A/N: I am alive and kicking. If you are wondering where I've been, there will be another A/N at the end of the chapter.

ALSO I AM UPDATING CHAPTERS 1-20. THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE ALREADY POSTED. It doesn't change the overall story, but does fix some issues and just make the story so much easier and better.

Chapter 26: Calm before the storm

April 13th 2008

Sunday had finally arrived for the new Spartans. It was 7:00 AM, and the Apella was filled with the hum of conversations and light banter. As the clock struck seven, Ajax, Percy, and the generals entered.

"Calm down. At ease," Ajax called out, his voice steady and commanding. The Spartans immediately shifted from their upright stance to sitting back down. His demeanor was a stark contrast to what they'd grown used to over the last three months—calm, laid-back, almost casual.

As the room settled, Percy took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the gathered faces.

"You're probably all wondering what's going on. Why are you here, instead of enjoying the fruits of your labor?" Percy said, his tone light but carrying a hint of something deeper.

"Yeah, we are," Travis called out from the back, causing a ripple of chuckles to spread through the room.

"Well, we decided to try something different," Percy continued, his eyes scanning the room. "We're taking a new approach to how we operate. Instead of sticking with just infantry and rank, we want to evolve."

A murmur of curiosity spread among the Spartans, and Charles, sitting next to Silena, raised his hand. "How so?"

"We're going to adopt a modern military structure, with specialists," Percy explained, his voice steady. "In three years, we estimate our military will be at least seven hundred strong. Not just demigods, but mortals, too. Thanks to the efforts of the satyrs and the gods, we've seen a significant influx of demigods and their families."

Silence filled the room as the weight of Percy's words settled in.

"We want everyone, or at least most of you, to specialize in a field other than infantry. Our military won't be as complex as today's, of course, but we're implementing several new roles. These will be…"

"Medic. The obvious choice for keeping each other alive during combat. You'll learn everything from patching up simple cuts to preventing life-threatening wounds."

"Artillery. Those who specialize in ranged attacks—both explosive and non-explosive. You'll be trained in the bow and the use of a one-man mortar."

"Gear Smith. This role focuses on keeping our gear in top condition and improving it to make sure we're always ready for battle. You'll learn to maintain our equipment and even make repairs in the field."

"Communications. With the addition of squads and the need for effective coordination, we'll be incorporating technology to make communication on the field easier and more efficient."

"Intelligence. Your job will be to analyze information and figure out the best strategies to ensure our survival and mission success. You'll work closely with the communications team."

"Infantry. The pure fighters. You'll endure training so intense that even the algea would cringe. You'll forgo the traditional spear of our military and instead train with the weapon that best suits your abilities. And of course, you'll work on unlocking your godly powers."

Percy paused, his eyes scanning the room. "Now, let me make this clear. I don't expect—nor want—you to specialize based solely on your godly parentage. If you're a child of Apollo and you'd rather focus on intelligence, or a child of Athena who prefers gear smithing, that's your choice. It's up to you."

A wave of relief passed over the Spartans. No one would be forced into a role because of who their parent was. They could choose their own path.

"The training for these roles will take an additional one to two months. After that, we'll form squads of ten: four infantry, two artillery, and one each of the others. Our goal is for each squad to be able to set up and sustain a base anywhere in the country, no matter the circumstances."

