After talking for about half an hour, we decided to head back into camp. Capture the Flag was going to start soon, and the last thing either of us wanted was to miss that.

Piper and I got as far as the armory before the festivities started. I knew we were in for a treat as a plume of color exploded in the sky, dispersing red and blue everywhere, intermixed with sparks of white fireworks.

It looked like the sky was puking out the American flag.

"The Stoll twins," Piper muttered, the fireworks cycling her face through colors like a mood ring. "They said they'd smuggled some fireworks from a gift shop off the state highway. I guess they're really excited for Capture the Flag."

"Chiron's going to gray with those two. Well, more than he already is," I added, eyeing the explosion of color as it landed around the forest. All I knew was that dryads and other nature spirits were not going to be happy. The entire Hermes cabin was probably going to suffer for this. The last time they messed with the environment this much, they woke up in the middle of the night with a bear in the cabin. "And I thought they didn't like playing."

"They don't usually," Piper answered, looking out across the valley, toward the top of Half-Blood Hill. Thalia's pine tree was still there, the Golden Fleece glittering in its lowest branch. "They just make a bunch of money off betting. But this time, the hunters have them in a mood, and they're swearing revenge at any cost. Say, do you think I could lead the campers this time? I know you usually do it, but we didn't think you'd be back, so…"

"Sure," If I focused hard enough, I could see golden vines sprouting from the branches—powerlines of mana, crisscrossing together to create the dome of protection around camp. In a way, the tree's magic still protected the borders of the camp, but it no longer used Thalia's spirit for power. The fleece was just there to reinforce the barriers even more. I wasn't willing to try this out, but I'd bet the wards could withstand a nuke without flinching at this point.

Now, the entire landscape was protected by the apple I'd sacrificed in its name—if you wanted to get all technical about it, I basically gave up immortality to protect the camp. All I got for it was a thanks from Chiron and a few stickers from the kids. "Honestly, Chrion's lucky I'm not here all the time. I'd send him into early retirement."

"I think you already do," Piper joked as we padded our way down the stone pathway. The setting sun hung low on the horizon, streaking the sky with shades of purple and orange. "Somehow, you're his greatest student and biggest pain in the butt, all at once. Actually, wait, I was wondering about that—how come he even considers you his student? Haven't you basically been on your own since you got here?"

"Heh, that's a good question. He was my teacher way before I ever got here. Back at the illustrious Yancy Academy," I returned, grinning. I could still see Yancy's old, marble walls in my head and hear Chiron's motorized wheelchair skidding against the floors. "He had this awesome collection of Roman armor and weapons, and he was the only teacher whose class didn't put me to sleep. Also, he was the first teacher to believe in me. So, even though he didn't teach me a lot once I got here, it's safe to say I wouldn't be here without him."

"Huh," Piper muttered. Her kaleidoscope eyes glinted as more fireworks exploded above us, streaking off toward Long Island Sound. "I did not know that. I just thought he called you his greatest student because he wanted credit for how strong you were. I didn't know you guys were actually tight. I just thought it was like, I don't know, reality television. One of those things where everyone just kind of accepted it."

"Technically, he's right. And nope, no faking relationships over here—we're au natural," I pointed out. Her reality television comment made me laugh, though. I got this ridiculous image in my head of Chiron and me on The Amazing Race as a student-teacher duo. I'd probably have to lug his wheelchair around as he spouted facts about the Argonauts to the hidden cameras. "I wouldn't be as strong as I am without him. Even if it is in a kind of roundabout way."

"How strong are you?" Piper tossed me a glance. She was sizing me up. "Like, really. Honestly."

I laughed, "Honestly?"

"Don't hold anything back."

I thought about it for a few moments. "Everyone in camp could attack me at the same time, and I'd win."

When we stepped into the pavilion, time froze for a second.

"Percy's back!"

A blonde-haired missile by the name of Malcolm clung to my leg and began blubbering incoherently. I just grinned and picked him up.

With Malcolm planted on my head, I made my rounds, catching up with everybody.

I saw the Stoll twins, who were in the middle of pitching me their next great business idea (a self-replenishing flask of nectar—which I actually didn't think was that bad of an idea) when Silena interrupted them to give me a big hug.

I then made my way to the Ares table, where Dennis, one of the older Ares' kids, looked up from his plate of roast beef to tell me to go away. Curiously, I didn't see Clarisse anywhere, which was surprising. She loved Capture the Flag more than any of us. It was the one time she got to pulverize everyone and get praised for it, instead of getting extra cleanup duty in the camp bathrooms.

When I asked Dennis where Clarisse was he said, "Went on a quest for Chiron. Top secret! Haven't heard from her in a month. She's missing in action. Like your butt's gonna be if you don't get outta here!"

I decided to let him go back to eating like a pig, filing away the tidbit of information about Clarisse for later. I wasn't completely concerned—Calrisse was a tough girl. I knew wherever she was, she was probably bringing her A-game and giving everyone hell.

Still…with the way things were moving in the background, I figured I couldn't go wrong with at least putting a pin in it for now.

The Demeter cabin was all there—I made sure to thank Katie for the kind words she'd been saying behind my back—and even Mr. D's kids were there for once. The Aphrodite cabin catcalled me playfully, which I took in stride. Drew Tanaka blew me a kiss, which I caught, causing the whole table to erupt in laughter.

The Hephaestus table smelled like motor oil and burnt metal, which I thought was a bit odd for the dining pavilion. They'd always been a little on the weirder side, though.

I walked a bit closer to their side of the pavilion and found a group of them huddled around a table, completely engrossed in what looked like a tabletop version of Dungeons & Dragons. Tiny automations were scattered across the tabletop, each one no taller than a soda can. They were intricately detailed, with gears and cogs whirring softly as they moved.

I watched as a miniature dragon, its wings crafted from thin sheets of metal, soared over a castle made of nuts and bolts. It let out a tiny roar—more like a squeak, really—that still managed to sound somewhat menacing.

"Roll for initiative!" one of the Hephaestus kids, a girl with smudges of grease on her cheeks and safety goggles perched on her head, called out. Her fingers danced around the levers and buttons on her side of the board, sending a small knight automaton clanking forward to face the dragon.

The others leaned in, eyes gleaming with excitement. I could hear the soft clicks and whirs of the automation and smell the faint tang of metal that always seemed to linger over them.

A boy next to her, who wore a bandana to keep his wild curls out of his face, grinned as his automaton wizard raised a staff made of copper wire. Tiny sparks flew from its tip, and I swore I saw a hint of real magic in the air.

He flicked a switch, and the wizard moved to cast a spell on the dragon, which flicked its tail in response, scattering miniature gears across the table. One of the gears rolled off the table and over to the Artemis table, which was usually empty, but not this time.

