Tensions at Camp Half-Blood were reaching a boiling point. It wasn't just the usual skirmishes between campers during training or the occasional bickering over chores. No, this was different. This was Zoe Nightshade and Thalia Grace, two of the most headstrong girls anyone had ever met, going at it like cats and dogs. And when two alpha females decided to go head-to-head, the whole camp felt the aftershocks.

Percy and Nico exchanged looks that could only be described as deeply concerned as they watched the latest round of the Zoe vs. Thalia show. It seemed like every time the two crossed paths, it turned into a full-blown argument. Whether it was about battle strategies, leadership roles, or even something as trivial as who got the best spot during training, the result was always the same: a lot of yelling, some truly creative insults, and more than a few broken weapons.

Percy couldn't help but groan internally every time the arguments escalated. "Can't we just... I don't know, send one of them on a quest far, far away?" he muttered to Nico as they watched Thalia and Zoe go at it for the fifth time that day. This time, they were arguing over who should lead the next scouting mission, with neither one willing to back down.

Nico smirked slightly, though the worry in his eyes was clear. "I don't think that's an option, Percy. Besides, it's not like Chiron can simply create quests as requested. The oracle needs to give us a prophecy."

Percy shuddered at the reminder of the corpse-oracle kept in the attic of the Big House. "Let's just keep that door closed, the least we involve ourselves with oracles, the better."

Chiron had done his best to keep the peace, but even the wise centaur was starting to show signs of strain. The breaking point came when the arguments spilled over into official camp business, leading to a public showdown that nearly resulted in a full-blown fight in the middle of the arena. That was when Mr. D, usually content to ignore most of the camp's goings-on, had decided enough was enough.

When Percy heard that Mr. D had gotten involved and had actually ordered Zoe and Thalia to attend counseling sessions together, he knew things had officially gone from bad to worse. Mr. D's involvement was never a good sign—it usually meant the situation was on the verge of total collapse.

"So, this is officially a disaster," Percy said, not even trying to hide the exasperation in his voice as he, Annabeth, Nico, Bianca, and Reyna gathered secretly in the Hades Cabin. It wasn't exactly where Percy had expected to hold an emergency meeting, but Nico insisted it was the one place they wouldn't be overheard.

Annabeth, who had always been at odds with Percy in one way or another, looked just as out of place as Percy felt. The two of them weren't exactly known for their friendly banter, but the situation was serious enough that they'd both set aside their differences—for now. "I still can't believe Mr. D actually did something," Annabeth muttered, half to herself.

"Yeah, that surprised me too," Percy said, leaning against one of the dark walls of the cabin. The Hades Cabin was always a bit creepy, but today it felt especially heavy with the tension in the air. "But if Mr. D's taking action, that means shit has really hit the fan."

Nico, standing at the center of the group, took the lead as he introduced his sister and Reyna to Percy and Annabeth. "Percy, Annabeth, this is Bianca, my sister, and Reyna, who's pretty much another sister to me." He gave a small smile, though there was a nervous edge to it. "They've been keeping me sane for the most part."

Bianca smiled shyly, looking up at Percy with a mixture of curiosity and respect. She had heard all about him from Nico, and there was something both familiar and reassuring about the way Percy carried himself. "It's nice to finally meet you, Percy," she said, her voice soft but steady.

Reyna, on the other hand, was all business. She gave Percy a firm nod, her dark eyes scanning him as if she was sizing him up. "Nico speaks highly of you," she said simply, though there was a hint of approval in her tone. "Good to meet you."

Annabeth, however, looked awkward standing in the shadowy corner of the cabin. This wasn't her group, and she knew it. But she also knew that Thalia had to be stopped before she tore the camp apart. She cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Look, I know I'm not exactly in with this group, but Thalia is my friend. We need to figure out what's going on with her and Zoe before this whole thing blows up in our faces."

Percy glanced at Bianca and Reyna, hoping they could shed some light on the situation. "You two are closer to Thalia and Zoe than we are," he said. "Do you have any idea what's going on with them? I mean, I get that Zoe hates men—she's made that pretty clear—but why does she hate Thalia so much?"

Bianca and Reyna exchanged a confused look before Bianca spoke up. "Zoe does have a problem with men," she admitted, biting her lip. "She's even warned us to spend less time with Nico because, well, he's a guy. Even if he's gay and Artemis has given him her seal of approval. But as for why she hates Thalia... I don't get it. They've barely interacted, as far as I know."