Percy's expression hardened for a moment. It wasn't ideal to delay the rescue of the demigods in the Lotus. The longer it took, the higher the risk. But the thought of sending undertrained Spartans into battle was worse. He just hoped that the extra months would make all the difference in the end.

~~~SCENE~~~

September 20th 2008

Five months had passed since the new roles were implemented in the military. In that time, two hundred and two Spartans had been reborn, increasing their numbers from a mere fifty to two hundred and fifty-two. With the birth of so many new soldiers, Percy and Ajax knew they couldn't oversee them all, even with the help of the generals. To address this, they'd introduced a ranking system similar to the modern military.

"Alright, listen up, everyone!" Ajax's voice rang out, commanding attention as he stood on the stage in the amphitheater. The murmurs of conversation from the crowd immediately died down, and all eyes were on him.

The seats were packed. The military sat in the center, while civilians lined the left and right sides. Today's briefing wasn't just about the mission—it was about what was expected of both the military and the citizens of New Sparta.

Percy stepped forward, his new armor glowing in the afternoon light, its red hue vivid against the backdrop of the crowd. His helmet was tucked under his arm. He nodded at Ajax, signaling that he was ready to speak.

"As you all know," Percy began, his voice steady, "tomorrow we begin Operation Orpheus. As a precaution, we'll be placing the city on high alert for the duration of the operation."

A few murmurs rippled through the crowd, and Percy paused to let it settle. He glanced over at the civilians before continuing.

"The reason for the alert is simple: the operation carries significant risks. We will be rescuing and guiding an estimated three hundred demigods—of all ages and from all periods of time—across the country. Doing this will put a target on our backs by every monster in the vicinity. And there's a chance the titans will catch wind of it, which would make our situation even more dangerous."

Percy continued, his voice steady but carrying the weight of responsibility. "Because of the risks, we need to expect that not only those going on the mission but also those staying behind to defend our home could face danger. For that reason, half of us will stay behind to protect the city."

A low groan rippled through the military ranks. The thought of staying home while the others ventured into the unknown was not one any soldier relished. But as they'd learned during training, defense was just as critical as offense.

"Along with that, Charybdis, Scylla, Heracles, and Chiron will stay behind as well. The gods will watch over us—not in the spiritual sense, but they will intervene if the Titans try anything themselves." Percy's mind raced. The possibility of the Titans launching an attack weighed heavily on him. He cursed the uncertainty that came with it.

He took a deep breath, trying to focus on the logistics of the mission. "To get to Las Vegas, Nevada, we'll be using a civilian plane. Thanks to Apollo and one of his children, who is a chairman at Boeing, we were able to pull some strings."

Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at this stroke of luck. It was a godsend—literally—for New Sparta.

The search for new demigods had yielded some successes, bringing in not only young children but also adults who had managed to live successful lives. Unfortunately, many of them wanted nothing to do with New Sparta. They resented their parents for abandoning them, and Percy couldn't blame them for that.

But there were some who had maintained friendlier ties to the Greek world. Those were the ones who had offered their assistance, lending a hand where they could.

"From there, we'll split into our designated squads of twelve. Squads one and two will head to the lots where several transport vehicles are waiting for us, provided by Hermes."

"Squads three and four will enter the tunnels and destroy the roots of the tree. Thanks to Prometheus no longer being able to keep it healthy, the tree is in a vulnerable state and can be crippled."

"Squads five, six, seven, and eight—once the tree is crippled and we have the green light—will enter the casino and move to the center, where the demigods should be. There will be three hundred demigods, disoriented from being under the tree's effects for so long. Expect some hostility, which is why you four squads will have multiple charm speakers to keep them calm if the need arises."

"Squads nine and ten will serve as scouts. Any monster that gets within a hundred yards of the hotel is to be neutralized. If you catch wind of any demi-titans—or gods forbid, Titans—you are to hit the emergency button. That will notify both the rescue party and the city. We'll also have four satyrs volunteering to assist with scouting."

Percy paused, scanning the room. His gaze landed on a group of satyrs sitting to the left. He locked eyes with one, who glared back at him. "The satyrs are NOT to engage in any combat," Percy added firmly.

"If the emergency button is hit, everyone will be pinged with the squad number. Intelligence and communications will provide the exact location." Percy's voice grew firmer, setting the tone for the next phase of the plan. "As for the masses, we'll split transportation into two separate routes."

"Once the others are loaded into their vehicles, we'll divide into two groups. Thalia, along with squads one through three, will head back to the airport and take the plane back to New York. They'll be transporting the youngest—those below fourteen—and the elderly, anyone over sixty."

"The second group will be led by Luke, Ajax, and me. We'll take squads four through ten, along with the rest of the demigods. Our route will take us by train, a direct line from Nevada to New York. The trains are fully stocked with supplies and have been blessed by Hermes to travel at an accelerated speed, cutting the trip down to just fifteen hours."

"The reasoning behind splitting us up is twofold. First, we want to cause confusion among the monsters. Two large groups of demigods, taking different routes, will throw them off and reduce the risk of an attack. Second, splitting us up will help us avoid a battle while protecting three hundred untrained demigods. We hope that by dividing into two distinct routes, we can minimize the risk of combat."

Percy paused, his mind lingering on the part he hadn't said out loud. A battle was almost certain. He just hoped they could avoid it long enough to get the demigods out safely.

The real reason he had insisted on this plan was simple. He would rather put himself, Ajax, and Luke in danger than risk Thalia, or the younger demigods, being caught in the crossfire. He knew it was selfish. He knew Thalia would be furious if she found out. But in the end, he would bear the weight of the risk if it meant keeping her safe.

The populace absorbed the information, the weight of it settling in. It was a lot to process, and this would likely be the largest operation New Sparta would ever undertake. More than that, it was the riskiest. Over four hundred demigods would be traveling together, a target painted squarely on their backs. Yet, the reward far outweighed the risk. The chance to add another two to three hundred soldiers to their ranks—and to strengthen the city's defenses—was a gamble the military was willing to take.

