A/N: so I know that some people are upset that in the last chapter there was not much about those gods reading inside the palace and their reactions, but as said I wanted to make this reading-fic different then all the others and beside that. These fics are about to change the past, if only the Olympians react to what will come will not solve all the problems, the other gods need also to see what is wrong and needs to be changed and this is what I'm trying to do, give everyone a chance to face the things which stand in the books and also have some more explanations towards some things like the mist. On another note I can cross out three more things on my to-be-in list and we are done with one book of ten.

XXII. The bitter taste of betrayal

There was a pregnant silence over the throne room regards the things read in the last chapter, sure everyone was happy that Gabe was on his way to the Underworld, but beside the confirmed abuse there were other upsetting things they had found out. Hestia, Poseidon and Hera still felt saddened and guilty after hearing how their brother had technically made a copy of the palace he was only allowed to step into once a year, Apollo was also heart broken about this, but he was busy like the rest of his family to glare at his father for his new actions. He was slowly really having the feeling confirmed that the vision he saw about Artemis was bound to the disaster the legacies were talking about.

In other words it will be the fault of his father for neglecting security measures.

"I think we should get over with the last chapter." Sally said sighing as she was trying to not look at her mother while not far from her Nathan was shaking his head; he had forgotten to stop the air resonation which would tell him what others were saying outside. In other words, he now knew some rather colourful names for his grandfather.

"Agree and I think it may be better if I read this chapter." Enysswe spoke up from the lap of her grandfather Apollo as she turned her glare away from Zeus who was staring at her warily; the right backrest corner of his throne was still reforming itself after the dark energy she had sent at him hit it during their new argument.

"Here." Artemis said to her niece as she handed her the book at the correct page.

"I would also like to suggest to make a small pause before we start the second book, believe us you will need it." Misty said as she made plans how to corner her grandfather, the others only nodded nervously.

"So the last chapter is called "The Prophecy Comes True,"" Enysswe read, she knew that her grandfather was reading the chapter over her shoulder, but she did not stop him, he will need to take care about his brother when the turth comes out.

"I thought that it had already come fully true." Connor said while those who had figured out the thing with Luke stiffened, they knew that one line was still missing.

"Saddly it had still one part which needed to fulfil itself." Enysswe replied sighing while Athena quickly went over the lines in her head before she bit back a gasp, this chapter would reveal the friend who will betray Percy and something told her that with this they will also know the identity of the thief.

We were the first heroes to return alive to Half-Blood Hill since Luke,

Sally sent her brother a look to keep biting his tongue, she knew that this was hard on him, but so will it be on their mother and this one had no twenty or so years to fully get over it.

so of course everybody treated us as if we'd won some reality-TV contest.

Those who knew what that was snickered while Chiron and Lupa hurriedly explained the things to those from the antique.

"At least are they alive." Theseus said in a relieved tone, he was still terribly annoyed that he had been made to sleep through two chapters; he will be updated about them after this chapter even if he needs to sit on Orion to get the information out of him.

According to camp tradition, we wore laurel wreaths to a big feast prepared in our honour, then led a procession down to the bonfire,

The heroes of old finally smiled again, this sounded welcomingly familiar to them.

"I can see that he will find that one fun to do." Apollo snickered as he noted what was standing further in the book.

"Apollo, don't read over the shoulder of your graddaughter." Hera chided her stepson in a motherly way which made the blonde god blush while Hermes and Artemis looked at him in amusement, they could certainly get used to this Hera.

where we got to burn the burial shrouds our cabins had made for us in our absence.

"What?" Frederick asked slightly paling.

"For any possibility that could come up." Annabeth replied with a shrug while not turning around.

"Yes, at least you all still follow the rites." Hades said, at least will the children of his family attempt to make him less work with having them crowding in the lobby.

Annabeth's shroud was so beautiful—gray silk with embroidered owls—

Athena nodded her head in approval at the work of her children while the legacies tried not to flinch, it was hard to appreciate the beauty and the work on these shrouds when you are surrounded by them and know that they hide the body of a loved one.

I told her it seemed a shame not to bury her in it.

"Smart ass." Annabeth mumbled under her breath, but one could see a small smile on her lips while the others snickered.

She punched me and told me to shut up.

The snickers grew louder.

Being the son of Poseidon, I didn't have any cabin mates, so the Ares cabin had volunteered to make my shroud.

At this stared everyone blinking at the book while Apollo grinned, he had told them that it will be fun to dispose of.

"You guys did his shroud?" Beckendorf asked Clarisse in confusion, he did not understand why they would volunteer to do it for a person who humiliated them and then not only insulted, but also injured their father.

"Not sure, didn't do it till now." Clarisse replied back with a shrug while the legacies snickered.

"You guys kind of made it tradition since our parents married that each year on their wedding anniversary you guys make a shroud for them to burn, it is kind of a 'hey you are still under us' thing." Luke said as he remembered this little fact, he had always found it funny how his dad only stared at his aunt Clarisse and her siblings whenever he unwrapped the new shroud before asking how they manage to overdo themselves each year.

"Aha…" Poseidon replied not sure what to think about this information, but if his grandson found it amusing and if Percy is thinking the same, then it must be fine, the others meanwhile were also thinking along the same lines.

They'd taken an old bedsheet and painted smiley faces with X'ed-out eyes around the border, and the word LOSER painted really big in the middle.

The legacies started snickering at this and soon also some of the demigods joined in.

"Good, for a few minutes I was worried there that something was not right with the Ares cabin." Travis laughed in amusement.

It was fun to burn.

"I'm sure it was," Perseus laughed together with some of the past heroes.

As Apollo's cabin led the sing-along and passed out s'mores, I was surrounded by my old Hermes cabinmates, Annabeth's friends from Athena,

"Siblings." Annabeth and Malcolm corrected before smiling at each other which made the twins on the other hand bow their heads, they wanted to sit with their sister.

and Grover's satyr buddies, who were admiring the brand-new searcher's license

Annabeth beamed at this, she would certainly do her best to be more nicer to Percy when he comes, she needs to make things better.

he'd received from the Council of Cloven Elders.

Pan nodded his head, he did not know what that licence was for, but he was proud about that little satyr, now if he would only know why his father had tightened his hold around him when that thing was mentioned would be nice, he liked to breath.

The council had called Grover's performance on the quest "Brave to the point of indigestion. Horns-and-whiskers above anything we have seen in the past."

Pan nodded his head anew, just like the satyrs outside, this young one had certainly done things not many of them would have ever dared.

The only ones not in a party mood were Clarisse and her cabinmates,

"I think their side is kind of understandable." Lee spoke up while said girl nodded her head.

whose poisonous looks told me they'd never forgive me for disgracing their dad.

"Don't worry dad, it takes time, but you guys will be rather good frenemies." Sally said giggling at which some of the past looked at her in confusion.

"Frenemies?" Aphrodite asked while tipping her head to the side.

"It is a term kind of used for people who are both friends and enemies at the same time." Annabeth explained to the goddess.

"I can live with that." Clarisse said with a shrug while Ace smiled at his mother, she certainly could.

That was okay with me.

This made some people smile and shake their heads.

Even Dionysus's welcome-home speech wasn't enough to dampen my spirits.

"Well, to be honest this wasn't even such a dampening one."

"Apollo, what did I say about reading over your granddaughter's shoulder?"

"Sorry stepmother." this was followed by a few snickers.

" Yes, yes, so the little brat didn't get himself killed and now he'll have an even bigger head. Well, huzzah for that.

"Yup, this was even something you could call nice." Hermes said grinning while the demigods snickered.

Many smiled at this happily, glad that at least Percy was feeling again at home in Camp and not alone, even the legacies could for a few short seconds ignore what will happen in this chapter.

I had my friends to train with during the day.

Said future friends smiled at this, Percy was a nice guy and a kind friend and this time around will they immediately be more welcoming to the Son of Poseidon.

At night, I lay awake and listened to the sea, knowing my father was out there.

Now it was Poseidon whose smile brightened even more while his other demigod children also held small smiles, they also felt content when listening to the sound of the ocean.

Maybe he wasn't quite sure about me yet, maybe he hadn't even wanted me born,

On the other hand he flinched at this, but now that he knew about the oath he had some understanding why his son was feeling like this.

but he was watching. And so far, he was proud of what I'd done.

"It is kind of hard to not be proud about your kid after he goes and does with his friends all of that." Hermes said grinning while looking over at the Sea God. "Right uncle P?"

"I certainly agree with you Hermes." Poseidon said while placing his hand on that of his wife, the two of them will be talking in the pause after he cornered Hades and offered his help.

As for my mother, she had a chance at a new life.

Cue more nods, if a person deserved a new, happier life then it is her.

Her letter arrived a week after I got back to camp. She told me Gabe had left mysteriously—disappeared off the face of the planet,

There were several loud cheers at this.

"Brilliant she did it." the Stolls said grinning.

"Good, she is finally free from him and there is no chance that he will make other people suffer with his sight." Artemis said in an approving tone.

