On and on and on, my lovely readers!

Chapter Four: Greetings

Point of View: Zianthos

I swim right up to the doors with my hood up and the mermen cross their tridents over the doors a little weakly. I frown at their sad attempts. The blackened sea hurts them and they try not to show it, they too seem to be depressed like my father, just not as badly.

"It is alright. I am a son of Poseidon. No need to worry. I have come bearing some news that may help heal the sea and calm your species back down to honor. Unbar the way friends." I smile at them a little.

They look surprised and move their weapons out of the way. They start to bow and I shake my head, making them confused. "Do not bow to me. I am a being just as you are. There is no need to show me that kind of gesture." They smile brightly and open the doors for me, if a little slowly.

I walk through and make it to the throne room. I kneel before the shriveled man upon the beautiful throne. "My lord." I say.

He looks up at me and I let my aura explode around me in the whole room. "Who are you? Which immortal son of mine are you?" Poseidon asks in a gravelly voice, a small bit of hope in it.

"Father, I am the one that went missing and I was not immortal at the time of my disappearance. I am truly sorry for my lack of communication with you. I thought it best, I see my mistake." I tell him, rising from my place on the floor. I pull back my hood and am tackled by a huge godly hug.

"Percy." Poseidon breathes.

"Yes." I wrap my arms around him.

"I missed you so much. Where have you been?" He asks in a watery voice, I know he is crying. In relief or joy or sadness, I do not know.

"There's so much to tell you and I am so sorry I made you this way." I choke out, why am I crying?Poseidon stiffens and then hugs me more. "I shouldn't have fallen this far. Please don't blame yourself. You know better. Help me heal it."

I nod into his shoulder and he turns into his true form. I use my own power to help him and together...The whole entire body of water covering the Earth returns better than it was before, including the fresh water bodies. The pollution wiped completely away, the sadness gone, and the power returned. Poseidon returns to his usual form and I almost collapse as he catches me. He frowns. "Are you alright?" He worries.

I put a hand to my head. "Yes, I don't normally use a vast amount of power like that. It is tiring." I tell him and he smiles as he nods. He steadies me and hugs me again.

"Will you stay?" He asks hopefully.

"I would love nothing more than to spend the time lost with you. But my duty calls me away. There is much I need to tell you. The meeting will explain. Do not strike anyone for anything, no matter what. Act like you never saw me. Keep them in the dark. Apollo has the answers. I am happier than I was when I left. Forgive me for leaving then and forgive me for leaving now. But I must hurry. My lord needs my assistance. I have been away for too long. You should act angry at yourself. It would be the most reasonable. I will visit you again. I promise. I am still here." I tell him.

He hugs me closer. "Where are you going?"

I pat his back. "Somewhere that my family wishes to go." I tell him.

"Family?" He freezes.

"Relax. I've been away for several millennium. I still love you as my father. You will always be that to me. But I have brothers to get back to and they were the ones that convinced me to come. You will meet them very soon. I expect you'll know exactly who I am when you meet me again. It may not be pleasant with the others on the council. So much to do and explain. I am sorry you must learn with them and from someone else." I tell him.

He seems to be a lot happier now that I have explained a little bit. "Just don't disappear again." Poseidon whispers.

I chuckle. "I'm always disappearing. I've never stayed in one place. But you cannot follow me. Let me come to you."

He kisses my forehead. "I have to address the life of the oceans. Stay safe." He says and flashes out.

I smile warmly at the flash and I feel he knows I did. I, too, flash out and back to the Hunters's camp. 

My brothers look shocked that I'm back so soon, but what shocks me is the fact that Apollo hugs me. "It is nice to know that Poseidon is finally okay."

I pat his back awkwardly. "My lord, it is bad enough my father hugged me. I do not like them. Please stop...don't hug me, please."

"What is with you and hugs?" Wisthman throws his hands in the air.

"I just don't like them. It's the least I can do for my father to hug me and I think he forgot about it. I tolerate them at best if I feel it will help others." I shake my head at him.