~~~SCENE~~~

It was evening when the city erupted into celebrations, families coming together to send off their loved ones. It was a time of prayer, as well—a surreal experience for many. Most had grown accustomed to praying to a single god, but now, their prayers were offered up to a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Their beliefs were stronger than ever, and their prayers came from deep within as they hoped the gods would protect their families.

For some, however, the night was filled with anger and a sense of betrayal. Clarisse La Rue was one of them.

"So, Malcolm and I are supposed to just sit here, doing nothing, while you go off and play the hero?" Clarisse spat at Ajax, her voice thick with frustration.

Ajax, in his private quarters, was studying the route he and Percy's company would take. He sighed heavily, turning to face the girl he loved. "Yes, and you know why, Clarisse."

"No, I don't know the reason why. The reason you gave me is bullshit!" Clarisse's voice shook with fury as she walked up to Ajax, stabbing her finger into his chest. "You and Percy both know the camp is more than safe with the hundred-plus Spartans, along with Heracles, Charybdis, and Scylla watching over it."

Ajax stood his ground, his eyes meeting hers with a calmness that only seemed to fuel her anger. "Yes, but the Spartans need someone to lead them. The others aren't part of the military," he explained, his tone even, though it was hard to ignore the weight of his own guilt.

"But why me?" Clarisse countered, her voice cutting through the silence between them. "You and Percy both know I'm the best at combat."

"We aren't looking for combat," Ajax replied, his hands slowly reaching for her, cupping her cheeks with tenderness. A pang of guilt surged through him as he did—he wasn't telling her the full truth. They both knew the mission would likely lead to a fight, but he had to keep up the pretense. "We're trying to get these people and kids—scared and lost—back here safely."

"Stop that," Clarisse snapped, her voice thick with frustration, even as her cheeks remained in his hands. "I know what you're trying to do."

Ajax ignored her comment, his gaze unwavering. "We're trying to avoid conflict. Yes, we might have to fight a monster or two, but we don't want an actual battle." His words were the truth—at least part of it.

Clarisse shut her eyes tightly, a bitter curse slipping from her lips. She knew he was right, and the worst-case scenario was one they couldn't ignore. If a battle did happen, New Sparta would face the brunt of it, forced to defend a siege rather than be able to move.

"I love you," Ajax murmured softly, his voice sincere but weighed with regret.

Clarisse's eyes opened, locking with his. His brown and amber gaze searched hers for understanding. She swallowed the knot in her throat. "I love you too."

She didn't resist as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss. Her anger still simmered beneath the surface, the sting of being left behind never fully fading. But she knew sacrifices had to be made. Once Percy gave his orders, they were final. Even Ajax couldn't change that. So, with a heavy heart, Clarisse let herself be in the moment, not wanting their last night together before the mission to be consumed by more arguing.

~~~SCENE~~~

"You guys think everything will go smoothly?" Echo asked, his voice betraying a hint of anxiety as he sat at a table in the dining hall surrounded by his closest friends and confidants.

Katie shrugged, her gaze distant. "I want to say yes, but like Ajax taught us…"

"Expect the first plan to go to shit, and the second plan to not even be possible," Nico finished with a drawl, mimicking Ajax's voice as he absentmindedly focused on the cup in front of him. He was turning the liquid into frost, his concentration intense. It was a skill he'd discovered only recently, a side effect of the rigorous training he'd gone through to join the infantry division.

Before anyone could reply, Bianca stumbled out of the shadows, her hair damp, pressed flat against her forehead. She took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm not ready for tomorrow." She sighed and dropped into the nearest seat. "While we're stuck here," she said, pointing to herself and Katie, "Nico and Echo get to go on the rescue."

"Well, it makes sense from a strategic standpoint," Echo replied, his voice steady despite the knot in his stomach. He formed a small illusion in his hand, shaping it into a delicate rose before it vanished. It was one of the new abilities he'd unlocked recently—Virtuakinesis, the ability to create and manipulate optical illusions. They were minor, taking great control to form, unlike the more powerful illusions that children of Morpheus could create with ease.

Katie scoffed as she glanced at Nico's cup, which was once again frozen. She heated it back up, only for him to freeze it again. "Thermokinesis," she muttered. "Not exactly my strongest ability." It was one of her gifts, but she wasn't as naturally adept as her siblings. That's why she was training with Nico, trying to get a better handle on it.

"Yeah, we know," Katie said finally, her tone sharp. "It's to lower the chances of New Sparta losing both children of Hades." She paused, frustration and resignation settling in her chest. It made sense, the strategy—of course it did. But it also hit too close to the raw truth: the harsh reality that death, even with all their training, was a constant companion in their world.

Nico took a deep breath, freezing the cup once again as he met Katie's eyes. "It'll be fine," he reassured them, his voice calm. "By this time tomorrow, we'll be back here with three hundred new citizens, and a day closer to winning the war."

Tomorrow wasn't just any mission—it was New Sparta's largest operation yet. But they had been training for nearly half a year, enduring the worst, preparing for everything. Deaths and injuries would always be a risk, but Nico remained hopeful, praying they could keep that risk to a minimum. They had done everything they could, and now it was time to see if it would be enough.

