This chapter had been sitting on my computer half-done for the past 3 years. I finally had some free time to finish it off for you all, just to finally end things on a completed note.

Honestly, I've started to drift away from fanfiction and writing in general. I'm a decent writer, but a poor storyteller, and there are other hobbies that I now enjoy more.

Additionally, I don't think the original material would be updated. So I think it's a good place to end it here.

If anyone is still reading this, thank you for coming back to this. And to any new readers, I hope you've enjoyed it.

Thanks!

Mark.

Chapter VIII

Percy raised a hand. "I'll read the next chapter." The book was passed down to Percy.

Hera had a look at her husband, her face hinting a nuance of concern. She could understand some of Zeus's feelings, even if she didn't like the daughter of Leto. She shook him slightly, "Zeus. Zeus."

"Hmm." Zeus stirred and opened his eyes, he blinked, trying to remember where he was. Then he saw the faces of the other Olympians. Some were smiling, and some were trying not to laugh. "What are you all looking at!" And in that instant, his regal persona was donned once again. His eyes scanned the room before landing on the Jackson boy. "READ!"

Percy rolled his eyes and started to read.

Artemis' eyes widened before it turned into a harsh glare directed at the giant. "Tityos"

The Leto twins tensed up at the mention of his name. Even after all these years they still hated that bastard.

"I haven't heard of him. His name is quite unfamiliar even in myth books."

"HERA'S FAULT." Apollo coughed, not really trying to cover up what he was saying. A lot of looks were sent Hera's direction.

Hera glared at Apollo.

"He is my half-brother, son of Elara, a mortal princess by Zeus. At the personal decree of Hera, Tityos attempted to sexually desecrate my mother Leto.

A lot of raised eyebrows were sent Hera's way, who herself remained impassive. She wasn't about to apologise for something she did millennia's ago.

Apollo and I came to our mother's aid and sent that bastard to Tartarus where he suffered eternal torture with two vultures eating his liver. You can say that he has the same punishment with the Titan Prometheus." Artemis explained, rage building up inside her.

"That's stupid," Percy blurted. "Trying to setup a family member to hurt another, Hera is crazy."

"I'll be sure to take your opinion into account Percy Jackson." Hera said gruffly. As if she was going to listen to what a demigod said.

Hestia frowned. "Sister. . ."

"Uhm Percy," Piper said, glancing up in the sky by the window. The heavens remained dark and stormy due to Zeus and Poseidon's feud but no sign that Hera heard it. "Lady Artemis told me that names have power, I don't think the queen of the gods will like being called crazy."

"You should have. She's a massive cow." Thalia muttered.

Hera managed to take a deep breath, counting numbers in her mind.

If Percy Jackson couldn't do it, then she definitely can.

"Perhaps shrewish," Artemis said, grimacing. "Hera, blinded by jealousy, thought that using an illegitimate child of my unfaithful father to violate my mother would be the sweetest revenge not only to my father but for me and my brother as well."

Ares took off his shades. "I've got to say mum, that's some sick, sick stuff you did."

Hera scoffed. "Pipe down Ares. It's not like you haven't done anything worse than that."

Percy shook his head. "Still, it's not your fault or your brother or your mother. It's no one's fault but Zeus."

The room suddenly exploded into argument, one side of the room were blaming Hera for being blinded by her jealousy, the other side blaming Zeus for his infidelity.

"ENOUGH!" Percy stood up, the room fell silent. "The blame lies with a number of people. There is not one person that is completely at fault," he said. "You guys are a family. And families are meant to support each other. No matter our mistakes and faults." His eyes travelled through the room.

Hestia spoke up. "Percy Jackson speaks the truth. We are a family, and we should be acting as a family. We all make mistakes, being gods does not excuse us from the consequences of those mistakes. But we need to accept those mistakes because we are a family."

"What was that?" Artemis nudged Percy as he sat down.

Percy looked back and smiled wishfully. "You guys have some a large family . . . And to be honest, I just get so angry and jealous at that." Percy gestured to the Olympians glaring and smiling at each other. "Don't get me wrong. I loved Aunt Hestia and my mum. But I've always wondered . . ."

Artemis had a wry smile. "I dunno, having a large family is kind of hard at times."

Percy chuckled and started to read as everyone quieted down.

Artemis nodded. "I know. That's why I don't really trust any males, even my father. They are deceitful, arrogant, unfaithful, and cheating bastards that only break women's hearts."

Piper nudged the goddess softly. Artemis tilted her head and glanced at Piper clearly confused, only to realize what the daughter of Aphrodite was trying to tell.

"I trust one though," Artemis added quickly, looking at Percy sincerely.

Percy stopped reading and sent Artemis a wink. "That's changed somewhat hasn't it?"

"Somewhat changed." Artemis agreed.

Percy smiled slightly and turned to assess the enemies. "So what are we going to do, Arty?"

"Obviously sis would try to go for Echidna. Leaving Percy to deal with the bastard." Apollo said.

Artemis glared at Apollo. "We did not exactly plan for that to happen. It just . . . managed to happen on its own."

She hated herself for knowing what was going to happen next.

Hades smirked, "That's what Zeus said,"

Artemis knit her eyebrows. "It's better if we will bombard them with arrows rather than go toe to toe with them using hunting knives and sword."

"A long-ranged attack would help minimise causalities. Considering the number of the monsters." Athena said.

Percy nodded and swung his sword to the side. "I can't shoot straight though. But I have a plan of my own."

The people who knew Percy groaned at this comment.

Percy looked up. "What?"

"I know you Percy, and if you're anything like our Percy, the plan would probably involve you charging them alone." Thalia said.

Percy was affronted. "It's nothing like that!"

"Liar."

"I'm not! I – Ok that's my plan." Percy sighed.

Artemis frowned. "What's your plan?"

"I'll charge them alone."

Percy saw the number of eyebrows that were raised at him. "In my defence, I was young and kind of stupid."

Artemis half smirked. "You're still kind of stupid."

Percy glared at her as the snickers travelled through the room.

"-But only sometimes."

Percy really loved the way Artemis's eyes shone when she looked at him like that.

Artemis and Piper's eyes widened and looked at him incredulously. "Perseus! You can't attack them alone by any chance, its suicide. I'll come with you." Artemis said.

Percy shook his head. "No. This is not the wilderness, Arty. They will spot us immediately and I cannot risk Piper's safety here. Sure, Piper learned how to fight but it's not enough and we cannot endanger her against this kind of enemies. She is a better archer than me so she can assist you in shooting down monsters. I'm better off running my sword on them."

Piper looked uncertain while Artemis contemplated about Percy's bravery—err, stupidity and his suicidal idea. Of course, he would be worried with Piper's safety. Obviously he was attracted to the daughter of Aphrodite. Why did I think about it anyway? Artemis thought.

