AN: This chapter is dedicated to cbelits for their awesome comment, "This is one of the best stories I have read on wattpad! You are a great author! Update ASAP!!!" Thanks cbelits! I really appreciate all those who can comment on my stories. Even if it's asking for something specific to happen or providing ideas. I really appreciate it. Now enough of my babbling, on to the story!

Chapter 7: A Walk Along the Shore - Annabeth's POV

I stared in shock at Epsilon's lifeless form. Only a second ago he was racing across the battlefield, striking down monsters left, right and center. And then he was leaning over me, just for a second, before collapsing back.

Iroas was by his side, trying to get him to wake up. I crawled over and Iroas tensed as I approached. I pushed the thought from my mind and focused my attention on the fallen commander.

'Come on, Epsilon. Come on, brother. Wake up!' Iroas sounded desperate and close to breaking point.

'What happened?' I croaked

Iroas shook his head despairingly, 'The empousa attacked you and he went into a state of destruction. That is to say, he released all his energy and vaporised every monster that was left. Then he came back to heal you. He didn't have the energy for that. Using that much power could be enough to kill him.'

I couldn't say anything for shock. He could've just killed himself just to heal me? Why would he do that? He didn't even know me.

Iroas bent over Epsilon and cried. I felt tears running down my cheeks too. This man didn't know me, but he just sacrificed his life to save mine. How could you ever repay a debt like that? Well, its may turn out I don't have to, if he's dead ...

I crawled over to Epsilon's head. His skin had a horribly grey hue and there were dark circles under his eyes. The only indication that he was alive at all was that his whole body shivered marginally like he was in a meat locker.

'Iroas,' I said gently, putting my hand on his shoulder, 'he's alive.'

He jerked back on his haunches and stared at his quivering friend. For a moment he sat, speechless. Then he moved into action.

Hitching his arms under Epsilon's back and legs, Iroas picked him up and walked briskly off to the Chaos Cabin. I hurried after him. Iroas never broke his stride the whole way.

I hadn't seen the Chaos Cabin before, so it was surprising when we arrived at a relatively small, dark cabin with a Greek epsilon above the doorway. I was expecting something bigger.

Iroas stopped at the door and looked back at me. He seemed to be considering. Finally, he sighed and gave a nod.

'Come on,' he said, 'The others will want to hear it from you.'

He pushed the door open with his back and I scrambled in after him.

The feeling of expectation completely faded once I saw the inside of the cabin. It was huge; door lead off into other rooms and a luxurious living room was the center of the building.

The rest of the Chaos warriors were already there, milling around the room, sitting on the couches. They all jumped up and spun around when they heard Iroas enter with me trailing behind.

'Guys, we gotta tell you want happened after the battle.'

He stepped aside so they could all see that I was there. I got the feeling that this was Iroas' subtle way of telling the Chaos warriors to use their code names.

One of them came up to me, pulling her hood off as she did. She grabbed my arm gently and pulled me over to a couch.

'Annabeth,' Silena said, 'What happened to-' she hesitated like she'd almost made a slip, '-to Commander Epsilon.'

As the rest of the warriors gathered around me, I told everyone about the fight with the empousa, and what Iroas had told me about Epsilon's destucto mode and him healing me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Iroas carrying Epsilon into what must've been his room. Then he came out and stood by the front door.

When I had finished recounting the events, Silena had tears in her eyes and a few of the others were sniffling.

'I can't believe he's probably gone and got himself killed for something so stupid,' one of the girls grumbled. I could swear I'd heard her voice before.

Iroas laughed quietly, 'Why, Drakon. Never knew you cared.'

Drakon stiffened and looked around as the rest of the warriors started snickering at her, 'I, well, he ... he's the commander. Who would lead us if he died?'

'I would,' Iroas announced, stepping forward, 'You all know that Epsilon left me as second in command. If he dies, the duty falls to me.'

The warriors bobbed their heads and nodded in agreement. Except for Drakon who stared at her feet.