"You did more than tolerate them when you were with-" Deni starts.

"Shut up you imbecile." Zach hisses at him.

I raise an eyebrow. "You can say her name. It won't bother me."

Zach looks at me in disbelief. "The sea being healed has lessened the depression, hasn't it?" Apollo asks a little hopefully.

"Yes. It was a huge part of it. It's why I didn't start to get better for a while. But losing that bond will forever be with me. One day, I will be able to act normally and stop hurting so much. But it will be a long time. Having my lifeblood saved will let me face them all easier now." I answer.

"Easy?" Ishron asks unsure.

"Difficult, but easier than it would have been had I not visited my father." I explain and they all nod in agreement.

"It is time to go. Next to my throne like we discussed." Apollo says and flashes out.

I hold out my hand and look at the others expectantly. They all put their hands in a pile on top of mine and together we flash out.

We kneel at the foot of Apollo's throne, hoods up, our melee weapons of choice, hunting knives at our sides, hidden knives all over, and cloaks around us, hiding us amidst the coloration of our lord's throne.

The Olympian council bickers and Poseidon flashes in. "Will you all shut up?!" He bellows and everybody looks at him in shock, no one noticing us yet.

"Brother?" Hades asks from his throne.

"I am tired of wallowing in sorrow. If you say he still lives then I am sure he will show himself eventually. It is time the sea stopped looking gruesome. You should all stop arguing like little children. It is time we halted such stupid actions. Act your age." Poseidon says and sits down.

"What news on Perseus anyways?" Artemis asks, happy that her uncle is better and has tried to put an end to the childishness the others exude.

"None still." Apollo speaks.

"And the camps? How do they fare? They still look, even more so now." Hestia asks a tiny bit angry, or a lot. Whichever you prefer.

"They know we cannot win without him." Demeter comments. "It is why they look even more desperately for their lost comrade."

My brothers all look at me and Zach points to Artemis's throne. We all look over to see the Huntresses. I nod slightly and we try to blend in more to keep from their notice, especially Artemis's.

"The enemy will soon rise. With the bond severed to Perseus, they all rise again and at the same time. His loyalty to them kept them at bay and would you have made him immortal sooner like you were going to, this might not have happened." Athena looks pointedly at Zeus.

Zeus sighs. "Any news on how the girl is?" Hera asks a little grudgingly.

"Still upset with herself over it all but enjoying the boy thoroughly. Still trying and still looking." Aphrodite snaps, but not at Hera just out of anger.

"Well, how is the search doing?" Zeus questions.

"Considering not even we can find him, not very good." I hear a familiar voice, Thalia.

"Then we should redouble our efforts." Hades says.

Artemis stands from her throne quickly. "That's all we have been doing. I've lost several of my girls because of monster attacks. We are losing ground. We cannot keep this up. They finally tire after all this time. We are too few to keep doing this alone. The demigods are too weak without proper training. Chiron is still saddened and tries hard but without the old spirit the camps had, even Lupa is insufficient. Perseus was their backbone just like Hera said he was. Not just for the Seven but for our entire world. His absence is what makes them all unable to focus. He needs to teach them like he was beginning to. The remaining Seven and a few of the veterans should be the only ones out there before they lose any more to this nearly impossible task."

"You are not alone sister." Apollo whispers for only her to hear and she looks at him, smiling to him for only him to see.

"He will come back." Ares says. "He always does. There is something about that punk that makes him want to, even after everything. If his remaining ties to them are weakened, we need to strengthen them."

"He needs to be here for me to do that." Hera says.

"No, he doesn't." Dionysus says. "I can help somewhat. It will take a lot of power, but doing so might entice him to come back."

"I do not think it wise." Apollo says and Artemis looks at him in surprise. "Think about it. He already thinks that we would do anything to save ourselves. Give him the time he needs."

The others are looking at me and then Artemis notices us. "Who are they?" She looks directly at us.

