All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 70

I Bribe My Way To A New Sword

(Percy)

'Me and my big stupid mouth.'

Ever since Thalia had resigned as Lieutenant she seemed to have devoted all of her excess free time to torturing me.

It seemed that despite her initially taking the news relatively well all things considered she was now using holding the biggest secret imaginable as a get out of jail free card. So for the last week since then I had been the victim of just about every prank known to hunter kind. From the mundane whipping a chair out at the dining tent to the albeit borderline dangerous. Such as the case where I had curiously discovered a thin metal cable crisscrossing the campsite and had picked it up out of curiosity. Only to get blasted off my feet by 10000 volts when I did so by her holding the other end.

Not to mention this evening I was forced to go back to Orthrys because Rhea wanted to complain I missed the previous one which as I politely told my grandmother. I didn't care about such trivial matters about who snuck into Helios's old room or the Hesperides complaining that Koios had walked through a flower bed throwing Ladon a frizzbee (though I did consider the idea hilarious). The point was while I was forced to suffer in silence. Thalia and others though I had suspicions of course of who, had managed to dig a twenty foot deep hole outside my tent before concealing it.

Of course once I was finally released I had shadow travelled back to my tent and walked outside only to immediately fall in it and break my ankle. Once I had eventually calmed down from the shock and pain albeit not without a few curses. I had found that it was too narrow for me to stretch my wings and fly myself out and my brain was too preoccupied with pain and false promises of pain to the perpetrators to realize I could just shadow travel out.

Eventually though my shouting had got me some friendly attention. Though friendly was relative of course ever since I had broken her bow, Diana/Artemis's mood swings were becoming worse. Now she had added lethargic to the list which while I couldn't exactly fault her for that one after all I was partially responsible for most of her power loss. However it meant that she spent most of her time back at the camp resting and wanting to be left alone, which meant I had to spend more time with the Girl Scouts increasing my own woes.

As was the case here, where I got simply told to shut up and be quiet. So she could go back to sleep. Before she had stomped off and left me down there. So much for love and all that stuff.

This was all because the hunters were now aware of Artemis weakened state and I was blamed for it on account of breaking the bow (The scapegoat excuse for her whole situation at present.) So they were all more than happy to assist the former Lieutenant in her so called 'bonding' exercises. Take for example said hole was far too perfectly dug to be done by hand which was why I had known that unless Hazel had visited which I doubted. Morgana was responsible for it and likely magically hiding it as well.

The only other being that bothered to investigate was Nemea who briefly got her head stuck looking down at me before giving up and leaving. Yet I suspected the hunters were all secretly watching the whole escapade and loving it.

Of course once I eventually regained enough of my thought capabilities and realized the obvious answer to my current predicament. Well predicaments to be honest. The stuck in a hole looking back should have been obvious from the start. But the second was why I had decided to immediately limp all the way to Artemis's tent upon getting out. The fact I hadn't bothered to knock was generally a sign of my own patience wearing thin.

'Are you ok?' Artemis asked with a little concern noting me avoiding putting pressure on my left leg.

'Do I look like I am Ok? Why didn't you help me get out?' I demanded angrily.

'Because I didn't think you would need it, it was a hole for god's sake. I only came to investigate when I heard you shouting you wanted to feed Thalia's entrails to the crows. If you want we can swap you deal with my problems I will deal with the holes.' She argued back and I knew there was no way I was going to win this argument. Much like every argument we had had on the hunter issue.

'No thanks.' I said trying to calm down and smile though I was pretty sure it came out more as a grimace when I accidentally put too much wait on my other foot.

'Let's start again… Are you ok?'

'Ankles screwed and I got bored to death but yeah nothing ambrosia, nectar and kiss to make it all better.' I told her successfully pulling of the grin this time.

'Yes to the first two, up for debate on the third. You woke me up after all.'

'You're always asleep now, I am starting to wonder if you are a acting it up a little.' I told her pouting as she turned red.

'Exactly at this rate you are going to be as lazy as us males. The only places we go now are either here, the chariot or Monster Donut when you get a craving. You know what by the end of this you would probably end up resembling Dionys—Argh.' I joked only to suddenly find myself pinned to the floor as she leapt of the bed straddling me and grabbed me by the throat. Something about the glint in her silver eyes told me I may have pushed a little too far.

'Take that back.' She demanded though the restriction on my windpipe made it a little hard to reply.