~~~SCENE~~~

"That could work," Malcolm muttered to himself, his fingers carefully positioning a small plastic piece resembling a soldier on the map of New Sparta. His mind churned as he analyzed the best positions for the others, calculating how to use their strengths most effectively.

Unlike Clarisse, the child of Athena had obeyed Percy's orders without question. Of course, he didn't entirely agree with the decisions, but that was something he and nearly every soldier had come to accept.

It was part of the military life, and after nine months of training and battles, Malcolm had learned to follow orders even when they didn't sit well with him. His demi-god nature might have played a part in that, but he knew there was more to it—something deeper.

He paused for a moment, feeling an odd mix of emotions as he thought about the cause. There was a side of him that craved combat, the thrill of battle, the rush of glory. Malcolm knew where that urge came from.

It was the blessing of Spartan Rage.

He had long suspected that it wasn't just a blessing—it was something more. No divine blessing could alter someone's physical appearance so drastically, nor could it cause as much pain as Enyo's blessing did. It gnawed at him, this sense of something deeper, something unknown.

He had prayed to his mother, hoping she could provide answers. But when they spoke, she'd arrived at the same conclusion he had—no answers, only a shared suspicion.

What bothered him most, though, was how Athena seemed to know more than she was willing to reveal. Malcolm could feel it, a hidden truth just beneath the surface. He considered asking her, but the thought of questioning his mother felt wrong, and he knew she would find it insulting. So, he pushed the thought aside for now, vowing that one day, in his own time, he would uncover the truth. Not out of malice, but out of a deep need to understand—to satisfy his curiosity.

~~~SCENE~~~

"Sweet Pea, are you okay?" Brian Tanaka asked, his gaze softening as he watched his daughter absentmindedly poke at her food. Drew, the daughter of Aphrodite, was lost in thought, her plate ignored.

"Huh? Oh, yeah… sorry," Drew murmured, her voice distant as her eyes flickered up to meet her father's, only to fall back down to her plate.

Brian sighed deeply, putting his fork down with a deliberate clink. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, his tone laden with concern.

Drew blinked, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

Her father's gaze softened further as he leaned forward, gently taking her hand in his. The moment felt strange to him. Less than six months ago, Drew's hands had been soft, always perfectly manicured. Now, they were calloused, marked with small scars—hands that belonged to someone who had been trained to fight. It was something he hadn't quite gotten used to, no matter how much time passed. His daughter had changed in ways that were hard to reconcile.

The girl who once looked like his baby girl was now a young woman, her beauty undeniable, enhanced by the blessing of Enyo. But no matter how much she had transformed, no matter how strong she had become, she would always be his little girl.

"I mean…" Brian hesitated, trying to find the right words, "Do you really want to risk getting yourself killed?"

Drew's heart sank at his bluntness. She looked up at him, the confusion on her face giving way to the subtle ache of understanding. "Why do you think I'm going to get myself killed?" she asked, her voice quiet, but her concern evident.

"Because this is a war," Brian replied, his voice grim. "And not just any war, but one where gods and titans—beings far more dangerous than anything any country can bring—are fighting. What happens if one of those titans comes across you?" His hand tightened around hers, the worry in his eyes unmistakable.

Drew felt a knot tighten in her chest as she looked at her father, seeing the fear in his eyes. She could feel his grip, a reflection of the anxiety he was trying to hide. And deep down, she knew he wasn't wrong. No amount of training could prepare her to face something like a titan. She'd seen it firsthand—Percy and the others were living proof of that.

She wanted to agree. She wanted to break down in front of her father, to grab onto him and let out all the fear she had bottled up. The fear that had been building inside her, the fear she never allowed herself to show. For a fleeting moment, she was ready to let it all go.

But before she could even open her mouth, another part of her—the part that had been trained, the part that had learned to shut down her emotions—pushed those feelings aside. It forced her to lock them away, stuff them in a corner, and take a deep breath. She had to be strong. She had to reassure him. She had to be the one to calm the storm.