Right. The Hunters. I walked over to them.

They drank and ate and laughed like one big happy family. Zoe sat at the head like she was the mama. She didn't laugh as much as the others, but she did smile from time to time. Her silver lieutenant's band glittered in the dark braids of her hair.

"Perseus," She said stiffly.

"My lady," I bowed, and her lips twitched. I grinned to myself. I thought she looked a lot nicer when she smiled. I raised my eyebrows as two familiar faces swam into view amongst the sea of silver.

"Well, well," Medea said, cocking her head to the side. Her auburn hair sat in a braid on her shoulder, and her gauntlet made a loud thumping noise as she placed her arm on the table. She was wearing a black hat today, with a few Sleep Token pins sticking out of the front. "Looks who's back. This might be interesting, after all."

"Wonder boy," Elena sat beside her. Her blonde hair glowed like gold against her tanned skin, and her summer-blue eyes crinkled as she saw me. My heart jumped a little. "Are you playing Capture the Flag with us lowly campers?"

"I sure am," I grinned. I pointed my thumb at myself. I made eye contact with Zoe from across the table. "I need to impress a special someone today."

"Me?" Elena fanned herself with a stack of napkins. "You shouldn't go through the trouble."

"Oh, it's no trouble," I smiled. [Gilded Tongue] activated in the top right of my screen. "Anything for you, Elena."

"Oh, sorry, I think you misunderstood me," Elena continued in the same airy tone, twirling a butter knife between her fingers. She jabbed it into the table with a resounding thud. "You don't need to go through the trouble of running around the forest to find out that you're outmatched. I can tell you right now: you'd be lucky to touch me."

The huntresses exploded in laughter, but my smile didn't budge. It just grew wider as I said, "You're right. I would be. Can I pick where?"

The laughter died down instantly, and Piper snorted from behind me. Phoebe stood up abruptly, pointed her sausage-like finger at me, and yelling, "Shut your mouth, boy!"

"What?" I raised my hands, and feigned ignorance as best as I could. No one who actually knew me would fall for it, but I could tell it tripped Phoebe up enough for me to continue talking, "I'm just agreeing with her. I think women are right all the time—I would be lucky to touch you, Elena, you're right. I would be incredibly lucky, actually."

"You stand no chance against her," Another called, and a chorus of agreement followed. Some of the campers looked on, frowns forming on their faces. Zoe's mouth opened, but I just shook my head.

I stepped forward. "Are you sure about that?"

"Positive," Phoebe barked. Her face was turning an interesting shade of purple, and I could almost see the foam forming on her bottom lip. If you replaced her pigtails with furry ears and added a tail on her butt, she'd be indistinguishable from a rabid dog.

"I accept your challenge," I said, raising a finger. The entire table laughed again, except for Zoe, who was staring at my finger like it was a lightsaber. "I'll beat not only her but all of you with nothing but my finger. And, when I inevitably do so, you will declare in front of the camp that boys are, have always been, and will always be better than girls."

"Your friend has taken too many hits to the head," Phoebe chortled, nudging Elena.

I grinned widely. "So, you're scared?"

Phoebe scoffed loudly. "I accept your foolish challenge, boy."

I went to retort, but Chiron's hoof thundered on the pavilion floor. He gave me a slight shake of the head—the same kind he used to give me back at Yancy when I'd fool around too much in class.

"Heroes!" he called. "You know the rules! The creek is the boundary line. Blue team— Camp Half-Blood—shall take the west woods. Hunters of Artemis—red team—shall take the east woods. I will serve as referee and battlefield medic. No intentional maiming, please! All magic items are allowed. To your positions!"

"See you there," I nodded to Medea, who'd been watching the whole interaction with a grin.

"It's not just us," Medea called, a grin on her face. "We've got some more help. Hope you brought your A-game today, Jackson."

"You always keep things interesting," Elena said as she slid out of her seat, already dressed in a set of leather armor that hugged her curves. She walked by me and grabbed my wrist. Her lips hovered right under my ear as she paused to whisper, "Let's see if you're all talk."

"All talk," I grinned to myself, Elena's honeyed words floating around my head like a swarm of butterflies. I could picture the gentle swell of her lips in my mind as we gathered on our side of the forest. "Be careful what you wish for, Elena."

I hadn't seen the adult daughter of Apollo in a few months. Well, she was more than just Apollo's daughter. She was head of the hospital/infirmary hybrid at camp, a board member for EDEN, and probably the most attractive woman I'd ever laid my eyes on.

Sorry. Is the last one in bad taste?

Maybe it's because I just mentioned it to Piper. Honestly, though, you can't blame me for thinking that. Elena looks like the kind of woman you'd see on the cover of a magazine—summery blue eyes, a lithe body, teeth that could blind you if you looked too long, and bleach-blonde hair that was almost white. Also, she probably had the nicest butt I've ever seen.

It still wouldn't stop me from putting her in the ground, though.

"Settle up!" Piper yelled in front of me, waving her dagger in the air. The evening sun sat low over the horizon, and beams of orange broke through the trees above us. Columns of light made a patchwork design on the ground, kind of like puzzle pieces scattered across a tabletop. "You guys know the drill! They have something we want! We're not going to let them get away with that. You've been hearing Chiron all month: the Hunters have won fifty-five games in a row. That ends tonight!"

I raised my eyebrows. When Piper asked me if she could take the lead on the way here, I honestly hadn't thought much of it. But she sounded good. Self-assured. And the she way was screaming, I couldn't help but believe we'd win.

Well, I also knew how much stronger I was than everyone else, but that's kind of beside the point.

"They come into our home!" She slammed her foot down and slashed her dagger through the air. Even though her words were angry, her voice was like fine silk, wrapping around my thoughts like a warm blanket. It activated something deep in the recesses of my mind. I grinned. She'd mastered her charmspeak. "Our forest! And they think we're going to let them get away with that?"

A roar echoed from the assorted demigods behind me, and I felt my heart thump a little harder.

Not bad, Pipes. Not bad at all.

Even without Piper's rousing speech, I didn't have any shortage of motivation to win this one. This little game would be a good way for me to gauge how strong Medea and Elena were, while simultaneously assuring Zoe that I could bring back Artemis, unscathed.

You know, your standard kill-two-birds-with-one-stone situation.

As Piper continued her spiel, I zoned out and craned my neck toward the sky. Twilight had settled over Camp Half-Blood, and the forest stretched out like an endless sea of shadows.

The trees I'd had lunch in earlier, stood ancient and towering, like sentinels. Their gnarled branches reached out, silhouetted against the fading orange and purple sky. The leaves rustled softly in the evening breeze.

My side, the campers, shifted behind me, getting hyped for the game. Some were stretching. Others were pushing each other, their excitement bubbling up and spilling over, like a can of soda that had been shaken up and split wide open.

