Living in a world where what is considered a mythology is actually truth, and actual beasts could devour you the second you step out of safe zone, survival could be considered an achievement. And it was. After Percy's arrival they threw a huge feast, where they got to burn the burial shrouds their cabins had made in their absence. Annabeth's was very nice, her half brothers and sisters did a very good job. And since Percy didn't have any, Ares cabin did him a favor. He felt no remorse burning his shroud.

But, there was no sign of Danny. Ellie was in care of Annabeth for the entire day, but the girl seemed pretty comfortable without her parent, which was rather strange for a child of her age. She was smart one, Ellie never planned to go out of the Camp, even if she gave the Athena's daughter a heart attack when she dissappeared without a sign. She couldn't understand how Danny handled the baby girl. Ellie was smart, she knew that going out of the Camp was dangerous.

She remained within its borders, even if she was a goddess, claws and teeth were painful. Clarisse and other members of Ares cabin didn't bother the girl, they only 'disliked' her father. And speaking of, Clarisse had cornered Percy and demanded to know what happened on Olympus. The last one just offered to tell at the feast and that was enough for her to leave him alone for some time.

And an hour of feast had come. Apollo's cabin led the sing-along and passed out s'mores, Percy was surrounded by his old Hermes cabinmates, Annabeth's friends from Athena, and Grover's satyr buddies, who were admiring the brand-new searcher's license he'd received from the Council of Cloven Elders. The council had called Grover's performance on the quest "Brave to the point of indigestion. Horns-and-whiskers above anything we have seen in the past."

Ellie was sitting on a tree branch nearby. How she got there was still a question.

"Hey, guys," Connor from Hermes cabin said. "Have you noticed that Mr. D isn't here?"

Percy looked at where the god was supposed to sit, and truly enough, his seat was empty.

"I heard there is something messy up there. Do you think Danny has something to do with this?"

"I won't be surprised. Have you seen how much Lord Zeus hates him? Plus all that thunder..."

The musings were interrupted by a loud ripping sound. Everyone looked at where the sound came from and saw a green tear hanging in the air. Almost everyone was stunned by seeing Phantom, wearing regal clothes and a green burning crown on top of his head. He looked really majestic in that stuff, but the image was ruined by an expression of exasperation on his face. Danny rubbed his temples with his free gloved hand, while leaning on cane with another.

"Now I understand why Hades never comes up there," he complained. "The headache is unbearable."

"You gave all of us headache, it is only fair," Dionysus appeared in his seat, summoning a can of Pepsi in his hand.

Danny gasped in fake surprise. "You hurt me, D, how can you say such things to your uncle?"

Everyone stared at him, not being able to process what was going on. Phantom turned to the bonfire and grinned.

"Oh, bonfire ceremony, cool," he uncapped his pearly cape and threw it into the fire. Wiping his hands, Danny looked at the crowd. "Alright, where is..."

"Daddy!" Ellie jumped on him, earning a laugh from the stark haired teen.

"Here you are," he chuckled, putting his daughter on the ground.

"Alright, guys, I have several messages," Phantom said, "First, I'm being kicked out of the camp after the summer ends. Big guys on Olympus would prefer me to stay at Tartarus."

"TARTARUS?!" Several yells of shock were hard.

"I know it sounds nasty. But hey, being the Lord of Tartarus kinda obliges me to be present in my domain. I have already missed the meeting of ruling council, and I have a lot of things to be concerned about now. I swear, it's like Walker has periods when he wants to imprison everyone in sight," he muttered, before coughing. "Anyways, if you ever visit this world, call me, you are related to the King and so, police will treat you as such."

Percy snorted quietly. Like he ever will visit Tartarus.

"Alright, Phantom, cease this propaganda already and get to the point," Dionysus grumbled, before sipping on his drink.

"Fine, I'm also the God of Sass and pranks, so you know. Nice prank or comeback will give you my blessing. Have I said everything? Ah, yes, one more thing. Since I'm richer than Hades himself, I decided to put the money to good use. Even if I spent one night in Hermes cabin, I want to thank you guys for warm welcome. Your cabin is in need of repairs and expansion. I have Hermes' permission, if someone wonders. We signed a few papers," Danny shrugged.

Judging from stars in the eyes of Hermes cabin inhabitants, he just gained a bunch of worshippers.

"Well, we are done with messages, now on with the feast. I haven't eaten since yesterday."

