Hi Everyone! Sorry it took so long to update. I'm back at school so don't expect as frequent updates. I'll do it when I can.

Anyway, the winner of my favourite comment and this chapters dedication is, Awkwardacity! for her comment, "Oh my gods!!! I have literally just read this whole book in two hours straight!!! This is THE BEST Percy Jackson Chaos Fic I have EVER read!!! Are you a professional writer??? If not then you definitely should be!!! I L-O-V-E this book! It's amazingly written, hardly any mistakes, really long and has amazing character developement with no Out Of Character-ness at all! I love the hinted Clarisse x Luke in here, and the way that Annabeth found out about Percy. And the way that Hazel took Leo's reappearance, and the mysterious Azelle, and...basically EVERYTHING IN THIS BRILLIANT WORK-OF-GENIUS NOVEL!!! The only thing I think I think is missing is that you should bring Thalia and Nico back in for a bit - we haven't seen them for AGES!!!
I physically cannot wait or the next chapter!!! I will keep rereading this over, and over, and over, and over...and over again until you update PLEASE!!! This is an AMAZING book, and a credit to the writing of Rick Riordan!!!
Ps: to answer your question; if I was a daughter of any two of the Seven (or Eight, depending in how you look at it :D) I would be the daughter of Percy (for the Sea and loyalty) and Hazel (for Pluto's powers and just cos I love her as a character)
Yours,
Awkwardacity, demigod daughter of Apollo, legacy of Hades." Thanks Awkwardacity! I really appreciate every comment, and I usually try to respond to all of them!

Now, this is chapter 20 (yay, I reached 20!). It isn't very eventful but I needed a filler. I promise great, more exciting chapters ahead, though ...

Chapter 20: A Life of Lies - Percy's POV

For the first time since arriving at Destruction's Fortress, I slept without nightmares.

It was such a welcome change, that I only woke when I felt something slightly smaller than an earthquake shake me awake.

'Come on, Seaweed Brain! Get up!'

'Ok, ok!'

I sat up and stretched, smiling up Annabeth who was smiling down in return. She shook head at me and I was immediately alert.

'What's happened?' I asked quickly, jerking my head around.

Annabeth laughed at my panic, 'Nothing's wrong. You just need to get up. It's nearly midday!'

'Midday?'

I glanced up at a space between the tree and saw that she was right; the sun was almost directly above us.

'Annabeth wanted to get moving, but I told her to let you sleep because you would need all the strength you can get.'

I looked around for the new voice and found Azelle hanging upside down in a tree on the opposite side of the glade. She reached up and took hold of the branch, swinging up until she sat on top of it.

Annabeth crossed her arms, frowning, 'I only wanted to get home safely. What if camp has been attacked already?'

I felt a sick feeling well up inside when when I realized she was right. Camp could have been attacked and we would never know. Everyone else could be already dead.

Still, Azelle shook her head, 'You can bet that to reach camp, we'll come across some monsters. If Percy's too weak to fight them, we'll never reach camp alive, even if everyone else is alright.'

I could see the sense in both sides of the story, but it was hard to choose which version was right. But what's done is done. We can't change the past.

But we can alter the future.

'We can't go back,' I told Annabeth, 'So we have to go forward. We're not armed, so we're going to need our strength to get to camp.'

Azelle nodded, 'Exactly.'

Annabeth shot her a look I didn't really understand; her jaw was clenched and her eyes narrowed. Then it hit me; I'd seen that look once before, when I'd introduced Annabeth to Rachel Elizabeth Dare who was now our Oracle.

Annabeth was jealous.

I took her hand and she looked back at me, her eyes softening.

'Everything we'll be ok,' I said gently, 'We're together.'

'We're together,' she repeated softly.

Her eyes took on a glazed look, and I wondered if she was recalling the same memory I was; the moment we were briefly reunited before the floor gave out and we tumbled to Tartarus.

I half expected Azelle to look furious. Therefore I was surprised when she just smiled peacefully and leaned against the tree trunk, still ten feet in the air.

I frowned. Something about her seemed so familiar.

Since I'd fallen asleep, she'd sewn herself a new outfit of beige cargo pants, a white cotton t-shirt and hiking boots, all made of natural resources. She was one talented girl.

I got the feeling that she didn't like me like that - and I most certainly didn't either - but we still had some strange connection, something that took more than words to explain.

For a long moment, the only noise in the clearing was the breeze weaving through the treetops and the lulling hum of bees buzzing around the honeysuckle.

The silence drooned on until it started to become uncomfortable. Azelle eventually shattered the quiet by shimmying gracefully down the tree trunk.

When she reached the bottom, she sighed, 'I guess we better get moving.'

'Wait,' Annabeth said, 'We don't have any weapons. How will we defend ourselves?'

I thought about it. Then I held my palm towards the sky. A ball of cold, white fire flickered to life in my hand. I smiled and closed my fist around the flames, extinquishing it.

'I can deal with that.'

Annabeth looked at me weird, 'You can?'

I nodded, 'Sure. Look, I'm not up to my full strength, so I can't use any of my super powerful abilities like teleportation. Besides, I can't teleport with people. But I can do minor things, like creating things from darkness.'