"Beside the souls and my unfortunate staff working in Punishment." Hades said in a flat tone which caused several people in the throne room to break out laughing.

"That was a brilliant comment uncle." Hermes brought out while laughing beside Apollo.

"Thank you." Hades said smirking.

"Hey Annabeth, I think you need to rethink the thing with Lord Hades not having any humour." Chris whispered to the blonde who was trying to stifle her laugh behind her hand.

"I will certainly need to do that." she whispered back after managing to calm down a little bit.

in fact. She'd reported him missing to the police, but she had a funny feeling they would never find him.

Suddenly Apollo broke out laughing, but managed to restrain himself enough so that En could read the next lines while Hera shook her head with a small smile on her lips, that boy was hopeless and strangely she did not feel bothered by this.

On a completely unrelated subject, she'd sold her first life-size concrete sculpture, entitled The Poker Player, to a collector, through an art gallery in Soho.

There were several evil grins at this.

"Seems as if others would still suffer his sight beside the dead." Clarisse said though she certainly liked that the mortal become a statue, they are so prone to kip over and break.

She'd gotten so much money for it, she'd put a deposit down on a new apartment and made a payment on her first semester's tuition at NYU.

"Good, she deserves it." Athena said nodding; she was glad that she could now finally study the profession she wished for, mostly in a time where women could become more then wives and mothers.

The Soho gallery was clamoring for more of her work, which they called "a huge step forward in super-ugly neorealism."

This made everyone understand what Apollo had found so funny and soon was everyone in and outside of the throne room busy laughing hysterically about the fact how well the ugliness of that mortal got pointed out. It took several minutes for everyone to regain their composure and breathing, it just did rather good to laugh after all the worrying and saddening parts in the past chapters.

"By the way, what is this neorealism?" Orpheus asked curiously. "The super-ugly is kind of self-explanatory." he added in which brought a new round of laughter from the group.

"In the case of art seeing how this can also be applied to philosophy and international relations neorealism basically stands for exploring the spirit of ones age through the shapes and colours of daily life." Lee explained to his brother and the others from the antique.

"I know someone who will love the new changes in art." Hermes whispered to Apollo who nodded his head in agreement with his brother.

But don't worry, my mom wrote. I'm done with sculpture. I've disposed of that box of tools you left me.

"Huh, how did she manage to dispose of it?" Frank asked blinking, the others also looked confused.

"I thought it had been made clear that she knew much about our world, she simply made and offering and a prayer to grandfather to send someone to get the box with the head." Enysswe answered with a shrug while her grandfather looked a bit surprised that the woman would call upon him, but it did not bother him.

"Meaning she made certain that no one will find it by accident." Athena nodded approvingly at the idea while looking over with a small smile to the blushing Perseus.

It's time for me to turn to writing.

At the bottom, she wrote a P.S.: Percy, I've found a good private school here in the city.

Sally refrained herself from scowling, that place could not be called a school and had only a few positive aspects to it, because her dad had meet uncle Tyson there.

I've put a deposit down to hold you a spot, in case you want to enroll for seventh grade. You could live at home. But if you want to go year-round at Half-Blood Hill, I'll understand.I folded the note carefully and set it on my bedside table. Every night before I went to sleep, I read it again, and I tried to decide how to answer her.

"Good, these decisions should not be taken hastily." Athena said in approval.

"It is also not an easy one to decide." Katie said while Silena nodded her head, both of them had also went through that trouble that they could only decide shortly before the end of summer, the others had less trouble with that.

On the Fourth of July,

All demigods smiled, this was something in which both camps were in a way similar, the great party and of course the best part being the fireworks.

the whole camp gathered at the beach for a fireworks display by cabin nine.

"We usually gather in the garden dedicated to mom." Gwen whispered to Silena who smiled back at her.

"So by you is this also the mayor dating event." she stated knowingly while her half-sister nodded her head, not one couple got together during the fireworks, the kisses should not even be mentioned.

Being Hephaestus's kids, they weren't going to settle for a few lame red-white-and-blue explosions.

Hephaestus, his kinds and grandson grinned in complet agreement with that statement just like their family.

"If you can go big, then go even bigger." Mich stated grinning while both Beckendorf and Jake clapped him on the back.

"Stated like a true member of Cabin Nine, nephew." Beckendorf said while Mich grinned, it felt great spending time with his uncle about he had heard so much from his other relatives, but could only spend time with in Elysium. Not that it was bad, but he was not a child of the Underworld and thus could not touch ghosts or spend hours with them without the lingering chill in his body.

They'd anchored a barge offshore and loaded it with rockets the size of Patriot missiles.

The demigods grinned while those from the antique wondered what would happen seeing how they did not know again about what the kids were talking about.

According to Annabeth, who'd seen the show before,

"Of course I have." Annabeth said snorting while the others snickered.

the blasts would be sequenced so tightly they'd look like frames of animation across the sky.

"Animation simply explained moving pictures." Gwen spoke up helpfully while everyone nodded, beside the Chase twins who looked horrified that in this time people did not know what animation was, meaning no television.

The finale was supposed to be a couple of hundred-foot-tall Spartan warriors

Ares immediately perked up in interest as did Clarisse, she could hardly wait for that show in the future.

who would crackle to life above the ocean, fight a battle,

Ares clapped his brother on the back, grinning.

"Good kids, I like their ideas." he whispered to the smith who grinned back at him, Ares would stay the same.

then explode into a million colors.

Aphrodite looked excited, these things must really look beautiful.

As Annabeth and I were spreading a picnic blanket,

"OH MY GODS," Aphrodite shrieked as slowly all eyes travelled to a blushing Annabeth. "You guys are on a date!"

"Believe us grandma my aunts and uncles in your cabin would have been happy, but this will not end up as a date." Mich told his grandmother who slumped back in her throne as now all eyes went to him. "En, could you continue to hep explaining?" he asked the black haired girl who nodded her head.

Grover showed up to tell us good-bye.

"It was a get together before departing because they did not know when they would meet with uncle Grover again." Sally said while placing her hands on the arms of her brother, they were close to the painful reveal.

He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt and sneakers, but in the last few weeks he'd started to look older,

Annabeth smiled at hearing this, she was sure that Grover would also be happy about hearing this.

almost high-school age. His goatee had gotten thicker. He'd put on weight.

Pan, Dionysus and Hermes nodded at this with slight approval, he was growing well.

His horns had grown at least an inch, so he now had to wear his rasta cap all the time to pass as human.

"I'm off," he said. "I just came to say ... well, you know."

Enysswe felt her grandfather tighten his arms around her while his sky blue eyes shifted over to his brother.

I tried to feel happy for him. After all, it wasn't every day a satyr got permission to go look for the great god Pan.

The mood become sombre again while Pan looked around in confusion.

"Why would one need permission to look for me?" he asked while noting how if possible his father's hold got even tighter around him.

"You have disappeared millennia ago and the satyrs appoint searchers who are looking for you." Hermes said bitterly as he pulled closer to his son, who was finally understanding what was wrong with the god.

"Why would I disappear?" he asked, but then noticed the tri-coloured gaze on him and somehow he understood the look, you need to be patient. "On the other hand, the sooner this chapter is done the sooner we can go for the second book." he said at which En nodded.

But it was hard saying good-bye.

"Because saying good-bye is never easy." Hestia said in a gentle tone as the others nodded.

I'd only known Grover a year, yet he was my oldest friend.

"Now he has many such friends." Misty said remembering how much everyone loved her uncle Percy.

"Yep, he will have all of us." Travis said while exchanging a grin with his siblings, they certainly liked Percy even thought they had till now only read about him.

"It will be certainly exciting to meet him." Jay said while the legacies tried not to snicker, the meetings were certainly interesting.

Annabeth gave him a hug. She told him to keep his fake feet on.

Said girl smiled, she knew that the mist would probably hide his goat legs, but she knew that she would always worry about him.

I asked him where he was going to search first.

"Kind of a secret," he said, looking embarrassed. "I wish you could come with me, guys, but humans and Pan …"

"I'm not that against mortals and those two are my cousins so they don't fully count as humans." Pan said with a shake of his head.

"Though it was good that they did not go with him, you will kind of see it in the next book." Sally said while both Poseidon and Athena suddenly felt the strange urge to groan.

"We understand," Annabeth said. "You got enough tin cans for the trip?"

"Yeah."

"And you remembered your reed pipes?"

"Just like a mother goat would do." Pan said grinning while Annabeth blushed.

"Certainly little nephew." Apollo laughed when spotting the next line over the shoulder of his niece.

"Jeez, Annabeth," he grumbled. "You're like an old mama goat."

This made almost everyone bust out laughing as Annabeth blushed even further before gesturing to Enysswe that she should please continue.

But he didn't really sound annoyed.

This on the other hand made the still embarrassed girl smile, she just wanted him to be safe.

He gripped his walking stick and slung a backpack over his shoulder. He looked like any hitchhiker you might see on an American highway—nothing like the little runty boy I used to defend from bullies at Yancy Academy.

