ChaseA: Congratulations! for receiving a fully funded PhD opportunity.

Author: Thank you!

GraceT: Now, start updating these fanfictions regularly or I will shoot you.*Everyone points a weapon at the author*

Author: *Looks at everyone in disbelief* Fine, I will. *Makes a face*

I hope everyone will be happy to read the new chapter. And I promise to remember to update them. Without further Ado, Here we go.

Chapter 20: The Break Part 2

Inside Lord Apollo's temple

Asclepius's Pov

Why is it so warm in here? I hope it is not due to Helios's presence. That was my first thought when I entered my father's temple. Instead, I found Aunt Artemis and her companion Zoe talking to my father.

" I cannot understand how so much can change just in the span of a few centuries." Lady Artemis was saying. "As much as I hate to say this, But these changes were as much our fault as those mortals," Father replies, rather grumpily. At least he admits to it. I thought with a smile. It is never easy for us gods to admit our mistakes.

Zoe, sensing my presence turned towards me and exclaimed " Lord Asclepius!" Aunt and Father turned towards me, at Zoe's voice. " Son! You have perfect timing. I was thinking of calling you here." Father exclaimed cheerfully. " Father and Lady Artemis", I bowed to them, " I couldn't help but listen to your discussion. If you may allow, I would like to point out that although the future seems bleak for such a strong civilization like Greece, the future in general is not so terrible." "That is also true nephew. There are many changes, especially for women and children that can be deemed as positive." Aunt agreed thoughtfully.

Aunt certainly has her priorities." I don't know milady. I still think the newer male demigods act too arrogant ." Zoe wrinkled her nose. With her past, I can't blame her for being so distrustful. Father, on the other hand, gaped at her and replied, " The female demigods don't seem very nice either. Didn't you hear how the Daughter of Ares tried to dunk poor Percy in unhygienic water?" " Yes, But what do you expect from a daughter of war!"

Before an argument would break out, we heard a girl screeching curses.

Lady Athena and Zoe looked at each other in worry and rushed out to see what the commotion was all about. We followed them only to see the daughter of Demeter running after the two sons of Hermes holding a long stick. Oh and yeah she was covered in honey. Father and I started laughing at those boys' pranks just as the daughter of Ares and the third son of Hermes came from the same direction chuckling madly.

Aunt and her lieutenant looked annoyed when Lord Hermes came around smiling with his sons and Katie in tow. " Come on guys, Aunt Demeter is calling everyone for dinner." " Especially you guys." He said cheerfully turning to the demigods. They nodded and Lord Hermes led us all toward the destination.

Near Main Hall's gardens

Leo's Pov

We had ventured off back towards the Main hall after leaving Lord Pan's Gardens. We reached the park in front of the Hall and sat down under an oak tree. " That was so …" Hazel tried to break the ice. "Scary !" "unnerving!" both Piper and Frank supplied. " Yeah! I have never seen Andrew so worked up about anything" Jason added and I agreed. "It is like the past few days caught up to him."

"Leo! That was very thoughtful. And here I assumed Percy has finally cracked Andrew!" Hazel remarked. We crackled at that and the silence regained again. Not that much peace can be attained when you are an ADHD demigod. " So, What now?" Piper asked. " What do you mean by, what now?" Jason shot back. " I mean, we have been traveling for at least a year. Now, that the prophecy has ended what is going to us?" "I don't know about you all but I am going to stay in Camp Half-blood with Calypso," I replied.

Hazel and Frank exchanged worried looks and replied " Well! We were thinking of going back to Camp Jupiter after all Frank is a praetor. And Reyna was asking me if I would like to become one too." "WHAT!!!," we all sat up. " Reyna is resigning !" Piper questioned " But why and how?" " I am not sure. And she was very vague about it but I think she wants to join the hunters' of Diana." Jason's eyes bulged out at that. No one knew what to say to this news.

After some time, I turned to Jason and asked hopefully, " What about you both? You two going to stay back in camp half-blood. Aren't you?" "We may have to swing in between them as Jason is Pontifex Maximus. So he will be needed there but we will come every once in a while." Piper replied guiltily making me sick. For once in my life, I had friends and now they were all going to leave me. "I hate this! It seems like we are all going away." Hazel looked close to tears.

