

A murmur went over. Hades glanced over at where Hestia slowly stood up.

"You would have me rejoin the council? I am not a war god. Nor can I rule with an iron fist."

"You are just and fair. We are not looking for fear and war, but peace and patience. I must be honest. Even amongst the current council, there is not much of that. I think your mind would bring some much-needed balance," she said and then looked at Hades again. "I think both of you would bring such balance," she added. "But it is your decision. I only ask that you make it now."

"They would not dare!" Zeus shouted. This seemed to be the push Hades needed. At Zeus' words, he looked him dead in the eyes and sat down. Hestia stepped forward. She hesitated - looking warily at the gods all sat expectantly. Then, finally, she walked over and placed herself in the empty seat. There was a beat of silence before Bianca started clapping, and soon everyone followed suit.

"We must prepare for war," Athena said, nodding to the group. "But first, we must figure out how to approach this situation at hand," she said with a nod at Ares and Zeus. "We cannot risk either being freed until this battle has been won," she frowned. Zeus yanked and jerked against his bindings - going bright only for a moment before being drained again. Ares reacted similarly, thrashing like a caged lion. "Ares, you will be freed upon our victory," Athena continued. "Until then, you will be placed in Olympus where titans cannot reach you."

There was another murmur at that. Athena raised her hand, and it went silent.

"As for my father..."

"Here's an idea," Apollo volunteered and gave his father a meek smile. "Turn him mortal."

A loud round of shouts started up at that. Percy raised his brows. There was an idea. Athena frowned.

"I'm not sure about that."

"Why not?" Apollo asked. "He is clearly a fan of doling out such punishments," he said with a hint of bitterness. "Poseidon and I have both suffered such fates in the past," he added. Zeus swore loudly - jerking against the chains so fiercely that everything rattled. "At the very least, it would allow him to be docile even if freed."

"Docile is a strong word," Hermes cut in. "Look at Perseus Jackson. He is a mortal, is he not?"

"Perseus Jackson was raised as a mortal," Artemis pointed out. A few people turned to him. He shrugged. "Zeus may grow powerful in a mortal form, but it would take time. The loss of divinity would leave him weak-"

"And vulnerable," Hera cut in. "Such a punishment would be a death sentence."

"Oh, would it?" Apollo asked dryly. "I believe I made such an argument a few times," he said and looked down at Zeus again. "I believe his words to me were something along the lines of... what was it? If you are worthy, then you will survive?" he asked. Then shrugged. "But these are merely my thoughts. Athena?" he asked.

Athena pursed her lips. "We will vote," she decided. "Then, after the war, we will decide if this condition is to remain permanent," she decided. The demigods all froze. This was something entirely new. Granted, Zeus being unseated as king was wild enough, but the idea he would be forced into mortality as well? As one of them? Unheard of. The gods all shifted. "All in favor of mortality for Zeus until the battle has ended?" she asked. Apollo raised his hand. So did Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, Dionysus, Hades, and Hermes. Poseidon hesitated - fixing Zeus with a long look before looking up in the distance towards the titan camp. Then joined in the vote as well. "And against?" Athena asked.

Hera, Hephaestus, and Hestia all raised their hands. Athena nodded.

"It is decided," she said and stood up. Just like that, the thrones were gone, and all the gods were left in their armor. "We now must make plans for war. The titan army has struck a blow to our demigods," she sighed, looking at the group warily. "For those who will fight, you must have as much treatment as you can bear. Apollo. Dionysus. I want you to help keep them sane as long as possible," she told them. Both gods nodded. "Hades and Demeter, please assist the demigods in their attacks," she added. Demeter and Hades both looked at each other with equal annoyance but agreed. "Hera, for those who choose not to fight - begin healing their marks," she added.

Hera said nothing.

"Artemis and Hestia, please guard Ares and Zeus on Olympus. If the demigods fall, then our home's defense goes to you," she said, and there was an indistinct murmur as Hestia and Artemis nodded. Athena considered. "Hermes, join them," she decided. Hermes frowned. "I know you wish to go after your son," she added to him gently. "Resist, for now," she told him. Hermes' lips pursed, but he nodded. "Aphrodite, you and Hephaestus will assist Poseidon in the fight against Oceanus."

Poseidon frowned.

"Me?" Aphrodite asked. "Why-?"

"Hephaestus can provide you with the weapons needed," Athena said. "We are well-armed here," she said and then smiled as her eyes flicked to Percy. "And something tells me that you and Poseidon would be a... powerful and underestimated combination."

"Hear! Hear!" someone called, and Percy almost gasped out loud. "Finally, someone sees my worth," Rhode said from where she had appeared on one of the rocks to the side. Percy beamed. "Hey there, little brother," she winked at him. "Heard you kicked Zeus' ass."

"What are you doing here?" Percy asked her, pushing some people out of the way as Rhode jumped down. She laughed when he hugged her.

"You've gotten taller," she noted. It was true. The last time Percy had seen her, he had only gone up to her elbow. Now he was a good inch or two bigger than her. "And I came to help my parents," she added and looked over to Poseidon and Aphrodite. "I don't remember you bickering over me so earnestly," she added with a feigned pout of offense. Aphrodite held up a finger.

"That is not true. Your father simply says you refuse to leave Atlantis. Is that true? Or is he holding you hostage?"

"I'm not - why would I hold my own daughter hostage?" Poseidon asked, voice growing irritated. "She likes it there. It's her home-"

"More than with her mother?"

"You get it!" Demeter cried out and turned to Hades. "You hear that? A daughter's home is with her mother-"

"I've changed my mind about being on the council," Hades told Athena solemnly.

Rhode gave a delighted laugh before kissing Percy's cheek.

"Thank you, Mother. I would very much enjoy this conversation more after this war is done," she said and stepped forward. "For now, I think we should finish our work against Oceanus," she added. Athena gave her an appreciative smile at that, looking relieved that someone was on track. "But, if I may inquire," she added with a look around them. "Might I ask Lady Athena what she is to do during all of this fighting?"

Athena grimaced. For a second, Percy thought she might even look... worried.

"Zeus once fought Typhon himself and won. I will do the same."

Percy felt his eyes widen. She wanted to take on Typhon... alone? He felt his mouth drop slightly as the other gods all murmured. Athena raised her hand, silencing the unsettled whispers and uncertain cries.

"Mother," Annabeth frowned, stepping forward. "Typhon is one of the most powerful enemies the titans have to offer."

"This is true," Athena agreed, and Zeus' bolt appeared in her hand with a flash and a crackle. "But so am I."

Well... Percy supposed he couldn't argue with the queen. Bringing out Riptide, he placed his weapons to the ground and knelt. The other demigods followed suit. Now was the real test - Percy waited as the Ares campers remained stubbornly standing. That was to be expected, but his heart leapt as other campers slowly joined in alongside members of the rebellion. The hunters followed suit. Athena looked around them - a little surprised. Percy bit his tongue. He wasn't done with these gods. Not yet. Maybe not ever, but for now?

They had an army.

The first attack started at dawn.

Morpheus and Hecate had put all of Manhattan to sleep. An endless sleep, technically. Just as the Great Prophecy said. Percy couldn't help but think it was an act of kindness in some ways. No mortal would be prepared for what happened next. Well, aside from maybe one.

"You looked nervous," Rachel said from where she was painting. Percy glanced at her and smiled. It seemed a little inane to be painting in these moments, but he knew it was the only thing that could calm her with so much darkness looming over them.

"Maybe," he answered. "Are you?"

"Daedalus had set up traps in the labyrinth," Rachel answered. "I'm supposed to lead our soldiers away from them and the titans towards them."

"You don't have to," he said as he put on his armor. Rachel smiled at him. "I know that you will, but... you really don't have to. You don't owe anything to anyone here," he said. Rachel hummed and went back to painting. He looked back out to the graying sky below. For the first time, he wondered about the effects of snatching Zeus' godhood from him. There were people who would look after his domain, right?

He didn't have much time to think about it. Shortly after his conversation with Rachel, Silena appeared, looking tired and worn. Percy dropped the knife he was sharpening to check her arms. Like pretty much everyone else, the Mark of Hercules was in the center of her forearm. Bianca had one now, alongside several other hunters. Percy closed his eyes.

"Let's get you to Dionysus," he began gently, but Silena shrugged him away.

"Clarisse isn't listening to me," she murmured and sat down on the ground. "They won't fight. We need them to fight. If not Ares, then we need his cabin," she murmured and buried her face in her hands. "This is all my fault," she choked out.

"What? Silena," Percy frowned and knelt in front of her. "How? That's not possible. Clarisse has always been unreasonable-"

"No, I-" she cut him off and then swallowed. "You know... you know, how, um, we have that stupid rite of passage?" she asked. Percy frowned. Yeah, he knew of it. Aphrodite's Rite of Passage was one of the more messed up parts of their cabin. The idea you had to break someone's heart to be accepted as one of them. Silena abolished it long ago. He wasn't sure how that was relevant now. "I... it isn't always a choice," she muttered. Percy frowned. "Part of the reason I got rid of it is so everyone thought it was."

"What are you talking about?"

"It was to help you blend in," Silena said and wiped some tears from her eyes. "I could never picture you breaking someone's heart. Not like the rest of us," she sniffed, and Percy frowned. "And I knew it would be a relief for Drew because she was worried about falling in love. She would end up doing it to be cruel," she said and wrung her hands. "But it's going to happen to her. Maybe differently than the rest of us-"

"Silena," Percy interrupted, and she flinched. "What are you trying to say? Did you break up with Beckendorf?" he asked. She shook her head. Percy didn't understand. What was upsetting her? Silena wouldn't break anyone's heart. She just wasn't capable of it. She wouldn't. Couldn't. And what did any of this have to do with-?

Percy paused... then slowly looked back up towards Olympus.

"...Clarisse?" he asked. Silena didn't answer. "Silena," Percy sighed and grabbed her hand. She glanced up at him. "You… you know you are my sister, right? I mean, I know technically… well… you know, but… I care about you. A lot. You taught me a lot," he said. Silena's eyes watered. "Please let me help you."

Silena let her head fall back. Then glanced at him.

"It was before Charlie," she said and shook her head. "And, well, I... I just wanted to make sure she was okay," Silena murmured as she wrung her hands together. "After all the stuff with the Golden Fleece, I knew her dad was being a jerk, and I thought I could... help her," Silena sighed and shook her head. "But Aphrodite kids don't make friends easily," she muttered. "Everyone always falls in love with us. It's so - so lonely," she said. Percy bit his lip. "I never meant to hurt her, and maybe if..." she swallowed.

"If what?" Percy prompted. Silena closed her eyes.

"I think I knew," she said with a nod. "Charlie would follow me anywhere. He loves that type of way. If I joined the titans or rebellion... he would follow me - and he has," she shrugged. "He has. He will as long as I believe in the cause. I love that about him," she smiled and then shook her head. "But Clarisse? No," she laughed bitterly. "It would never work that way. She wouldn't be on my side. I wouldn't be on hers," she murmured. "And so I ended up breaking her heart, and now she hates me, and I can't convince her to fight," she said with a shrug. "Simple as that."

Percy looked at her.

"Do you think that if it weren't for that other stuff... you would be more than...?" he said slowly. Silena didn't meet his eyes. He supposed it didn't matter now. "Hey," he said and shook his head. "You're supposed to be smarter than me," he said with a disapproving click of the tongue. Silena snorted and glanced over at him.

"Oh?"

"This isn't your fault," he said and shook his head at her. "And I don't know how you can't see all the good you've done. I'm alive because of you. Bianca and Nico, by extension. Zeus lost because of you."

"Because of you."

"No," Percy said with a shake of his head. "No, I wouldn't have made it one year without you," he said, and with that, he had absolute certainty. "Everything I am is because of you. More than just the French or flirting or earrings," he added. Silena looked at him warily. "You've made me question things I would have followed blindly otherwise. And, look, I won't pretend to understand whatever it was that you had with Clarisse. But the truth is that no romantic attachment is going to convince her to join this war. She needs to join because she believes it is the right thing to do like you do," he shrugged. "If you taught me anything... it's that," he said and then reconsidered. "And how not to smudge winged eyeliner."

"You still smudge it," she muttered.

"Alright, so you taught me one thing," Percy rolled his eyes. "I love you to death - and you wouldn't let me get away with mulling over self-pity like this, so I can't either," he said. Silena looked at him, cheek against her knee and eyes shifting from the color of oak to something darker and more intense. Finally, she sighed.

"You're right," she relented and then shook her head. "Though I'm not taking credit for you beating Zeus. If anything, that goes to Castor," she mused. Percy frowned. "It was a total Achilles and Patroclus situation," she told him. Oh. Right. As a rule, Silena made sure the cabin knew all love stories in Greek mythology (and by gods, there were a lot of them). The Achilles one was one of the more famous ones - though mortals didn't seem to buy it was romantic, weirdly enough. Percy should have asked Achilles' ghost what he thought of it. The story goes that Achilles refused to fight in the Trojan war after one of the kings offended him. However, the Greeks refused to fight without him. With no other choice, Patroclus wore Achilles' armor to trick the Greeks into following him into battle. It worked, but ultimately Patroclus was killed by the Trojans. Achilles retaliated by pretty much murdering everyone and beating up a god before killing Hector (Patroclus' killer) himself. Percy wrinkled his nose.

"Which part?"