Reyna nodded in agreement, her brow furrowed in thought. "It doesn't make sense. Zoe's always been intense, but she's not usually this... focused on her dislike of someone. There has to be something more to it."

That's when Annabeth, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "There is more to it," she said, her voice carrying a weight of knowledge that drew everyone's attention. "I think I know why Zoe's got it out for Thalia. It goes back to when we were all on the run, trying to get to Camp Half-Blood."

Percy leaned forward, his interest piqued. "What happened?"

Annabeth took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "We crossed paths with the Huntresses of Artemis while we were on the run—Thalia, Luke, and me. The Huntresses offered Thalia and me a place with them, a position in the Hunt. But they refused Luke because he was male. Thalia turned down their offer out of loyalty to Luke."

Nico, who had been listening intently, narrowed his eyes. "Luke, the same Luke who eventually betrayed you all and poisoned Thalia's tree?"

Annabeth nodded grimly. "The very same. The three of us met while we lived on the streets. Thalia feels ashamed of her decision, like she let her emotions and her loyalty to Luke cloud her judgment. And now, Luke's betrayal haunts her, especially because it led to her almost-death and everything that followed."

Percy cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "Great. So, we're dealing with a pride issue. Thalia's ashamed because she turned down the Hunt, and Zoe's pissed because she thinks Thalia's too loyal to someone who turned out to be a traitor. No wonder they can't stand each other."

Nico sighed, leaning against the cold wall of the cabin. "And you know what happens when pride gets involved. Neither one of them is going to back down."

Annabeth crossed her arms, her expression serious. "Exactly. They're both too stubborn to admit they might be wrong, and it's tearing the camp apart."

Percy shook his head, feeling a sense of hopelessness wash over him. "So, what do we do? How do we get them to stop before they drag everyone else into their mess?"

Reyna, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke up, her voice calm but decisive. "We need to make them see that they're on the same side. That their pride and rivalry are only hurting the people they care about. If we can get them to talk it out—really talk, not just yell at each other—we might have a chance."

Bianca nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "And maybe we can remind them of what's at stake. There's more going on here than just their personal issues. We're all fighting the same fight, and we can't afford to be divided."

Percy let out a slow breath, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. We need to find a way to get through to them. Before this gets even more out of hand."

The group fell silent, each of them lost in their thoughts, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. They all knew it wasn't going to be easy—Thalia and Zoe were both forces of nature and getting them to see reason would be like trying to stop a hurricane with a shield.

But they also knew they didn't have a choice. If they didn't find a way to resolve this, it wouldn't just be Thalia and Zoe who paid the price. It would be everyone at Camp Half-Blood.

With nothing more they could do to defuse the situation, Percy, Annabeth, Nico, Bianca, and Reyna reluctantly parted ways, each of them feeling the heavy weight of impending disaster. They'd talked through every possible angle, but at the end of the day, Thalia and Zoe were both too stubborn, too proud, and too furious to see reason. Even with Mr. D's intervention, the counseling sessions had done little to cool the simmering rivalry. If anything, they seemed to have only intensified it.

The inevitable explosion happened during Capture the Flag, a game that was supposed to be a fun, if competitive exercise, but had quickly spiraled into a battleground for the ongoing feud between Camp Half-Blood and the Huntresses. Normally, Percy would be all for a little friendly competition, but this was different. This wasn't just a game—it was a powder keg waiting for a spark.

From the moment the teams were announced, Percy knew they were in trouble. Thalia was leading the Camp Half-Blood team, her eyes practically blazing with determination, while Zoe took charge of the Huntresses, her expression cold and unyielding. The air between them crackled with tension, and it was clear that neither of them was interested in playing fair.

Percy had been tempted to sit this one out entirely, but Thalia had insisted he be on her team. She'd practically dragged him into it, claiming they needed his "water tricks" to secure the win. He could've pointed out that his water powers weren't exactly subtle in a game that required stealth, but he'd seen the look in her eyes and decided not to argue. Annabeth had given him a knowing look that said she was equally worried about what was coming, but neither of them had a better idea.

Meanwhile, the students from Elysium Prep had wisely decided to stay out of it altogether. Nico and Percy had both made it clear that this was not a fight their friends should get involved in. The rivalry between Thalia and Zoe was toxic, and the last thing they needed was to drag more people into the fray. So, Ethan, Alabaster, and the others watched from the sidelines, tension written across their faces as the game began.

