All Rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 32

Hostages

(Percy)

When Artemis informed the hunters and I that we were returning to Camp Half Blood, I didn't know what to think. I was initially happy to return there and see all my old friends for the first time in almost two years. Or at least those who were still staying in the camp now that summer was over. Chiron and Grover at least should be there at least, and I was sure the pair would have any number of questions for me.

On the other hand, though it held so many now bitter memories, especially of the times I had spent with Annabeth there. Both the highs and the lows. How was I supposed to deal with her siblings?

Besides it was not like I had a choice in the matter, as whatever the goddess decided was to be done and wherever the hunt went, I had to go as well. Besides with us back in the area and likely not requiring round the clock watching. Perhaps, I would get a chance to spend some time with my mum and little sister. I could make the flight from camp to New York in only about fifteen minutes.

So, throughout the morning I watched as the hunters ran around breaking the camp down and packing it away in an organised manner. However, after being told several times to get out of the way by hunters carrying their possessions, I had got the hint and simply watched from my cliff alongside Nemea and Scipio. It seems the pair of animals had also apparently received the same treatment as I had.

Curiously, the pack of wolves however just seemed to fade from my senses as if they were able to travel away extremely quickly, which I suppose made sense as most magical animals seemed able to perform similar acts of speed, even if they appeared normal.

Finally, at around lunchtime the hunters were finished with their strict regimen of packing procedures and had arranged everything in a large pile ready for transport. With the girls starting to mill around themselves below, we finally returned to the camp proper. With everything seemingly sorted out the goddess looked around approvingly, as she surveyed the state of the former camp. Other than a few patches of faded or dead grass where the tents had sat, there was little sign anyone had camped here for several weeks.

"Good work girls, now you all know the procedure, everyone takes each other's hand." The Greek goddess instructed and the hunters one by one did so and swiftly I realized I was the only one not holding onto someone.

Looking around I saw the only other person with a free hand was Tania, and by the look on her face if I even considered touching her it would turn really ugly, really quick. Thalia had a hold on Artemis right hand while Reyna had her left followed by Phoebe which left little options.

"Perseus just take my hand; we have not got all day and then you can grab the pegasus, in turn he can loop his wing over Nemea." The goddess snapped after looking between me and the other end of the human chain who was looking at the goddess as if to say do not make me.

Thrusting her free hand out towards me, I gingerly took a hold of it under the glares of the majority of the hunters for touching their mistress. Gods, I couldn't imagine what would happen to me if I ever was in a relationship with the goddess. I was honestly surprised I had not taken more flak for the incident in our fight; after all she had physically kissed me back then. Now I didn't know if she had ever kissed anyone before, but I could not imagine there were many who could claim the same. Even if she did claim it was merely used as a distraction to buy her victory.

Still, even with that seemingly the case. I had expected to receive a 'stray' arrow for weeks after that incident, fortunately though it seems they all took the explanation as gospel and let the matter slide much to my relief. I could only imagine what the outcry would have been if the position was reversed, providing the goddess didn't kill me of course.

To my side, the pegasus looked wary of the large lioness as he stretched his right wing out in my direction while tentatively looping the other over Nemea's flank. He knew by now that she posed him no threat, but it was the simple concept of being so close to her that was making him skittish. Finally, the long 'human' chain was complete, the other side ending in Tania who held onto the pile of baggage with her free hand, and suddenly I felt the world around me blur.

Now I had not really noticed before when I flashed around with the goddess, I was usually focused on something else while I travelled with her, normally conscious of the fact that we were touching. But this time I realized something new, because I was no longer sensitive to bright lights I could see perfectly as we travelled. Thinking back, I remembered what Hermes had said during the Battle of Manhattan, that flashing around was just a really fast method of wind travel. So, during journey which lasted only a few seconds in real time I witnessed the whole of the United States flash passed me, entire states went by in the blink of an eye. By the time we arrived at the base of the mortal side of Half-Blood Hill, I understood why it was obscured by light normally. The flashing colours and blurred images made my stomach churn.