Eventually though despite my vision turning hazy I decided to use my current position to my advantage as I slowly forced my chest up inch by inch before flipping her backwards causing her to lose her grip. However I decided that I might as well take revenge as I used the fact she was now on her back and used the opportunity to maneuver my body over hers and pinned her arms down before stealing a kiss before releasing her with a grin. While she glared at me with promises of pain.

'You know what I think my leg is starting to feel better after that.' I lied jokingly.

'Asshole. Never compare me to that idiot.' She spat out angrily.

'I had to try something, it is depressing you being like this.' I told her glumly.

'It is not as if I can do much about it, we have been over this a dozen times already. The children drain most of what remains of my power as fast as I can regenerate it. Without my bow I have lost the main medium of my power.'

'That's the easy part.'

'How is that easy?' She asked me skeptically.

'We either fix it or get you a new one and we know just the smith to do it.'

'You expect my brother to just make me a new bow; he will want something in return.'

'That's the best bit. I know just what to bribe him with and at the end of the day we both go home happy. You need a bow and I need to fix my sword and I can't see anyone better qualified, can you?' I told her betting that the old smith would love to get his hands on my 'scythe'.

'It is possible he tried to bribe father for years to have a look at it before it vanished one day and ended up back with Kronos.' Artemis said pondering the idea.

'See I do have good ideas occasionally.' I told her moving our faces closer together.

'Remind me again, where you were stuck fifteen minutes ago?' She said with a smile causing me to blush in embarrassment. Thankfully she stopped and settled on closing the remaining distance and for a period, sure enough the pain did seem to vanish.

Unfortunately due to the lateness in which I had got back and by the time I had healed my ankle we were not able to visit Hephaestus until the following morning. Which meant I had to put up with an evening of Artemis waking me up every fifteen minutes for no other reason than because I compared her to a certain god of wine.

So come morning all I wanted to do was go to my own tent and sleep. Sure enough I had managed to sneak off once we got back from the chariot when Artemis had gone to her usual early morning chat with Thalia, something the Ex-Lieutenant still did out of habit and which I avoided due to the suspicious glares I received. It was not as if we spent every night doing 'that' or anything. Besides I was starting to suspect that Artemis had prior knowledge of a lot of my latest misfortunes.

Besides it could wait until this afternoon, it was not as if the smith god was going anywhere after all. I thought to myself as I buried my head in my pillows sadly noting the lack of the goddess at my side as I slipped into dreamless sleep.

(Artemis)

'Remind me Milady what exactly do you see in him again?' Thalia as we both looked down on the sleeping drooling Titan.

'He has his uses.' I told her simply.

'Sure he does, he makes a wonderful lightning conductor but I don't think my uses are the same as yours are they?' She asked with a evil grin.

'Remind me again why I let you in here?'

'Something about hell hath no fury right?'

'Not exactly where I was going but appropriate enough. He comes up with the stupid idea as much as it pains me to admit and then sneaks off to go sleep. This one he deserves.' I told the hunter cringing as I watched a drop of saliva drop of the side of his face. How he managed to avoid doing that when we were together was beyond me. Either that or the fact we were both unable to get wet, meant I never noticed which I was starting to think was worse.

'What were you doing all night if he has to sleep now?' Thalia asked hands on hips causing me to blush furiously.

'Nothing as usual, we did it once. Well technically twice I suppose if you….Wait I am not having this conversation. You have a sick mind for an innocent maiden.' I told her sharply a little louder than I would have liked. Fortunately when he wanted too Percy could sleep like the dead.

'At least I keep them in my head unlike some people I know.' There it was that evil grin again if this continued I was liable to turn crimson permanently.

'Shut up and zap him already smartass.' I told her exasperatedly.

'Now that is more my thing.' She said cracking her knuckles gleefully before making her way to his bedside.

'Remember he still needs to be able to walk after this.' I told her across the tent as she slowly placed a hand on the droolless side of his face.

'Hey Diana, not now let me sleep.' He muttered causing Thalia to freeze for a second before turn to look at me with an 'Arr how cute expression' with her free her hand on her chest. How that swiftly shifted back to the familiar make Percy suffer grin as I briefly smelled ozone and Percy was catapulted out of the other side of the bed only to hit the wardrobe beside it causing it to rock precariously threatening to fall on him before thankfully stabililising. I could do without him having a concussion; he didn't have the brain cells to spare most of the time.