The game started off tense, with both sides clearly trying to outmaneuver each other. Thalia was barking orders left and right, sending campers on flanking maneuvers and setting traps with all the fervor of a seasoned general. Zoe, on the other hand, was methodical, calculating every move like she was playing a deadly game of chess. Her Huntresses moved with precision, each of them deadly accurate with their arrows and daggers.

But it didn't take long for the game to spiral out of control.

It started when Zoe's team ambushed a group of campers near the creek, taking them down with brutal efficiency. Thalia, who had been close enough to witness the ambush, saw red. She charged in, not bothering with strategy, just pure, unfiltered rage. Percy, caught in the middle of it all, barely had time to react before Thalia was in the thick of the fight, lightning crackling around her as she let loose with a fury that would've made Zeus proud.

"Thalia, what the hell are you doing?!" Percy yelled, trying to get her attention, but she was too far gone. Her eyes were locked on Zoe, who stood calmly on the other side of the battlefield, watching Thalia with a look of disdain.

Zoe raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Resorting to brute force, Grace? Typical."

Thalia snarled, her eyes narrowing. "Shut up, Nightshade! This isn't over until I say it's over!"

Percy could see where this was heading, and it wasn't good. The other campers had started backing away, sensing the brewing storm. Even the Huntresses, normally so composed, looked uneasy as Thalia and Zoe faced off.

Thalia, ignoring everyone else, lunged at Zoe, her spear aimed directly at the Huntress's chest. Zoe dodged with the ease of someone who'd been in countless battles, drawing her bow and firing an arrow in one fluid motion. The arrow whizzed past Thalia's ear, close enough to make her pause for just a moment before she continued her assault.

"Is that all you've got?!" Thalia shouted, her voice filled with challenge.

Zoe didn't reply, but her expression hardened as she nocked another arrow, this time aiming for Thalia's leg. She released it with deadly precision, but Thalia was quicker, deflecting the arrow with a sweep of her spear. The two of them were fully engaged now, their fight drawing everyone's attention.

The rest of the game was forgotten as campers and Huntresses alike watched the battle unfold. Percy's stomach twisted in knots as he saw how far things had escalated. Thalia's temper was legendary, but Zoe's cold, calculated approach was just as dangerous. The air around them crackled with the tension of their powers—lightning flashing from Thalia's fingertips and shadows dancing around Zoe as they clashed again and again.

Thalia's spear met Zoe's arrows with a force that shook the ground beneath their feet. Each strike was more vicious than the last, their movements becoming more desperate and reckless as neither one backed down. It wasn't a game anymore. This was a fight to the death, and Percy could see it in their eyes—they were both willing to go that far if it meant proving who was stronger.

"Stop it!" Percy shouted, running toward them, but his voice was lost in the chaos.

Thalia and Zoe were beyond reason, locked in a battle that was rapidly spiraling out of control. Zoe managed to land a hit, her arrow grazing Thalia's arm and drawing blood. Thalia growled, electricity crackling around her as she prepared to unleash a lightning bolt that would've fried Zoe on the spot.

But just as Thalia raised her hand, Chiron burst onto the scene, his centaur form moving with surprising speed. He reared up on his hind legs, using his immense strength to knock Thalia off balance and sending her sprawling to the ground. At the same time, he used his other hand to grab Zoe's bow, yanking it out of her grip before she could fire another shot.

"Enough!" Chiron thundered, his usually calm demeanor shattered, his hooves pounding the earth with a force that sent tremors through the ground.

"Have you both lost your minds?" Chiron roared, his eyes blazing with fury as he looked between Thalia and Zoe. "This is a game, not a battlefield! You are supposed to be leaders, examples for those who follow you, not reckless children throwing tantrums!"

Thalia's face was flushed with anger, her chest heaving as she glared at Zoe over Chiron's shoulder. "She's the one who—"

"Enough, Thalia," Chiron snapped, cutting her off with a tone that left no room for argument. He turned his gaze on Zoe, who was still gripping her bow tightly, her expression cold and unyielding. "And you, Zoe. What would Artemis say if she saw you now? Is this how a Huntress of Artemis behaves?"

Zoe's eyes flickered, but she didn't respond, her jaw clenched in silent defiance.

