Percy froze as he stared at me. I was struggling to get myself under control. 

"What the actual hades?" 

I just nodded. I looked away struggling to get myself under control. Taking a deep shuddering breath. "I saw...I saw..." I looked back at him, "Percy, we're surrounded by Kronos monsters. Then Persephone hijacked my Sight. Nico is working on Hades...I don't think we'll have backup in time...at least for a while. Then she sent me to the past. But then..it got worse. Long story short. Hera, the holy cow, killed my mom because she could break the curse of Delphi...whatever that means. I'll tell you later." 

"Holly shit, Nora!" Percy laid a hand on my shoulder, his big sea green eyes were wide with worry. I caught a glimpse of everyone behind him, they all looked leery and worried. Some looked fearful and avoided my eye. I wiped the tears away aggressively. I pulled my hair up into a pony tail.

"We have Manhattan to save. Come on Percy." I forced a thin lipped smile.  

"Nora-" Percy started, but I covered his hands and looked at him, I sighed, feeling even more drained and exhausted. "There isn't anything I can do about it now. And for all I know...Kronos is messing with my Sight, trying to make me turn on the gods." I signed sadly.

"But-" 

I shook my head, singing as I stood up "I wouldn't put it passed her, she's vial enough. But we have bigger issues right now. We have about 300 enemies coming in on us." 

"Ya...we saw." Percy said. 

"How?" 

"Annabeth has a vision shield." He pointed to the shield Annabeth was still holding. 

"Oh...well...then...great." I shrugged my chest armor back into place and pretending to tighten it, so I could avoid looking at the campers around me. Percy looked at me for a split second longer and then turned to our friends. They looked stunned and scared, and I couldn't blame them. There were a little more then forty of us, the enemies out numbered us easily, 1 to at least 8 . And we were alone.

"All right," Percy said. "We're going to hold Manhattan."

I focused on his words, reading his lips, despite his hands already signing for me.

Silena tugged at her armor. "Um, Percy, Manhattan is huge."

"We are going to hold it," I said with my hands, my face set into a hard determination, the fire flickered in my eyes. "We have to."

"They're right," Annabeth said. "The gods of the wind should keep Kronos's forces away from Olympus by air, so he'll try a ground assault. We have to cut off the entrances to the island."

"They have boats," Michael pointed out.

An electric tingle went down my back. Suddenly I understood Athena's advice: Remember the rivers.

"Percy?" I signed with a twisted grin.

"I'll take care of the boats," He said with a nod.

Michael frowned. "How?"

"Not with a chariot, Michael." I snapped, turning my angry eyes on him. He lowered his head in guilt. Percy rushed on, explaining the battle plan. I was surprised Annabeth was letting him explain the battle plan, considering this was supposed to be her area of expertise.  

"We need to guard the bridges and tunnels. Let's assume they'll try a midtown or downtown assault, at least on their first try. That would be the most direct way to the Empire State Building. Michael, Nora, take Apollo's cabin to the Williamsburg Bridge. Katie, Demeter's cabin takes the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. Grow thorn bushes and poison ivy in the tunnel. Do whatever you have to do, but keep them out of there! Conner, take half of Hermes cabin and cover the Manhattan Bridge. Travis, you take the other half and cover the Brooklyn Bridge." 

"And no stopping for looting or pillaging-" I added, narrowing my eyes at the Stoll brothers. 

"Awwww!" the whole Hermes cabin complained. 

"-unless it is for like explosives or something." I added with a wicked grin. All of the Hermes cabin cheered. 

"I like her." one of the younger campers mouthed to Conner who nodded in approval. 

"Silena, take the Aphrodite crew to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel."

"Oh my gods," one of her sisters said. "Fifth Avenue is so on our way! We could accessorize, and monsters, like, totally hate the smell of Givenchy."

"No delays," Percy said. "Well...the perfume thing, if you think it'll work."

Six Aphrodite girls kissed him on the cheek in excitement. I saw Annabeth scowl for a second.