Everything went as usual since that day. Of course, Danny was receiving constant glances. Not that much of a fear, more like of how unusual it looked. To see a God casually walking around, sure there was Mr. D, but he constantly looked like he was about to rip off the head of one who comes close enough to him. But Phantom's attitude hadn't changed at all, just like when he just came to the camp. Like he didn't notice all the attention. Well, he got used to attention, being beloved monarch does that.

The Gods had split into two parts, those who were sympathetic to the newly found relative, and those who wanted his pelt. Some remained neutral in that matter. Danny's haters luckily were a minority, namely Ares and Aphrodite, led, of course, by Lord 'Air-in-the-head'. Those who were on his side had own reasons to respect the boy. Poseidon appreciated Phantom's assistance in the case of thievery. Athena and Hephaestus found his knowledge and crafting skills quite impressive. Hermes liked his trading streak, and Hera liked Phantom's honesty in family matters.

His promise of rebuilding Hermes cabin was put into completion almost instantly. While the construction was going on, some members of the cabin had to sleep in other cabins. That's why Phantom ordered to do it as quick as possible. All the while the campers saw strange creatures running around. They all had glowing eyes of different colors, skins of either green, blue or snow white colors. They were conversing in a weird language,  which sounded like a complex of babbling. It was a Ghost speech.

The cabin was made in less than a week, and was now twice bigger, with several fully equipped personal bathrooms, and Danny's personal bedroom, just in case he will be in the Camp again. It also included completely new furniture. When some kids saw their new living place they broke into tears.

On the Fourth of July, the whole camp gathered at the beach for a fireworks display by cabin nine. Being Hephaestus's kids, they weren't going to settle for a few lame red-white-and-blue explosions. They'd anchored a barge offshore and loaded it with rockets the size of Patriot missiles. According to Annabeth, who'd seen the show before, the blasts would be sequenced so tightly they'd look like frames of animation across the sky. The finale was supposed to be a couple of hundred-foot-tall Spartan warriors who would crackle to life above the ocean, fight a battle, then explode into a million colors.

Danny decided to spend time with his baby girl, since he previously was too occupied with work. They spent together the entire day, going out of the Camp on a small field trip. His godly rank allowed him to leave and come whenever he wanted. It always made Phantom happy to see a joyous smile on his daughter's face or hearing her childish laughter. He was glad to be an unorthodoxal God. He couldn't imagine his life away from her. Unlike, as he came to think, many of them. The family returned in the evening, right to the time of fireworks.

Ellie was sitting on her father's shoulders, as her eyes were becoming heavy. Phantom was the only person who had more stamina than her, and was able to wear her out. On his way Danny saw Grover. He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt and sneakers, but in the last few weeks he'd started to look older, almost high-school age. His goatee had gotten thicker. He'd put on weight. His horns had grown at least an inch, so he now had to wear his rasta cap all the time to pass as human.

"Hey, goatman, where are you going?" Phantom asked, earning quiet giggles from Ellie.

"Hey Danny," Grover mumbled. He did NOT like the nickname. But angering the God was the last thing on his list. "I'm off to search for Pan."

"Oh," Danny said slowly. Yeah, how could he forget? "Have you said goodbye to Percy and Beth already?"

Grover nodded slowly.

"Well, good luck, man," the God grinned. "Do you need standard godly present on your adventure?"

"I'm not a hero, I'm just a satyr searching for Pan."

"Really? And what do you call our recent ordeal? A satyr who went on a quest and succeeded," Phantom kept the smile. "Anyways, what do you want? Oh, wait, I have an idea."

Danny clenched the fist, and when he unclenched it, there was a library card.

"An access to the biggest library in all worlds where you can probably find an information," he smirked at Grover's expression, handing it to satyr.

"Wait, where is that library?" He asked warily, taking the card.

"It is territory under my direct control, pal. Don't worry, that place is largely inhabited by harmless people, urbanized area. Just don't insult the librarian, you don't want that."

"I-I'm not sure..."

"Just keep it in case you change your mind," Danny argued. "When you want to get there, just press the numbers of printed code in numeral order. Same thing when you want to return."

"Alright, thanks, Danny."

Phantom shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't mention it, eternal luck on your quest, pal," he said, patting Grover on shoulder.

"Bye, goatman!" Ellie waved her hand in goodbye, making Danny snicker.

Unable to resist her cuteness, Grover smiled, before waving his hand too. Then he walked off and dissappeared in the woods. Phantom family then went to watch the fireworks.

