Victoria was up when I came out of the bathroom, refreshed. She looked over, snorting. "Really, Perce? Do you want them to guess?" I brushed my dyed green hair with my comb while staring into the vanity on Victoria's side of the room. Bright green eyes stared back at me. "No one will guess, Vicky. If they suspect, it will be gone when they learn of my ring's power."

She appeared in the glass, placing her hands on my shoulders. Her hair was neat considering she just woke up. Her crop top and ripped blue jeans were wrinkled. But other than that, she still looked like the beautiful girl I know.

"What made you feel like that, Seph? Did something happen?" I placed down the comb and grasped her hand, our fingers entangling. "No, of course not."

"Don't lie to me. You know I hate it when you lie to me. I'm not the scared 15 years old girl you saved. I can handle stuff." Victoria huffed, bringing up the topic I've heard many times.

"It's nothing serious, Vicky." I said, adoringly at the girl I helped somewhat raise. Not that I could call what her father did raise.

"Then why won't you tell me? Did I do something?" She asked hesitantly.

"Of course not, Vic." I said comfortingly. I sighed when I caught sight of her orange eyes. "You know the mental space Luke and I have." She nodded. It was a dream room Luke and I created. If the two of us were asleep at the same time, we could meet each other there. I couldn't see him like how I want—the place was different from real life, but I was content.

"He visited. It helps that we were sleeping in the same time zone."

"Did he say anything?" She asked eagerly. It was times like this when I couldn't help but compare her and Annabeth. Both were somewhat raised by Luke and I love both of them. But Annabeth doesn't love you. A voice reminded me.

Her again. I ignored that voice like I always have.

"He told me to tell you he loves you. I told him you love him too." At that, she tackled me. "Thanks, Sephie."

"I was telling him the truth, that's all." I raised my eyebrow but couldn't help smiling. "Anyways, he told me that Order moved up an attack. Instead of tomorrow, it's today."

Victoria bit her lip, looking down. "Sephie… maybe it's better if you told Jason."

"Don't be silly, Vicky." I brushed her off, still smiling like a maniac. "Luke told me it's only a trial run, to see how camp goes. I can manage it myself and you can help cover for me."

"The way you make it sound like you're about to run off at night to your boyfriend." She mutters, no doubt thinking of those mortal movies. It was sort of close to the truth.

"You're being ridiculous, Vicky."

"Any commanders?" She switched the topic, bringing us back to what we were talking about. "No, Luke convinced them to let a lieutenant do it. An easier job for me."

"Which one?" I tapped my chin with my nail. "I think he said it was Commander Adrian's lieutenant, Karilande."

"That is one weird name."

"What can you expect? Adrian named her."

"…"

"Vicky?"

Time skip

The warriors were used to my different looks. I guess that's the only reason they didn't react when I came down. Only a few were lounging in the living room since it was still early. When they saw me, some raised their hand in greeting or nodded.

"I do have a question." Michael admitted as soon as we came to hearing distance. "Are we going to tell anyone you're an assassin?"

"It isn't such a big secret that Seirína exists." I responded. "Why not. That'll at least explain the Dane situation."

Now I had their full attention. Victoria went over to the kitchen. Even she knew she wasn't going to like this.

"You stabbed him?" Ethan asked in disbelief. I thought he wouldn't be surprised anymore. He should've known I could and would do anything. Injuring a camper isn't much. "Percy, that was the first day!"

"This is Persephone we're talking about. She's done worse." Zoë smirked.

Bianca sighed. "Really, Perce? Really?"

"It's his fault for getting too close to me."

"So you stabbed him for being in your personal space?" Ethan asked in disbelief. Please, he also stabbed Kronos while knowing he would die for it.

Phoebe nodded in understanding. After all, she once admitted she thought my job was the best. "At least you didn't kill him. That's showing quite the restraint, Persephone. It should be celebrated."

I scowled. "Stop it, Phoebe." She gave me a knowing grin but kept her mouth shut.

