Thalia's POV

"Do we have to do this?" I asked, already feeling my nerves start to kick in. The idea was bad but it was the only one we had.

"I don't like it either but it's our only shot to try and slow things down," Reyna sighed, watching as the others nervously prepared to go to Olympus as well. "We have to give Thia a chance to figure things out."

"But marching up to Olympus with a big group of demigods is totally going to send the wrong message. You and I both know how Gods get when they feel attacked or threatened. Besides, we'll be on their home turf." Just the idea of what we were about to attempt made my stomach twist in knots and made my palms clammy with sweat. "And my dad is already horrible with his temper. I don't want to piss him off like normal."

Reyna's gaze shifted from watching the others to study me with a gentle look. "Thalia, I know you don't like me saying it but you have to stop being afraid of your dad."

"Easier said than done." As of late I was getting increasingly bad vibes when it came to the topic of my father. He was growing more unpredictable which made him dangerous. He'd proven on more than one occasion he had no qualms about turning against his children. Not to mention that his lightning bolt was pretty terrifying.

"Look at me for a sec and listen Thals." Reyna rested her hands lightly on my shoulders and as much as I didn't want to, I looked her in the eyes. "The things he says about you and Jason aren't true. If he was honest he'd admit that he's scared of you. You're better than him and you always have been. Just remember it's not like you're going in there alone. I'll be right next to you and I can do the talking if you want."

Reyna was right like usual. I was being too skittish when I didn't need to be. "Okay. Let's just get this over with."

Reyna smiled slightly and pressed her lips to my forehead mumbling something I couldn't quiet hear.

"You guys ready for this?" Percy asked jogging over. His tone of voice indicated that he was about as excited as I was.

"Ready as I'll ever be." He gave me an empathetic look.

"I doubt this will go smoothly but the worst that could happen is being turned into a guinea pig again." Percy tried to lighten the mood but his joke fell short because we all knew there was a good chance incineration was somewhere in our future.

"Let's go, we have a schedule," Jason called, his voice carrying with ease. His words drew the attention of the others and soon we were all crowded together in the back of the stupid camp van.

"Hey Argus." Piper was attempting to make small talk as her leg bounced up and down restlessly.  Annabeth was glaring at Piper from her peripheral.

"Pipes, I love you but that leg bouncing is driving me insane," Annabeth muttered.

"Oh sorry." Piper gave a bashful smile. About fifteen of Argus' eyes winked and though it was a small gesture it was relaxing. For the most part my only consolation about this was the fact that it gave me an excuse to latch onto Reyna's hand like it was my lifeline without her minding it much. Admittedly, I was jealous of Leo for getting to skip out on all of this. He was off helping Sol in one of Hephaestus' forges.

The ride was short though it felt incredibly long. At last the van rolled up to a stop at the Empire State Building and we all filed out. I was quiet certain it looked like clowns leaving a small car at the circus. It seemed impossible to have that many people leave one car.

The man at the front desk had grown so used to all of us he simply pointed to the elevator. It was a bit claustrophobic crowding into the extremely small space and the music was completely horrible.

"Why of all songs did they have to pick sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows?" I groaned, wanting to smack my head against the wall.

"I like it," Will smiled, the only one of the group jamming out to the song. I was certain that if no one else was in the elevator he would have started dancing. The mood instantly shifted when the elevator dinged and the doors opened.

Olympus didn't look much like I recalled. It didn't seem to have the merry and bright atmosphere along the terraces. Instead, dark clouds roiled overhead which was definitely not a good sign. Instinctively, I clutched onto Reyna's arm. "I have a horrible feeling about this."

"I wish I could debunk that theory but I'm getting similar vibes," Nico grumbled, taking the lead. There were no minor gods or satyrs milling about and no music was playing. There wasn't even laughter ringing through the air. The change in atmosphere became even more apparent the closer we all got to the throne room. The air seemed to be charged with a dangerous energy.

"Maybe we should come back," Percy decided, turning to leave when Annabeth caught him by the back of his shirt collar.

"Oh no you don't. It's now or never," Annabeth insisted, earning a nod of agreement from Jason.

"Why?" Percy whined but listened.

"Listen for once!" Came a familiar but angered tone. It was easily identified as Athena's. The inside of the throne room came into view as our footsteps echoed off the marble. None of the gods even bothered to pay attention.

"Watch your tone," Ares snarled in response. I took a moment to examine the scene. The tension was beyond obvious. Poseidon gripped his trident with white knuckles and his green eyes glared at his brother. Zeus was also staring down Poseidon, his lightning bolt crackling with energy.

