Chapter 32 Reading Secrets

As soon as Kronos let go of Percy once they had landed, he had to shrink himself down and duck to avoid the fist swung at him. Percy swung at him again, his eyes flashing dangerously. Kronos grabbed his fist and twisted it back behind Percy's back, moving it up his spine.

"That was fast, where is your speed Jackson?" Ares demanded and glared at Percy who was staring firmly ahead, not wanting to talk to his least favourite god.

"You lied to me," Percy growled.

"You look hot angry," Kronos murmured and saw his lover blush. "You look like an angry kitten, all claws but to afraid to bite half the time," Kronos grinned as Percy turned away and ignored him.

"Withheld the truth," Kronos corrected. "Perseus, suspecting and knowing are not the same."

Chiron looked up from his place when he heard the words he often said and suppressed a smile, sometimes you couldn't change your heritage at all.

Percy decided to not mention to Kronos that Chiron had said exactly the same thing to Percy once – he knew that the King hated any mention of being similar to his kids. "You could have told me that you were planning to sacrifice me," Percy growled angrily.

Kronos sighed, still stopping Percy from moving. "My Mother's a master of manipulation, Perseus," he murmured. "You'd really take her word over mine?"

"Says the master of manipulation himself?" Iapetus snorts. "the crooked one indeed."

Percy faltered. Why was he so trusting of Gaea? He knew what she could do. "Wha – why? Please, just tell me what you are going to do. I'm tired of not knowing what's going to happen."

"I've already told you, Jackson." Kronos scowled, and Percy realised that Kronos had not called him that in almost a week. "You're going to become a Titan. Then you'll join us against Olympus."

Loud protests, and even though they couldn't change a single thing, the gods and demigods still didn't want Percy to become a Titan.

"And I've told you I won't attack," Percy retorted. "You can't make me."

"Those words only want me to make it more possible to make you," Kronos said to Percy. "Makes it amusing to see your face when I make you do something you don't want to do, when I win."

Percy frowned at Kronos and shook his head; he was fairly sure he wouldn't be able to understand the Titan king, or maybe in the next millennia he might.

Kronos snorted. "Perseus," he said, and Percy frowned. Now he was Perseus instead of 'Jackson' again. "You swore to do what I wanted – I can very easily make you do anything." He held Percy there for several moments to let that sink in before letting go.

Percy spun to face him, flexing his shoulder. "Then why don't you?" he demanded. "Why don't you order me to go and destroy Camp Jupiter?"

Jason stared at Percy imagining a battle against the most powerful demigod in history, who defied the gods at every chance and proved himself innocent for not stealing the master bolt, who denied godhood several times… he felt like he was going to die if that happened. Percy was scary once he was in a battle, all harsh…godlike… powerful. He was sure if Kronos ever commanded Percy to destroy them, that Percy would and they would die.

"For the same reason I don't march on Olympus now. It makes it more interesting to wait. Well, that… and you'd die if you did at the moment," Kronos smirked.

Percy crossed his arms over his chest. "So now we're back to this 'don't die' business?"

"You could get a job as an actor," Kronos mused, effectively changing the subject.

"What a weird way to change the subject," Apollo said and leaned away as Dionysus scowled.

"But Perrier might actually be a good actor… Alternate universes and all," the wine god said defending one of his godly duties.

Percy stared at him incredulously. "What the fuck? No way!"

Kronos shrugged. "Suit yourself. Now go, stop bothering me."

Percy scowled. "What about Gaea, huh? If she decides to start messing with my head again?"

Kronos shrugged. "Deal with it yourself. I'm not here to solve your every problem," he remarked as he strode into Othrys.

Percy glared at after him. "You're the one that's keeping me here! Against my will, I might add!"

"Fighting like a couple already," Aphrodite smiles at Percy who stares at her, noticing that her eyes change to gold and her hair is black.

"Stop it," Percy snarls.

Kronos just flipped him a one fingered salute. Percy clenched his jaw as he heard Iapetus laughing. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say he likes you," the Titan grinned, though Percy could hear a note of seriousness in his voice. "Tell me, Percy, how does he act around you?"

"Now we are getting to the fun stuff," Aphrodite murmured and ran her brush through her hair, and watched as Drew, Mike and her other children were talking excitedly about Kronos and Percy's closeness.

"Shut up and let me read," Annabeth said to the Aphrodite cabin and sighed as it stirred up some tension, but other then that they went quiet.

Percy blinked. "Huh?"