They all look to me and I stand, they follow my lead. "Who are you?!" Zeus booms.

We walk to the middle of the room and Apollo comes down to stand beside me. He nods at me. "Long ago, we were formed to help the world but we stayed out of its sight. It helped us to remain out of the enemy's sight and allowed us to help you to our full extent. We kept away from all of you so that we could help you more and so, if betrayed, no one could reveal us to your foes. It has worked since the dawn of Apollo. Allowing you to receive the help you thought you wouldn't have in all of your wars. But now, Lord Apollo deems it fit that you become aware of us, of him. This threat requires us to come into your knowledge and for you to know what we have been doing for you since we were created. We have always been here and we will continue to do so, in the open light instead of in the shadows of our world. We mean no harm to you and fight for Olympus, for our lord." I say.

"Who is your lord?" Zeus asks.

"Apollo. He assembled us at his own will and at the knowledge of times to come. He has not always been the man you see him as. Whether you suspected his false front or not, it is now melted. We are here to help him explain. Life on this planet must continue. We are ready to sacrifice all to save you." I reply.

"Why do you only speak? What about the others?" Athena asks.

"I am the one who leads when Lord Apollo is not with us." I answer.

"And who exactly are you?" Artemis asks, already knowing or at least suspecting.

"As a whole or as myself in particular, my lady?" I ask.

"Both." She answers.

"We are the Hunters of Apollo and I am his Lieutenant." I tell her.

"Where is your band?" Thalia walks right up to me.

I tap the golden band that materializes on my forehead. "I normally don't wear it because I do not like to let others be aware of my status. My brothers know, I do not need to wear it for them. Lord Apollo will now require that I wear it, so that you may identify me."

"But we cannot see it under your hood." Thalia scowls.

"Do you still hide from us?" Athena asks, narrowing her eyes at me.

"You wish to see our countenances, but we are very old and do not wish to frighten you. We come from many different times and some so old that you wouldn't remember us." I say in defense.

Jarren comes forward. "They will not remember me brother. I will show them." He claps me on the shoulder. He pushes his hood down and everybody tries to find some familiarity, but fails. "I was a mortal from the days of Helen and Troy. But I was nowhere near that battle. I lived on a different land and only heard of the great fights that commenced. I am one of the oldest of my brethren."

"What about the rest of you?" Athena looks at us.

"We are demigods of old. Long forgotten." I reply.

"Would we remember you if you would show us? I sense the different godly parents from you. One of you is mine." Athena says.

Benjamin, Wisthman, Deni, and Gen pull their hoods down, seeing as how their godly parents aren't here and the Olympians pay no mind to their children from those times. No god seems to recognize them and they relax a little.

My other brothers lay back their hoods and look relieved when all it causes is looks of confusion and then defeat as the gods don't remember them. But Frederick and I keep our hoods up. "What about you two?" Artemis looks at us.

Frederick sighs and flicks back his hood. "Hello, mother." He looks directly at Athena, but she can't place him even though she does recognize him.

"I remember you, but you look like many of my different sons. I don't know if I am right." She says and then looks at me. "I sense you are a child of the sea. Who are you? You cannot be Theseus. He resides in he Underworld."

I shake my head. "You are not Orion, he too resides in the Underworld." Artemis looks mad. Oh, that story. Hmm, not good then.

"I do not think it wise." I say and Thalia growls.

"Show us." Thalia snaps.

"I look too much like my brothers. I fear it may give you false hope." I tell her and she grabs my neck. I wave off my brothers. "Then do it." I tell her sternly.

She huffs angrily and pushes back my hood. Gasps sound all around the room. "Perseus?" Poseidon asks in shock. It's false but only we know that.

"No. I am sorry. I am from a very long time ago." I shake my head and they all seem to wilt.

"Have you seen your half-brother maybe?" Artemis asks hopefully.

I sigh. "No milady. I have not."

"And the rest of you?" Athena looks at my brothers.

"No. Our last lieutenant might have, but he is dead and we miss him." Zach answers.