"Um, the part where your boyfriend died, so you went into a godlike trance to kick ass?" Silena snorted. "The only difference is that Castor wasn't out there leading-" she said and then froze. "...that's it," she said and stood up. Percy jerked back.

"Um, what?" he asked. Silena grabbed her sword. "Silena? Where are you going?"

"I know how to get them to fight!"

"How?" Percy asked and stumbled up after her. "Silena!" he called as she started running. She paused and then turned around to dash back and hug him.

"Trust me," she breathed into his ear and then let go. "I can do this," she added. What? He had no idea, but he supposed he had no choice but to believe her. He nodded uncertainly. "And... for the record, I know I was a pain in the ass growing up," she said and then smiled. "But I am so proud of you."

Percy went to respond, but she was already gone - weaving between demigods lining up to down centaur blood or fixing up their weapons. Apollo was somewhere healing injuries before taking a few arrows and shooting them at monsters who were off in the distance. Percy grabbed his sword, readying himself to go back into the thick of things, when a yell caught his attention.

"I'm here!" a familiar voice called, and Percy turned to see Pollux kneeling down next to a camper, putting his hands on his arm. His heart froze.

"What are you doing?" Percy asked, marching over with a sense of alarm as he watched Pollux glow slightly when putting his hands over the fallen demigod's arm. The demigod yelped at Percy's approach, shifting away with a mutter of 'kátara' under his breath. Pollux glanced over at him.

"Hey!" he greeted. He looked... not good. A thin sheet of sweat glazed his face with dark circles under his eyes, and his hands trembled. Percy felt his skin prick in alarm. "Good news. I can... one second," he managed and leaned over to catch his breath. "Okay. I can heal the... marks. Sort of," he said and stumbled. "My dad can make it go away for like... a few hours, right? Well, I can... kind of do that too..." he said and almost collapsed despite already being on his knees. Percy jolted forward to catch him. "Except, it kinda goes into my arm instead," he admitted and held it out to where his own arm was blistering with black blood, like boils bubbling under the surface.

"Pollux, what the Hell?" Percy whispered. "Go to Hera."

"My mind is fine. I just feel a little-"

"You're going to kill yourself!" Percy said and yanked him away. "Pollux, please," he added in a whisper. "Just... please don't be stupid," he managed. He and Pollux weren't always the closest, but... he couldn't stand the idea of letting Castor's brother die. He couldn't do it. Pollux grimaced, looking somewhat apologetic as he placed a weak hand on Percy's arm.

"You think I'm going to listen to a kátara?" he asked. Percy reared back. "Ah, too soon?" he asked and shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm only moderately pissed," he said and patted Percy's arm. "I'm going to keep trying to heal them," he said gently. "I'll be fine. Go fight."

"But-"

"I'll be fine," he promised. Percy tried his best to believe him. "We're getting more centaur blood soon. We won't even need me. My dad is already handling some of it. We got this," he added. That at least made him feel a little better. Pollux wasn't alone. Taking a deep breath, he stood up, spying where Annabeth was cleaning some blood from her knife. He brushed by her with a low whisper.

"Watch him?"

"I'll do my best," she said with an equally wary look at Pollux. "Be safe, okay? We have a lot to talk about later," she added. Percy gave a weak nod before putting his own knife in its holster and moving towards where the titan army had finally met their own.

The battle continued.

Percy was reminded of the battle in Olympus' garden. The chaos, the noise, the battle cries - only this was somehow both better and worse. There were monsters here. Those were actually fine. Percy sliced through them easily. It was easier than fighting a demigod who wouldn't reform in a few years. The drakons were a bit of a problem, though.

Given that only a child of Ares could kill them... well. They were currently Ares-less, and it didn't look good. He hoped whatever Silena's plan was worked.

"Move!" Will Solace yelled and practically flung himself to the ground to start bandaging up a fallen camper. He paused only for a moment to take out a shotgun of all things and shoot a monster in front of him before refocusing on the demigod. Percy looked around for any other monsters before kneeling down to help. "Keep her still. This might hurt," he added, and Percy grimaced as he pinned the girl down to the ground. She looked too unconscious to really be putting up a fuss, but Percy was quickly proven wrong when she jerked against his grip - thrashing wildly as Will poured something over her wounds.

Percy had been so concerned with holding her down, he almost didn't notice the burning figure beside them.

"Will, look out!" he said and sent water flying up to shield them when a flash of heat came towards them. Will gasped. Even with Percy's last-minute intervention, some burns managed to scrape his arm. Will cursed under his breath, yanking at his knife as the titan behind them struck again. Percy readied himself for the attack, but it was paused when a large chunk of rock appeared between them and whoever was attacking.

"Hello, Hyperion," Nico's voice greeted. The titan near them roared. Percy glanced over - a little worried about his current state, but Nico looked well enough. "I'm Nico," he introduced himself and held out a black sword before jamming it into the ground. The ground shook before a wail struck through the air. At once, ghosts rose from the ground alongside what looked to be zombies. The titan - Hyperion - burned brighter, but Nico only stared back with glittering eyes. "Take care of him," he told the newly resurrected army, and at once, all of the ghosts charged forward with an eerie battle cry. Nico tilted his head before yanking his sword back out. Stygian iron. Percy got up just in time for Nico to send the monsters scattering as he looked around dangerously. Hyperion screamed - blasting the undead off of him. Nico took a step towards the titan, but Percy yanked him back.

"Wait a second," Percy frowned and checked him over. He looked worse. Gods, he looked so much worse. Percy wasn't sure how he was managing as well as he could. "Nico-"

"Are you okay?" Nico asked Will. Will looked over at the chaos beside them and nodded. "You're not allowed to get hurt," he added, oddly irritated. Will frowned.

"Why not?"

"You're the medic, so you have to stay safe! If you're dead, then who is going to heal us?"

"Well, maybe you should learn some stuff too!"

"Maybe I will!"

"Fine, but you have to come with me to learn-"

"Okay, but I'm going to keep everyone else from attacking you."

"You better!"

"Fine!"

"What?" Percy asked blankly. Nico and Will didn't really seem to be paying him much attention, though. That is until Nico spun around and pointed at Percy's chest.

"Stay alive!" he warned with a whole lot of threat for a twelve-year-old. "I'm going to go kill Hyperion first-" he added, and Percy quickly grabbed his arm. Nico looked at Percy's hand and then at Percy. "My sword can weaken him," he said with a nod towards his sword. "It sucks in the souls of my opponents. If I get a couple nicks into him, I might be able to get rid of him completely," he explained.

"I believe you," Percy said. "But you let me take care of him right now. Is it worth convincing you to go to Hera?" he asked. A yell came from behind them. Percy jumped - looking for Hyperion, but he was still getting rid of the ghosts and skeletons. Instead, it was Katie. Nico stiffened. He turned to her just in time to see her fighting off Miranda. Nico's eyes widened.

"Wait-" he managed and spun around to help, but it was too late. Miranda was lashing out with wild eyes. Hercules' mark was bleeding freely down her arm as she slashed at another demigod. Before Percy could stop him, Nico jerked himself away. "Miranda!" he shouted, and Percy tried to keep calm. Nico spent months thinking she was his sister. He couldn't just kill- "NO!" Nico shouted right as Miranda spun around with her sword out and leaped at him.

Katie slammed her blade into Miranda's chest, effectively cutting her off from reaching Nico. Miranda's body jerked back with a gasp. Her eyes momentarily lost their edge as she coughed out some blood. Katie pulled out her sword with a sob.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "Oh my gods, I'm so sorry," she choked out and swallowed. "Miranda, I'm sorry. I'm sorry-'' she repeated breathlessly as Nico stood completely still in shock. "I'm so, so sorry. Please. Oh, gods, please forgive me," she kept going. From behind her, an empousa jumped at them. Nico moved within seconds, shoving Katie to the side so he could slice her open. He took a few deep breaths and then forced himself back to where Katie had grabbed Miranda's body, hugging her close with apologies. Will stared - looking shocked.

"Nico?" he asked quietly. Percy got up. He didn't want to leave, but Hyperion was going through Nico's impromptu army quickly. He turned to Will. "Nico," Will said and stepped to him. "Hey..." he said gently. Nico turned to him, eyes looking confused and glazed. Percy tensed. "I got him," Will said quietly. Percy hesitated. "I'll take him to Dionysus or something. Get him a few more hours," he added. Everything around them was so chaotic that Percy kind of wanted to just fall on the ground and try to sort it out. There were too many decisions - too many fights.

"Go," he finally told Will. "Take Katie too."

Will nodded and reached for both. Percy would help them later. Somehow. He turned back to where Hyperion was recovering and readied his sword.

What happened next was a blur. He couldn't really... comprehend anything that happened. He just felt it. The power. The wind. The water. The storm. One second he was in front of Hyperion, listening to him talk about titan superiority, and the next, he was in the center of a hurricane. The air was cold - whipping around with rain and winds that picked up debris as he moved forward with it. Hyperion's body weakened in the water, moving down as Grover appeared with his pipes. Music was playing, but Percy could barely hear it over the pounding of the storm around him. Arrows flew in. Drew's arrows, he realized. He couldn't see her, but he felt her presence nearby. Somehow, her voice managed to cut through it all to speak to Hyperion.

"Give up," she commanded. "Stop fighting."

Hyperion's arms lowered. Then jerked up again. Then lowered. Back and forth under Drew's command. Percy kept the storm moving as Grover, and other satyrs played. Soon nymphs joined in, and roots began holding him in place. One after another until all that was left was a maple tree. Taking a heaving breath, Percy fell to his knees. People were staring. Eh. He was getting used to that.

"We should really kill him after all of this," someone said. Percy flipped them off.

"You good, Percy?" Drew's voice called. To that, he gave a thumbs up. "Then get a move on! If we needed someone to stand there and look pretty, I would have done it!"

"Screw you," he grumbled as Mitchell appeared next to him to tap the newly formed maple tree with his sword.

"Hm," he said and ran a hand through his hair. Percy could have sworn some demigods from the other side paused to admire him for a few minutes. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Not bad," he said and looked over his shoulder. "Valentina?" he asked, and Percy turned just in time to see a quick movement before Valentina appeared from nowhere. "Can you do some of your perception stuff?" he asked her. Valentina rolled her eyes.

"I can, but it only affects one or two people at a time. Who do you need me to-?" she began, but her voice faltered off. Percy felt a stab of panic. Without thinking, he grabbed her arm to check her mark, but she seemed no worse off than anyone else. It was then that he realized she was looking at the sky. Percy followed her line of sight to see a chariot darting through the sky.

"Is that... the flying chariot Clarisse and Michael were fighting over?" Valentina asked. Percy wasn't sure what chariot she was referring to, but based on the flag boar's head flying high above... it was the Ares cabin. Percy's mouth dropped.

"How?" he asked and shook his head. Only Silena could find a way to convince them to fight when their own father was captured. Charmspeak, maybe? He didn't have time to really think much on it with another wave of attacks growing. The Ares cabin was heading towards the Drakon, which was for the best. They needed them gone soon. Percy launched himself back into the thick of things - aiming for any monster within reach. He hadn't seen Kronos yet, which was very concerning, but he tried not to let it psych him out too much.

A scream echoed through the air.

Percy swung around to locate the problem. A small cluster had formed a few yards away by Central Park. There were shouts of alarm, and Percy caught sight of a familiar head of blonde hair.

"ANNABETH!" he yelled and went over to help her, only to see exactly what the problem was.

"DON'T!" Annabeth yelled as she blocked another attack. "DON'T HURT HIM!"

"HE'S TURNED!" someone else shouted. "WE HAVE TO PUT HIM DOWN!"

"SOMEONE GET DIONYSUS!"

Pollux.

No. No, no, no-

Percy slammed his hands into the ground. Unfortunately for him, the Achilles Curse didn't give him endless access to his powers. The ground reacted, sending everyone to the ground in a flurry, but Percy found himself a little dizzy as he approached Pollux from the ground. Percy swallowed.

"Charmspeak isn't working," Drew said, getting up beside him. "Apollo and Dionysus are overwhelmed with trying to heal everyone. I don't think we can get to them in time," she said as Pollux twitched from the ground, rising suddenly with his eyes bulging and... and... Percy took a step back. "Percy?"

"I- I can't," he stuttered out and tried to shake the gut-wrenching reaction. "I-" he tried to speak again, but Pollux got up, and it was then that Percy realized he couldn't fight him. Not like this. Not ever, perhaps. He was wearing Castor's face. Percy gave a shuddering breath as he raised his sword. The fighting still roared over them, and Percy could see Clarisse leading the charge. Pollux stared at him. Their eyes locked.

"You," he greeted, and Percy swallowed. He would rather face a million monsters than fight this fight. "You're next," he breathed out.

"Pollux," Percy tried, voice shaking. If he could just keep him alive until Dionysus got here... Percy could do that, right? Yeah. Totally. Licking his lips, he readied his blade just as Pollux launched at him. He deflected it, working hard to taper down his powers. This had to be only sword-work. Percy didn't want to risk injuring him any more than he was. "Pollux, please try and listen to me-" he started but was cut off by Pollux launching forward.

It was a good thing Percy's skin pretty much invulnerable. He managed to keep Pollux's attacks at bay, but the rest of the battlefield did not have consideration for their one-on-one. Wayward arrows bounced off of him as well as shrapnel and debris. Pollux wasn't nearly as lucky, but he also didn't seem phased by the various cuts and rocks lodging into him. A few people tried to join in, but Percy waved them off to keep fighting.