Iapetus raised an eyebrow and started leading Percy away from his brothers and Mother who were pretending to talk to each other, but were actually listening in. "I mean," he murmured as he walked into Othrys, "how many times has he threatened to kill you?"

"Several," Percy said. "Why? Isn't that usual for him?"

"That is, yes," Iapetus grimaced, pulling Percy into a little enclave. "But be careful, Percy. Have you noticed how he is around you?"

Percy shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Kelp brain," Thalia scoffed.

"I am surprised I never noticed that he acted differently to me then normal," Percy mused and stretched his legs out and played with the water molecules in the air and making them into horses and run in circles. Amusing when he was bored and tired of sitting still for hours on end.

Iapetus frowned as he studied Percy, his silver eyes sharp as he calculated dozens of possibilities. "Try to keep it that way, kid. You don't want to get close to him."

"What are you talking about?" Percy demanded, looking exasperated.

Poseidon shook his head fondly, his son could be so oblivious sometimes it was endearing.

Iapetus sighed. "Just stay away from him," he said sharply as he moved away.

"No!" Poseidon moaned and looked at Iapetus who raised an eyebrow. "You just made Percy really curious."

Percy stared open mouthed after him, trying to understand what that was all about. Maybe Luke would know, he mused. He had seen them talking yesterday. He would also have to avoid Gaea if he didn't want her to mess with his mind again.

He sighed – he really hated all these secrets everyone was keeping from him. Monsters hissed at him as he passed, but he ignored them. Luckily, Luke was in the arena again. He was hacking apart the dummies and spun around to face Percy when he sensed him standing there.

"Percy? I thought you were out with Kronos?" Luke said with a grin. "So, how'd it go?"

"Well, we learned that Percy was sworn loyalty to Kronos, it wasn't fully knowing," Athena said. "We also learned that Percy is becoming a Titan, and I have a few other theories as well."

"It was weird," Percy said honestly. "And… well, the gods sensed what was happening."

Luke winced. "Ah… how'd Poseidon take it?"

"Not very well," Percy sighed. "But that's done. I actually needed to ask you something."

Luke nodded. "Fire away."

"Why the Hades is Iapetus telling me to stay away from Kronos? Kronos is keeping me safe from the monsters and other Titans."

"Oh!" Aphrodite squealed only to shut up as Ares grabbed her hand roughly. "This is where Percy starts to get confused on his emotions!" she gushed and hugged Drew who shared her enthusiasm. Girls were so weird when it came to the opposite sex attraction.

"Aphrodite always said my love life would be interesting," Percy muttered to Kronos who was just staring at the goddess in disbelief, if he was reading his face right.

Luke grimaced. "Look… Perce, you're a demigod. Kronos… he is a Titan, and you know what's happening to you. We just want to keep you as a demigod or turn into a god. You're not supposed to be a Titan."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "And the two of you know that do you?"

"Do you want to be a Titan?" Luke demanded.

Percy immediately shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "But I don't have a choice at this point, Luke. I can feel all my mortal blood is gone. The night before last I used the Titan power of pushing someone away with a wall of force. I'm changing, Luke, and nothing's going to stop that."

"The demigods jokingly call that the Force Push," Luke said with a slight smile. "But Perce, there's going to be a way to stop it. Don't lose hope yet."

"So smart Luke Skywalker," Percy muttered sarcastically and grinned at his friend.

Percy frowned. "I don't like this," he admitted, mentally deciding that Luke wasn't going to say why he and Iapetus were trying to keep him away from Kronos.

Luke grinned. "Either way, you look like you need a sparring partner."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "You alright to spar? I did dislocate your elbow yesterday."

Luke scowled. "I got it fixed, and I've got to pay you back for that. Besides," he added, "fighting you will help me get better."

Percy smiled and uncapped Riptide, letting the celestial bronze blade spring to full length. "Let's see how long it takes you to beat me, then."

Luke's eyes narrowed. "Cockiness doesn't suit you, Percy."

"He just had really good mentors," Percy looked to Chiron with a slight nod.

Percy's smile widened. "I just know what I'm good at." He lunged forwards and started the fight.

"That too," Percy stated.

It was when Luke nearly managed to get inside Percy's guard that Chris ran into the arena. "The gods," he panted, doubling over, "they've sent an army to New Mexico."

Percy's jaw dropped and he spun around to face the demigod. "You're joking. Wow, that was quick."

"Luke, the army's mobilising," Chris said. "Percy, you're gonna stay here."