This made those who knew Grover smile even more, it was good to hear.

"Well," he said, "wish me luck."

He gave Annabeth another hug. He clapped me on the shoulder, then headed back through the dunes.

Fireworks exploded to life overhead: Hercules killing the Nemean lion,

Said hero grinned proudly while the others rolled their eyes till Artemis and Enysswe glared in their direction, then they grinned when he deflated.

Artemis chasing the boar,

Said goddess blushed, but had a soft smile on her lips.

George Washington (who, by the way, was a son of Athena) crossing the Delaware.

Athena smiled at the knowledge, before turning to her grandchildren who got what she wanted to ask.

"George Washington was the first President of the United States the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and established the position of President. He was elected to the role of President as the unanimous choice of the electors in 1788, and he served two terms in office. He oversaw the creation of a strong, well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the wars raging in Europe, suppressed rebellion, and won acceptance among Americans of all types. His leadership style established many forms and rituals of government that have been used since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address. Further, the peaceful transition from his presidency to the presidency of John Adams established a tradition that continues into the 21st century. Washington was hailed as "father of his country" even during his lifetime." Sally explained as shortly as she could to her nodding grandmother, after she was done En continued.

"Hey, Grover," I called.

He turned at the edge of the woods.

"Wherever you're going—I hope they make good enchiladas."

"That's kind of a strange good-bye." Frank stated blinking.

"Not really, saying good-bye to someone means that you are not sure when you will meet the other person again if they or you should go on a longer journey, but saying something like this is implying that they will soon meet again." Henry explained to his father while the other legacies tired not to grin, they meet sooner then thought.

"Oh, that is good then." Frank answered back while the others looked thoughtful at this information.

Grover grinned, and then he was gone, the trees closing around him.

"We'll see him again," Annabeth said.

The legacies grinned, that was for sure.

I tried to believe it. The fact that no searcher had ever come back in two thousand years ...

Pan paled at this news, but did not dare to ask for elaboration.

well, I decided not to think about that.

Pan resisted the urge to nod his head, but still agreed with his cousin wholeheartedly.

Grover would be the first. He had to be.

The legacies tried not to show any type of emotion, yes Grover had been the first to find him, but sadly had it been already to late for the Lord of the Wild to be saved from falling into an eternal sleep.

"Yes, find him." Hermes mumbled under his breath hopefully while beside his throne Apollo looked down at his granddaughter, he did not know why, but he had suddenly a strange feeling by the sentence and was sure that she had stiffened for a few short seconds.

July passed.

I spent my days devising new strategies for capture-the-flag and making alliances with the other cabins to keep the banner out of Ares's hands.

"Actually it went like he made strategies which mom corrected while she sent him to make the alliances." Sally said while the others looked amused.

I got to the top of the climbing wall for the first time without getting scorched by lava.

Some demigods nodded in agreement remembering their first time they got up there without getting burned while the other Greek demigods did not comment because they still could not make it without at least a few small burns.

From time to time, I'd walk past the Big House, glance up at the attic windows, and think about the Oracle.

"Why would he think about the Oracle?" Katie asked with a shudder.

"It gets explained in the next sentence." Apollo said as he glanced down at the book, just when Hermes opened his mouth to comment.

I tried to convince myself that its prophecy had come to completion.

The good mood seemed to dampen at these words and Hermes closed his mouth, those who knew about who will be the betrayer tensed while the others tried to figure out what may be missing.

You shall go west, and face the god who has turned.

No one interrupted this time, going over the lines of the prophecy now that the quest was done would make it easier to find out what is missing.

Been there, done that—

A few of the demigods smiled at this.

even though the traitor god had turned out to be Ares rather than Hades.

"I will maim grandfather." Ares growled while Aphrodite leaned against his shoulder and his siblings, Clarisse and Ace scowled, Hera was busy glaring at Zeus.

"Ares, pull a number." Poseidon growled while Hades nodded his head in agreement.

You shall find what was stolen, and see it safe returned.

Both Hades and Zeus looked up, yes they had both got their stolen possessions back.

Check. One master bolt delivered. One helm of darkness back on Hades's oily head.

"I don't have an oily head!" Hades grumbled while the others looked at him.

"It really only looks like that." Persephone, En and Henry said at the same time which made the god smile at his family.

You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.

Those who knew did their best not to flinch.

Again the mood got surly at this.

This line still bothered me.

The others knew what Percy meant, then suddenly Athena tensed, she had finally put it all together and what she found out made her feel both furious and cold, her eyes travelling over to Hermes.

Ares had pretended to be my friend, then betrayed me.

'If only'. was the thought going through the head of those who knew the truth.

"I doubt it punk that if I would pretend to be someone's friend that I would go at it like this, possessed or not." Ares said while shaking his head which made the tension raise even more.

That must be what the Oracle meant...

Again those who knew the truth did their best to not react to visibly.

And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.

I had failed to save my mom, but only because I'd let her save herself, and I knew that was the right thing.

"Yes, one of the most dreadful lines had in the end taken a good turn." Silena said, but she was still bothered about the line of a friend betraying Percy, this was also the time she noticed how nervous her brother looked, he was a brilliant actor, but she knew Mitchell enough to look past his mask.

So why was I still uneasy?

The demigods squirmed in their seats and this was not due to the ADHD.

The last night of the summer session came all too quickly.

The legacies braced themselves, they were close.

The campers had one last meal together. We burned part of our dinner for the gods. At the bonfire, the senior counselors awarded the end-of-summer beads.

The Greek demigods slightly leaned closer in curiosity, they wanted to know what the new bead will look like.

I got my own leather necklace, and when I saw the bead for my first summer, I was glad the firelight covered my blushing.

This made some of the guys snicker before the girls hit them over the head to show that it was not nice to do at the moment.

The design was pitch black, with a sea-green trident shimmering in the center.

"It certainly has a fitting symbolic side to it." Hades said while almost everyone beside the legacies and Apollo turned to him.

"I know what the trident stands for, but the colour…" Orion trailed off.

"I think the colour should represent that the main part of the quest happened in the Underworld." Orpheus spoke up suddenly.

"That had been also my thought." Hades said nodding while Persephone smiled at the musician.

"Put like that the symbolism is really fitting." Katie said as she looked at her fellow demigods.

"The choice was unanimous," Luke announced. "This bead commemorates the first Son of the Sea God at this camp,

Poseidon had a faint smile on his lips, but he dreaded all the dangers that would await his son due to him failing to stand to the oath he and his brothers would swear.

and the quest he undertook into the darkest part of the Underworld to stop a war!"

Everyone nodded their heads.

The entire camp got to their feet and cheered. Even Ares's cabin felt obliged to stand.

"Of course we would, no matter the differences, if one manages to go on a quest which leads them down into the Underworld and end up stopping a three-way divine war at the end of their successful quest one needs to accept that." Clarisse said with a shrug, those three had gone through a pretty adventurous quest and returned alive and successful.

"I also agree on that." Ares stated gruffly, it was not fun to admit, but the brats did well on their first quest.

Athena's cabin steered Annabeth to the front so she could share in the applause.

Said demigod blushed at this while Athena smiled proudly at her daughter while Frederic was still stuck between pride and panic due to everything he had heard so far.

I'm not sure I'd ever felt as happy or sad as I did at that moment.

"That will be even more intense in the future." Sally whispered sadly.

I'd finally found a family,

Hestia and Hera shared a smile.

people who cared about me and thought I'd done something right.

A god deal of people smiled at this warmly.

"This is how a family feels like." Hestia said gently at which many nodded though a good deal of her younger siblings threw guilty glances towards Hades.

And in the morning, most of them would be leaving for the year.

"It is not easy to part because you are worried if the others return next summer." Mitchell said in a soft tone at which the gods looked sadly at their children while the Romans looked at them with respect.

The next morning, I found a form letter on my bedside table.

The Greek demigods nodded, that was normal while Apollo bit at his tongue to not start snickering while En read.

I knew Dionysus must've filled it out, because he stubbornly insisted on getting my name wrong:

This caused a round of snickers by most people in and outside of the throne room.

Dear_Peter Johnson__ ,

If you intend to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, you must inform the Big House by noon today. If you do not announce your intentions, we will assume you have vacated your cabin or died a horrible death.

A few people shook their heads at this, the demigods were used to the wording of the form while the gods decided not to comment.

Cleaning harpies will begin work at sundown.

Frederic almost chocked on his breath.

"Cleaning harpies?" Frank asked in a stunned tone while outside Iris looked at the palace in interest.

"They live in the valley and through agreement took up the role to clean the empty cabins when no one is in them as well as help out estabilising that the curfew will be kept by the campers." Chiron explained to the still perplexed Romans.

"They are rather attentative, mostly since Cabin Fourteen had been built." Lance said, they made it even for the Hermes campers not easy to sneak out.

"Which cabin is that?" Annabeth asked curiously.

