The Cradle of Olympus

by Rohan Rodrigues

Taking place for a brief period in Ancient Greece and beyond, at a time when the Olympian council of Gods haven't reached their full potential yet, an unknown entity has made it's presence known. What will it's connection be to Olympus, and the greater Greek pantheon as well? (Arc I is complete, continuing on with Arc II)

54. Chapter 54

Authors Note: Stats are back! I am so happy ffn finally got their shit together and fixed the story stats, you have no idea how much joy I get seeing that view count number go up every day. Looks like we're starting the new year with a bang. And we're finally here with the next chapter too, sorry it took a while to finish this thing. It was a bit difficult honestly for me to write this… eh, scratch that. Anyway, on with the reading!

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Chapter 54: Memories of Wake

The sky was dark on Olympus. For what was supposed to be another long bright day ahead, was instead clouded and gloomy. The residents of Olympus- gods, goddesses, nature spirits and other immortals, wondered if they should stay clear in their homes for the day. Because days like these, did not bode well for whoever tempts the storm that was beginning to brew in the throne room.

Zeus had a pensive look on his face as he regarded the audience in front of him. An Iris message was being played out, showing Percy and Thalia, deep in conversation. Zeus's eyes darkened as he watched Thalia suddenly embrace the god, while the latter was slowly stroking her hair, whispering something indistinctively to her.

"When I first heard your accounts, I didn't feel it to be necessary to take heed to them. But, now… seeing this… it seems that my nephew's actions are becoming more and more clearer. And I am unsure if that is something that needs to go unchecked." Zeus murmured, reaching out for his master bolt. Amaltheia was standing beside the Iris message, confusion in her eyes.

"What do you mean by that, milord?" she then asked.

"This may be more difficult than I thought. So much influence in such a short span of time…"

Amaltheia bleated out concernedly. "Shouldn't you be happy, milord? To have your child of such high caliber, ensured to be aligned with Olympus. One such as you couldn't have possibly wished for a better outcome."

Zeus narrowed his eyes. "Is the allegiance with just Olympus, or only to one specific god that may just be able to sway her opinions?"

Amaltheia fell silent.

"This was supposed to be something I was meant to rectify myself. Something I had to atone for. I can't have the fate of western civilization on the hands of someone who is not prepared to take the burden of it on their shoulders. Perseus will not see to it, he's too kind. And because of that, it may just be too late…"

"Too much has happened now, she is not ready for what I must have her accomplish. Unless, there is something I can have her take a part in. It could be dangerous, but it just might be the only way."

"Are you sure of these challenge you speak of milord?" Amaltheia asked.

Zeus exhaled. "This is a child who I do not recognize. It must be done."

He then raised the master bolt in the air, and a stream of lightning erupted from it, hitting the night lit ceiling and disappearing. A few minutes passed when a bright flash of light appeared in front of Zeus's throne, the light disappearing to reveal a bald, and slightly pudgy looking being. The being slowly dropped down to kneel in front of Zeus. He seemed to be wearing large robes that rippled mesmerizingly. The only thing visible of his body was his head that was peeking out.

"Nightwatcher." Zeus spoke, his tone increasing in volume. "You are yet bundled up in your shell in the middle of the year?"

The being muttered something about it being January.

Zeus sighed. "This is of utmost importance. Do not make me give chase if you can't see this being completed."

The being immediately straightened himself, a sly look on his face. "I hope you are not proposing what I think you are, lord Zeus. May I remind you who you are proposing to threaten even for the smallest of slights?"

"Do not push your luck minor god." Zeus growled. The being frowned on hearing his words, but stayed silent. Zeus then pulled the Iris message towards the god, focusing on the image of Thalia.

"This child… when the time comes, I wish for her to take part in the matters of your realm. Do you understand?"

The god's eyes slightly widened. "Are you insinuating what I am thinking? What has she done to be given to me?"

"Nothing fully her fault." Zeus murmured. "Make the necessary preparations, I do not want any time to be wasted when you need to act. You are dismissed."

The being gave a short bow before flashing away, leaving behind a contemplative Zeus, and a pensive Amaltheia.

"Are you sure this will benefit your daughter milord?" Amaltheia somberly asked.

"It must be done. Nothing can be amiss from her destiny. Absolutely nothing."

---

Percy had a faraway look in his eyes as he unintentionally tapped his fingers on the table. It had been a few days since his chat with the other gods regarding the shadow plane, and he was now inside his expanded tent, his gaze towards the entrance. He then shook himself awake as he noticed the air around him shimmering, soon followed by a bright flash of light as Apollo appeared, strangely decked out in beach attire. He pushed back his shades and grinned at Percy, taking a chair and sat across him.

"You will not believe the people I saw in Barcelona dude. There was this one guy, and he was out in the surf… you okay?"

"Yeah, just feeling tired that's all." Percy replied, propping himself up.

Apollo smirked. "Come on dude, I know the days are beginning early now, but I doubt your laziness is that bad."

Percy smiled slightly. "I'm not feeling jet lagged if that's what you're implying."

Apollo snorted. "Don't call it jet lag, me and sis face actual jet lag mind you."

"You technically stay in one place. Artemis is the one who moves around." Percy mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"I'll have you know our chariots purpose is very different from those celestial bodies." Apollo replied hotly.

"But I know what's going on, it's obvious really with what we are planning." He said, looking around the room with a confused expression on his face. "Where is everyone else though. And Artemis?"

Percy raised an eyebrow. "No one else has arrived, you're the first one here. Didn't see that coming?" he smirked.

Apollo chuckled. "Oh, I definitely did not. And she always said she was not lazy during the summer. Well look who's laughing now!"

A high pitched scream then echoed outside, causing Percy and Apollo to stare at each other, followed by both of them rushing outside. They stepped out, only to find Aphrodite waving her hands around as she tried to fend off a bird.

"Apollo, get your damn crow away from my hair!" Aphrodite shrieked.

"Oh yeah… I forgot I asked him to do that." Apollo said calmly, snapping his fingers. The bird gave out one final cry as it flew towards the sun god and perched itself on his shoulder, peering closely at Aphrodite.

"Your sister here was very curious at one point on our escapades during the 60's. So, I had asked Vision here to alert me if she was anywhere within any particular god's range. Though that only worked when this dumb bird was keeping watch too." Apollo grumbled. "I guess I forgot to tell him to stop."

The crow squawked as it ruffled it's feathers, nipping Apollo's ear.

"Ow, yeah I know." Apollo exclaimed. "Go see where Artemis is, she's being uncharacteristically late right now."

"She could just be lazy like you said." Percy said with a shrug. "I can vouch for that, the amount of times both of us dragged each other back to bed just because it was so bright outside, and then we would-"

"No, no, stop there." Apollo cringed. "Ever heard of what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Now please apply that to the bedroom."

Percy sweatdropped. "We never even did anything like that at all. Not to mention, I didn't even do anything in Vegas that I can say should remain there."

Apollo blinked. "You've already been to Vegas?! Without the guys?"

"Where is that demigod child Percy." Aphrodite interrupted, as she finally straightened her hair. "I figured she would have been hiding behind you by this point."

"I've sent her to explore the forest for now. Just something to keep her occupied. I'll pick her up once everyone arrives here." Percy explained. He was about to say something when he heard a prominent hissing noise behind him, something that Percy was definitely sure came from a certain creature, causing him to jump. Behind him, the air shimmered to reveal a grinning Hermes, though his form was strangely flickering. He was dressed in a uniform that had the UPS and Hermes Express logo's and was holding out his cadescus, which had two familiar snakes wrapped around it.

"George, you know Lord Perseusss isss unfortunately wary of our kind." A turquoise color snake spoke, her words echoing inside Percy's head.

"I believe the correct word isss scared." The red color snake, George, hissed out. "Besides Martha, it isss funny."

"It definitely is." Hermes said with a chuckle. "Now, don't repeat the joke again for another few years, unless you want to be smited by Percy here."

"We'll forgive him if he bringsss usss ratsss." George replied.

"Hello Georgius. Marta." Percy replied coolly. "I'll be happy to entertain your request to feast on rats. I've heard the pit has a pretty good horde of them."

The two snakes began to then protest loudly, mostly for the use of their old names, prompting Hermes to turn it into a cell phone. "There, that will keep them silent." He replied with a wink, pocketing it.

"Dude, you won't believe what I did in Barcelona, and what Percy did in- um…" Apollo said as he trailed off, on seeing that his hand was passing seamlessly though Hermes. "What are you up to now?"

"Oh… this?" Hermes asked, looking nervous. "Well, I am a bit busy delivering a package west to Zephyrus."

"And…" Apollo pushed on.

"…Um…"

Aphrodite grinned in response. "And…" she pressed on sweetly.

Hermes's face twitched. "I'm also on a date with a woman?"

Aphrodite and Apollo cheered, while Percy merely sighed. "Hermes, you do know we're on a bit of a time sensitive mission right now? We can't have any other distractions."

"I know, but I've been holding off this one for so long. She just recently arrived to Los Angeles from Japan, and I was kind of long distancing before that with her-"

"Aww, that is cute." Aphrodite gushed.

"Is it the Miyazawa lady?" Apollo asked, raising his eyebrows suggestively.

"Fine, finish up the date. But you can drop that delivery somewhere else." Percy decided.

"I'm in the middle of the ocean, where am I supposed to drop it?!"

"Who told you to travel manually to Zephyrus?!"

"I like the wind on my face!"

Hecate rolled her eyes. "Immatures." She murmured. Aphrodite silently nodded besides her and then blinked, immediately jumping back when she realized that Hecate was suddenly standing next to her.

"Why is everyone hell bent on making me scared!" The goddess shouted.

Hecate smiled wryly. "I didn't even realize I was participating in that."

"Oh, Hecate, you finally dropped by." Apollo said with a grin. "I'm surprised we didn't sense you through your horrible stench."

Hecate narrowed her eyes. "That is very much Gale and you know that!"

"Uh huh, blame it on the poor weasel that goes pop."

"She's a polecat-"

"You guys have definitely gotten immature as time went by." Percy murmured. "Now we just need to wait for Artemis"

"We are? That's new. Why don't you show me the child then Perseus, I can finish the spell while we're waiting." Hecate requested.

"Okay, I'll go get her then." Percy said, cracking his fingers. He looked like he was preparing to jump when the trees began to rustle, but without any wind. Another bright flash of light then appeared in front of the gods. Percy had an expectant look on his face as he watched the light die down, only to recoil back when something large was flung across from that spot, and landed in front of him with a thud. The light finally died down to reveal Artemis, who was giving the crumpled person an evil smile.

"You will not believe who I found trying to stuff himself inside Old Faithful in order to escape." Artemis replied with a huff as she shook her head in disappointment.

Arius's groans were muffled as his head remained once again face first on the ground. He then slowly got up, wobbling with his steps as he tried to get his bearings straight. Percy was genuinely surprised to see him again, and wondered how Artemis managed to bring him here in the first place, when he noticed that the young immortal was looking quite different than before.

Unlike the last time Percy had seen him, Arius looked well-kept this time at the very least. His hair was now shoulder length and slightly frizzed up due to being damp, a dirty blonde in color. He had a light, almost scruffy beard, and was now sporting a large fur jacket, that was made out of brown leather with long wispy golden fur on the collar. Instead of wearing the jacket, it was draped on his shoulders like a cape. Other than the jacket, he was completely shirtless, his tattoos now very much visible, which made Percy wondered if he got some new ones as well. He was also wearing a pair of black jeans, and was strangely barefoot too. Percy figured he was used to being like that, with the time spent in forests and all.

"Oh…" Arius moaned, covering his mouth as his face slowly turned pale. "You know I'm not good with this stuff. What is this, punishment for running away?"

"Oh no, your punishment will be happening soon enough." Artemis replied.

Arius rolled his eyes, dusting himself as he scowled at the group of gods. "Oh look, the entire entourage is here."

Hecate raised an eyebrow. "Do we know this person?"

Apollo's eyes widened. "Is that… no… the Fist of Skiagis?"

"No way… that's him? I though he died back in Rome." Hermes exclaimed. "His GreekFeed unsolved mysteries video is one of the best rated ones on the network right now!"

Arius owlishly blinked. "…Thanks?"