"He is one of the best fighters, why is he staying?" Annabeth asked.

"because he is in the middle, the gods haven't rescued him, and Kronos is being nice to him, he is mentally unstable," Athena murmured.

Percy scowled. "Of course. Is Kronos going?"

"Duh," Chris said, grimacing slightly. "It's the first battle. He's not going to be missing it."

Percy immediately capped Riptide and started running out to where he could sense Kronos.

"Percy!" Luke yelled, irritation in his voice. "I said stay away from him!"

"Seaweed brain won't listen once his mind is made up," Annabeth muttered and glanced at her ex boyfriend.

Percy ignored Luke and continued sprinting, wanting to find Kronos before he left. Monsters were screeching at him as he almost ran into them. He skidded to a stop outside Othrys, seeing Kronos talk to a perfectly fine Atlas. It was then he realised that even when he'd first arrived at Othrys Atlas wasn't under his burden.

"Kronos," Percy said sharply.

Kronos finished talking to Atlas before gesturing Percy closer. "What do you want?" He scowled.

"Remember my oath?" Percy demanded. "No killing my friends!"

Kronos clenched his jaw. "Look, Perseus, this is war. People die."

"But my friends won't, right?" Percy growled. "You kill them, and I don't listen to you anymore."

"I kind of wish Kronos would kill someone, it will be sad for our loss, but I want to know what Percy would do," Hermes said and looked at Luke. Maybe he would leave too if one of Percy's friends died…

Kronos crossed his arms over his chest, his golden eyes narrowing. "There are many ways around an oath, Perseus. I could just stab your friends and let the blood loss kill them. Technically, I wouldn't have killed them. Or I can immobilize them and let them die of starvation or dehydration, or the elements."

Percy's eyes widened. "Kronos-"

"So, watch your tongue," the Titan continued with a snarl. "We'll talk when I return, agreed?"

Percy frowned, seeing how Kronos wanted to continue, but he didn't. He realised why he'd said that when he heard Gaea speak from behind him. "Having trouble, my son?"

"Gaea would want anything to do to get the power to control Othrys and Kronos," Hyperion said, and even though they loved their mother, they wouldn't give up power for her.

"Nothing I can't handle," Kronos said smoothly, shooting Percy a meaningful glance. "You'll be staying here, Perseus. I suggest you don't argue anymore."

Percy bit his tongue and lowered his head, realising that Kronos was giving him a way out. "Yes, My Lord," he said reluctantly. He spun on his heel, nodding his head to Gaea politely. "Lady Gaea," he greeted before stepping around her and retreating into Othrys. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Iapetus standing next to Luke, and both of them were looking at Percy like he'd disappointed them.

Percy ignored them.

"Wow Perce," Luke said and glanced at Percy. "I can't believe you're ignoring us!"

"Well sometimes you're wrong," Percy retorted.

The arena was empty except for one demigod who was studying the weapons on the rack. "Beckendorf?"

The son of Hephaestus turned round with a grin. "Percy? You're left behind too?"

"He doesn't blame you for when he died, it was a mission, for the greater good," Selina muttered, and Beck nodded holding her hand.

"Why are you here?" Percy asked. "I mean, you're a good fighter."

Beck shrugged. "So are you," he pointed out.

Percy scowled. "Yeah, well I don't exactly want to fight the gods."

"There aren't many blacksmiths," Beckendorf smiled. "So, I sort of get special treatment."

"Like me," Percy mused.

"No, not entirely like you, but you know that now," Beck grinned.

"Well, not exactly like you," Beck said, looking queasy at the thought for some reason.

Percy eyed him, realizing that Beckendorf also knew what Luke and Iapetus did. Why weren't they telling him? "So, what are you doing in here?"

"Just looking at the weapons," Beck said calmly. "All pretty sharp for training blades."

"Well, duh. You've got to learn to fight with real blades."

"And if a limbs chopped off?" Beck asked as he raised an eyebrow.

Percy shrugged. "Then I guess Kronos lops off their head. Which means one less helping them."

"Percy!" the demigods all looked at Percy who frowned.

"What? That is what I was thinking, I don't know if it happens!" Percy hotly defended himself.

Beckendorf shook his head. "That's not right," he frowned.

"It's not like we can do anything about it," Percy scowled. "We're at the bottom of the food-chain here."

"Not you," Iapetus said quietly. "You had a lot of power even then," he said to Percy.

"I know, but still. No one should die just because they can't fight."