"Trying to save me?" Pollux asked, and Percy tried to think of this as... anything other than it was. They were just sparring. Nothing terrible was happening. A little spar, and the loser only had to pay the other three drachmas. "Too bad you didn't have that fancy curse earlier," he snapped out and kicked at him. Percy dodged and fell flat on his back. Gods, why did his voice even have to sound like Castor's? It was torture. "Maybe my brother wouldn't have had to save your lying ass," he spit out. Percy lifted his sword from the ground just in time to block Pollux's sword from coming down on his face. Pollux pushed down harder, and Percy used his bare hand to grab the other end of the blade, throwing him off.

"Don't."

"Don't what?" Pollux asked and wiped some blood from his mouth. Hints of black mingled with the red. "Don't want to hear about him?" he asked. Percy rolled over and raised his sword again.

"Please... Pollux, don't."

"Did he know what you were?" Pollux asked him. Percy's breath hitched. "Or did you lie to him too?"

"You aren't thinking straight."

Something exploded above them.

"FOR OLYMPUS!" Clarisse screamed as she charged the Drakon again. Percy's sword froze in the air. That... that wasn't Clarisse's voice. Percy looked back up at the chariot. From across the battlefield, he could see Valentina and Mitchell pause in their fights to do the same. From somewhere to his right, Drew's voice faltered in her charmspeaking. Pollux came back for him again, only this time, Percy hadn't anticipated the attack. He hit the ground hard. It didn't hurt, but it did little to deter Pollux, who stabbed down in a blind hope to hit Percy's weak spot. Percy knocked him off, looking back up in the sky.

"Fuck," he swore and picked up Riptide. He needed to get up there somehow. The Drakon roared, spitting poison and swiping at Clarisse's armor. "NO!" he shouted, and Pollux came again to knock him down. "SILENA!" he yelled and kicked Pollux in the center of his chest. "Get off of me!" he hissed and then felt himself pause when he saw his face. Castor's face. Gods, he couldn't-

Pollux turned around, distracted by someone else.

"HAZEL!" Percy shouted, spinning around to stop Pollux. Hazel looked around just in time to duck Pollux's attack. Percy raced to them, but a skyscraper shook at the Drakon launching itself over to another building. The debris fell between them as Hazel swung her hands to redirect the rockfall away from a group of demigods underneath. Percy jumped over it, but the movement had left Hazel unguarded. Pollux jumped at her.

Percy pushed Hazel back and raised his knife.

It happened... it all happened so fast. It happened so fast. He didn't mean to. He had been aiming for his arm or his leg or... or something. He just wanted to keep him away from Hazel. She wasn't able to defend herself. She wouldn't be able to hold him off. She couldn't - Percy had to. He didn't have a choice. He tried, okay? He tried. He tried, you... you couldn't... he tried. Gods, he tried. He tried. He tried, he tried, he tried-

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he pulled the knife back. Pollux stumbled back, placing a hand over his chest where blood was pooling. Percy dropped the knife. Not knowing what else to do, he walked over to him with shaking hands. Hazel was breathing behind him, scooping up her weapon to defend them from other attackers. "Pollux..." he said and... Percy fell to his knees next to him. Pollux coughed, spitting blood on the ground.

"Hey," Pollux coughed, and Percy wasn't sure if it was better or worse that sanity came back into his eyes. "...so... you might have... been right..." he breathed out. "Definitely not fine," he decided and choked a little on the blood pooling in his mouth. Percy pressed his hand on the wound.

"APOLLO!"

"Don't do that," Pollux whispered and put a hand over Percy's. "If he... heals me... could just go... a little crazy... again..." he murmured and then spit out more blood. "Good..." he murmured. "'m gonna see... Cas..." he slurred out. Percy bit his lip to keep any tears from rising. "Any messages... to pass to... the beyond?" he asked. Percy couldn't respond. Pollux laughed. "I'll... tell him... you... love him..." he said.

It stung. It stung because it was true, but Percy had never said the words to his face. Only once to an empty room after Castor had left. Still, it was true. Percy only regretted that the words would first be heard through a message from his dead brother.

"I'm sorry," Percy said for what must have been the hundredth time today. Pollux blinked a few times. "Pollux..."

"Thank you."

Percy closed his eyes. The Fates decided those torturous words would be his last. When he opened his eyes again, Pollux had gone completely still.

Shaking, Percy stood back up to look over the battlefield. Hades and Demeter were on the frontline - drawing the entire titan army back while the demigods continued to take care of the monsters. The Drakon was still ravaging the buildings as two figures were knelt down by the base of the Empire State Building. Percy looked over at where Hazel had silently been waiting.

She didn't say anything. There was nothing she could say. He was grateful she understood that.

"I can take care of the body," she told him. Percy looked around. There were dozens of bodies on the ground. Some he knew. Some he didn't. Part of him wondered how worth it this Curse of Achilles even was. It suddenly seemed cruel that he was forced to survive amid all this death and pain. He nodded, and Hazel placed a hand on his elbow. "They are together," she said simply. Percy nodded. There was that, at least.

Blindly, he walked over to where Apollo and Dionysus were. Both looked absolutely exhausted. Lines of kids were laid out - marks disappearing despite the fact he couldn't spy Hera. Dionysus was wordlessly working like a machine as he placed his hands over marks to fade them for endless kids who were gathered around. He didn't even notice Percy's approach. Good. He couldn't face him right now. By the looks of things, he had no idea Pollux was gone. Percy turned to Apollo instead. He was covered in blood and ichor. Bright lights shone from his hands as he worked, pausing to send an arrow into the air before going back to work.

"MOVE! MOVE!" someone shouted, and Percy turned to see Beckendorf approaching with Clarisse's armor in hand.

Just as he suspected, it wasn't Clarisse in the armor.

"Silena," he breathed out, and Silena groaned. The real Clarisse had appeared on her other side, practically shoving another injured kid away from Apollo with barked orders to go find Will instead. Apollo froze when he saw them.

"...is this Drakon venom?" he asked, and Percy shook his head. No. Absolutely not. She wasn't dying. He ran over, dropping Riptide.

"Can you save her?" Beckendorf asked, distraught.

"I don't know," Apollo admitted. "The venom-"

"I can get the venom out," Percy said, thinking back to Evelyn hanging Basilisk venom over Janus. "If I do that, then you can heal her?"

Apollo opened his mouth, but Percy didn't give him a chance to answer. There wasn't a choice in this. He would heal her. He had to. If not... Percy wasn't sure he could keep his sanity. Mark or not. Taking a deep breath, he put his hands over Silena's body and tried to ignore how her breathing was uneven.

"Silena..." he whispered and closed his eyes. "Please. Please. Please," he said and clenched his fist. He could feel the venom swirling around in her blood like leaves you couldn't quite cup your hands around in a lake. Holding venom up was one thing. Drawing it out was another. Apollo made a slight noise of alarm.

"You're moving her blood," he warned. "Ease up. Just the venom," he ordered. Percy's hands trembled. Focus. Focus. If he couldn't save Silena, then... no. He focused. He thought of venom and everything Evelyn taught him about balance. He shifted his weight, centering himself. He felt his powers weakening. Draining. Please... he couldn't think of anything else as he pulled. The world went blurry for a moment, and Percy forced himself to keep going.

Please.

"Holy shit," someone whispered, and Percy didn't dare open his eyes. He just kept pulling. Focusing.

"Good job, Percy," Apollo said gently, and he felt someone cup his hands. "You did it. You did it, okay?" he whispered, and Percy looked up to see a heap of black liquid in the air. Apollo held out a vial, and it zipped inside. Percy stared. Silena wasn't moving.

"Why isn't she better? When is she going to get better?" he asked, voice rising. Apollo placed a hand on her head.

"Let me work," he said calmly. "I'm going to try my best."

"What does that mean? You'll save her, right? Apollo?" Percy asked, voice growing panicked. "I got the poison out. I got it out- Apollo!" he said, and someone was pulling him away. "No - get off!" he snapped and turned to find Hazel pulling him away.

"Let him work," she repeated and gestured around them. "All we can do right now is win," she added. Percy opened his mouth. Bianca was leading the hunters towards the Drakon again, this time with Clarisse leading the charge next to her. Hazel frowned. "She's been blessed," she noticed, and Percy looked up at the red glow around her. "Strange that Ares would give it while locked up."

"It is his daughter," Percy said, voice weak. It appeared even Ares had somewhat of a heart for his children. He turned. The grief was heavy, but he couldn't fully comprehend it. The chaos still surrounded them, but it somehow seemed... still, despite it all. In the distance, he saw Rachel leading more people in and out of the labyrinth. He wasn't sure what he was feeling exactly. Everything? Nothing? Perhaps the pain had all collapsed on him to the point where his brain couldn't process anymore. Slowly, he got up and moved forward. Ignoring Hazel's call behind him, he grabbed Rachel's arm.

"Take me to Evelyn."

Rachel frowned at him. She was bleeding, covered in monster dust, with her eyes wide and scared. Normally, Percy would try to comfort her, but nothing felt normal.

Looking around the battlefield, she swallowed and gave a terse nod. She grabbed his arm, tugging him into the maze as they twisted dark and dingy corners - moving through various ornate rooms to blank, empty spaces. There were pieces of the battle inside as well. Bombs going off so that debris flew everywhere and shook the walls and demigods bleeding out on the ground. Rachel led him through another arch, and Percy found himself back in Hephaestus' forge. The heat momentarily jolted Percy as he looked around. The place looked trashed - everything that had once been completely destroyed in the explosion. He had known the blast he had created last year caused Typhon to escape, but he hadn't seen the consequences of it.

"She's there," Rachel said uncertainly, and Percy whipped his head around to where he saw a flash of movement, and his blood went cold despite the surrounding fire. There. Evelyn was kneeling where Janus had once been imprisoned. She was holding out her hands to collect the basilisk venom. He wasn't entirely sure what she was doing with it. Percy didn't particularly care - he held his sword out, deflecting several attacks in the midst of the forge entrance and a broken hallway of the maze. It had quieted somehow. The clanging. The screams. The chaos of it all. His senses were hyper focused, and he moved forward, catching the tip of Evelyn's net around his sword and tugged.

And all he felt was... was loss and rage and pain.

"Percy?" she frowned - faltering as she turned to twist out of it. Percy yanked down, sending her stumbling so he could stab at her. Evelyn jerked back, spilling some of the poison. His sword hit her skin, but it did nothing to her. He hit again. "Hey- hey, Percy!" she said, voice growing more panicked. "Shit. I don't see the mark-" she began, and Percy gave a sharp cry of frustration as he kicked out at her.

"I don't have the damn mark!" he managed through gritted teeth. He hit again, but she blocked. "Pollux is dead. Silena is dying," he said and stuck again. And again. And again. And again. Over and over until he was sure she would have shattered if made of stone. Her blocks became more frantic before moving into practiced focus as the element of surprise faded away. "Sh-she was poisoned leading the Ares cabin," he managed. Evelyn dove away as he struck again. "This is your fault!" he shouted at her. "We wouldn't have needed Ares if you hadn't chosen Kronos!" he screamed at her.

In the back of his mind, he knew that wasn't entirely true. An Ares child was needed to defeat the Drakon either way, but maybe if Silena had backup... maybe she could have... they could have...

"No," Evelyn said, and Percy lifted his hand. He wasn't sure he had ever been so angry in his entire life. The poison around them rose. Evelyn stiffened. "Percy, please-"

"You need them back so bad!" he yelled and didn't bother to try and stop the tears as he tried to slam his sword again. The poison around them shuddered but stayed in the air. "You need Hugo and Vera and all of them back - but what about me?" he asked her. Evelyn opened her mouth, but he didn't give her a chance to answer. "I am losing everyone for your family!" he screamed at her, and the ground shook. Most of the demigods around them fell, but he and Evelyn both stood strong.

"Listen to me-" she said, and Percy sent the poison hurtling towards her. He had no idea if it would hurt her with the curse, but he also wasn't sure if he cared. Evelyn lifted her hand, and the poison exploded - like a water balloon slamming against a glass door. Percy swiped it away and moved forward to attack again. "You've gotten it all wrong!"

"You made me into you," Percy said, pausing his attack to glower at her. Evelyn shook her head, though there were tears in her eyes, too. "Don't deny it. Castor and Hugo are both gone. Thalia and Vera. Dead. And here we are. Turning against the gods and bearing the Curse of Achilles," he said, voice trembling. "You made me into you," he whispered and yanked up the poison to launch at her again. She rolled to the side, using her pole to deflect some, but in doing so, it hit one of the fires. Black mist burned around them. "And you're going to keep taking, aren't you? Who is next? Who is the next sacrifice for you to bring them back? Bianca? Annabeth?" he asked her. "Nico?"

Evelyn breathed heavily. A few demigods who were around them coughed, falling to the ground as they tried to breathe with the poison in the air.

"No. No... Percy, I-"

"Will they be proud of you?" Percy asked, and something in Evelyn's eyes broke. She slammed her hands forward, and the poison came back towards him. Dropping Riptide, he used both hands and squeezed. The poison bubbled before slamming into the ground. "After you spilled all of this blood for them? What is Hugo going to say when he sees what you've done? Or Vera? Or Clarence? Or anyone else?" he asked her. "Do you think they'll understand?"