The July passed too quick to notice. Sadly, Danny was forbidden from competitions because of unfair advantage. However, he and Dionysus started making bets on teams, turning into average rivaling football fans, and causing Chiron to put a palm over his eyes and shake his head.

One of the days Danny was walking through the camp and noticed Percy staring thoughtfully at the attic of Big House. Phantom approached the demigod and look up there as well.

"What do you think about?" He asked.

Percy sighed. "Danny, do you remember the prophecy?"

Phantom raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

"Do you think it was completed?"

Danny crossed his hands and hummed in thought.

"Hm, let's see here...You shall go west, and face the god who has turned..."

"Been there, done that, even though the traitor had turned out to be Ares rather than Hades."

"You shall find what was stolen, and see it safe returned..."

"Check. One master bolt delivered. One helm of darkness back on Hades's oily head."

"You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend..."

"That's what bothers me. Ares had pretended to be our friend, then betrayed us. That must be what the Oracle meant...do you think that, too?"

Danny's eyes narrowed in thought. He rubbed his chin with gloved hand. "Honestly, I don't know, you never know with people with foresight. Maybe you are right, maybe by betrayal the Oracle meant me hiding my true heritage. Maybe...something else...Uh, I don't have a clue."

He lied.

The last night of the summer session came all too quickly, and the campers had one last meal together. They burned part of their dinner for the gods. Danny felt the smell of that food, which was still nice despite the fact that it was burned off. Which in turn meant someone gave him offerings. Alright, he definitely got some worshippers.

At the bonfire, the senior counselors awarded the end-of-summer beads.

I got my own leather necklace, and when I saw the bead for my first summer, I was glad the firelight covered my blushing. The design was pitch black, with a sea-green trident shimmering in the center.

"The choice was unanimous," Luke announced. "This bead commemorates the first Son of the Sea God at this camp, and the quest he undertook into the darkest part of the Underworld to stop a war!"

The entire camp got to their feet and cheered. Even Ares's cabin felt obliged to stand. Athena's cabin steered Annabeth to the front so she could share in the applause. Danny stood by the side, clapping with his hands, while not taking his eyes off the blond for some reason. Since he was the God, he didn't receive such ceremony, but it's not like he needed some...awesome...cool...beads. No, just thank you was enough.

When Danny put Ellie to sleep, he stood on watch for the entire night. But it proved to be pointless, since no one left or entered. When people started waking up and packing belongings, Danny pretended that he woke up just now. He sat on the grass outside.

The campgrounds were mostly deserted, shimmering in the August heat. All the campers were in their cabins packing up, or running around with brooms and mops, getting ready for final inspection. Argus was helping some of the Aphrodite kids haul their Gucci suitcases and makeup kits over the hill, where the camp's shuttle bus would be waiting to take them to the airport.

Then Danny noticed Luke coming out of the cabin, before taking course to the sword-fighters arena. Narrowing his eyes, Phantom got up and followed the demigod.

His gym bag was plopped at the edge of the stage. He was working solo, whaling on battle dummies with a sword he'd never seen before. It must've been a regular steel blade, because he was slashing the dummies' heads right off, stabbing through their straw-stuffed guts. His orange counselor's shirt was dripping with sweat. His expression was so intense, as if his life might've really been in danger. Danny watched, as Luke disemboweled the whole row of dummies, hacking off limbs and basically reducing them to a pile of straw and armor.

They were only dummies, but Phantom still couldn't help being impressed by Luke's skill. The guy was a nice fighter. It made him wonder, however, how he possibly could've failed at his quest.

Finally, he saw Danny, and stopped mid-swing. "Danny."

"Good morning, Luke," Phantom greeted. Luke noticed strange notes in his voice. "Am I interrupting anything?"

"It's okay," he said, lowering his sword. "Just doing some last-minute practice."

"Those dummies one day will return from the Underworld to take revenge," Danny deadpanned.

The blond couldn't help but feel that his grand uncle was implying something.

Luke shrugged. "We build new ones every summer. Oh, hey, Percy," he suddenly called.

Danny glanced back and saw Percy approaching them. He cursed mentally. It was the perfect opportunity...wait, that's even better. He grinned internally, and his already glowing eyes got a more pronounced gleam in them.

"Morning, Percy," Danny smiled cheerfully. "Last summer practice, I take it?"

"That was basically the plan, yeah. What's with the sword?"