'Drakon,' Iroas crossed his arms.

'I suppose I'd have to,' she mumbled.

I turned to Drakon. It felt like a good time to say something. 'Have I met you before? You sound so familiar.'

She glared at me from under her hood. Maybe not such a good time.

But then she softened slightly, 'Yeah. You've met me before. I use to go to camp here. We did several little projects together.'

My mind kicked into action. Use to go to camp, did a project together, along with that familiar voice ...

My eyes widened. I suddenly knew who this girl was.

'I, you-you're alive!' I stuttered in awe.

'Yeah I am,' she pulled her hood down, revealing a very old friend who was also one of the missing spirits from 10 years ago.

'I gotta say, its nice to finally be able to take that hood off,' Clarisse smirked.

Luke's POV

I didn't stick around after Clarisse revealed herself. Sure, it was a miracle when Annabeth ran straight over and they clasped each others arm, talking in rapid fire girlish.

I wandered down to the beach, where Percy always used to go to think.

I sat down on the sand and looked out at the ocean. The tide chased playfully after the sandy shore and then ran back out, over and over. The calm, still water glistened like a jewel in the light of the early afternoon sun.

I sighed deeply. What was I suppose to do now? Wait until Percy died, then assume his position as commander? I felt like I was taking advantage of the situation. I didn't want to be commander. That was Percy's role. How could I just let him die?

I got up and started walking the length of the beach. I stared at the horizon until my eyes burned. I was just thinking about taking off my hood for a while, when I saw a silhouette of a man sitting on sand with his head and his hands.

I walked over cautiously. When I was 3 feet away, the man looked up and I caught my breath.

It was Poseidon!

Except his looked very different. His once black hair and beard was now snow white, and the smile lines around his eyes were joined by many others all over his face. He wore Greek battle armour, but the metal was faded, dented and dusty. His green eyes that use to twinkle like Percy's did whenever he was excited, were dim and sad.

'Poseidon,' I said carefully, 'What are you doing here?'

His tried to look angry, but all he could manage was tired and somber, 'Who are you?'

'I am Iroas, second in command in the army of Chaos.'

He nodded wearily and I sat down next to him. We both stared out at the waves lapping gently against that sand. Then I looked away; the ocean reminding me greatly of Percy wasting away in the Chaos Cabin, dying after he saved the girl who betrayed him.

'So, Lord Poseidon,' I ventured, 'What are you doing out here?'

'Thinking.'

'Yeah,' I smiled, 'I always found the beach a good place to think.'

'So did he,' the heartache in his voice surprised me, 'He loved the water. Only natural ...'

With a jolt, I realized he was talking about Percy. But just to be sure-

'My Lord, is there someone in particular in which you are thinking about?'

'My son,' he closed his eyes and his body shook as he started crying. The tranquil surface of the water suddenly rippled and splashed; the ocean responding the the sea gods mournful mood.

I awkwardly pat him on the shoulder until he stopped crying. He didn't even look ashamed. Poseidon glanced up at me.

'You said you're part of Chaos' army,' Poseidon said.

I hesitated. I realized I knew what he was going to ask. He was going to ask exactly what the other demigods had.

'Yes,' I replied slowly.

Poseidon's eyes regained some sparkle, 'Then, you many have seen my son, Percy.'

I paused for a moment, wondering what I should tell him. Then, I realized he could help me. I turned to him, hope shinning in my eyes beneath my hood.

'Lord Poseidon, I know little of this Percy. However, my commander, Epsilon, has heard of him and can tell you what has become of your son.'

Poseidon jumped up, 'Then take me to him. I must plead with your commander to find what has happened to Percy.'

I got to my feet, 'I wish I could, Lord Poseidon. But Commander Epsilon has been fatally wounded. He released too much energy healing someone and is now dying. He needs the urgent attention of a god.'

Poseidon needed to hear no more, 'Take me to him.'