Evelyn shook her head and slammed her pole at him. Percy yanked his knife out from the holster around his thigh and deflected it, kicking at the side of her knee as hard as he could. For anyone else, it would have broken their leg altogether, but Evelyn only stumbled as he raised the poison from the ground - directly where she was laying. If it would have hurt Janus, then it could very well cause her some discomfort.

"It... It isn't like that-" Evelyn started and cried out when the poison rose from the dirt beneath her. She slammed her hand on the ground, and it disappeared again. Percy felt Riptide return to his pocket as he hit the knife down, barely missing her head as she rolled over.

"You're no better than the gods," he whispered. "And I can see clearly that you are our father's daughter. To sit there and let so much evil happen under your nose so you can get what you want," he choked out and brought out Riptide once again. "This isn't your world. Not anymore," he said and shook his head. "But you couldn't stand that, so you just came and destroyed mine."

"That's not true!" Evelyn yelled, and the labyrinth beside them shuddered again. People were trying to scramble away. Percy ignored it all. He could feel the Earth moving around them. Winds were picking up - a true feat given they were underground.

"You're a monster!"

"I'm what they made me into!" Evelyn screamed back. "I never asked for this!"

The entire mountain shook again, sending everything around them crumbling. Percy won against Zeus. He won. He would take Evelyn down, too. He wasn't scared. The forge groaned, and Evelyn slowly rose as she raised her pole again, readying her stance. Percy raised his sword.

Three...two...

"ENOUGH!"

The shaking stopped.

Percy wanted to ignore the voice and attack, but he found himself being drawn away despite himself. He turned to find Rachel leaning heavily on Calypso - gasping as she gripped at her throat. The poison. Percy's anger evaporated in a second as he quickly swiped his hand, sending the venom from the air and into a puddle on the ground. Evelyn's eyes flicked to the newly liquefied solution - looking begrudgingly impressed - but she said nothing.

"Rachel?" he asked and ran over to put a hand on her. He could feel some of it in her lungs still. Focusing his energy on her, he drew it out. "I am so sorry," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't know you were still here. I am so sorry-" he repeated, but Rachel only gave a weak thumbs up as Calypso adjusted her grip on her.

"We don't have time. I need you to all come with me," Calypso said. Percy looked up at her.

"All of us?" he asked with a bitter look towards Evelyn. "Where have you been?" he asked, but Calypso didn't answer as she whispered something to Rachel. She nodded, wiping her brow.

"I'm okay," Rachel added to Percy and managed to stand up. "Come on," she coughed. Percy went to her side, helping her walk. She seemed to be recovering quickly, but the guilt remained stagnant as she led them back into the labyrinth. More demigods were fighting inside - Percy could have sworn he saw Daedalus zipping around on some sort of motorized scooter with a bazooka - though the amount had thinned down. Rachel bobbed and weaved, bringing them through a series of rooms and doors until they were in some sort of cave.

"I need you to trust me," Calypso said. Nobody had spoken throughout the entire time they had been through the maze. It was a little awkward to make conversation, given Evelyn and Percy's most recent attempts to murder each other, but Calypso's silence seemed more... thoughtful. Percy quickly realized why as they exited the cave to find themselves on top of a mountain.

Atlas' mountain.

"No," he said, and Calypso pushed her hair back. "What are you planning?"

"He can turn the tide," Calypso told him. "Zeus and Ares aren't fighting. You need him-"

"He was Kronos' general! He won't choose our side!" Percy hissed, and Calypso brought out a vial. "What is that?"

"I spoke with Zoë in the Underworld. She knew our father well. He is powerful, yes, but not immune to curses," she explained. Percy stared. "I can curse him. Bind him to the Olympians. I just need him to drink this," she explained, holding up the silvery liquid inside. Percy pursed his lips. Convenient. "I am powerful, Percy. I am not only a daughter of Atlas but of Tethys. For any other being, I wouldn't even need a potion," she said wistfully and glanced at where Atlas was groaning under the weight of the sky. "But for him... I've added my own blood to it. A tie. Zoë said it would work better that way," she mused. "He just needs to drink it."

"How can we make him do that?"

"Charmspeak?" she asked him and gestured to a spring beside him. Percy frowned. That hadn't been there last time, had it? "Between you and me... we could do it."

She really should have used Drew, but Percy figured maybe... but wait. No.

"Who would hold up the sky?" Evelyn asked quietly. Calypso wrung her hands.

"That's why I brought you," she said to Evelyn and looked around. "He should be here soon. I summoned him," she murmured. Evelyn and Percy both opened their mouths to probably ask the same question, but Calypso had already continued. "I also spoke to Megara in the Underworld. She helped me."

Megara. Percy felt his eyes widened. At that moment, there was a burst of lightning, and a form rose from the dust.

Hercules.

"Ah," Percy said and glanced at Evelyn. She had stiffened. Her hands went to her net and pole before looking at Calypso.

"You want him to hold up the sky?" she asked quietly. Calypso nodded. It was a fair enough fit, honestly. God of Strength and all. Evelyn's jaw clenched. "It isn't enough," she muttered and took a long breath before her eyes flicked to Percy and Rachel. "But I'll do it," she muttered and stepped forward. Percy felt his wariness rise. Should he be helping? Before he could ask, Calypso grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the spring.

"You know I'm a child of Poseidon?" he asked her as she practically shoved him into the water.

"Nico mentioned it."

"Nico didn't believe me."

"Yeah, well, I didn't either at first. You make a good child of Aphrodite, Percy Jackson," she said and glanced over her shoulder. Rachel was safely tucked away by the labyrinth entrance as Evelyn and Hercules approached one another.

"Do I know you?" Hercules called, looking around. "Are you the one who summoned me?"

Yikes.

"You don't know who I am?" Evelyn asked wryly. Hercules gave an apologetic smile. "My name is Evelyn Laurent," she told him. Hercules tilted his head. "Daughter of Poseidon?" she tried. He frowned. "You turned me insane in the 1940s, and the gods turned me into a plant?"

Hercules gasped - looking downright delighted by the revelation.

"Vera's pet!" he said, and Evelyn's breath hitched. "Ah, yes. I remember you! Part of the special punishment for my father," he mused. Now it was Evelyn's turn to look confused as she tilted her head. Her weapons were still held out - though Percy could tell the comment was holding her back from striking. "I knew Vera was most likely to survive the longest," he chuckled. "My little sister was a good soldier like that, so I decided to spare her my mark."

"How is that a punishment?" Evelyn asked. Hercules' eyes glittered.

"Because it gave him hope that she was strong enough to survive. I figured she would kill most of the others with the mark, though. A bonus. You, though... I didn't think she would kill you - and having Poseidon's daughter kill his own was... just fun," he shrugged. Percy felt his eyes widened. Oh. That was... harsh. Percy could see Evelyn's expression shut down. There wasn't even a second of hesitation. She launched forward, swinging the pole around with a force that had the air whistling. Hercules lifted his club and to stop it. "Wait - I thought we were on the same side, weren't we?" he asked as she spun the pole back and struck again. This time, she managed to hook it behind his legs, putting her full weight behind it, so they both went tumbling to the ground.

Hercules rolled, and she stabbed at the sharpened end of the stick - nicking the side of his face, so ichor came down.

"Why?" she asked him and struck again. He blocked every hit - loud clangs of thunder sounding every time their weapons met. Evelyn ducked a blow, jabbing upwards, so the pole went across his chest and under his arm. She stepped forward and grabbed the top in a fluid movement to pull it. There was a pop as they both went down again, but Percy was at least sure she had dislocated his arm... if such an injury existed for a god. "You're angry at the gods, so you took it out on us!? Huh!?" she growled and kicked at his throat. He caught her foot and easily threw her into a tree. It sent both her and the tree a good three yards away.

"Percy!" Calypso said and jerked her head to Atlas. "Start charmspeaking."

"He still has the sky-"

"Do it!"

"I - okay, fine," he muttered and then frowned as he lifted the water. Suddenly, he had a different idea. Raising the water, he summoned it over to Atlas, forming a small screen in front of him. Atlas' eyes bulged slightly as he hissed at the sudden appearance, but Percy sent the water swirling. Calypso whipped around to him.

"He knows about my charmspeak," Percy told her quietly. "And he probably isn't attracted to me. It would make my charmspeak weaker. This is a better alternative," he murmured. Evelyn and Hercules were still fighting behind them. They were moving so fast that they looked like a blur. Hercules grabbed Evelyn's hair - holding her for a moment as she jumped up to wrap her legs around his torso and jam the pole into his stomach. He retaliated by slamming her to the ground. Percy winced a little in sympathy before turning back to the task at hand.

"Look," Percy instructed Atlas and steadied the water in front of him. "Let me guess... your greatest desire is being free?" he asked, and the images around them began to form. "Hm... pretty close. Titan takeover. Equally predictable," he murmured and wiggled his fingers. Atlas' eyes rolled up slightly, but Percy managed to keep everything steady as Atlas became entranced. He turned to Calypso. "Give it to him now," he whispered.

"What?"

"He's living his greatest desire right now," Percy told him and took a deep breath as he tried to keep the illusion up. "He thinks he's free and about to drink a celebratory glass of nectar to celebrate Kronos' victory," he said and breathed again. "Pour the potion in his mouth. He'll swallow it," he promised, and Calypso looked at him for a moment before bringing out the vial and stepping closer to her father.

"You act as if you don't understand, little demigod!" Hercules called and snapped his fingers. "There," he said and spat out some ichor. "Three more have my mark."

"They. Are. Innocent." Evelyn hissed and launched herself at him again. "You're supposed to protect heroes," she said, and Calypso uncapped the vial as Evelyn spun around, getting in a few more hits than Hercules blocked. "You know how hard it is, and yet you do the same things the gods have done to you!" Her voice broke. Hercules hit back.

"I am exactly what the gods made me," he snapped back. "I am only taking back what they have taken from me! Dionysus got to bring his mother and wife back to the dead as goddesses - why not me? Instead, they paired me up with one of Hera's daughters," he said with a grimace. Kronos has promised me Megara back. Her and my children," he breathed out. "And if the cost is all of their children?" he asked, and Evelyn faltered. "So be it."

"We have won, my friends!" Atlas was saying, dazed from the illusion. "Let us drink to our success!" he called as Calypso poured the vial in his mouth. Percy was almost relieved until he looked back over to see Evelyn had hesitated in her next strike. Hercules grabbed her, hitting her hard across the face with the club, so she fell to the ground. With a rough kick, she rolled over before he stepped on her wrist, taking the pole out of her hand and tossing it to the side. Percy felt his illusion almost dwindle.

"Percy!" Calypso said sharply, and he brought it back up for her to finish. Which was good, but also, Percy was a little concerned they wouldn't be able to get Hercules under the sky given that he then hauled Evelyn up and threw her directly at them. Percy's illusion fell away completely as Evelyn crashed into him. Atlas jolted. Without a second of hesitation, Calypso clasped her hand over his face and punched him in the throat. When she let go, he gave a sharp gasp, effectively swallowing the rest of the potion. Good. Evelyn got up and screamed.

Which, for the record, was terrifying.

The water around them all rose. Not just the spring water, but from down below the mountain where the bay was off in the distance, Percy could see it boil and whip around rising. Almost instinctively, he felt his own powers join in, spinning the wind faster and water rising higher and higher. Trees flew from the ground around them, and the entire area flooded below them as clouds formed around them in a wall of white. Evelyn got up, and Percy backed away as she threw her hands to her side. Hercules was gone.

For a second, Percy thought he had run away, and they were left with nothing. However, the next second, Evelyn was gone. There was a loud cracking sound, and Percy felt a stab of alarm when a leg landed next to him. Ichor spilled over the floor as the winds picked up, and he looked over just in time to see Evelyn kick Hercules in the center of the chest right towards Atlas. Her eyes were glowing gold.

"NOW!" Percy shouted, and Calypso grabbed Atlas' arms. "Take it," Percy told Hercules, putting every inch of his siren speech into the words. Titans could be forced into the curse, but gods had an option. Well. Some gods had an option. Percy wouldn't let Hercules get off so easily. The second he lifted his hands, he backed away. The hurricane that had surrounded them fell away.

Atlas was free. He looked around - eyes wide as he stared in utter confusion.

"How-?"

"You are to fight for the gods," Calypso said, and Atlas reared back.

"Daughter?" he asked and then put a hand on his chest. "Your... your magic," he mumbled and narrowed his eyes. "What have you done to me?"

Calypso stood up, dusting mud off of her dress, and leaned forward.

"Doled out justice for my sister," she said and tapped his chin. "Zoë says hello," she smiled and stood up. "Now go. Fight for your own demise," she said and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Perhaps if you are lucky, then you may be granted leniency with the new Olympians," she smiled at him. Then looked at Hercules. He was shuddering under his new weight - missing a leg and covered in blood and ichor, but he held stable. God of Strength, indeed. Evelyn got up.

Wordlessly, she picked up a bottle of venom from her pocket. She must have brought it with them from the forge.

"Will your imprisonment end the mark?" she asked him. Hercules didn't answer, so she poured the venom over him. Hercules screamed. "Will it end the mark?" she asked, and Hercules gasped.