My grin faltered a bit.

Not that they even knew it, but their semi-friendly game of Capture the Flag had been taken over, used as a way for me to prove something to someone else. Every hunter in the forest was going to be gunning for me.

I felt bad. But not bad enough to walk away.

And, as much as I was looking forward to putting the hunt in its place, I also knew I had to game plan a bit for the extra help they'd secured. The campers were perfect for that. Even if I was letting Piper take the reigns, just the threat of everyone else in the forest would give me a bit of leeway to work around with.

The magical torches placed around the first ignited as the sun dipped lower, washing the sky in waves of purple and blue. They cast a cozy light around us.

I rubbed my chin. If it was just us versus the hunters, I'd pony up and burn a hole through their defense, but there were a few unknowns. Medea and Elena for one, but the smattering of other girls they'd swayed to their side, as well.

If I wanted to win, I'd need to focus just as much on defense as I would on offense. Or, well, Piper would.

As I stood at the edge of the forest, my eyes sweeping over the terrain, I began piecing together a plan based on the few variables I knew I could count on.

First, the environment. I knew the layout of these woods like the back of my hand—from our vantage point, there was the narrow path through the woods, the elevated hills to my left, and the river cutting through the camp. I knew all the secret entry points and dips in the landscape. That was a level of knowledge I doubted Medea and Elena had, and knew for a fact none of the hunters had.

Second, the chemistry issue. Zoe may have poached Medea and Elena from our side, but a few dinners here and there wouldn't be enough to cobble together the kind of foundation needed for seamless teamwork. No, I'd bet almost anything that they'd work together but alone at the same time. The hunters would stay with the hunters and the campers with the campers. Maybe they'd even split into three groups and try a trident approach.

Third, our ace in the hole—me. Not only was I the strongest mortal on the planet, but I also attracted the most attention. Zoe wanted to see my skills. Phoebe had a grudge to prove. Medea and Elena? They'd be curious, but I wasn't that much of an unknown to them. I couldn't bank on the fact that they'd let their interest in my abilities lead them astray.

I turned my vision to the narrow path. Perfect for a choke point. We could position our main force here. With some of our demigods who were using spears and shields, we'd create a phalanx formation that the attackers would have to funnel through. They'd be forced to face us head-on, their numbers counting for nothing in the tight space.

I craned my neck to the left. The hills. I'd station archers and scouts up there, giving us the high-ground advantage. They'd rain arrows down on any approaching enemies and keep an eye out for anyone trying to flank us through the forest. The higher vantage point would be crucial for spotting threats early.

I peered to the right. The dense forest on either side of the narrow path would be our ambush zone. Small, stealthy teams would hide among the trees, waiting for the right moment to strike. When the attackers were fully engaged with our main force, these teams would spring out, attacking from the sides and rear. The element of surprise would be on our side, creating chaos and confusion among the enemy ranks.

I closed my eyes and stretched my senses out. My internal radar pinged about fifty yards in front of us—that was our closest entry point to the river.

I opened my eyes slowly. The river would be our natural barrier. Controlling the crossing points would be essential. Normally, I'd place defenders there to harass and slow down anyone trying to cross, but I had a point to prove today.

The river was going to be my coup de grâce.

I'd fight my way there and use it to end the battle.

Finally, a reserve force. We'd keep a group stationed at the flag, ready to move quickly to any part of our defense that was under heavy attack. They'd be our flexible support, reinforcing weak points and launching counter-attacks on any enemies that managed to break through.

I relayed my thoughts to Piper. Ultimately, the final call was hers. I'd given her the reigns, after all. I knew Piper, though, and I knew that she'd at least take what I'd said to heart when making her plan.

"Listen up," Piper said. Her gaze was behind me. She placed a hand on my shoulder and addressed the crowd. "We have our ram right here. We'll use it to demolish their defense, and fan in behind."

"I have a name," I reminded her.

"Let us know what you need from us," Piper smiled, twisting my shoulder and turning me around.

I looked out at the crowd. We had a good mix of campers. The whole Ares cabin was here, as was most of the Hermes and Athena cabin. Most of the Aphrodite cabin was with the hunters, as was Demeter's cabin, but we got to keep Mr. D's kids and the Hephasteus kids.

The Apollo kids were split down the middle.

"Connor, Travis," I barked. The beginnings of a rudimentary plan began forming in my head, rising like vibrant flowers out of deadened soil.

"Sir!" Travis returned, jumping next to me stiffly and saluting. Conor trailed behind him, the edge of his sword scraping against the dirt. Travis stuffed his hands in his toolbelt. "What do you need? Smoke bombs? Stink grenades? Throwing knives? Viagra?"

"No. To everything you just said," I facepalmed. His face fell, and a round of laughter echoed around the forest.

He fumbled around the belt and mumbled, "Cialis, sir?"

"No—wait, why do you have so many boner pills on you at all times?"

"Permission to not answer your question, sir?"

"Granted," I shook my head. Connor stifled a laugh. "I need you two with me. Support only. Actually, wait, you said you had stink grenades?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, keep them ready."

"Sir?" Travis looked up, his lip in a pout. He dropped to a knee so hastily, he almost impaled himself on his sword. "Do you truly mean…"

"Okay, I'm ending the bit here," I grumbled. Excuse the hell out of me for being serious for once. "Stay with me and pelt anyone you see with those stink grenades. I want them mad."

"Oh, they'll be mad, Perce," Connor grinned. He gave me a thumbs-up. "Our prototypes gave out a smell that lasted for weeks. Chiron was so mad. His sense of smell is way better than ours, so…"

"That's what I'm banking on," I muttered. I threw a look over my shoulder to Piper, who was tightening a strap on her armor. "Piper, I need you to roll with me until the river. From there, you can take control of our forces. I like your battering ram idea. Let me break their wall."

"Hey!" The same Ares kid from before hollered. "What gives you the right to come in here and tell us what to do?"

"Oh, I'm not telling you to do anything," I smiled. I rapped my knuckles on Piper's head. "You do whatever you want, you'll just answer to Piper. I trust your judgment, though. Go run around like a headless chicken if you want. "

The kid flushed, and Piper groaned and shoved my arm away. She paused, her eyes roving through the crowd. A warm feeling made my stomach feel like jelly as she said, "When that horn goes up, we follow Percy. Hephaestus cabin, defense. Apollo cabin, support them. Ares, with us. The rest of you are free to hover."

"I'm proud of you," I muttered, just low enough for her to hear. Piper smiled brightly. "Lead on."

"Remember," Piper spoke up, dragging her gaze across the crowd of demigods. "You've been training and practicing all summer. This is where you can test what you've done, against brand new opponents. Επιστρέψτε με τις ασπίδες σας ή πάνω σε αυτές!"