"Milady, why did we appear outside the camp this time?" Thalia asked curiously. I did not actually know the procedure for how the hunters usually arrived at camp. I had never actually seen them arrive there with the goddess; They were always already there when I arrived or had arrived with Apollo in the sun chariot. On that occasion Artemis herself hadn't actually come to the camp at all and instead had ended up accidentally getting captured.

"Well unless you want to scare the hades out of them, what with flashing in with an enormous monster into their midst, this made more sense to me." She explained and I had to admit I had not thought of that. Although it sure would have been hilarious to witness. I could just imagine Clarisse suddenly squealing in fear at the sight of the great golden feline and it brought a smile to my face.

"Can we, do that? Please. That would be priceless to watch." Phoebe asked curiously, mirroring my thoughts.

"No." Artemis said simply before letting go of Thalia's hand and everyone around her let go of each other and grabbed their packs and turned towards the hill. It was only when I reached for the last remaining pack which contained what I knew was my tent, that I realized the goddess was still holding onto my hand.

"Err. Artemis." I inquired curiously, gently swinging my arm slightly hoping to get her attention, but her grip remained vice like. Focusing on her I noticed that she was looking around with a frown on her face, as if trying to locate something out of place.

"Perseus do you sense something out of place around here? There is a different unusual aura in the wind." She asked before finally noticing me trying to break her grasp. Likewise, the hunters were beginning to notice the fact we were still stationary, and I was holding her hand still before she finally released it. Fortunately, my own fingers were clearly extended and instead it was hers that were gripping my hand.

At her statement I focused my energy on feeling my surroundings and slowly I did notice something was off. I was smelling the sea far more strongly than normal which normally I would have loved the smell of but this time it was almost harsh on my nose and the source seemed to be coming from the camp.

"It smells like the sea, but it is different from usual and coming from the camp." I answered relying on my nose as nothing in my extra sensory range was not unusual but that was only a few hundred feet at most.

"Yes, it reminds me of your father and by extension you. But that is not your father I smell, and it is certainly not natural either." She explained and I didn't know whether to be insulted or not at being told I smelled like the sea. Could the goddess smell me at a biological level? Did I need to spray myself with a can of Ax body spray?

"So, it is someone who smells like the sea but isn't Poseidon or one of his children. Or at least that is what you are saying in summary?" I asked before she nodded and suddenly revelation hit as pieces clicked into place.

"Oh Fuck!" Was all I could exclaim as I paled at the implication.

(Artemis)

The moment Percy had his loud profane outburst, everyone turned towards him and stopped climbing the hill.

"Perseus go and quickly the hill and confirm you suspicions but make sure you do not get seen." I ordered realizing quickly what he had obviously had also done. 'Please not them and not now!'

He quickly nodded and ran up the hill trying to keep low despite his large figure. If our worst suspicions were confirmed and the Titans were there, we had the advantage of surprise at least. I had told no-one that we were coming to camp after all.

"Milady what is the matter?". "Why are we staying out of the camp and why did you send him to investigate something on his own?". "Why not send us we are better than him?" The hunters all suddenly barraged toward me at once, until I raised a hand and told them to be quiet.

"Girls, Be quiet now! The reason I sent him, is that he has better senses than any of you even if you don't like it. It was a choice of him or me and most of you would complain if I left you with him. Plus, if the problem is what we think it is, you will all be in serious danger. I am confident Perseus can look after himself regardless of the situation." I explained closing the matter for the time being before noticing the young Titan had reached the crest of the hill. He was currently laying down beside Thalia's former tree and its guardian looking down into the valley on the other side. Just because the dragon was still there and not reacting meant nothing. After all, it only existed to guard the tree and the golden fleece that hung from its branches. The Greek Camp below was utterly insignificant to it.

Eventually, Percy slowly shuffled back away from his hiding place. Taking care to keep out of sight, before finally sprinting down the hill towards us when he was sure he was out of sight range. A two-hundred-meter sprint, carrying at least several hundred pounds of golden wings and he was not even struggling to breathe. It was quite impressive were it not for the fact that slowing down was seemingly a lot harder for him to do as he only narrowly avoided barrelling into poor Jacqueline. Still now was not the time for that, I could clearly see judging by the pale look on his face.