"Yes- yes," he managed as he blinked away the venom. "I cannot curse anyone like this," he breathed out. Evelyn hummed. Then poured the rest of it over him. Hercules' screams shuddered the mountain. Then, wordlessly, Evelyn fell to her knees. Percy stood there - a little uncertain what to do.

"Go back to the fight," he finally said to Calypso. Then looked at Rachel. "Take her with you. You're okay?" he called to her. He was pretty sure the labyrinth protected her but wanted to be sure. Rachel gave a faint nod. "Good. Go. Maybe take Rachel home. She's done enough," he added lowly. Calypso nodded. "Thank you," he added.

Calypso gave a weak smile before taking Atlas and leading him inside. Percy turned to where Evelyn was still staring blankly at Hercules.

"...are you okay?" he asked her. She didn't answer. "I... I'm sorry. About before," he said awkwardly. "It isn't-"

"It is," she said faintly. Percy stared. "He... I'm the same as him, aren't I?" she murmured. Percy couldn't tell if it was to him or herself. He knelt next to her. "Did you hear him? He... we're the same," she mumbled and buried her face in her hands. "What have I done?" she whispered. "They would all be so ashamed of me," she said. Percy put a hand on her shoulder.

"Listen-"

"Give me your knife," Evelyn interrupted quietly. Percy jumped as she put a hand on his arm. "Give it to me," she said. Percy wasn't sure how to react. Was this a trick? A joke? A game? He frowned at her before yanking it from his holster and handing it over. Evelyn slipped off the vambrace that covered her left arm.

"What are you doing?"

"You were right," Evelyn told him and ran her thumb over the spot where the Mark of Hercules was. Except there was nothing there now. Was she checking to see if it came back? Hercules was trapped under the sky now. He couldn't hurt them anymore. "I... this isn't my time. This isn't my home or my family or my world. Not anymore," she said and shook her head. "Our time has passed."

"Evelyn, I... I was angry and-"

"No," she interrupted. "This is your home. Your friends. Your family. And I should have followed your lead on how to live in it," she smiled weakly. Percy looked at where her hand tightened around the knife. Percy felt his anxiety rise. "Just promise me something, okay?" she asked and licked her lips before bringing out a blue thread to hand to him. Ariadne's thread. "Don't... let them get away with it," she said and reached over with her free hand to grab his arm. "Hold them accountable."

Percy didn't like this.

"What are you doing-?"

"Promise me," she said and squeezed tighter. Percy reached for the knife, but she held it back. "They were wrong. Gods can be wrong. Don't let them get away with it," she said, and Percy felt his breath catch as she released him.

"Evelyn, wait!" he said and jerked to stop her, but she had already jammed the knife down into the center of her forearm. Blood spurted out - flowing down her arm to her wrists as she gasped, falling forward. He caught her.

"That... that should... weaken Kronos a bit," she laughed, and for a second, her eyes flickered between green and gold. She coughed as Percy steadied her. "He'll find someone else, though. He will burn through every demigod until he convinces someone else to go into the River Styx," she murmured and blinked rapidly. "So... you have... to hurry," she murmured.

Percy swallowed.

"Promise you won't let them do it again?" she asked as he kept her from face planting. "We... we're not monsters. Not all of us," she said. Percy gave a shaky nod. He was partly in shock, but with all the death he had seen today, he wasn't sure he could feel anymore.

"I promise," he managed and squeezed her. "You're going to Elysium, okay? I'm going to make sure you get there. You'll see Hugo and Vera again," he promised. Evelyn gave a choked sort of laugh.

"They're going to be pissed," she muttered and then leaned against him. "I hope Julia and James are there too," she murmured and then sighed. "And Clarence... and Sarah..."

"They're all waiting," he promised and pushed her hair back. "It's okay. Thank you," he told her. Evelyn hummed.

"You still have a chance," she told him and squeezed his hand weakly. "I'm sorry."

Her body went completely limp.

This time, Percy didn't need Bianca to tell him that someone else was dead.

"What...?" a voice said, and Percy turned to find a girl behind him draped in purple. She had a spear in her hand and dark hair in a braid that was blowing to the side. She stared at Percy and the Hercules before raising her weapon. "What is this?" she asked and looked between them. "What are you?"

"We're..." Percy began, voice breaking slightly as he looked at Evelyn's body limp and gone. "We're demigods. Fighting for the gods. Who are you?"

"I'm a demigod," the girl said slowly. "My name is Reyna," she said and tilted her head. "Have we... met?" she asked uncertainly. Percy frowned at her.

"Are you one of the unclaimed children?" he asked her. Reyna shook her head.

"My mother is Bellona."

"Who?" Percy frowned, and there was a shout in the distance. "Who is that?" he asked her. Reyna stared at him. He had never seen someone look both so confused and wary at once.

"My army," Reyna said and looked over at Hercules. "Why is he holding up the sky? Where is Atlas?" she asked. Percy grabbed the thread Evelyn had given him and swallowed. Part of him wanted to stay and investigate this, but Evelyn said Kronos would only be at his weakest for a bit longer.

"He's the one who has been harming Big Three kids," Percy said and heaved Evelyn's body up. "Atlas is on our side... for now," he added, hoping Calypso's magic would stay strong enough to hold that loyalty. "We need to go into the labyrinth now," he added. Reyna frowned.

"The labyrinth-?" she began, but her voice fell away when she saw the opening Percy was heading towards. "Wait! Who are you? How do you know about-?" she began, but the rocks began to close off behind him. Shouts followed him, but he was already moving through the maze. He kind of preferred Rachel to this glowing thread but made do. By the time he exited once again, New York was almost completely in shambles. Gods were fighting in tandem with Atlas and Calypso as titans and demigods either retreated or tried to fight back with varying degrees of success. Percy felt his stomach twist when he saw familiar faces of demigods sprawled lifelessly on the ground. His breath hitched. Beckendorf. His hands tightened around Evelyn's body as he tried not to let himself react too much.

"What a shame," a voice said. Percy took a slow breath. "She was so close."

Percy turned. Kronos was standing behind him with his scythe out. His eyes glittered in the light of the surrounding desecration.

"Close to what?"

"To seeing them again," Kronos said conversationally and tilted his head at Evelyn's slumped form. Percy gently set her down, standing in front of the body to keep Kronos from looking at her. "I intended to keep my side of the bargain. I still do," he added with a click of his tongue. "A shame."

"You're bluffing."

"So stubborn," Kronos mused, and his lips twitched. "So," he said and flipped the scythe around like a baton. "Am I to believe we are next to battle? You've taken down my son and brother. Is it my turn to be defeated by the great and noble Perseus Jackson?" he asked, voice mocking. Percy narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps you could use some help," he added and looked around. "Your sister looks to be out of commission," he added with a feigned look of regret at Evelyn. "What about the other one? Where is she?" he asked. "Or did she die too?"

"Choose your next words carefully."

"Your boyfriend? His brother? Where are your friends, anyway? You were gone for quite some time. Are you sure any are alive?" Percy took steady breaths. "You have been left with nothing," Kronos said with a shake of his head. "And despite your silly little game of hide-and-seek... you are only a child yearning for the right to exist," he said and clicked his tongue.

"I do have the right to exist," Percy said, voice shaking. "Just because they don't like it doesn't mean it isn't there."

"There is always a cost," Kronos told him, and something exploded in the distance. "Evelyn understood that. You know she won't be going to the Underworld," he added. Percy frowned. Another explosion. Gods, he hoped his mom was somewhere safe. "Her soul was tied to me. Her death weakens me, yes, but my essence weakened hers. She'll be in Tartarus, probably," he chuckled. "Tragic."

Percy raised his sword.

"So will you," he said and narrowed his eyes. "And that's true, then I'm getting her out," he said. Kronos scoffed and raised his scythe. This was it then. Percy lifted his sword.

"You can try," he said and then raised the scythe over his shoulder. "Just remember you are all alone."

"Bold words from someone who vores his loved ones," he said and then wrinkled his nose. "...can vore be a verb?" he asked. Kronos' scythe wavered in the air.

"I don't know what that means."

"It's like a fetish. You enjoy eating people for pleasure."

"I- it wasn't for pleasure," Kronos spluttered, looking legitimately offended. Which was a little funny that this was the first thing Percy had said that actually made an impact. "It was to prevent the prophecy," he sniffed. Percy shrugged. Whatever helped him sleep at night. "Besides, the word is cannibalism. That is the correct translation."

"No, this is a new word."

"A new-? I read all the new words."

"Not this one."

"What is the difference between this word and cannibalism?"

"I don't think people enjoy cannibalism. They just kind of do it. Vore is like a sexual thing."

Kronos lowered his scythe completely.

"It's a what?"

"Why are you judging?" Percy asked. "You ate your kids!" he said and waited. Best case scenario, Kronos decided he didn't want to rule a world with the word 'vore' in it and just gave up. He looked like he kind of wanted to, based on his expression. In the end, he only shook his head.

"Nevermind this," he decided and raised the scythe again. "Now? We fight."

Damn. So close. Percy raised Riptide back up again. He took a breath and reached for any focus he still had.

Then three things happened at once:

1. Nico, Bianca, and Hazel appeared like three angels of death in an apocalypse. Bianca was shrouded in silver light as her arrows rained down, while Nico led an army of undead to charge forward. Hazel was... doing something wild. She appeared to be teleporting in shrouds of mist, reappearing to strike.

2. Vines curled around Kronos' feet, moving up his legs as Demeter appeared in armor with her golden hair doused in blood and ichor. A sickle was in each of her hands as she looked up, meeting Kronos' eyes with a burning intensity that was only matched by Hades appearing behind Kronos like a ghost. He had his Helm of Darkness on and a stygian spear in one hand.

3. A lightning strike of lightning appeared from nowhere. Percy thought it might have been Athena, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where it was coming from. Kronos faltered back.

Percy wasn't even sure he was needed.

"Hello, Father," Demeter greeted and tossed a sickle to Hades. He caught it, taking the curve of it under Kronos chin and jerking his arm back. Kronos roared, but the weapon didn't cut his head off like intended. Ichor spilled from his throat, sending him writhing. Then everything froze. Time stopped before zipping back a few seconds. Demeter was back with both sickles, and this time when she threw it, Kronos intercepted.

...right. Titan of Time. Damn, that was unfortunate.

Percy dove, aiming to get a good nick in him, but everything around him sped up, leaving him on the ground where Kronos had been seconds earlier. He swore and rolled over.

It went on like that for a while. Kronos was clearly outmatched and outnumbered, but each attack was skillfully dodged by time slowing down or speeding up - sometimes stopping altogether. Still, he really must have been weak because each use of his powers only lasted a few seconds before they were off again. Another strike of lightning hit - Kronos rewound time and tried to push Bianca where it would hit. Demeter used a vine to yank her out of the way.

"I could have saved her!" Hades groused. Demeter sneered as she struck again.

"But you didn't!"

Amazing. They were still arguing even in the face of... well. This. Nico deflected a hit and stumbled back, swinging his sword around to ready another hit. Percy faltered in his own attack.

"Nico!" Percy yelled, absolutely appalled. Nico turned. It was kind of horrifying. Actually, scratch the 'kind of' part. Nico was covered in blood, gold dust, and something black and gooey. More disturbing was the fact his entire arm was missing. "What happened?" he asked, momentarily just forgetting Kronos altogether. The others seemed to have it under control for the moment. Nico looked at him in bafflement before his mouth parted.

"Oh!" he said, with a glance at his missing arm. "Don't worry, Will said he could reattach it."

"Why is it gone?"

"Well, before everyone's marks went away, I was starting to feel a little iffy, and I couldn't drink any more centaur blood without dying. I couldn't go to Hera because she was busy, and I was fighting people," he shrugged. "So I just borrowed a sword and lopped it off. It bled a lot, but Will helped me," he said, and from the rubble, there was a cry of objection.

"No!" Will's voice came. He reloaded his gun and aimed it at Kronos. After he blasted an impressive shot aimed at his groin, he continued. "I mean, I did help you, but I said you shouldn't cut it off! I said it would only buy you a little time! I said, 'Nico, don't cut it off', and you said 'I have no choice' and then you did. It was wild. He didn't even scream," he added to Percy before turning to Nico once more. "You definitely had a choice, by the way-"

"So, yeah, Will's going to put it back on now that all the marks have disappeared," Nico interrupted. Then gasped. "Or I can get a metal robot arm," he whispered and looked at Will. "If I got Hephaestus to get me a metal robot arm, would you put that on me?" he asked hopefully. Percy didn't know what to say to any of this. He turned to where Bianca was spitting up blood. "HEY!" Nico suddenly yelled, outraged. "NOT MY SISTER!" he growled and launched himself back into the thick of things. Will aimed another shot. Kronos roared when a bullet hit his left eye.

"...pitiful," Will said with a shake of his head and then went back to the demigod on the ground he was apparently healing. Percy made a silent promise to himself to never have kids and jumped back into the fight.

Oddly enough... fighting Kronos didn't quite feel like battling a titan even with all the time plays. It kind of just felt like a massive bar fight with a customer who got handsy with the pretty bartender (he had seen that once when Gabe tried to exchange Percy for three bottles of vodka). In this case, it looked as if Bianca, Nico, and Hazel were the loyal regulars while Demeter and Hades were the out-of-towners who knew they could end this whole thing quickly.