"And we all know how wrong that turned out to be." Aphrodite sighed aimlessly.

"Fine, but don't engage Echidna and Tityos. Leave the two of them to me."

"I think you went ahead and ignored that." Artemis looked at Percy with a smile.

Percy grinned. "Sorry what?"

She shook her head, it can be hopelessly endearing at times.

"You trust me Arty right?" Percy asked, ignoring the goddess' command or request.

"I do." Artemis answered without hesitation.

Percy grinned. "I trust you too oh goddess of archery. Let's do this."

Apollo clashed a pair of cymbals together. "And from this point marks a major change in the relationship chemistry between the two." he announced.

"Nerd." Hermes coughed.

"Hey!"

Artemis raised an eyebrow. The goddess didn't want to let Percy go alone, but she did anyway. Percy trusted her marksmanship; she was the goddess of archery for Zeus' sake.

"Using my name like that," Zeus muttered. "Should've blasted him when I got the chance." But his resolve immediately weakened upon seeing his daughter's face, she was just so … content.

'Curse you Jackson.' Zeus thought.

She sighed.

"The most important thing for us is the ability to move and react at the moment's notice," Artemis said, reminding him of his advantages over the enemies. "Bigger opponents only have immense strength while we hunters have superior speed. They cannot kill what they cannot hit."

"Like me." Hermes beamed.

Ares snorted. "Didn't stop me from getting to you last week."

"I was tired and you know it!" Hermes protested.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"And Perseus, I'd like you to know that you are one of the best hunters I've hunted with." She added.

There was some cries of indignation from a current and former hunter of Artemis.

Percy leaned back and sighed exaggeratedly. "I can't help it if I'm the best."

"In your dreams Percy." Artemis looked at him, "I only said you were 'one of the best', not the best hunter."

Percy's head instantly fell.

Percy smiled. "I'm honored then."

Percy crept outside the hut and jousted towards the monsters silently, concealing himself to the closest objects found in the beach. He could sense the two girls' subtle movements behind him as they searched for a good spot for shooting. Before Percy could reveal himself, he heard Echidna's hissing voice.

"The stupid war god has been fooled easily. Any moment now he will appear and we will take the big three's symbols of power from him."

There was a chorus of groans from the other Olympians. "Not again!"

"Ares! You're grounded for the next week after we finish reading." Hera said sternly.

"MUM!"

"No buts!"

Tityos nodded, his blue eyes gleaming with hate. "I would prefer killing Artemis and Apollo who sent me to Tartarus. Next would be Hera. That is what Lord Kronos have promised me but I'll settle with the puny war god for now."

"MUM!" Ares yelled. "You've got to let me take him. It'll only be a few minutes."

Hera closed her eyes, "My answer remains a no Ares, do not push me."

"Hphm," Ares crossed his arms and sank back into the chair.

Two silver arrows flew straight to Echidna and Tityos which were easily swatted by the giant's spear.

"Hunters of Artemis!" Tityos roared with fury and delight at the prospect of Artemis' presence. "Find them!"

Percy frowned, "What were the hunters actually doing back then?"

Artemis tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think they were out in Washington. But it's been a while. . ."

Percy whistled softly. "Around nine years ago, it's been a while." He nudged Artemis, "It must seem like nothing to you."

"Hanging around you everyday made everything seem a lot slower." Artemis said.

There were coos from the audience.

"— because he attracts so much trouble." She looked to the audience, poking Percy for good measure.

"Why can't it ever be a normal complement?" Percy said indignantly.

When the monsters had finally mobilize themselves, Percy automatically tumbled into sword-spinning action to distract them from looking for the two girls. He made his way to the group hacking and slashing them with Riptide, sending their essences back to Tartarus.

Echidna and Tityos turned quickly, narrowing their eyes at the intruder. The mother of monsters recognized the physical description of the boy her Lord Kronos had given them. It was the one who always interfered on their plans.

"YOU!" Echidna hissed, her forked tongue lashing out between her fangs. "You killed my sonny with that cursed moon goddess!"

"Why does she call him 'sonny'," Apollo wondered. "What does that even mean?"

"It's actually a clever pun." Athena said. "Sonny starts with the word 'son', the word is also a term used as a familiar form of address for a young boy."

Hermes added his two cents in. "Them puns tho."

"Twice actually, thanks to my Pegasus," Percy replied, slashing hellhounds along the way. "Your sonny was really a bad doggy."

"I'll bring your head in a silver platter and Lord Kronos would be very much pleased!" Echidna yelled slithering towards Percy.

Disintegrating monsters littered the ground with grains of yellow dust before the eyes of Percy. Arrows after arrows flew pass him finding its way to monster's fatal spots as Artemis and Piper covered him from afar. Percy somersaulted behind a squadron of dragon women following the giant Tityos. He was a few yards away from the sea, the sea breeze empowering him a little.

Apollo started to sing, I've got the Power.

Aphrodite shuddered. "The 90's had a terrible fashion sense. I mean— look at those jackets!"

Hephaestus stopped tinkering with some engine parts and looked at his wife, "Didn't you used to say how much you loved the 90's."

"I did not!" Aphrodite huffed.

The scent of the sea sent a subtle effect on Percy, his eyes flashing from sea green to purple. His head felt like a huge rock fell right on top of it. Nonetheless, it powered him even more to continue the onslaught.

Poseidon frowned. "That's not normal… the sea… it shouldn't act like that."

"It's alright dad. There's something that needs to be explained at the end of this chapter." Percy assured him, his smile kind and genuine.

It didn't stop Poseidon from worrying though.

Percy recapped Riptide and drew his hunting knives. Liquid fire poured the sharp edge of the blade but instead of its usual fiery orange to red color; it was now darker, almost black.

"What's happening to Percy?" Piper asked Artemis after shooting a dracaenae in its chest. As far as she remembered, the fire in Percy's blade was bright and lively, now it was a miasmic.

However, even the goddess Artemis had the same astonished look. "I don't know what is happening to Perseus but he certainly needs assistance right now. He is getting closer to the two. Even if he had undergone training with me and proved to be a good hunter, he cannot defeat the mother of monsters and that giant alone. Focus and continue firing."

"What if it comes to fighting those two Lady Artemis?"

"As the goddess of the hunt, monsters are my primary prey. If it comes to that, you'll stay here and I'll fight them alone." Artemis said in a tone that left no room for argument.

Percy charged swiftly, spinning and ducking in rough imitation of Artemis. Even though he was slower than the huntress herself, he moved like he had a heavy dosage of adrenaline-induced medicine. He stormed the small army of monsters, dispatching them with silent ease until his malevolent blades met the fifteen foot long spear of Tityos.

The atmosphere was eerily silent, everyone's attention was focused onto the television screen depicting the battle.

Percy was thrown to the air upon colliding with a being four times his size. A barely five foot tall demigod fighting a colossal twenty foot tall giant was unmistakably a lopsided battle.

