Chapter Forty Five

I am working as fast as possible guys! Please be patient and stuff will happen! PJO/HOO belong to Rick Riordan, a great yet sometimes murderous author.

Chapter Forty Five: The Reactions of the Dead Come to Life

Point of View: Third Person

"Oh my gods!" Silena has tears flowing down her face. Silena looks more like Artemis with her auburn hair and silver eyes, pale and glowing skin. Percy winces a little, thinking the worst.

"Percy!" Luke bear hugs his father, who he looks like almost down to a 'T.' The jet black hair, the sea green eyes, and the sun kissed skin. Percy doesn't hug him back for a few seconds and then is just shocked as he wraps his arms around Luke.

Beckendorf walks up to Percy and just looks at him, then nods. He has auburn hair, sea green eyes, and pale skin. He's a mix between Percy and Artemis.

Zoe squeals and crushes Artemis in a death hug. She has the black hair, the silver eyes, but the tanned skin. Castor just smiles as a few tears slip out of his eyes. He has black hair, sea green eyes, and pale skin. Lee and Michael look exactly alike with the auburn hair, sea green eyes, and tanned skin.

Bianca looks like Percy. She has pitch black hair, sea green eyes and tanned skin. She, too, hugs Artemis, along with Zoe. Ethan has auburn hair, silver eyes, and pale skin. He walks right up to his father and hugs him tight.

Percy can now hear what they are thinking since he started to relax. They don't blame him, for anything. Nothing at all. That is all he could ever ask for or even want from them. He again explains how they became his and why. But they all seem happy and hyper. Luke the most and he loves being both Percy and Artemis's kid. He is just glad he gets to start all over.

They sit there for a long while talking before Percy has to leave with Nico, who comes bearing both exciting yet fearsome news. "I have found Polybotes." Nico says seriously. "But he has a camp of monsters, almost three battalions worth."

Percy rises slowly. "Let's go, Nico. We do not have time to waste." Nico nods solemnly.

"How are you going to bring so man under your control?" Artemis asks skeptically.

"No faith in your husband?" Percy asks teasingly. 

Artemis blushes. "It's not..."

"I will be absolutely fine Artemis. I will come back unharmed, I promise. Stay with them." Percy smiles warmly and Artemis nods.

Percy and Nico flash out and join the other Guardians. They watch from the shadows and the foliage of the forest they camp in. They look down upon the camp from a small cliff in the little valley the monsters have settled in. It isn't too far of a drop and they all look to Percy for guidance. 

Percy scans the camp and points out the strongest monsters and which ones head which company of monsters. Percy draws his bow. 

"I thought we weren't killing any of them!" Jason flips out in a hushed tone.

Percy rolls his eyes. "Watch and learn, Jason Grace." Percy says as he picks up a rock. He pulls it back on the bowstring and fires the rock right at the Minotaur's forehead, enraging the beast completely. It starts rampaging through the lines, causing mass confusion and Percy has them all move in and wait for the signal. Percy looks at Nico and his Guardian darts out, occupying almost one whole battalion by himself as he puts a shield around them, not letting them out. Percy loads an arrow this time and fires right at the shield, his arrow glowing bright white, purifying the monsters, who just stand there waiting for orders from Percy. 

The others occupy several monsters until Percy can get to them while Reyna and Raphael keep Polybotes from escaping and keeping him busy. By time Percy has all the monsters under his reign, he's watching Polybotes closely. There is something off about the Giant. Raphael pushes Reyna out of the way when Polybotes shoots Greek Fire out of his hands at her, taking it instead. Nico doesn't need to be told and is next to Raphael in the next instant, healing him and shielding the both of them while he sets to work, sweating as he is careful with Raphael.

Percy analyzes everything closer and sees the shift in the way Polybotes fights, the color of his eyes and the way he looks like he's been up since last century. Percy is quick about what he does and climbs up to Polybotes's neck. He places his hands on either temple and fights to purify the Giant and make him obey. It takes somewhat longer and when Percy finally gets Polybotes under his power, Polybotes collapses. Percy jumps off just before the Giant hits and lands next to Polybotes's head. He crouches next to it and waits for the Giant to wake up.

As Polybotes's eyes flutter open, Percy speaks. "Greetings, Polybotes."

Polybotes looks up at Percy a little worried. "Hello, Lord Perseus."

Percy ignores it. "How are you able to use Greek Fire? What has changed? What has Corruption done?" 

Polybotes sits up and Percy stands. "I cannot do it now, you took away Corruption's blessing when you brought me under your command. It wasn't really a blessing, just an extra power to surprise you and bring down others unexpectedly. Porphyrion and Alcyoneus cannot receive such a gift or it will mess with their powers, but the sea changes constantly, so I am the only one able to accept another power."