...that probably made Percy the bartender, actually. Maybe he should be pulling his weight a little more.

He raised his hands to summon waters from the river beside him and slammed it down.

"It would be nice to have a child of Zeus," Bianca breathed out as she fell next to him, wiping her brow. "Maybe we need the powers of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon... since you are a Poseidon kid," she added to him flatly. Oh. Right. They hadn't had time to have that talk yet. He gave a weak smile.

"Sorry I lied?"

"You owe me one Hell of an explanation, Jackson," she said and pulled back another arrow. "Do you happen to have a child of Zeus hidden somewhere?" she asked.

"If all three of us are needed, then we're screwed," Percy said through gritted teeth as he blocked a hit. Time reset, and he felt a flash of frustration. "Though I don't know where that lightning is coming from."

"Athena?"

"Is Typhon gone?" he asked. Bianca shrugged and notched another arrow. Another burst of lightning appeared. Kronos stumbled but managed to block it with his bare hands. The chaos around them grew between their powers. Had Athena joined them now? He didn't have time to figure it out as he continued fighting. Fighting and fighting and fighting as the lights grew, the ground shook, and the sky screamed. Rain blasted down on them with the wind rising and undead climbing from the ground. Someone cried out. A thud followed, and Percy's entire body wanted to collapse. He could only imagine how the others were feeling.

"NOW!" someone shouted, and another blast of lightning struck. Kronos shielded himself, but this time the time didn't reset or speed. He looked down with a frown.

"How?" he murmured, and from beside Percy, something rippled. Luke appeared with Annabeth's Yankee cap in one hand and Kronos' scythe in the other. Huh. Luke. Percy had kind of forgotten about him. He had disappeared in the background for so long, he almost didn't seem relevant.

"Looking for this?" Luke asked, holding up the scythe. Kronos stiffened. "You should be careful. Children of Hermes are notoriously quick... and good thieves," he shrugged. Kronos' mouth parted - perhaps to ask what the Hell Luke was doing (Percy was also pretty curious) but didn't have the chance. Another bolt of lightning came down again, and this time... it hit.

The storm around them lessened as Percy dove forward to jam his blade down into his chest. Kronos fell backward with a sound that might have been a thousand rhinos dying. Hades was next, and with a jolt, the stygian iron sank into Kronos' back.

Fun fact about stygian iron: it traps souls. Or, in this case, divine essence. Kronos' body crumbled like a sandcastle - forming gold dust as Hades' spear buzzed with electricity.

Silence.

"We don't have long," Hades finally grimaced. "He can break out of this. I must cast it into Tartarus," he added and then scowled. "And shut the doors I sensed he pried open," he added with a noise of reproach.

"It's... over?" Hazel said with uncertainty. Then everyone turned to Luke. He stared back before slowly glancing down at the scythe and then set it down. Percy slammed Riptide to his throat. It was only Luke's speed and skill as a sword fighting that allowed him to deflect the hit so suddenly.

"What game are you playing?" Percy asked dangerously. "Is this a trap?" Luke shook his head. "Where is Annabeth? Why do you have her hat?" he asked, pushing the blade into him a bit more.

Luke sighed. "She gave it to me. This was her plan to get the scythe away from Kronos," he said quietly. Percy narrowed his eyes. "I..." he began and then shook his head. "I haven't forgiven anyone. Not yet," he said with a glare at where Demeter and Hades were standing. "But Annabeth and Thalia were my family. Annabeth is my family. Evelyn was my friend," he said, and his eyes flickered to where her body was still splayed on the rocks, somehow protected from the turmoil around them. Percy suspected his father had something to do with that. "If they turned against the titans..." he explained and then shook his head. Percy lowered the sword slightly.

"Where is Annabeth?" he asked suspiciously.

"With the mortal girl and Calypso," Luke said. "They had some plan to put Atlas on Ogygia after the fighting died down," he explained. Percy hesitated. "I already ordered my forces to retreat," he said quietly.

"Annabeth switching sides was all it took?"

"We were also losing," Luke said dryly. Percy rolled his eyes and lowered his weapon. "I didn't know about Hercules," Luke added when Percy turned away to take the scythe. "Evelyn never told me. If she had... I might have made different decisions," he said quietly. "I didn't know what you were, either. If I did, I would have tried to help you," he added. That was true. Percy knew that was true. Luke had been the one to sneak unclaimed kids out of camp. Before Bianca came along, he was really the only solace for kátaras. He turned back to Luke.

"I believe you," he said. Luke nodded. "You aren't the bad guy," he added and then grimaced as he looked up at where the Empire State building was still holding strong. "But I don't know how much I can help you with your father," he said. Luke sighed.

"Just get me a semi-decent spot in the Fields of Punishment, and I'm good to go."

"I won't let them kill you," Percy added. Luke shrugged. They might have said more, but others were beginning to poke out. Any other monsters or demigods who had been aligned with the titans were gone. There was only the aftermath surrounding them. Car alarms blared in the distance. Sharp cracking came from the crumbling foundations of buildings falling apart.

"ATHENA DID IT!" someone shouted, and bursts of light appeared. "SHE DEFEATED TYPHON!"

"What about Oceanus?" Percy called as Hades melted into the shadows with Kronos. Three bursts of light appeared next to him.

"No. No, I disagree," Aphrodite said as she threw her arms up. Well, that answered that question. "Amphitrite is your wife. One you whined and cried to get. Her opinion matters most-"

"How were you able to argue this throughout the entire battle?" Poseidon groaned with Rhode and Hephaestus by his side. "Perseus," he added with a warm smile. "I see you were successful here," he said and then turned to where Evelyn was lying. The smile disappeared. His shoulders slumped. "It is true then," he said.

People were starting to gather around. Apollo and Dionysus both appeared, looking ragged and worn. Other demigods popped up with wild tales of their fights.

"Did you see the lightning girl?" someone asked, and Percy jerked his gaze away from Poseidon to listen. "She kept appearing and killing them. I thought it was Thalia Grace at first."

"You saw her too?!"

"Who?" Percy asked, stepping over some rubble. The kids scrambled away from him. "What are you talking-" he began only to be interrupted by a burst of lightning striking down. A girl appeared where the charred remains were as people shrieked, scattering back. Percy grabbed his knife, looking around at where a storm had briefly started up again.

"Hello," the girl said, and the storm died back down to reveal someone in tattered clothes - ruined and soaked in blood. Her hair was loose, falling down to her elbows that swung as she looked around. She seemed baffled by the city. "I'm assuming I helped kill someone bad?" she asked cautiously. Percy nodded. Now that the dust was settling, he was beginning to recognize some features. "Who are you? Where... am I?" she added.

Damnit.

"I'm Percy," he said and ignored the whispering surrounding him. "And you're Vera Bates," he said. Vera looked at him with a hint of surprise before nodding. "Kronos really brought you back," he said, almost defeated. "He hadn't been lying."

"Brought me back?" Vera repeated and shook her head. "I... don't know what you mean. I should be on a ship with... where is Evelyn?" she asked suddenly, looking around. Percy grimaced. "Is she okay? Is the war over?" Percy didn't know how to answer. "I remember she was sick. Did they figure out how to heal her?" she asked. Wordlessly, Percy stepped to the side where Evelyn's body laid beside Poseidon, who was very carefully wrapping her in a green shroud. Vera stared - completely frozen. Her expression gave away absolutely nothing.

"We have a lot to explain," he said gently. Vera gave a curt nod, her eyes still fixed on Evelyn.

"She's dead."

"Yes."

"...oh," Vera said quietly and looked away. "I, um, I see," she said and nodded. "Alright," she said and turned away. "Who survived?" she asked and frowned as she looked around the desecrated buildings. Percy realized then that they were all in armor. The ruin made it hard to tell what the city typically looked like. She had no idea it was no longer than the 1940s.

The suffering of these kids never seemed to stop.

"Yeah," Percy said and walked over to her. "The war is over," he said quietly and then put a hand on her arm. She jerked away. "But it took about seventy years to finish."

Vera's mouth parted.

"What?"

Percy grimaced and looked at the ruin around them.

"Come on," he said. "We have a lot to talk about."

Olympus was trashed but intact. Percy supposed there was that. Silk shrouds filled the room. Percy saw Dionysus standing over Pollux's and felt his stomach twist. He walked over, not sure what he should say - could say. Did Dionysus know it was him? Silence fell over them as he stepped up.

"I knew they would die one day," Dionysus finally said. "They're mortals. You expect that. I just had hoped they had a bit longer," he said. Percy looked down at the purple silk.

"They'll be in Elysium," he said, hoping that would be some comfort. Dionysus scoffed.

"They will," he agreed and reached out to touch the shroud. "I used to take such comfort in that," he mused. "Back when I was a demigod myself. Now, it is... a wistfulness. I will never find myself able to join them," he said with a small shake of his head. Percy didn't answer. "Godhood gives one forever and takes away the one you never appreciated."

"Did you... have people?" Percy asked. Dionysus turned to him. "Before you were a god, I mean. Growing up. A family or friends or...?" he trailed off. Dionysus hummed.

"A mother," he mused. "And an aunt and uncle. Friends and endless lovers," he said with a sad smile. "I brought my mother back from the dead. Made her a goddess. Same with Ariadne when I fell for her," he said and then looked thoughtfully at the shroud again. "I wonder if it was a kindness or a cruelty," he said, more to himself than to Percy.

Athena entered the room, and Dionysus turned. Watching her warily, he took a step towards his throne.

"I killed him," Percy blurted out. Dionysus paused. "Pollux. I- the mark made him..." he tried, voice shaking. Dionysus turned back around, and Percy flinched. "I'm so sorry," he said and waited to be burst into nothing. Dionysus didn't do that, though. He only watched with thoughtful eyes before nodding. Without a word, he walked to his throne. Percy wasn't sure if this was a better or worse reaction than what he was expecting. The rest of the gods all sat down. Percy saw Apollo and almost jerked to life. Silena...?

He couldn't catch Apollo's eyes to ask.

"We have won," Athena said tiredly and ran a hand over her face. For someone who just fought Typhon... she looked reasonably well. Her clothes were black and torn, but ultimately she glowed with a power that even Percy found himself in awe of. "Rewards must be given for the bravery and sacrifice of our demigods," she said. The rest of the survivors all gathered around. "As well as... decisions as to what to do with our enemies," she added as the door slammed open to reveal monsters and demigods from the titan's side. In the front was Luke. To Percy's utter irritation, he was in chains. He stepped forward.

"Lady Athena?" he asked. All eyes turned to him. "Before we proceed, I think we should address the titan army."

"We could kill them?" Ares suggested from where he appeared - still in chains himself and much more docile. That probably had to do with Clarisse based on how he was grinning at her. Percy shook his head.

"They only chose the side they did because you gave them little choice in the matter. I think they should be let go."

Ares snorted, but Hestia gave a fierce nod of agreement. Hermes looked at Luke thoughtfully. His gaze was met with Luke's chilly glare of disapproval. Not the best move when gunning to not die, but Percy had definitely been in that boat, so he couldn't talk.

"Very well," Athena said. Percy almost jumped. Oh. That had been... pretty easy. Nice. "If the demigods who chose the titan side agree to pledge their loyalty once more to us, then all will be forgiven."

"You?" a boy behind Luke asked. "You forgive us?" he demanded. "You should be asking for our forgiveness!" he yelled. The group all murmured. "I was a bush for how many years because of your cowardice?"

"Losers don't get to make the rules," Ares said, but Athena gave him a sharp look to quiet him. She pursed her lips before looking at who had spoken.

"And what is your name?" she asked. The boy stepped forward.

"Ethan Nakamura," he said, jutting out his chin. "Son of Nemesis."

Athena folded her hands together. She seemed deep in thought. From beside Luke, another boy was watching with worried eyes, though they quickly turned into something full of malice when he looked to the gods.

"You were one of the children first freed from the garden, weren't you?" Athena finally asked. Ethan glared. "Very well. What would you like?" she asked. Silence met her words. Ethan stared a few times before looking over his shoulder to the other demigods, who all shrugged.

"Excuse me?"

"I doubt there is suitable compensation for your trauma and time," Athena said. "But I do wish to offer you more than an apology."

"You haven't apologized," the other boy by Luke said. A few people hissed at him.

"Alabaster!"

"Ignore him," Luke said wisely. "He's prone to long monologues if you don't."

Alabaster stepped on Luke's foot. Ethan slowly turned back to Athena.

"You've given us immunity if we pledge our loyalty," he said slowly. Athena nodded. "What about our parents?" he asked. Athena tilted her head. "My mother joined the titans because of the lack of balance the Olympians had brought to the world. Killing and trying to control prophecies - as well as ignoring most minor deities. They deserve more respect. Thrones. Cabins. Everything you have," he said. Athena nodded slowly. "I want all of those things for them alongside their immunity."

"A big ask," Dionysus said dryly. Ethan shrugged. "Is this an Athena decision or a council decision?" he asked Athena coyly. Athena's eyes flitted to him.

"We may vote," she said and looked at each of them. "In favor of adhering to this request?" she asked. Hestia's hand shot up. Athena's own hand was also raised alongside Aphrodite's, Hermes', Hades', and Poseidon. After a second, Artemis raised her hand. So did Apollo. "A clear majority," Athena decided and turned to Ethan. "Would this placate you, Ethan Nakamura?" she asked. Ethan blinked a few times.