"Tell that to Kronos," Percy sighed. "Look, trust me. I want to change things too." Like everyone keeping secrets from him. "But I can't. And that's just the way it is."

Beck just turned his attention back to the swords. "If you don't try, you'll never know."

"I didn't mean that you weren't trying," Beck also confirmed, though he didn't need to.

Percy spun to glare at the straw dummies lined up against the wall. "I have tried."

"I wasn't saying you haven't."

Percy clenched his jaw. "You know what I'm more concerned about at the moment? The way everyone's keeping something from me."

Beckendorf tensed. "Percy, trust me, you don't want to know."

"Well… you never know?" Iapetus mused, he had listened in on Percy's thoughts a few times and when he remembered looking in on this, the demigod had felt confusion on his loyalties.

"If you're all talking about me behind my back, I have to know," Percy retorted. "And I know it's got something to do with Kronos."

Beckendorf groaned. "For Zeus' sake, Percy. Stop it. Can you just trust that you're not going to be able to handle what we suspect? We're honestly all trying to protect you, Percy."

"Kronos is the one protecting me!" Percy exclaimed.

Beck raised an eyebrow. "He was torturing you only a week ago, Percy."

"He isn't now," Percy retorted.

"Don't you find that suspicious?" Apollo asked.

"I was just glad he had stopped," Percy confessed.

"Yeah, that's what we're trying to find the reason for."

"Huh?" Percy asked, cocking his head to the side.

Beckendorf sighed. "Don't you think it's weird? Hyperion suddenly does almost exactly what Kronos was doing, and then Kronos stops. Now, I don't really know him, but even I know that's not right."

Percy frowned. "What are you suggesting?" he demanded.

Beckendorf shook his head. "Doesn't matter." He lifted a sword off the rack. "Can you try this for me?" Percy looked from the sword to Beckendorf. "Please, Percy. Just leave it."

Percy sighed and took the sword. "Fine," he grumbled, moving away to the straw dummies. He imagined it was Kronos as he lifted the sword up. He quickly found that the balance was wrong and as a result his attacks were slightly off. He managed to cut off Kronos' head, though. He was pleased about that.

Percy spent the next few hours with Beckendorf, testing out all the different swords for him. Gradually he started getting more relaxed until he was laughing with the son of Hephaestus as they tried out all the weapons from swords to spears and axes.

"It's a point of view switch," Annabeth muttered, took a sip of water and began reading again.

Annabeth flinched as the pain struck her again. "What's happening?" She demanded, gritting her teeth.

"I don't know," Will said anxiously. "I can't find anything that can be causing it."

"There's got to be something!" Thalia exclaimed. "There's no way she's feeling pain for no reason."

Annabeth clenched her jaw as another bout of pain hit her. "Please, Will. Its hurts!"

"Ooh no! what is wrong with Annabeth?" Will asked and listened as he was part od the story a bit more, wondering why Annabeth came to him hurt, and wondering if he could help.

"I don't know what's wrong!" Will said exasperatedly. "I've never seen this before!"

"Look, Will, we want to go help in the West," Thalia growled out. "Do something to help her!"

"I don't know what's happening!" Will snapped. "I'll probably make it worse."

"And there hasn't been a new god or goddess in a very long time, so no one really knew what would happen, because they are usually on Olympus for that." Apollo said.

"Can't you two stop arguing?" Nico asked. "At this rate you'll give her a headache too."

"Well, sorry, Death Breath," Thalia started. "Maybe you co-"

Her mouth snapped shut as a bright gold flash illuminated the Camp Infirmary. "Lord Apollo," Nico greeted.

The god looked uncharacteristically serious as his eyes landed on Annabeth. "I'm afraid there's nothing you can do, son."

Will nodded, looking downcast. "I guessed that would be the case," he mumbled.

"But I can do something." Apollo grimaced. "For some reason she's turning into a full immortal. That's why it's hurting her so much." At their surprised expressions he continued. "It's likely after her near-death in Tartarus. Her mortal soul must have died, leaving only immortal left, and in our presence, she must have become a goddess."

"But how come Percy took so long to become a Titan?" Thalia asked.

"He still isn't one," Apollo murmured, though there was something in his expression which troubled Thalia. "But it was likely because he spent the time down in Tartarus and in Kronos' presence, both of which must have slowed down the process."

"Yup, that was it," Hyperion cackled. "On purpose to gloat, that the Titans had won Percy over."

The titan shut up at a hard smack to the back of his head, he scowled at Kronos, who was glaring daggers at him.