"Who was he?" Zeus asks.

"Toshiro. He was a son of Apollo." Ishron tells him.

"What are your names?" Demeter asks.

We look at each other. I look at Demeter. "I am Zianthos, Lieutenant of the Hunters of Apollo and son of Poseidon."

"I am Zachariah, son of Zeus."

"I am Jarren, mortal."

"Sirius, son of Bacchus."

"Marshall, son of Demeter."

"Lau, child of Hades."

"Frederick, child of Athena."

"I am Benjamin, son of Nemesis."

"Wisthman. Son of Iris."

"Ishron, child of Vulcan."

"Deni and I am a son of Morpheus."

"Gen, son of Hypnos."

"Senna, child of Ares."

"Hycu, a child of Mercury."

We introduce ourselves and they all look confused. I speak as to explain, "There are only a few differences between us and the Huntresses. When you join our ranks, your name changes. Most of us have forgotten our old names. Lord Apollo remembers, but we do not wish to. This measure was taken to ensure, if found out, none would recognize us by name and only by appearance. Obviously, you must be male and must take an oath to Lord Apollo. Ours is more extensive than the one the ladies take for Lady Artemis. However, today it will be shortened now that you know about us."

Artemis narrows her eyes at me. "Are you saying you take things more seriously than we do?"

I shake my head. "Not at all. I'm only saying we are required to keep hidden, unlike you and your huntresses. Now that our lord wishes us to be seen do we come here. I only meant it as an explanation. Not an insult, Lady Artemis. Forgive me if it came across as one."

Artemis just looks at me in disbelief. "What do your oaths contain?"

I chuckle and Zach smiles as he punches my arm. "Dude, don't antagonize the lady."

"I wasn't aiming to. You explain. I have talked enough." I laugh again and Artemis turns red.

Zach rolls his eyes at me. "Much like your huntresses, we forsake the company of the other half of our race. As long as Lord Apollo doesn't release us from our oaths, we forsake the company of women. However, our lieutenant is a little different." He points at me.

"How so? Is he allowed to be with a woman?" Artemis looks pissed at me now, pardon my word. I shake my head and so does Zach. "No. He took it more seriously. He cannot be released from it like the rest of us can. He knew what he wanted and swore eternally to never be with one so long as he exists."

Everybody looks at me in shock except for the ones who are used to it.

"You see, to be accepted into our ranks, there are two ways. One way is to want to never be with a woman or because you can't due to your heart. Our lieutenant is the latter. And of course, Lord Apollo has to deem you worthy. The lieutenant didn't come to us of course, our lord finds you and offers you to join." Hycu speaks up.

"That's not possible. No male would do that." Thalia scrunches her nose.

"It is true. It's because of an event in his life. We forsake the company of women, like you forsake the company men. We vow to remain until Apollo releases us, like you do until Artemis releases you. We stay loyal to Apollo and Olympus. But we promise to do our best to stay hidden unless told not to." Gen says.

"What about hating women?" Artemis asks curiously.

I shake my head. "The Huntresses only hate men because of past experiences. We only hate the ones that led us to become a part of our family. The rest we have no problem with. We agree with you, most males are like what you make them out to be and though it may sound arrogant, we are not like that. We stay away from women for the most part and stay away from society in general. We make all attempts to keep out of the daily lives of others."

"I know you." One of the huntresses comes forward. She walks right up to me. "Your voice anyway."

I nod. "Hello, Lady Alisha. I brought you to Lady Artemis because of your...that man. It was my job to bring you safely to one of the places where demigods can be safe. Seeing as how where you came from wasn't ideal for males, I brought you to your aunt."

"Why do you all take vows to forsake the company of women when your patron isn't like that?" Another Huntress asks.

"Another thing that isn't as it seems. Lord Apollo still has his virtue. He is much like Athena. His children are born like hers. He has never touched a woman in that way. The twin children of Zeus are alike in every way but one." I reply and all goes silent.