'What in hade- Thalia how did you get in here?' Percy asked noting the hunter who was now laughing hysterically at the fact his black hair had the stereotypical finger in a plug socket look. I was having a bit more luck keeping a straight face until she pointed at me guiltily. Then again even if I wasn't here it would have been obvious I helped for the fact only me and him could open his tent door and vice-versa. Well I could open every tent in the hunt while he could not open the hunters tents though that was more for his sake than for the hunters. Well except Nemea who seemed to be free to go wherever she pleased no matter how much we tried to keep her away from the food tent.

'Artemis? What the hell?' He asked in betrayal.

'Stop whining it doesn't suit you. If only our enemies had known to attack when you slept the world would have been doomed. Also you may want to take care of that.' I said pointing at my own jaw causing him to look confused for a second before the revelation hit and he hurriedly wiped his face with a shirt sleeve which magically cleaned within a few seconds much like the rest of his clothes.

'Thalia that's enough you can go now.' I said to the still laughing hunter who I could have sworn had a few small tears running down her face from laughing too much. Well at least she liked her current role even if it was an impromptu alarm clock.

'That wasn't funny.' He whined as I walked towards him and he picked himself up.

'I don't know; just consider it warm up for the master bolt.' I said futilely running a hand through his hair in an attempt to flatten it back down again.

'Can your dad avoid zapping me in my sleep then? To think I was having a good dream as well. You were in it.' He said with a grin.

'First of all that is so corny it is painful, second nice try but immortals don't dream.'

'I know but I used to prefer having our grandfather threatening to kill me every night, now instead I get you waking me up every time I do instead.'

'Make you feel special did it? Don't worry we all know you can be special.' I told him mockingly earning a pout.

'Can we just get this out of the way so I can actually go to sleep for a few hours?' He said yawning.

'Fine come on then.' I said grabbing his hand and flashing us to Olympus.

(Percy)

Believe it or not I had never actually been to Artemis's palace. So this was the first time I had been in the silver and white marble structure. However the one thing that stuck out was how empty it seemed. There was little in the way of anything in terms of contents from decorations to furniture.

'Welcome to my palace I guess.' Artemis said nervously.

'A little empty isn't it?' I said waving an arm around the enormous lobby we were in.

'I never needed to decorate, we are never here. The only reason I have it at all is out of tradition.'

'3000 years and you could never be bothered to do some decorating? I thought this lazy phase was something new.'

'3000 years and the first male to step foot in here is going to die in it. Maybe I can use your body as a decoration?' She said punctuated with the common hunting knife summon.

'Jeez I get already its nicer than your brothers though, you can actually see without squinting. Seriously though I am the first guy to come here?' I asked skeptically, sure it was obvious enough why she didn't invite anyone here but it still seemed weird none of the Olympians had ever visited.

'Yeah Apollo doesn't get past the front door and Hermes just leaves deliveries with the hunters if he cannot find me. Father goes to no-one; everyone has to come to him.' She explained and I couldn't help but laugh at Zeus's usual egotistical behavior.

'Anyway we didn't come here for you to laugh at my furnishings or lack thereof now come on.' She told me in annoyance before quickly turning on the spot and heading for the large silver door which seemed to open automatically as she approached before waiting on the threshold.

'Are you coming or what?' She demanded causing me to run to catch up with her.

I would love to say I enjoyed our walk through the sights of Olympus together. Were it not for the fact we had to act so painfully formal around each other because of all the watching eyes on us. I supposed the sight of me a Titan Lord walking alongside an Olympian was not something even the inhabitants of Olympus saw every day. Especially when the goddess in question hates being around men in general.

The other problem was when I forced myself to look away from Artemis to curb my impulsive tendency to want to grab her hand I ended up locking eyes on someone neither of us would want to talk to. However that brief second of eye contact was enough to provoke the fool into moving to intercept us.

'What are you doing here you piece of Titan scum.' Hercules spat looking at me angrily.

'Nice to see you too. You look taller than I remember leaving you; do you want me to correct that?' I told the furious god jokingly causing him to turn beetroot red.

'Heracles move aside.' Artemis said coldly looking at the taller god.

'No I cannot he has insulted my honor and I must regain it by beating him. Besides my names is Hercules…Maam.' He added nervously contrasting with the anger in the rest of his speech.

'No you will always be Hera-cles to me. A spoilt little brat, who is little more than a dog who can do tricks for other.' Artemis told him with narrowed eyes and I noticed we were now gaining a crowd of onlookers.

