Perseus was happy. More like content. He had his sister back, life was getting better. And nothing could change that. Even though the conversation (more like interrogation) in Lady Artemis' tent ended with him storming out, he was glad to get a few minutes alone with Zöe.

While the hunters were busy taking down the camp, Zöe had the chance to really cry and talk things out with Perseus. It started with hitting him and ended with her crying into Perseus' shoulder. That was when he touched her cheeks and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Perseus was glad no one was around when the whole thing happened, it was there time alone.

He should have known all of it wasn't going to last for much longer.

It was a few days after the big reunion. Nothing much had happened. There was a few...uncomfortable moments between the hunters and demigod males (not much with Perseus).

Perseus smiled a little at the insult he had made towards himself. He had spent way too much time with the hunters in the time of the first war with Gaea.

His smile melted as he felt a jolt of pain go through his body. One second...three seconds...five seconds...seven minutes...pain gone.

Perseus sighed, breathing a little heavily. The final battle was coming. Coming too fast for his liking. There should have been more time...

Perseus...?

Perseus' eyes slid closed. Gaea...

There was a pause from her end of the conversation. Pain?

The softness in her voice made Perseus relax. Yeah...I can't ask you to do this...I know how it feels...I cannot ask you to do this...

We had a deal, Perseus...I gave you this pain....I-

ROAR!

Perseus sighed, opening his eyes. There was no point in replying, the connection had already been severed. There better not be a monster attacking The Night Tides, if there was...not even Gaea could help them. Whoever 'them' was, Perseus didn't know which side he was talking about anymore.

Wasting no time, Perseus got out of his hanging hammock of a bed, opened his door, ran down the hall, then up the stairs two at a time.

Bursting out onto the deck, his previous tense shoulders slumped. "What is going on here?" His cold, demanding tone caused everyone to freeze.

Leo, who was on fire, turned around slowly to face the silently angry immortal demigod. "Uh, well..." He trailed off, looking at the others for help.

Perseus frowned at the scene of everyone on deck. The roar had seemed to have come from the dragon that was Frank, Annabeth's forehead was red from hitting it so much, Artemis was leaning with her against the railing with an amused smile, Zöe was right next to her shaking her head, and everyone else was...training?

They all were spread around, all of them in a mass sparing group. What? Was the only thing that was going through Perseus' mind.

"We were training." Phoebe crossed her arms, daring Perseus to stop them. The hunters were probably kicking six half-bloods of the prophecy butts. Fun.

"If that's the case, continue." Perseus turned around to walk back down the stairs when Artemis spoke up.

"What's wrong?" He stopped in his tracks. The question repeating over and over in his head.

Everything. Perseus was tired, not getting enough sleep, losing his appetite, and...the pain he's been feeling has gotten worse. "Nothing. I'm fine." He was trying really hard not to snap. The current situation with the hunters wouldn't go so well if he starts to snap. Artemis may approve of him, but she would hesitant when it comes to-

A gasp escaped him. He grabbed his chest from the pain that appeared to want to tear his chest apart. Why now? He tried so hard to keep it hidden.

You can never keep me hidden for long...

"Perseus?" No response came. Everything and everyone was silent.

Then Perseus fell to his knees from the strain. Someone knelt right next to him. "Perseus?!" The voice asked again, panicking this time.

He squeezed his eyes closed, his breath coming out in pained gasps. Gaea...

There was no response from the primordial. Perseus started panicking. This was bad. It was way too early! This wasn't going to work.

By now, Perseus couldn't hear or feel anything aside from the pain. Calm down.

He started to breath better hearing Gaea's commanding voice. Why is it getting worse? Because the final battle is almost here?

You are getting close to Athens. You are feeling my presence lash out from how close you getting to where it all happened all those years ago. My being in you is wanting revenge, you going to Greece is helping that goal.

Why did he let this happen? Why did he...he was a hero, how did it come to this...?

You know exactly how this happened. You ran off to hide away. You betrayed-

"Perseus!" He shot up with a panted out gasp, touching his stinging cheek lightly. "Ow!" Perseus blue eyes glared into worried black ones that were filled with tears.

He grunted as the huntress lept at him, hugging him tightly, crying into his chest. "Male!" She cried out, gripping his shirt with clenched fists. "Lying male! Thee promised! Don't leave again! Don't-" Zöe sobbed.

Perseus leaned his head down on her shoulder, relaxing his tense body against hers. "Perseus?" She asked again, worried what happened a few minutes ago was happening again.

"I'm so sorry, Zöe, I am so sorry." He spoke underneath his breath, tears gathering in his eyes as the weight of what was going to happen hit him. "This is my fault..."

Zöe moved away from him, studying his face to find an answer on why he was apologizing. Why he sounded so broken when he had said those words. She felt like something bad was going to happen. "Perseus, why-"

She was cut off. Unfortunately, it was due to a monster attack this time.

Perseus was beyond confused on why a monster would attack The Night Tides, this shouldn't be possible. Gaea...

The ship suddenly lurched to the left.

~What is even happening? I don't even know how to answer that question. I feel like that's a bad thing. Meh. *Shrugs*~

When Perseus came to he was trapped in a dirt cage surrounded by monsters. He was alone in his, all the hunters were in one, Artemis was alone in another, and the other seven half-bloods in the last one.

"Perseus!" Zöe called out. Her face showed relief in knowing he was alright.

This was bad.

"How come a monster could attack The Night Tides?" Perseus wanted to know that as well.

This wasn't supposed to happen. It was too early. How come the plan was-

You fell in love. You broke the oath. You became weak.

No... Perseus closed his eyes. He failed. They were going to die and he wouldn't be able to stop it.

He really did betray everyone.

For the second time...

~MsPenguingirl1234.

Published: February 8, 2018.