"The Iris cabin, she and the harpies are sisters so they got more on the case of things since their nephews and nieces were also in camp." Sally explained while the demigods of the future blinked, they kind of forgot that the Rainbow Goddess and the harpies were related in that way.

"Nice to know." were the mumbled replies by the children.

They will be authorized to eat any unregistered campers.

Before anyone could react Enysswe spoke up.

"This threat and the other are still used to make the campers remember to not forget the forms if they want to stay and to not leave the cabins clustered with your things laying around." she explained at which Frederic relaxed in his seat.

All personal articles left behind will be incinerated in the lava pit.

Have a nice day!

Mr. D (Dionysus)

Camp Director, Olympian Council #12

"These letters will probably never change." Connor said with a shrug.

"Only the signature." Ace whispered to his cousin with a small grin on his lips.

That's another thing about ADHD. Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face.

"And this is why those two lines were put in." Misty said with a little smirk.

"Could be used also somewhere else." Hermes mumbled to himself, there had been way to many times regards issued orders and some reports which were given to him for delivery almost on the same day they would need to arrive. He hated those hectic deliveries, only would think that most of the gods would have enough time to get a few lines written down in a short time and not need weeks.

Summer was over, and I still hadn't answered my mother, or the camp, about whether I'd be staying. Now I had only a few hours to decide.

Everyone was curious what the decision would be, on one hand had Percy a too strong scent to manage to live without a monster attacking him almost every second day, but on the other he had a loving mortal parent who understood him. The decision was anything, but easy.

The decision should have been easy. I mean, nine months of hero training or nine months of sitting in a classroom—duh.

"Hero training," most answered.

But there was my mom to consider.

"Though there is also that." Travis said while the others nodded.

For the first time, I had the chance to live with her for a whole year, without Gabe.

"Living without that thing would be a relief for anyone." Artemis growled.

"We will tell you shortly before the second book what type of punishment it is currently enjoying." Enysswe told her aunt who smiled down at the girl in satisfaction at the suggestion.

I had a chance be at home and knock around the city in my free time. I remembered what Annabeth had said so long ago on our quest: The real world is where the monsters are.

"Why do I have suddenly the urge to slap myself?" Annabeth asked herself absentmindedly while Poseidon looked at Athena with a pained expression.

"She is certainly yours, she may fall in love with him, but that does not mean that she will not give him dangerous ideas which on the other hand give me a heart attack." Poseidon said in a faint tone while his niece blushed slightly.

That's where you learn whether you're any good or not.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that, so why did I say it?" Annabeth mumbled while she buried her face into her hands.

"Nice going Annabeth." Travis said while patting the girl on the back who only groaned, not even daring to look at her innocently smiling children.

I thought about the fate of Thalia, daughter of Zeus.

Everyone bowed their heads, but Zeus noticed the glare of tri-coloured eyes directed at him, warning him to not dare say a word.

I wondered how many monsters would attack me if I left Half-Blood Hill.

"Looking at his current track record, a large number." Jake said with a pinched face while Annabeth continued mumbling about her having a high intelligence, but not using it when needed.

If I stayed in one place for a whole school year, without Chiron or my friends

This comment made both the old centaur and the demigods smile slightly.

around to help me, would my mother and I even survive until the next summer?

No one liked these depressive thoughts, at least they who were here had proof that both will make it and much longer.

That was assuming the spelling tests and five-paragraph essays didn't kill me.

This made a good deal of people snort, they really appreciated the trait to raise the mood by Percy.

I decided I'd go down to the arena and do some sword practice. Maybe that would clear my head.

Apollo felt again a slight tremor go through the body of his granddaughter which made him frown on the inside so he started scanning the page over her shoulder to see why she was acting like this, but then his eyes fell on a name as she flipped the page which made him feel cold. Now he was slowly starting to understand what was wrong with Luke and why the others also acted so strange, he will need to corner Hermes in the pause, he now also understood why they would need it.

The campgrounds were mostly deserted, shimmering in the August heat. All the campers were in their cabins packing up, or running around with brooms and mops, getting ready for final inspection.

The champers nodded their heads, this was the usual routine.

Argus was helping

Zeus looked annoyed again when he saw Hera's eyes light up at the name.

some of the Aphrodite kids

Said goddess smiled at this gratefully, the giant was getting a good deal of positive points by her.

haul their Gucci suitcases and makeup kits over the hill,

Both Silena and Mitchell blushed while Gwen looked slightly envious, if she would need to pack her things so for camp that she leaves at the end of the summer would see need to carry her packs alone.

where the camp's shuttle bus would be waiting to take them to the airport.

Don't think about leaving yet, I told myself. Just train.

"Why do I have a strange twisting feeling in my stomach by these words?" Chiron whispered worriedly to Lupa who looked up at him with sympathetic eyes.

"Because your instincts are usually correct." she told him.

I got to the sword-fighters arena and found that Luke had had the same idea.

The legacies tensed while Athena did the same, her eyes on Hermes, the others who knew tried to hide their anxiety.

His gym bag was plopped at the edge of the stage.

"Is he leaving for the school year?" Annabeth asked in confusion, she could not remember Luke leaving since they got to camp, the legacies meanwhile tried not to flinch, yes he would leave and never return.

He was working solo, whaling on battle dummies with a sword I'd never seen before.

This time the legacies could not help themselves, but to let out a soft growl, but En did not leave time for anyone to ask.

It must've been a regular steel blade,

There were some frowns at this.

because he was slashing the dummies' heads right off, stabbing through their straw-stuffed guts.

The frowns deepened.

His orange counselor's shirt was dripping with sweat. His expression was so intense, his life might've really been in danger.

Those who knew tried not to flinch, working for that monster would put anyone's life at risk.

I watched, fascinated,

Aphrodite noticed her grandson shaking his head in the negative so she did not comment, even thought such a love triangle would look fun.

as he disemboweled the whole row of dummies, hacking off limbs and basically reducing them to a pile of straw and armor.

Apollo felt dread run down his spine, somehow he had the sickening feeling that soon it would not be dummies he would go against with the sword.

They were only dummies, but I still couldn't help being awed by Luke's skill.

"Don't be." Luke mumbled under his breath before standing up and making his way over to his mother.

Annabeth looked only curiously at him before he wrapped his arms around her which only confused her more, but she did not send him away.

The guy was an incredible fighter. It made me wonder, again, how he possibly could've failed at his quest.

"It had been his own fault, to many hasty decisions without planning or even paying attention to what he needed to do." Luke growled while tightening his hold around Annabeth, the others did not say a word due to En continuing.

Finally, he saw me, and stopped mid-swing. "Percy."

"Um, sorry," I said, embarrassed. "I just—"

"It's okay," he said, lowering his sword. "Just doing some last-minute practice."

Malcolm did not like that sentence and by the looks some of the others had on their faces they were thinking along the same lines as him.

"Those dummies won't be bothering anybody any more."

Luke shrugged. "We build new ones every summer."

Now that his sword wasn't swirling around, I could see something odd about it.

Everyone raised their eyebrows while Apollo let out a gasp before his eyes become burning which did not help the others in the slightest.

The blade was two different types of metal—

This made everyone tense on their sitting spots, it felt as if the room would have become colder.

one edge bronze, the other steel.

Complet silence fell on everyone as they stared wide eyed at the book, why would a demigod need such a blade to be in their possession?

Luke noticed me looking at it. "Oh, this? New toy.

"Fitting name." Apollo said with narrowed eyes, he will need to console Hermes after this is done, he now seriously understood what was wrong with Luke that he both hated and liked his name.

This is Backbiter."

"I don't exactly like the name of that thing." Michael said while looking at the book as Chris dropped his head just when Mitchell grabbed Malcolm's shaking hand.

"You children should not even have such a weapon." Hephaestus and surprisingly Ares spoke up at the same time.

"No need to look so startled, that sword is not normal and should not be used by a demigod." he said with narrowed eyes.

"I agree with Ares and Hephaestus." Athena said as she stood up from her throne, both of her children were in good care so she could take care about her brother who looked up at her in confusion which only increased when she wrapped her arms around him, this time not almost suffocating Pan with her close proximity.

"Athena/mom?" both Hermes and Annabeth asked due to the strange behaviour, slowly they were the only ones who were still not in picture about who the servant and thief is.

"Backbiter?"

Everyone nodded.

Luke turned the blade in the light so it glinted wickedly.

Everyone slowly scooted closer together, they were growing nervous.

" One side is celestial bronze. The other is tempered steel. Works on mortals and immortals both."

"That blade should not exist." Artemis growled.

I thought about what Chiron had told me when I started my quest—that a hero should never harm mortals unless absolutely necessary.

Chiron nodded his head grimly, it seems that beside then thing with Percy there will also be something else that slips his attention.

"I didn't know they could make weapons like that."

"None of my children would ever make one like that." Hephaestus growled, his beard smoking while Beckendorf, Jake and Mich nodded their heads grimly.

"They probably can't," Luke agreed. "It's one of a kind."

Cue dark nods.