Come back with your shield, or on it.

Everybody nodded. We broke into our smaller groups. The horn sounded, and the game began.

The first group, with the Hephasteus and Apollo cabins, disappeared into the woods on the left. The second group gave it a few seconds, then darted off toward the right.

"Batter away," Piper smirked.

I nodded, and we sprinted toward the creek. I was running at top speed and I felt great. I dusted the rest of them easily—kind of the point, really. I just needed them for cleanup duty.

I leaped over the river and into enemy territory. I heard a whoop behind me, and some explosion noises.

I threw a glance over my shoulder, as a cloud of yellow smoke billowed around the treeline. I strained my ears and heard coughing and gagging.

A wave of nausea rocked my body. I could smell the gas from my vantage point—the horrible smell of sulfur. They hadn't been kidding about that smell. I summoned a bit of water into a scarf around me and used two tendrils to plug my nose.

To avoid smelling that ever again, I'd do just about anything. Go on a date with Nancy Bobofit, take tap-dancing lessons with Kronos, Zeus—I'd rather sit and watch Mr. D play pinochle.

"No fair!" A female voice that I didn't recognize yelled from the woods. "Stink bombs are unsportsmanlike!"

I filed that tidbit of information away. So, some of the hunters had gone on offense after all. That meant I could bank on the fact that some demigods were with them—there weren't enough hunters to split up completely.

And, I could see their silver flag ahead, with only one guard, who wasn't even looking in my direction.

I heard fighting to my left and right, somewhere in the woods. So, the remaining concentration of hunters and demigods would be in front of me, no doubt setting up a trap to 'put me in my place' and embarrass me.

I closed my eyes and focused.

The creek in front of me pulsed with power. I inhaled slowly, letting my senses meld with the water. I slowly began to feel each droplet of water, each trickling stream into the forest. The sloshing sound of the water began to shut out the chaos of the battle. The clashing of swords and the cries of combatants faded, replaced by a deeper, more primal sound.

My senses stretched out until I could hear the steady, ancient heartbeat of the forest, a rhythmic pulse that echoed through the trees and grounded me amid the mayhem.

Now, if I could just extend further—

ZIP!

My eyes snapped open as a silvery cord raced across the forest, careening toward my ankles like a missile.

FWOOM!

The river snapped up, exploding like a grenade had gone off underwater. It snaked in front of me and slashed forward, cutting the cord—a trip wire—in half. The broken parts fell uselessly to the ground.

"We found him," Phoebe called, dropping down from a treetop. A frenzied grin snaked across her face as she snarled, "Thanks for coming to us, boy. You made our jobs much easier."

I raised a singular finger. [Angelic Trigger] coated it in a white aura that flared out of my fingernail and wrapped around, all the way down to my knuckle. "Last chance."

Phoebe's nostrils flared, and she raised her bow at me, an arrow glistening in the torchlight. "Get him!"

"May I have this dance?" I smiled and bowed as a volley of silver arrows rose out of the canopy, like a swarm of insects. "Oh! That's a good sign."

I made a finger gun and pointed at the volley. My wrist snapped back, "Bang."

The river roared to life, water leaping upwards in a crystalline fury as if my dad himself had slapped the surface. Droplets sprayed everywhere, glittering like shards of glass in the twilight.

The water rose and obliterated the arrows with a resounding splash that echoed through the forest.

There were about a dozen or so hunters lined up in front of me. The Game lit up their bodies in red spots—weak points. Things like training accidents and old injuries. Anything that could be of use.

I ran at the first one, easily sidestepping her slash and jabbing my finger between her ribs. She gasped and doubled forward, and I flicked her forehead hard enough to send her back into the bushes and probably give her a concussion.

The second huntress leaped at me. My finger jabbed her solar plexus, and she crumpled like a house of cards. I checked her pulse to make sure she was still breathing normally and stared at the rest of the silver-clothed girls. "You should probably all attack me at once."

The rest of them roared and ran at me, but I just grinned and wagged my finger. I pointed another finger gun at them. "This is pretty fun, actually. You guys should visit camp more often!"

[Immolater] appeared in the top right of my vision, and I chose a wide arc of lightning. I turned my finger gun sideways and slashed.

A heat wave blurred the air in front of me. A sweeping arc of lightning crackled into existence, its blinding brilliance cutting through the twilight, mapping along the curve of my slash.

The air sizzled, filled with a metallic scent that smelled like burning tinfoil. My skin prickled, hairs standing on end as the lightning's electric hum thrummed in my bones.

RAAAAAAH!

The arc blasted forward. The jagged bolt danced and twisted, casting eerie shadows and illuminating the forest in a ghostly blue glow before vanishing as suddenly as it appeared, leaving behind only the fading echoes of its thunderous roar.

The group of hunters in front of me went flying into the forest, all around Phoebe, who was looking at me with a look somewhere between hatred, awe, and fear.

I blew on my index finger. "Told you. Now, are we good, or—oh, I see you charging me. I guess that means we're probably not good."

Phoebe was surprisingly fast. I tracked her dagger and danced around its tip, maintaining just enough distance to tap her weak spots between jabs—I didn't want her down, I just wanted to show her how easily I could've put her down if I wanted to.

"Argh!" She rammed my face with her fist, but the perk I got earlier made the hit useless. I spread out my arms and grinned as she punched me two more times and I stood there, unmoving. Phoebe dropped low and tried to sweep my feet. I jumped over her sweep, opting to harden some of the water into my neck into an ice block that I hurled at her knee. It smashed into her kneecap, which was glowing red, with a sickening crunch. "Fuck!"

SCHWING!

Her dagger shot out toward me like a coiled snake.

I leaned back and slapped her wrist down with my finger. The dagger warbled and sunk into the soil with a muffled thud. "Your knee took some damage. This isn't worth continuing. I don't want you to be seriously crippled over a game of Capture The Flag."

Phoebe snarled and hobbled to her feet. She threw a jab-cross combo that I ducked under. Her form was admirable, and her speed was incredibly solid for someone who'd just had a knee issue reignited, but it just wasn't enough.

I weaved around a hook and slammed her down to the ground with a mana-infused poke. She crashed, face-first, into an anthill. "Pathetic. I—"

TWANG!

My water scarf rose around my cheek like a shield and snapped an arrow in half—a gleaming, golden-tipped arrow that had moved so fast, I'd hardly had time to react.

"Well, that was rude," I called out, turning my attention away from the groaning Phoebe and scanning the immediate area around me. My vision hinged on a black shape a hundred yards to my right. I muttered, "Elena."

"I wouldn't just worry about her," Medea's voice floated from in front of me. She materialized out of the thin air, a blue outline slowly fading around her body. One of the gems on her gauntlet—an aquamarine gem, near her thumb, stopped glowing. "I'm here, too."