"Fist of…" Percy muttered, shaking his head. "What were you doing in Yellowstone of all places. Don't tell me you were hiding away again?"

Arius's eyes widened. "You gave me the all clear to leave!" he exclaimed. "Artemis better have admonished you for letting me go with the assumption that I can."

"Well…"

"…Seriously?!" Arius cried, pointing at Artemis. "You're the root of all this bias, you know that right!" he accused.

"It's rude to point." Artemis merely replied. "I hope this isn't bad timing for bringing him here now." She told Percy.

Arius looked curious. "Not that I'm not used to it, but I feel all of you together isn't just a coincidence?"

Percy smiled. "I'm afraid it's not. We're planning a little trip somewhere, you can say. We're not sure how long we will be gone for, so if you wish to carry on, you could."

Arius snorted. "Then why am I here in the first place?"

"So you won't disappear again." Percy and Artemis said together, making Arius sigh.

"I can watch over him here if you need someone to keep an eye on." Aphrodite suggested, winking at Arius, who gagged in response.

"No funny business, unless you want to be the first to plunge in." Percy warned. "Arius, do me a favor. Thalia is somewhere around this forest, can you go and fetch her for me."

The young immortal raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "I don't see any harm in that." He thought, placing his hand on his chest. The gods watched as his breathing became labored, his skin slowly turning red and glistening with sweat as veins popped around his body. Arius then crouched down and shot himself in the air, leaving behind a trail of steam as he disappeared among the treetops.

"That was impressively fast for someone like him." Hermes noted. "I wonder if he can still fight like he did before."

"I have to ask him of those powers." Percy thought, catching Artemis's gaze. "Looks like we got him back, for now."

"Unless he pulls another stunt like that again, then I'm keeping him in a wildlife sanctuary. As an animal."

Percy chuckled. "The hunters will disagree. They will claim he already is one."

"Okay everyone, make your final preparations now. We will be leaving soon." Percy then announced. The gods murmured in acknowledgement as they dispersed around, handling any weapons or affairs in order. Percy and Artemis then went for a walk together, taking in the sounds of the forest.

"Everything alright?" Percy asked Artemis. "You seem a bit on edge."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. "You are asking me? I'm surprised you're not off brooding, or training somewhere in order to distract yourself."

Percy laughed nervously. "I already burned through that the past couple of days."

"And Thalia?"

"She's… ecstatic? Like she understands the possible dangers, but she is very much happy to be helping…" Percy replied with a sigh. "I managed to have an agreement with her, that the moment things go south, she's being sent back to the mortal world as soon as possible."

Artemis smiled sadly. "I'm not that surprised that she agreed…"

Percy nodded in agreement. "I know, that's what I was most afraid of when I asked her that."

Artemis was silent for a few moments, and then spoke again. "You mentioned finding Gello in that abandoned town..."

Percy nodded. "I did. Did you…ever come across her after I disappeared? Because I don't think she made an appearance after Arcadia when I was around."

Artemis pursued her lips. "There were some instances where I felt, she was there, or could have been there. Nothing major that would have led me to experience another domain overload, but after I made sure to be protective of the domains of mine, her influence has wavered. But she's still there, not physically, but still… reaping."

"But I am prepared." Artemis said. "This time, if I do come across her, I'll make sure I won't let her escape. It'll be straight to Tartarus, or wherever daimons like her go after death."

"Well, it'll have to be Tartarus, because I don't think we have any other version for actual hell." Percy joked, eliciting a chuckle from Artemis.

"And how about you? Any news on where your winged friend can be?" Artemis asked, causing Percy to groan lightly.

"I was doing so fine pretending he didn't exist." Percy replied with a sigh. "I did hear he's not trapped in Olympus anymore. The seal on him is broken, which does sound concerning. But if he's smart enough and keeping his head down like I think he is, then I'm not that concerned with what he's up to. Unless it's something tyrannical, or similar…"

The sky above them suddenly began to get cloudy and dark, prompting Percy to crack a smile. He could distantly hear the sound of thunder crackling, and then started counting backwards from-

BOOM!

"Huh, earlier than expected." The god though as he watched a bolt of lightning strike something down in the distance. He waited for a few moments before he and Artemis flashed to the spot where the lightning hit, and found Thalia staring with shock and confusion at Arius, who was once again lying flat on the ground with smoke emitting in front of him.

"Um, I didn't know he was going to come out and grab me." Thalia exclaimed quickly on seeing the two gods.

Percy grinned. "That's alright, didn't doubt your reflexes one bit."

Arius's cracked an eye open, looking quite mad. "This was my punishment for running, isn't it? I knew I should have remained in Germany…"

"Yep." Percy said, helping him to his feet. "Now you, are going to go to that demigod camp for the next couple of weeks. See if you can do some stuff there, because I highly doubt that wine god even cares in doing something productive over there for the demigods.

Arius wrinkled his nose. "That place again? I swear, it's like I'm retracing my steps in the past…"

"Good, you'll have to bring it up one day." Artemis replied. "Especially the things you chose to omit from me."

"Damn those girls." Arius said sullenly. "Fine, no running away again. I'll go to camp, and maybe have them hunt dragons."

"Arius…"

"Are there no dragons? Fine, quests then. They seem very cooped up in there. I wonder why the Oracle is not doing anything about that…"

Artemis sighed. "Just don't overwork those children." She said, snapping her fingers. "And watch out for the strawberries."

"What- no, no, don't do that-" Arius exclaimed, disappearing in a flash of light.

"One day, we're going to regret doing that to him." Percy pointed out.

"I'll have you to help keep him in line if that ever happens." Artemis replied, patting his shoulder. "Come, I'm sure the others are waiting."

Thalia's eyes lit up. "The other gods are here?" she asked excitedly.

Percy smiled grimly. "Yeah, they are. Come on Thalia, let's see where their verdict stands."

---

"Hmm, interesting." Hecate mused as she slowly twisted her palm, which was glowing with a green energy. The same energy was currently enveloping Thalia, who was squirming in her seat as more of it covered her body. Percy and Artemis were beside her, helping the child settle.

"There's quite a lot of aura on her. A bit more than what you have Perseus. I may be wrong, but she seemed to have been there for more time than you. Or maybe she had more contact… do you have any thoughts on this?"

Percy narrowed his eyes. "I don't think so. Is there actually more aura signature?"

Hecate frowned. "It feels different from what I sensed on your body. Which is strange, since the origin is basically similar. I'm not even sure what is this I'm picking up."

"But nothing really serious, so don't worry about it." The goddess said quickly on seeing Percy's worried look. "One thing at a time, yeah?"

Hermes muttered something to Apollo, leaving them snickering, and Artemis shooting a glare to both of them. The energy surrounding Thalia then began to glow, which then died down to reveal glowing green traces scattered around her body. Percy slightly winced on seeing them, his fears true, for better or worse. Hecate then stood up and twisted her fingers around as she manipulated the mist in her palms.

"Perseus, stand up please." Hecate requested. She then patted her hands and blew the mist towards Percy and Thalia, which then got absorbed into their bodies. They faintly glowed a pale green in color, which then died down.

Thalia shivered. "Feels really tingly." She said softly.

Percy cracked his neck. "Last chance Thalia. Do you really want to do this?"

He wanted to see hesitation, maybe even ask him if they could go to Disneyland instead. But Thalia nodded defiantly, a certain fire in her eyes which Percy knew was too early to see in the eyes of a child.

The burden of a demigod. The act of their flaws. He desperately hoped nothing will come out of it.

"Alright." Percy said softly, holding his hand out. Thalia grinned in response and took it. Percy then addressed his fellow gods, all of them looking at him expectantly.

"We're ready." Percy announced, holding his hand towards Artemis, two unsaid words on his face. Artemis smiled as she got up, also taking his hand and whispered the two words back to him. Percy then slowly made his way out of the tent, shadows swirling around him while bright flashes of light emitted behind him.

He then stepped out, wearing his long black coat that was decorated with his quiver/medallion belt and his bow slung back. Percy adjusted his vambraces, while Artemis then steeped out wearing her hunting clothes, a grey jacket over a white pullover and faded grey jeans. Her hair was tied up in a low ponytail, a tiara with a crescent moon adorning her head. Apollo was wearing his regular gold chiton, but with bits of gold plating covering the exposed areas, his bow out and ready. Hermes was not far behind, dressed in a simple tunic and armor, his winged sandals slowly fluttering as he adjusted his winged cap on his head. Aphrodite strutted out while wearing a green strapless dress and silver high heels, while Hecate was shaking her head behind her, the only change in her attire being a long and billowing burgundy cloak underneath her leather armor.

"At least try with your outfits." Hecate admonished the goddess of beauty.

Aphrodite blinked. "I thought we were doing a fashion runway." She muttered disappointingly. She then snapped her fingers, and pieces of leather armor wrapped around her arms and legs, while a white fur coat appeared in her arms.

Percy then formed a blade and dug it into the ground, where a shadow was. He then swung it upwards, pulling the shadow out itself, and in turn, the portal within it.

"Okay, I'm not sure myself how much going in to this place will affect you, so keep this close to you." Percy said, handing Thalia her Walkman. "I put your favorite track in there, and tell me if you feel weird alright."

"Oh, can I bring Sebastian along then, because I could also really use some music-"

Hecate wordlessly shoved Aphrodite inside the shadow, the latter's screams slowly fading away. Apollo and Hermes soon followed quickly as they both back-flipped inside, while Hecate followed went in later with her dignity still intact as she believed. Percy and Artemis took one final look at each other before they too stepped in along with Thalia, the scenery slowly turning black.

---

Nothing moved inside the shadow plane. There was no wind, no sound, no movement. Nothing. Silence filled the vast expanse as the gods adjusted to their surroundings, some of their eyes slowly widening with shock and disbelief as they took in what was only known to them by name, but was now in front of their eyes as they witnessed it for the first time.

Thalia was at a loss for words. She did enter the shadow plane at one point, but it wasn't at the best of circumstances. But now, with Percy holding on to her, it was even better.

"Music on, bug." Percy reminded. Thalia quickly scrambled to put her headphones on, and Percy could soon hear the faint voice of Michael Jackson through the headphones.

"Whoa, this is so… stupendous." Hermes said, gesturing to himself. "Like look, you think you're floating, but when you try to move, you can't. How do you move?" He asked, as he made the motion to walk, but didn't change his position.

"That's groovy. Because I expected this to be like space." Apollo said, using his powers to levitate around. "Not that I've ever been there unfortunately."

"So is there any absence of gravity?" Artemis asked. "We'll need to know how to function here if we are to be fighting in this place."

"Levitation and flying works here, that much I know." Percy answered. "Telepathic communications are almost nonexistent here for some reason, so we may not be able to communicate like that. To be fair, I never really bothered to explore this place fully. It was just in, and out when it came to shadow travel. Though there was this one time I did go exploring but… huh… I don't really recall what happened then." Percy muttered. "That's strange."

"So we just move like this?" Hermes asked. The wings on his sandals began to flutter like a hummingbird's, allowing Hermes to move forward. He then began to push himself through the air, taking big leaps as he managed to move around.

"Air velocity, gravitational pull, body mass- I'm sounding like Athena now." Hermes murmured. "Try coming here with your powers!" he called out to the others.

"That is be the only option we have." Percy said. "Hecate, is the spell active now?"

Hecate closed her eyes. "It should be… ανιχνεύω… now."

Percy and Thalia once again glowed green. Wisps of gold light then began to emit out of them, fading in the darkness.

"Okay, this feels weird." Thalia decided.

"Just the effects of the spell." Hecate replied. "Try moving around, you'll know where to go soon enough."

Percy nodded and then began to move through the plane, with Thalia on his back, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck. Percy then felt a tug within his body, leading him to face north-east. He could feel Thalia shift behind him, her gaze directed to the same direction where he was now facing.

"You felt that?" Percy asked her.

"Yeah, it's like its pulling us over there." She replied.

Artemis gracefully floated next to Percy. "Are we good to go?" she asked.

"We have a path detected." He said.