I turn to Zeus. "Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo only have one difference in everything. Lord Apollo governs the sun while Lady Artemis governs the moon. Everything else, they share. Knowledge, prophecy, hunting, archery, healing, medicine, light, poetry, childbirth, and everything else. Lady Artemis came out first and Lord Apollo wished her to have the freedom he knew one of them could not have. One of them had to have children for the future, for the camps to survive, and for Chiron to teach. He took that burden. Much like Lady Artemis, he wanted to remain untouched, so he has mind children, but he still loves them. He wanted to roam like his sister with her Huntresses, so we came to be. Lord Apollo is not a fool, he only acts the part and you have not realized this."

Artemis looks shell shocked that I just revealed everything and her Huntresses are surprised, but they already knew that. Zeus is staring at me along with all the others. Then something must occur to him because he turns red in rage. "Where were you when we were at war?!" He roars.

"We used silver arrows like the Huntresses used and mimicked their movements. We stayed out of sight and attacked in the background. We kept the reinforcements at bay, sacrificing our secrecy to some of the enemies. Hoping they would stay dead, we kept going. But we now know that the enemy knows of us because it has been long enough for the ones who saw us to reform. But that is not why we are here." Zachariah replies calmly and Zeus huffs but sits down, contemplating something.

"We come at Lord Apollo's behest that it is time the world knows about us." I sigh. "The demigods deserve to know of us I suppose. They should know where to go if something ever happens. We also know that we are needed for this coming war. It was inevitable and since we are here, we have to tell you all something."

"What is it?" Athena asks in pure curiosity.

"We aren't partially immortal like the Huntresses." Wisthman says nervously.

"We're fully immortal, if only minor ones." Gen admits quietly.

"What happens to the dead ones?" Artemis asks sadly.

"Unlike normal immortals that go to Tartarus to reform, we go somewhere else. It's apparently more painful than in that evil place." I answer.

"Where?" Artemis asks.

"The sun." I shrug. "They have to come back on their own. We have yet to see Raphael again. I haven't met him or the other two, Arious and Kaeger. They died before I joined, in the first Giant and Titan wars."

"And when did you join?" Athena asks.

"Many millennium ago. We cannot even remember what year it is now. We do not keep track. We know when the year ends, we all do. But it has passed out of our knowledge what year it is. Somewhere between 12,000 and 20,000 years ago if we had to guess. The lieutenant probably doesn't even know himself." Senna says.

I shrug. I know exactly how many years ago it was. But I won't dispute Senna's answer. "Apollo." Zeus starts.

"Lord Zeus..." I begin to warn and step in front of Apollo. The others put their hands over their weapons. My hand is already on my sword.

"Why did you keep this from us for so long?" Zeus asks angrily.

My hand itches to bring my bow out and Artemis is watching me like a hawk. "Father, I didn't think you would understand after so long and thought that you might do something drastic like you normally do in these situations." Apollo answers.

"How dare you!" Zeus yells.

My sword clicks inaudibly as it comes out of its sheath a little bit, but Artemis saw it move. "Calm down, father. You know it's true." Apollo tries to reason with him.

Zeus rises from his throne and my brothers back up, their bows appearing in their hands. They back up slowly until they are at the throne room doors. I stay in front of Apollo, my sword still drawn where Zeus doesn't notice.

"You think I overreact, do you? How would you like to see me overreact?" Zeus grinds his teeth together and comes closer.

"Father, you have imprisoned so many people when they have done nothing and would never do anything. It's exactly how Kronos behaved when grandmother had his children. It's why he ate you, he feared what you would do and that led to his downfall. If he hadn't eaten you, you would not have rebelled." Apollo says.

Zeus growls. "Do not compare me to Kronos." He snaps.

I growl. "Lord Zeus." My face softens. "We have lost much more than you might think fighting for you. We only kept secret to keep you all safe. Lord Apollo did what he did for your safety. He means nothing by it. He is only telling you what everyone else thinks. Don't you see how other people look at you?"

