This is my first story, so just a heads up not to get your hopes up too high. Please review and tell me or ask me anything you want, as long as it has at least some relevance to the story and is not completely inappropriate. I know a lot of authors don't like it, but please point out any mistakes I make with my grammar or any other obvious mistakes with my timelines, etc. I'll try to correct them and explain anything that looks like a mistake but isn't.

This is an AU where Percy is a son of Thanatos, not Poseidon, but I still have some tricks and plot twists up my sleeve, so stay tuned for those.

And of course, I'm not Rick Riordan, and I don't own PJO or HOO, so don't expect the same masterpieces he writes, but I'll do my best.

Prologue: The Queen's Gift

In a dark palace, deep in the underworld, a baby boy lay cradled in his mother's arms, sleeping soundly, a spot of life in the land of the dead. He had messy jet black hair and skin that looked like he had just spent nine months in the sun, rather than in his mother's stomach. "You're so beautiful" the woman whispered softly as she smiled at her son. At the sound of her voice, the baby opened his eyes and looked at her curiously, revealing a pair of bright, sea-green eyes.

She looked up at the door as a shadow crossed it, and she smiled lovingly at the man watching her from the doorway. He was tall, muscular, and tan, with thick shoulder-length black hair and honey gold eyes. He looked down at the baby in his wife's arms and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "He has your eyes."

"No, he has my father's eyes," she said with a cheeky grin.

"Same thing," he waved his hand dismissively, but his smile widened anyway. He reached out and picked up his first child. "Thank you Lady Hera," he whispered. "He's perfect." He smiled again at his son and gently handed the baby back to his wife. He waved a hand over the child's eyes and whispered "Sleep Perseus." The infant's eyes closed immediately as he slipped into the realm of Hypnos.

"I have to go Sophia; Lord Hades demands my presence. Are you sure you'll be okay?" he asked, slightly concerned.

"Of course. I'll see you later. Now get out of here before I make you." She teased. Thanatos kissed her forehead and stepped out of the door before vanishing in a flash of smoke.