Percy nods and scowls. "Report to Athena, then go to Camp Half-Blood and help guard over it."

Polybotes nods and bows his head. "Thank you, my lord." Then he leaves.

Percy turns to the monsters. "Your job is to gather in the Field of Moonlight in the Realm of the Moon." He waves his hand and several portals open. "Stay there and you will be accustomed. Bother no one." The monsters are uncharacteristically silent as they follow the command. Percy waves his hand as the last of the monsters goes through, closing the portals permanently.

"Now what?" Nico comes to stand at Percy's side.

The wind blows eerily and makes their cloaks ripple along with their hair. "It is almost time for the real war to begin. We have hindered them far more than they thought possible. It is a blow worthy of Olympus's name. I believe the last two Giants will be down in Tartarus for now. Corruption cannot lose his last two generals. He doesn't have the skills to lead them, he only has the men. He has many more than we do still. The Giants would be vulnerable at the rate we have been hunting them down. They will be present at the end battle." Percy answers.

"The Primordials?" Reyna asks.

"They do not think tactically. They only think about domination and grudges and petty wishes. They do not see the big picture. This is no amateur war, or they would suffice. Be that as it may, I want you all on high alert. Return to your gods. I will not have them without you now. Annabeth is sly, cunning, and can meld to the shadows just as easily as a child of Hermes. She will do anything to kill any one of the gods. Do not relax, not even when the war is over. Not for a little while, just in case. Do not leave your god or goddess's side. They need you." Percy commands.

Phoebe smiles and hugs Percy, shocking a few of their present company. "I will return to your father. See you soon."

Percy chuckles and hugs her back. "Be safe, sister." Phoebe nods and then vanishes, flashing away.

One by one, they all leave until it is Nico and Percy left, standing on the cliff and looking over the valley. "How long?"

"As soon as the demigods are ready." Percy answers.

"They could never be." Nico sighs.

"No one is ever ready, until the challenge is right in front of them." Percy glances at Nico. "That is how life works. But when the demigods are trained enough to survive at their utmost potential for this war, that...is when the spell will be cast. We choose the battleground."

"And Annabeth?" Nico replies.

"What about her?" Percy ripostes.

"Will you bring her under your command?" Nico inquires.

Percy turns, his back facing the small valley. "No," He says coldly. "Fate has something else in mind. I am to leave her to destiny, by my sword. If she is spared and I am to do something other than to end her life, the course will be altered. But until those words are spoken, she dies in that battle. Or if anyone sights her. She can enter either camp, which is why I have stationed the majority of the Titans and Giants in them, especially Camp Jupiter. They will keep the camps safe. She may be strong and resourceful, but I can outmatch her. The camps are not only guarded."

Nico looks over his shoulder. "What do we do in the meantime?" 

"While I am out, I wish for you to watch over Artemis and my children for me." Percy says.

"Where are you going?" Nico implores.

"I am assigning the remaining void of Guardians and Protectors. I will be lending a hand, too, in finding Tenders." Percy answers.

Nico nods. "I will keep them safe."

"Thank you. I will return sometime later tonight before leaving again tomorrow." Percy tells him.

"You got it." Nico says and flashes away.

Percy shakes his head and laughs. "So this is your game, Annabeth?"

A sneering figure comes out of the foliage. "You are very sensitive to your surroundings. Any reason?" She smirks hugely.

Percy grins, almost in a snarl. "Yeah, actually." Annabeth freezes as the hunting knife is pressed to her neck. "But I'm not the only one."

Nico presses it harder into Annabeth's throat. "Hey, Neeks." She says sweetly.

Nico's voice is dark, cold, and cutting as he growls into Annbeth's ear. "I'm not your friend Annabeth. That won't work on me."

Annabeth sighs, not looking worried, but Percy can feel it in the air. "Guess the cat's out of the bag."

"It has been out of the bag, Annabeth. What do you want?" Nico begins to draw blood.

"Information." Annabeth shrugs as best she can in her position.

Percy chuckles. "That is one thing you won't get from me."

Annabeth smirks. "I got plenty."

Percy shrugs and nods at Nico. "Let her go."

Nico does as told and stands at Percy's side before Annabeth can try anything. "Did you lose brain cells marrying that harlot goddess?" Annabeth snickers.

"No, you aren't real. You're still down in Tartarus as of this moment. Goodbye, Annbeth." Percy laughs and dissolves the shadow into the trees.

"I'll return now, Percy." Nico says and Percy nods. They both flash off, going separate paths.

Hope you enjoy this, my lovely readers!