Artemis nodded, and then sent an alert to the other gods. Percy then began his descent, soon followed by the other gods. As they travelled, Apollo shot an arrow in front of them, which burst to reveal a flash of light that remained lit for a good amount of time, until they moved further from the source. Hecate meanwhile erected a mist barrier around the group, while Aphrodite sprayed herself with a perfume, which she claimed would ward out any unsuspecting monsters. Hermes being antsy would fly further than the group, and would then wait for them to catch up until Artemis berated him for potentially getting lost. She too helped with scanning the surroundings, her silver eyes shining brightly even amongst the darkness. Percy meanwhile was fully embraced in it, almost invisible if it weren't for Thalia sitting on his back. She was clutching her mace canister and Percy's coat tightly, her eyes unable to tear away from Percy, or Artemis if she came into view. The god could clearly hear her humming to Gun's and Roses 'Sweet Child of Mine', which made him smirk.

"To think this is another realm within the earth. Are you sure Erebus doesn't have dominion over this?" Artemis whispered to Percy.

"No, Erebos is his domain. The Underworld, it's expanded areas, all him. This place, it's something else."

"What if it's a primordial we are not aware of." Artemis whispered. "That can be a possibility."

Percy grimaced. "A troubling thought Artemis, really? Now of all the times?"

Artemis smiled abashedly. "You know me, I need to be hyper aware of my surroundings and what may entail."

"And that's why you're the best when it comes to detection." Percy replied with a grin.

"Though the deer in Delos is another story." He murmured.

Artemis blinked and then groaned. "Fates, don't remind me of that." She whined out, making Percy laugh.

"Hey lovebirds, would you focus on the task in hand?" Hecate said from behind. "You can't find yourself distracted in this place Perseus, otherwise we'll be roaming around in circles."

"I know that." Percy muttered, slightly speeding up as the tugging feeling became harder. He almost missed the change in direction when Hermes gave a sudden yell from ahead, prompting them to stop.

"That's… that's a big piece of rock…" Hermes said, gently placing his hand on the obstruction in front of him. Percy floated besides him, tilting his head in confusion as felt around the rock.

"What's up?" the messenger god asked.

"I can't sense it with my terrakinesis." Percy noted aloud, a frown on his face. "It's seem to be made out of a myriad of metals though; an alloy I'm guessing."

"That makes sense. We're not technically on earth, which means you can't control… whatever this is." Aphrodite pointed out. "What about your shadow powers?"

Percy flexed his fingers. "Still there, no doubt about that. All shadows are part of the same substance. There is only one darkness, and that is what we are in right now."

Percy then lit a finger of his on hellfire, showing a shadow being formed against everyone on the obstruction.

"A shadow within the shadow. What is this, a paradox?" Hecate asked amusedly.

"The shadow plane was always thought to be a door. A road used by those who can travel through the shadows to different places. But as time went on, we know there is more to it than we previously knew." Percy answered.

A faint glow emitted from underneath Percy's vambrace. He quickly receded it back to reveal the tetreja on his arm, glowing with a brilliant light. It then dimmed down, followed by Percy hissing in pain as he felt a burning sensation erupt from it.

"Shit, that hurt…" he murmured, a thought appearing in his mind. "This is not the first time this has happened here." he wondered.

A light gust of wind then blew across them, followed by a series of incomprehensible whispers. The gods' hands hovered next to their weapons, while Percy strained his hearing in order to decipher the words carried by the wind.

"That monster from before isn't here too right?" Thalia suddenly whispered.

Percy looked confused. "The demon lady?"

"No, the windy one."

"Ahhh, him. No I doubt he'll be here…" Percy replied softly. "Let's move on everyone."

The group continued to traverse through the cavernous landscape. The surrounding areas were starting to get denser as larger chunks of the metal from before were found. The whispers seemed to come and go as well, and Percy made sure to ask that everyone else was able to hear them too, which they acknowledged. They even found a bunch of shadow beasts at one point, which immediately fled on seeing their arrival. That slightly disappointed them, as some fighting practice would have been nice.

Thalia was now snuggled up against Percy's back, her head nestled on his shoulder. She blearily stared ahead as she tried to remain awake, but the warmth from Percy was definitely making her feel drowsy.

"Thalia, anything you're feeling out of place?" Percy asked.

"No, it's just getting really cold now." She replied with a yawn, snuggling closer.

Percy smirked. "Go to sleep bug, you'll need it if anything were to happen and you're not wide awake." he told her.

Thalia slowly shook her head. "I'm awake, just bored. Nothing to see, and too tired…"

Percy shook his head fondly as he wordlessly reached behind him and stroked Thalia's head, sending down calming sensations which slowly caused her to fall asleep. He then switched off the Walkman, but let the headphones remain on her. He wondered if he could hear laughing coming from behind when Artemis appeared beside him.

"How about you Perseus." Artemis asked, gently fixing Thalia's posture as she began to sleep. "Anything from your side?"

The god shrugged. "It's fine and dandy here. I'm used to this thing giving me pain at this point too." He replied, waving his hand to Artemis.

"You seem more deep in thought that's why." Artemis noted.

"Just trying to see if I can make sense of all this." Percy replied with a sigh. 'I know I'm missing something here, but I can't place what and why."

Artemis frowned. "You haven't lost any memories, right?"

Percy shook his head. "Definitely not, I remember everything. Even the things regarding the forbidden beings. I'm sure I don't have any memories erased either."

Artemis just stared at him. "Of course you wouldn't know, because your memories of that will be erased." She said.

Percy then stared at her. "That's…well…"

"Less talking, more finding you two." Hecate called out from behind, making Artemis and Percy roll their eyes. They then turned left, and suddenly three things happened. The tetreja started glowing brightly again. And strong winds began to push against them. And the whispers became louder

"Oh, those are some strong drafts huh." Apollo remarked, involuntarily shivering.

"We'll have to move against them. That's where the spell is taking us." Percy replied.

"Don't get blown away, Hermes, we won't be able to find you if you do." Aphrodite giggled, noticing Hermes's wobbled flying.

"Don't worry, I can wrap myself around you, and you can then carry me across." The god snarked in response.

"…Are you calling me fat?" Aphrodite demanded. Hermes was silent for a few moments before he took flight, leaping around as he tried to push himself through the winds. Aphrodite laid out a few expletives before she gave chase to him, with the other gods following suite, soon battling the winds.

---

Thalia yawned as she slightly shifted on the grass, wondering when she and the other gods will reach the place she was supposed to find. She then lightly frowned when she felt the wet ground beneath her, and immediately sat up, realizing she was in a very different place. She was sitting on a field of red colored grass that stretched for miles. The sky was a pitch black in color, and nothing else seemed to be present at all. She was the only one in this place.

"Percy!" Thalia yelled out, waiting for a few moments. "Percy are you there?" she shouted, worry slowly creeping in her. "Artemis!" she then yelled. But there was still no response.

She immediately reached out for her pocket where the canister was kept, but found it empty. Thalia nervously gulped as she got up, slowly walking backwards when her back touched something hard and coarse. Something she was definitely sure was not there before.

Thalia quickly turned around, only to find herself staring at a lone tree in the middle of the red colored grass field. Her eyes were fixed on the tree, but before she could take it in properly, she suddenly felt a large gust of wind blowing from the front, making her feel drowsy. The last thing she saw before she closed her eyes was the lone tree in the field, its trunk white in color with dark round splotched around the bark. And a pair of glowing eyes staring at her back.

---

The demigod woke up with a jolt, almost falling off of Percy if it weren't for Artemis grabbing her from behind. She could still feel the strong winds blowing against her, and realized they were actually happening. What happened before in the red field was most likely a dream.

"Hang on bug, we're almost through!" Percy yelled. He had made two sets of grappling hooks with his vambraces, and even had shadow wisps secured around him and the other gods. They too weren't faring better with the winds either, which was starting to really frustrate them.

"Can't you get these shadow things to just take us there?! Like a retractable cord." Apollo shouted.

"You think I'm not doing that right now?!" Percy yelled back. "These drafts are too strong!"

"Maybe we can try going around?" Hermes asked loudly. "There could be some kind of opening elsewhere."

"That's too risky. This could either be the situation all around, or we'll lose our way if we try to split up. This is our only option." Hecate shouted back.

Percy was almost tempted to try out Hermes's plan himself when the tetreja began to glow again. He brought his hand out, the mark pulsing with a glow that only became bright. The god's stance became rigid as he felt something probe his mind, causing his eyes to glow a brilliant white.

"Neteros." He whispered. The mark glowed even brighter, soon enveloping everyone and the surrounding area with its perpetual light. Percy winced as another stinging pain swept through his body, though it went away as fast as it came. It was only then that he realized something else was happening. His shadow tendrils that were wrapped around him and the other gods, they were bringing him forward. Which only meant by some way or the other, they had overcome the winds. And that they were moving towards what lied ahead, which the winds likely originated from. Or… were protecting.

"Is everyone alright? Artemis, Thalia, are you two okay?" Percy asked.

Artemis blew a couple of strands from her face. "Just peachy. That was-"

"-Awesome!" a delighted Thalia cried out. "We have to do something like that again."

Percy chuckled. "Sorry bug, but this is one of the things I'll have to say no to."

"Aww…"

"What are we chopped liver?" Apollo muttered from behind, shaking his head. "Man that was totally not cool."

"Are we there yet." Aphrodite whined out. "Because so far, this trip is not helping me with my confidence at all."

Hecate rolled her eyes. "We still have ways to go. Percy and the child are still… not glowing?"

The gods were momentarily confused on hearing Hecate's words, until they realized that Percy and Thalia were indeed not glowing due to the spell anymore. It was as if it had completely faded.

"No, no, this can't be possible." Hecate whispered, grabbing Percy's head and examining it. "No trace… the spell is actually removed." She whispered, moving on to Thalia. "Oh… oh there is some, but it's faint, very faint."

"Can you salvage it?" Hermes asked.

"At this point, no. The spell has already taken it's affect, and there's hardly any aura signature to use to once again for tracking." Hecate said, sighing disappointingly.

"Let's see what lies ahead of what we came through at least." Percy decided. "We can try and figure out a solution on how we'll move forward by then too. Hermes?"

"I got you." The god replied with a nod, making his way ahead to where Percy last felt the spell taking him.

"So far, so good?" Apollo asked, garnering no response. "At least we aren't getting bombarded by some gremlin creatures over here."

Artemis scoffed. "You could have literally caused that with you leaving light sources behind us. What if the monsters get attracted to that, like moths to a flame?"

"But they didn't. Because they know better to mess with us." Apollo replied triumphantly.

Sometime later, a sizzling noise echoed from ahead as a bright red light flew up into the air. It was a flare, and it could either mean Hermes had found something. Or he was in trouble.

"Let's hope it's the latter." Artemis said, speaking everyone's thoughts out. The group of gods, and Thalia, once again made their move, this time to where the flare came from. They soon came across another obstruction, and it was only until another flare came within view that they realized they had to move upwards. They soon found the edge of the plateau, and Hermes as well, who was sitting some ways away on top of a raised elevation and a slightly annoyed look on his face.

"It took you guys two flare shots to get your asses here. What if I was in trouble?" The god complained.

"Well you don't look like you're in danger, so nothing to worry about." Artemis replied.

"Where have you taken us?" Hecate asked.

Hermes shrugged. "I don't know myself. I just found this vast expanse of land, and thought, why not take a breather here and call the others as well.:

"You seem happy sitting there." Percy replied, slightly tilting his head. "You haven't checked properly what we may be on right?"

Hermes shook his head with confirmation. Hecate sighed as she took out her unlit torches, while Apollo held a ball of light in his palm. The two roamed around the area as they provided light to the surroundings. Percy set Thalia down, and realized here they were able to walk properly as they did in the mortal world. Keeping that thought aside, Percy stepped back to where Aphrodite was, the goddess quite busy with fixing her makeup. He briefly wondered what her reaction would be if he asked for eyeliner, when he noticed something off. The spot where Hermes was sitting on, at first he thought it was a small mesa. But with the light floating around, he was able to make out a distinct shape, that was followed closely with a row of thick column like structures that were wedged tightly together, giving the resemblance of-

"-Toes." Aphrodite exclaimed, snapping her pocket mirror shut. "Those are definitely toes, believe me. The amount of times I have looked at my own-"

"Huh?!" Hermes exclaimed, immediately getting up. "Don't tell me I've been sitting on feet?"