"And whose fault is that," Artemis said as she nudged Percy.

"Definitely yours. Hey! Don't look at me like that!" Percy laughed, "You know I'm terrible at instructions. The sea doesn't like to restrained and all."

One false move and Percy would be squashed into a thin flat sheet of aluminum foil or be skewered into a human barbecue ready for grilling.

"Obviously the juxtaposed imagery of an aluminium foil and a skewered human is meant to provide two contrasting consequences of a false move, henceby subsequently augmenting the gravitas of Percy's quandary. The dichotomy of—"

A piece of tape was suddenly slammed on his mouth.

There was a muffled scream as Ares flashed back to his throne with a disgusted scowl.

"Fucken English nerds always talking condescending dribble. Always like: 'Look at me I'm an English nerd~ I know what the difference between pathetic fallacies and anthropomorphism's are!' Well fuck you!"

At this point they weren't sure that Ares was still talking to Apollo. His eyes were moreso towards the ground than anything else.

"They're obviously both a form of personification you arrogant, patronising, illiterate fuckers."

Yes. Hephaestus, you sum it up quite well.

"The fuck?"

Artemis' eyes widened and she flashed between Percy and Tityos blocking the gigantic spear with her silver knives. "Perseus! You idiot! I said don't engage them by yourself."

"You did." Percy said matter-of-factly, "But I didn't agree to anything."

Apollo ripped the tape off, "Oh damn son!"

Percy pointed to him and the piece of tape. "Was that the because of the tape or…"

Apollo sucked in a breath. "To be honest, it was a little bit both."

"Hello sister," Tityos spat. "I have just escaped my prison and now you have a lover?"

"Opps." Percy sighed.

"You're an idiot Percy." Artemis said exasperatedly.

"Damn it Arty! Why did you have to prove him right?"

That's wonderful since the reign of the gods will end after our lord has fully reformed."

Artemis narrowed her eyes at Tityos. "Your freedom will be short-lived brother," Artemis spat back.

Percy seemed to be in a state of daze or to be more precise, hypnotic state. His eyes flickering again to a piercing purple.

Poseidon frowned at that, but kept his mouth shut.

He shook his head to clear his mind and switched back to his sword and charged Tityos again, Artemis followed suit.

"Perseus!" Artemis called but Percy was already trading blows with Tityos.

Echidna was on hot pursuit until Artemis intercepted her in close combat. Her mind's thinking was divided into two: getting revenge on Echidna and aiding Percy against her half-brother giant. All the monsters except its leaders were destroyed.

Echidna let out a reptilian grin. "Artemis, it's so nice of you to show yourself here. Did you miss your hunters already?" She mocked.

Artemis glared at the mother of monsters and rained it with flurry of strikes which was met by sharp reptilian claws. "I would take utmost pleasure in giving you the worst pain I can ever deliver, Echidna. You'll wish that Tartarus himself would claim you. I bet your little Chimera missed you already."

"Little sonny," Apollo corrected. "Jeez Arty, you think you can deliver better punch lines."

Artemis frowned, "That wasn't even funny."

It wasn't much of a battle since the Olympian goddess overpowered the mother of monsters. A single strike of Echidna was being paid back three slashes from Artemis. Not so long, Echidna was already limping.

"You're going to die slowly but full of pain." Artemis seethed as she slammed the butt of his knife's hilt at Echidna's face.

Before Artemis could proceed to torture Echidna, she was knocked over when Tityos managed to kick Percy on the chest, sending the demigod straight towards her. Both of them crashed in the soft sand, Percy fell on top of her.

"And nothing else ever happened ever again." Thalia laughed.

Piper took a crack, "Because Artemis killed him for it?"

"Oh…" Thalia looked at Piper with widened eyes, "I was thinking of just cutting something off."

Every male in the room promptly covered their legs.

Artemis wasn't that hurt and she quickly checked Percy for severe injuries despite their position. She sighed in relief seeing the glacial armor Percy was wearing but frowned when it was darker in color. What's with the dark color? She thought. Why do his eyes seem to flicker to another color?

"Poseidon seems to have an idea." Hestia mused.

"Perseus, can you get off me." Artemis said in a hurried tone. She struggled to hold back a blush.

There was a chorus of snickers from everyone except the couple in mention.

"Okay… Laugh it up," Artemis muttered. "Wait till after we're done here."

"Wait what?" Thalia asked, a nervous grin on her face.

"Nothing."

Percy's face felt a little warm. Thankfully, Artemis didn't send him airborne like last time. "Sorry Arty." He said as he stood up, offering his hand to Artemis.

Artemis took his hand. "I told you to avoid them. Apollo and I managed to slay him together but right now I can't possibly call my twin brother." She chastised.

He looked thoughtful at what Artemis said. "I have an idea." Percy said.

Artemis groaned in annoyance. She concluded that Percy didn't have the best of plans. Clearly, he wasn't a child of Athena.

The woman in mention huffed. "Of course not."

"And we all love him for it," Poseidon chuckled.

"A stupid idea I presume?"

Percy smirked. "Let's attack the big dude together."

"It wasn't really that much of a plan," Artemis said.

Percy shrugged, "We did agree that it was a stupid idea."

"Fine but leave Echidna to me." Artemis said as she eyed the hobbling mother monster by the giant side. On second thought, it wasn't a bad idea.

There was a raised eyebrow, "I didn't know that," Percy remarked. He turned to his girlfriend, "You actually thought my plan was good?"

"It wasn't a bad idea," Artemis corrected, "It didn't mean it was a good one either."

Together they charged.

They attacked Tityos in both sides which the giant deflected by navigating his spear and shield smoothly. No wonder why it took two gods to take him down the first time. He was that good.

Apollo pointed to himself. "To be fair I did do all the work."

"Back then you weren't as lazy." Artemis scoffed, and then frowned, "What did happen to that golden sword that you used anyway?"

"Oh I dunno. I probably lent it and lost it to someone a few millennia's back."

Artemis guilelessly assaulted Tityos' legs to slow him even more while Percy concentrated on diverting the giant's attention away from the goddess. The two were rewarded by few scratches on the giant's limbs although it only made Tityosa angrier.

The giant tried to slam his shield at Artemis but the goddess sent a wave of silver light in a perfect time that the blast twisted Tityos' arm. The giant tossed towards Percy causing the demigod to sidestep beside Artemis.

No comments had been made for some time now, the fast pace story evoking a tense air of silence.

Without his shield, Tityos showed an unexpected speed for a being of his size, he swung his spear in a wide arc surprising both Percy and Artemis.

Percy shoved Artemis aside as he got clobbered in his midsection by Tityos' spear. The force of the wallop broke his glacial armor.

"By the way, that really really hurt," Percy glanced at Artemis jokingly. "Honestly Arty, the things I do for you."