He gave me a tiny smile, then slid the sword into its scabbard. "Listen, I was going to come looking for you. What do you say we go down to the woods one last time, look for something to fight?"

No one liked this suggestion somehow.

I don't know why I hesitated.

"Because you know that something is not right." Annabeth heard Luke mumble bitterly while she looked with confusion, denial and dread from her son to the book and then back.

I should've felt relieved that Luke was being so friendly. Ever since I'd gotten back from the quest, he'd been acting a little distant.

The cold tension and suspicion started growing.

I was afraid he might resent me for all the attention I'd gotten.

The sound of soft growls could be heard from the legacies.

"You think it's a good idea?" I asked. "I mean—"

"Aw, come on." He rummaged in his gym bag and pulled out a six-pack of Cokes. "Drinks are on me."

The demigods groaned, they were weak against such delicious treats.

I stared at the Cokes, wondering where the heck he'd gotten them.

Everyone tried not to look at the present Hermes children who also did their best to not look suspicious.

There were no regular mortal sodas at the camp store. No way to smuggle them in unless you talked to a satyr, maybe.

"Or the child of a certain god." Apollo said with forced humour, but at least was Athena there to comforting him, even if his brother did not understand the ground why she was hugging him.

Of course, the magic dinner goblets would fill with anything you want, but it just didn't taste the same as a real Coke, straight out of the can.

Sugar and caffeine. My willpower crumbled.

Cue more groans while both Hermes and Annabeth looked suspiciously to be still in denial about what Luke had done, the only fact why Zeus was not yelling threats and the like was due to the fact that he felt a sudden chill run down his spine, a feeling he only got when the Fates were nearing.

"Sure," I decided. "Why not?"

Many shook their heads, they had a bad feeling by this.

We walked down to the woods and kicked around for some kind of monster to fight, but it was too hot. All the monsters with any sense must've been taking siestas in their nice cool caves.

"Then please do as them and get back to camp." Katie pleaded, she had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach which did not disappear no matter how much she tried to will it away.

We found a shady spot by the creek where I'd broken Clarisse's spear during my first capture the flag game.

"Lovely to hear." Clarisse mumbled, but she also did not like it that those two were there alone without anyone knowing.

We sat on a big rock, drank our Cokes, and watched the sunlight in the woods.

Aphrodite felt conflicted, in one part this sounded in her option like a lovely date, but on the other hand that disgusting sword the blonde demigod had with him and his strange behaviour made her fear for Percy and she wished that he would be there with someone else.

After a while Luke said, "You miss being on a quest?"

"With monsters attacking me every three feet? Are you kidding?"

Luke raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I miss it," I admitted. "You?"

"How could one possibly miss dying 24/7?" Frederic asked quietly, he did not want any child to face something like this.

A shadow passed over his face.

I was used to hearing from the girls how good-looking Luke was,

No matter the tense atmosphere the girls still blushed while Malcolm felt annoyance flare up inside of him when he noted a tinge of pink also spreading over Mitchell's cheeks.

but at the moment, he looked weary, and angry, and not at all handsome.

Both Hermes and Annabeth frowned at this not understanding what was wrong.

His blond hair was gray in the sunlight. The scar on his face looked deeper than usual. I could imagine him as an old man.

"Stress can do that to you." Ace whispered harshly while Annabeth and Hermes looked worried.

"I've lived at Half-Blood Hill year-round since I was fourteen," he told me. "Ever since Thalia ... well, you know.

Annabeth bit back tears, loosing Thalia had been hard on them.

I trained, and trained, and trained. I never got to be a normal teenager, out there in the real world. Then they threw me one quest, and when I came back, it was like, 'Okay, ride's over. Have a nice life.'"

"That is not true." Travis said, they had been all worried about him and felt relieved when he returned alive.

He crumpled his Coke can and threw into the creek, which really shocked me.

The others were also shocked, no demigod would do something like this consciously after spending a few days at camp. Pan also looked darkly at the book, usually were his siblings some of those mostly engaged for nature.

One of the first things you learn at Camp Half-Blood is: Don't litter.

Everyone nodded darkly.

You'll hear from the nymphs and the naiads. They'll get even. You'll crawl into bed one night and find your sheets filled with centipedes and mud.

Pan nodded approvingly just like said spirits outside.

"The heck with laurel wreaths," Luke said. "I'm not going to end up like those dusty trophies in the Big House attic."

The legacies looked down, no he did not, his name was engraved on the bead of the survivors of the Second Titanomachia as well as on the memorial soil in the heart of New Greece.

"You make it sound like you're leaving."

Annabeth nodded her head, she wanted to know where Luke was going and why he did not tell her anything about that. He promised that they would be a family, that they would stay together, Thalia could not keep that promise, it was out of her power, but Luke had always kept to it, so why did he try leaving her like this?

She did not understand his motives for acting so strange.

Luke gave me a twisted smile. "Oh, I'm leaving, all right, Percy. I brought you down here to say good-bye."

"Son, please get out of there." Poseidon said in a worried tone, he was starting to guess who had tricked them, but he could not work himself up to be mad at his nephew for what his son will do, that boy had given himself to a monster who showed as much mercy to his allies as he did for his enemies.

"Tha…" a sudden gasp from Apollo which was both furious and worried drew all attention to the Sun God.

"Grandfather, please let me read." En said in a calm tone as she placed one of her hands gently on one of the arms around her waist, no one liked the exchange and Athena tightened her hold around her brother.

He snapped his fingers. A small fire burned a hole in the ground at my feet.

Everyone tensed and held their breath.

Out crawled something glistening black, about the size of my hand. A scorpion.

All eyes widened as Silena let out a small shriek, she was frightened by scorpions.

"Will, you are the poison expert, how bad is it by this one?" asked a nervous Chris while everyone turned to the blonde.

"It has a really potent poison, the stinger at the end of its tail is sharp enough to pierce through clothing and reach skin. Even if you don't move the poison kill the victim in one minute, it can be neutralised with a mix of nectar, crushed Echinacea, Hawthorn, Dogwood flowers mixed with for drops of water and a pinch of sugar." Will explained hurriedly to his wide eyed listeners.

"That is certainly correct regards both the potency of the poison and the indegriments of the necessary antidote." Chiron said while looking at the blonde boy, wondering just how the child had figured out all of this, he hoped that it was not due to some risky stunt.

"You have an excellent healer for poisoning cases at your hands." Lupa whispered to him at which the old centaur nodded his head, he would after they are done here make sure to further his education in safe lines and not potentially deadly situations he had himself staged.

I started to go for my pen.

"I wouldn't," Luke cautioned. "Pit scorpions can jump up to fifteen feet. Its stinger can pierce right through your clothes. You'll be dead in sixty seconds."

"Luke…why…why are you doing this?" Annabeth asked in a shaking voice, tears filling her eyes, she did not understand what was happening in the book. Luke would never do something so cruel to another person.

"So, this is why you have mixed feeling about your name." Travis said bitterly as he looked over at the boy named after his older brother who at the moment in that book behaved so cruel.

"Yep, it all depends on the story." Luke replied while holding his now crying mother even closer.

Hera herself had also stood up and managed to gently coax Hermes to finally let go of Pan who gave his father a worried look before moving over to Dionysus's throne and sat down by the foot, his eyes turning back to his father who had gone almost as white like Lord Hades and got consoled by both Hera and Athena. The others were slowly getting why one of the legacies was reading, they would have probably not been able to hold their voice even by reading or to continue when reaching such lines while Enysswe keep on reading in an even tone.

"Luke, what—"

Then it hit me.

You will be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.

If possible Annabeth was crying even harder as she buried her face into her son's chest, she could not believe that those lines were about Luke. She could not believe it and now there was also the icy, sickening feeling that now she knew who the thief was… who was the one serving Kronos.

The others were also staring at the ground bitterly, they could not believe that Luke would betray their family like this, to wish hurting, no attempting to kill them. It was all too hard to believe, but they had it here black on white, this will soon happen if they can't change it.

"You," I said.

"Yes, him." the Stolls growled softly, they could not understand why Luke would turn like this against them, yes things were not that easy and they lived in an overcrowded cabin, but that did not give one the right to hurt your family, leave alone try to have all of Western Civilization whipped out!

He stood calmly and brushed off his jeans.

The scorpion paid him no attention. It kept its beady black eyes on me, clamping its pincers as it crawled onto my shoe.

The demigods looked with a mix of worry and anger at the book while the gods tried to get their powers and tempers under control.

"I saw a lot out there in the world, Percy," Luke said. "Didn't you feel it—the darkness gathering, the monsters growing stronger?

The gods, beside the two goddesses consoling the now crying father, gripped their armrests to calm down, this did not happen till now and the boy was not even born, it was no use working themselves up and having the mortals experience nature catastrophes.

Didn't you realize how useless it all is?

"It is not." Jay hissed.

All the heroics—being pawns of the gods. They should've been overthrown thousands of years ago,

The gods growled threateningly, that boy was not helping them calm down in the slightest.

but they've hung on, thanks to us half-bloods."