'Oh yeah pride of Hera I bet you enjoy that so much, real intimidating after all. Now how about you step aside before you get hurt, she still hasn't forgiven you for what you did to Zoe and neither have I.' I told him mockingly before changing my tone to that of a threat.

The god seemed to regard us both before he noticeable gulped and Artemis took the opportunity to walk past the stunned godling and I soon followed with a smirk on my face.

'That's a good boy Fido.' I whispered as I brushed past him pre-anticipating what was going to happen next as I took a few more steps and began to turn ready for the coming strike as my shield expanded out from my wristband. Catching the overhead blow from his club that would have smashed me into the floor. I noticed the reverse force from my shield seemed to leave him staggered for a bit giving me a chance to look at Artemis who merely rolled her eyes in amusement before he lunged again and I merely ducked the swing.

'Are you actually trying to hit me or what?' I called out leaning back to avoid the reverse swing.

'Shut up and die!' He shouted running at me club overhead in both hands causing me to smirk as I placed the shield in front of me and ducked to a knee before thrusting up as he got right in front of me catapulting him over me onto the marble floor on his back.

'You know what HERACLES I haven't had a good fight in ages, guess I am going to have to keep waiting.' I called to him mockingly as he scrabbled to his feet grabbing his club.

'Perseus that's enough end this already.' Artemis said with a yawn.

Sure enough the fool responded by trying exactly the same attack again. As much as I was enjoying this little 'scuffle' She had a point I was getting bored of this fool, compared to Atlas, Iapetus or even Koios he was pathetic he lacked technique and just settled on attacking with brute strength alone.

So as he raised the club for what should have been a killing blow, I simply slowed time and stepped to the side simultaneously summoning my scythe before resuming it at normal speed as he barreled past before shattering an area of the floor and turning looking confused by my absence which I took as an opportunity to go on the offensive as I darted towards him. Hercules only had time to notice me with wide eyes and raise the club defensively before I brought my blade down.

Straight through his weapon. From experience I quickly summoned my wings and flapped back as the club exploded in a burst of energy slamming the minor god into a wall. Around us everyone looked on in stunned silence leaving me nervous as I swung the scythe over my shoulder.

Before slowly starting to clap and I relaxed making my way beside my girlfriend who was smiling.

'I think they approve of his punishment.' She whispered before I noticed a small sandy haired woman approaching us.

'Lady Artemis, Lord Perseus I would like to apologize for my husband's actions.' She said politely bowing.

'You must be Hebe then, don't worry about it. We all know it was not exactly out of choice that you married him. Besides it wasn't that bad he managed to make me feel awake at least. Look at the bright side now you can do what you want while he mopes around.' I told her with a wink and she seemed to smile knowingly before looking at another guy in the crowd.

'Yes Milord.' She said bowing again and quickly hurrying off.

'You do know you just encouraged my sister to commit adultery?' Artemis asked in a serious tone.

'Do you blame her?' I asked with a smile.

'No because he is an insufferable pig and she deserved better.' She conceded with a sigh.

'Exactly though I could always finalize her divorce.' I told her indicating with my head the scythe I was holding.

'Even he doesn't deserve to be cold-bloodedly executed besides people will start to ask questions about you. Which is the last thing we need. Now come on maybe we can make it through the rest of the journey without you picking anymore fights.' She said sarcastically before leading me once again.

Hephaestus Palace was located on the far side of Olympus and it was rather obvious why. While everyone else had mansions and temples made of marble of various hues and precious metals. Hephaestus looked like he had taken a 19th century steel mill and dumped it on the side of the mountain. The whole thing was made of red brick stained black in places by the constant smoke pouring out of a dozen chimneys.

'I am starting to question how I never noticed this place before.' I remarked as a particular dense plume of black smoke belched out of a nearby smokestack.

'It is concealed from a distance so you don't notice it, though as you noticed it is the furthest away from the cities entrance for good measure.' She explained before leading me towards a Bronze door that could easily accommodated a tank passing through.

As I surveyed the door I noticed a small door knocker which I was about to reach for when Artemis beat me to the punch and gently knocked 3 times. I was about to question how anyone was supposed to hear it over the ambient sound when a vision panel suddenly slid across revealing a bronze faced automaton.

'Whatever you're selling we are not interested.' It explained haughtily before sliding the panel back across.