"So, you just watched me run through these hunters for the sport of it," I asked dubiously. "What happened to girls supporting girls?"

"All a part of my plan," Medea promised. She turned her hat backward. "I've been waiting for this one. You promised me a spar a long time ago."

"I promised to only use my finger—"

"Don't loop me in with the rest of them," Medea warned. A red aura surrounded her, and the veins on her forehead popped. "I'm so much more."

FWOOOOM!

My eyes widened as Medea cleared the space between us faster than any mortal I'd ever seen. The only thing that stopped my face from being carved up by her gauntlet was pure instinct.

I ducked her jab and kicked off her leg, opening up a few yards of space between us. "That's a nifty trick you've got there."

Medea laughed, "You haven't seen anything yet!"

"I bet."

The Wheel of Time stopped on the Attack Speed quadrant.

My peripherals elongated, stretching like the edges of a dream. Colors sharpened and bled together. Every sound seemed to amplify, each rustle of leaves and distant call merging into a symphony. The world narrowed to a pinpoint, but my awareness expanded, capturing every detail in an almost hyperreal clarity.

[Angelic Trigger] spread up my arms and down my torso like wildfire. Medea rushed forward again, and I met her in the middle. My eyes roved up and down her form as she planted her feet and turned her body.

Medea's right heel stayed taut as the left one twisted. Her core shifted, and her arms dropped down. A brief inhale sucked her stomach in.

A combo, then.

Jab. Cross. Hook. Hook.

I weaved around the first three punches, and on the fourth, I met her in the middle, slamming my fist into her gauntlet. The impact sent a shockwave up my arm, but I held my ground. Medea's eyes widened, just for a second, before she snapped back into action.

She spun on her heel, aiming a roundhouse kick at my head. I ducked, feeling the rush of air as her foot whooshed past. Using the momentum, I launched myself forward, aiming a quick uppercut to her ribs. She blocked, but the force of my punch staggered her.

Before she could regain her balance, I closed the distance, planting my feet firmly. My right hand shot out, catching her shoulder and pulling her in. With a twist of my hips, I threw her off balance and sent her crashing to the ground.

The impact flattened the grass around her in a perfect circle as if nature itself recoiled from the force. A column of wind shot upward, rustling the leaves in the nearby trees and sending a spray of loose blades of grass into the air.

Medea snapped up and rolled backward. A red gemstone glistened on her gauntlet, and she opened its palm. A beam of concentrated light shot toward me.

My ring burned, and a laser whip of energy pulverized her attack. Motes of red energy exploded at the collision, fluttering into the trees like a swarm of fireflies.

"You know," I said, grunting as she threw more punches my way. A few of them whizzed past me, and one deceptively quick one smashed into my forearm. Not that it mattered. She twisted and landed a kick on my nose that I didn't even feel. "You never told me who your godly parent was."

"Does it matter?" Medea asked, ducking instinctually as another volley of arrows attempted to skewer me. My water scarf smacked them all down. "I am who I am. Whether you know my godly parent or not."

"Elena's a good shot," I muttered as we continued to trade blows. I dinged her chin a few times, and a trail of blood leaked out of her mouth. She slipped up and got another fist to the cheek that instantly bruised in splotches of purple. "And it does. You know my lineage. I should know yours."

"Nah," Medea laughed, catching my foot. I twisted and landed another kick to her midsection, sending her skidding backward. "Tell you what. You beat the three of us, and I'll tell you."

"The three of you?" I cocked my head to the side. Elena's form dropped from the trees, just as Zoe appeared from over the river. "Ah. Well, I've never been one to stray away from a challenge."

"Good," Elena smiled, nocking three arrows and turning her bow sideways. The golden-tipped arrows gleamed with light, before erupting in Greek fire. "You've talked a big game, Percy. I want to see you back it up."

The horn sounded behind us. I heard Chiron call out: "The record is broken! The campers have captured the flag!"

That didn't seem to deter anyone.

"Fire seems a bit excessive, no?" I smiled, forming a basic plan of attack. "But, to each their own."

Zoe hurdled over Phoebe and pulled her bow on me as well. The silver glint of her arrows reminded me of Artemis, and a pit of annoyance opened up in my stomach.

Before I could move, a pink glow suffused my entire being, starting as a small orb on my chest and spreading down my body like water. I craned my neck and saw Piper wading through the creek, as well.

I smiled and willed the entire creek to rise. It swirled up, hundreds of gallons of water in a massive icy funnel cloud. It rose over all of us, barely visible in the darkening night sky. "This is going to be fun."

I was about to hurl it at Elena and gain control of Medea's blood trail when I saw something in the woods.

I lost my anger and my concentration all at once. The water splashed back into the riverbed. Medea and Elena were so surprised that they turned to see what I was looking at.

Someone…something was approaching. It was shrouded in a murky green mist, but as it got closer, we all did a double-take.

"This is impossible," I said. "It…she has never left the attic. Never. Chiron told me it wasn't even…"

And yet, the withered mummy that held the Oracle shuffled forward until she stood in the center of the group. Mist curled around our feet, turning the dirt into a sickly shade of green.

None of us dared move. Medea tossed me a look that said: do something.

What did she expect me to do? This old hag basically operated under her own rules.

Still, I took a step forward, but that was as far as I got before her voice hissed inside my head. Apparently, everyone could hear it, too, because Elena and Zoe clutched their hands over their ears.

I am the spirit of Delphi, the voice said. Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python.

The Oracle regarded me with its cold, dead eyes. Then she turned unmistakably toward Zoe. Zoe went to open her mouth when the Oracle snapped toward Piper, who was watching the whole scene like it was something out of a horror movie.

Approach, Seeker, and ask.

"What does it want me to ask?" Piper threw me a confused look, and I just shrugged, still reeling from the fact that it even left the attic.

"Ask it how to help my lady," Zoe quickly urged, pulling her bow over her shoulder and stepping toward the Oracle. She stopped as the mummy raised a wrapped hand, and green smoke belched out all around her. "Please."

Piper swallowed and nodded. "How can I save Artemis?"

The Oracle's mouth opened, and green mist poured out. I saw the vague image of a mountain and a woman standing at the barren peak. It was Artemis, but she was wrapped in chains, fettered to the rocks. She was kneeling, her hands raised as if to fend off an attacker, and it looked like she was in pain.

The Oracle spoke, smoke spewing out of its mouth. Its voice was as pleasant as I remembered—a distant screech transposed over the hissing of a thousand snakes:

"When the moon weeps tears of silver and dawn lingers in sorrow's embrace,

A first love shall fall, lost to the cruel whims of Fate's race.

Held in the West, the huntress's heart shall be bound by fate,

Her love forbidden, a twist in destiny's slate.