The growls got louder, this time also the demigods joined in.

I couldn't believe this was happening.

"You are not the only one." Lee said bitterly, he and Luke had often talked after archery practice and the other always offered to accompany him on his search for medical herbs, maybe they were not as close in relationship like with Beckendorf, but he saw the other councillor as a friend and it hurt him that he was doing this. As the older ones should it be them protecting the younger demigods and help them, try to smooth away their fears and doubts, but Luke was at the moment doing the opposite.

"Luke ... you're talking about our parents," I said.

"Yes." the demigods said angrily which helped their parents at least a minimal bit to calm down due to the fact that their children stood up for them.

He laughed. "That's supposed to make me love them?

"You could not even accept them." Henry growled.

Their precious 'Western civilization is a disease, Percy. It's killing the world.

"It does not, wrong decisions which no one wants to accept, mistakes not even attempted to correct, chances thrown away too quickly and not taken are that what is killing the world." Enysswe said in a solemn tone while looking down at the book, her face devoid from emotions which partially reminded the older gods on how Hades tended to look on the Winter Solicits if not in an argument or now while reading these books.

The only way to stop it is to burn it to the ground, start over with something more honest."

"Then you are working with the wrong partner." Clarisse spat, Castellan was really lucky that he was not here or she would stick her spear up where it really hurts him and then activate it before maiming him till he is not more then a bloody plump on the ground, then the others could have a go with him for all she cares.

"It took millennia to build all of this, so what would he get if it get all burned down." Artemis growled, she felt tempted to shoot something.

"You're as crazy as Ares."

"I resent that," Ares said in an annoyed tone, but glanced occasionally over at his brother, really it seemed as if since getting these books they would be busy holding each others hands which reminded him that after this chapter he will need to talk with his mother, that is if she will let go of Hermes who was now clinging to her, his face buried in her robes.

His eyes flared. "Ares is a fool.

Ares and all of his present children, demigod and divine growled in anger.

He never realized the true master he was serving.

Both Aphrodite and Hephaestus grabbed Ares's arm, all three of them furious while the sound of growls, smoothing whispers and crying filled the air, mixing with the female voice reading their future.

If I had time, Percy, I could explain. But I'm afraid you won't live that long."

"To bad that this did not go according to plan." Luke hissed while drawing smoothing circles on the back of the younger version of his mother, he was trying to keep his own temper back to console his mother.

The scorpion crawled onto my pants leg.

Theseus was close to hyperventilating and the others with him were already contemplating to call En over to put him back to sleep.

There had to be a way out of this. I needed time to think.

Everyone was worried that he had not much time for that and it was little reassurance that he will live.

"Kronos," I said. "That's who you serve."

The air got colder.

Like it did at this moment.

"You should be careful with names," Luke warned.

"Kronos got you to steal the master bolt and the helm. He spoke to you in your dreams."

Luke's eye twitched. "He spoke to you, too, Percy. You should've listened."

"This only means that he has a stronger will then you." Triton growled under his breath, he wanted his half-brother away from there and that preferably now.

"He's brainwashing you, Luke."

Annabeth looked up hopefully at this, but then she felt Luke shake his head almost unnoticeably, but she still noted it and it broke a part of her heart.

"You're wrong. He showed me that my talents are being wasted.

His half-siblings snorted at this, but not in amusement.

You know what my quest was two years ago, Percy? My father, Hermes, wanted me to steal a golden apple from the Garden of the Hesperides and return it to Olympus.

Hercules flinched when Artemis flashed a heated glare in his direction before turning back to the book.

After all the training I'd done, that was the best he could think up."

Hermes sighed painfully.

"At least dad personally made sure that you could have a quest you selfish git!" Travis snapped in anger, he could not believe how selfish Luke was acting, their dad went out of his way for him, something all of them would have liked and this was how he acted about it. He was furious so he did not even notice when Connor and Katie took a hold of his arms.

"That's not an easy quest," I said. "Hercules did it."

Said demigod ducked his head by the new look he received.

"Exactly," Luke said. "Where's the glory in repeating what others have done?

"You should be lucky you even got a quest!" Annabeth yelled, not able to hold back any longer, she was sad, angry and scarred. Sad and angry due to what Luke was doing and scarred for Percy.

All the gods know how to do is replay their past.

The gods slightly bowed their heads, but their eyes were still blazing in anger.

My heart wasn't in it. The dragon in the garden gave me this"—he pointed angrily at his scar—"and when I came back, all I got was pity.

"Being worried about someone is not pity." Silena said with tearstained eyes, her make-up was running down her face while Beckendorf pulled her closer to comfort her.

I wanted to pull Olympus down stone by stone right then, but I bided my time.

"What type of glory does it bring if you betray your own family?" Reyna asked testily, the gods were not perfect parents by far, but that did not mean that they should be betrayed like this.

I began to dream of Kronos.

"Having nightmares about him sound better." Clarisse growled.

He convinced me to steal something worthwhile, something no hero had ever had the courage to take.

"More like, not being stupid enough." Trickster spat venomously, as a Roman demigod was he thinking highly about honour and his half-brother at the moment was not showing a single ounce of that.

When we went on that winter-solstice field trip, while the other campers were asleep, I snuck into the throne room and took Zeus's master bolt right from his chair. Hades's helm of darkness, too. You wouldn't believe how easy it was. The Olympians are so arrogant; they never dreamed someone would dare steal from them.

"As your brother pointed it out is more like the trust that none of our children would be acting that foolish." Apollo growled while tightening his hold around his granddaughter.

"I think I prefer what Adolf will do." Hades mumble under his breath while holding Persephone in place who looked ready to turn someone into a shrub or moss before stepping on them.

Their security is horrible.

"Complain to Zeus about the organization of that." Hera said flatly while stroking her stepson's salt and pepper hair in a calming manner.

I was halfway across New Jersey before I heard the storms rumbling, and I knew they'd discovered my theft."

The scorpion was sitting on my knee now, staring at me with its glittering eyes. I tried to keep my voice level. "So why didn't you bring the items to Kronos?"

Luke's smile wavered. "I ... I got overconfident.

"Soo, what was is about the gods being arogant, dear nephew?" Dionysus asked smirking.

Zeus sent out his sons and daughters to find the stolen bolt— Artemis, Apollo, my father, Hermes. But it was Ares who caught me.

"Naturaly, you had a weapon at you he already preffered as a child." Hephaestus said, one of his hands still on his brother's arm.

I could have beaten him, but I wasn't careful enough.

"You wish punk, the only ground I got injured in the fight with that kid was due to the nearby sea, you on the other hand have no such side help." Ares scoffed when he noticed Apollo flinching, he did not like the look the blonde flashed him after that.

He disarmed me, took the items of power, threatened to return them to Olympus and burn me alive.

"I…I don't a…agree wi…with the last part…" Hermes managed to bring out between sobs.

"Saddly we know that neither of your plans got set into motion." Hephaestus growled, he was guessing that they will find out how their grandfather reached out his dirty hands.

Then Kronos's voice came to me and told me what to say.

Everyone was growling again, so this was how it had happened.

I put the idea in Ares's head about a great war between the gods. I said all he had to do was hide the items away for a while and watch the others fight. Ares got a wicked gleam in his eyes. I knew he was hooked.

Clarisse glared at the ground, if war should come will Kronos suffer for this insult.

He let me go, and I returned to Olympus before anyone noticed my absence." Luke drew his new sword. He ran his thumb down the flat of the blade, as if he were hypnotized by its beauty.

Everyone looked disgusted, there was no beauty in that blade.

"Afterward, the Lord of the Titans ... h-he punished me with nightmares.

"His mare appearance is a nightmare." Reyna said as Annabeth tensed. "Also if even after that you did not turn away from him then what happened further is your own doing." she finished while some of the others nodded their heads in understanding.

I swore not to fail again.

"He picked his path." Malcolm said darkly.

Back at Camp Half-Blood, in my dreams, I was told that a second hero would arrive, one who could be tricked into taking the bolt and the helm the rest of the way—from Ares down to Tartarus."

"And luckily that backfired." Pollux said testily.

"You summoned the hellhound, that night in the forest."

The glares got harsher, now that they knew who the traitor was had it become much easier to note the reactions they had seen by Luke.

"We had to make Chiron think the camp wasn't safe for you, so he would start you on your quest. We had to confirm his fears that Hades was after you. And it worked."

Chiron shook his head, saddened that something like that could happen and he would not notice it that he was tricked.

"The flying shoes were cursed," I said. "They were supposed to drag me and the backpack into Tartarus."

Poseidon looked ready to unleash a hurricane, but stopped himself when he suddenly found Sally sitting in his lap. He blinked a few times perplexed about the fact that she was there, but it her presence helped him relax for which he was grateful.

"And they would have, if you'd been wearing them.

"Complain to your grandfather then for not allowing the children of his brothers in the air." Octavian said in his best arrogant tone which made his fellow demigods grin at him.

But you gave them to the satyr, which wasn't part of the plan. Grover messes up everything he touches. He even confused the curse."