"Artemis, we have major problems." He simply stated turning to me.

"It is them, isn't it?" I explained and he nodded with a sigh. The hunters were each turning their heads from one side to the other between us, as we had our cryptic conversation before Thalia finally lost it.

"Will you to tell us what the problem is, so we can go and kick its ass!" She demanded angrily. I would not say it was easy to forget that the girl hated having anything kept from her, but it was still something I wished was not the case. I had hopes that my Lieutenant would eventually mellow out in time, but I secretly suspected she had inherited father's genes that wanted to be the centre of attention at all times.

"Thalia shut up! This is serious, people's lives are at stake if we screw this up. So let us sort this out so no one gets hurt!" Percy said angrily and the girl flinched.

"Perseus you should calm down as well. However, she is right. They deserve an explanation, now please tell us what is over there." I said calmly defusing the situation as he slowly exhaled and calmed down.

"As I suspected, the camp and the campers are currently held by the renegade Titan Lords Oceanus and Tethys. As well as them there are a small army of Telkhines, who are patrolling the area and guarding the campers as well as Chiron. They all look like they have been bound together in the amphitheatre." He explained quickly.

"Wait how did two Titans get inside the camp? My tree should stop them, right?" Thalia asked confused.

"Your tree can repel a few monsters, sure. But I doubt it could repel the two oldest Titan Lords at the same time. Especially if they came in via the sea as I suspect, if that was the case they would have been empowered further." He explained rationally.

"What about Mr. D or my brother and the other gods?" She asked again, not even giving me a chance to ask these questions myself.

"Dionysius is currently on his ass unconscious amongst the others wrapped up in chains. As for the others, I would guess they are probably in New Rome. Especially now that summer camp is finished. Remember, only a few campers stay here now year-round, the rest are likely over there as they have better infrastructure." He explained and I could not help but groan at my younger sibling's sheer incompetence. He could have at least alerted Olympus before he was defeated.

"Well then, why don't we summon the other gods and kick some Titan ass." Tania exclaimed boisterously punching her left fist into her opposite palm.

"Because we are unable to get involved in the affairs of mortals and that includes their battles. The Olympians are restrained from doing anything until the pair of Titans actually does anything. Perseus are there any signs of any of the campers having been hurt or killed by those two?" I asked him before receiving a shake of the head thankfully. It was as I suspected in that case.

"Despite how much they probably wish they were not; Oceanus and Tethys are likewise bound by the ancient laws. They are not allowed to directly fight a mortal even a demigod without being challenged back, like was the case with Percy when he fought Ares several years ago. That is why the Telkhines are likely guarding the campers. Being monsters they are not subject to such restrictions and are likely under orders to deal with them if anything happens." I explained coming to a conclusion. I expected that Chiron too had known at least that the two were unlikely to do anything to the demigods themselves and had probably instructed the campers to stand down peacefully and hope that someone would notice something was off with the camp.

Dionysius had no such protection from the two Titans and was probably lucky that they did not see him as enough of a threat to kill already. That or they too thought he was so pathetic that they kept him around to laugh at.

Still with the way they were arranged if we summoned all the Olympians and charged in it would likely result in a lot of collateral casualties even if the two were defeated. This camp had already seen far too much spilled blood over the last few years.

"We Olympians are free to fight the Titans or any other immortals but not so with the monstrous Telkhines that accompany them. However, I alone can fight alongside all of you, because you are all under my direct domain and influence. So were any of you to get involved in a battle my hands would not be tied like the rest of the Olympians." I summarized and noticed the look on Tania's face fall.

"Wait that is it! The Olympians cannot affect the affairs of mortals except those affected by their domain." Percy said excitedly even as he shoved a hand in his pocket and produced a golden drachma before raising the other and producing an impromptu 'screen' water out of the ground.

"Iris, show me Nico Di Angelo at Camp Jupiter." He shouted as the coin vanished as it struck the thin veil of water before a solid image appeared in its place. The view depicted that of a very bored looking god of the honourably dead in what looked like the Roman Senate house. He suddenly noticed the image next to him and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Perc—." He began only to be cut off.