Hunters and campers must unite in their quest,

By the day that mirrors itself, lest they lay her to rest.

And in the depths of prophecy's dark and twisted scheme,

A serpent's guardian shall falter, consumed by fate's unyielding dream."

Then, as we were watching, the mist swirled and retreated like a great green serpent into the mummy's mouth. The Oracle sat down on a rock and became as still as she'd been in the attic as if she might sit by this creek for a hundred years.

You know, I figured the least the Oracle could've done was walk back to the attic by herself. Not only did she interrupt what was shaping up to be one of the more interesting fights I'd ever had, but she also got her gross mothball smell all over my shirt.

And, just to be a bitch about it, some of her strandy, ancient hair got in my mouth as I was lugging her back. No one else seemed to want to do it—Piper was (understandably) freaking out over the prophecy she'd just been given, Zoe was trying not to freak out over the fact that it was now confirmed Artemis had been captured, and Medea and Elena just didn't know where she belonged—so the honor of bringing the Oracle back to her resting place fell on my shoulders.

That's why I didn't feel too bad as I whacked her mummified face against the trapdoor frame and dust flew. It was purely accidental, but still cathartic nonetheless.

"Sorry," I said. I set her down on her tripod stool and checked for damage. Her eyes glowed green, and for a fleeting moment, I could feel a cold presence in the room, like a coiled sleeping snake. "You did just hand one of my best friends a prophecy though. I'd say we're about even. Just, give me a sign if you're alright, yeah?"

The sole lightbulb in the attic flickered, its filament burning out. A gust of wind tickled my nostrils. The Oracle hadn't moved, but the shadows shifting across her face made it look like she was smiling gruesomely.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Downstairs, the council was held around a Ping-Pong table in the rec room. Mr. D waved his hand and supplied snacks: Cheez Whiz, crackers, and several bottles of red wine. Then Chiron reminded him that wine was against his restrictions and most of us were underage.

"You make these meetings dreadfully boring," Mr. D sighed.

With a snap of his fingers, the wine turned to glass bottles of Diet Coke. Nobody made any move to drink that either, so I broke the ice and grabbed one. Mr. D and Chiron (in wheelchair form) sat at one end of the table.

Zoe and Phoebe took the other end, alongside Medea and Elena. Medea—who was still sporting several bruises, cuts, and a tremor in her right arm—was being fussed over and healed by Elena while muttering about how the fight was just getting good.

I couldn't help but agree. I'd been blueballed twice today, and this one was decidedly worse than the first time.

Thalia and I sat along the right, and the other head councilors—Beckendorf, Lee Fletcher, Silena, Katie, Gordon (he was filling in for Annabeth), and the Stoll brothers—sat on the left.

The Ares kids were supposed to send a representative, too, but all of them had gotten broken limbs (accidentally) during Capture the Flag, courtesy of the Hunters. They were resting up in the infirmary. Mr. D's kids didn't even bother coming.

Piper started the meeting off on a positive note. "This is pointless."

"I agree," Zoe seconded, almost instantly. She was resting her cheek on the tip of her bow, sending out a look at everyone assembled and daring them to speak up. "Our goddess needs us. The Hunters must leave immediately."

"And go where?" Chiron asked. I glanced over his expression quickly—the centaur was looking at Zoe sadly. There were a lot of times I thought it was easy to forget Chiron was immortal, but this wasn't one of them. In the overhead lighting of the Big House, he looked like a fossil that had come back to life specifically for the sake of this meeting. I felt like if I splashed some water on him, he'd melt like Play-Doh in an oven. "I don't think this is the time to be foolhardy."

"We'll go west!" Phoebe declared. She was glaring daggers all around the table, but specifically at me—like I was the reason her goddess was kidnapped.

"Yes," Zoe agreed. "Artemis is being held hostage! We must find her and free her."

"You're missing something," Thalia said. "Hunters and campers must unite in their quest. We're supposed to do this together."

"No!" Zoe said. Her fingers gently danced along the string of her bow. "We've already enlisted the help of Perseus. That fulfills the requirement."

"Just going to throw my hat in the ring here," I interrupted, and all eyes flicked to me. "I'm not going with you anywhere. I'd argue that we're on two different quests entirely. This is a quest to save Artemis, right? My quest, from her, is to finish what we started. I need to track down the Ophiotaurus. There's a difference."

"I would agree with Percy. I fear the prophecy says you do need our help, and specifically so," Chiron sighed. "Campers and Hunters must cooperate. Ideally in a joint group."

"Or do they?" Mr. D mused, swirling his Diet Coke under his nose like it had a fine aroma. He'd only spoken twice so far, and I was starting to hope there wouldn't be a third time. "A first love shall fall. That sounds rather nasty, doesn't it? What if all these bad things come to fruition because you try to cooperate?"

"Mr. D," Chiron sighed, "With all due respect, whose side are you on?"

Mr. D raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, my dear centaur. Just trying to be helpful. You're the one who's always telling me to be more active at camp."

"Not like this—"

"We're supposed to work together," Thalia interrupted stubbornly. "I don't like it either, Zoe, but you know prophecies. You want to fight against one?"

The familiarity behind her tone gave me pause. Did she know Zoe? How was that possible? Zoe grimaced, but I could tell Thalia had scored a point.

"We must not delay," Chiron warned, shooting Mr. D a warning look as the god opened his mouth. I'd never get over the fact that an all-powerful Olympian was willing to bow to a horse in a wheelchair, but I supposed stranger things had happened before. "Today is the second of November. By the day that mirrors itself—11/11 is in just over a week."

"Oh, joy," Mr. D muttered. "Another deadline for an Olympian. How come all of my brothers and sisters get the fun stuff, while I'm stuck here watching you little cretins argue over who can hit a kickball the hardest?"

"You'd rather be kidnapped and tortured by the Titans, Mr. D?" I wondered aloud. Mr. D turned to me and put his wrists out. "Huh. Didn't expect you to double down."

"Artemis must be rescued before it's too late," Zoe urged. "She has been one of the most vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos's minions. If anything happens to her, the gods will take even longer to decide upon a course of action."

"Are you suggesting that the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" Mr. D asked.

"Yes, Lord Dionysus."

Mr. D nodded. "Just checking. You're right, of course. Carry on."

"I agree with Zoe," Chiron said, his eyes closed. "Artemis's presence amongst the council is critical. We have just over a week to find her. Now, we must decide who goes on this quest."

"Well," Thalia said. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "The Oracle spoke to Piper. Piper should be on the quest."

"That does make sense," Zoe grunted. She massaged her temples with one hand. "I would prefer to take all the Hunters otherwise. We will need strength of numbers."