"Is Jason up yet?" I sat down next to Zoë who took out an arrow. "No. I knocked but he was out. I did see his light still on at midnight last night. He must've been exhausted from the paperwork." Ethan said, frowning. "Chaos didn't give us a lot of time to process it before sending us here."

"You know that with Order rising, Chaos doesn't want to waste a single moment. Which is quite odd considering he still loves her." I said.

Ethan leaned back on the couch, tired all of a sudden. I turn to Michael instead. "And you, Yew? What are you gonna do? I'm assuming with Lee. And Bianca by extension but I'm assuming she would be quite busy. You might be spending time with your boyfriend, but I heard he is busy at the moment."

"Read my mind, eh?" He smirked, not at all bothered. All the warriors had traits that I love and hate. One of the things I love about Michael is he is easygoing and isn't easily provoked. I hate it when he is provoked. He can hold a grudge worthy of a child of Hades.

"No need. Anyone could read you." I said, picking up a cup of water. The way it sloshed, nearly escaping the cup when I moved it, was so cute. No one could guess I only need half of this amount of water to kill someone. I've done it before and I'm not afraid to do so again. He winked roguishly but without ill purpose like that stupid demigod. Could be because he was gay and has a boyfriend. Wait, sorry. Correction, has a fiancé.

"I must be off now." I said, gently placing the cup down. "Do not forget, fellow warriors, of what you promised. I would hate it, but I will kill anyone who fails to uphold it." Michael laughed easily, bidding me goodbye.

Everyone else looked annoyed at the reminder but swore. I asked Bianca to ensure everyone else also swore. I wasn't sure if she would remember but if she didn't then Victoria would.

"Excellent." I left Victoria since I saw Roth enter the kitchen barely minutes after Victoria did and went out.

I didn't see her, but I felt her presence. The aura of my mother. She was somewhere here. Close. I froze in my steps. She was here. Here. I ran, not bothering about my dress. It took a couple of minutes to pinpoint her location but when I found her, it was worth it.

Gods, she hadn't changed. I saw the immense patience she always had dealing with me. The kindness as she helped out. And the gentleness she had with everyone. Mum had gotten busy. I saw my three siblings, all heartthrobs and in their teens. They were so comfortable together. The oldest girl, 18 in her physical age but close to my age mentally. It's probably Estelle. She was only one when I last saw her. She's grown beautifully, green eyes that reflect the nature around us and salt and pepper hair held together with a sapphire hair claw. She might've reached to my shoulder, wearing a pair of sandals that showed her pedicure. She wore a camp t-shirt and a skirt that fell short of her knees.

The only boy was most likely Alexios. My memory wasn't the best but I remember Artemis mentioning him. My brother from my mortal family, the second Blofis. His hair must've been dyed, for it resembled my jet black hair. When he turned, I could catch the faintest glimpse of blue eyes, just like our mother's. He wore a white shirt, his camp necklace—with far too many beads for me to count—in plain sight, and blue jeans. He was the tallest of the three, but I think he's still falling short of me, just by a bit. Just then, he grinned at something Estelle said. I took a step back, slightly surprised. For some reason, his troublemaker smile reminded me of mine, but more carefree.

The last girl, who just so happens to look the youngest, had the youngest soul. While Estelle and Alexios were in the sun, basking in its light, she stood next to a tree, hiding within its shadow, a book in her hand but her attention was on her older siblings. She looked very different from me.

My youngest sister, the one who reminded me most of our mother. Her sparkling blue eyes were from our mother, identical to Alexios's, and she had luscious cinnamon brown hair that reached to her hips. Her eyes were covered by a pair of glasses and she had ear piercings even though she didn't wear any earrings. She was shorter than Alexios but an inch taller than Estelle, wearing a flowing dress that reached to her knees and high heels studded with rhinestones.

If I were like a female version of Poseidon, then my youngest sister would be a copy of Mum. If I remember correctly from Artemis, she is Cordelia. It meant heart. Latin origin. Mum put a lot of thought into that name. They were so happy together, playing without a care but also looking out for each other. Their bond was like mine and Luke's but platonic.

I wouldn't fit in there. It was long established but it felt worse than a stab in the heart as I watched my siblings.

