Percy sat on a bench in one of the many gardens littering Mount Olympus. He watched as the moon gave way to the sun, the stars remaining bright across the skies. Percy wasn't sure how long he had sat there, time always seemed a fickle thing since becoming a god, but it was long enough for the other immortals and nature spirits to have left for the night and begin filtering back into it. He often found himself here, in Hestia's Garden, throughout the decades. Though, he visited less and less as time passed. In the beginning of his godhood, he sometimes spent months just sitting on the very bench he sat on now. Hades, he thinks he even spent a whole year there once, trapped in memories and nightmares. Now he would be unfortunate to spend a day in his own mindscape in the protective confines of his aunt's garden. What thoughts and memories passed through the god's mind as he stared at the sky. Plans, strategies, birthdays, torture… darkness, so much darkness.

The crowd roared in approval; another bloodletting fulfilled. Perseus stood in the center of the Night Arena, blood flowing freely from his wounds as bodies littered the ground around him. Some slowly dissolved into golden dust while others… didn't. He raised his arms with a roar of triumph, his ferocity matched only by the eagerness of the spectators. Perseus grinned wolfishly as he watched her approach him. Her hair waved like waves of rolling darkness, a perfect contrast to the swirling nebulae in her eyes. Her dress left little to the imagination, though Perseus had no need for such imagination.

"You're doing it again," a voice interrupted Percy's musing. A man settled next to him on the bench, his golden hair cropped closely and his eyes a piercing lightning blue. He wore a purple Camp Jupiter sweatshirt and jeans, a gladius strapped to his belt.

Percy shifted in his seat to get more comfortable. "Jason," he tilted his head in greeting. "What are you doing here?"

Jason shrugged. "Was in the area. Lady Vesta said you could use a friend," he told the god before leaning back against the bench. "So, what grand suffering are you planning to cure the world of now?"

Percy smiled at the joke. It seemed Jason was taking lessons on comedy from Leo. Better than Apollo. "Just… thinking," was all he could think to say.

"Well, as if that wasn't obvious," Jason countered his patron. "I know I'm not Reyna, but you can still talk to me, Percy."

The god side-eyed his herald before sighing. "Recent events have me… reminiscing," he told his friend. "Of my time in the Pit. My time with her."

She lived in darkness. She had no need for light. But for Perseus, she would accommodate him. Her room lit with green flames. "My champion," she purred from her place on the bed, watching Perseus with such hunger as he stood before the bed. "My king."

Jason nodded in understanding. He knew enough to know that Percy's time in Tartarus with Nyx was no picnic. Hades, Zoe was proof of that. "Anything in particular stand out to you?"

Percy hummed in thought. "Your mind is the most dangerous weapon that can be used against you," he told the demigod. Not that Percy needed to tell him this, as they both knew. Both had had their minds played with by immortals more than once. But that was a story for Jason to tell. "Beings of great strength can swing their swords, their axes, even their fists with the power to level mountains. But against your own mind? How does someone fight against that? How do you resist someone who knows every button to press, every switch to flip. How do you-," he stopped briefly, the words catching in his throat. "How do you stop when you don't want to? To fight against your own desires because you know they are wrong." He watched the stars overhead, a tear threatening to escape his eye. "I didn't want to leave, Jason. I know you know that. I know Reyna knows it. You all do."

Jason sat stoically as he stared at the various flowers and bushes around them. He knew Percy needed to get this out. "So, why did you?"

Her blood pooled around him, soaking into the soil of the Fields of Mars. A wet cough escaped her lips, her blood splattering against his chest. Percy cradled her in despair, kissing the top of her blonde head. He knew there was nothing he could do, and that thought made him angry.

"Because I promised," Percy answered, his head falling and resting against his chest. His head lifted as quickly as it fell. "Someone is here."

"Ah, there you are," a deep, rich voice wafted over the garden. "The great Perseus Jackson, the great god of destruction." Heracles rounded a row of tall bushes. The large god stood wearing his lion skin coat and trousers, his muscles bulging like a bodybuilder's. He smiled like he was greeting an old friend, but his eyes were brimmed with anger and hatred. "A fitting domain for one who has caused so much chaos"

Percy and Jason's eyes narrowed as they watched the son of Zeus approach. "Heracles," Percy greeted the god of strength as he rose from his seat, deciding to remain civil. "It's been a while."

Heracles' smile widened. "If I never saw your face again it would be too soon," he said in a friendly tone, crossing his large arms over his massive chest.

"Well, the feeling is mutual," Percy told him before crossing his own arms. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see what made you so special," he answered Percy, looking the fellow god up and down. "I am not impressed."

Percy scoffed. "I dealt with you as a demigod," he reminded him. "I don't think I would have too much of a problem now."

Heracles growled, his arms falling to his sides. "Then how about we have a rematch?" the god suggested.

The god of heroes raised an eyebrow. "You really want to try that?" he asked the fellow god. Jason stood and joined his patron.