Artemis rolled her eyes at that.

Really, it wasn't like he had sworn an unbreakable chaotic oath to protect her and her hunt to his last dying breath.

Or something like that.

The goddess rolled to the side after staggering from Percy's gentle less push.

"How touching!" Tityos cried disdainfully as he saw Percy crumpled in the ground writhing in agony.

Tityos towered Percy, grinning evilly in anticipation. "Goodbye Artemis' little boyfriend." He mocked.

"Oh god," Thalia groaned, "Cringy cliché alert," she said. "How come all the bad guys always automatically think of the guy as a boyfriend?"

Piper agreed, "I know right! Like, they almost always think of Percy as my boyfriend, just because he's the only okay-looking boy within a few feet of me."

"Ouch man," Apollo looked at Percy, "Only an 'okay'?"

Percy smirked, "That's not what your sister says."

No response was given at that.

"Shit Percy." Hermes waved a hand in front of Apollo's gaping face, "I think you broke him."

Artemis couldn't decide whether to kill him or thank him for turning Apollo's face into a statue.

He brought up his spear to perforate the demigod, three arrows impaled his back. The giant grunted in pain, he was sure that Artemis was currently disoriented and he spun his body only to catch a glimpse of chocolate brown blur.

A certain daughter of Aphrodite had hit him heedlessly from a safe distance.

"Go Piper!" Aphrodite cheered, "Show him the power of love!"

"It is perhaps a force that is at once more wonderful and more terrible than death, than human intelligence, than the forces of nature." Hestia quoted musingly.

Aphrodite blinked as she replied, "You knew Albus as well?"

Piper held up a hand, "Wait, Dumbledore is a real person?"

"Yes and no," Hestia answered.

Aphrodite continued, "He was based on a son of Hecate that I used to have drinks with. But, oh, his relationship with the Grindelward boy was particularly interesting to observe."

Too late.

The interruption caused by Piper was enough to draw Tityos' attention away from Percy for a second and Artemis didn't need to be told what to do as she fired four silver arrows with lightning speed into the giant's joints. All four sprouted at each knees and Tityos bellowed in pain as he fell down in one knee, dropping his spear. Percy bolted up and he stepped on Tityos' thigh to catapult himself over the giant.

As Percy swooped down, he poured every strength he could master as Riptide met the giant's thick neck and the Celestial bronze sword slashed Tityos' head off his mountainous body. The son of Elara crumbled into dust shortly after.

Hestia frowned, "You really treated that poor girl terribly Zeus. It is no wonder that her son sought vengeance against you."

"Two demigods and a goddess for a giant? Not bad I guess.' Percy thought while panting in the outside.

Ares grunted, "Good job fishface."

Percy chuckled, "Thanks I guess,"

Artemis tried to glare at Percy for pushing her away but instead she smiled at him. When do I stop owing him? She asked mentally. Artemis could sense that Piper was back in hiding before she searched for Echidna who was already limping away from the area. She ran after the mother monster and dragged it back near the beach.

Hestia sent a pointed look towards the goddess of the moon, "I guess that I don't have to really voice my disappointment?"

Artemis sighed, "No you don't." It was an unnecessary decision that was borne out of anger and pain.

The goddess beat the mother of monsters to a pulp, pounding and bruising Echidna with everything Artemis had. Blood curled scream was heard from Echidna as Artemis' vengeful rage pushed herself to the limits, inflicting so much agony. Viewed from another perspective, Artemis was the monster and Echidna was the prey.

The monster in mention had her cast downcast, there was no attempt to justify her actions.

Bloodlust overwhelmed Artemis as she didn't notice when the sea water burst upward as if there was an underwater volcanic eruption in Santa Monica. Three familiar figures popped out at the middle of Santa Monica bay and they were encased in a milky white sphere, swimming back to the shore.

There was a cacophony of responses as the room filled up with noise that was more or less all directed at the god of the seas.

Unfortunately there were some things even he didn't know, "Everyone just quiet down! We can get to the bottom of this if we just keep on listening!"

"Or we can ask Percy over here," Thalia said.

"Ahh…" he flickered through the pages of the chapter, "I am pretty sure that all will be revealed in this chapter,"

"The sea…" Percy murmured, for a split second, it sounded like it wasn't his. The voice was small but the power of the tone was clearly present. Nevertheless, he sprinted towards his demigod friends and a satyr.

Are they the one's mentioned in the letter? Percy thought unaware of the presence of a fiendish entity inside him, impassively waiting for him to take his first step onto the sea.

There were a million thoughts flying through Poseidon's mind. A fiendish entity? Who had control over the sea?

Oceanus?

Thetis?

Pontus?

Dylan, Annabeth and Grover stumbled on the shore in exhaustion.

"Typical," Zeus muttered. "I hate cliff-hangers."

Thalia rolled her eyes, "Not as much as I hate that Dylan kid,"

Their time in the Underworld was, well, very fruitful. Dylan's backpack weighed a ton as he struggled on carrying it. Grover was muttering about that it was nicer to take vacation on Maine while the brains of the trio, Annabeth, paced on the sand looking agitated.

"When is she not agitated?" Apollo asked sardonically.

"When are you not annoying?" Dionysius replied, measure for measure.

"I don't believe it," Annabeth said. "We went all that way—"

"It was a trick," Dylan half-yelled. "Ares tricked us!

"Why's the kid acting so surprised?"

"Because you're usually the one getting tricked," Hermes pointed out.

Hephaestus grunted, he clearly remembered it vividly. "The time you got trapped in that jar for a year."

Ares growled, but opted to keep quiet.

My father's trident and Hades' helm are still missing!"

"Obviously," Annabeth snorted, sounding displeased. "At least we have the bolt. I think I knew who have the trident and the helm."

"Don't tell me Lord Ares has the trident and the helm too." Grover mumbled.

Annabeth grimaced, the goat boy actually hit the right spot. "Speaking of the god of war, he is waiting for us." She said her eyes trailed at a man sitting impatiently in a Harley Davidson chopper motorcycle.

Apollo coughed, "Overrated."

Ares snorted, "Yeah, like your Italian shitboxes are any better."

Hestia frowned, "Boys, no more fighting please."

Wearing a wraparound sunglass, the god of war had a smug look on his face. His scarred cheeks heightened his overall appearance as a cruel and proud bully. Propped on his shoulder was an oversized aluminum baseball bat.

"You three should be dead," Ares said, unmistakably upset that the three kids were alive. "Impeding the start of the best kind of war is a big no-no for me."

"You stole the bolt, the trident and the helm." Dylan said.

Ares grinned mischievously. "I didn't steal them personally. Gods are forbidden from taking other god's symbol of power unless one will use a hero to do the job."