Apollo was shifting nervously in his throne seeming to have a silent conversation with Hermes. Hades had the only calm demeanor in the room. Aphrodite looked on with a smug expression like she was enjoying the drama but Athena was probably the most terrifying at the moment. She was standing with a silver aura surrounding her. Ares had a red aura covering his figure as his rage increased. Demeter seemed extremely anxious but the oddest aspect of the atmosphere was the absence of Artemis.

Zeus' gaze very slowly shifted down towards the throne room floor and if he hadn't been glaring before he most certainly was now.

"I am the god of strategy you pathetic swine." Athena responded to one of Ares' retorts.

"ENOUGH!" Zeus' voice crackled with thunder and electricity causing me to involuntarily jump. The entire room went silent and it was like they all noticed us for the first time.

For a moment no one spoke or even moved until Annabeth took charge. "Sir."

She bowed ever so slightly but Zeus was clearly unamused. His electric eyes settled on Jason instead of Annabeth and they flashed with surprise. Why? I didn't know.

"None of you have any business here," Zeus grumbled, waving his hand dismissively as though it would make all of us disappear.

"Sir-" Annabeth started to speak again but a loud clap of thunder cut her off. Annabeth bristled at the interruption.

"You are not welcome here. Business is being sorted out." He spoke with a warning undertone to his voice.

"Let them speak brother, they have reason," Hades sighed, his eyes looking tired.

"No! I will handle what is at hand," Zeus responded.

"Do you even know what's happening?" Percy asked which probably wasn't a good idea.

Zeus turned slowly. So slow that I was certain Percy was about to disappear for good. My father's grip tightened on his weapon.

"Don't even think about laying a hand on the boy." It was strange hearing Athena defend him but the point was clear. If she of all people was going to defend Percy, Zeus better think twice about his actions.

"I am well aware of what is happening mister Jackson. I have eyes observing the situation." Percy swallowed hard his eyes flicking towards Athena in what I thought was a silent but very meaningful thank you.

"Who?" Reyna asked hesitantly. I was hoping she wouldn't speak but my hopes were dashed.

"For a praetor you lack observation." Zeus nodded towards Artemis' empty throne.

"An unfair statement don't you think?" Hades asked.

"Is it?" Zeus questioned.

"Doesn't matter, let them get to their damn point," Ares growled. "I want this to be over with."

"Fine. Go ahead. Only one of you may speak." Zeus leaned back in his throne eyeing all of us wearily. No one had to say anything before Annabeth stepped forward.

"As I was trying to say, it's clear we are all aware of the problem but my daughter and I have found a connection. Something that can help us sort the problem out." Annabeth paused judging their reactions before continuing. "There was a prophecy which I'm assuming you all heard."

Apollo paled slightly earning a look from Zeus. "We are well aware."

"Chaos is part of the problem. The mortal world is in disarray and it's because of the disarray here. The arguing and constant conflict effects what goes on down below. If you've paid attention you would notice that the amount of order in the mortal world is dissolving. Things that make sense are now defying all laws of natural order."

"As I have been trying to inform you," Athena replied dryly giving the entire room an 'I told you so' look. "Order is disappearing. My daughter and her friends have a right to be concerned. We are responsible for the problem."

"Chaos is responsible for the problem," Zeus argued. "He has been attacking our world since the beginning of time how can you not see this?"

"Are you questioning your advisor's advice?" Hera asked, breaking her silence and raising her eyebrows. As much as I hated the woman I had to admit she had a very valid point. Zeus had no response and simply bristled under his wife's stare. Poseidon tried to burry a smile but it didn't work. There was a flash of light and Apollo had suddenly vanished.

"Where did he go?" Aphrodite questioned, her attention perking up.

"There's an...issue," Hermes informed.

"With what?" Aphrodite snapped.

"It's actually more of a huge problem," Hermes winced, his voice seeming to get nervous. I didn't quite know how he was acquiring this information but he was the god of messengers so I tried not to think about it too hard.

"Be more specific!" Zeus snapped.

"The down town area and Spain. Apollo's responding to a distress signal," Hermes explained.

"Spain? Are the Amazons aiding in the containment process?" Reyna asked nervously, I knew her first instinct was to worry about her sister.

"Yes," Athena nodded. "Perhaps we should disperse. If things are escalating this quickly then the Amazons and Artemis will need help."

"No one is getting involved! You know the ancient rules," Zeus bellowed.

"The ancient rules are ancient," Poseidon argued. "When will you understand that we can't sit idle?"

"We cannot afford to break them. If we are responsible for Chaos' claim to the mortal world breaking the ancient laws will only worsen the threat." Hades seemed to despise his own words.

"My sister is in danger," Athena frowned.

"The world is in danger. The best thing we can do now is allow the quest to play out." Hades stroked his chin in thought.