Zeus stops walking towards us and his face screws up as he tries to think about what I said. "What do you mean?"

"Lord Zeus, as a child of Poseidon, I always have to fear going into your domain. So do the children of the Underworld. Your children have to fear the sea and entering the Underworld even more so as they venture. We are supposed to be allowed to go into your domain because we are allowed to go anywhere and challenge anyone if we are brave enough. But we would be struck down immediately. You do it because of something my father, Hera, and a couple others tried to tell you a long time ago. I am trying to tell you again. You promised you would be a better ruler than you were then and you are, but only towards humans, not to many of the demigods who are aware of you. You imprison unnecessarily, like Kronos ate your brothers and sisters. They tied you down to make you promise because you were becoming like your father. Olympus only stands because of the children of the gods and what others have done for you. In the wars, gods and goddesses betrayed you because they feared what you were becoming. Your children have the fatal flaw of power because you are greedy, just like Kronos was. But you aren't as far gone as he is. Apollo only wishes you to stop being like him because that's who you are acting like. You were the wine bearer for your father for a little while, you know what he is like. Do you really want to be like that? You ate Metis and Athena, but she has not yet overthrown you. Nor her children. She knows better. She hates Kronos.

Look at Hera, you tricked her into being your wife and raped her. And Demeter. Hestia took the vow to be an eternal maiden because of that. Not only have you tricked Hera, but you commit adultery. It's no wonder she is bitter all the time. You ruin her in her domain each time you do that kind of act. She always knows because of her domain and you try to hide it. It's impossible. She may not be able to know where they are but she knows who you betray her with and she can find them.

You've killed and imprisoned countless people because they are too powerful, but you could easily keep an eye on them or make them swear an oath of loyalty rather than doing something so horrible. If there's anyone who is too powerful, it is the Titans, Giants, and their allies. You need those you betrayed to help you in this war. Apologize, swear never to do it again, and maybe they'll forgive you and fight for you. Some aren't even fighters at all and yet you still call them too powerful. For Olympus sake, you've voted to kill so many children it's a wonder they fight for you. Oh, that's right, it's because you'll kill them if they don't or if they fight for the other side because of the same reason. You never keep your promises, even when they are upon the River Styx. Because you can get away with it due to your immortality. Styx isn't powerful enough to send you to Tartarus, but she can send mortals there. It's not fair to the children you have that Hera hunts them down because of your unfaithfulness. Really, I can't imagine why you are so blind to other people's views of you.

Luke Castellan is a perfect example. All he wanted was to be loved by his father. But gods can't be with their children because of a rule youmade and put into Ancient Laws. Fearing the greatness of the gods would die out because they loved their children so much. You don't even grieve at the loss of your own children. You can erase that rule and maybe the demigods would stop betraying you. At least let them visit their children every once in a while.

There are people down in the Fields of Punishment when they shouldn't be. Hades isn't allowed to release them or you'll take his power away or imprison him or throw him into Tartarus. Can't you see everything wrong in the face at what you have done?" I tell him.

Zeus stares at me and I can see the things I've said pass through his eyes and he just looks dumbstruck. "What?"

"I know I'm a product of an affair Poseidon had, but that doesn't make me anymore unimportant than a child of Demeter. I frown upon such things, but I believe Poseidon has resolved to stop having kids unless they are Amphitrite's. I know Triton has finally accepted his half-brothers and doesn't antagonize them anymore. Same for Amphitrite. Besides, if Poseidon had anymore demigods, I would probably punch him. The life of a demigod is a hard one and dangerous, especially for Big Three children. Kids don't deserve to go through that. Hades has stopped with the affairs. I haven't seen a new son of Zeus around but I know you, you don't stay away from women for too long." I say.

"Zianthos, I think you might have broken his brain." Frederick tells me.

"Maybe...I think he's trying to process it all. It could be working." I reply.

"Possibly." Ishron says.

"Do you think he even heard you that time?" Gen asks quietly.

"Boys." Apollo chuckles.