"I... I am nervous," Drew began, her voice quiet but steady, letting her father know that she wasn't entirely without fear. "But we made contingencies for everything. Not just that, but mom and the others will be with us."

Brian scoffed, his frustration bubbling over. "And how do I know your mom will protect you? There are nearly thirty of her kids—how is she going to protect all of them?"

"Dad," Drew sighed, shaking her head, "we aren't looking for a fight. We're just trying to get the other demigods back here before anything can happen."

Her father's gaze softened, but there was still something hard in his eyes. He broke eye contact and let out a deep breath, the weight of the situation settling in. "I'm sorry… I just don't want to lose you. These last few months have been nice…" He half-joked, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Well, besides the days you come through the door covered in cuts and bruises."

Drew managed a small smile, even as she felt a pang in her chest. She knew he wasn't joking about the worry. He had been one of the parents who, months ago, had hoped their new life would be peaceful, free from monsters and danger. But now, faced with the reality of war, he couldn't shake the fear that his daughter, the girl who had become a warrior, might not come back.

As much as she hated to admit it, Drew knew that many of the kids, herself included, had been swept up in the thrill of battle. Demi-gods, it seemed, had an insatiable lust for war—something ingrained in them, even if their godly parents weren't war gods. It was a dangerous allure that she had fallen victim to, whether she wanted to or not.

She let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood, but it was tinged with bitterness. She cringed inwardly as she recalled the harsh training sessions, particularly with Thalia, who had made it crystal clear that Percy was off-limits. Drew had grudgingly accepted it for the time being, but she hadn't completely given up hope.

The room fell into a heavy silence. Then, finally, Brian stood up and pulled Drew to her feet. He enveloped her in a tight hug, his arms strong and reassuring, but also filled with a father's love and fear.

"Just stay safe, please," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "No matter how mad you make me sometimes, you're still my little sweet pea."

Drew's throat tightened, her own emotions threatening to spill over, but that other part of her—the part she had grown used to in the past few months—crushed them down. She couldn't let herself fall apart. Not now. Not when her father needed her to be strong.

"I will, Dad," she said softly, her voice steady, even though her heart was anything but.

~~~SCENE~~~

Luke sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the bonfire before him. It was one of the few things that had remained unchanged since the camp's transformation into a city. The fire that once united campers now stood as a quiet reminder of the past.

Though his body was still, his mind raced. Thoughts of the past year flooded his mind. Twelve months ago, he had sat in the very same spot. But back then, unlike now, where he found pride in calling this place his home, he resented it. He dreamed of betraying those who had become his family, of tearing it all down for a chance at something more—something he thought would be an equal opportunity to fight the gods. The gods who had treated him like a tool, a pawn.

His mind had been lost in that fury until he met Percy and Ajax. That was when it felt like everything had shifted. The nightmares, the voices that once plagued him, faded into silence. His hatred for the gods didn't disappear entirely, but it subsided enough that he could think more clearly, no longer driven by pure rage.

But that peace was short-lived. Then he learned the truth. Kronos—the Titan lord who had once ruled—had been manipulating him all along, twisting his thoughts to the point where Luke could no longer tell if they were truly his own. It was only when Kronos deemed him unnecessary, turning his attention to Ajax instead, that the whispers stopped.

"Drachma for your thoughts?" a familiar voice interrupted his reverie.

Luke turned slightly and smiled at the sound of Annabeth's voice. "Just thinking... letting myself relax before tomorrow."

She moved closer, settling beside him. Her head leaned gently on his shoulder as she glanced at the fire. The warmth of her presence brought a sense of calm he hadn't realized he needed. It was funny, he thought. Only five months ago, Annabeth couldn't have done something like this. She was still so much younger, almost like a child in some ways. Now, she was almost his height and looked older, more mature. Yet, there was still something she hadn't gotten from him—something she might never get.

His love.

"Well, let's just relax…" Annabeth replied, a smile tugging at her lips as she felt Luke's arm slide around her waist, pulling her closer.