Now that his sword wasn't swirling around, Danny could see something odd about it. The blade was two different types of metal, one edge bronze, the other steel. Phantom realized why was it made like that. A rather pragmatic idea came into his mind.

"Oh, this? New toy. This is Backbiter."

"Backbiter? Sounds like a weapon to stab in the back," Danny joked. He saw not amused faces. "Fine, I didn't put much effort in this pun. For some reason I couldn't fall asleep today. Anyways, have fun, I'll go check up if Ellie woke up. We have to pack our things, too."

With that Phantom walked away, giving Percy a serious glance, unnoticed by the blond, and when he was out of sight, Danny became invisible and floated back to the two demigods.

"Why does it have two colors?" Percy asked.

Luke turned the blade in the light so it glinted wickedly. "One side is celestial bronze. The other is tempered steel. Works on mortals and immortals both."

Danny's suspicions were confirmed.

Percy thought about what Chiron had told him when they started the quest, that a hero should never harm mortals unless absolutely necessary.

"I didn't know they could make weapons like that."

"They probably can't," Luke agreed. "It's one of a kind."

He gave Percy a tiny smile, then slid the sword into its scabbard. "Listen, I was going to come looking for you. What do you say we go down to the woods one last time, look for something to fight?"

Percy hesitated. He should've felt relieved that Luke was being so friendly. Ever since he'd gotten back from the quest, he'd been acting a little distant. Danny would have facepalmed as similar thought crossed his mind, but it would have been so loud.

"You think it's a good idea?" Percy asked. "I mean..."

"Aw, come on." He rummaged in his gym bag and pulled out a six-pack of Cokes. "Drinks are on me."

Danny wondered what would be better for his plan. If he took the bait or didn't.

"Where did you get them?" Percy asked.

Luke shrugged. "Danny smuggled those. He can leave the camp, after all."

'You son of a...'

"Sure," Percy decided. "Why not?"

They walked down to the woods and kicked around for some kind of monster to fight, but it was too hot. Danny from his point beside was sweating. All the monsters with any sense must've been taking siestas in their nice cool caves.

They found a shady spot by the creek where Clarisse's spear was broken during the first capture the flag game. They sat on a big rock, drank the Cokes, and watched the sunlight in the woods. Danny so wanted cool, refreshing coke...he shook his head, he will drink it later.

After a while Luke said, "You miss being on a quest?"

"With monsters attacking me every three feet? Are you kidding?"

Luke raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I miss it," Percy admitted. "You?"

A shadow passed over his face.

At the moment, he looked weary, and angry, and not at all handsome. His blond hair was gray in the sunlight. The scar on his face looked deeper than usual.

"I've lived at Half-Blood Hill year-round since I was fourteen," he told him.

Danny groaned mentally. Why he would tell a teary story? Why?!

"Ever since Thalia ... well, you know. I trained, and trained, and trained. I never got to be a normal teenager, out there in the real world. Then they threw me one quest, and when I came back, it was like, 'Okay, ride's over. Have a nice life.'"

He crumpled his Coke can and threw into the creek, which really shocked Percy. One of the first things you learn at CampHalf-Blood is: Don't litter. You'll hear from the nymphs and the naiads. They'll get even. You'll crawl into bed one night and find your sheets filled with centipedes and mud.

"The heck with laurel wreaths," Luke said. "I'm not going to end up like those dusty trophies in the Big House attic."

"You make it sound like you're leaving."

Luke gave him a twisted smile. "Oh, I'm leaving, all right, Percy. I brought you down here to say good-bye."

He snapped his fingers. A small fire burned a hole in the ground at his feet. Out crawled something glistening black, about the size of his hand. A scorpion.

Percy started to go for his pen. Danny waited for the right moment.

"I wouldn't," Luke cautioned. "Pit scorpions can jump up to fifteen feet. Its stinger can pierce right through your clothes. You'll be dead in sixty seconds."

"Luke, what..."

Then it hit him.

You will be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.

"You," Percy said.

Luke stood calmly and brushed off his jeans.

The scorpion paid him no attention. It kept its beady black eyes on Percy, clamping its pincers as it crawled onto his shoe.

"I saw a lot out there in the world, Percy," Luke said. "Didn't you feel it, the darkness gathering, the monsters growing stronger? Didn't you realize how useless it all is? All the heroics, being pawns of the gods. They should've been overthrown thousands of years ago, but they've hung on, thanks to us half-bloods."