"Nico haven't gotten any time for that now, so shut up and listen. I need you to gather the other gods of heroes and get to the base of the mortal side of Camp Half-Blood immediately." Percy simply explained and by the tone in his voice it appeared the son of Hades understood the severity of the situation as he simply nodded turning to someone near to him before the image faded.

"Okay Percy. Why exactly did you ring death breath?" Thalia demanded even as I realised his intentions and the genius of it.

"It is as Artemis said; gods can only get involved when those under their domains are affected. Fortunately, as it stands demigods now fall under the direct influence of half a dozen gods now." Percy explained with a smug smile, the first time he had changed from a frown since he had returned.

Suddenly, there were several flashes around us as five minor gods flashed in nearby, with one of them on horseback. Moments later another appeared out the horse's shadow, startling the twins who had never seen shadow travel. The only way the son of Hades could have gathered them all so quickly was if they were already in close proximity to him when Percy had called.

The gods were fortunately all bearing arms as they looked at the hunters and me in surprise. I was sure they were probably only expecting to find Percy and not the rest of us.

The whole seriousness of the situation was interrupted when Scipio quietly neighed something causing Arion to suddenly lung forward, as if to attack the other horse startling the girl on his back as she struggled to hold onto the reigns. Evidently the Pegasus had said some sort of derisive remark to the horse god, but though I could understand most animals if I tried too, I had failed to catch what was said between the two equestrian creatures.

(Percy)

I was glad when Hazel managed to regain control of Arion after Scipio's remark, why did the Pegasus have to mention the word Acrophobia in front of him? Instead, the horse simply shot daggers alternatively, between me and the Pegasus who had a smile on his muzzle.

"Hey Percy, what did you need us here for in such a rush? Besides whom are these fine ladies?" Leo asked before getting distracted as he looked at the twins. I was pretty certain that Leo had already met the Hunters of Artemis previously. So, the fact that the Suzie and Amy were dressed identical to the others should have been a dead giveaway that his line of thinking was not going to end well for him. Albeit I had to give him credit for trying, the young Latino couldn't even leverage the fact that he was an immortal god to get himself a girlfriend, between two camps of hormonal teenagers.

Thankfully before Artemis or any of the hunters could turn him into a pincushion. Frank was at hand to slap him back to his senses with a hard kick to the back of the leg that knocked him to his hands and knees on the floor. The god quickly recovered before looking at the Roman god with anger, only to be met with a look of innocence before ultimately turning back with a smile towards the girls. It was swiftly squashed by the sight of Tania and Phoebe standing in front of him cracking their knuckles.

Whilst this was going on I noticed that by comparison, one hunter was making herself as least visible from the gods as possible. Reyna was slowly sneaking behind the large form of Nemea and as such out of sight of Jason and Piper.

"The situation is as follows, we have two renegade Titan Lords and a horde of Telkhines currently holding the campers as hostages inside the amphitheatre. You, me, the Hunters and by extension Lady Artemis, are the only ones who can do anything about it. We have to go in there, rescue the campers and Chiron and liberate the camp from the enemy." I explained simply and was surprised when they all nodded at my summary.

"I see you didn't mention Dionysius in that plan Perseus." Artemis added with a smile.

"Are yes, the god of ineptitude. How could I possibly forget him? PS. If we can save a piss poor excuse for an Olympian, we all get to feel better ourselves." I added to the sound of snickering amongst the hunters who knew him and looks of horror on most of the new gods faces, well except Nico who was also laughing.

"He is still an Olympian, even if you are mostly right in describing him as such." Artemis warned sternly, not that she really meant it or so far as I could tell. I think it was more the fact that she too fell under that umbrella of a title.

"Percy quick question. What are two Titans doing here? I thought they had to swear oaths not to go against Olympus. I thought that you were-." Jason began only for me to give him the warning eyes and subtly raise my hand to my throat, signalling for him to drop the subject. Thankfully Artemis explained instead.

"It is Oceanus and Tethys; neither are bound by oaths as they have not been seen since the end of the second Titanomachy. Only those that were released from their prisons, swore an oath." She explained and so they understood the seriousness. Although I could tell they were probably still confused about why I was hiding my identity.