We raced off to the Chaos Cabin. I barely paused at the door, barging in and scaring all the warriors. I lead the way to Percy's room where Annabeth and Clarisse sat, side by side, staring at the lifeless commander.

He looked worse than the last time I saw him. Clarisse had obviously been smart enough to keep his hood pulled up. But the lower half of his face was visible, revealing skin that was chalky and whiter than a ghost. He could've been dead except for the faint aura of life that surrounded him like an invisible cloud.

Poseidon walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, passing his hand over Percy's face.

'He is fading,' Poseidon mumbled, 'Im no god of medicine, but I can restore some measure of life,' he looked up at me, 'You are certain he can tell me about my son?'

I nodded. I wasn't sure how Percy was going to take this. Not well, was probably one way.

Poseidon passed his hand over Percy's face again, muttering an incantation. Slowly, but surely, colour drained back into Percy's face, his chest began moving at a steady pace. Then he breathed in deeply and sat bolt upright. Poseidon jumped back from the bed and my eyes went wide.

Percy's POV

My dreams were as troubling and confusing as ever. With no strength left in my body, I had no control of what I did in my sleep. I was forced to just float and watch whatever my mind decided to show me. And what it did show me was so scary that I wished I could face off against an entire army of monsters single handed rather than watch this.

I was in an enormous throne room. The walls, the floor and the roof were solid obsidian. Torches burning with black fire that somehow gave off light were lined around the room. I floated forwards.

Sitting leisurely on the throne was a man in black robe. He had hair that was darker than charcoal and his skin was like dark timber. His head was bowed as he listened to a man give him a report.

'-all destroyed in the end,' the man was saying, 'The assault failed. However, we have received intelligence that the commander was fatally injured and may soon be destined to die.'

At these words, the man on the throne lifted his head. I gasped. His eyes were like Chaos'; swirling with emotions. But unlike Chaos', this man only had evil feelings reflected in his eyes; hate, jealousy, envy, anger, fear, lust. I knew instantly that this man was Destruction.

'The commander is destined to die?' Destruction asked. His voice was smooth and rich, but is practically oozed power and evil.

'Yes, Lord.'

I realized they were talking about me dying. As soon as I thought about it, I had a vision of me in my room back at the Chaos Cabin. Annabeth and Clarisse-who had her hood down-were sitting in a corner, staring at my motionless form. Then the throne room came back into focus.

'Then the assault succeeded,' Destruction laughed, but there was no humour in it, 'The purpose of the assault was to rid ourselves of that foolish boy.'

All of a sudden, Destruction stopped laughing,'But wait. The boy; he is here.'

The servant's eyes widened, 'He is too powerful.'

'Which is why we sent the assault to kill him, fool,' Destruction's eyes locked on mine, 'You will die soon, Commander, in our presence.'

Abruptly, I started choking, I couldn't breath. I thought it was a clever way for Destruction to torture me until he jumped of his throne.

'No!' he screamed, 'Someone is returning his life force!'

The throne room blurred and I could feel my strength returning to me. I closed my eyes as the world spun. Then I could feel cool cloth under my fingers and smell the ocean. I breathed the scent in and lurched up like I'd been shot in the back.

My head whipped around, taking in my surrounding in a single glance. Annabeth and Clarisse were indeed in the room. But now they were standing by the bed. Luke stood by the door, his hands balled into fists and his eyes were huge. And standing beside me was-

'Dad,' my lips moved, but no sound came out. Which was a good thing because no one knew who I was and I almost blew it.

I moistened my lips, 'Poseidon.'

My voice sounded shaky and damaged. My body felt like it had been stuffed inside a punching bag and then hung up for anyone and everyone to take a swing at.

Poseidon nodded respectfully, 'Commander Epsilon.'

He hesitated for a moment, like what he wanted to say would cut his lips like eating glass.

'Iroas told me that you have information on the well being of my son, Percy Jackson.'

Oh crap!