My mother watched them play with a loving smile while helping a demigod bandage his arm. Why he couldn't just go to the infirmary was beyond me.

She truly didn't change inside and out. But I could see the sadness, even from here. With barely a finger lifted, I could hear her conversations, hear her voice. But I didn't. She never abandoned me. I will let her keep her privacy. No matter how much I want to do so.

I walked towards the beach, taking an extra long path. Just like yesterday, I couldn't sense any life in the ocean. But it still looks lively from an outsiders' view. When I tried searching for the boy (the one who dared to call Jason and me lovebirds), though, he was gone. Back to where he belonged. Another time maybe.

"It's beautiful. I've long forgotten how beautiful it used to be." Hazel murmured in wonder, coming in step with me. I wonder where she came from. One second I was alone, the other she was suddenly next to me.

"What do you mean? Doesn't it always look this way?" I was confused at my cousin's words. It was like this when I talked to Artemis. And with Jason.

"No. Ever since Lord Poseidon closed off all contact, this ocean became lifeless. A boring grey. It was a great curse to camp." Hazel told me. "I'm Hazel Zhang." She stretched out her hand.

I didn't take it. "I am Seirína." She didn't flinch or quake as others usually do. Instead, a knowing light came in her eyes.

"The assassin of the universe. I suppose I made a good impression since you're not killing me immediately." The lack of fear in her tone surprised me. I reached up and shook her hand.

"You are more polite than the son of Dionysus. I will not kill or injure you. Yet."

"So you are the one who stabbed Dane. I should've known." A teasing grin stretched her lips. "Truth be told, I'm not that fond of him. He isn't always bad, it's just when he's drunk. Still, I try to avoid him as much as I can when I visit Camp Half Blood."

I assessed her. "You are here for the mourning of Persephone Jackson then, not for the war?"

"She prefers to be called Percy," Hazel corrected, "and her Memorial Day isn't for mourning. It is a way to remember her. For the deeds she has done. Her memories deserve to be where the heroes are. In a museum. However, that isn't possible. So, we have the second best thing. This." She fell silent for a second. Then she spoke again, this time more solemn. "Percy was my cousin and friend. I loved her dearly. Still do. So yes, I came for this and not the war. In fact, my husband is also here. Frank Zhang. We are meant to be at Camp Jupiter, preparing to protect New Rome and its people. Camp Half Blood has the Chaos Army. We don't. I should be there right now. But I couldn't pass this. She was… she is an important person in my life. I want to honor her memories."

Her words touched me greatly. "Jason told me about Percy. Quite a lot. Her achievements are truly amazing. And I'll inform my commanders of Camp Jupiter. We have more than enough warriors and even more commanders. I'm sure Jason would want to protect New Rome, considering he grew up there." The relief in her eyes almost made me smile.

I have to remember. She could have also abandoned me, rejected me if I ever went and sought for Camp Jupiter's help. I didn't risk it but it was always a possibility. I wanted to know.

"Tell me, Mrs Zhang, do you honor her memories because you want to maintain your image, or do you do it because she's your friend?"

She stopped. Something akin to anger burned in her eyes. "That is the biggest insult you could've dealt me with, Seirína." She spat. I smiled. She's grown up.

My smile only enraged her further. "Do you think this is funny? It isn't. The fact that you doubt how much I care for Percy is insulting. Do you know who I am?"

"I do, Mrs Zhang. A former praetor, weren't you? You married Frank Zhang, your fellow praetor, at a young age. After you gained immortality with the other five who helped defeat Gaia, wasn't it?"

The anger was replaced with bewilderment. "Don't doubt my knowledge, Mrs Zhang. And I wasn't trying to insult you. It was curiosity. I just met you. And as you know, I am an assassin. Any information could be false to me. I was just confirming."

"Oh." She bowed her head a little. "Then I am sorry for judging you. I am a little sensitive to this topic. Despite many beliefs you might hear, Camp Jupiter wasn't involved in the incident that ruined Percy's life."

That was news to me. "Really? Are you saying this to preserve your image?"