"Who did you use? "

A heavy feeling sank to the bottom of Hermes's heart. It was one of the many extraordinary instances where he was made acutely aware of just how ordinary being a god really was.

"Doesn't matter. The point is the three of you should die. Your deaths will cause a nice slugfest going: Athena would blame Poseidon for bringing her daughter in a suicide quest. Zeus is already mad at Poseidon. Poseidon is mad at both Zeus and Hades for this—" Ares pulled out a celestial bronze trident strapped on his motorcycle. "—and Hades will be mad at both Zeus and Poseidon as he doesn't know who took this…" The war god hoisted a bronze war helmet attached to the trident.

"Lord Poseidon's trident and Lord Hades' helm of darkness," Grover gasped.

"Is it just me, or is Grover remind you of a soap opera?" Piper muttered, "He's just so dramatic."

Ares smirked and he snapped his fingers. A wild boar sprung out of the sand and charged the trio. Grover being the 'brave' protector, he hurled some flattened tin cans at the boar. Sadly, it only infuriated the boar and it focused its beady eyes at the poor satyr. The boar battered Grover instantly knocking him out.

"Okay then," Piper said, "Now we know why."

The wild beast went after Dylan and Annabeth.

Ares laughed as the huge boar tossed Dylan into the air. The demigod son of Poseidon failed to defend himself from the wild beast. Truthfully, he was able to defeat monsters he had battled because of luck and perfect timing. The Minotaur exploded into dust because Grover was able to distract it and he kind of jumped into action and on his last kill, the Gorgon Medusa become probable to be beheaded because of Percy's water powers which exceeded his own. Dylan wanted to impress Annabeth but he instead got plowed by Ares' pet.

Poseidon tried to help the kid out, "Well… At least he was trying."

If not for the tides healing him constantly, he would already be dead. He blacked out as the boar continued to maul him to death.

There was a certain word pertaining to a conjunction of a cat and a woman that Ares really wanted to shout out.

To save Dylan, Annabeth threw her dagger at the boar, imbedding itself on its side. The boar that looked crankier than ever, shifted its ugly body to face the daughter of Athena. The boar brandished its razor sharp tusks at Annabeth, ready to kill.

"I'm warning you Ares… if Annabeth gets hurt…"

"Chill nerd girl. Jackson's got it covered, haven't you Jackson?"

He got a snarky nod from the book reader.

The boar let out a mighty pig squeal before its head fell down, rolling down in the sand. Ares' sacred animal's blood stained the sand red. Percy stood there glaring at the war god, pig blood trickled down Riptide's edge.

Ares' smug expression vanished and was replaced by raw fury. His sunglass melted when his red eyes burst into flames.

"That's my favorite sacred animal!" the war god bellowed.

"Correction," Apollo had put his English nerd glasses back on, "That was-"

Surprisingly, this time it was Hestia who had taped Apollo's mouth.

"Quiet Apollo, I do not want to hear anymore ridicule from your lips."

"Who are you to meddle with godly business?"

Percy, who looked seriously tired from his previous battle with the giant Tityos, stepped forward trying to look well and brave. "Just a friend of this people you are trying to kill. Such a shame you had to hide behind a pet especially against a girl, a satyr and ugh, a boy."

Words cannot describe Percy's comedic timing during the last sentence. Though it might do you well to understand that the whole room exploded into a chorus of laughs.

"Zoe would have been proud of that one Percy," Artemis laughed in tandem with the rest.

He took a not so exaggerated bow.

Ares' nostrils flared before he smirked. "It's obvious you don't know who you are talking to kid."

"Percy!" Annabeth called. "Don't challenge him. He is Ares, the god of war!"

Ares swung his oversized bat and it turned into a two handed sword. "You are clearly not on my level, mortal. You better listen on that sissy over there before I decided to add you on my hit list for killing my favorite animal."

Before Percy could respond, he heard a voice in his mind. At first, he thought it was his Aunt Hestia but the voice doesn't sound warm like the hearth goddess. It was quite the opposite. 'You can defeat him, child.' The voice reverberated in his skull.

Percy thought back like he used to when conversing with Hestia. 'I could? How?'

No response.

Ares looked at Apollo, "That's exactly what you she says to you in bed."

"OI! ROASTED!" Hermes cried out.

Apollo frowned, "That doesn't-"

"You what m9? Would you like some dank memes with that serving of bleach. KYS."

"What the hell are you saying?"

Hermes blinked a few times. "Oh right, this is still supposed to be 2015. The cancer hasn't started yet."

Percy decided that he was just hearing things due to fatigue. He then stared at Ares. "Scared that this mortal who is not in your level would beat you? You better go and hide again behind another pet or you can use your godly powers to turn me into something that would probably save you from humiliation." He taunted.

Ares' eyes grew bigger in shock before it narrowed into a glare. "You insolent punk, I'm a god! I don't involve myself directly you little runt."

"Said no god ever," Thalia scoffed.

"I challenge you then," Percy said. It would be now or never. It's the only chance to retrieve the stolen weapons. "If I lose, you can do what you want with me.

Hermes grimaced and looked at Percy, "That is a really really badly worded sentence."

Ares held his arms out incredulously, "Why am I always the person who gets bashed?"

"Because Ares my child," Dionysius stifled a yawn, "That's just the way this story goes."

But I'll try to keep it down.

If I win, I'll have the big three's symbols of power."

Annabeth looked fearfully. "Percy, don't…"

"Annabeth," Percy said. "You should help Dylan and Grover."

Annabeth nodded glumly before stepping back to pull her unconscious quest mates out of the instigating battle.

Ares bared his teeth. "The battle has been already decided kid the moment you challenged me. Your head will decorate my shield."

"Damn Ares," Apollo whistled, "Back at it again with them white lies."

Percy took a glance at Artemis last position where he left her. He found the goddess delivering the killing blow on Echidna. Artemis looked around, hopefully searching for him. When their eyes met, Artemis had a confused look until she saw the man Percy was facing. Her face contorted into a fright and it only meant one thing, Artemis couldn't possibly help him.

He understood that if Artemis would intervene, questions would arise because of two Olympian present in one place and there was big chance that the big three weapons wouldn't be recovered. Not to brag but Percy felt that Artemis would take his side rather than Ares. How could Artemis possibly explain that? Not only would she endanger herself in the entire Olympian council but her hunt's safety as well. Percy would rather have an early death than seeing anyone, especially Artemis suffer because of him.

To sum it up, everything was up to Percy: a do or die fight.

"No pressure yeah?" Percy said, albeit a tad sarcastically.

Artemis gave him an encouraging nod which was enough for Percy. He faced Ares and initiated the first attack, staying away from the sea as Poseidon would immediately be aware of him.

Zeus scoffed, "If it was me I would have already been aware of him from the minute he was born. Nothing escapes the eyes of the skies."