"All right, enough!" I closed my eyes for a second, trying to think of what I'd forgotten. 

"The Holland Tunnel." Percy said snapping his fingers, He turned to a group of big burly kids. "Jake, take the Hephaestus cabin there. Use Greek fire, set traps. Whatever you've got."

He grinned. "Gladly. We've got a score to settle."

"For Beckendorf!" I signed with a nod. "Blow something for me."

Jake nodded in agreement, while the whole cabin roared in approval.

"The 59th Street Bridge," I said.

"Clarisse and Raph-" Percy faltered. Clarisse and Raph weren't here. The whole Ares cabin, curse them, was sitting back at camp. He locked eyes with me, I could see the guilt, he didn't mean to bring it up, but it still hurt. It always would. The pain in his eyes matched mine. The sadness hardened to anger. 

"We'll take that," Annabeth stepped in, saving both Percy and I from a long embarrassing silence. She turned to her siblings. "Malcolm, take the Athena cabin, activate plan twenty-three along the way, just like I showed you. Hold that position." 

"You got it." he saluted.

"I'll go with Percy," she said. "Then we'll join you, or we'll go wherever we're needed. Same with Nora."

Somebody in the back of the group said, "No detours, you two."

There were some giggles. Percy's cheeks went pink but he ignored the comment.

"All right," I signed. "Keep in touch with cell phones."

"We don't have cell phones," Silena protested.

Percy reached down, picked up some snoring lady's phone and tossed it to Silena. "You do now. You all know Annabeth's number, right?" He pulled Sally's phone out and tossed it to me. "Nora has my mom's cell, text her or us, pick up a random phone. Use it once, drop it, then borrow another one if you have to. That should make it harder for the monsters to zero in on you. Nora also has her Sight, she'll check in on you guys once in a while. " 

I nodded, sliding Sally's phone into my pocket. Everyone grinned as though they liked this idea.

Travis cleared his throat. "Uh, if we find a really nice phone-"

"No, you can't keep it," Percy said, along with his hands. I rolled my eyes.

"Aw, man."

"Hold it, Percy," Jake Mason said. "You forgot the Lincoln Tunnel."

I bit back a curse. He was right. A Sherman tank and a hundred monsters were marching through that tunnel right now, and Percy and I positioned our forces everywhere else. 

"I'll take that." I signed. "Michael and the others can hold Williamsburg Bridge." 

"Wait, just you?" Selina asked, her eyes wide. 

"I will if I have to. This is for Beckendorf. And Lee and every other demigod who we lost. I'll hold it."

There was a commotion, and a few people cried out, and faces lit up. I spun around. 

I'd never been happier to see anyone in my life. Percy looked about the same. He caught my eye and grinned in relief. A band of thirty adolescent girls crossed Fifth Avenue. They wore white shirts, silvery camouflage pants, and combat boots. They all had swords at their sides, quivers on their backs, and bows at the ready. A pack of white timber wolves milled around their feet, and many of the girls had hunting falcons on their arms.

The girl in the lead had spiky black hair and a black leather jacket. She wore a silver circlet on her head like a princess's tiara, which didn't match her skull earrings or her Death to Barbie T-shirt showing a little Barbie doll with an arrow through its head.

"Thalia!" Annabeth cried.

The daughter of Zeus grinned, she strode up and stopped beside me, and with fluid ASL she signed. "She wont be alone. The Hunters of Artemis, reporting for duty."

I just about broke down and cried, Thalia had clearly learned sign language since the last time I saw her. There were hugs and greetings all around... or at least Thalia was friendly. The other Hunters didn't like being around campers, especially boys, but they didn't shoot any of us, which for them was a pretty warm welcome. All though I got a hug from a few of the other Hunters, which made Annabeth scowl at me again. They all greeted me in fluent ASL. My heart felt a little lighter.

"Where have you been the last year?" Percy asked Thalia. "You've got like twice as many Hunters now!"

She laughed. "Long, long story. I bet my adventures were more dangerous than yours, Jackson."