Percy couldn't believe this was happening. Danny floated barely above the ground, Luke would have heard his footsteps.

"Luke ... you're talking about our parents," Percy said.

Luke laughed, while Danny grudgingly understood where his opinion came from..."That's supposed to make me love them? Their precious 'Western civilization is a disease, Percy. It's killing the world. The only way to stop it is to burn it to the ground, start over with something more honest."

"I wonder what you think about me," Danny materialized out of thin air, pointing his sword at Luke's throat. "Go on."

"You knew about this, didn't you?" The blonde growled.

"When I gave this matter enough thought."

"And yet you sent Percy to his possible death?"

Danny glanced at Percy, who narrowed his eyes slightly. A guilty expression formed on Phantom's face. Using the distraction, Luke moved away and took his sword in one swift motion.

"That's the problem with you, Gods, you are arrogant, manipulative fools, who think that they are invincible."

"And how Titans are better? Kronos ate his children. Has your Dad ever thought of doing such thing?"

The air got colder, but Phantom ignored it.

"You should be careful with names," Luke warned.

"Kronos got you to steal the master bolt and the helm. He spoke to you in your dreams," Percy realized as the scorpion crawled up his leg.

Luke's eye twitched. "He spoke to you, too, Percy. You should've listened."

"He's brainwashing you, Luke."

"You're wrong. He showed me that my talents are being wasted. You know what my quest was two years ago, Percy? My father, Hermes, wanted me to steal a golden apple from the Garden of the Hesperides and return it to Olympus. After all the training I'd done, that was the best he could think up."

"That's not an easy quest," Danny said. "Hercules did it."

"Exactly," Luke said. "Where's the glory in repeating what others have done? All the gods know how to do is replay their past. My heart wasn't in it. The dragon in the garden gave me this," he pointed angrily at his scar, "and when I came back, all I got was pity. I wanted to pull Olympus down stone by stone right then, but I bided my time. I began to dream of Kronos. He convinced me to steal something worthwhile, something no hero had ever had the courage to take. When we went on that winter-solstice field trip, while the other campers were asleep, I snuck into the throne room and took Zeus's master bolt right from his chair. Hades's helm of darkness, too. You wouldn't believe how easy it was. The Olympians are so arrogant; they never dreamed someone would dare steal from them. Their security is horrible. I was halfway across New Jersey before I heard the storms rumbling, and I knew they'd discovered my theft."

"You are speaking in controversy, Luke. You call getting the apples a repeating, but where is the glory in THEFT?" Danny asked.

The scorpion was sitting on Percy's knee now, staring at him with its glittering eyes. Percy tried to keep his voice level. "So why didn't you bring the items to Kronos?"

Luke's smile wavered. "I ... I got overconfident. Zeus sent out his sons and daughters to find the stolen bolt, Artemis, Apollo, my father, Hermes. But it was Ares who caught me. I could have beaten him, but I wasn't careful enough. He disarmed me, took the items of power, threatened to return them to Olympus and burn me alive. Then Kronos's voice came to me and told me what to say. I put the idea in Ares's head about a great war between the gods. I said all he had to do was hide the items away for a while and watch the others fight. Ares got a wicked gleam in his eyes. I knew he was hooked. He let me go, and I returned to Olympus before anyone noticed my absence." Luke drew his new sword. He ran his thumb down the flat of the blade, as if he were hypnotized by its beauty. "Afterward, the Lord of the Titans ... h-he punished me with nightmares. I swore not to fail again. Back at Camp Half-Blood, in my dreams, I was told that a second hero would arrive, one who could be tricked into taking the bolt and the helm the rest of the way, from Ares down to Tartarus."

"You summoned the hellhound, that night in the forest," Percy assumed. Danny smiled internally, he was getting better in deduction.

"We had to make Chiron think the camp wasn't safe for you, so he would start you on your quest. We had to confirm his fears that Hades was after you. And it worked."

"The flying shoes were cursed," Danny said. "They were supposed to drag Percy and the backpack into Tartarus."

"And they would have, if he'd been wearing them. But you gave them to the satyr, which wasn't part of the plan. Grover messes up everything he touches. He even confused the curse."

Luke looked down at the scorpion, which was now sitting on Percy's thigh. "You should have died in Tartarus, Percy. But don't worry, I'll leave you with my little friend to set things right."

"Thalia gave her life to save you," Danny said. "And this is how you repay her?"

"Don't speak of Thalia!" he shouted. "You Gods let her die! That's one of the many things you will pay for."