"Are we sure those are toes? And that a foot." Apollo asked. "Cause that's like almost… three times the size of us in our godly form…"

"How tall is that." Thalia whispered to Percy.

"Very tall. That's like forty-five feet at most."

"…"

"Fourteen meters tall?"

"…"

"…It's the same size as the Hollywood sign."

Thalia's eyes widened. "Whoa, that tall…" she murmured, craning her neck back so she can get the full view of it.

"Hermes, can you take Apollo with you and see if you can explore more of… whatever this is." Percy said, gesturing to the molded feet. "Maybe this is indeed a statue.'

"Or a giant monster." Hecate suggested. "I'm expecting it to be that."

"One way to find out then." Hermes said, grabbing Apollo underneath his arms, and carried him up. A few minutes, maybe even more, passed by until Apollo and Hermes were descending down again.

"Okay, we have good news, and bad news." Hermes gasped out. "Which one first."

Percy grimaced. "The bad news?"

"Okay, so that foot thing has legs. Very big ones, in like, width terms." Hermes said, stretching his arms wide. "But going up, it like stops at the knees. The rest of whatever this thing is, statue, maybe even an automaton, the rest of its body is cleaved off."

"Okay… I don't see how that is bad news. And the good news?"

Apollo cleared his throat. "We did find something on the other side. I think you all need to check it out."

The gods, along with Thalia, were soon seen scaling the large mesa, which was apparently half the legs of some kind of statue. And the more Percy climbed up, the more the mark was reacting with a dull throbbing pain. They finally reached the top of the summit and landed with ease. Percy was about to ask what they were supposed to be looking for when he spotted Apollo and Hermes looking down below near the edge. The other soon joined them, their eyes slowly widening on seeing what they saw.

In front of them down below was a strange upside down pyramid shaped structure, with different levels stacked on top of each other, and the bottom seemingly attached to a large landmass. Surrounding the structure were columns upon columns, some of them even forming helix shapes as they gently rotated around the structure. Dozens and dozens of small landmasses filled the surrounding area as well, all of them at different elevations too. The funnel structure seemed to emit an ethereal sort of light to its area, making that possibly the only source of light in the shadow plane.

"…Is this actually the place?" Artemis said, breaking the silence among them. "It looks… peaceful."

"I know right? I wouldn't have even consider this to be associated with… um… the doom guy?" Apollo replied.

Percy took a step forward, his eyes scanning the ruins in front of him. He knew he was no architecture expert, but what he was seeing now… it was foreign. But still familiar. And that's what scared him, because he couldn't even find any trace of Grecian work anywhere. This was something much more different than anything he had seen before. Almost alien like, never seen before on earth itself. Or in any other realm he had been too,

And then it happened. The tetreja on his hand once again began to glow, the white light pulsing as Percy brought it out. The whispers, while still incomprehensible, were now much louder to him at least. The others were still staring at the place with awe, almost feeling entranced by it.

"So… are we ready to take the plunge?" Percy finally asked. The gods brought out their weapons, even Thalia with her spear. They then leaped of the platform, landing on a floating landmass that wobbled a bit under their weight. From there, they split off- Percy, Artemis, and Thalia moving towards the structure in the middle, Apollo and Hecate were analyzing the architecture, while Hermes and Aphrodite combed the distant islands, trying to find any stragglers or source of life. The structure, which on closer inspection seemed to look more like a building, a temple rather, was slowly coming into view. The scale of it was now being understood, and if the Thalia thought the toes from before were very tall, it wasn't comparable to what was being seen here.

"Shit… this is way bigger than Olympus." Apollo remarked.

"Even the house of Hades, and subsequent domains can be fitted in this." Hecate murmured with awe.

The group then met up together again, and landed just beneath the temple on top of the landmass. There was a set of broken stairs beneath them that didn't connect to anything at the other end. The temple seemed to be balanced on top of some columns, while the base seemed to be placed on top of the landmass. The gods spied a set of doors ahead and slowly walked towards it, passing by some columns.

Ping

"Did you hear that?" everyone whispered together, making them blink in confusion as they stared at each other. A faint rustling noise was then heard behind a column, prompting the gods to raise their weapons as they slowly approached that spot.

"I can't sense anything back there." Percy muttered with slight frustration. "What about you guys?"

"Nothing from me either." Artemis muttered, her eyes narrowing. "I don't like that at all."

Percy then slowly stepped forward, forming a spear from his brace. He then gently prodded it forward along the column, when in a split second, another weapon emerged from behind it, going through the tip of the spear. Percy frowned on seeing this, knowing fully well that nothing could break through his weapons when he noticed that the other weapon had geometric glowing lines along the length of it. Which could only mean one thing. That weapon was made of umbra ore too.

Percy then pulled his spear back harshly, causing the assailant to be flung from its hiding spot as well. It landed on the floor with a light thud, followed by a female voice groaning out.

"No way." Percy murmured, recalling his weapon back. "It's you."

Sitting on the ground was the goddess of strife and chaos, Eris herself. She was wearing a burnt maroon toga that was decorated with gold jewelry, her umbra ore weapon slowly receding back into her upper arm bracelet. The goddess gave a wry smile as her gaze fixed on Percy, the smile becoming even larger when she noticed the entire entourage of gods and a demigod standing behind him.

"Oh it is you!" Eris squealed, giving Percy a tight embrace. "I told you I sensed one of our brethren in here!"

A shuffling noise was heard behind the same wall, and a figure then popped out, slightly wobbling as it made its way towards Eris.

"But which of our brethren, that was what made me wary." Geras answered, squinting his eyes. "Oh dear, if it isn't Lykofos himself."

"And Hecate too! Oh I missed you so much!" Eris cried out, enveloping Hecate into another tight hug. "I haven't seen you for a good decade!"

"I would like that to be a century for once." The goddess muttered as she just stood there unmoving while Eris peppered her with kisses.

The others were slightly confused as they witnessed what seemed to be a reunion, except for a certain love goddess who very much looked one second away from exploding.

"You!"

Eris hummed in response, her eyes widening with delight as she saw who called out to her. She quickly ducked behind Percy and grabbed his legs, peeking from between them.

"My dear brother, please calm that savage sea cretin who wouldn't mind mating with a donkey from strangling me."

"Oh please, I have standards." Aphrodite shouted, summoning a perfume bottle out of thin air. "Percy, move out of the way if you don't want to dissolve into a swarm of cockroaches." She warned.

Eris pouted. "Come on darling, don't tell me you're still pissy about that little spat."

"She said it! That's it, you-"

"Why hello pretty lady." Apollo said suavely, pulling Eris from behind and into his arms. "You may have heard of me; after all, I am infamous among those of darkness." He said, giving her a bright toothy grin.

"Oh ho, ho, ho, are you the bad, bad boy who's been giving me a hard time?" Eris cooed, stroking Apollo's cheek.

The god winked in response. "You bet." He said, twirling around. "And you, my dashing good sir…"

Geras raised an eyebrow at him.

"Hmm… nah, too old for me." Apollo muttered.

"I'm young!" Geras cried out indignantly.

"Apollo, don't start your shenanigans now." Percy sighed, dragging the sun god away. "As for you two, how did you both even manage to come to this place?"

Eris smirked. "We were sent of course, to find a dear sibling of ours. Not you if you are wondering. Took us maybe what, two, three months?"

"Perhaps more." Geras said solemnly. "You can't feel the passage of time here."

"Percy, who are they?" Thalia asked frowning slightly as she got a clearer look of Geras. "You look familiar…"

"Oh my gosh, she's still travelling with you?" Eris gushed on noticing Thalia, letting out a maniacal laugh. "Still a merry little family huh? And her being here only means that the Olympians know! How I wish I was there to see that day."

"That's Eris." Hermes finally realized. "And I'm sure that old thing is Geras right?"

Percy and Hecate sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. It is them."

"Their actual siblings." Eris replied, smiling coyly.

Artemis frowned. "How were we not able to sense you both if you were so close to us." She demanded.

Eris placed a finger on her lips. "Sorry, trade secret between the children of the night." She said simply, winking suggestively at Percy.

"But look, all my favorites are in one place!" Eris declared as she drifted towards the gods. "Oh the fun we had during those lovely years between the Greeks and the Trojans, don't you all remember?"

The gods' eyes widened on hearing this, a mixture of embarrassment and shame on their faces as they looked away from Eris. Percy had a neutral look as he watched the reactions of his fellow gods, knowing fully well what was going to happen with Eris involved.

"What a war it was, what a war. And the Olympians actually took sides." Eris cried out gleefully. "Imagine that, not everyone was for the Greeks."

"There were circumstances." Hermes said, only to be interrupted by Eris.

"Ahhh, you sided with the Greeks." Eris mused. "You, Hera, Poseidon, Hephaestus, and Athena. You gave them aid, and were even up against Leto of all the divine beings. Imagine fighting your friends mother."

Hermes narrowed his eyes. "I did not fight her, and never would. I have always respected her for what she endured during her labor, as well as because she is my best friend's mother."

Eris rolled her eyes on hearing this, and strutted towards Artemis.

"Eris…" Percy warned, but she didn't listen, instead leading the moon goddess to where Apollo and Aphrodite were.

"And you three! You three were part of the Trojan alliance along with Ares. Siding with the foreigners. All because a king killed a sacred hind of yours." She proclaimed, her eyes on Artemis.

Artemis's eyes glowed. "Don't play dumb, I had my reasons to not side with the Greeks, especially during that time."

Eris laughed. "You got humiliated badly by Hera, she managed to pin you down and whack your head with a bow, your own bow. And then you fled the scene to go and cry to daddy." She said in a sing song voice.

"And you, my shining fiend." She said, pointing at Apollo. "Oh you did a lot of interfering in the war, even before it with Cassandra, which ultimately factored in Troy's downfall. Sending plagues to the Achaeans, directing the arrow that will ultimately kill the great Achilles, and for what, hmm? For what?"

"It wasn't my intention to take part in it." The god said through clenched teeth. "I did it because of my father's insistence, and later to help my priest, Chrysies."

Eris scoffed. "Well that's alright then!" she exclaimed, her grin widening as her gaze finally landed on Aphrodite, who shrank back.

"Oh you, you are my favorite!" Eris cackled, clapping her hands. "You know, I hated you at first because every single person blamed you for the war, when they actually forgot about little old me and the apple. But then I realized, that's alright. I would have gotten ostracized even further if that happened, so I'm really glad your attention seeking self finally came to use huh?"

"Eris-"

"I bet you felt guilty, that's why you sided with Troy." Eris licked her lips, whispering in Aphrodite's ear. "Wanting to protect Paris and Helen from what you brought upon them. You even tried battling, but of course, incompetent as ever."

"They were mortals!" Aphrodite protested, but Eris continued on.

"And then there was your son of course. Now he was quite a pain along with Hector. Dragged the war on and on and on. But, he managed to run away though in the end."

"Aeneas was far from that. And his descendants established a mighty empire later on." Aphrodite retorted.

Eris smiled widely, like she was waiting for that answer. "And what good did it do in the end, to the Olympians hmm, to us? To the Greeks, to Perseus in fact! The goddess of love, but trailing behind you is always a pool of blo-"

Eris stopped speaking mid-way, a small smile on her face as she felt the tip of something sharp slightly pierce through her skin, at the back of the neck.

"What are you trying to do, brother?" Eris asked innocently, still standing in the same position.

"Making you stop, Eris." Percy replied coldly, digging the blade a bit deeper into her.

Eris's mouth twitched. "Such a strange request, why act like such a-"

"I'm not asking Eris, I'm threatening." Percy warned. "As I take my blade back, you will do the same as well. Do you understand."

Eris tsked loudly, but complied to what Percy said. She slunk back to be with Geras, both of them staring at Percy with strange looks.

"Are you fine?" Percy asked softly, placing his hand on Aphrodite's shoulder.

"Yeah, used to it already. Doesn't really matter anymore either so… yeah." Aphrodite muttered, letting out a shuddering breath.

Percy slowly nodded, his eyes diverted to the other two gods. They were silent and still for once, but immediately broke into smiles as they each gave Percy a thumbs up. Percy then wordlessly held his hand behind him, which Artemis slowly took hold of a few moments later, holding it close to her.

"Why are you two here, and answer seriously." Percy ordered, his eyes glowing.