"What about your family?" Luke asked, breaking the peaceful moment.

"I'm staying here," Annabeth answered with a soft chuckle.

"Be safe, okay?" Luke said, his voice laced with concern.

Annabeth let out a snort, amused. "Shouldn't I be the one telling you that?"

"I'm always safe… unlike you," Luke teased with a playful grin.

"Ha, I'm not the one out there fighting Titans and gods," Annabeth retorted, laughing as she pulled away slightly to meet his gaze.

"Blame Percy and Ajax," Luke countered, locking eyes with her.

Annabeth wanted to respond, but the words escaped her as her attention shifted. She found herself captivated by Luke's face—his smile, his eyes, and the scar that only made him more intriguing. She hadn't realized just how much she had grown to care about him.

As the seconds ticked by, she felt the distance between them shrink. Luke's eyes lingered on her lips, and her heartbeat quickened in response. They had kissed before, but that had been in the heat of the moment, driven by urgency and the fear that one of them might not make it. But now… now there was no pressing danger.

Luke couldn't stop himself as he edged closer to Annabeth, his breath mingling with hers, just inches apart. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away. His heart hammered in his chest, faster than it had any right to.

"I'm… I'm so sorry, Annabeth. I can't…" Luke murmured, his voice low, still unable to look at her.

Annabeth sighed, her heart sinking. She had expected this, but it didn't make it hurt any less. "Can you promise me something then?"

"Anything," Luke replied, his voice tight with guilt.

"To make it up to me after the mission," Annabeth said, her voice soft but firm.

Luke opened his eyes slowly and met her gaze. "I will… I'll make it up to you after the mission…" he promised, his voice sincere, though his heart ached with the weight of the unspoken.

~~~SCENE~~~

"I don't get how your mom is so nice," Thalia said, stepping into Percy's private quarters with him following close behind.

"How come?" Percy asked, toeing off his boots and getting comfortable as he changed into something more relaxed.

"Well, she's probably one of the only parents who isn't panicking about their kids going off to what could be a war. Plus, she treats me like I'm already her daughter-in-law… by marriage," Thalia explained, heading into the bathroom to change.

She and Percy were dating, sure, and they shared the occasional kiss, but nothing more. It wasn't that she didn't think about it—she did—but something held her back. Why? She wasn't sure. Maybe it was because she wanted Percy to take the first step, and he hadn't yet. It both frustrated her and made her love him even more. He was a good guy, even if he was a little frustrating sometimes.

"She's panicking, just better at hiding it than most of the parents," Percy said, chuckling as he dropped onto the bed. "And as for how she treats you? I think she's just getting a head start. Nothing wrong with that."

Thalia, lost in thought, didn't respond at first, but when she heard Percy's voice again, she snapped out of it and finished changing. She walked out of the bathroom in one of Percy's oversized shirts and a pair of her own pajamas. "Well, it's better than how Clarisse's mom treats Ajax."

Percy couldn't help but laugh. "Oh man, I remember that. Ajax walked up all smug, thinking he was going to charm Clarisse's mom. Ended up backed against a wall, and she threatened to castrate him if he so much as made Clarisse cry."

Thalia snorted, shaking her head. "That was priceless."

There was a brief silence before Thalia, now lying down next to Percy, looked up at him. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

Percy stared at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of the mission ahead. "I have to be."

"I know you have to be, but do you feel like you are?" Thalia asked, her voice softening.

Percy stayed quiet for a moment, his hand absentmindedly brushing through Thalia's blue-streaked hair. His thoughts began to slow as he focused on the present. On her. Tomorrow was already set, but this moment? This moment was fleeting.

"I am," Percy said, his voice steady, though there was a hint of uncertainty beneath the surface. He pulled Thalia a little closer, knowing that tonight, he could hold her.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed… now for the reason I've been gone… to put it simply. a lot happened the past year. Me and my now Ex-Fiancé had a terrible string of bad luck and lost our jobs at the same time. Causing us to fall behind on bills by months. At that point things kept getting worse and worse and towards the end of the year we had broken up. I lost nearly everything I had built up over the course of eight years in what felt like the blink of an eye. During all of that, I was battling with severe depression and couldn't force myself to even look at a word document without hating myself.

I thankfully have finally seeked help. Which is slowly helping me improve day by day. If you are reading this and feel like you're lost, sad, you might feel like you're worthless or just confused. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You won't be less of a man or woman. You won't be labeled as some deranged person. You are someone in this world and to someone else out there you mean more than a simple passing face.

I hope to see you all soon.