"Sorry lord." We apologize to Apollo.

Apollo laughs. "I think you should explain everything else about you."

"Do we have to?" Senna complains.

"Senna, it's not that bad." I tell him.

"Yes it is. Zeus might explode." Senna whispers dramatically and makes hand motions.

"What are you talking about?" Athena asks.

We all walk over to her, around Zeus to avoid him, and everybody looks at us. Apollo returns to his throne. "As immortals, we have powers." I tell her.

"Yes. All immortals get the power of flashing." Athena says impatiently.

I shake my head. "No, I mean like...help me explain Zach." I huff in annoyance.

"It's like a demigod power, but stronger. Some are technically useless except for in the right situations. But all of us have a useful power. No one has had a different one yet according to Lord Apollo." Zach says.

"So, we all have one." I hold up one finger to accentuate my point. "Like, our former lieutenant had mind-reading." I explain.

"I can tell if someone is lying." Zach shrugs.

"I can run faster than Hermes apparently." Ishron rolls his eyes.

"Impossible strength for me." Senna smiles excitedly.

"That is so annoying. You dragged me out of my tent this morning." I snap at Senna.

"I was hyper. Shut up." Senna punches me.

"Still doesn't hurt." I grin.

"It's not my fault." Senna rubs his hand.

I wink at Athena. "Impenetrable skin. Can't be stabbed or pierced and getting hit hurts my opponent more than me."

"So, invincibility?" Hestia asks curiously.

"Oh no, I can still die by poisoning or whatever. Obviously I can't drown in water." I chuckle.

"Anyways, I can track in a blizzard or in any extreme condition. It makes it fun when we go to the worst parts of Antarctica. Nothing can escape me. Well, there's one exception." Gen says the last sentence in annoyance.

"That exception is me. I can't be found by anything and can hide my presence completely. The others suppress theirs pretty good, but mine is untraceable and nothing can track me because I don't leave footprints or anything." Frederick high fives Senna.

"I can control animals, but I normally just ask them for help. They feel obliged to though, but appreciate the fact I ask before ordering." Hycu says.

Deni sighs and holds out his hand, rocks appearing in it. "I can create, control, and destroy any kind of earth in any form. Metals included, but that takes more concentration."

"I got invisibility." Wisthman says, fading in and out of sight to prove it.

"I can survive in any kind of condition or place and keep others alive." Jarren says.

Sirius shakes his head and it starts to snow and hail around him. "I have powers like the goddess Khione. I hate that witch. I'll combat her if I have to." He smacks his fist into his hand.

"I'm immune to pain." Marshall says grudgingly.

"I can heal any wound without any materials, just not as powerfully and quickly as Lord Apollo." Lau says cheerily.

Benjamin groans. "Just say it Ben." I tell him, smiling.

"Zianthos." Ben whines.

"No arguments. We have to tell them." I try to suppress my huge smirk.

"I can create illusions around you and I know your worst fears because of it." Benjamin says.

"That's all of us." I look at Athena.

"I sense, you, however, have more to say about your power." Artemis looks pointedly at me. I curse under my breath and she narrows her eyes at me. "Impenetrable skin, shapeshifting, and defense." I mutter.

"What?" Artemis asks. "Say it louder." She commands.

I turn to face her. "Impenetrable skin, shapeshifting, and defense." I repeat for her and everyone hears me this time.

"I thought you all only get one power." Athena accuses me.

"We do. But the lieutenant is special." Zach grins.

"He is also the youngest." Senna sticks his tongue out at me.

"Special how?" Artemis asks intrigued.

I look away. "Our lord has chosen not to tell me, for fear it might deter me from helping others like I have been my entire life." I cringe at the look Artemis gives me.

"You're lying." She comes down before me.

"No, I am not." I back away from her.

She walks right up to me and I stick my arm out, her grabbing it to keep me from getting away from her. "Yes, you are. Now tell me."

"My past and soul cause me to have three." I tell her.