Geras shuffled in his spot. "We are here on an official investigation from our mother. We're trying to track down a certain son of hers who has taken residence here, but we have had no such luck. Until we came across this place."

Percy tilted his head slightly. "That's a coincidence. We are here for the same reason too."

Eris and Geras's eyes comically widened. "The impended one?" Geras exclaimed, immediately covering his mouth.

"And you brought the prophecy child?" Eris hissed. "Bold move brother."

Percy didn't answer, and instead formed his dual blades. "Who are we expecting inside?" he asked.

Geras frowned. "We're not sure either. We have tried to enter, but it seems to be sealed with an ancient magic, possibly primordial in nature."

"There is one way we might be able to use though." Eris interjected, her eyes drifting to Percy's arm.

Artemis caught the motion. "What do you mean by that?"

Eris and Geras stepped aside, and had a hushed conversation between themselves until they stared at Percy. "Follow us." Geras then said, shuffling to where the large set of doors were.

"Where's your stick." Eris asked with a frown.

"I don't need a walking stick." Geras replied sullenly, almost tripping over a crack on the ground.

They finally arrived at the doors, which seemed to stretch up to the ceiling. There was a myriad of words inscribed around it, as well as circular patterns etched on the doors. Percy took a deep breath as he noticed that he was able to decipher some of these words, the chill in his spine only growing colder as questions entered his mind. His gaze then moved in what was front of him, which was a circular indent at least two feet in diameter, or half a meter. And etched on the center of that circle, was a very familiar looking symbol.

"I know we should be happy, that we finally found something forbidden being related… but I'm way on edge right now to even cheer." Apollo said tiredly, staring at the mark of the Tetrekar.

"Does that mean this place; do you think it was built by them?" Artemis wondered out loud, tracing her fingers on the door. Her fingers then slightly grazed the circular indent, which immediately began to glow a hot red in color. Artemis hissed in pain as she brought back her hand, her fingertips burnt and blistering the moment it made contact with it.

"Artemis!"

"I'm fine, this is nothing." The goddess replied nonchalantly, gently blowing her fingers. "See, it's already healing." She said, showing her hand to Percy, who breathed a sigh of relief.

"So we can't touch them?" Thalia asked.

"We may not be able to. But he can." Geras replied as he stared at Percy, who blinked in response.

"Why me?"

"Because you're the half forbidden thing in this group." Hecate snarked, pushing Percy ahead. "Go put your hand on it."

"The one with the mark?"

"My mistake, I meant your leg- Yes that hand!" Hecate whisper shouted.

Percy stared at his hand, and then at the door, the glow dying down. "My hand won't fall off right?"

"Don't worry, if it does, I'll have Hephaestus commission a new arm for you.' Aphrodite replied soothingly.

Percy lightly groaned and then steeled himself, bringing out his exposed arm. He then gingerly placed it on the tetreja etched on the indent, causing it to glow red. Percy slightly hissed as he felt a sting of pain flowing through his arm, but still kept it steady on the door. Smoke started to erupt from his arm as the indent only began to glow more. Percy wasn't sure what was supposed to happen next, and he was sure he was not the only one who was thinking that his arm was actually going to fall off, as he could hear different shouts and cries directed at him, but they all seemed to blur together into a ringing noise-

"Seclod."

The door began to groan as it slowly swung open, a cloud of dust bellowing out from it. Percy groaned as he fell to the floor, panting loudly as he stared at his arm. It looked a bit worse than before, but it wasn't as charred as he expected it to be.

"Calm down Artemis, that stupid grin on his face means he's fine." Aphrodite replied gently.

"He better still have that then once we're done with him after this." Apollo cried out. "Dude could have gone armless, and he wouldn't even mind. The amount of times we've been telling him to pull back."

Hermes snorted. "At least now we know he sucks at it."

Percy glanced at Artemis. "See, all fine." He said, grinning slightly.

Artemis sighed. "Yeah, I can't complain on that." She said, helping Percy up.

"Both instances were stupid." Thalia exclaimed.

Apollo smirked. "You better get used to that kid if you are going to be with them."

The gods then finally entered the temple, taking in the vast hallway before them. There were some broken columns scattered around the place, as well as two staircases that seemed to lead to different levels inside the temple. Another staircase was spotted from above, which seemed to be leading somewhere underneath.

Hermes whistled lowly. "This place looks massive. Imagine how big it will be if we go higher."

"It'll take quite a long time if we were to explore this place from top to bottom." Hecate noted. "What should we do?"

"Ooh, stalactites." Aphrodite said, pointing at the ceiling. Sure enough, there were a number of stalactites coming out of the ceiling. She then had a look of concentration on her face, but then looked confused.

"Wait…" she murmured, looking panicked. "I can't flash in here?!"

"What?" the other shouted, quickly trying to flash too, but to no avail.

"Okay, this is unexpected." Percy then said. "Maybe it has something to do with this place?"

"Your people suck then, why would they even make a feature that cuts our power like that. How did they even make something like that?!" Apollo whined.

"Well, I intend to find out now." Percy replied as he took in the winding staircases and interior of the place.

"We should split up for now." he decided. "This place doesn't seem that big to get lost in, so I think we'll be fine."

"Hermes and Percy with me!" Apollo declared.

Percy shook his head. "I was wondering if I could go with you, if you don't mind." He asked Artemis, who smiled in response.

"Of course not. And how about you Thalia?"

"Yeah!" the demigod responded with glee.

Apollo pouted. "Fine, me and Hermes then."

"And me." Aphrodite said.

"What, no. Go with Hecate, she's available-"

"I was thinking to tag along with these two." The goddess of magic replied, nudging her head towards Eris and Geras, who had already drifted away and were examining some of the broken walls. "We should be in groups of three for this. The power of three is scared, we should adhere to it.

Apollo pouted again, and then gestured for Aphrodite to join them, which she agreed with a squeal.

"You sure you can manage those two?" Percy whispered to Hecate.

"Perhaps, maybe I'll get to know now." Hecate replied in kind. "You don't seem very trusting right now towards them."

"Excluding what happened outside, they have different motives than us. And I'm not sure if that's true either, which might make them potentially dangerous." Percy replied. "Which is why I am asking."

"And I'll be fine. I've known them longer than you, so I unfortunately know how to keep them in line." Hecate answered, patting Percy's shoulder. "Don't go canoodling with Artemis, you might piss off an ancient deity if you do."

"Oi!"

"No funny business Apollo, especially not in uncharted territory such as this." Artemis warned.

Apollo puffed out his chest in response. "Come on sis, have some faith in little old me. …Wait, I meant-"

"Hah! You called yourself little." Artemis said with a grin, ignoring Apollo's complaints.

"… I honestly don't know which of you three I should ask to keep watch over." Percy then said.

"Hey!" Hermes, Apollo, and Aphrodite said together.

Percy chuckled, slinging his arms around Apollo and Hermes's shoulders. "Watch over Aph for me, I have a feeling she might do something rash with what happened back there."

The two gods on either side of him nodded. Percy then gave Aphrodite a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder, the goddess giving him a wink in response, though she had a half-hearted smile on her face. He then returned back to Artemis and Thalia who were waiting for him near a broken flight of stairs.

"Ready to do this bug?"

"Any day." Thalia replied, summoning out her spear.

Percy grinned, bringing out his bow which Artemis mirrored as well. The search had begun.

---

"Careful with those steps." Percy said, the umbra ore from his braces forming into sharp planks, which he then fitted into the missing spaces.

"That is clever." Artemis complimented as she climbed up, with Thalia not far behind.

They climbed more flights of stairs until they finally found themselves on an upper level. Nothing seemed to be out of place as they ventured in, the walls only having more of the inscriptions in the foreign text. Percy unconsciously began to trace his fingers on the etched words, his mind slowly familiarizing the shape, pattern, and style of writing, which he was then starting to slowly translate.

"Tetrekar… scared- no, I think it's 'sacred'. Hallowed grounds…Arbiter… order."

"Rough translations, or actual ones?" Artemis asked.

"A bit of both. Either these words are supposed to be said one by one, or I'm missing something."

"Percy!" Thalia called out. "I found something!"

The two gods appeared to where Thalia was. She held out what looked to be stone mask, which seemed to be perfectly intact.

"It looks… normal." Percy noted, frowning slightly.

"It's a regular human face." Artemis commented, examining the mask. "Is it part of a statue, or just by itself?"

"I found it next to this." Thalia said, pointing at a pedestal. Nothing seemed to be on it, but there was a small amount of debris under it. Percy bent down and rummaged through it, picking up a piece that resembled a thick tree branch.

"We'll keep it with us for now." Percy said, pocketing the mask in his coat. "Let's see if we can find any more clues."

The three of them continued to explore some of the rooms present in the floor, and slowly making their way up when nothing was to be found. At some point, Thalia once again felt tired, prompting Percy to carry her again as he continued to explore the ruins with Artemis.

"She seems to be very tired these days." Artemis noted, frowning slightly. "How long has it been since we entered?"

"I hope it's a day at the very least." Percy replied, lifting Thalia up slightly so her head was resting on his shoulder

"There we go." He murmured softly as he adjusted his arm under her, glancing at Artemis. "Geras did mention that time may work somewhat differently here."

Artemis nodded slowly, looking occupied with her thoughts.

"Hey.' Percy then said, snapping Artemis from her train of thought. "Everything alright?"

Artemis nodded silently, but then sighed, a frustrated look on her face. "No… I'm thinking about that time again." She replied. "Which sucks because, you are here now. There's no reason to feel sad, or even angry about it anymore."

Percy tilted his head with confusion. "Maybe so, but I don't expect you to fully forget what happened back then. I mean, it's important to keep those moments with us, the ones where we lose. It helps us grow from there, be better."

Artemis was silent for a while, and then spoke again.

"What do you know of my involvement in the Trojan war?" Artemis asked, furrowing her eyebrows slightly. "You do know what happened in the war right?"

"Yes arrowhead. You got mad that Agamemnon killed one of your sacred deer in the grove, and boasted the fact that he was a better hunter. Honestly, don't they ever learn."

"True, but we are no better either." Artemis said. "I can accept that, after all these years. But yes, I was upset about that, and halted the winds that would carry their ships to Troy from Aulis."

"Then there was that seer, Calchas? He told Agamemnon that sacrificing his daughter would be the only way to appease you." Percy continued.

Artemis huffed in response. "Another loony male. But I rescued her before that happened."

Percy nodded. "I remember that account. You replaced the girl with a stag. And after that, you were mostly with the Trojans right?"

"Yes. To be honest, I may have only participated because I was so angry at that time. So much led to it- Orion, the Greeks waning faith in you. And you somewhat."

Percy chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry."

Artemis sighed. "No need to apologize, that's unfair of me to say that. But the state that I was in, I needed to vent out in some way or form. And Apollo was supporting the Trojans so I thought… why not. But then the Trojans turned on you after the war… so much for that. In the end, I focused more on the hunt, until the next major event occurred in Greece."

Percy slowly nodded. "But now we're far away from threatening events for now right."

A smile flickered on Artemis's face. "True, why do you think I'm focusing on the things that I love." She replied, giving a subtle wink to Percy.

Thalia murmured something incoherent in her sleep, drooling slightly.

"See, she also agrees." Artemis replied with a grin. Percy shook his head fondly, the two continuing to explore the ruins hand in hand in silence.

---

A series of rustling noises slowly stirred Thalia awake, who blearily opened her eyes to find a large expanse of black staring at her back. She slowly raised her head up, and wondered if she was in the same place again as before. The red grass was still there, but it seemed like she was inside a forest setting, as there were a lot of trees around her this time. They were the same as the lone tree Thalia had seen the previous time as well, the white leaves on the trees rustling in the wind

"Okay… this has to be a dream. It makes sense that Percy or anyone else is not here." Thalia muttered to herself. "So I just gotta… wake up? But how…"

Thalia then made her way around, only to see that basically every single tree was the same as the one before. White in color, and brown splotches dotted around it. She wondered if she could climb the tree to see if she can find her way out when a slight rustling noise alerted her. she turned around, but found no one to be seen.

"Hoot."

The demigod slightly jumped, glancing up to find an owl staring back at her. the owl then rustled it's feathers as it cocked its head, emitting another hoot to Thalia.