"I underestimated you last time," Heracles tried to argue. "I will not make that mistake again."

"You touch Percy and Poseidon wages war against Zeus," Jason interrupted, deciding that he needed to deescalate the situation. Percy clearly wasn't concerned about the consequences, his reminiscing clouding his judgment. "I don't think Dad would respond well to you starting a war while we prepare for another."

Heracles growled. "Hiding behind dear old daddy?" he taunted.

"Something I am sure you are used to," Percy countered him, smirking at the anger building on the god's face. "Now, if there is nothing else, I have somewhere I need to-oof" Percy was interrupted as two bodies fell upon him, the three of them becoming a tangled mess of groaning bodies.

"Percy! You, okay?" Jason asked as he reached down to help them untangle. Hair like night mingled with coppery blonde as he pulled two teenagers off the god. "Liam? Zoe? What are you doing here?"

Zoe shook her head, trying to get her bearings. The daughter of Perseus looked around in confusion. "What? How did we…?" She looked down at her father, who groaned as he climbed to his feet.

"Well, nice of you to drop in," Percy quipped as he rubbed his back. "Next time, warn me when you're about to shadow travel onto my back."

"Shadow travel?" Liam asked in confusion, he remained seated on the soft grass. "We were… in a mine. A beam fell on me."

Percy raised an eyebrow at them. "The incident at the mines was like four or five hours ago," Percy told them, the duo looked at the god in confusion. "Have you been shadow traveling that whole time?"

"I-I don't know," Zoe answered uncertainly, a hand reaching for her head. "I just remember the mine collapsing on us, my power flared and then… nothing."

Liam laid back onto the ground with a groan. "It didn't feel like when Nico would shadow travel with us," he thought out loud.

"So, this is the one I have heard so much about?" Heracles interrupted them, his gaze focused on Zoe. "The little night spawn."

Zoe glared at the god before stepping towards him. "Yeah? And who are you supposed to be? A terminator off Wish?" Percy snorted as he tried not to laugh.

Heracles growled in his throat. "You should know your place girl. I am the god of strength, and patron to heroes. You should be in awe."

"Uh, yeah no. My dad is the god of heroes, so he one ups you there," Zoe countered him with a grin. "And my dad could wipe the floor with you, so why don't you bugger off." Her father felt a deep sense of pride well up at the sight of his daughter annoying the god of bravery. Jason groaned and wiped at his face.

"It is clear your parents have forgotten to teach you proper respects," Heracles spoke in a low tone. "I will take great pleasure in teaching you."

Perseus stepped between his daughter and Heracles. "You touch her, and I'll rip out your spine."

Heracles huffed before turning and walking away. "We will see. Goodbye brother," he turned and looked to Liam. "Be careful around the night spawn. Who knows what plans her and her mother have concocted."

Zoe turned away from the god's exit. "I don't like him," she stated obviously.

"Clearly," Jason said, watching his half-brother leaving. "Did you really need to provoke him?"

The daughter of Perseus looked to the older demigod. "He started it, calling me night spawn," she argued against him. "Nyx is not my mother."

Percy hummed in thought. "So, what happened? Malik and Tammie said in their prayer that you both ran off almost as soon as the fighting started," he said, deciding it best to change the subject. Zoe and Liam shared looks before they told their story. From finding the mines to the fight with the cloaked boy and ending with the mines collapsing around them. Percy listened with a grim expression.

"Any idea who he is?" Jason questioned them.

"No idea," answered Zoe, fiddling with her braid. "But he knew me. Called me by the name Nyx does and said he had been watching me for a long time."

"And he held his own against you?" Jason asked, surprised that someone could stand against two of their best fighters.

Liam nodded begrudgingly, crossing his arms. "I don't think he even broke a sweat until I hit him with my bolt," he told them.

Jason looked to Percy, who seemed to be watching the stars in thought. "You've spent the most time with Nyx, any ideas who this is?"

Percy flinched, as if he had been somewhere else and forgotten they were there. "None that are good, or even make sense" he muttered, unsure if he should even speak his ideas into existence. Nyx had countless children, all of them terrors in their own right. Any one of them taking an active role would be a serious problem.

"Any you want to throw out there?" asked Liam.

Percy shook his head. "No, no need to worry you if I am wrong," he told them before turning to Jason. "I need you to go to Arizona. Reyna and her convoy were attacked, and she was injured. She could use the help, even though she'd deny it."

"Mom was hurt?" Zoe asked in concern. Reyna could never be hurt. She was invincible. Wasn't she?

Percy nodded. "She was attacked by the Nemean Lion while a strike force attacked the Fourth. She was pretty banged up, but she is determined to continue her mission. The fourth took a lot of casualties though."

Zoe's eyes widened. "Karina, is she…?"

"She's fine," Percy alleviated her concerns. "She saved a lot of lives. You should be proud of your friend."

Relief flowed into Zoe, pleased that her friend was alright. "Can I go with Jason?"