"Really," Poseidon said dubiously, "Then, pray tell, how did Prometheus manage to evade your sight and send fire over to the mortal world, oh all-seeing-one?"

The god of Thunder was indiganant, "Pah!" he waved his hand dismissingly, "That was a fluke!"

'Step on the surf,' the voice rang on his ears but Percy ignored it as he crossed blades with Ares. He could feel his hand shaking from weariness.

Everything that Percy threw at Ares, the war god simply parried or dodged the attack. If only he was on his full strength and good condition. He was already tempted to take a dip into the sea.

Percy paused in his reading, he sighed, "Hindsight really is a bitch."

"Not bad but not good enough." Ares sneered.

"I've really got to ban that line or something," Apollo frowned. It was like the ultimate cliché bad guy line.

Percy agreed, "It's on par with Michael Bay's explosions."

"Hey! That's my grandson you're talking about!" Apollo cried.

"No wonder," Thalia muttered.

'Step to the surf. Don't hesitate.' The voice coaxed. .

"What are your thoughts Poseidon?" Hestia asked.

The god of the sea was deep in thought, his mind once again sorting through the thousands of possibilities.

Percy found himself giving in if not for Ares pressing his attacks harder. It would be a disaster if Ares would notice his tiredness, it might drove the war god into frenzy.

Percy needed to concentrate. Take a deep breath. Speed, rely on speed, listen to Arty or you'll be turned into a furry animal with antlers.

"Now we know who's in charge in this relationship," Aphrodite giggled.

The pair rolled their eyes, despite common conception, they actually tried to listen to each other equally.

He chanted on his mind as he stabbed Ares in the side.

Ares deflected his thrust and knocked Percy's blade out of his hand. The war god's face wore a triumphant grin. "Yield kid and face your fate. I'm the god of war, I've been fighting for eternity and I cannot die."

"Lies!" Apollo pointed at Ares, his role as the god of truth rising to the surface here.

'But you can kill him if you wish,' the voice interjected and it grabbed Percy's attention. Was that a bluff? But if that was his only chance, he could try. "Please tell me! though I prefer to defeat him only, not to kill him." He whispered pleadingly.

'What belongs to the sea will always return to the sea.' Percy froze, his head moved involuntarily. Out of his own will, his eyes landed on the three pointed spear slung behind Ares. "Mom?" He guessed silently.

"No it's your dad."

"Hermes," Poseidon warned. He tried let out a breath and released the stress, there was no point to keep focusing on Percy's mother. He would just have to be patient.

The voice seemed to ignore him again.

Percy's body moved into its own accord and he found himself with his hunting knives burning with purplish fire which surprised Ares. The war god thought that the kid was a son of Dionysius.

"You disgrace me with that comment Ares." The god of wine scoffed.

"I don't need to, you do that by yourself anyway."

The room broke into snickering at Ares rare comeback.

That old drunkard had a new spawn, Ares snorted. Hardheaded idiot

The same familiar purplish aura enveloped the god of madness, "Watch what you say Ares."

"Blahbahbah."

Hestia pursed her lips, "Dionysius." She eyed the encroaching vine slithering across the white.

"Bah! Foiled again!"

This time, however, was a successful one. When Percy lunged at Ares, his twisted his body in mid-air, knives lashing out but not to Ares but the straps wrapped around Poseidon's trident. Before Ares could realize what Percy was aiming, the war god punched the demigod in the gut sending him a few feet away—with the trident on his hand.

"You have a lot of nerve boy."

Percy shrugged, he didn't care much for Zeus's 'ancient laws'. So he turned to Poseidon instead, "It was either do that or die. Hope you don't mind dad."

"You!" Ares yelled as he saw the trident had been plucked right under his nose. "You're really going into my nerves, kid. I'm going to smash you to pulp."

He ignored Ares and waited for a minute before hearing the mysterious voice again. 'Child, don't be afraid about the truth of your own birth. Unleash the raging waters of the sea.'

The time Percy set foot on the surf, a different surge of power course through him. It was very different from the boost he received from rivers or any other body of water. Though the purple aura in him got stronger.

Percy abided and water spheres that Artemis forbid to be used during his training since it drained him that very quickly formed nearby. It soared towards Ares binding him in a net of intricate water web. The war god tried to flash out but the purple aura lingering with the water prevented him from escaping.

Percy raised the trident summoning a ten-foot wall of sea water and rode the huge wave like a professional surfer and descended towards Ares in a blearing speed. Fully immobilized, Percy drove the trident forcefully on the war god's right shoulder. 'Excellent child, you've done well,' said the voice inside his head.

Artemis's nose brushed against Percy's hair, "You know, I don't think I'd be able to stand having your mother inside my head."

On his part, Percy said nothing within this lose-lose situation.

Ares howled in pain as he clutched his wounded shoulder. Golden Ichor bled from the three deep gashes in the god's shoulder. Pure hate and absolute rage danced across the war god's face. How could this mortal have wounded him?

"If it helps, I'm not technically a mortal." Percy said.

"Well duh," the god of the underworld rolled his eyes, "You're a demigod."

"Yeah but—"
"HUSH! No spoilers!" Apollo held out a palm.

Annabeth and Artemis stood shocked. The goddess couldn't help but be proud of the male demigod. He was her student and fellow hunter after all, if only she could yell and encourage him to beat her worthless imbecile half-brother without risking herself and her hunt from the paranoia of her father.

"You have made an enemy from the god of war, demigod," Ares bellowed, muttering curses in Ancient Greek. "Beware, the next time we meet, I wouldn't be merciful."

'Now, it's time to face your destiny. Let me show you.' The voice echoed as if Ares' threat was nonexistent. Percy's eyes darkened and he lose control over his own and the voice in his head assumed authority over his body. Purple aura started pulsating around him.

In turn, Ares' body began to glow.

"Percy!" Annabeth shouted. "Don't watch!"

"You bet she doesn't want you to watch," Hermes snickered.

His best friend nodded along, "It's always the nerdy ones."

For this, they both were promptly afflicted with a migraine by a certain silver eyed woman.

"Owww."

Artemis' eye snapped to Percy, a new sense of dread filled her. She watched as the idiot was looking directly at Ares' true immortal form.

Thalia scowled, "So what did it look like?"

"Like…" Percy's hands struggled to mould the right words, "You would just get flashes of images and voices, of explosions and screaming. Anger and ambition… It's really hard to describe."

The light went down and the war god was gone. Percy dropped down but he managed to stick the trident in the shore and used it as a support to maintain his upright position. Artemis instantly flashed beside him, eyeing the demigod with awe and suspicion. She felt terrified that he would disintegrate into ashes after foolishly witnessing a god's transformation.

She touched Percy's shoulder. "H..How did you—" was all Artemis could say when she was blasted away from Percy.

Thalia blinked. "Well then."