"That owl has funny eyebrows." Thalia thought as she stared at the only distinguishing trait of the bird, which was its prominent tufts positioned almost at the center of their heads. The owl peered intently at Thalia with its blank yellow eyes, and then screeched out loudly. Thalia then immediately felt herself swaying as she felt herself lose her footing on the ground, slowly falling as the world begin to darken again, the only source of light being a glowing pair of eyes, the eyes of the owl.

Thalia woke up with a jolt, almost startling Percy who was still carrying her.

"Easy bug, don't want you falling off now." Percy replied.

"Hmm, sorry." Thalia muttered, wiping her drool from her mouth. "Where are we now?"

"Somewhere upstairs, though I'm not sure which floor we are on." Percy replied, peering outside a window. "Tired?"

Thalia looked confused. "No? Why do you ask."

Percy glanced at her. "You have been sleeping a lot since we entered the shadow plane. I assumed your body clock was acting like it does, but are you not just tired instead?"

Thalia frowned. "I feel wide awake." She said. Percy gently set her down, and the demigod began jumping and running around the corridor in full speed.

"See, not tired."

Percy stared at her. "You're right… usually you're a bleary mess when awake, stumbling into the kitchen demanding food."

"Hey!"

"But, you have been drifting in and out of sleeping." Percy noted, placing his hand on Thalia's forehead. "You don't seem sick."

"I'm fine." Thalia replied, glancing around. "Where's Artemis?"

"She went ahead while I was taking a look at this." Percy replied, holding out the stone mask from before. "I figured I might find a clue to this written somewhere, but nothing from it so far, so that's a shame."

Percy then felt a shiver go through his spine, making him pause. A series of whispers then echoed inside his head, followed by something different. The tolling of a bell.

"What…" Percy muttered to himself as he massaged his head.

"Percy…" Thalia suddenly called out. "Was that wall always there?"

Percy glanced to where Thalia was pointing, where there was a wall blocking the way he and Artemis had come from. He quickly moved towards it and placed his hands on it, feeling around the wall. He turned around, the corridor still continuing at the other end, but Percy wasn't sure himself if it was like that anymore.

"Artemis!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the room. But there was no response.

"Shit, I can't believe I didn't check…" Percy muttered to himself as he dived into the corridor. But that split second of impulsiveness bit him in the back, when another bell toll occurred. Another wall shimmered between Percy and Thalia, now trapping the demigod in the room while Percy was on the other side.

"No, NO!" Percy shouted, pounding his fists hard on the wall. "Thalia, can you hear me? Thalia?!"

"Percy, are you there? I'm still here!" Thalia shouted back, banging her palms on the wall.

There was no response coming from either side, making Percy clench his teeth in frustration. "Thalia, if you can hear me, don't move from there! Just stay put, I will come and find you, I promise!"

"Percy?" Thalia called out, slowly backing away. She saw something shimmer in the corner of her eye, an opening that wasn't there before. Thalia nervously gulped as she stared back at the direction where Percy had gone, and then at the opening in front of her.

"Time to be brave." She thought, bringing her spar forward. "Time to prove myself."

And she then ventured in.

---

"I wonder what lived here." Hermes said offhandedly, picking up what looked like a closed lotus flower that was made of translucent white glass, but slightly broken.

"Better question would be where this came from." Apollo replied, brushing his hands against the wall. "Cause I hardly doubt this was built here, right?"

Hermes and Aphrodite glanced at each other. "Why not?" the goddess asked. "We saw those floating bits around on our way here, it could be made from that."

Apollo shook his head. "That's plausible, but what if, those bits came from here instead. This structure is already in ruins; I won't be surprised if whatever was once a part of this, has already drifted off to the far reaches of this plane.

Hermes and Aphrodite were quiet on hearing this, but Apollo didn't expect an answer to his theory anyway. The three of them continued to delve deeper into the corridor. The whispering came and went as they progressed, until they came across a dead end.

"No, not a dead end." Apollo murmured, kicking the pile of rocks that was blocking their path. "We just need to blow it up."

Aphrodite wrinkled her nose. "You don't do anything, please."

"Why not?"

"You'll go all extra and wake up an ancient beast residing in the next room."

"So I can do it then? Awesome." Hermes said, fishing out his cellphone. 'George, Martha. Laser mode please."

The snakes hissed with delight as the grew larger in size, the phone glowing and changing form as well, until it became a bazooka, with the snakes wrapped around the barrel and a smiley faced missile loaded in.

"Locked and loaded." Hermes grinned, pulling the trigger. The bazooka launched the missile, which removed the blockage with a single explosion. Though a much larger entryway appeared as the dust and debris cleared, while Hermes was feeling the full brunt of two gods ire for his stunt.

"That was what we were trying to avoid!" Aphrodite snapped.

"Man, I was in the way, you couldn't even wait until I was out of range?!" Apollo exclaimed.

"Oh hush you two, look, we can go inside now." Hermes replied, stepping into a much larger room. There was a light amount of haze moving inside the room, and the whispers had stopped. Apollo soon followed inside, muttering something about weapons when Aphrodite noticed something unusual, the minute the sun god stepped in.

"Apollo, can you like glow brighter?"

"…Why would I do that?"

"Hermes, look at walls and then tell Apollo to brighten himself up."

"Um, sure, but I don't see…ohhh. Apollo, brighten yourself up."

"Will someone explain to me what is- ohhh, I see."

The walls in the room contained carved murals on them, though some of them were destroyed due to age and other possible factors. But the more prominent ones, showed the carved image of a very distinct figure.

"That… is a person right?" Aphrodite asked slowly.

Apollo chuckled nervously. "Of course it is, what else will that be…"

The image they were staring at depicted a human like silhouette, but it was very detailed and intricate to pass it off as something abstract. The head looked like a leafless bush, with an orb in its center. The body looked to be made out of intertwined materials. It had a hooked like hand, and on the other, there was what seemed to be face attached to the hand. Its legs were similar to the hands as well, except it curved inward at the end.

Hermes sighed. "I have three guesses. Primordial."

"Maybe it's a goblin thing we've never seen before." Apollo insisted.

Aphrodite shook his head. "No, that's the forbidden being." She said solemnly.

"Now, let's not jump into conclusions-"

But Aphrodite had moved on to the next mural, which also showed a similar figure, but the face mask was attached on the body itself, with wing like protrusions coming out of its sides. The next mural showed the previous two figures, kneeling in front of something that wasn't depicted, but there seemed to be rays of light carved from the direction the figures were kneeling to. Aphrodite then moved on to the other end of the room but sighed, seeing that most of the murals there were mostly destroyed. Her eyes were trained on the floor where she spotted something, and bent down to pick it up. It looked like a stone face mask, and Aphrodite glanced at it and the carved figure on the mural, the mask matching what was shown on the latter. Her eyes then slowly widened as she realized there was something more to the murals in the center, and slowly stepped towards it, Apollo and Hermes too joining besides her.

The mural in question depicted the same two figures, but this time, they were accompanied by two more figures as well, both of them similar to the previous two with the intertwined bodies, and face masks in different placements, one of them even having the face as its waist. They were standing side by side, with weapons that seemed to be raised upwards at what looked like an abstract sort of mass. Surrounding them was a number of carvings akin to vortexes, and at the bottom of the mural was an upside down pyramid carved into the wall. But the most prominent carving of all, at the center of the four figures, where the abstract mass was reaching out for, was the tetreja. The mark of the forbidden beings.

Apollo sniffled. "All in favor to go get Percy?"

The two other gods wordlessly nodded and turned, only around to find the entryway they came from had disappeared. There was only a stone wall in place, and before they could do anything, the floor beneath them disappeared, causing them to fall down.

---

Hecate was quiet as she examined the ruins she was in, her mind wondering on the possibilities of its origins. She had already kept a piece of the material used in this place for research purposes, and didn't find anything intriguing so far, unfortunately. Which meant that the only thing left to do, was to make sure her adopted siblings didn't get into any trouble.

"Oops." Eris giggled as she pushed a pillar from her way, the thing breaking into pieces as it slammed against a wall. "This is such a pathetic piece of architecture, who even engineered this place? Our mother's mansion is far more superior than this relic."

"Uh-huh." Hecate muttered, picking up a stone slab with an inscription on it.

"You are not wrong in calling this place a relic." Geras noted, his hand glowing as he placed it on a wall. "This is very old. Even far older than me…"

"Well, it should be." Hecate replied. "This place is supposedly built by Percy's kind; the Tetrekars I believe they are called."

"Partly related." Eris corrected with a smile. "I can already hear mother frowning deeply on what you and I just said."

"I understand that Nyx sent you here." Hecate said, a frown on her face. "To check in on the impended one. But what comes after, have you thought further than that?"

Eris scoffed. "Of course we have, we're just going to shadow travel out, simple. We even have some of our siblings on standby as well, in case things don't go to plan. They will get us out."

"Oh, lovely." Hecate said, rolling her eyes. "Wonder how much they will help."

"Stop being so grumpy." Eris said with a laugh, punching Hecate's arm. "You have been very detached with us since we parted with those Olympians."

"Yes, because you had to go and try to antagonize them." Hecate snapped. "It's bad enough that your presence is always discordant, but bringing up that war? Seriously?"

Eris merely shrugged. "I was bored. Geras here is half deaf, and sand blind in the odd hour so I needed something entertaining since coming here. And I don't like them, so match made in heaven!"

"They didn't get that aggravated as you were hoping them to be." Geras pointed out.

"Yeah… that was not fun." The goddess of strife pouted, her posture slumped. "I guess that joke has become old. Like them."

Hecate snorted. "You're one to talk, I think you're older than some of them. And no comment for Geras."

"Aye." The god murmured.

Eris peered at her with a strange glint in her eyes. "Oddly defendant, hmm? Maybe you put up with them because of Perseus… or do you actually… like them?"

Hecate looked confused. "What are you now blabbering about?"

Eris grinned. "It's just… curious. I'm sure you have been getting the dreams."

"Dreams? You do know we rarely-"

"Dreams… of destruction. The gods, lightning, storms. And then there's them, the ones who came before the Olympians… and him… whispering. Time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time and time-"

"ERIS!"

"-Again." Eris finished, a blank look on her face. Hecate was glaring at her angrily, but before she could say anything, Geras let out a groan.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, just using my privileges to get your attention." The god muttered, pointing his stick to the horizon. "Now, my eye sight is a bit off right now, but I can't be the only one that's hearing the screams, hmm?"

Hecate and Eris stared at him with confusion, until they too trained their ears to where Geras was pointing, and started to hear the shrieks and screeches from afar.

"Shadow beasts." Eris recognized. "A swarm of them at least."

"They could either be wild, or under that primordial's command." Hecate realized. The fire in her torches died down, and then blazed again with hellfire.

"Eris, will you muddle them if they get close?"

"Oh, I love doing that. Brother, maybe you should sit this one out."

"I think not." Geras muttered as he wobbled ahead, the walking stick turning into a sword. "I need to do my physical activity for the day, and this seems like the right opportunity."

"And if we get overrun, there is always our escape option." Eris commented.

"How is that supposed to work again?" Hecate asked.

"If we are in distress, they will create a pathway for us to travel through, giving us a way to escape. Pretty nifty, hmm?"

"Yeah, I guess." Hecate thought, as she and the other children of Night prepared to face the shadow swarm.

---

Thalia continued to walk down the empty hallway, her spear buzzing with electricity which provided some light for her. The walls seemed to be exactly the same, and Thalia had a feeling that she was walking for more than ten minutes, which begged the question as to how long the corridor was. Was it never ending, did it even have an end. Was she going around in circles?

Thalia sighed, wondering what was going to happen next when part of the floor she was about to step on suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a deep chasm. Thalia almost slipped and fell into it when she dug her spear hard into the wall next to her. She was now leaning over the chasm with one leg on the floor, while the rest of her body was over the chasm, her upper body holding on to her spear. Thalia shuddered as she tried to push herself back, while simultaneously lifting her body up with the help of her spear. While doing this, she felt her Walkman slowly slip from her pants, and then detach. Thalia yelped as she watched as the device fell into the chasm, not a sound of it hiding the ground below being heard at all, which slightly scared her. She then placed her dangling leg on the ledge, and with great difficulty, pushed herself back from her spear, landing on the ground with a thud. She was breathing loudly now as she realized she managed to save herself from that situation, and slowly got up. The missing floor then returned again, with no sign of it ever been gone in the first place, as if it was daring her to step on it again.