"Uh...um," he looked over his shoulder. Most of them were nodding, but Alabaster, in particular, was shaking his head. "I could ask for more?" he frowned, looking a little suspicious. Athena's lips quirked up.

"You were a bush for many years," she reminded him. Ethan blinked.

"You have to claim us," he said. Athena nodded. "Um, by...?" he looked around.

"Thirteen?" Percy suggested. A few people jumped at Percy's presence before stepping back. Apparently, kátara propaganda would remain for a little while longer. Ethan turned dark eyes to him. Then shrugged.

"Yeah," he nodded. "By thirteen."

"Done."

"And we don't get turned into plants anymore!" Alabaster called. Athena nodded. "Or anything else!" he said. Athena waited. "If we get turned into anything, we get a trial!"

"A trial?" Ares said, sounding absolutely disgusted. "That's too far."

"I think," Athena cut in. "That you and I should have a follow-up discussion at a later time to figure out how to make amends," she said. Alabaster narrowed his eyes. "You are Hecate's son, correct?" she asked him. Alabaster nodded. "Your mother may also be in attendance if you feel uncomfortable," she said. Alabaster considered this for a moment and then gave a slow nod of acceptance. "Very well-"

"And what of Luke Castellan?" Artemis asked calmly. Hermes stiffened. "I agree that immunity should be given, but he was the ringleader in this, was he not? Along with Evelyn Laurent?" she asked. Hermes narrowed his eyes at her. "He also had the chance to switch sides earlier-"

"And he did and helped kill Kronos," Hermes snapped at her. "You are not punishing my son-"

"Nothing drastic, Hermes," Artemis shook her head. "Merely something productive. Have him serve at court for a period of time so we may monitor him."

"At court?" Luke asked and then blanched. "You mean, live on Olympus?" he asked and shook his head. "Kill me instead."

"Luke," Annabeth chided. Luke seemed adamant on this, though. Artemis gave a knowing nod.

"You would spend more time around him, Hermes," she said, and Hermes' previous obstinance paused. Luke narrowed his eyes. "Zeus' rules are no longer in place as of right now. Meddling in human affairs is currently allowed," she said. Luke pinned her with the coldest look humanly possible.

"...for how long?" Hermes asked. Luke looked up at the ceiling.

"Be kind," Hestia frowned at them. "He meant well. I say a month."

"A month? Hardly a lesson," Hephaestus frowned. "Five years."

"Make him immortal," Hades said with a nod. "And then he can do it forever, and I won't have to worry about his soul coming down to the Underworld."

"One year," Hera said, voice brooking no argument. Athena glanced at her and nodded.

"One year sounds right," Athena said, and Luke made a face. "You may serve as an assistant to your father for that time," she said. Ethan put a hand on Luke's shoulder - possibly to keep him from throwing himself off the side of the mountain. "Any objections?" she asked. Luke raised his hand. "From anyone other than you?" she asked. Luke nudged Alabaster, who then raised his hand. Athena looked at him for a long time.

"...sorry, Luke," Alabaster said and put his hand back down. "I'll talk to her about it later," he whispered.

Athena sighed, turning back to everyone else.

"Next," she said. "We must discuss the fate of my father," she said and waved her hand. "Bring him in."

Percy almost jumped as the doors squeaked open. There was the clanking of chains led in by several minor deities who seemed shell-shocked at who was behind them. The room all turned at once to get a better look as they moved to the side to reveal a newly transformed Zeus. Percy curiously watched as he fought against his restraints, only to instead glower and mutter threats under his breath.

Zeus was... well, he was mortal. He looked to be in his thirties, with dark hair and blue eyes that still remained similar to most of his demigods. Vera slid up beside Percy to look at him curiously. He had told her what happened, but he was sure that it was still surreal to see it all in front of her like this. Zeus glowered at the crowd, jerking against the chains.

"Look at how you prevailed," he greeted coldly. "Was the price worth it?" he asked. Percy felt his temper spike. As if Zeus would have prevented anyone here from dying. As if he would even care.

"It was the price you paid," Vera spoke up from beside him. Zeus whipped around. His eyes widened marginally - mouth parting. "All this blood you spilled... was yours," she said, ignoring the small gasps from people who recognized her and mutters from people who didn't. Athena tapped her fingers on the arm of her throne. Vera only looked at her father. Her eyes were hard and unforgiving.

"It is time to decide if Zeus is to remain mortal," Athena spoke up, regaining the room's attention. "Demigods, are there any thoughts from you on this matter?" she asked. Everyone looked at one another.

"Would we be responsible for him?" someone asked. Athena shook her head.

"Who would look after the sky?"

"Would the mortals notice?"

Athena patiently waited, answering the questions as they came. Percy kept quiet, mulling over his own thoughts as he instead quietly took note of the room. Pretty much everyone was covered in dirt, blood, or something else sinister. Percy could see younger campers clinging to the legs of their counselors, whispering among one another as Athena waited for any objections.

"Perhaps," Hera said calmly. "This could be temporary. He would remain mortal for... a decade," she suggested. Apollo shook his head.

"What use is that?"

"Your father has ruled for many years," Hera shot back. "He has given you many chances. One would think to return the favor-"

"I have an idea," Percy spoke up. Everyone turned to him. From his throne, Poseidon smiled at him. Percy stepped up. "If you're going to give him his immortality back, then make him live as a real demigod would. Give him a quest. Multiple quests even," he shrugged. Zeus scowled. "Have him prove himself to you," he said. Apollo raised an eyebrow at that. Hades lit up.

"As in... make him do tasks for our benefit?" he asked, almost ferally as he smiled down at Zeus. "Hm. I do think Cerberus needs a new playmate."

"Easy, Hades," Poseidon murmured and placed two fingers against his lips. His eyes flicked to Evelyn's shroud. "...but I am not opposed to the idea," he admitted quietly. Zeus swore loudly, cursing everyone within sight (Percy got some special shoutouts). Athena raised her hands for silence.

"An interesting proposition," she said and turned to Hestia. "Aunt?" she asked, voice softening. "What do you think of all of this? You voted against having Zeus turn mortal. Do you agree with this new suggestion?" she asked. Zeus stiffened at that, turning to his sister with expectant eyes.

Hestia stared for a long time. Finally, she sat up straight and spoke.

"I have a solution," she said quietly. The council all leaned in. "I agree that Zeus should remain mortal," she told them. Zeus' eyes widened as he jerked against the chains. "However, he should be given a chance to earn his immortality back. I agree with Perseus. It should be a... a trial. To ensure we know he is a worthy god and potential leader," she explained. The gods all shifted. "Which is why I propose that Zeus' immortality will only be restored if he is able to take the sky from Hercules," she said.

Whispers flew around the room. Zeus' mouth dropped.

"You're not serious."

"Only a true, pure-hearted hero can willingly take on the burden," Hestia told him. "If you can lift the sky, then we know you are once again worthy."

"And who will take this burden from me once my immortality is gained?" Zeus asked loudly. "Or do you plan to leave me there so you may continue your rule of usurpation?" he demanded.

"Maybe make him younger," Hades suggested, ignoring him completely. "If he is truly to understand a hero's plight, then perhaps he should reflect their age, no?" he asked innocently. "We could call Hebe."

There was a low murmur.

"We will arrange for the details to be planned," Athena said reasonably. "There is much to discuss. I doubt we would leave you to hold up the sky for very long," she assured him. Percy didn't think Zeus looked too confident at that. "Call Hebe," she added to a couple of nymphs.

"And what about you?" Percy called. The gods all turned to him in surprise. "Zeus is mortal. That's great. No objections here," he shrugged. "But are you going to ignore your part in all of this?" he asked. "As much as I would love to use Zeus as a scapegoat..." he trailed off and held out his hands. "You all have blood on your hands," he said. "You've compensated them," he added with a nod towards the titan army. "But you bear no punishment yourself."

An awkward silence followed.

"...we can't all turn mortal," Apollo finally said and then looked around. "Can we?" he whispered.

"Mr. Jackson," Hephaestus spoke evenly. "We appreciate everything you have done during this war. There had been... a lot of sacrifice as of recent," he added, voice going a bit more gentle towards the end. Percy narrowed his eyes. "And - er," he paused with a wary look between Poseidon and Aphrodite. "I'm sure your... father?" he began. Aphrodite cleared her throat. "Your mother-"

"No," Poseidon chimed in. Irritation rolled over the room.

"One of your many parents," Hephaestus snapped out. "Would be happy to compensate you. Immortality, perhaps?" he suggested. A few people gasped. Hera made a face at the suggestion, but there were no objections as Athena gave a slight nod of approval. Ha. As if. Percy looked to where Dionysus was grimacing. He thought back to their earlier talk and felt anything that could vaguely resemble temptation squashed. No. Not with so many dead loved ones. Never.

"I don't want compensation," Percy told them, grinding his teeth a little at the suggestion. "I want assurance that you can't just go around doing whatever you want anymore. We're not toys. You don't get to kill us when you want or dispose of us when you're done. You can't turn us crazy with a snap of your fingers or take away our right to live the lives we want. That isn't how it's supposed to work-"

"I would argue that's exactly how it should work," Hera said. "We are gods, child," she told him. Percy probably should have watched his temper, but the next words were out of his mouth before he could think better of them.

"Funny, I thought you would sympathize, Lady Hera," he bit out. "Given that the gods doing whatever they want has led to your many, many, many stepchildren," he said. Hermes snorted but quickly turned it into a cough when Hera's eyes turned into a white light of rage. A few demigods stepped back. "Maybe I misspoke," he added irritably. "You can. But you shouldn't."

"Do you have a plan to stop us, little mortal?" Demeter asked though she seemed more curious than offended. Percy considered. He didn't. Not really. How can anyone control the gods? There was no system in place to really hold them up to standard like they should be. All he could do was hope Athena was a better leader than Zeus and would do the job herself. He met her eyes now, silently asking for her guidance.

"We won't fight for you forever," he told her. "Not if you keep treating us like that. You turned against Zeus. What's to stop us all from turning against the gods?"

"The world would turn to chaos."

"Maybe," Percy said and then gestured around the broken throne room. "But at least it would be chaos we caused. Not you."

A few angry mutters came from the gods. Aphrodite looked around worriedly, fingers digging into her throne. Athena only stared. He couldn't imagine what she could even be thinking. He was reminded of Annabeth. He had a vague feeling where her heart might lie, but he could never be sure.

"What exactly do you want?" Athena finally asked. Percy stepped closer to her throne, ignoring Zeus fighting and the other gods staring him down.

"Kronos said Evelyn may be in Tartarus. If that's true, I want her out. I want assurance that Calypso won't have to return to Ogygia. I want the ban against Big Three children lifted. I want any manhunts for kátaras to stop - and I want there to be consequences if you hurt any demigod." he said firmly. He could tell the others were getting tired of this. Even Aphrodite and Poseidon were looking a bit wary at the requests.

"If Evelyn's soul is anywhere but in the Elysium," Poseidon decided with an air of warning in his tone. "Then Zeus or Hercules himself can retrieve her."

Hell, that worked for him. Athena nodded.

"As for the rest," she said and sighed. "Calypso will remain free, but I cannot lift the ban on the Big Three children. I can only promise that if they are born against the sacred oath, then they will have protection," she said. Percy pursed his lips. "The manhunts will stop. As for the last part..." she said and leaned back.

Hera cleared her throat. "Perhaps," she suggested and let dark eyes roam over Percy. "These... consequences are something that requires more thought?" she said. Percy shifted a bit. He didn't like how she was looking at him. Not in the least. "Maybe we shouldn't make such decisions in the wake of such a war. It should be a discussion at a later time," she reasoned.

Percy pursed his lips. Well... he couldn't argue with that. Maybe it would be something he could discuss with Annabeth later.

"But we will discuss it," he said, voice daring anyone to argue. A few gods gave angry mutters. Athena took over again, giving out rewards and whatnot. Grover was made Lord of Wild. Tyson was given a new stick. Annabeth was enlisted to redesign Olympus and Apollo offered Rachel the chance to become the new oracle. It was all good, he supposed. Still, there was an emptiness that sat in his chest. A sort of throbbing that only came with the sense of profound loss.

Even now, he walked through the endless lines of shrouds to see who had and hadn't made it. Michael Yew was dead. According to Will, he had been killed by a marked demigod. Beckendorf had died fighting off monsters from attacking while Apollo worked to try and heal Silena. There was a sting for every person he hadn't seen die. It made him think of the girl he had seen on the mountain. Reyna...

"Perseus," Athena's voice called, and he turned away from a gray shroud to find her behind him. "You and I haven't had a chance to talk," she told him, taking steady steps towards him. The rest of the council had dispersed - everyone wisely giving Percy room to try and take in the events. Percy turned. He probably should bow, but he wasn't sure he was at that point to bow every time he saw her.

"I get the feeling there are going to be many gods wanting to talk to me," he grimaced. "Hera seemed awfully excited to get me alone."

"Be careful," she warned him. "Gods won't like the idea of a demigod putting a god in their place," she said and walked over to him. Percy didn't answer. After a minute, she scoffed. "A son of Poseidon..." she muttered and shook her head. "I knew it was something, but I would have never guessed Poseidon. I should have, though. My dislike for your father blinded me from thinking he could actually have a clever child."

"Are you going to hold it against me?" he asked her. Athena looked at him with a subtle hint of a smile.