'Well now what?' I asked the goddess who seemed to look agitated as she once again knocked.

'Were not int-' The automaton began only to be silence as a bronze knife was thrust through its mouth causing it to fall backwards.

'I asked to talk to a supervisor.' She said in amusement crossing her arms as she looked at the door.

'Now what in hades is wrong with that stupid thing.' I heard someone cussing on the far side in a familiar voice.

'What the hell? Who did this?' They said before looking through the still open slot allowing us to see the Latino god of Machinery. Who looked from me to goddess beside me and noticeably gulped.

'Valdez we need to see your father.' Artemis explained more as a command than a statement.

'Can I ask why? He is busy at the moment.' He asked apprehensively.

'The last thing that tried to stop me getting in is now scrap, you can join it if you want.' Artemis told him threateningly summoning another knife for emphasis.

'On second thoughts I am sure he would love to see you after all.' He replied nervously as I heard a number of deadbolts and other locking mechanisms being released before it opened inwards silently revealing the younger god.

'He is in the garage I'll just take you there.' He explained only for Artemis to walk straight past him clearly knowing her way.

'What's up with her?' Leo asked me as I silently regarded the whole scene.

'She's just been in a bad mood for a while that's all.' I said simply.

'Dude she is Artemis from what I can tell she has never been in a good mood, even the hunters are exactly the same.' He said skeptically beginning to walk in the same direction she was going as I walked alongside him.

'Nah she is alright bro. She is just a little rough around the outsides around men.'

'She just threatened to cut my head off.' He said pausing and turning to indicate the sparking automaton behind us.

'Doesn't every girl you meet threaten to do that?' I told him barely holding back laughter as he sighed in acknowledgement.

'Ha ha it is not my fault that I seem to be attracted to girls who are either way out of my league, Insane or literally hate me because I am a guy or all of the above. You and me bro are the only ones out of the seven that are still single. But at least you have had a girlfriend.' He whined.

'What about Nico?' I asked curious that he hadn't mentioned the unofficial eighth member of the Argo crew. Though with Annabeth's death he was generally regarded as one of the seven survivors.

'Err he is… err well its complicated maybe you should talk to him.' Leo stuttered out attempting to hide something causing me to frown. Regardless I would speak to Nico next chance I got.

'I guess… Though how do you know I am still single?' I asked him playfully.

'Because if you were not, everyone in this city would know about it.'

'Maybe I can keep quiet about some things, so people don't find out.'

'Oh come on this is so unfair. I helped save the world I should have girls throwing themselves at me.'

'Difference is bro. I did save the world. Twice!' I remarked with a grin.

'Dude who is she then? Is she a Titaness or something. It is bad enough you get to spend all your time surrounded by some fine girls.' He said grasping for straws. Well she was half Titaness I suppose.

'Not telling you. You will find out eventually though I am sure.'

'This sucks here I was thinking I wasn't the any one.'

'Dude you will find someone eventually. Though maybe if you changed your clothes and cleaned your face up a little it will help.' I said regarding the fact he still looked like a elf faced arsonist.

'What as opposed to a color change short of grim reaper.' He said eyeing up my trench coat and scythe.

'Touché now let's catch up before Artemis threatens to kill me.' I said hoping to get off the subject and partially because I had lost sight of her.

'Yeah I suppose last thing I need is her wrecking anything in here.' He answered picking up the pace.

(Artemis)

'About time you got here Perseus.' I said impatiently as the two entered after me.

'Leo go fix the gatekeeper. I don't want no salesman sneaking in while I am busy.' The large bearded figure in front of us commanded.

'It is no use it's only going to get broken again when Ares wants his sword sharpened.'

'Well then make one he can't break then.' Hephaestus said firmly as the boy muttered something before grabbing a tool belt of a anvil and heading for the door.

'So what is so important you practically broke the door down for?' He asked me gruffly. He was never one for mixing words unnecessarily.

'I need a new bow.' I said simply.

'Then just summon one.' He said as if the answer was I needed a new bow for a hunter.

'No I need a new bow personally.'

'What happened to the old one?'

'I broke it.' Percy admitted gaining the gods attention.

'You cannot just break a weapon of the gods like an ordinary weapon or tool.' He said in annoyance.

'You can if you cut it in half with a more powerful weapon. So would it be a bad time to mention that Heracles needs a new weapon too.'

