Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson & the Olymians.

Ethan Nakumara was through with Camp Half-Blood. He was tired of correcting that Nemesis represented balance. He was done with the Olympians. Why didn't the minor gods get respect? They deserved it more than the Olympians. Ethan Nakamura was tired of being crammed in the Hermes cabin because he wasn't important enough for his mother to have a cabin. There was no cabin for Nemesis, or a throne.

So, Ethan Nakumara, son of Nemesis entered the Labyrinth. It was dark, terrifying, and unwelcoming. It was unpredictable and deadly, but it seemed to be a better place for an outcast like him, than Camp Half-Blood.

Then, he ran into a group. Members of Kronos's army, they had told him. Then, they had sent him through the Labyrinth, bringing him back to their master.

Naturally, Ethan had asked some questions about all of this, but he was surprised at the answers. Other half-bloods, against the Olympians were out there, supporting Kronos. Others wanted balance, too. They were on Kronos's side. Ethan decided that was where he would be, too. This was his chance to restore balance, as his mother had promised him. This was his place.

Wasn't it?

Now Ethan wasn't so sure. Now that everything was on his shoulders, now that he would be the one to cause Kronos to rise, was this his place? Yes, he decided. Of course he should do this. That is what he told himself as he pledged service to Kronos.

Is this right? Ethan asked himself again when given orders to steal Hades' unfinished sword. He told himself the same thing he had a few months ago. His failure was what made him sure he had to stay at Kronos's service, to prove he was not useless.

Should I really be doing this? Ethan asked himself as he charged into battle. This time he left the question unanswered, and fought.

Even though it was unnoticed, Ethan Nakamura hesitated before lunging for what he sensed as the single weak point in Perseus Jackson's body. He wondered if he was making the right choice. Once again, Ethan chose not to answer his own question.

Between battles, Ethan repeated that question. He answered the question this time. "It is my fate," he had said to himself. "It does not matter if I should or should not be doing this. It is my fate, and I cannot change it." But, Ethan Nakamura figured that another suitable answer, slightly less deep, was maybe. He worked for Kronos, but he knew information, but withheld it. It seemed like a fair compromise.

Ethan knew his choices. He could prove himself. That was the first choice the other choice: to spare Perseus Jackson. There was no maybe this time. He glanced in the direction of his weak spot, thinking. Then, Perseus Jackson spoke. He was trying to convince Ethan to spare him. That Jackson boy convinced him somehow. He gathered up all if his courage and charged at Kronos and aimed his sword at Kronos's neck. It did no harm to the Titan, but a piece of the blade had gone through Ethan's armor. He clutched his stomach and silently cursed.

Ethan Nakamura cringed and spoke his last words. He hoped that somehow his dying wish would be fulfilled, that this wasn't for nothing.

The Titan lord stomped his foot, breaking the floor around the son of Nemesis.

Ethan Nakamura had made his final choice.

This is one of my darker stories, I suppose. Darker thoughts... Anyway, I enjoyed writing this. Far more meaningful than most of the things I think about. I wanted to do this because I was listening to "Change" by Taylor Swift (which I do not own), and I felt Ethan deserved some more respect. Big, big thank you to Artemis's Lieutenant for helping me with the title, and, well, everything. I hope you enjoyed.
-Lexi