"You'll be retracing the goddess's path," Chiron reminded her. "Moving quickly, no doubt. What would your mistress say? 'Too many Hunters spoil the scent.' A small group is best."

Zoe picked up a Ping-Pong paddle and studied it like she was deciding who she wanted to whack first. "Fine. The girl can travel with me and a companion. We need to go West, correct? What could be out there strong enough to hold a god?"

Everybody looked at Mr. D. He was flipping through a wine magazine, but when everyone got silent he glanced up, "Well, don't look at me. I'm stuck here unless there's a council meeting on Olympus, remember? Not that it matters—I don't keep track of all those ancient monsters and dusty titans. They make for terrible party conversation."

"There may be deaths, Dionysus," Chiron chastised. "That much we know. Perhaps a bit more tact would be helpful?"

"Oh, goody!" Mr. D said. Everyone looked at him. He glanced up innocently from the pages of Wine Connoisseur magazine. "Ah, pinot noir is making a comeback. Don't mind me. And yes, of course, to whatever you said."

"A party of three is risky," I spoke up. "There's too many unknowns. When I worked with Artemis—"

Phoebe snarled from across the table, but Zoe raised her hand. She shot her a surprised look but settled for just glaring at me instead.

"—we ran into monsters that would be a challenge for most of the people here. Millennia-old vampires, Laistrygonian giants. A party of three would be wiped out. You need numbers, and numbers that work well. Close-range, short-range, healers. I'd say five people."

"Percy is right," Silena said. She shot me a smile, and turned to the rest of the group, "I think three campers could go."

"And what gives the boy any—"

"You're getting on my nerves," I said lazily, leaning forward. I fumbled around in my pocket and dangled Artemis' dagger between my fingertips. It reflected the light of the room like a disco ball. "When Artemis needed help, who did she choose? Was it you? Or was it me? I think that answers your question. Zoe, who would you choose above all else to bring with you?"

"Phoebe," Zoe answered instantly. Phoebe was still fuming beside her, but her eyes were hooked on the dagger I'd procured. "She's a good tracker."

"My recommendation would be Elena," I nodded toward the blonde. "She's a strong healer. The only issue is, you need more of a close-range presence."

"And the hospital?" Medea asked, her gauntlet shining for a moment. "What about that?"

"Percy is right," Elena said after a few moments. Her eyes glimmered as she turned her attention to Medea. "Besides, Ruth can handle it for a bit. It'll be alright."

"Okay, then I'm coming," Medea declared.

"Won't that destabilize the strategoi?" I argued.

"Fuck," Medea groaned and leaned back in her chair. She took out her anger on some crackers, swiping them off the table. "Damn it, you're right."

I looked around the table, "Does anyone else want to volunteer?"

"I think I'll pass," Beckendorf mumbled.

"Yeah, me too," Silena bowed out. "Sorry, Pipes."

"I'm just here because I'm a counselor," Katie added. She was playing with a vine stem, twirling her fingers around it and getting it to morph forms. "I'm all set."

"Us too," Conor called out. Travis looked like he wanted to say something else, but Conor surged on, "No one from Hermes will go."

"That's alright," Thalia stopped the round-robin. "I excel in close-range combat, so I'll fit in well with the team."

"So be it," Chiron said. "Thalia, Elena, and Piper will accompany Zoe and Phoebe. You shall leave at first light. And may the gods"—he glanced at Dionysus—"present company included, we hope—be with you."

After the meeting ended, I went to follow everyone out, when Chiron called for me to stay back.

"Someone wants to speak with you," Was all he said before wheeling out of the front door.

A warm feeling spread in my chest, and my shoulders instantly sagged. "Auntie Hestia."

"Percy," Hestia greeted, gently encircling me in a hug. Her arms sent waves of heat into my back, loosening up my muscles like a massage chair. "How are you, dear?"

"I'm great," I said. She smelled like a campfire, and if I let my focus slip enough, my mind would flashback to making smores with my mom over our kitchen stove. Walking on the beach at Montauk at night. Hestia smelled like what my childhood felt like. "What brings you back to camp? You've already done so much for us."

"I think I can do more," Hestia's smile dropped as she released the hug. Her hand grasped mine. "I have some bad news for you."

"Oh. What, um, what is it? Is Mom okay?" I asked.

"Yes, Sally is fine. But, regarding camp…I've heard whispers," Hestia said slowly. "You're aware that my hearth is a special place, correct?"

I nodded, "Right. It's your symbol."

"Any mortal pursued, attacked, or in trouble would be under my special protection if they made it to either a house's or a town's hearth. To this day, my hearth on Olympus is still acknowledged by all the other gods to be neutral territory— anyone can go to it for rest and none of them can fight one another while they're there," Hestia pursed her lips. "It also means that I gain insight into what's happening in there. And, since last night, there have been whispers and movement on Olympus. I believe we have a traitor in our midst."

My blood ran cold. Hestia's glowing eyes did little to comfort me as I asked, "A traitor? On Olympus?"

"Yes."

"What does it have to do with camp?" I exhaled, ignoring the stabbing anxiety slicing down my chest. "You think they're working with someone here?"

"I don't know," Hestia admitted. She raised her hand, and a ball of fire spun to life above her palm. "Listen."

Static crackled in the air around us. A voice said, "Iris—give—camp—leave—fight—monster—Artemis—"

I raised my eyebrows as the words replayed over and over again, "That's it?"

"Don't you see?" Hestia muttered as the fire died out. "Someone from Olympus was contacting someone within camp about Artemis. Chances are, someone here knows something about it."

"What do you think I should do?"

"Find Artemis," Hestia said. "I think she'll know the identity of the Olympian that wanted her dead. We need to work backward."

I stomached what she said. While her logic was sound, I still had a few bubbling questions. "Do you have any leads? How do you know this isn't a trap? Isn't it kind of convenient that someone just happened to have an uber-top-secret conversation in the one place you could hear it?"

"My hearth provides privacy. The traitor would've been on Olympus when they got a message they needed to reply to right away," Hestia muttered. She opened her eyes again, and they were burning richly red. Normally, her eyes had this soft, golden glow—like the kind of morning sun you'd want to tan under. Right now, though, if you tried to tan under whatever was going on, you'd probably be fried alive. "Whoever it was, they're skilling in cloaking magic. My hearth is supposed to break through all other magic."

"So, you propose I…"

"Set out tonight. Don't tell anyone," Hestia clarified, her silver bangles tinkling as she placed her hand over mine. It felt like someone put a space heater on my knuckles. "We can't trust anyone."

"What about Piper? Or Thalia?"

"Anyone, nephew," Hestia urged. The heat turned searing. Smoke rose from under her palm. "I mean it. These words cannot leave this room."

"I was going to train," Visions of prestiging a perk and training back up to normal floated in front of me. "Before heading out for Artemis. The person who captured her…he's strong. I need to be sure I'm stronger."