Thalia wondered if she should turn back instead when she suddenly stumbled, catching herself from falling. Her head began to get heavy, and Thalia winced as she stood up, a feeling of drowsiness overcoming her. She remembered Percy's words, his concern that she was falling asleep more often, realizing this could be something related to it. She started to run, hoping that that will help shake off her sleepiness, but it only seemed to affect her more as she grew more and more tired. She began to stumble around, her vision blurry as she stared ahead. She took a step forward, and fell down again, this time trying to crawl ahead. But her vision finally darkened as gentle lull came over her prompting her to fall asleep. The last thing she could remember was the feeling of falling and the sound of an arrow whizzing close by.

Artemis immediately dove into the chasm, her eyes steely as she dived headfirst towards Thalia. While doing that, she slung her bow out and drew an arrow, shooting it into the air. The arrow changed its form into a grappling hook as it flew upwards, embedding itself into the ceiling. Artemis attached the other end on her belt and then used her powers to speed up her descent, and managed to swoop down underneath Thalia and catch her midway. The length of the grappling hook rope then reached its full capacity, causing Artemis to swing towards the wall of the ledge, slamming on to it harshly as she made sure to protect the girl. The goddess coughed out in pain her eyes glowing. The grappling hook then proceeded to recall the rope back, with the goddess and demigod in tow. A few moments later, Artemis managed to come back to the corridor and detached herself, landing on the ground. She gently laid the sleeping form of Thalia on the ground and checked her vitals, sighing in relief on finding that she was just in deep sleep. But how she came to be like this, and separated from Percy was very much in her mind as she got up, Thalia cradled in her arms. Which could only mean, she needed to either find him fast. Or risk trying to escape from this place.

---

Percy finally stepped back from the wall, his hands covered in his ichor. As his shuddering breathing slowed down, he could faintly hear the sound of something scratching from afar. Another bell toll then echoed across the chambers, followed by the tetreja on Percy's hand glowing brightly.

Percy then silently made his way to the other end of the chamber his eyes scanning his surroundings as he prepared for the worst. The whispering continued to follow him, and as Percy stepped into the room at the end, another bell toll followed. The room he entered was the largest he had ever seen, but also empty. Nothing seemed to pique his interest as he examined the inside, except for the shallow pool of water that submerged half the room. Percy raised an eyebrow on seeing this, his eyes then narrowing on seeing something familiar in the water.

"No…" the god muttered as he made his way across and bent down, picking up Thalia's submerged Walkman. He yelled out the demigod's name again, but there was still no response as before. Percy then turned around, and was about to pocket the Walkman when he heard the faint scratching noise again, this time sure it was close by. He then had a sudden realization come to him, and brought out the Walkman in front of him, realizing the sound was coming from there. He then looked around and then back at the Walkman, taking the headphones attached to it and placed it upon his ears. The scratching noise continued until it cut, and it was then replaced by a somewhat cheerful jazzy jingle, with the lyrics soon following.

"When the fire (when the fire)

Comes down from Heaven (comes down from Heaven)

This old world (this old world)

Will melt away (will melt away)

Millions then (millions then)

Will cry for mercy (will cry for mercy)

But it will be (but it will be)

Too late to pray."

Percy silently listened to the song playing, frowning as the questions increasing even more for him as the song went on. The tetreja then once again began to glow, but before Percy could react, the floor beneath him began to rumble. Glowing spots of red light began to emit from the cracks on the floor, before Percy realized something was amiss when the light seemed to join together, forming a pattern on the ground. And when it did, he was too late to realize what he was actually standing on. It was the same markings he had seen on the archaic monument so long ago, now once again beneath him. The markings then began to glow a brilliant red as a stream shaped in the form of a helix burst out from the center, enveloping Percy once again in its light. And everything went black.

---

Whispers. Bells. Percy could still hear them, wherever he was. He mostly had an idea on what he should be prepared for, but… was he sure he wanted to deal with it?

Something brushed against Percy's face, prompting him to open his eyes. He was in an empty plane, but unlike last time where everything was white, floaty, and chanting, he was just standing on water. Like, actually standing on water. His feet did not sink in at all, even when he took a tentative step, the water instead just rippling beneath his feet. Percy then saw a blue colored fog appearing out of thin air, enveloping him and the plane beyond. He frowned slightly, wondering if he should try moving about again when he spotted a glowing yellow light in the distance. Steeling himself, Percy made his way to the floating light, the source of it slowly coming into view.

On closer inspection, Percy wasn't sure if he should form his weapons out for what he was seeing. The source of the light belonged to a humanoid figure, it's body made out of grey vapor. The light in question was a glowing yellow orb, located on what looked like the head. Percy wasn't sure if the shapeless figure was even looking at him or not, and slowly stepped back when he felt something brush him from behind. He turned around, this time finding another of the same humanoid figure, its glowing yellow orb located at where Percy would say a neck would be.

Another shapeless humanoid figure appeared from the fog, this time it's orb located in the center of its chest. Percy watched as the figures approached him, still wondering if he should do anything drastic, or let this thing play out. His thoughts screeched to a halt when a fourth figure appeared out of thin air, the glowing orb located on the middle of its body, and did something unexpected. It grabbed his hand.

The other figures formed a circle and grabbed each other's hands too. Percy then felt himself shift to the side and realized the others were moving in a circle, and he followed suite to. His mind was too muddled up to even understand what was happening, and only silently watched as they slowly moved around. The figures then raised their arms, which Percy did too, dropped them, and then continued to do the same routine. Percy was slowly starting to feel frustrated as this continued, the sounds of bells tolling and the whispers being too much for him. He then broke away from the circle, but the figures were now encircling him, and began to move around him this time, their orbs glowing brighter.

"Enough!" Percy shouted, and jumped high in the air, landing some ways away from the group. He then began to run, trying to find some means of an exit as the fog began to get thicker, the bells and whispers to getting louder.

"Koynos."

"Koy… us."

"Join… us… little lamb."

Percy continued to run, not looking back even once at what was behind. The fog then began to clear, and Percy silently cheered as he felt the whispers getting softer, until they disappeared. Suddenly, a bright flash of light appeared beside Percy, the light dying away to reveal something Percy did not expect to see at all.

A shadowy form of Artemis floated in front of him, her outline glowing with a faint silver light. She looked happy on seeing him, but there was a sense of urgency in her eyes.

"Artemis, how-"

The shadowy form of the goddess spoke, but no sound came from her. Percy extended his hand out, trying to reach out for her. Artemis too stretched her arm out, her fingers grazing Percy's, only for her to dissolve. In her place was one of the humanoid figures from before, this time with two pairs of slits gazing down at him. The figure took hold of Percy's hand, and in a split second, grabbed hold of Percy's chest. White streams of energy burst from underneath the figures hand as Percy silently screamed in pain. His clothes dissolved into nothingness, leaving him naked. The Tetreja then began to glow, the grey corruption on his right arm beginning to spread across his entire body. Golden veins protruded across his body as the corruption reached his head, turning his dark eyes a milky white in color and his hair grey.

Percy silently screamed as a series of images began to flash inside his head- The ancient temple in the shadow plane. The tree structure Pontus had shown him in the depths of the sea. Three figures overlooking an approaching army. An ancient underground temple, with another tree structure on top of it. Skiagis, bustling with life, but then it changed to being changed to dark and desolate. A group of people wearing hooded robes, worshipping a stone tablet. Then a landmass sitting on top a bed of clouds. Two more tree structures, intertwined together by its roots, surrounded by shadow beasts. And finally, the world between worlds, a helix shaped tree coming into view, as well as the two pairs of eyes staring back at him.

---

Percy gasped out loudly as he woke up, thrashing around as he quickly got up. He was soaked from head to toe with water, shivering as he twirled around, his breathing becoming labored. He wasn't sure what he experienced a few moments ago, whether it was a vision or it actually happened… but it felt real. He felt around his body, his clothes still intact. He pulled up his shirt, breathing a sigh of relief on seeing that the grey corruption didn't spread everywhere as he remembered. But then what did happen…

The sound of a distant explosion snapped him out of his stupor, prompting him to investigate. He then launched himself into the air and broke through many layers before coming across the ceiling, finally finding himself outside the temple. Down below, he spotted a black mass near the base of the temple, distant shouts echoing from it. He dived down and spied Hecate on the front, manipulating the mist and sending waves of it at shadow beasts. Eris was not far away, sending waves of purple energy to nearby shadow beasts, screeching loudly as they came in contact with it. They momentarily looked confused as they stood in place, until they began attacking their own kind with increased fervor. A bunch of shadow beasts flew into the air, in the center of it was Geras. He let out a strangled cry as he jumped into the air, and bounced off of the flying shadow beasts like a pinball, slicing them as he went.

"Hecate!" Percy shouted, landing next to the goddess. "What's happening?"

"Well, these fun guys decided to show up, so there's that." She replied, swinging her torch in an arc, which sent a wall of hellfire to an oncoming horde of shadows. "What have you been up to?"

"I… I'll tell you later with everyone else." Percy said, his eyes hardening. "Is no one else here, I though heard an explosion?"

"I did too, but I can't seem to place where it came from-"

BOOM!

Another explosion erupted overhead from the temple, debris raining down to where everyone was. As the dust cleared from the newly formed gaping hole, Hermes swooped outside, followed by Apollo and Aphrodite.

"Sorry we're late!" the god shouted, landing next to Percy. "We were trying not to fall."

"Sorry we destroyed a bit of the temple Perce." Apollo replied, bringing out his short swords. "It was coming in the way."

"No worries." Percy replied. "Looks like we finally got a fight."

"Sweet." Hermes grinned, summoning out a sword that had his snakes intertwined on his hand as he gripped the handle. "I would have done laser mode but these two need to rest." He explained on seeing Apollo's questioning look.

"Laser mode?" Percy asked.

"We'll show you later." Hermes replied.

Percy then frowned as he scanned the area, his heart sinking as he realized that neither Artemis or Thalia were anywhere to be seen. Meaning they could still be inside the temple, either trapped or lost. He was contemplating if he should go back inside to look for them when the temple began to rumble. A bright glow began to emit from the top sections of the structure, and Percy watched as a glowing streak of silver erupted out from the roof of the temple, and descended down towards him. His eyes widened when he saw the light die down, revealing it to be Artemis who then proceeded to tackle Percy down, though he didn't mind that one bit.

"Artemis!" Percy exclaimed with joy, enveloping the goddess in in a hug which she returned as well. As they touched foreheads, Percy felt something move against his body, laughing out with relief on seeing who it was.

"Thalia… di immortals." Percy breathed out, pushing back Thalia's hair from her sleeping face. "Where did you even find her?"

"She was roaming around." Artemis gasped out. "How did you even manage to lose her is beyond me."

Percy's face slightly darkened. "The temple separated us. It did the same to us as well."

Artemis nodded. "It did." She said. "Percy, when I found her, she was stumbling around, like she was about to fall asleep. And she fell into a chasm too, if I wasn't there…"

"Why is this happening to her though." Percy muttered, taking the child in his arms, his face hardening. "We need to get her out of here. I don't know if this place is affecting her, or it's something else, but I'm not letting her stay in here any longer."

Artemis nodded, bringing out her bow and began taking down the shadow beasts that were coming towards them. Percy too brought his bow out and launched a volley of arrows at them, when he spotted Hecate from afar.

"Hecate!" Percy shouted. "I need you to buy me same time to get Thalia out, can you do that?"

Hecate frowned on hearing this. "What do you mean? Can't you form a portal?"

Percy opened his mouth but then winced, as the ringing in his head became louder. "I don't know what's happening, but if I make a portal at random, who knows where I'll send her. And I'm not in the right head space to risk that!"

Hecate had a contemplative look on her face, as a thought slowly came to her. "Give her to me, I know a way I can safely get her out of here."

Percy pursued his lips but seeing Hecate's expression made him consider it. He nodded in response, and handed Thalia to Hecate. The goddess then crushed a few beads in her hands and threw it at the ground. a pile of rocks erupted from where the crushed beds landed, which then joint together to form golem like monsters. Hecate then one of the golems to carry Thalia, while the rest she sent to charge at the approaching shadows. She then made her way to Eris, who was looking quite worn out.