Percy raised an eyebrow. "You done with Artemis and them already?" he teased his daughter before turning to Liam. "You going with?"

Liam shrugged. "Sure, not like I have anything better to do."

"Alright, I will let Chiron and the others know." Liam nodded and joined Zoe and Jason. "I would go with you, but I need to look into this new character." The three nodded as they joined hands. "Be careful, if they are willing to ambush the Praetorians then who knows what they will do." He touched Zoe's shoulder and the three demigods disappeared in a flash of light.

Percy sighed, his shoulders slumping in begrudging acceptance. "What is his name?" he asked, seemingly to no one.

A giggle reached his ears as a form coalesced in the shadow of a tree. The woman stepped out of the shadow, her form illuminated by both moonlight and sunlight. The darkness that made up her hair waved down to her lower back. Her dress of night dragged against the grass; swirling galaxies moved about the fabric. "Damian," she answered, a grin stretching across her gorgeous, pale face. "He is an exuberant one. Always running around trying to fight the best warrior. Be glad I reigned him in. Wouldn't have wanted him to kill your prize pupil, the son of Zeus, huh?"

"Nyx." Percy turned to the goddess, not the least bit surprised by her appearance on Olympus. His face set in stone, but his anger remained burning in his eyes. His unasked question, unfortunately, answered. "How long have you been following me?"

Nyx's grin turned into a smile. "Do you think I ever stopped? I might not have been present as I am now, but I have always kept close tabs on you."

Percy looked up to the sun and the moon. He wagered there was a few precious minutes before dawn. "Your time runs short however," he claimed as he watched her. She was as beautiful as ever. Every curve, every stretch of exposed skin, everything about her was just as perfect as he remembered from his time in Tartarus.

Nyx glanced at the moon and sun briefly. "I've forgotten more years than Olympus has existed. Waiting a bit longer to be together is no chore."

"I would rather die, than be back under your thumb," Percy scowled at the goddess.

The goddess of night rolled her eyes. "You act like I tortured you, locked you away in a dungeon somewhere and threw away the key," she drawled as gestured animatedly. "I gave you something to love again. I helped heal your broken heart."

"You manipulated me," Percy hissed, his stoicism broke as his anger shown through. "I was traumatized, broken, a livewire away from plunging into insanity. And you used that to make me your plaything. You stuffed the hole in my heart with your desires and strung me along like a puppet on strings."

"I never forced you to do anything, God of Destruction. You are a destroyer of worlds. So, I unleashed you and so what if I nudged you this way or that. You certainly had a great time," she countered him.

"That-That wasn't me. That was the being you made me into. A being that thought you loved me."

"And you deny I don't? You, who has captured more of my attention than any other being alive?" Nyx retorted, not seeing the logic in his words.

"Obsession is not love," Percy said sternly. "You see me as a prize, not a partner. I am nothing to you but a toy, your champion of the pit."

"Enough," she said, her voice resonating through the garden. "I tire of this."

Anger rolled through Percy's being as he stepped toward the goddess, his caution blown away with the storm brewing overhead. "What? Don't want to acknowledge that you messed me up worse than I came into Tartarus?"

Nyx's nebula eyes pulsed and darkness creeped into the garden. "I did not come here to argue with you. Maybe I should show you how I could have dominated you." Tendrils of shadows struck out at Percy.

A pillar of flame exploded between the two, evaporating the shadows with fire light and forcing both deities back. The flames receded, revealing a small girl in a dark brown sundress and burning charcoal eyes glaring at the primordial. "This is not your domain, Goddess of Night," Hestia calmly told the goddess, her flames swirled around her form.

Nyx gave off a small huff, her lips curling into an amused smile at the arrival of the Hearth Goddess. She moved her attention to the sky and saw the night had almost receded completely, before turning back to Percy. "It won't be long now Perseus. Soon, you will join your true family once more" she vowed, her body slowly dissolving into nothingness. "And you will join willingly," she said, vanishing from the garden once and for all.

Hestia released her breath, extinguishing the flames before turning to her nephew. "Antagonizing a primordial is a choice, Percy. I don't know if it was the smartest one you could have made," she chided the young god.

Percy sighed, his anger leaving as quickly as it came. "I'm sorry Hestia. I just-I just lost it…"

Hestia's eyes softened as she approached him. "I understand. Seeing her again, given everything that has happened. I can't imagine how hard that was for you." She looked down at her scorch marks in the grass. "I will have to ask the nymphs to repair this."

"Thank you, Hestia," he said as he shook himself. "I don't want to think of what she would have done with me had she gotten her hands on me."

"Well, you are in my garden. I would be a poor host if I allowed my guests to take on a challenge they had no hope of winning."

Percy cringed; he really had been out of line. "You didn't try to stop Heracles," he diverted the topic.

Hestia gained a mischievous glint in her eye. "I knew you would not start a fight with him in my garden of all places," she said before she looked at him quizzically. "Who is Damian?"

Percy slumped against the bench, looking on to the ever-changing sky. "He is a problem for another day."