Azelle frowned, 'How do you create something from nothing?'

'Like this.'

I held out my hands like I was gripping a beach ball. A single spark of lightning flashed between my palms and I winced, but continued. I had to do this or we would be left defenceless.

The spark turned into a thundercloud that obsucred my creation from sight. I kept my concentration until I was sure that it was finished. I dropped my hands and the cloud dissipated, revealing a bronze dagger that glinted in the midday sunlight.

Annabeth stared, open mouthed, as it drifted over and hovered in front of her. She took it in shaking hands.

'This-' she moistened her lips, 'This is the dagger that Luke gave me when I was 7. But it's supposed to be lost in Tartarus.'

I gave her a small smile, 'Not anymore. It isn't a replica, either. That's the real thing. Think of it as summoning.'

She stared at the knife with awe. Then, without warning, she chucked it with all her might into the nearest tree. The knife embedded itself up to its hilt. Same old Annabeth.

I repeated the process twice more until I had made a dagger similar to Annabeth's for Azelle, and a pen for me.

I reverently held the pen in my open palm, knowing what would happen if I took the cap off. Annabeth gave it a wary look.

'You didn't-' she seemed unable to complete the sentence.

'I did,' I murmured, 'I've missed you.'

I took the cap off the end and it sprung into a familiar bronze sword shinning with light. I gripped the leather handle that still fit like it was designed for me. I traced my hand down the writing on the hilt; Anaklusmos.

'Riptide,' I breathed.

I smiled widely. It felt so good to have my old sword back. Then my smile gave way to a frown.

What if someone saw the sword transform into a pen?

I held out my hand and a scabbard shimmered into existence. Strapping it onto my jeans (that still had a burn mark down one leg) I sheathed Riptide. Now I wouldn't have to recap it.

Annabeth nodded in appreciation, 'Smart.'

I smirked, 'What? Does that surprise you?'

'N-no, I just, well, um-' spluttered Annabeth.

I laughed; a good hearty sound that made me feel warm inside. Azelle joined me and Annabeth turned pink. That only made me laugh harder.

'Let's go,' she muttered, grabbing my hand and starting off.

I didn't expect to get very far before our first monster attack. It was because of this that I wasn't surprised when three empousai emerged from the cover the trees less than ten minutes later.

'Are you serious?' I grumbled, drawing Riptide.

'Empusai,' Annabeth spat, 'Think one of them's Kelli? I wanna kick her.'

I grinned, 'Kick all of them to be sure.'

She nodded earnestly, 'Sounds good.'

Just like that, it was if the betrayal had never happened. We moved into battle just as we had all those years ago.

I leapt towards the empousa in the center while Annabeth went after the one on the left. The empousa on the right stalked towards Azelle who raised her dagger in a shaky hand.

Focusing my attention on the monster in front of me, I took in what she fought with; a tridant and weighted net. I'd fought this classic gladiator style many times at camp, and many times since. I could handle this.

I sidesteped her first swipe and jabbed Riptide under her guard, striking her on the leg. This one must've been extra resilent, because she didn't disintergrate immediately. She threw her net, but I simple ducked.

I almost wished for a challenge.

I did a blackflip over her (yes, I can do those now) and thrust my sword in a chink in the back of her armour. She wailed as she exploded in a cloud of dust.

I was just about to congratulate myself when I saw Azelle.

The girl was swiping widely at the empousa, who was advancing with her claws extended. I started to run, but I knew I would be too late. There was only one option.

I shifted my hold on Riptide so I had it an stabbing grip. Yelling, 'duck!' at Azelle, I threw my sword like a knife.

The empousa turned her head, but it was already over. Riptide hit her in the middle of her forehead and she crumbled.

I walked the rest of the way as Azelle leaned against a tree taking deep shaky breaths.

'What was that about?' I asked.

She looked down, red creeping up her cheeks. Annabeth stood watching for a little while away.

'I-I can't actually fight,' the younger girl admitted, 'I've never gone to any camp or anything. All I've ever done is cook or clean or help heroes escape. I've never actually been in a life or death situation.'

I put my hand on her shoulder, 'That's nothing to be ashamed of. Why are you embarresed about it?'

Her mirror image eyes locked onto mine, 'Because you and Annabeth are such brilliant fighters, and I can't even defend myself. I don't know why you wanted me to come to camp with you.'

I chuckled, 'Because you're brave. Warriors can be trained, powers can be developed or gifted. But courage you are born with. You can't simply gain bravery. Either it's a part of you, or it isn't. And it is definately, a part of you.'

She looked up at me with obvious gratitude. She smiled, and it was then that I noticed-

'Your arm,' I pointed, 'What happened?'

A dark red line ran from the crook of her elbow to just below her wrist. The cut looked deep and painful. Azelle saw it and winced.

'The monster's claw must've caught me before I moved out of range,' she muttered.

'It needs to be washed out,' Annabeth said, walking over to join us, 'Or it could get infected.'

'We past a river not long ago,' I tried to remember which way, 'We'll have to double back.'