"Eris, remember that escape plan you had?"

"Hmm, oh yes! Thanks for reminding me, I'll see myself out-"

"Oh, you're not going so soon." Hecate exclaimed, grabbing the goddess by her hand. "How safe is it?"

"Um, very?"

"And where would it lead to?"

"Whichever sibling is on the opposite end?"

Hecate sighed. "Tell them they are receiving a demigod that needs to be taken to Olympus. If that cannot be done, then let the demigod be with them. This is my orders to them, they know very well not to disagree with an important child of the Night, do you understand?"

Eris nodded slowly. She then stepped back and extended her hands out, placing them on the ground. A look of concentration flashed across her face as shadows began to pool beneath her, a small smile now on her face.

"I got one." She announced. "And don't worry, I know it's the prophecy child, she'll be safe. Otherwise I'll have mother, Zeus, and Percy calling for my head on a pike."

"Glad to see you're still smart… enough." Hecate replied. She then took Thalia from the golem, and gently placed her down on the shadows. She watched as they slowly enveloped her, and after a few moments, the shadows dispersed with no trace of Thalia anywhere.

"It has been done." Eris stated, sighing loudly. "This form of shadow travel is very tricky. Which now I must ask, how are we going to escape?"

"You are forgetting we have the god of shadows amongst us." Hecate replied, nudging her head to where most of the fighting was happening.

Apollo and Hermes were fighting side by side as they struck down any shadows that came their way. Apollo let out a yell as he glowed brightly, sending out a brilliant flash of light that momentarily stunned the shadow beasts. Hermes then quickly zipped around them, slashing the shadows in half in a single flash. Aphrodite meanwhile sent flurry of rose petals at the shadow beasts, who looked very much confused on seeing them, only to later realize that they were suddenly impaled by rusted spears and lances coming out of the ground. Artemis had cornered an entire flank of shadows, sending an arrow engulfed with light at them, which instantaneously split into multiple arrows that easily cleared the shadows out. Their remains slowly drifted upwards into the air where Percy was, absorbing it into him. Sharpened spikes of umbra ore floated around him in a circle, which he would send down at any oncoming shadows. The shadow tendrils on his back were only becoming larger as he carried on with this, frowning as he noticed that none of this was coming to a stop.

Percy was about to give an alert to the other gods when the tetreja once again began to glow, making him wince. "Why now, what's happening now?" he bitterly thought as he glanced around, trying to find something that may be amiss.

The sounds of the fighting below him slowly blurred together to form a ringing sound. A faint glow of light suddenly came into view from the distance. Percy squinted his eyes as he tried to get a clearer look of the source of the light, his eyes slowly widening as he realized what it was, a cold sinking feeling began forming inside him.

"Percy…" Artemis called out loudly, her eyes too widening in recognition. "Isn't that… why is that here?"

Slowly coming into view was a tree like structure, the same type Percy had seen with Pontus down in the depths of the sea. Artemis recognized it as the same structure that had appeared along with the archaic megalith, when Percy sealed Gaia. This one looked slightly different however, as there was another tree structure intertwined with the first one by the roots.

"I have seen this before. I remember now… almost remember it." Percy muttered, his form slack. "I can't believe I completely missed this…"

"Percy!" Hermes shouted "These things are just coming one after the other!" the god shouted, bashing his head on the rock plate of a shadow beast, which then crumbled into pieces. "Should we go nuclear?"

Percy hesitated, the ringing in his head continuing like an impending sense of danger. He did not know why the archaic structure was here now, but if he was here, close by, then using their true godly form would attract him instantaneously. Especially if he was close by if he had sent the shadow beasts towards them. And he still couldn't create one for not just himself, but for seven other gods. He needed to create an opening himself, not rely on an existing one. And the only way to do that…

"No, we're making our escape." Percy shouted back.

"But we can't flash out!"

"I know. So everyone… brace yourselves."

Percy's face hardened as his eyes glowed, a blue aura surrounding him. His body was then consumed with hellfire, the flames growing bigger as it spread everywhere. Percy then launched himself down like a meteor to where the horde of shadow beasts was. An explosion occurred as almost every shadows beast dissolved into shadows, but before it could dissipate, Percy took control of it. He combined all the shadows together and then stretched it out. The shadow portal rippled as Percy tried to manipulate it to form a destination, when Hecate jumped to his side, helping him with the portal.

"You didn't think a child of Nyx wouldn't be able to help out?" she replied with a wink.

Percy grinned, but it mostly came out as a grimace. "Pull the portal across us, now!"

Hecate nodded, her eyes aglow in green as she withdrew her hands back. The shadow portal then unfolded, cascading downward towards them like a wave, prompting the gods to gather swiftly. Eris and Geras found themselves swept away first, followed by Hermes and Aphrodite, the latter emitting a whoop of excitement as they succumbed into the portals shadows. Percy then reached out for Artemis and Apollo, the two mimicking him as well as they clasped their hands together and vanished as the wave submerged them. Hecate gave final look as the archaic tree structure that was moving towards them, an understanding look in her eyes as she embraced the oncoming wave. And just like that, the gods escaped the shadow plane, with more questions now before they had entered it.

---

Thalia slowly stirred awake, her eyes staring at an expansive black sky. Her breathing hitched as she realized she was once again in the same place in her dreams, and then proceeded to pinch her arm tightly, pain shooting through the hand.

"I'm afraid this isn't a dream." a melodic voice spoke.

Thalia opened her eyes again, this time filled with fear. She slowly turned her head to the source of the voice, which belonged to a heavily robed being. The person was bald and slightly pudgy, but what caught the demigods gaze was the wing like protrusions that were located on his brow. Just like the-

"Hoot-hoot."

The owl from her dreams before flew down and perched itself on the being's shoulder. He stared at Thalia intently, a small smile on his face.

"It was so difficult tracking you down. Of course, my brother didn't help with that by bringing you into the shadow plane, but I tried the best that I could. But then, when I was preparing to help my siblings, I learnt from my sister that I will be receiving a special child soon that would need to be watched over. I just did not expect it to be you."

"Who are you." Thalia's voice quavered. "Why was I dreaming-"

"No need to be frightened. I was asked by your father too to look after you actually. You see, he wanted me to help you… I think I should start with that."

"Why… why would Percy ask…"

The god frowned slightly. "I'm afraid you're mistaken; I'm talking about Zeus of course." The god replied, bringing out a tree branch from the sleeves of his robe. "Now, hold still…"

---

Percy woke up with a start, slowly groaning as he pushed himself off from the floor. He took in the dim surroundings and the musty smell of medicine and other odd scents, the room slowly becoming familiar to Percy. He was in Hades's dungeons. Hecate's laboratory.

The sound of someone snoring gently made him turn around, and he smiled, seeing that it was Artemis. He double checked to see if he was actually in the same bed as hers, and wondered who would even put him there. Now while he certainly did miss sometimes watching Artemis sleep (she still had horrible bedhead!), he was not taking any chances this time and slowly moved away from the sleeping goddess. Only to find himself suddenly falling on to the floor, landing with a heavy thud.

Artemis snorted softly from her bed while Percy silently groaned, his body lying flat on the ground. he then heard footsteps approaching, and then Hecate's face came into view, giving him an amused look.

"The sleeper finally wakes." She announced. "I see you had quite a wakeup call."

"I would prefer an alarm to this honestly." Percy groaned. "How's everyone else?"

"Hermes was the first to wake up and leave. Something to do with his lady friend. Apollo and Aphrodite are lounging in the main room, having tea. Want some?"

"Later. What about-"

"Artemis is fine. She's just sleeping off some cuts she received in the fight, but from what I can see, they are already healed."

"And Thalia?"

Hecate's smiled faded, a pensive look on her face as she studied Percy. The god frowned when he got no response, not liking the look on Hecate's face

"Where's Thalia?" Percy then asked.

Hecate pursued her lips, a strange expression on her face. "She was safe with one of Nyx's children, but she isn't there anymore. Percy, it's way past the 21st of June. Do you know what that means?"

Percy's eyes narrowed. "The summer solstice. We've been gone for more than a week?" He realized aloud. "And Zeus?"

Hecate nodded. "She was given to her father on that day itself. Zeus then did what needed to be done for her."

"Where is she Hecate." Percy whispered.

Hecate closed her eyes. "The place where she was raised in. It was necessary for her to be there, after the-"

"Got it. I'll see you all later." Percy replied, getting up. He gave Artemis a kiss on the forehead and whispered something to her.

"Perseus, no- you don't understand she's-"

But the god had already flashed away, leaving behind a pained looking Hecate. Percy soon found himself back in the mortal world, finding himself in quite a familiar location. It was nighttime, but strangely enough, it was raining quite heavily which Percy found odd.

"It's almost the end of June, why would it be raining like this in Los Angeles?" Percy wondered as thunder distantly boomed. He then began to run around the dimly lit streets of the city. He then tried to pin point Thalia's location, turning around the corner and stopped, the area where he was right now slowly becoming familiar.

"I'm in Wilshire Boulevard." Percy murmured. "This is where Thalia used to live."

He continued to run through the road, until he found himself in MacArthur Park. Percy remembered clearly that this was the place he had taken the decision to take care of Thalia, a brief smile forming on his face. He once again tried to sense the demigod, and paused when he felt something close. And as he peered over at the park, his eyes widened. There was a child, wearing a leather jacket and walking around aimlessly in the park, a confused expression on her face.

Percy laughed out in relief as he made his way towards Thalia, calling out to her. "Thalia!"

Thalia stilled on hearing her name, and slowly turned around, a confused expression on her face. That then changed to wariness, but Percy didn't seem to notice.

"Oh Fates, I am so glad you're-" Percy exclaimed, reaching out for Thalia. But he then paused on seeing the kid stumble back, shrinking away from him.

"Thalia? What's wrong bug?"

Thalia stared at Percy with a strange expression, slowly backing away. "Who are you, and how do you know my name?"

"…What?"

Percy blinked, pushing his wet hair back as he stared at Thalia. "What… what did you just… say?"

Lightning flashed overhead, illuminating Thalia's slightly scared expression. "I don't know who you are, so leave me alone."

"Wait, why are you-"

"I can hit you badly, I mean it." Thalia said loudly, but Percy could tell she was quivering with fear. But why…

Percy opened his mouth and then closed it. "Wait, what are you-"

"No, stay away!" Thalia shouted as Percy stepped towards her. She then began to run in the opposite direction, leaving a stupefied Percy behind.

"Why… why would she…" Percy mumbled, a cold feeling settling in his stomach. "No, she couldn't have- she can't-"

Percy quickly flashed away and appeared just a few feet in front of Thalia, which startled her and caused her to fall down on her back.

"H-How- How did you-" the child stuttered, fear in her eyes. "Are you- you're a monster, aren't you?!"

Percy's heart ached. "No, bug listen to me. It's me, Percy, I'm not trying to-"

"Leave me alone!" Thalia shouted, quickly standing up. "I am not going to let you hurt me!"

"No, I would never-"

"I'm not going to get hurt again. Not after my mother… never." Thalia cried out, removing her mace canister. "Stay away from me!"

She quickly sprayed the contents of the can on Percy and quickly bounded away, the sounds of thunder and rain hitting the ground masking her steps. Percy merely stood there as he watched the demigod run out into the street, Hecate's voice slowly echoing inside his head.

"Zeus then did what needed to be done for her."

"Perseus, no- you don't understand she's-"

"No, no please." Percy murmured, sinking to the ground. "Please don't do this, please… . Not this, please, anything but this."

Percy felt himself slowly sink into the ground, the rain on his face masking the tear that was trailing his face. The sounds of thunder and the rain pattering around him slowly overcame his racing thoughts, refusing to accept the possibility of what just happened. His body felt numb, but not because of the cold. For he was without thoughts. Without…

---

Sooo… please don't kill me? Yeah, that's a bold request, after what I just did so… I'll see myself to the execution theatre. But before that, uhh… I honestly don't know what else to say. I guess… um… you know what. I think I'll end this a/n short, just because of what happened cause even I don't feel it right to… talk about it or anything else. But, the story is far from over so… I will see you guys in the next update...\/