'No weapon like that exist. Oh of course you have grandfathers scythe now don't you.' Hephaestus queried before noticing the large blade Percy was carrying.

'One and the same, now about the bow?' Percy asked.

'I could do but it requires an immense amount of power for starter and no offense Artemis but I am not sensing enough from yourself to be viable.' He said regarding me closely.

I was about to reply indignantly when Percy spoke first.

'Don't worry about that I can provide the power requirement.' He said simply causing us both to look at him like he was crazy.

'It is not like a AC power supply, we need a medium of power to transfer it. That would normally be from the users own body or an existing weapon.'

'That's it then. Artemis turn around a second.' He said excitedly before darting behind me and I felt him brush my hair to the side before I felt the slight weight around my neck being removed.

'Here you go use this.' He said as the necklace stretched into his own bow as he handed it to the smith. Who immediately dropped it.

'Oh crap sorry, I give Hephaestus permission to hold my bow.' He muttered hurriedly before the god tried to pick it up again successfully this time.

'Never could replicate that with our own weapons would have saved all that hassle a few years back with Father's bolt if we could.' He said turning the weapon over in his hands before analyzing it up close.

'Well could you use it instead?' Percy asked.

'Ai this should do the trick, though you had better know you ain't going to be able to use this anymore.' Hephaestus warned.

'That's not a problem I couldn't use it to start with, besides I prefer close quarters combat to ranged and I still have throwing knives and a spear for that anyway.' He replied.

'Perseus you cannot just throw away a major part of your power.' I told him firmly as much as he wanted to help me I couldn't have him do that.

'With respect Artemis yes I can, besides I think your father would be delighted to know I had lost some power. Besides at least it is being used constructively for once.' He said calmly.

'He has a point there Artemis father is right to worry about the amount of power he has.'

'Fine do what you want then not like I can stop you when you have one of your stupid ideas.' I said conceding as he smiled in return.

'Hephaestus can you pass it back a second first, there is something I need to do with it.' He asked taking the bow back before repeatedly drawing arrow after arrow and placing them the golden tipped shafts on a empty piece of workbench before handing the bow to me and indicating I do the same.

'Why?' I questioned.

'Well once created it doesn't matter what bow they are fired from and they are admittedly very useful in the right situation after all, they stopped me in my tracks. Besides it would be a waste otherwise.' He explained before counting the arrows he had already conjured.

'Well I guess I might as well. How many should I do then?'

'About a hundred.' He replied with a strange glint in his eyes.

'How many! You summoned nowhere near that many.' I queried pointing at the small stack he had placed on the bench.

'I only need two dozen actual arrows but I am sure I can find a use for the Orthrytic Silver in the rest.'

'Ai he has a point if you melted the tips and fletching down on that many you could forge a sword or something of similar size. I don't get to work with the metal often so I would do it if you wanted.' Hephaestus said causing me to look at him only to find he was holding a calculator in his hand.

'I am starting to think this was the real reason you lent me your bow.' I said turning to Percy who was grinning like a madman.

'Admittedly it did occur to me afterwards.' He admitted guiltily.

'I suppose I owe you a favor or two.' I told him with a sigh before drawing three arrows at once before repeating the process again and again. Eventually though after I had worked out I had done enough I handed the bow back to the smith.

'So how do you want the new bow? Gold or silver? Short, Long, Great, Recurve?'

'Silver slightly longer than before but generally the same as the old one. Here these will help.' I explained before handing him the remnants of my old bow along with the quiver full of its arrows.

'I can probably reuse the grip, and attune the arrows to the new bow as before.' He said after looking at the additional components.

'Can you forge the silver into a sword to match this?' Percy said uncapping Riptide and gently waving the blade.

'Childs play.' Hephaestus snorted arrogantly.

'As a symbol of power.' Percy added causing the smith to pause.

'You already have a symbol for each domain that I know of and a sword doesn't match hunting.'

'Err it's for Tides.' Percy said sheepishly.

'When did you gain that? You didn't have that at the solstice.' Hephaestus asked with narrowed eyes.

'Gift from my dad.' Percy explained after a brief pause.

'Your starting to collect power like trading cards, trading out the ones you don't want. I can respect that I suppose, at least you are honest about it. But that is a big favor what am I gonna get in return? The bow I will do for free because Artemis never asks me for anything but I am going to need some incentive for the sword.'