"And if they fail? You understand the consequences that will follow. I've seen the progress of those on the quest. I must say I have little to no faith especially when one can hardly wield a sword," Zeus scoffed. It took me a moment to realize what he was insinuating but once it hit me my blood boiled.

"Don't worry. My son can handle himself and the legacy girl seems capable. As for the...other-well it'll be fun to watch," Aphrodite mused.

Reyna seemed to read my mind because her fingers hooked in the back of my shirt collar keeping me in place and keeping me from doing something that was stupid.

"Let it go," she whispered. All I could do was grumble in anger. No one made fun of my kid whether they were an immortal being or not.

"It seems like the wisest option," Athena sighed, conceding her point but clearly not liking it. It seemed like the discussion was to be dismissed when Apollo suddenly returned looking mad with his hair singed black.

"What happened to you?" Hermes asked in surprise.

"I hate all of you. No one even bothered to help?" Apollo asked, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Having a bad hair day?" Aphrodite asked with a smirk.

"Relax. This meeting is adjourned," Hera pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just hope the all powerful and wise king of the universe hasn't made a mistake."

Silence followed suit for a long time before everyone flashed out of the throne room one by one until only a few remained. Poseidon stared blankly at a pillar seemingly stuck in deep thought. Apollo fumed on his throne as a small flame burned his hair. He strongly resembled a candle.

"That was a complete bust!" Piper groaned burying her face in her hands.

"I wouldn't be worried about what we didn't accomplish so much as what we just witnessed," Reyna said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The gods are falling apart. Pretty soon they won't be able to be in a room together without tearing each others throats out," Reyna explained. Annabeth and Jason both wore dark expressions which only made my stomach sink. What Reyna was saying must have been true.

"There's going to be a struggle for leadership. Maybe not now, but in the future." Annabeth crossed her arms. "Things are changing. I'm not sure if it's a good thing."

"Whatever the case, our job now is to figure out how we're going to help contain the problem." Jason rubbed his temples. "We can talk more later. Let's leave before they come back and smite us."

"Yeah, I don't feel like being cooked." Percy shivered at the idea.

The drive back to camp was extremely quiet. No one spoke but I had a feeling we were all thinking similar things. My mind was racing at an incomprehensible speed. It was almost like everything was playing in slow motion even when we arrived back at camp. The others talked in low whispers and dispersed.

It felt odd to feel like we hadn't accomplished anything and that we'd all wasted our time but at least we had tried. What was bugging me now however was a decision I was going to have to make. It crowded my thoughts for the rest of the afternoon and Reyna had clearly picked up on it.

"Alright, something's bugging you. I can tell. What is it?" She asked, her eyebrows creasing together in worry. She was extremely adorable when she worried which only made my next words harder to say.

"I think that I should go. It sounds like the others need my help and I am Artemis' Lieutenant after all." Reyna seemed to process my words slowly.

"I see." There wasn't even the slightest hint of enthusiasm in her voice. Instead, she sounded disappointed.

"I just feel guilty not doing anything. Besides, sitting around and doing nothing is just going to drive me insane with worry. I need something to occupy my thoughts." It was a half assed explanation but it was true. "Come on, say something."

"Well...I understand what you mean I just don't like it." Reyna pressed her lips into a thin line.

"I know. Im sorry." I wanted to take back what I'd said but it was too late.

"No, don't apologize," Reyna spoke quickly, taking my hands in hers. "It's just the last  time we split up wasn't good. Things didn't go well and I don't want that to happen again but you may be right. I should probably go help my sister. She'll need it."

"I'll still keep in touch I promise. Besides, I'm not running off right away."  Reyna nodded swinging our hands back and forth as she thought for a moment. "What are you thinking about now?"

"Stuff." She said with a shrug but her eyes glinted mischievously.

"Right." There was no way I was gonna believe that it was just 'stuff'. "Very specific. Care to elaborate at all?"

"Later," Reyna winked, and it took me a moment to understand what she may have hinted at.

"You suck," I frowned.

"I know. But that's your problem not mine. Anyways I have something to take care of. See you later." I highly doubted she had anything at all to take care of but I had no proof. Rolling my eyes I let go of her hands so she could leave and take care of whatever business she'd most likely made up.

It was strange to think that so much had happened in such a short period of time. All I could do was hope that maybe without the gods' help we could still buy Thia enough time to finish the quest. If anyone could do it, it was her. No matter what my dad or anyone else thought.

Still, there was the fear that came with the prophecy. Two were to die. It didn't bode well for anyone. Sighing, I tried to clear my thoughts but all I could do was wonder what was going on out in the real world and just how bad things actually were. More importantly, if the end really was knocking on our doors.