"I do not care for such an image, Seirína. An image is just how people would see you on the outside. As long as my friends and family know, I do not care what strangers think of me."

"I am curious. So you didn't get yourself involved. I'm not sure if what you did was a good thing or bad."

Hazel remained silent, her steps slowing down. "We had traitors back then, still supporting Gaia." She said, "Our attention was focused on that. We assumed everything was well on Camp Half Blood's side so we postponed our monthly check-ins at least five times. We had to clear out all traitors, like Octavian, who while did not support Gaia, but could ruin our relationship with the Greeks. If not, they would've killed all of us in our sleep to put the blame on the Greeks. After we finally confirmed there weren't any more demigod traitors in our midst, we finally communicated with Camp Half-Blood again."

I turned to face her when I sensed a liquid on her face, but no tears fell. "By then, Percy had fled camp. We wanted to send search teams to find her. Some found her. But she hadn't known of it and thought we were there to take her back to camp and attacked them. Her skills were extraordinary, our warriors were all knocked unconscious, not killed though thank Gods. When they awoke, she was gone. After a while, we stopped. It was clear Percy wasn't in the mood to listen. So, we could do nothing but watch as Artemis's hunters and Camp Half Blood attack her. We couldn't do anything, besides wait and see. If she had come to us… it doesn't matter."

I smiled slowly. A wonderful friend till the end. Perhaps… if I deem them trustworthy, I will reveal myself. What Hazel said matched my memories. The Romans had indeed searched for me multiple times. Each time, I either fled or attacked. She thought too highly of me though. I only defeated them because they had seemed reluctant to fight. Before I had thought it was suspicious. Now I know.

"Why do you tell me so much and ask for nothing in return?"

"Guess." Hazel teased. Then, she noted my barely held back impatience. "The things you ask may be personal, but I know you would find out about them if you ever wanted to. My half sister, Bianca, has told me of your ability to read minds. If you wanted to, you could take what you want from my mind. I sense you haven't and for that I am grateful. This sort of information I would rather tell you freely than snatched from my head."

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on only one part. "Bianca told you about me?"

"Actually, she told Nico who told me. It was a slip of her tongue, Nico said. Still, she told him of some things you could do and he in turn warned me. Do not blame Bianca, please. It was an innocent mistake and she said nothing more than your powers of summoning weapons, changing your looks, your mind powers, and your earth powers. Things that we would have seen you use eventually."

"You have a rather clever mouth, Mrs Zhang."

"Please, Call me Hazel. I'm too young to be called Mrs."

"Truly?" I feigned ignorance. "You have lots of wisdom for someone so young then, Hazel."

She smiled bashfully. "Ah, my boys say that I'm old but truthfully, most of the time, I haven't aged a day since getting immortality."

Boys? Suddenly, the world around me blurred for a second.

Hazel… sweet, young Hazel, the youngest of the Seven… she's a mother? Multiple children?

I…

A hand was suddenly in my face. "Are you okay, Seirína?" Hazel asked worriedly, her hand falling back down. "You were lost for a moment."

Pasting on a shaky smile, I nodded my head. "Just surprised. You look young, Hazel. Really young. No one could ever suspect it."

She laughed. "Well, I can change my form whenever I wish. With my kids, I'm usually older but I prefer this form. It anchors me, you know? Reminds me of my past." A fond glimmer in her eyes.

"Tell me about your children?" I urged.

"Well, there's little Emily." Hazel said. "She's in her mid-millenia now, I'm so proud. She's married to Willa, a mortal. Well, was a mortal. Then, Maria, a decade later. She's single but has two kids of her own. Selene and Starra. They're twins. Caleb, three and a half decades after Maria. Daniel, two years after Caleb. That makes four."

Oh, by Chaos.