"What is so special about your soul?" She inquires.

"I don't know." I admit and look at the floor.

Artemis sighs. "Why?"

I look up at her, shocked at her kind tone. "Lord Apollo won't tell me. I just know it's different for the most part. I don't understand at all. It's the only thing I don't understand. He said I would find out in time, if permitted by Atropos, Lachesis, and Clotho."

"Oh, I see now." Artemis says and looks at me closer.

"What?" I ask and lean away from her.

"I guess I'm the one to tell you." Artemis rolls her eyes.

"About my soul?" I ask unsure.

She grips my arm harder and I let her pull me with her. She pulls me out of the throne room and into one of the maze-like gardens. She whirls around to face me. "Your soul, it's pure. Incorruptible."

"How do you mean?" I ask nervously.

"You fight for good and you're the only soul to fight for what's right no matter what. You always know what is right and determine all endings to every conflict you get dragged into. I know who you were by the way." She smiles at me.

I shake my head and back away from her, but she just yanks me back. "No, I am not someone you know."

"You're right. You're someone I knew. I don't know who you are now. You used to be the only man I thought decent. Now you and your brothers I consider decent, especially since you have all taken that oath. I'm surprised at yours though, I thought you would want children and they would be good ones too." Artemis looks at me kindly and sadly.

My shoulders sag and I look at the ground. "I can't. I'm not able to hold love like that anymore."

"It's not that you can't, it's that you don't want to be hurt again. You love others. I can tell you love my brother and your little family of Hunters. I can sense the bond to Poseidon strengthened again. But the demigods...yours is just the loyalty to protect, not love and protection." Artemis tells me.

I search her eyes. "Yes." I whisper. "How do you...that's a stupid question." I shake my head and she laughs.

"Yes it is. You already know how I knew." Artemis giggles.

"Can you let go of me please my lady?" I look at her hand on my arm and she lets go. "Thank you."

"The thing I don't understand is the love you and your brothers feel for me and my huntresses." Artemis puts her fists on her hips.

"Oh, Lord Apollo wishes us to look after you and your sisters. We watch from afar and help when we can. Like several bands of monsters are stopped before they can get to you. We are like the Huntresses, just male. I hope they don't hate us for the way we were born. But we will continue to keep our distance. Though I expect to be working together with them because of the upcoming war. We want no competition. We just want to help. It is all we are here for." I smile at her.

She nods. "I see. And if my father orders you disbanded?"

"We lose our immortality, powers, and connections, those who reform on the sun will die permanently and enter Elysium, we are released from our oaths, and we try to return to our lives before or live like we have been without the immortality. We still retain the powers we have as demigods and we can still wield our weapons without the blessing. We just won't be as powerful as we once were. We do not fear death and will continue to protect those Lord Apollo holds dear. It has been too long to know anything else other than to serve Lord Apollo. I don't think Icould do anything else. It has become my life, my home. Same goes for my brothers. We don't know anything else and we wouldn't know where to go." I answer.

"You know..." Artemis begins.

"What is it milady?" I ask.

"I am the Goddess of Maidenhood. It doubles as virtue I suppose. You would be tied to me-" She says.

I shake my head and cut her off. "No. We will not intrude on the ladies nor will we make it hard on you on Olympus or with your father. We will deal with the consequences. We knew the possibilities when we chose to reveal ourselves. It was our choice and will handle it on our own. We appreciate the offer. It makes our view on you true. Besides," I smirk. "I still love provoking Zeus. I'd like to see him try to destroy our home and lifestyle. He wouldn't dare disband a powerful group of allies."

Artemis chuckles and motions towards the exit. I nod and start to head out but she stops me. "Listen, I am sorry for what she did to you."

I turn to look at her. "So am I, but it cannot be helped now. If she is happy, then so be it. I'm just as, if not more than, happy as she is. I'm still alive aren't I? The sadness will pass with time. It's just worse for me because of my fatal flaw. Don't worry about it. I'm better than I was 12,000 years ago."