'No,' Azelle protested, 'It's not important. We need to get you two to camp. That's what matters.'

'We're not going anywhere until that wound's been washed out,' I insisted.

Azelle huffed, but gave in.

In less than two minutes, we reached the river. I breathed in the scent of my natural territory. I could feel the water's power, even if it wasn't as strong as salt water. I knelt by the bank and splashed water in my face.

'Let me help you,' I said.

She shook her head, 'It's ok. I can handle myself.'

She cupped some water in her palm and poured it over the cut on her arm. Then, the strangest thing happened.

Where the water touched, the skin began to heal.

Azelle gasped in shock, Annabeth took a step back and I suddenly found it hard to breathe. As the three of watched, the cut closed, became a scar, and then faded. I kept staring long after the cut was gone. It was impossible ...

'What-what just happened?' Azelle managed.

For once, the daughter of the Athena was speechless. I wasn't much better.

'The water,' I breathed, 'It healed you.'

'I know that,' Azelle tried to sound snappy, but she just sounded scared.

I pressed my hands to the sides of my head, 'No, no, no. This cannot be happening. It's not possible.'

But even as I said it, I knew it was. There was only one possible explanation as to why the water healed her. Even though it meant opening a door I hoped would remain closed forever.

'What's not possible?' Azelle said in a small voice, 'Percy, what's going? What's happening?'

'Your father,' Annabeth finally found her voice.

'What about him?' Azelle squeaked, 'He died when I was born. That's what my mother said.'

'He's not dead,' I said, still grasping the sides of my head, 'He is a god.'

I opened my eyes to see Azelle sitting staring into the river, eyes wide in shock.

'A god?'

'Yes,' Annabeth mumbled, 'He's a god.'

'Which god?' Azelle looked to me, 'Who is my father?'

'Poseidon,' Annabeth announced gravely, 'God of the Sea, Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of horses-'

'And my dad,' I interupted.

I turned to the river and gazed into its depths. I suddenly found it very hard to look Azelle in the eye. She was my half-sister. How was that possible? How could the others gods not know about her?

'Azelle, how long were you a prisonor in Destruction's Fortress,' Annabeth asked gently.

'As long as I can remember,' she replied, 'Destruction and his men raided my home. My whole family, and who was left from my village, were kidnapped. I was five.'

'Five years old and kidnapped,' Annabeth sounded thoughtful, 'What was the year were kidnapped?'

I turned back to the two of them, stunned, 'Annabeth, what has the got to do with anything?'

She waved me off, 'Just humour me.'

Azelle glanced at me and I shrugged.

She took a deep breath, '1720.'

I felt like an invisable hand was closing in around my throat. 1720! That was over three hundred years ago. Azelle noticed my reaction and looked on the edge of panic. Annabeth alone remained calm.

'Azelle,' she said softly, '1720 was three hundred years ago.'

'What?!' Azelle hugged herself, 'I'm not three hundred! I can't be ... '

'It's ok,' I got up from the river bank where I was still kneeling, 'Destruction must've made you immortal so you could serve him forever.'

'So he wouldn't have to continuously find new servants,' Annabeth muttered, 'Of course, it makes sense now.'

Azelle took a shuddering breath, 'But, why am I fourteen instead of five, when I was kidnapped.'

I thought about that, and I felt like I got close to an answer. Annabeth, of course, beat me to it.

'You wouldn't have been able to serve him as a five year old,' she said, 'It makes more sense to wait until you're older to make you immortal.'

Azelle looked shattered, like everything she'd ever known was a lie. Which was kind of the case.

I took her hand, 'Hey. You're my sister now. You have a new family with us and the campers. I can teach you to use your powers, and we can help you learn how to use weapons.'

Annabeth came up on her other side, taking her other hand. Suddenly, she didn't look so jealous.

'We can help you,' she promised.

Azelle smiled, 'We'll have to get moving. If you're going to teach me to be a proper demigod, we'll need to get to camp.'

'That's the spirit,' I said as we stood from the river bank.

'So, which way?' Azelle asked.

That stumped me.

'That way,' Annabeth said confidently, gesturing back the way we'd come.

'Uh, not to be a pessimist,' I mumbled, 'But why that way?'

She rolled her eyes at me, muttered, 'Seaweed Brain.'

'Because we need to go west. And according to the sun,' she pointed, 'that was is west.'

I knew better than to argue with Annabeth, 'Ok then. That way it is.'

Yay! They're on their way back to camp! And Azelle is a daughter of Poseidon. I just want to shout out to greek_freak1, who figured it out first.

Questions, questions. Thanks to everyone who answered my question last chapter. For those who didn't read it, the question was "If you could be a child of any two of the seven (including Nico), who would they be?" This chapter, the question is; what is your favourite part of the Lost Hero? For example, mine is when Leo stands up to Khione (kick butt, Leo!) I also want to shout out to Think_Inspiration for being the, well, inspiration for this question. You should all read her books, especiially ... all of them!

And who liked the House of Hades? I won't give away too much but omg Nico and poor Leo. Who read the dedication for the book? geez, Rick has an annoying sense of humour.

Ok, this is too much writing. Thanks for reading and eat blue food!