"Complete lie," He signed and spoke.

"We'll see," she promised. "Nora! How are you doing?"

I shrugged, "Well...had better days. I'm ready to take out a few monsters to relieve some stress." 

"Ahh, now we're talking. A girl after my own heart. After this is over, you, Percy, Annabeth, and me: cheeseburgers and fries at that hotel on West 57th."

"Le Parker Meridien," Percy said. "You're on. And Thalia, thanks." 

She shrugged. "Those monsters won't know what hit them. Hunters, move out!"

"I'll be right behind you." I signed to Thalia. She nodded and slapped her silver bracelet, and the shield Aegis spiraled into full form. The golden head of Medusa molded in the center was so horrible, the campers all backed away. The Hunters took off down the avenue, followed by their wolves and falcons. 

"Thank the gods," Annabeth said. "But if we don't blockade the rivers from those boats, guarding the bridges and tunnels will be pointless."

"You're right," Percy said. He looked at me again, "You're going to be okay, Nora?" 

"Fuck ya." I signed. My face was set, and hard. The anger was boiling at the surface, just under my skin. "Are you gonna be okay?" He nodded his head solemnly. "You know I'd follow you anywhere." I signed, looking him directly in the eye. "For family." 

We turned and looked at the campers, all of them grim and determined. I tried not to feel like this was the last time I'd ever see them all together. 

"You're the greatest heroes of this millennium," I told them.

"It doesn't matter how many monsters come at you. Fight bravely, and we will win." Percy raised Riptide and shouted, "FOR OLYMPUS!" 

There was a wild scream, I couldn't hear it, but I could see it. Each hero held up their weapons. I caught Will's eye. 

"Be safe." I signed. 

"Hey Geek...go kill some stuff." He signed, giving me a sad smile. I felt the knife twist. Raph should be here. 

"I love you Will. And Kayla and Michael and Austin." 

"We know. We love you too. Now go. We'll hold the bridge." Kayla signed back across the group. I nodded and turned my back, and jogged after the retreating backs of the Hunters. I had to have hope. I had to believe that these few campers could hold the entire city. Hold out for as long as possible. Maybe Nico could get his father on board sooner. 

"Nico?" I tried to mind link with him. There was no response. "Nico?" I tried again. I waited as I jogged closed to the Hunters. There was no response. The underworld must be too far away. I sighed, silently of course. I fell into step with Thalia. 

"Hey." She signed. 

I nodded. 

"Where's that huge dark hunky dude you took a curse for?" 

I felt the knife stab deeper, and the twist physically took my breath away. I looked away for a second, blinking tears away. "I don't want to talk about it." I finally answered her.

"Oh." She was silent for a moment. "Well...Lady Artemis's offer is always on the table. There is always a spot with the Hunters." 

I looked up at her, mildly interested. I didn't see any pity, I saw understanding in her dark eyes. I saw sympathy, but not pity, which I appreciated. I mulled it over as we headed towards the tunnel. Last time, the offer seemed wrong, last year, Raph was struggling with the Lovesickness from Eos, and I had hope he could get better. Now.. the offer intrigued me, and I was seriously considering it; no more pain, hunting monsters all the time, I'd be with Auntia Arti, probably could see Apollo all the time, hanging out with girls who didn't look at me like a freak.

"Maybe. You guys aren't freaked out over what I can do?" 

"Nah." Thalia shrugged, "The last lieutenant, was a daughter of a Titan." 

I raised my eyebrows. Thalia just nodded. "Zoe Nightshade, daughter of Atlas." 

I just nodded, so they didn't care about my powers, or the fact I was a half daughter of a Titan. "I'll let you know, if we live after this, I'll let you know." 

"Deal."  

We had emerged at the tunnel. I stopped and took a quick look.

"How many mortals are in danger?" Thalia asked one of her hunters. "Go scout ahead and see how close the army is." Two of them ran in and weaved through the tunnel. 

"If there aren't any I can blow the tunnel..." I suggested. 