Thalia slowly nodded. "And… what happened earlier?"

"We found out that somehow Kronos got Percy to swear himself to him, and Zeus wants to kill the kid."

"That's never going to happen!" Poseidon said and twirled his Trident, no one harms his son's, especially when it isn't entirely their fault.

"No!" Annabeth exclaimed; her voice surprisingly strong considering she was being burnt from the inside-out.

"Calm down, Annabeth," Apollo said. "He'll be fine. Over half the council's against Zeus – he won't be able to win a vote."

"Good," Thalia said in relief. "So, what's going to happen to Annabeth?"

"I am going to be a goddess?" Annabeth asked and glanced at Percy, maybe if he gets the Titan lord out of his system, they can be together?

"I'll take her to Olympus and stabilize her. When Athena gets back from the fight in the west, we will be decided how to go about helping her through this," Apollo said firmly as he picked Annabeth up.

"Got it," Thalia said with a happy smile. "I'll get Jason and Frank to help kill it."

Apollo nodded. "When Zeus returns after the battle, he has something to tell the Camp."

"About Percy?" Thalia asked.

"Why is everything based around me?" Percy sighed.

"Because of the prophecy, and who your father is, Thalia and Nico don't have it to bad because Thalia is kind of special, she was a tree for years, and Nico was stuck in the Lotus Hotel, and Jason is a year younger then you, you were one of the most normally raised demigod, so it went to you," Apollo replied back.

Apollo sighed. "Unfortunately."

"This monster will be dead before you know it." Thalia grinned.

Apollo's response was to flash out, and Thalia quickly exited the infirmary, leaving Nico and Will in the room as she went to find Jason and Frank.

The two half-immortals were sitting in the dining pavilion when Thalia found them. "You need to help me with Cetus," Thalia said as she stopped in front of them.

Jason frowned. "Is Annabeth all right first?"

Thalia nodded. "Yes. She's becoming a goddess because of her death in Tartarus."

Jason's eyes widened slightly. "Really? That's good. Then when Percy becomes a god, they'll be able to stay with each other."

Kronos glanced at Percy throwing his thoughts to the other Titan, only to be met by a wall, Percy was still upset at Kronos, their argument had started after Hyperion and his big mouth.

Thalia smiled. "Exactly. But we need to stop Cetus before anyone else is killed," she added.

Frank stood up. "Well, I'm all for it. The monster's been there for long enough."

Jason nodded in agreement. "Let's go blast it sky-high."

"Or down to Tartarus," Thalia corrected.

Jason grinned. "Definitely."

"POV switch again" Annabeth said and read.

Kronos watched Percy as he laughed with Beckendorf. He was standing on the highest balcony in the arena. He'd taken the demigod's side against his mother. Why would he do that? He owed his mother everything, except for her persuading him to kill his father and the events which happened after that – those were her fault. All right, so maybe he didn't owe her everything. But still, he'd always thought he'd take his mother's side when it came down to it.

Kronos was, admittedly, irritated beyond belief. His plans were still generally the same… but he was reluctant to put the damned demigod onto the front lines. He had to get the demigod to like him before he'd do what Kronos wanted him to do – or that was his reasoning. Yes, that was why he'd been allowing himself to put up with the demigod. Why he'd taken him under his wing and was even now stopping the Titans from harming him – he'd exiled Hyperion, one of his most loyal supporters for the kid.

"Kronos," a voice said from behind him.

"wonder who that is?" Hyperion muttered.

"Its me," Iapetus said and remembered this exact conversation.

Kronos' hands tightened around the marble railings. "What do you want, Iapetus?"

His brother was completely silent for several moments, and then he moved forward to stand beside Kronos. The King noted with slight amusement that Iapetus was still wearing his armour, and the spear which he'd stabbed Hades with was still on his back.

"We need to talk," Iapetus said firmly, his tone implying he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Kronos raised an eyebrow. "I don't have the time," he stated.

"Time puns!" Percy laughed and pointed at Kronos. "And you told me you don't do jokes," smiling he takes Kronos' hand into his own.

Iapetus narrowed his eyes. "Don't play with me. We're going to talk. Right here, and right now."

Kronos scowled, turning to face him. "Then fire away."

"Fire he did," Iapetus smirked, and Annabeth handed the book over to Percy.

A/N: So, I haven't updated this in awhile, I was working on it, just that my other ideas took over and I finished writing a few of my Fanfics that I have up. Since work cut my hours I can update as much as I can, and I hope that you liked this!

JIO.