Hestia stared at me for a few moments. "I can help. Do you know what a mana condition is?"

"Yes," I replied evasively. "I've heard of it before."

Hestia leaned forward, her gaze intense and unyielding. "By placing a restriction or condition on how you can use your power, you can dramatically increase its potency. But it's not just any restriction—it has to be something significant, something that costs you dearly."

I scrunched my eyebrows. "Like what?"

"Something huge," Hestia urged, her voice soft yet commanding, "Say you decide you can only use your power to protect someone you love. Or you can only use it after enduring a certain amount of pain. The more specific and stringent the condition, the greater the power boost. And it's sealed with a sacrifice."

Her example seemed to fall in line with what I'd heard about the General. "A sacrifice?"

Hestia's expression grew somber as she stared into the distance, lost in thought, "Yes. You have to give up something valuable to you, something that holds meaning. It could be a cherished item, a personal memory, or even a promise to never do something you love. The sacrifice seals the condition, making it irrevocable."

The information rattled around in my brain. She was unknowingly parroting things I'd already heard before, but I was still intrigued, nonetheless. "So, by setting these conditions and sacrifices, you're essentially trading something important for a boost in power?"

"Exactly," Hestia affirmed. "But it's a risky game. The conditions have to be strict and the sacrifices significant, or the power boost won't be worth it. It's a commitment, a way to push beyond your limits, but at a great cost." She looked at me, her eyes dripping liquid fire. "It's not something to be taken lightly. You have to be sure you're willing to pay the price because once the condition is set and the sacrifice made, there's no turning back."

"You made one," I meant it as a question, but by the time the words left my mouth, it was a statement—same as the Sun rises in the East or Root Beer is underrated. It was a fact. Indisputable. "Can I know?"

"The hearth is the last place to go when a home is destroyed. Similarly, I'm the last line of defense for Olympus," Hestia mumbled, removing her hand from mine. A single flame flickered to life on her index finger. "I can't attack anyone, I can only react. Play defense. Protect my home."

"And the sacrifice?"

"I'm a virgin goddess," Hestia said simply. "The reason I bring any of this up is because of the blessing I bestowed upon you years ago. Do you remember?"

"Of course."

"I granted you a seed of my power—a kindling. You were young, and I didn't want to hurt you," Hestia said. The flame on her index finger floated in the air in a straight line, branching off into dozens of jagged lines. "Fire doesn't like to be restrained, much like the sea. I was scared it would burn you from the inside out—but it didn't. The seed grew alongside you. It fed off your power, and in turn, became your own. You developed it into a tree. Now, I think you're ready for more."

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot attack, only defend," Hestia reminded me. The line of flame coalesced, its fiery tendrils twisting and converging with a crackling intensity. The flames tightened into a singular, pulsating sphere of incandescent brilliance. The sphere's luminosity surged, so intense it felt as though it were trying to reach out and burn through the very fabric of reality itself. My eyes stung. "But you hold a portion of my power. You can be my blade."

As I stood there, a chill ran down my spine, and the world seemed to hold its breath. Suddenly, a translucent screen materialized before me, floating in midair like some kind of ethereal hologram.

My vision was split neatly in two. The right side was bathed in red, and the left side was bathed in blue. The midpoint was a dividing line of white, where both sides threatened to spill over.

What?

— - —

[Karmic Decision]

[Option 1]

{Hestia's Blade}

"I need to save Artemis."

[Description]: Become Hestia's Blade and accept a greater portion of her power in exchange for leaving camp now. Benefits include the title [Hestia's Blade], which will heal yourself for a quarter of ALL damage you deal. It will also permanently boost your regeneration by [5x] and give you the same healing boost you get with water, only with fire, instead.

[Option 2]

{Tortoise and the Hare}

"I need to become stronger."

[Description]: Decline Hestia's offer and train yourself. Benefits include two perks. Firstly, [Prestigous Hero] makes it so that when prestiging a perk, you will gain [5x] more [EXP] toward it for the first two weeks thereafter. Second, you will gain [Slow and Steady], which will grant a flat boost of [5x] to your speed.

~ [Karmic Decisions] are crucial choices that influence not only your immediate surroundings but also have far-reaching consequences on the balance of good and evil in the world. Each decision affects your karma and can alter the fate of those around you. The impact of these decisions will shape your path and determine the challenges you face in the future. When a [Karmic Decision] arises, you'll be presented with two or more options. Each option has distinct outcomes, affecting the world and your karma in unique ways. The choice you make will have an immediate effect on your environment or the people involved. This could be a positive outcome, such as saving an innocent, or a negative one, such as letting harm come to others. Beyond the immediate effects, your decision will ripple out, influencing future events and interactions. A seemingly small choice could have significant repercussions down the line. Your choices will tip the balance of your karma towards good or evil. Accumulating positive karma can lead to beneficial encounters and aid, while negative karma may invite greater challenges and adversaries. You won't know which choice is good and which choice is bad until you make it.

AN:

[Story stuff!]

Well, we're now beginning TTC part 2 in earnest! As you can tell, Percy's getting ready to leave again, one way or another. Kind of a chill two chapters, but we're diving right back into the action next chapter so hopefully you aren't too mellowed out.

[Twitch/Discord!]

As I predicted, FFN email notifications are down. Furthermore, it appears the site itself has been going down semi-frequently. Amidst all that confusion, it's a bit tough to keep up, don't you think?

So, please follow this link to Discord and more.

I'm going to be doing live writing tallies there. Confused or curious about where the next TFOAC chapter is? You'll be able to see how much of it is written in REAL TIME. Also, I love talking to y'all about the story and getting your takes and whatnot. Plus, I run polls in there, let you guys decide how certain parts of the story unfold, show early chapter previews, and much more!

We just hit 300, and I'd love to get to 500! A big part of it is, well, TFOAC is now (almost) in the top 5 most followed PJO stories of all time, so I figured it was about time I started building a legitimate community in there, so I would love it if you guys could join!

There'll be some exciting updates in there, and since FFN won't tell you when the chapter is coming, you may as well hear it from me directly! Plus, if you're on me about updates, chances are you'll get them faster. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm bribing you. After all, why would I focus on other stuff if there's ten people telling me TFOAC needs an update, ya know? Even if they're mean about it.

We're also running a DND campaign in there! And I promised I would mention it, so, there you go, JarJar. It's text-based so it's accessible no matter what time zone you're in, or what your availability is.

Also, I started streaming on Twitch! Have you ever wanted to hear one of your favorite FanFiction authors play video games? Probably not, but I figured it was worth a shot. The link, as you might guess, is in the link tree as well.

Just take the spaces out of this: Linktr . ee /maroooon

And see you next time! Peace out!