Chiron took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself as he looked between the two. "This ends now. Both of you will stand down, and this game is over. If you cannot resolve your differences peacefully, then you will not participate in any further activities until you do. Am I clear?"

Thalia and Zoe exchanged a look, each of them seething with unspoken words, but neither one daring to defy Chiron's order. With a final, reluctant nod, they both lowered their weapons, though the tension between them remained as thick as ever.

Chiron looked over his shoulder at the rest of the campers and Huntresses, who had been watching the scene in stunned silence. "The game is over. Everyone, return to your cabins."

Percy let out a low whistle, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. He'd never seen Chiron that furious before, and considering the centaur's usual calm, collected demeanor, it was more than a little impressive. Or terrifying. Probably both.

"Man, I knew it was bad, but that…" Percy shook his head, still processing the sheer intensity of what had just gone down. "That was something else."

Annabeth, Bianca, and Reyna followed closely behind Chiron and the two girls who had just tried to kill each other over a game of capture the flag. Their expressions were a mix of concern and disbelief, clearly not expecting things to escalate to the point where Chiron had to step in like that. Annabeth shot Percy a worried glance, and for once, he could tell she wasn't about to lecture him. She was just as rattled by the whole thing as he was.

Nico, meanwhile, was doing his best to calm down Damien and Lou Ellen, who looked like they'd just witnessed a natural disaster. Which, in a way, they had. The two younger demigods were wide-eyed and jittery, clearly shaken by the ruthlessness they'd seen between Zoe and Thalia. Lou Ellen was clutching her grimoire so tightly that Percy wouldn't have been surprised if it snapped in half. Damien was just staring at the ground, his hands shaking slightly.

"Hey, it's okay," Nico was saying, his voice surprisingly gentle as he tried to soothe the two of them. "Chiron's got it under control. No one's going to get hurt."

"Not for lack of trying," Lou Ellen muttered, her voice quivering. "They weren't even playing anymore. They were… they were trying to—"

"Yeah, I know," Nico cut her off before she could finish the thought, clearly trying to keep her from spiraling. "But it's over now. They'll work it out."

Percy wasn't so sure about that. He exchanged a look with Alabaster and Ethan, who were standing a little apart from the rest of the group, their faces etched with identical frowns. They didn't need to say anything for Percy to know what they were thinking. The whole situation was a complete and utter clusterfuck, and they were just glad they hadn't gotten caught in the middle of it.

"Thanks for stopping us from getting involved," Alabaster said, his voice low as he glanced over at Percy. "I didn't realize how bad it was. That could have ended… badly."

"Badly?" Ethan snorted, crossing his arms. "It could have ended with two corpses and a bunch of traumatized campers. That wasn't a game—that was a battlefield."

Percy nodded, the weight of the situation sinking in even more. "Yeah, it was. And it's a good thing you guys stayed out of it. If you'd gotten mixed up in that, who knows how much worse it could've been?"

Ethan grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't sign up for this kind of drama, man. We've got enough to deal with without adding this to the mix."

"Tell me about it," Percy agreed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know how we're supposed to fix this, but it's gotta happen. Chiron can't keep playing referee forever."

Alabaster sighed, glancing over at the direction where Chiron had led Thalia and Zoe. "I don't know if there's a way to fix it, Percy. Those two have issues that go way beyond what any of us can help with. This is deep-rooted. It's not just about pride—it's about everything that's happened to them. And now it's spilling over onto everyone else."

Percy frowned, not liking the sound of that. He knew Alabaster was right—Thalia and Zoe's animosity wasn't just going to go away because Chiron said so. But the alternative was letting their feud tear the camp apart, and that was something Percy wasn't willing to let happen.

As the group began to disperse, heading back to their cabins to decompress from the insanity of the day, Percy lingered behind for a moment, his thoughts still racing. He glanced over at Nico, who was still talking quietly with Damien and Lou Ellen, doing his best to reassure them that everything was going to be okay.

"Hey, Nico," Percy called out, walking over to where they stood. "You good?"

Nico looked up, his expression tired but calm. "Yeah. Just… trying to keep the panic levels down, you know?"

Percy smiled slightly. "You're doing a good job. Just, uh, make sure you get some rest too, okay? This day's been a mess."

Nico nodded, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips. "You don't have to tell me twice."

With that, Percy turned and headed back to his own cabin, his mind still spinning with everything that had happened. This was just another storm. And Percy Jackson had never been afraid of a little weather.