Someone cleared his throat behind us. We all turned, with weapons in our hands, to see Chiron standing next to the tree, smiling. We all relaxed our stance. " I couldn't help listen to your discussion. I may not know much about you all or for that matter about what is going to happen in the future in general, but there is something that I know will not happen. You see, this bond you have as friends and a family, if demons and quests couldn't break it them then, time and distances would not stand a chance. All you have to do is keep faith in yourself and keep yourself safe from any stupidity." We smiled at his comment. It is true. Why am I worried about it now? We will get through this together just like always. I thought to myself.

"I thought you were horrible at motivational speeches," Jason said wrily. " Apparently not, I am only bad at tacts. Now, if you don't mind Lady Hestia is waiting in the Lady Demeter's garden with a sumptuous feast, prepared especially for you." He said, cheering us up. We all left the park with smiles telling Chiron all about Camp Half-blood.

Sally's pov

I left the Great Hall with my baby and Lady Amphitrite. I was a bit nervous to let Penny go out of my arms. Noticing my unease, Lady Amphitrite asked " Why don't you put her down?" I replied " Penny is very sweet but she is at the stage where it is hard to keep her still. Every new thing she sees, makes her run off in that direction."

She laughed, " Well Rhodes and Kymopoleia were also like that." Then added sadly "Not that they stayed so young for much time. It is one of the side effects of being a god."My heart went out to her. " I am very sorry. It must be hard to see your children grow up so fast." " Well, Poseidon kind of compensates them with his demigod children. Although they are not mine, it is still enjoyable to watch them grow and learn. The bonus is that I do not have to go through the pregnancy myself." "That sounds very lovely." I agreed with her.

We reached the open-air market of Mount Olympus. My mouth opened at the sight. The area was twice the size of a football field. Satyrs and Nymphs were mingling in the crowd along with minor gods, buying goods from counters that were lined on both sides. These kiosks sold everything from books to fruits to godly nectar and were manned by dryads or nymphs. In the center of the market was a large hearth where people had gathered to see muses performing.

"Quite beautiful, isn't it?" "Absolutely" I replied in awe. Percy tried to wiggle out of my grasp but I held her tight. She gave me baby seal eyes and said pointing at the muses, "Plewse! I wanna see them. " but I shook my head and replied sternly, " Penny I will only put you down if you would promise me you will not run away!" She pouted back and crossed her arms at me. I kissed her on her chubby cheek and started walking through the crowd. " You know, I could not have resisted those baby eyes." Lady Amphitrite said with a laugh. I giggled along with her as we reached the hearth. There Lady Calliope was conducting a play on the Trojan War. Yikes! "Let's move along! Shall we?" Lady Amphitrite said hastily and nodded along as we moved towards some vendors selling copperware.

But Percy, being who she is, jumped out of my arms trying to see the play. I went off-balance trying to break her fall. Lady Amphitrite brought her hands up to help me when another pair of hands caught Percy. I looked up to see Lord Triton glaring at the squirming baby in his arms. "Percy! That was not nice. I told you, you would not be allowed to walk anywhere unless you promise me to not run away the first chance you get?" I scolded her. She pouted and squirmed from his grip but he held her firmly.

" How about dinner, Penny? Are you hungry? " Triton said trying to distract her. She stilled and looked up nodding enthusiastically. " In that case, how about you be a good girl and say sorry to your mother first." "Soorry Mommy!" She said guiltily. I kissed her cheek in acceptance of her apology. "Now, I don't know about you but I am famished. I heard our aunts have prepared a big feast. We should get going before all the yummy food gets finished. Shall we?" She nodded again as he led the way.

Pan's Garden

Andrew's Pov

I am so mad at Percy right now that I can't even think properly. How could she do this to me? Does she even care what I would do if something happened to her? " Andrew! I know you have every right to be angry at me, but please at least let me explain." Percy tried to calm me down. " Oh! You have a justification too for your stupidity." I replied angrily. I could see anger and indignation replacing guilt in her beautiful sea-green eyes as she gritted out " So I am Stupid! What's new. I am not even allowed to make decisions for myself. Can I ?". " With how most of your decisions turn out to be suicidal, No I DON'T think you should?" I shouted back.

Her eyes blazed with temper but before she could reply, Grover intervened "Guys calm down! Andrew, you are not making much sense. You do realize she is her person. And Percy, he is only worried about you. You did frighten us with your stunts. So how about we call a draw on the shouting match and start talking calmly?"