"They're all over the globe now." Hazel said wistfully, unaware of my inner turmoil. "Grew up too fast. Emily is in the Southeast Asia regions. Completely different time frame, can you imagine! I'd rather she stay there for now, however, it's too dangerous for her to come back now. Maria is in Atlantis, currently. I haven't talked to her in centuries. One day, she insisted that she wanted to go to Atlantis, that it was her destiny. The next day, she was gone. I can only hope that Poseidon is taking care of my little girl…" Her eyes fogged over, for a moment revealing her pain. Then, it was gone. "Starra is… um, well she's dead, to put it bluntly. Refused immortality and all that. Selene joined Starra in death. I've seen them a couple times in Elysium. It's against the rules, but Papa turns a blind eye and I always have a good excuse to go to the Underworld. Caleb and Dan are in Camp Jupiter. Dan is a professor at New Rome University. Caleb is a retired praetor. With the war, however, he's back fighting."

I wanted to say something but before any other words were exchanged, we reached the edge of the ocean.

"Oh! I never noticed how close we were to the ocean." Hazel said, pleasantly surprised.

That got me thinking back. "What did you say about the ocean, Hazel?"

"Poseidon never comes out from his kingdom. Over time, the sea became a lifeless place, a result of his neglect. It's a curse to be near the ocean. You could drown immediately. Or go down with an incurable illness. I've seen both cases. Everyone is terrified of the ocean. But it looks so amazing now. I think he has come back. I wish he would." Hazel said, troubled. "It's because of his daughter, isn't it?"

"Yes. Sadly. Poseidon took it the hardest. No one has seen him for so long. Most don't even date to talk about him. Besides next week, that is. We hope that by next week, he will feel lenient."

"But you are a goddess. Why fear him?"

"I was a demigod when I first met him, Seirína. My perspective of him hasn't changed."

I nodded thoughtfully. It was my presence that made the sea like this. Like I told Luke so many years ago, water is conscious. It was able to sense me and turned to this, a colour I remember, as a way to welcome me.

It's kinda sweet when you think of it.

I sighed wistfully. "Hazel. We should go."

Hazel obviously heard me but didn't react. Instead, she stared into the horizon.

"I wish everyday would be like this." She said longingly. "I wish that the sea would remain like this. It reminds me of Percy when it looks like this. I remember the seven having picnics here. Percy would play with the waves, doing cool tricks on the water surface and we would cheer her on. Leo would set himself on fire only to be doused in water by Percy. Annabeth would be complaining about our loud noises, saying she needs to do something on her computer and we would try to convince her to play. Then, Jason and Percy would start competing with each other over the smallest matters. It was a very joyous time for all of us."

I remember what she talked about. Past laughter and fun was what I loved so much and what I missed most in this lonely life. It was safer, no one could abandon me, leave me, betray me, lie to me in this life. But what Jason said years ago was true. It is a very lonely life.

Playing with my fingers, I avoided her gaze. "Tell me about the Memorial Day, Hazel. What is the plan? What happens? Are the Gods involved?"

Hazel waves her hand a little. A gemstone appeared in her hand and she played with it. "Well, it starts after breakfast. The demigods would've beforehand placed the different booths. All showing different feats Percy has done."

"How does that happen?"

"Morpheus and Hypnos helps. They grant us demigods that have been with Percy when she achieved the impossible the power to depict it on cards that are hung on the booths. When you touch it, it comes alive and shows you exactly what happens."

"And what of those that she did alone?" Like Alecto. The Chimera. Exploding the mountain. Tartarus and all its inhabitants.

"That's the hard part," admitted Hazel, "we can't imagine it as it wouldn't be fair as it is inaccurate. Besides, this event isn't meant for scaring the younger ones so it is best not to show Tartarus. Instead, we tell it to those who are interested. Words can sometimes be sufficient."

"How long would they be on display?"

"The whole day. It's usually most crowded in the morning as everyone wishes to see in person what our great hero has accomplished. Then, after lunch, the crowds have lessened by a bit as everyone continues their everyday activities. Still, if they want, they can go back to the stands. Then, at the campfire, we, Percy's friends, would share stories amongst ourselves about Percy. Her highest and lowest points. What made her her." That was touching. But the last part got me thinking. What made me me? I always had to pretend I was the dumb one in camp during quests because it was expected of me. But what about when I wasn't? Even I couldn't tell if I was faking or not. As fun as hanging out with my 'friends' sound, did they even know me?