"Leave Grover alone Luke." Annabeth snapped while the others continued to glare.

Luke looked down at the scorpion, which was now sit ting on my thigh. "You should have died in Tartarus, Percy.

"To bad for you that he will survive it." Sally mumbled softly enough that Poseidon did not hear her.

But don't worry, I'll leave you with my little friend to set things right."

"It would only set things right if you called it back." Katie growled while still holding onto Travis, she had never seen him this serious and angry and it worried her, she was more used to the happy-go-lucky prankster.

"Thalia gave her life to save you," I said, gritting my teeth. "And this is how you repay her?"

Annabeth bit back a sob, but she agreed with Percy, Thalia died to allow Luke and her a chance to live, but a life under Kronos was not worth living for.

"Don't speak of Thalia!" he shouted. "The gods let her die! That's one of the many things they will pay for."

"That is not true, she choose to die for us. She knew that her birth was against the oath and she did not wish to run away anymore." Annabeth said, the tears threatening to start flowing again.

"Beside that I have already said that there was another ground for what had happened which will be fully explained in the fifth book." Enysswe said before continuing.

"I also think that this is not what my sister would have wanted." Perseus said in a tight tone.

"You're being used, Luke. You and Ares both. Don't listen to Kronos."

"It is cute; even if he does not admit it he was concerned about you." Aphrodite whispered to Ares who shuddered at the idea and hoped that she does not come up with ideas regards him and that punk.

"I've been used?" Luke's voice turned shrill. "Look at yourself.

"Says the one that takes orders from someone who beats them in their dreams." Connor said while rolling his eyes as he tried to keep his brother sitting so he did not notice Enysswe stare down at the book more intensely.

What has your dad ever done for you?

Poseidon tightened his hold around Sally while Amphitrite placed her hand on his arm.

Kronos will rise. You've only delayed his plans. He will cast the Olympians into Tartarus and drive humanity back to their caves.

"Only in his dreams." Everyone growled.

All except the strongest—the ones who serve him."

"Sorry to bust your bubble grandnephew, but he is not a person known for his generosity towards others." Hades pointed out while his siblings nodded.

"Call off the bug," I said. "If you're so strong, fight me yourself."

"I doubt he will decide to do things fairly." Felix pointed out.

"It had been worth a try." Castor said with a pained sigh.

Luke smiled. "Nice try, Percy. But I'm not Ares. You can't bait me.

Too bad. Most thought bitterly.

My lord is waiting, and he's got plenty of quests for me to undertake."

"Isn't this not the same what you would do for the gods?" Mitchell asked. "Hypocrite…" he added in mumbling.

"Luke—"

"Good-bye, Percy. There is a new Golden Age coming. You won't be part of it."

"Of course he won't be a part of it, because he will stop it from happening." Annabeth said in a firm tone, she was not crying anymore, she just felt slightly tired emotionally.

He slashed his sword in an arc and disappeared in a ripple of darkness.

"Hades…" Poseidon said in a faint tone.

"Unfortunately that was not shadow-travel, but his own method." Hades replied darkly which only worsened the mood, yes they would need that pause.

The scorpion lunged.

Everyone flinched.

I swatted it away with my hand and uncapped my sword. The thing jumped at me and I cut it in half in midair.

Most sighed in relief, but others were still looking worried.

I was about to congratulate myself until I looked down at my hand. My palm had a huge red welt, oozing and smoking with yellow guck. The thing had gotten me after all.

Theseus whimpered while the others flinched, this was not good, Percy needed help immediately.

My ears pounded. My vision went foggy.

"That is certainly a strong poison." Michael said in shock while Lee was looking at his little brother, they will certainly talk about his hobby and he will do his best to support it.

The water, I thought. It healed me before.

Poseidon wanted to smile, but he was not sure if water could cure this type of poison or not, none of his children had been ever in such a situation before and this was his fault.

I stumbled to the creek and submerged my hand, but nothing seemed to happen.

Poseidon flinched, he had dreaded this.

"It is not a fully fire-type poison, but a mixed type which means that water can't cure it alone." Will groaned, it still felt weird to talk about the knowledge he got from his hobby, but in a way felt it nice to not keep it to himself, not that people seemed to guess that this was his hobby and his dad seemed proud about the things he knew, this was always a bonus.

The poison was too strong. My vision was getting dark. I could barely stand up.

Everyone stared with clearly noticeable worry at the book as Frederick felt horrified that there was a poison out there which was this efficient.

Sixty seconds, Luke had told me.

I had to get back to camp.

No one wanted to point out that he would never make it back in time.

If I collapsed out here, my body would be dinner for a monster. Nobody would ever know what had happened.

The demigods nodded darkly, that was true.

My legs felt like lead. My forehead was burning. I stumbled toward the camp, and the nymphs stirred from their trees.

Everyone sighed in relief, the nymphs would be able to get him in time to Chiron, said centaur also relaxed more at this.

"Help," I croaked. "Please ..."

Two of them took my arms, pulling me along.

"Too close." many mumbled under their breaths.

I remember making it to the clearing, a counselor shouting for help, a centaur blowing a conch horn.

"Who was it?" Katie asked after a few seconds.

"We never asked dad." Luke replied back while glancing occasionally down at his mother to make sure that she would be fine.

Then everything went black.

I woke with a drinking straw in my mouth. I was sipping something that tasted like liquid chocolate-chip cookies. Nectar.

I opened my eyes.

I was propped up in bed in the sickroom of the Big House, my right hand bandaged like a club. Argus stood guard in the corner. Annabeth sat next to me, holding my nectar glass and dabbing a washcloth on my forehead.

"Again?" Silena asked smiling which made Annabeth blush and the others took up faint smiles while Aphrodite cooed.

"Someone is certainly getting to play nurse for him rather often." Gwen said with a smile of her own which got a few weak snickers, but this was already better then the mood thy had been in some sentences ago.

"Here we are again," I said.

This caused even more snickers.

"You idiot," Annabeth said, which is how I knew she was overjoyed to see me conscious.

Annabeth also nodded her head while trying to make a plan so that they will avoid this from happening.

"You were green and turning gray when we found you. If it weren't for Chiron's healing ..."

"Thank you Chiron," Poseidon thanked him.

"I feel glad that my help will come in time." Chiron replied back.

"Now, now," Chiron's voice said. "Percy's constitution deserves some of the credit."

"True, if he would have panicked and not headed straight for help it may have been to late." Jay said, feeling more relaxed now that Percy was fine or will be fine.

He was sitting near the foot of my bed in human form, which was why I hadn't noticed him yet. His lower half was magically compacted into the wheelchair, his upper half dressed in a coat and tie. He smiled, but his face looked weary and pale, the way it did when he'd been up all night grading Latin papers.

"I may have feared that the antidote had been given to late and so stayed up." Chiron said with a small smile on his lips.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Like my insides have been frozen, then microwaved."

"I don't even want to know from where he got that." Chris said blinking.

"Though he kind of got it right regards the two hat types, the poison of the pit scorpion is partly fire and at some part water type which crystallises rather fast after getting into the blood stream." Will explained to him.

"Uh… nice to know…" Frank said while looking at his future in a way brother-in-law, he was slowly really putting down from the idea that he may be a child of Apollo, somehow the whole look thing and some other aspects did not give up to him.

"Apt, considering that was pit scorpion venom.

"Yep, Will had again given us an early update regards that." Jake said grinning while he looked at the blushing blonde.

Now you must tell me, if you can, exactly what happened."

Between sips of nectar, I told them the story.

The room was quiet for a long time.

"I can't believe that Luke ..." Annabeth's voice faltered.

Annabeth nodded her head carefully, but she needed to accept it what Luke had done.

Her expression turned angry and sad. "Yes. Yes, I can believe it. May the gods curse him... He was never the same after his quest."

Annabeth nodded, knowing she was right.

"This must be reported to Olympus," Chiron murmured. "I will go at once."

"Luke is out there right now," I said. "I have to go after him."

"Not in that condition!" yelled a good deal of people, mostly those who had something to do with healing.

Chiron shook his head. "No, Percy. The gods—"

"Won't even talk about Kronos," I snapped. "Zeus declared the matter closed!"

Zeus shifted in his throne from the looks he was receiving.

"Percy, I know this is hard. But you must not rush out for vengeance. You aren't ready."

"I hope he listens to you Chiron." Amphitrite said, Percy was not in the condition to go against anyone or any type of pursuit.

"I also hope Lady Amphitrite." Chiron answered back.

I didn't like it, but part of me suspected Chiron was right.

Chiron smiled at this while his charges happily chorused: "Chiron's always right."

One look at my hand, and I knew I wasn't going to be sword fighting any time soon. "Chiron ... your prophecy from the Oracle ... it was about Kronos, wasn't it? Was I in it? And Annabeth?"

"Partly, but it did not change the fact that the Great Prophecy, for which's stopping the oath was made, had started to take its course." Enysswe said calmly as everyone looked at her, then continued reading, it will be over soon.