"You can do that?" A hunter asked, her ASL was just as fluid as Thalia's.

"She's like Jackson powerful...if not more." Thalia answered for me, a smirk on her dark featured face. There were a few shocked faces. The scouts came sprinting back. 

"They're coming!" One of the scouts yelled. I slammed my helmet on and leapt onto the hood of a car. Thalia right beside me. Her hunters spread out, they had clearly fought hordes of monsters before, because Thalia didn't need to command them or tell them what to do. 

"You'll be okay?" She asked. 

I slowly turned my whole body towards her. "I'm the Daughter of the Light. An Heir of a Titan. I've bathed in the Styx. And I'm out for blood and vengeance. They should be terrified of me." I signed with such savage aggressiveness Thalia leaned away slightly. But a twisted smile appeared on her face and her eyes sparkled in amusement. 

"Dam...if I wasn't a dam Hunter.." I saw mutter as she turned away.

I smirked, trying to hid the fact my face went gold in a blush. I yanked my bow off the bracelet. My hands started to tingle, the fire flickered to life and lit up my arrow. I saw the group of monsters.

Something felt off though. I let the arrow go. A dozen silver arrows streaked after my fire blazing one. 

"The huge giants! I saw a huge army coming. These look like runts! Where is the army?" I signed. 

Thalia shrugged and let another arrow go. The tank did show up though, I could see it at the back of the army, it was shoving cars out of the way as it slowly inched towards us. 

"Thalia!" I grabbed her shoulder. She turned towards me. "Are the mortals out of the cars? I can at least blow the tank!" 

Thalia called to one of the hunters, I saw her mouth moving. She turned back and nodded. I nodded back, I threw my bow over my shoulder, and yanked out my blades. I spun them in my hands and leapt off the car and charged. Hunters arrows rained down around me. I ran full speed towards the arm.

As I ran I felt the fire in my veins spring to life. I felt the heat and sparks flicked off me as I sprinted. I wish I could yell and scream. I opened my mouth and let out a silent one. It wasn't as terrifying, but it felt better.

I leapt into the throngs of the monsters, my twin blades slashing and stabbing, they were a blur of silver and bronze. Monsters poofed out of existence. I slashed and stabbed and killed my way closer to the tank. Once I was there I scrambled my way up the tank. I looked around, Thalia was right behind me. Somehow she managed to keep up, it must have been the blessing of Artemis and being a hunter.

I kept to the top, standing on top of the thing. I slid knives back to their holsters.

"Engine!" Thalia signed. "I'll keep em busy."

I twisted the lid off, and yanked the thing open. Inside was a huge group of monsters and a few demigods. I pulled my bow off and an arrow out, it was already blazing in a hot destructive fire. I didn't see anything but the hurt and anger, these monsters were trying to destroy my home. They were trying to destroy my family.

Without hesitation, I let the flaming arrow go. The inside of the tank exploded in fire. I slammed the lid closed and melted the lid closed.

"Time to go. It's going to blow!"

Thalia grabbed my wrist and pulled me away, we leapt off and landed on the ground. I drove under the tank and used my fire to explode the tank into its side, and it slammed into the side of the brick tunle. Smoke billowed from the tank.

I stood up panting. That took care of the tank. These monsters didn't stand a chance with the hunters. I quickly pulled Sally's phone out. I saw a text from Annabeth.

"Michael & Apollo's cabin needs help ASAP."

"On my way!" I texted back quickly.

I looked to Thalia. I waved her down. "I need to go! Williamsburg Bridge needs help."

"Go. We're good here." Thalia signed back quickly.

I nodded and sprinted through the cars. More arrows rained down on the remaining monsters. I emerged from the tunnel.

"GLITTER!" I screamed in my head.

"Lady! You are all right?"

"I need a lift!"

"Look up. I'll be there in an instant."

"Good. I need to get to Williamsburg Bridge ASAP."

"No problem Lady."

🔆

We are entering our Villian era.
Also...a little Thalia and Nora ship? Haha. (Thalia's a bit too old though. 😄)