"I dislike being tricked."

"Your con went on much longer than mine," Percy told her and shook his head. "My story kept falling apart every time I turned around. I don't know how you managed to keep Zeus in the dark about you for so long," he said. Athena didn't give him an explanation. She looked at him - clearly torn between annoyance and being impressed.

"Why Aphrodite?" she asked. Percy tilted his head. "Surely, there were better options. Hermes, perhaps," she suggested. Percy laughed. "But you choose... love," she said, slowly and almost distastefully. "Why her?"

"I didn't choose her," Percy said. "She seems to think I did, but I didn't," he said and sighed. "I guess she didn't choose me either. Silena did," he sighed and closed his eyes. "It is her you should be admiring. She was the smartest person I ever met. I only hope I made her proud today," he said, wringing his hands.

Athena scoffed. "Demeter and Aphrodite. Perhaps goddesses who should not be as dismissed as they are," she said and held out her hand, so the master bolt appeared. "Well, you may not think you deserve my admiration, but it is there nevertheless," she said and grimaced. "As much as I loathed this game you have played in making me feel a fool. For my throne and your intelligence... I will respect your decisions," she told him with a slight bow of her head.

Percy looked at her. He couldn't decide if all of this was genuine or if she was playing it safe by ensuring all the demigods liked her at the start of her new rule.

"Thank you, your majesty."

"Hm. As for your sister... perhaps speak to her about her feelings yourself."

"What?" Percy said and turned. "What do you mean-?" he began, but when he turned, Athena was gone. Rhode was there, though. He smiled at her weakly. "I didn't notice you," he said, and Rhode rolled her eyes before silently gesturing over her shoulder. Percy paused to hear Poseidon and Aphrodite's voice echoing down the hall.

"He's lived in your cabin for how many years now, Aphrodite? Why are you going to force him to stay?"

"You force Rhode to stay in Atlantis! Besides, he wants to-"

"I couldn't take it anymore," Rhode said solemnly. "I thought it was funny at first, but now I'm just annoyed," she said with a shake of her head. "Then I went over to complain to my aunt and uncle only to find them bickering about the di Angelos," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Demeter nearly lost her mind when she saw the little boy's arm."

"Yeah, that's probably fair," Percy snorted and glanced towards the other end of the hall to where a figure was standing over a sea-green shroud. Percy bit his lip. Rhode's eyes followed his gaze.

"Come on," she prompted and grabbed his hand. Percy almost jerked back. "Hey, now. You don't get to refuse me after rejecting godhood," she told him sternly and pulled him along. Percy inwardly whined as he was taken to where Vera Bates was looking down at Evelyn's shroud. She had not spoken again since her comments during the council meeting.

"You knew our sister?" Rhode spoke up. Vera turned. He had seen her in memories before, but never this closely... or in person. She was really just as Evelyn described. Tall with tanned skin and dark brown hair. She had Zeus' eyes that reminded him strikingly of Thalia with similar, proud features that they both seemed to have inherited from her father. She knelt and touched the green shroud.

"Yes," she said softly. "We were..." she said and then pursed her lips. "I knew her," she decided and shook her head. "I was listening to the other demigods. Did she really do all of this?" she asked quietly. "Turn against her father? Aid Kronos?" Percy nodded. Vera's frown deepened as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "It is most unlike her..." she murmured.

"This was a different time to live in," Rhode said. "It is hard to stay the same person."

"I suppose," Vera said and shook her head. "I just thought..." she began and then shook her head. "Nevermind. It doesn't matter now, does it?" she asked bitterly. Percy stepped up beside her, looking down at the shroud.

"I'm so sorry," Percy said quietly. "I'm sorry I didn't save her."

Vera glanced at him.

"Me too," she sighed and took a long breath. "I... always used to complain about how easy she had it," Vera murmured. "I never meant for the Fates to take that as a challenge."

"She's at peace now," Percy said - hoping it was true. If not, he would make it true. "Do you know if Hugo is in the Underworld still?"

Vera shook her head, though something in her expression shifted.

"I'm going to look," she said and bit her lip. "See who else has returned. I don't remember coming across anyone else, but who knows?" she asked. Then paused. "Did... my father say anything?"

"He says a lot of things," Percy said distastefully. Vera's lips quirked up. "What about?"

"I just want to know if she ever forgave me for forcing her to live," Vera said with a sigh. "My father must have told her."

"Poseidon was the one who kept her alive..." he began but trailed off when Vera shook her head. "I saw the memory," he objected.

Vera sighed. "Before I died, I prayed to my father to find a way to spare her. I figured he would do it covertly. By the sound of things, he simply allowed Poseidon and Hades to choose a child to live, knowing Poseidon would choose her," she mused and ran a hand through her hair. "I didn't imagine I would condemn her to this, though. I didn't think he would even try. My father had never answered any prayer of mine before," she said and then grimaced. "He never answered any prayers," she said and looked around. "Did any of my siblings return?" Percy shook his head. Surprisingly, relief touched her face. "Good. I need a few days without anyone trying to kill me..." she murmured.

Percy turned to Rhode to express his utter bafflement at how conversationally this casual fratricide was implied. She only shrugged. Vera put her sword away and tossed her hair back.

"It was nice to meet you, Percy Jackson," she said and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I suspect we will meet again one day," she said solemnly. "I hope we are friends when we do."

Oh. Percy nodded. There was a subtle threat there that Percy wasn't entirely sure he deserved, but okay. She brushed past him, heading out towards the celebration raging outside. Rhode watched her go, playing with a black curl thoughtfully before looking back at Percy with a wry smile.

"Are you ready?" she asked. Percy tilted his head.

"For what?"

"To be incredibly happy and annoyed at once?" Rhode asked. Um... what? She didn't give him much of a chance to answer. Rhode strode over and put her hands on his shoulders, leading him farther down the hallway. Percy could hear murmurs on the other side of a golden door. Ugh. He could still hear Aphrodite and Poseidon arguing. That would be the annoyance. Rhode laughed, potentially reading his mind, and pushed open the door.

"DAD!" someone called as Percy stumbled in, shielding his eyes from the bright light. When he could see again, he made out what looked to be a small hospital. Apollo's personal infirmary, probably. It looked more ornate than functional based on Will's cry of frustration as he searched through a few drawers. "JUST BECAUSE YOU DO NOT NEED TO WEAR GLOVES DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN HIDE THEM!"

"It's a magical drawer," Apollo objected from where he was sitting next to Bianca as she held Nico's hand. "It should just appear."

"It isn't," Will said and pointed at Nico. "He doesn't have an arm. I can't be fumbling around for gloves."

"...maybe the other drawer is the magical one," Apollo said and then turned to Nico. "What kind of arm do you want?"

"Robot," Nico replied immediately and looked up to where Hazel was curiously rummaging through some cabinets. "Hazel agrees with me that a robot one would be cooler. Right, Hazel?" he asked hopefully. Hazel gave a thumbs up.

"No," Bianca said firmly. "Give him back his old one!"

"Fine, fine," Apollo said and held out his hand. "I can help with this. Where is the arm?"

Silence.

"...um," Nico said and looked around. "I thought Will grabbed it?"

"Me?" Will asked, horrified. "I can't even find gloves! Wait - you don't know where your arm is?"

"It was the heat of battle! I just cut it off and kept fighting!" Nico objected and then sighed. "I guess I get a robot arm after all-"

"No," Bianca said and grabbed Hazel's hand. "We will go look. Mother?" she called to where Demeter was wiping some blood from Katie's cheek. "Would you help us find Nico's arm?" she asked, giving Percy a small smile when their eyes locked. He returned it weakly. Demeter spun around.

"He lost it?!" she asked and threw up her hands. "HADES!"

"This is not a suitable environment for healing," someone said, and Percy gasped, spinning around. Rhode snorted. Directly behind him was Aphrodite, swooning over an injured Valentina as Mitchell told Lacy a very censored retelling of the war while Troy and Sam went around handing candy out to the wounded (Sam would probably cheer everyone up in their own special way as well). Drew was sitting on the edge, complaining loudly about something, but none of that mattered. All that mattered was the person in the bed they were surrounding.

"Silena!" he cried and practically shoved Jaime out of the way to get to her. Silena grinned up at him. "You're alive - I thought for sure-" he began and then froze. The relief was quickly spreading to outright fury. "What were you thinking?!" he shouted at her, making everyone jump. "You just go around doing dumb stuff now?! As if I don't already do that!" he yelled. Silena raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm sorry for yelling!" he added, though he yelled it with the same amount of aggression as he did before.

"I had to-"

"No," Percy shook his head and pointed at her. "No, you didn't. No. Nope. If you had died, I would have never forgiven you," he added and shoved her slightly so he could also climb into bed. Silena sighed but moved over before putting her head on his shoulder. "...stupid," he mumbled. Silena propped her chin on him.

"I did say back when you were twelve that I would protect you. I followed through on that promise," she pointed out. Percy glared at her. "Also, I'm alive, so can you forgive me now?"

Percy paused.

"Just this once," he said and put his arm around her. "You're on thin ice, though."

"What a change of pace," Silena yawned. "Give it a few days. You'll be on thin ice with me again," she said. Percy scoffed but let himself feel the relief settle through him. He owed Apollo a thousand offerings. From beside the bed, Aphrodite smiled at them both, brushing over Silena's hair. Silena stiffened at the action. Slowly, she turned to look at her mom. "... I'm sorry," she said quietly. Aphrodite tilted her head. "For turning against you. I just... I was angry with everyone who disappeared and the gods and you and-"

Aphrodite lowered her hand.

"No," she said and grimaced. "I cannot blame you for turning away from me. I have not been present. I didn't think I needed to be. You always seemed so..." she began and, when Silena looked away, sighed. "I suppose it doesn't matter. I should have been there all the same," she mused, and Silena smiled weakly. "I should thank you, actually."

"Thank me?"

"For raising my children," Aphrodite said and gestured around the bed. "I'm sorry such a burden fell on you. Being an older sibling is no easy feat. You did better than I could ever hope." She leaned over to kiss Silena's temple. "But I think Perseus has proved we can all do better. So just rest for now," she said and then chuckled. "You'll need it for when Piper comes."

"Piper?" Drew asked, looking up. "What a horrible name."

"Drew, be nice," Silena yawned. "Who is Piper?"

"I like the name Piper," Lacy said dreamily. "It's really pretty."

"Don't worry about it quite yet," Aphrodite told them, amused. "Let's just- oh, no." she cut herself off. Percy grinned. Tyson had appeared, giving a bright yell when he saw Percy. "Poseidon."

"Hello, my boy!" Poseidon greeted as Tyson rushed over to crush Percy into a hug. He held up an arm to shield Silena from becoming collateral damage. "Great news. I just spoke to your mother, and she said she would be fine with you visiting Atlantis for the summer-"

"I agreed to no such thing!"

"I spoke to Sally Jackson."

Rhode shook her head. "This is your life now," she told Percy solemnly and patted his shoulder. "I am so sorry."

"Sally is currently in the midst of pregnancy hormones. She probably didn't even know what you were asking-"

"Okay," Percy cut in. "I would actually like to see my mom because this is the second time you've referenced her being pregnant, and I need an explanation for that," he said. Aphrodite blinked at him a few times. "Is it... yours?" he asked, fearing the answer.

"Oh," she said and looked at Poseidon, who shrugged. "Well, um, okay," she frowned and sat down again. "Well... you see, your mother and I have been growing closer. And when people grow close in that way-"

"Not that explanation," Percy said quickly. "No. Not... not that explanation. Never that explanation."

"He might need that explanation," Drew said helpfully and patted Percy's leg. "He's been spending time with that Athena girl. He might think that sort of birthing process is normal," she said. Percy hated her. From across the room, Annabeth perked up at the mention of Athena. She and Rachel were currently in deep conversation with Apollo about something or another. Percy fixed her with a pleading look, and Annabeth grinned at him.

"Percy!" she called. "We need your opinion on something! Can you come here for a second?"

An escape. Percy stuck his tongue out at Drew before untangling himself from Silena.

"You're leaving me?" Silena asked with a fake gasp. Percy patted her leg. "You're a coward!" she called when he bounded over to where Rachel and Annabeth were waiting. He grabbed Tyson to tug him along with him. "I'm going to remember this, Perseus Jackson!" she yelled. Percy laughed and collapsed onto one of the empty beds - not that there were many.

The war was over. A new council was put in place. Everyone was more or less freed. Percy's identity was out in the open.

...and he had no idea how to feel about any of it.

Absently, he held up a hand, letting water fly to the center of his palm. It shifted - forming a trident and then a dove. He turned to find Annabeth watching him.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked her. She shook her head. He propped himself up. "What do you think? Still going to call me Pretty Boy?"

Annabeth laughed.

"I think it still works," she mused. "I could come up with some new material, though. Kelp Head? Seaweed Brain?" she suggested. "Merman? Aquaman?" she listed off. Percy made a face. "Which do you feel more like?" she asked curiously, swinging her legs over the side of the cot. "Aphrodite or Poseidon?" she asked. Percy considered. Ultimately, his home would forever feel like a beach with pounding waves and the smell of sea salt... but he also could speak French, create enchantments, and knew at least ten different braids.

"I don't know," he admitted quietly. "I just feel like me."

And for the first time since all of this started... that might not have been a bad thing.