Chiron glanced nervously at the ceiling. "Percy, it isn't my place—"

"You've been ordered not to talk to me about it, haven't you?"

Everyone slowly turned towards Zeus who shifted again in his throne.

His eyes were sympathetic, but sad. "You will be a great hero, child.

The legacies smiled, he had truly become one while also the others nodded for it were the Fates who called him a hero like no other in their letter.

I will do my best to prepare you. But if I'm right about the path ahead of you …"

Thunder boomed overhead, rattling the windows.

"All right!" Chiron shouted. "Fine!"

Chiron looked at this sheepishly at Zeus who did not notice due to him looking at the other gods who narrowed their eyes at him.

He sighed in frustration. "The gods have their reasons, Percy. Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing."

"Well, we are kind of breaking that suggestion here." Jay said with a small laugh.

"Well, one should never displease the Fates." Apollo said smiling down at his granddaughter who looked up at him with her uniquely coloured eyes.

"That certainly is." En replied back before looking at the book. "We are soon finished with the book after which we will hold a pause of one hour as agreed beforehand."

"We can't just sit back and do nothing," I said.

"We will not sit back," Chiron promised. "But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unraveled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger.

The mood darkened again.

Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come."

There were several nods at this.

"Assuming I live that long."

"Well, the fact that you have two kids right here kind of lets us assume that you lived that long." Trickster said grinning in hopes of getting some smiles, he certainly managed to get them, together with a few little laughs.

Chiron put his hand on my ankle. "You'll have to trust me, Percy. You will live. But first you must decide your path for the coming year. I cannot tell you the right choice..." I got the feeling that he had a very definite opinion, and it was taking all his willpower not to advise me.

This made Chiron blush while the demigods snickered.

"I only want what is best for you children." Chiron said quietly, the blush still on his cheeks.

"But you must decide whether to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, or return to the mortal world for seventh grade and be a summer camper. Think on that. When I get back from Olympus, you must tell me your decision."

I wanted to protest. I wanted to ask him more questions. But his expression told me there could be no more discussion; he had said as much as he could.

The demigods nodded, it was kind of annoying when you got into such a situation.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Chiron promised. "Argus will watch over you."

Hera smiled again at this while this time also Poseidon shared the same look as his sister.

He glanced at Annabeth. "Oh, and, my dear ... when ever you're ready, they're here."

"What's he talking about?" Annabeth asked in confusion.

"Who's here?" I asked.

Nobody answered.

Luke, Sally and Ace bit on their tongues to not laugh at the last sentence, their parents still love their little inside joke.

Chiron rolled himself out of the room. I heard the wheels of his chair clunk carefully down the front steps, two at a time.

Annabeth studied the ice in my drink.

"What's wrong?" I asked her.

"Nothing." She set the glass on the table. "I … just took your advice about something. You … um … need anything?"

Annabeth frowned, Percy had said much during their rather adventurous quest so she was not sure which advice was meant here while the Jackson siblings tried not to grin at each other.

"Yeah. Help me up. I want to go outside."

"Percy, that isn't a good idea."

"Stubbornness is also a family trait dear niece." Apollo piped up with a little smirk on his lips.

I slid my legs out of bed. Annabeth caught me before I could crumple to the floor. A wave of nausea rolled over me.

The sons of Apollo could only shake their heads, but did not comment seeing how their dad was right about them being stubborn in this family.

"I'm fine," I insisted. I didn't want to lie in bed like an invalid while Luke was out there planning to destroy the Western world.

The demigods nodded, they kind of understood this.

I managed a step forward. Then another, still leaning heavily on Annabeth. Argus followed us outside, but he kept his distance.

"He will only step in if you need him, but he is close by to make sure that noting happens." Hera said adoringly while she still had her arms around Hermes.

"Yup, that is Argus alright." Chris said as the others nodded.

By the time we reached the porch, my face was beaded with sweat. My stomach had twisted into knots. But I had managed to make it all the way to the railing.

"Which is certainly something with surviving the sting of a pit scorpion." Hades said with a shake of his head, that demigod was certainly a stubborn one.

It was dusk. The camp looked completely deserted. The cabins were dark and the volleyball pit silent. No canoes cut the surface of the lake. Beyond the woods and the strawberry fields, the Long Island Sound glittered in the last light of the sun.

"It tends to give of that feeling at the end of the summer." Katie said whit a small shrug.

"What are you going to do?" Annabeth asked me.

"I don't know."

I told her I got the feeling Chiron wanted me to stay year-round, to put in more individual training time, but I wasn't sure that's what I wanted. I admitted I'd feel bad about leaving her alone, though, with only Clarisse for company….

"I'm good company." Clarisse argued.

"Mostly in dad's option." Ace called out which caused both of his parents to blush, Michael to scowl, Ares to glare at Chris while the others broke out laughing.

"Chris, we are really starting to love your kid." Connor said laughing, he was also glad when he noted that Travis was also laughing with him.

"Enysswe." called the blushing pair and the Mortal Goddess decided to show mercy.

Annabeth pursed her lips, then said quietly, "I'm going home for the year, Percy."

"What?!" yelled everyone in surprise beside the legacies and Apollo who had already noticed those lines.

"You will be going home?" Malcolm asked his sister in concern while by the small couch was Frederic again not sure how to feel on one hand he was not fond about the idea of his daughter marrying young, but on the other her future husband is the ground she is giving them a chance.

Matthew and Booby on the other hand were ecstatic about the idea of their older sister coming back home to them while Sue was trying to come to terms with the idea, till now she just like her husband did not find an answer and when she looked up she noticed that the reading had started again.

… toward the crest of Half-Blood Hill. Next to Thalia's pine tree, at the very edge of the camp's magical boundaries, a family stood silhouetted—

This surprised Sue that she would also come to pick the girl up from her camp.

two little children, a woman, and a tall man with blond hair. They seemed to be waiting. The man was holding a backpack that looked like the one Annabeth had gotten from Waterland in Denver.

"I wrote him a letter when we got back," Annabeth said. "Just like you suggested. I told him ... I was sorry. I'd come home for the school year if he still wanted me. He wrote back immediately. We decided ... we'd give it another try."

Annabeth turned around to look at her father who gave her a small, hopeful smile.

"That took guts."

She pursed her lips. "You won't try anything stupid during the school year, will you?

"Please tell me he will not get into trouble." Theseus and Poseidon pleaded.

"Well, technically he did not get into trouble during the school year." Sally answered back as the two relaxed, the last day of school did not exactly count as the school year.

At least … not without sending me an Iris-message?"

Silena, Gwen and Aphrodite gushed at this while Mitchell only smiled at the blushing girl.

I managed a smile. "I won't go looking for trouble. I usually don't have to."

The legacies nodded.

"A truer fact had been rarely spoken." Lance said while Poseidon and his children groaned.

"When I get back next summer," she said, "we'll hunt down Luke. We'll ask for a quest, but if we don't get approval, we'll sneak off and do it anyway. Agreed?"

At this turned all Greek demigods immediately to Annabeth, gapping like fish out of water at her, their eyes wide while Athena groaned.

"Great, just great" Athena sighed before she eyed Poseidon. "Our children are going to team up and take on another quest." She did not dare ask if there will bed more of those, she guessed that this will be the case.

"Sounds like a plan worthy of Athena."

Athena was not sure is she should smile or groan while the legacies looked amused.

She held out her hand. I shook it.

"Take care, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth told me. "Keep your eyes open."

"You too, Wise Girl."

Aphrodite and her children beamed at the usage of pet names.

I watched her walk up the hill and join her family. She gave her father an awkward hug

Frederic looked happy; an awkward hug was much better then his failed try to talk with his daughter.

and looked back at the valley one last time. She touched Thalia's pine tree, then allowed herself to be lead over the crest and into the mortal world.

For the first time at camp, I felt truly alone.

"He misses you," Aphrodite said sweetly.

I looked out at Long Island Sound and I remembered my father saying, The sea does not like to be restrained.

I made my decision.

I wondered, if Poseidon were watching, would he approve of my choice?

and looked back at the valley one last time. She touched Thalia's pine tree, then allowed herself to be lead over the crest and into the mortal world.

For the first time at camp, I felt truly alone.

"He misses you," Aphrodite said sweetly.

I looked out at Long Island Sound and I remembered my father saying, The sea does not like to be restrained.

I made my decision.

I wondered, if Poseidon were watching, would he approve of my choice?

"Whatever you had decided I will approve of that choice." Poseidon said in a gentle tone.

"I'll be back next summer," I promised him. "I'll survive until then. After all, I am your son."

"Somehow I don't feel surprised that he goes back." Beckendorf said while Poseidon smiled happily at what Percy had said.

I asked Argus to take me down to cabin three, so I could pack my bags for home.

"This was the end of the first book, now we should gather here in a hour." Enysswe said as she slid down from Apollo's lap and made her way to Henry with the book while Sally also got down and the others started also getting up and going for what they were planning.

To be continued…