'How about I let you have a look at this.' Percy said flipping the scythe over his shoulder and holding it out. For a brief period the usual stoic smith appeared as little more than an excited child as he gazed at the weapon. Before hurriedly placing the items he held down and holding his hand out eagerly to take the bladed weapon.

'Well do we have a deal?' Percy asked.

'Ai lad the blade is as good as yours.' Hephaestus said hurriedly while Percy once again released the seals on his weapons and casually tossed the weapon across. To the smith who caught it with practiced hands as he twirled the blade around.

'Say what you want about the insane old bag our great-grandmother but she sure as hades knew how to make a fine blade.' He told us as he ran a finger down the flat of the blade.

'Bet she wishes she didn't make it so well now though.' Percy remarked.

'She probably didn't expect for you to make her eat the thing.' Hephaestus commented in reply before holding it out in front of him as the blade began to glow before changing back into a sword.

'How did you do that?' Percy asked desperately stunning the smith.

'Do you not know how to change your appearance lad?'

'No it wasn't exactly on my list of desperate things to learn, why?'

'Symbols of power are a individual part of yourself, if you can change yourself you can change them in much the same way.'

'Artemis all this time and you never thought to tell me this?' Percy said looking at me.

'I don't remember every detail of every aspect of immortality. My bow didn't work like that so how was I supposed to know?' I defended.

'It would have if you used its true form more often.' Hephaestus chimed not taking his eyes of the Bimetal blade.

'Shush you or we will take your new toy away.' I barked at him commandingly.

'Whatever you are teaching me first thing when we get a chance.' Percy said crossing his arms before sitting on an anvil and watching the god go through the usual swordsman stances. In all honesty he was fairly decent with a blade when he needed to be, sure our brother may have been the god of war but I would not put it past Hephaestus to put Ares in his place when he needed to.

Without warning Hephaestus brought the blade down heavily on another Anvil only for it to bounce off it and out of his hands before clattering to the floor leaving us all stunned.

'What the hell was that for?' Percy said shooting him a look before running across the room and grabbing it and checking the blade desperately as if for damage.

Meanwhile Hephaestus seemed more interested in the anvil.

From what I know it should have sliced straight through yet it didn't even leave a scratch.' He explained rubbing a hand across the iron mass.

'That's because I said you could hold it not use it, how irresponsible do you think I am?' Percy explained holding the blade one handed as he walked to the smiths side and raised the blade above his head in both hands. Both Hephaestus and I watched as he rapidly swung it down cleanly bisecting the anvil before passing through some of the stone floor below with little to no resistance.

'So I suppose asking to borrow it for a few days is out of the question?' Hephaestus asked placing his fingers in the cut and prying the two halves apart.

'As much as I am sure it would solve your annoying wife/brother issue, I am going to have to say no.'

'I was only going to give him a few scars, see how attractive the harlot thinks he is now.'

'And that is why no one else can use it.'

'Humph. Is there anything else you want while you're here? Automaton Hunters, Wolves, Hawks?' He asked unhappily and I could sworn he was now sulking as if having lost a new toy.

'No to all the above just message me when it is ready.' I told him wanting to get out of the workshop.

'Well I could alw-' Percy began before I clamped a hand across his mouth.

'Enough already at this rate we are going to be here all day and just imagine what the hunters can do in that time.' I told him warningly before removing my hand.

'Ai I am not forging no more weapons unless Father approves it, I am not getting involved in that argument.' Hephaestus added in agreement.

'I wasn't going to ask for another one I just wanted you to enchant these to return to me when thrown or dropped.' He explained dispelling Maelstrom back into its watch form before drawing his throwing knives from up his sleeve.

Hephaestus merely grabbed the blades before they glowed briefly and handed them back.

'That's it?' Percy asked skeptically.

'I am the god of blacksmiths remember lad, now be gone already I have smithing to do. Oh and use this to carry those.' He explained before grabbing a Imperial Gold edged quiver from a pile of discarded goods nearby and tossing it to Percy before pointing at the large stack of arrows nearby. Who went to collect them though he counted of twenty five of the Silver ones I had summoned and placed them with the golden ones in it.

'Thank you for your time Hephaestus.' I told him formally as he shifted his attention to Percy's 'Old' bow and the remnants of mine.

'Be at least a week, takes a few days to melt the silver. I will send you an IM when they are ready.' He said already back in his gruff blacksmith persona seemingly now ignoring us as he focused on the task at hand leaving us to make our own way out as we retreated out of the room.