The water swirled around Percy's feet, forming a mini hurricane. When the raging water died down, there stood a nightmare version of Percy. His once sea green eyes settled into now dark purple orbs as if the sea was contaminated with poison. Percy's eyes glowed with power and he swished the trident to his side.

Ares shuffled around in his seat. The little runt should have been vaporised.

Red eyes met green, a shimmer of tension, a smile and a grunt. Ares frowns in retreat.

"How did Perseus survive that pathetic war god's true immortal form?" said a feminine voice through Percy's lips.

Subconsciously or consciously, the Olympians found themselves leaning forward in their thrones.

"Perhaps I protected him from harm like any good mother would do."

No-one dared to interrupt, they had a feeling that it would all be explained soon enough.

Artemis stood up, befuddled that she was sent flying by Percy or if it was Percy. As she weighed the gravity of the situation, her hunting knives are instinctively poised to defend herself.

"Who are you? What have you done to Percy?" Artemis demanded through gritted teeth. She should have known the changes; Percy was somewhat under a kind of spell or curse.

"My name? Oh, I now remember my name." The possessed Percy said slyly. "I was known as Sarah Jackson, mother of Perseus Jackson. I simply took control of my son's body."

Apollo tapped his chin. "I dunno, still sounds manipulativish to me."

Dionysius snorted. "Manipulativish? What, are you five?"

"And what of it Dionysius?"

Artemis narrowed her eyes at Percy/Sarah. "Quit playing games with me. Who are you? You are clearly not a mere mortal that can possess a demigod such as Percy."

"My, impatient are we daughter of Leto?" Sarah bared her teeth through Percy's in a vicious smile. "Very well. I hope Thetis; daughter of Nereus and Doris would suffice."

"Impossible." The wide-eyed Poseidon gaped. Indeed, this was a sentiment shared also by the other gods.

Percy stifled a laugh as he read the next line.

Artemis' eyes widened. "Impossible."

Annabeth stood beside Artemis. She was also carrying Hades' helm which Ares left after his loss against Percy. "Thetis? You mean the mother of Achilles who dipped him in the river Styx?"

Sarah/Thetis' purple eyes glowed. "Indeed, daughter of Athena. I am the one who gave birth to the greatest warrior who led the Greeks in the siege of Troy." Annabeth and Artemis would have laughed at what Thetis had said since it was Percy who was speaking but the ferocity of his/her purple eyes radiated spite and animosity. The place didn't help much as it got worse than before. Ice starts to form around the male demigod, the water turning into a mix color of black and purple.

"If you are Percy's mother, does that mean Percy is nearly invulnerable too? Did you bathe him in the Styx like Achilles?" Annabeth inquired curiously.

Percy scoffed, "I wish, then I wouldn't have to be so scared of you all the time."

Artemis scowled, "Oh my gods. You're still going on about that? I've apologised for that a million times already."

Percy pouted. "It really hurt you know…"

A quick peck on the cheek, mirth dancing in her eyes. "Better now?"

"… Better."

Zeus, for his part, wanted to burn Percy to a crisp.

Thetis laughed humorlessly, pounding the trident on the shore. "You are truly a daughter of the wisdom goddess. Too inquisitive but the answer is no. You see, my son Perseus is very much different from Achilles."

Before Annabeth could asked again, Artemis stepped forward. "This is not viable! You should be with the other Nereids serving Poseidon's court!"

"I used to lead my sisters back then," Thetis sighed before glaring at Artemis. "When I was still a maiden, both Zeus and Poseidon courted me. The two of them rivaled each other for my hand in marriage and they never halted their advances until the wretched Titan of Forethought, Prometheus came and warned Zeus of a vision. Sooner, the Oracle of Delphi spouted a prophecy that I will bear a child that would be greater than his father."

Artemis and Annabeth remained silent.

Thetis continued. "Both gods backed down fearing than they would end up like their dethroned father. In the end, your cursed father has other ideas in order to control the prophecy for his own interest. Zeus arranged my marriage to a mortal hero, Peleus, king of Myrmidons."

"Yes, Zeus has always really struggled with the idea of free will." Hades commented.

"Please. Free-will is a farce. Just an illusion that mortals conjure up for themselves to maintain a modicum of control in their lives. Our lives are determined by the fates and out of our control."

"Just like how you were 'fated' to cheat on me." Hera sniffed.

"Oh no. That was uh. I mean…"

This of course sparked a major discussion among the gods about the viability of moral responsibility in the face of hard determinism.

Hermes rolled his eyes, "Gods, philosophy really went to shit after Kant."

"I refuse of course. If two gods didn't have the chance to capture my heart, a mortal surely cannot." Thetis said hysterically. "But Peleus never wavered. He sought help from a young sea god to subdue me. Eventually, I gave in and consented to be married. As a result, Achilles was born."

"I don't know, that consent seemed really sketchy to me."

"Well duh Apollo. Everything we did back then was 'sketchy," Dionysius quoted. "Our very existence is the very definition of what the mortals call 'sketchy.'"

"… That got very existential very fast." Thalia whistled.

Artemis came to understand where Thetis was going on her story. She got a feeling that it was connected with the letter though the idea was still vague.

Thetis growled. "When Achilles died because of Apollo…"

"But it was Paris of Troy who killed Achilles." Annabeth argued.

Thetis simply laughed. Spawns of Athena were always up for a verbal dispute. "You don't know everything, daughter of Athena. How about you asked Apollo's twin sister? She's here right beside you after all."

Annabeth looked at Artemis nervously. "You're right Annabeth. Paris killed Achilles with a poison arrow but only a true skilled archer could possibly shot him in a very critical spot. In case of Achilles, his only vulnerable spot was his heel. Paris hit him because Apollo intervened and guided the Trojan prince's arrow. If not for Apollo's intrusion, Achilles would still be…" Artemis faltered glancing at Percy, his eyes glowing with dark purple light.

"Welllll, to be fair to me, I didn't start the war." Apollo gave pointed but subtle looks at Athena and Hera, who both huffed in response.

"If I was Paris, I would have chosen you, even if you weren't competing." Percy whispered to Artemis.

A smirk trying to hold back a laugh. "You're an idiot."

Percy pouted. "But I'm adorable."

"Precisely," Thetis said bitterly. "Because of my son's death, the prophecy wasn't exactly fulfilled. Some would say that it already passed but sadly, it wasn't. Apollo's meddling created a terrible mistake and he called himself the god of prophecies. Pathetic."

"No you." Apollo scowled.

"I don't understand. That doesn't explain anything about Percy!" Annabeth exclaimed wrinkling her nose. It's such a headache for a child of Athena for not knowing things.

Artemis gasped in realization. "It can't be, Percy"

Thetis nodded. "Perseus had taken the place of Achilles. He is destined to surpass his father. Quite powerful don't you think?

Thalia leaned forward. "So Kelp Head, how strong did you get in the end?"