"Then after the campfire, there would be a fun and lively masquerade ball, or what can be considered as a ball in our camp, to raise our spirits and remind us to live as much as we can. To treasure every single moment."

"I'm sure Percy would appreciate what you have done." Hazel glanced up from her ruby with a strange glint. "Wouldn't you know."

"I'm sorry what?" This conversation was having a weird turn. I almost regret not leaving when I could.

"Why are you so curious about this? As an assassin. I'm sure you have other things to attend to but you decided to stay here and ask about Poseidon and this event. Percy's event. She lived 800 years ago. Much too long. Why are you so curious about one demigod when there are hundreds?" Hazel listed off. I stayed silent throughout this whole thing. This is bad. Very bad. I never expected Hazel to note all these.

"There are only two options. It's either you are a friend of Percy. Or you are Percy. Which one is it, assassin?"

I smiled. There wasn't any warmth in it. "And why would I tell you that, Mrs Zhang? For all you know, I could be gathering information to assassinate the little demigod who overstayed her visit to this universe."

That made her falter. "You wouldn't."

"You sound as sure as my commander when he stumbled upon my secret and I threatened to erase his memories." Of course, he never stumbled upon it, I gave it to him recklessly.

Hazel clenched her fists, crushing the ruby into tiny shards. I ordered the earth to swallow it up as it trickled down. "Percy isn't a demigod anymore. She couldn't have overstayed her visit. She's meant to stay forever. You won't kill her."

"And if I already did and am just wanting to know more about her?"

"Then you are a dead person once I tell everyone else." That was very laughable considering I could kill all of them and the Earth Sector knows better than to interfere. "I could kill you now, Mrs Zhang. I could even make it look like you drowned. Would you like that? Much better than me revealing what your death would be."

"I think…" a grin appeared on her face despite my threat. "That you are a friend of hers but she doesn't want anyone to know she still exists so you make all these threats to cover it up."

So close but so far. "I'm not saying anything."

Hazel glanced up at me with a pleading look. "Please, Seirína. If you tell me, I won't tell anyone else."

"This is exactly like when my commander stumbled upon. He made a swear similar to yours. He failed to deliver it."

"Then I'll swear on the River Styx. I won't tell anyone at all unless you allow it. Even then, I'll only talk about it to those who also know it."

"Hopefully you aren't disappointed, Mrs Zhang, I don't trust you." I said truthfully, watching the hope in her eyes vanish. "But since you were so honest with me about your contribution to what happened 880 years ago, I'll tell you this. Your guess is close. I'm not her friend. But she is alive." I didn't stay around for her reaction. I just vapor-traveled away.

Hazel POV

Percy is alive? PERCY IS ALIVE!

Hazel so desperately wanted to tell the others but Seirína already said she didn't trust her. She didn't want the trust that she reluctantly gave her ruined. It was very obvious she didn't give it often.

She did a little happy dance at the beach. It was still the same, beautiful turquoise color that she noticed when Seirína was walking towards it.

When she noticed it, she was suspicious of it since Poseidon didn't do this the past 20 years and the past 20 after that. But who cares when she just got confirmation that Percy is alive?

"Hazel? What are you doing here? And—what happened to the sea?" Nico interrupted his own sentence. "It was like this when I came here, Neeks." Hazel said beaming, still happy over the news. "What are you doing here?" I directed the question to him.

"I was shadow traveling when I sensed your presence near the ocean." He said, distractedly before frowning. "The sea might look like it's back to normal but it's still dead. There isn't any life here."

Trust him to realize that. "Anyways, breakfast time. You wanna go? Will is still at the infirmary so I'm not going there."

Hazel laughed gently. "Oh, Nico. I just got the best news ever."

That caught his interest. "Oh? what is it?"

"Can't tell you." He harrumphed. "Then what was the point of telling me?"

"So that you'll know there's something to look forward to!" Hazel said cheerfully. She reached out and grabbed his hand. "C'mon. Let's get going. I need to call Em before today is over."

You have many secrets, Seirína, but thank you for sharing this with me.