'Listen I need to talk with Leo a second so I will meet you back at the hunt.' He explained passing me the quiver full of shafts despite the fact neither of us had a bow to use them with at present. I suppose I could always use a standard hunter's bow in the mean time.

'And why shouldn't I be there?'

'Because I was under the impression you hated being near him like the vast majority of girls. Besides you scare the crap out of him from what I learned of that whole him asking you out by accident incident.' He explained and I had to agree to both points.

'Whatever you have an hour before I send the wolves after you.' I told him with a cruel smile before flashing away.

(Percy)

As soon as the goddess was gone I hurriedly made my way back the way we had come in looking for the younger god. I was under no impressions that she wouldn't follow through with the threat. Besides she was in a good mood at the moment relatively speaking and I didn't want to ruin that.

'System err..error…. Catastrophic damage to CPU.'A broken metallic voice echoed around the corner just before I reached it only to find the scene even more chaos than when I had last been here. The Automaton was now in even more pieces spread all over the lobby/courtyard.

'I know all that, why couldn't he have broken your voice box you piece of junk.' Leo cursed as he held its severed head in one hand while digging inside it with a screw driver in the other.

'Ok who invited the bull to this china shop. I thought you were supposed to be fixing it?' I asked getting his attention as he turned his head to look at me.

'I did then Hercules decided to show up demanding to speak with my dad and smashed it to pieces.' He explained pointing at a also damaged door which featured a circular whole approximately the thickness of a large muscled fist.

'Looks like I need to teach him etiquette again.' I told him with a smile.

'Funny thing is when I mentioned he was talking to you and Lady Artemis he took off straight away after turning a delightful shade of white. Never knew a guy with that much tan could go that color by the way. So what can I do for you?' He explained happily before asking seriously.

'Actually it is what I can do for you. I guess I owe you an apology for the whole possessing and nearly killing you thing back during capture the flag.'

'Don't worry about it, you did what you had to do to escape I get that.'

'Regardless it was a dick move on my part and recent events have reminded me that being possessed suck majorly. So here's my offer I can fix the Argo.' I told him simply causing him to blink repeatedly.

'Dude that's impossible did you not think I tried that already. The whole wreckage is a right off even most of the bronze is so badly damaged chemically that it can't even be used as scrap. Thanks for the offer but unless you can go back in tim—of course I am forgetting who I am talking to.' He explained before the revelation hit him.

'Exactly if I can fix a massive two thousand year old temple I am pretty sure I can fix a two year old wrecked ship. Hell I might even be able to restore the Bronze dragons body if you want.'

'You have as much chance of getting Festus back together as I have of getting a girlfriend anytime soon.'

'Then I suppose I better get you a metal fire breathing wing man then.' I joked.

'Besides it is not as if I don't get anything out of it, I had a lot of stuff on board that ship.' I added though it was not just my belongings I was talking about. Annabeth had had a lot of personal items onboard as well that I wanted to remember her by even if I had moved on.

'I guess so, though you do realize if you fix him I am so asking Chiron if we can use him in CTF against you and the hunters. See how that cat of yours deals with a fire breathing dragon.' He said boastfully.

'I guess you haven't heard; so can she now. Catch you soon bro.' I told him with a grin before shadow travelling away my last image being the rapidly fading smile on his face.

AN. Well here it is guys a first year anniversary chapter a day early so consider that a bonus.

One year... looking back at this feels like such a long time, back then I started this because I was bored while being stuck on a ferry for 14 hours and thought how hard can it be? I never thought I would still be writing this nor how popular it seems to be so for that I want to thank you all for encouraging me to keep going (hint review hint). Even so I now have trouble getting this story out of my head sometimes and I have to remember to write the present not the future events which are occupying it constantly.

I am finally getting Percy that symbol of power I asked you all about who knows how long ago now which is a start though it is a case of in with the new out with the old. He was never gonna learn to be able to shoot properly anyway.

In other events Thalia is using the opportunity to blackmail percy under the Pretext of bonding with her fellow hunters and they are enjoying it greatly it seems. Percy not so much.

As for Artemis she gets a badass new bow that is better than both its previous weapons. And a happy Artemis is a happy Percy... in theory.'

The wheels are in motion for raising the Argo something I have had planned since I fixed the Big House but could never work out when to schedule.

Finally who is Nico's mysterious love interest.

But that's enough of all that I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please Read and Review