I took a deep breath, steadying my temper while Percy glared at me. What Grover said was true. It would not be wise for me to try to control her. She was too much her father's daughter for that to be even possible. And she was not wrong to help our friends. But I have to make her realize that she cannot risk her life like that ever again.

"Percy !" I stated, " Why don't you understand that anything could have happened? You saw Leo kept the vial given by lord Asclepius. What would have happened if we were late in administering that medicine? You didn't think it through, did you? You could at least have informed me so I could help you."

" Ugghh. I hate logical Andrew more. Go back to being Angry Andrew." Penny pouted but I could tell she didn't mean it. "As for not telling you, I did want to tell you about my plan the day I told you about Leo's idea. But I knew you wouldn't like it and try to dissuade me."

"Of course, I would. Because, We could have tried to make a better plan that will keep all of us safe, especially you." "Fine, You win!", She smiled impishly and placed her hands on my shoulders. It melted my heart. I kissed her lightly and might have gone a bit further when Grover coughed.

Lord Posiedon was entering the clearing. We hastily bowed. "There you are Perce! I was looking for you everywhere." He eyed us suspiciously. I shifted away from her as inconspicuously as I could. Understanding my motives, Percy diverted her father's attention by replying " I am here. Why did something happen to Mum or Penny?" He shook his head. "No! No! They are fine and with your brother right now. I actually came to call you and your friends to the feast that Hestia is throwing for you. Where are they? Why only you three are here?" He asked looking around. Grover Panicked but I replied as calmly as I could "They must have received the news about the feast and left." Percy nodded "We should also go." Percy, Grover and I tried to leave as fast as possible but lord Posiedon pulled Percy to his side and walked away nonchalantly. I sighed and looked at Grover who shrugged and followed them out.

Demeter's Garden

Nobody's Pov

The garden was set very beautifully with fireflies dancing in between the plants giving them an ethereal glow. The paths were illuminated with floating lamps when Percy, Lord Poseidon, Andrew and Grover entered the Garden. "Looks like my sisters have truly outdone themselves." The king of Seas smiled at his daughter, who smiled back and nodded.

As they reached the dining pavilion, they saw a large oval dining table filled to the brim with all types of food one could imagine. The demigods and heroes of old sat next to their godly parents or patrons and their families. Some like Leo, Travis, Conner, Chris and Will were happily chatting with their fathers and half-brothers , while others (Clarisse, Frank Piper) were being ignored by their parents so they had also joined Leo and others in the rambunctious conversation. Reyna sat at one end of the table next to Hestia and Chiron and they all were in a deep conversation. At the other end sat Two of the Big Three looking annoyed at their wives nagging. Their demigod children squirmed in their seats itching to leave as soon as possible when Thalia looked around and saw Lord Poseidon coming nearby.

" Percy is here!" She shouted and jumped up so fast that her chair crashed. Everyone turned their heads around to see Lord Posiedon entering with his daughter." FINALLY!" Lord Zeus boomed sarcastically. " My dearest brother has decided to grace us with his presence." Lady Athena also stood up eagerly and pulled Andrew to the seat next to her with Odysseus sitting on Andrew's other side.

Lord Poseidon rolled his eyes at his melodramatic brother and ushered his daughter to a seat next to him while Lady Amphitrite sat on his other side with Sally and Triton next to her. Next to Percy, Theseus and Bellerophon were sitting. " Umm! Thalia shouldn't you sit next to Lady Artemis since you are also a huntress." Grover asked hesitantly taking his seat next to Lord Pan and Dionysus. Thalia blinked as if coming to a sudden realization, but Hera scathingly replied " She is fine where she is!" Lady Artemis looked pissed at her stepmother's treatment of one of her subordinates. Before a catfight could begin, Lady Hestia stood up and replied " Now that everyone is here, we should begin eating." Lady Artemis and Lady Hera glared at each other but did not say anything and everyone started to eat.

PS Hi! I read all your comments and they were excellent. I guess you learn a lot while writing cause I did not even know so much about Western languages and society considering I am an Asian and everything I have learned about that society is from internet . Also, I love all your suggestions and I hope you will continue to give them to me.

PSS I think we are a bit near to the sneak peak. Maybe after three or four chapters, It will take place. Can you guess who is coming now?