"You're being used, Luke. You and Ares both. Don't listen to Kronos," Percy said.

"I've been used?" Luke's voice turned shrill. "Look at yourself. What has your dad ever done for you? Kronos will rise. You've only delayed his plans. He will cast the Olympians into Tartarus and drive humanity back to their caves. All except the strongest—the ones who serve him."

"Call off the bug," Danny said. "If you're so strong, fight me yourself."

Luke smiled. "Nice try, Phantom. But I'm not Ares. You can't bait me into fighting you. My lord is waiting, and he's got plenty of quests for me to undertake."

"Clean his shoes, oh, I bet it is glorious," Danny taunted.

Luke saw that Phantom was now closer to Percy than before. He was trying to take the scorpion off. The blonde glared at him.

"Too late, Phantom."

He slashed his sword in an arc and disappeared in a ripple of darkness.

The scorpion lunged.

Danny jumped closer to Percy and swatted it away with his hand, being faster than the demigod. Phantom cut the creature in half.

"Flames, he got away," Phantom cursed. "You alright?"

"Yes. So I was a bait?" Percy asked angrily, getting up.

Danny sighed. "I needed a confirmation, Percy. He wouldn't have acted if I was present."

"Could at least warn me!"

"I did. As much as I could without raising suspicions. Besides, I don't want to offend, but you aren't the best actor."

"But you don't heal in water," the demigod grumbled.

Danny smirked. "We all have flaws," he shrugged, before sighing. "Here comes the worst part...we need to prove that Luke is guilty, but how...bingo."

"What do you mean?"

"Niriads."

-Later-

"This must be reported to Olympus," Chiron murmured. "I will go at once."

"Luke is out there right now," Percy said. "I have to go after him."

Chiron shook his head. "No, Percy. The gods..."

"Won't even talk about Kronos," Danny shook his head, crossing his hands. "Zeus declared the matter closed."

Chiron nodded, "Percy, I know this is hard. But you must not rush out for vengeance. You aren't ready."

"Chiron ... your prophecy from the Oracle ... it was about Kronos, wasn't it? Was I in it? And Annabeth?"

Chiron glanced nervously at the ceiling. "Percy, it isn't my place..."

"You've been ordered not to talk to me about it, haven't you?"

His eyes were sympathetic, but sad. "You will be a great hero, child. I will do my best to prepare you. But if I'm right about the path ahead of you ..."

Thunder boomed overhead, rattling the windows.

"All right!" Chiron shouted. "Fine!"

He sighed in frustration. "The gods have their reasons, Percy. Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing."

Danny snorted. "You sound like my father, Chiron. Think about it that way, Percy. For example Athena was born only because Zeus learned a prophesy about her, which was precisely what he wanted to avoid."

Chiron nodded in support.

"But we can't just sit back and do nothing," Percy said.

"We will not sit back," Chiron promised. "But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unraveled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger. Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come."

"Assuming I live that long."

Chiron put his hand on his ankle. "You'll have to trust me, Percy. You will live. But first you must decide your path for the coming year. I cannot tell you the right choice...." I got the feeling that he had a very definite opinion, and it was taking all his willpower not to advise me. "But you must decide whether to stay at CampHalf-Blood year-round, or return to the mortal world for seventh grade and be a summer camper. Think on that. When I get back from Olympus, you must tell me your decision."

His expression told Percy could be no more discussion; he had said as much as he could.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Chiron promised. "Argus will watch over you."

He glanced at Annabeth. "Oh, and, my dear ... whenever you're ready, they're here."

"Who's here?" Percy asked.

Nobody answered. Chiron rolled himself out of the room. Everyone heard the wheels of his chair clunk carefully down the front steps, two at a time. Danny rose from his seat and leaned against the wall, looking out of the window.

"You know, Percy, when father asked me to guard you, I expected a useless wimp," he turned to him and smiled. "At the beginning, I saw as such. But you have managed to prove me wrong. Granted, I thought many battles instead of you, but I saw you practicing, I saw what you can actually can and I will support Chiron. You will make a great hero, maybe there is something big you are destined to fulfill. Goodbye, Percy, Annabeth," he nodded to each of them, before walking to the doorway. He gave them one last glance.

"And who knows, maybe our paths will cross again."

And with that being said, the Lord of Tartarus left.

A.N. Finally this story is done. I wrote it literally in a few hours. Now my consciousness is clear. Have a good day.