"Okay so what do we do about them?" Leo asked pointing to himself.

"Them I suggest you leave alone; Sorry to say this but remember you are only minor gods in terms of power, you would be outmatched by a Titan Lord and Lady. Oceanus was easily able to maintain a prolonged war against my father. The only ones who realistically stand a chance against them, are me and Lady Artemis." I explained to the sound of protestation amongst them particularly by Jason, who kept muttering about defeating Krios under his breath.

Sorry buddy if I hurt your feelings, but I knew the truth of what really happened in that battle from Reyna. I would also not allow the high casualty count that also came with that battle.

"Listen! The safety of the campers should be your primary concern; they are supposed to be under your care, remember. Your main task is to rescue them and get them all to safety, then you can come back and help me and Artemis if you want to. The Hunters will provide you with support against the Telkhines, whilst Nemea provides one very large distraction. If any of the monsters break and flee the camp, let them go. As they will not be able to get back in, once they pass outside the boundaries." I ordered and I could see the reluctance on the majority of their faces, until one by one they nodded in acceptance.

As much as my priority was the safety and welfare of the hunters, so should their thoughts be towards their own wards. Luckily it seems they understood this without me having to knock some sense into them.

"Good then. I will flash myself and Perseus beside the two Titans and we will engage the pair. The rest of you will enact a defensive barrier around the campers and protect them while you take get them to safety. The hunters and the Nemean Lioness will provide support and a distraction. Girls do not get caught in a battle where you are at risk, I want to make sure no one dies today. Thalia and Reyna are in command for this, so do as they say." Artemis explained decisively.

However, it was not long before understanding off the last part of her speech, hit some of those now present.

"Wait Reyna, as in Praetor Reyna?" Frank asked in confusion looking around at the assembled hunters although she was presently out of his line of sight.

"Yes, she now serves me as one of Lady Diana's huntresses, but now is not the time. You know what to do. We attack as soon as the hunters and Nemea are in a position to provide support. Until then stay out of sight until Artemis and I attack." I ordered and they all flashed/faded from view with the exception of Arion who was remaining behind, much to Scipio's detriment. The pegasus suddenly seemed to regret his earlier words as he looked at the other horse, not quite so pleased with prospect of spending time with him now.

"Girls you know what to do and remember stay safe. Reyna do not hide, be proud of what you are and show them what they lost." Artemis instructed and they all bowed and ran away towards the woods. Clearly aiming to circumnavigate the camp boundaries and enter it from the forest, which would allow them to get closer without being seen.

Nemea for her part simply bounded up the hill and hid behind the large scaly form of Peleus who strangely seemed unconcerned by the large golden feline next to him. Perhaps because she was not looking at his tree or him, but past him towards the camp proper. It still astounded me at how happy the monster was to follow any order I gave her, including leaping headfirst into a battlefield with little more than the promise of food.

"So, which one do you want?" I asked her Artemis now that we were alone. For weeks I had wanted to have this situation again, but the circumstances were not exactly as I would have liked.

"Tethys, I think it is more ironic if you fight Oceanus in your father's place. Remember though, he has never been defeated in combat. He stayed out of the first war and simply withdrew from the second, when the rest of his side lost the last. Even your father could not beat him." She warned as I though back to the destruction raging under the ocean as the two Lords of the Sea had fought.

"You know, it is funny how many times I hear the words undefeated from bad guys before I arrive and then shortly later, they die." I said jokingly feigning confidence, when truly I was wary of the oldest child of Gaia and Ouranos.

"Are you sure Hubris wasn't your fault?" Said looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Quite certain, I would never let anyone get hurt because of my actions." I explained and I remembered why I used to enjoy our friendly banter back before things became awkward.

The gesture continued.

"Okay, maybe there are a few people like Ares or Dionysius who I would not be too concerned about, but certainly no one important like you." I said with a smile trying to be reassuring, the smile she returned before glowing golden and changing aspect into her more mature Roman identity.

"Good, then let's do this." Diana stated before grabbing my hand and we disappeared.