Percy responded with a knowing smile that betrayed nothing.

"But Percy's a demigod. You are a Nereid, a minor sea goddess and that would make Percy's father mortal." Annabeth pointed out.

Artemis made a wry face. "Lord Poseidon is Percy's father. If the prophecy about Thetis is true, then Percy is an extremely powerful… and dangerous demigod." She said the last part in a small voice.

"Poseidon broke the oath twice?" Annabeth asked in apprehension. Did Percy knew about his true identity and kept it from them?

Artemis nodded remembering the 'mistaken identity accident' between Thetis and Percy' adopted mother.

Thetis shrugged. "Unknowingly actually, but that mistake created a demigod like no other. Like I said before, Perseus is different from Achilles in terms on what they are destined to. They are quite the opposite."

"What do you mean?" Artemis asked.

"When you nod your head yes, but you want to say no~" Apollo wiggled on his throne.

"That song is like three years old." Percy pointed out.

"It's not my fault that this chapter was sitting in the author's hard drive for three years! The lazy ass couldn't be bothered to finish the last ten pages."

"Yes. He sadly has lost a lot of the motivation he once had to write. He doesn't even remember what the original story was about anymore." Athena said.

She blinked at her out of character dialogue.

"Yes wow wow," Apollo looked up and started clapping at the ceiling. "Breaking the fourth wall again, you're soo cool."

"Achilles was called by the Greeks, the Shield of the Army. He was their defender. He was born out of love and care of both of his parents." Thetis said miserably. "Perseus on the other hand, was born out of hate, misery and suffering. If it weren't for the power of the river Lethe, I could have turned him on what he should be. My lost memories only delayed what he was destined for."

Artemis and Annabeth shared a glance. If Percy was the contradicting side, it only meant that…

"Percy is meant to be the ying to the yang. The dark to Achilles's light. Like what Sasuke is to Naruto." Piper said.

Thalia gave her a sideways glance. "You watch Naruto?"

Piper looked sheepish. "My dad got me really into it."

"No way!" Thalia laughed. "Favourite character?"

"Itachi." Piper blushed.

"He is born to destroy. He is my little destroyer. He carries the weight of my hatred I feed on my years of sorrow and he shoulders the thoughts of violence I drink to fill my thirst in times of despair. Perseus housed the darkness that crept into my heart and mind from the moment I mourned for Achilles' death. From that day, I started to lose my mind." Thetis cried gripping the trident harder.

This tore at the hearts of the women present, many of whom were mothers themselves.

Aphrodite frowned. Silena's death still weighed on her mind every now and then. The thought brought up a familiar pang in her chest.

She felt a hand slip over hers. It was calloused and warm, radiating a type of heat that she knew only one man had. He too had lost a son that day.

"Thanks Heppy."

Artemis focused her gaze on Percy, not minding the fact that his crazy Nereid mother was in control. How Percy could keep all those things inside him? But tracing back to his past, he was used to lock his feelings inside especially his depression. If this pain and misery kept on piling up, Artemis could foresee that Percy's outburst would be thousand worse than how he dealt with his stepfather.

Percy smiled. "I didn't realise you were so worried about me even back then."

Artemis crossed her arms. "You saved my life. I couldn't just let you die."

"But why now?" Annabeth asked desperately. Their dilemma was piling up like paper works. Few hours more and a full fledge Olympian war would broke out and one of the symbols of power was in the hands of a bewitched friend.

Thetis fixed her purple eyes on Annabeth. "What an interesting question, my dear. Maybe I was waiting for the right time, the right time for revenge."

Percy let out an uncharacteristic snort as he thought about what he had just read.

"You seem really relaxed about all of this." Thalia observed.

Percy looked at Artemis, who just rolled her eyes, then back at Thalia. "Spoilers."

"Why use Percy? How could you do this to the only man I deemed different from the rest of his specie?" Artemis snarled with fury. And she thought that only men had twisted minds. "What kind of mother are you?"

Hestia was deep in thought. She was close friends with the Thetis of this reality, stemming from even before her marriage to Peleus. Before the Trojan War, Thetis would to her about Achilles frequently. And from the way Thetis's eyes glowed with joy whenever Achilles's was mentioned, her smile becoming instantly become warmer, there was no way on Earth Thetis was anything than a fantastic mother.

Percy caught her eye, smiling as if he had read her thoughts.

A ripple of uneasiness passed through Percy's face. His exasperated visage contorted into a frown. Almost instantly, his now purple eyes blazed with rage and his face distorted into an expression of extreme anger. Artemis blinked. She was certain that Percy seemed confused for a second as if the real Percy was still awake and trying to make his way for control.

"The motif of the rebellious son." Athena commented.

Thetis sent her a murderous glare. "Coming from a woman who will never become a mother. You don't know what it feels like to lose a child!"

Apollo wasn't gonna lie, he did feel immensely guilty for what he did to this woman.

Artemis returned the glare. "I don't need to be a mother to know the grief and sadness you felt when you lose your son. My hunters are like daughters to me. Each time one fell from battle, it breaks my heart."

Zeus sighed. He still remembered the first time Artemis had lost a hunter. One of her half-sisters, she was distraught for the next three months. She locked herself away, talking to no-one, leaving only at night to drive her chariot.

"Nonsense," Thetis pointed the trident at Artemis. "You, Apollo's twin—for your brother's interference that brought me to indulge this darkness, you shall pay. Your immortal life will recompense to my son's death though it wouldn't be enough to quench my thirst for revenge. If I have to, I'll tear Olympus down until I get my hands on Apollo."

Apollo shifted in his seat awkwardly. He cleared his throat. If he was really honest with himself, if he were in Thetis's position he would be acting exactly the same way. He sent Percy a half-hearted grin.

Percy, for his part, remained impassive.

"Percy saved me several times," Artemis said finally recognizing that she was saved by a man. She readied her hunting knives in each hand as the goddess' silver eyes bored into Thetis' purple ones. "This time, I'll be the one to save him by expelling his deranged mother out of his body."

"Ohh. How romantic!" Aphrodite squealed.

Athena nodded in approval. "It is indeed an interesting inversion of the damsel in distress device." She then started to go on a roll, "The traditionally held trope is nothing more than a symbol of the patriarch-"

"Yada yada. Shut the fuck up you nerd. Please!"

Athena looked at Ares as if he had killed her child.

"Ares! There's absolutely no need for that." Hera reprimanded.

"But mommm."

Percy had a sinister glow that made him looked like a madman before Thetis barreled towards the moon goddess using his body. The bronze trident at ready, poised to impale anyone prepared to meet their demise at the hands of the destined destroyer.

It was at this point, as the last few words rolled off Percy's tongue, that the world around them exploded in a sea of light.

"This really has been quite entertaining so far. But I'm afraid that all good things must come to an end."

A gasp. And a thump.