Annabeth guided Deimos all throughout Athens. She introduced him to all the merchants and shopkeepers throughout her kingdom. Deimos enjoyed her kindness. He admired her smile, her confidence, and her good nature. The marble kingdom glimmered in her presence.

Still though, he hid his inner pain within himself, while he wasn't becoming corrupt anymore, Deimos still could only feel this emptiness in his heart. He continued to hide this emptiness. Hiding it beneath all the muscle and armor he was wearing, putting on a false smile. He truly was in a dark place.

Annabeth and Deimos were now approaching the glorious palace, it's golden and marble walls were truly a structure of brilliance. Athens was the center of the world, on of the Great Kingdoms of Pangea. The palace proved Athens ascended position. But to Deimos, it still seemed lessor than the kingdom of Atlantis. Still, it was a nice change from the cold forest floor and the dirt he had been forced to endure.

"Well, Deimos, would you like to come inside?" She smiled fully, "I'm sure Daddy would like to see you.. we haven't heard many things about Atlantis lately.."

"...yeah..." Deimos gave a blank stare, shielding himself from looking into her eyes directly, "..I'm sure I have allot of things to explain.."

"While you talk to Father, I will set up your room personally okay.." she gave a kind wink, "after all, it would be uncustomary if we didn't give a demi-god a room fit for a king.."

"Thank you..." Deimos allowed a slight smile to show, "..but I don't need such treatment, I'm sure I could stay at an inn or something like that.."

"Nonsense!!" She gave a stern frown, "you're a demi-god, and you're Atlantean, I must insist on you staying here..now hand me you're bag please..."

Deimos gave a small lazy huff, and handed his bag to her.

"Would you allow me to take your sword too?"

Deimos gripped the hilt of his blade on his back. He hesitated for a moment, and looked at Annabeth, her scarlet hair moved with her tilting head.

"I doubt you could even lift this blade..." Deimos lifted it with one hand, "this claymore was specifically made with me in mind. No mortal may lift this blade except me.."

He Held the blade pointed down.

"You're welcome to try to lift it if you want"

He plunged the blade into the floor board, and it stood there on its own

"Feel free to try and lift it.."

Annabeth looked at it, she gripped the hilt, and tried to pull it out of the floorboard. She failed miserably. She kept trying to pull it form the floors board, but it wouldn't fit free.

"Did you have to pierce my palace floor?" She huffed, as she tried again, pulling from the hand guard itself, "what the hell is this sword?"

She grunted and moaned with fatigue, she couldn't lift the sword free

"It's called the Celestial Blade in Atlantis." He huffed, "it was a gift, from a celestial being... Someone who was an old friend.."

He lifted the sword up with ease, and put it onto his back.

"Well, I guess I won't be taking your weapon after all..."

"No.. it looks like you won't..."

He turned fro her,  and entered the throne room. It was a vast yawning chasm, pillers made the room stable and large, it looked spacious, large enough to hold a garrison in just that room alone, and still would have more room. Braziers lined the ceiling, they were helped in place by pulls and locks, hanging form chains. At the far end of the room was a large silver and marble throne. Sitting there was a very old man with a crown and a blue cloak. He was obviously a very old and ancient man, his long white beard was well kept, and he had emerald colored eyes. He seemed to be in his late 40s, perhaps even 50 years old. He held his scepter firmly in his hand.The man wasn't alone either.

Standing next to him, was a figure shrouded in dark robes, his face was narrowed and pointed, his ash grey skin and large pointed ears were proof he was a dark elf. His eyes were ruby colored.

Deimos stepped forward, meeting them face to face. 

"Kneel stranger... You are in the presence of King Harlod Dawnstar, the Hero of Winterpeak..." The dark elf introduced the man perched in his throne, "The Lord of Athens... He had fought many wars, and earned his crown over and over again."

Deimos refused to bow, but he gave a serious and respectful stare at the king.

"Bow to my king stranger, it is quite rude to not bow before your betters.."

"Betters huh..." Deimos scoffed, "..if your king is so great, why do you speak for him so?"

"You are an arrogant fool, no youth in this kingdom is greater than my king Harold, he has lived twice your lives child.."

"I doubt that elf..." Deimos smirked, "good king, does this mage do all things in your stead?"

The king turned towards Diemos, then slowly turned to the cloaked elf.

"Why do you disrespect me in my own home stranger. A young man like you should respect his elders.."

Deimos tilted his head, as if waiting for something. As if he was expecting to be noticed.

"I forget how fast humans burn through their lives, and I forget how short Elves lives are as well.... At least when compared to mine..."

The two men looked at the youthful stranger before him. Trying to decipher Deimos's comment.

"Are you touched in the head boy?" The elf growled, "you look no older than the young princess, and she is only 18 years old.. you are an infant in the eyes of all elves.."

Deimos gave a most unpleasant sigh, a look of disappointment crawled across his face.

"And how old are you elf? What makes you so 'wise' compared to me? What infinite wisdom makes you speak without noticing what stands before you now?"

"Me, why, I am 1256 years old, about to reach my 1257th year in just a matter of weeks... And that is still young for an elf."

"I see... Wise enough to build the ignorance that only makes you seem wise..."

Deimos was not amused. Elves ignorance always fascinated Deimos, they were a fallen race, a shadow of what they once were. Yet still, they see themselves as higher than even the humans to seek them out. This elf was no different. He was a shadow of what his people once were.

"YOU STUPID HUMAN!!!" The elf barked, "You infuriate me.."

Deimos could feel the aggression the elf was directing towards him. It burned like wildfire. Deimos smiled, this is what he wanted.

"Perfect..." Deimos smiled, "so young for your race, a teenager throwing a tantrum.... And still.. to me, you are but a newborn, barely a first breath compated to me .."

"A NEWBORN!!!" The elf was livid, "then what are you?"

Deimos smiled, but didn't answer, and turned his attention to the king, ignoring the elf entirely.

"Forgive me king Harold, I didn't mean to offend, but I also couldn't miss an opportunity to aggravated a cocky elf..." He nodded his head, "..I'm sure you remember now... My how you've grown... And into such a fine man too, your tales reached us from on high. Winterpeak's Hero has truly come a long way... You are a fine warrior indeed.. your daughter must be proud.. she certainly has the spirit you prayed for...."

The old man looked deep into Diemos's eyes, he met this man before, it was so long that he had nearly forgotten.

"..I'll be damned... The hope in my darkest hour..."

King Harold stood up form his throne.

"Silance Wylin, you need not grow angry with this man.." he held his hand up, his palm holding the man back, "..this is the god who answered my prayer not once, not twice, but THRICE, I wouldn't be the man I am now without my guardian here..."

"What do you mean good king?" The cloaked man begged, "...this man is no God, not one that I have heard of anyway.."

"Calm down Wylin, use your magic, sense his aura, then you'll see..or has my court sorcerer lost his way as well?"

"...my lord I..." Wylin looked at Deimos closer, "... What do you see that I do not?"

"Just focus Elf.." Deimos mocked, "or did I anger you too much?"

Wylin clenched his fists in anger, he wanted to punch Deimos, he didn't know what infuriated him so. He only just met the man.

"But Lord.. he mocks me.."

"Wylin, why do elves wine so much? You know livly souls make for intereirnt company, do you not?"

Deimos stood, and crossed his arms, lightly tapong his foot.

"You're right forgive me king Harold...,"

Harold nodded, and sat back down in his throne, giving a soft calming gasp.

"Now Wyll, focus, and see my friend Deimos here with that wizards eye.."

"Come on..." Diemos mocked, "look at me through your magic... See what I truly am..."

The sorcerer closed his eyes, and focused on his senses, focusing on his mind's eye. Form within his subconscious, he could feel the magical threads of nature, the source of all magic, it connected the gods to the mortals, and allowed mortals to master magic. As long as they dedicated their magic in a patron Deity's name however.

Wylin connected to the mana, and then focused on Deimos, as he opened his eyes, he could see Deimos's aura, it was clear as day and night. It burned around him, like a soft pool or waves, they glowed in silver, bronze, gold, and platinum. It was the pure divine energy that Deimos was in control over. He could see, that Deimos was a divine being. He could also sense that Deimos was half Atlantean. Wylin blinked, and the aura's colors disappeared. He felt heavy and drained. He was breathing heavily, as if someone took the wind out of him.

"So..." He huffed, "..that's what a god really looks like..."

Deimos knelt before the elf, getting eye to eye with him.

"Please, I should be shielding my eyes from you... I am not worthy to look into the eyes of a deity... Nor an Atlantean..."

"No... I need you to look into my eyes.."

"But why lord?"

"See me as your equal, not as your lessor nor even your greater.. Regardless of what hybrid race I am, it's important to see me as a mortal too.."

"You are mortal?"

"Yes.. I will not live forever... We all die in the end.. some of us just take longer to die.. I'm sure you know that, you are an elf after all..."

"...I see..." He slowly stood up, "I guess you are right..."

Harold smiled, happy to see his sorcerer and Deimos talking instead of mocking each other.

"Now that we have that settled.." Harold spoke, "Deimos.. what brings you here? I wasn't expecting to see you outside of Atlantis, especially since you have so many responsibilities as the next king of Atlantis.."

Deimos turned from Wylin, then looked slowly at the king, the pain was gushing to the surface of his heart.

"...Atlantis...." He spoke softly, holding back this ball of pain in his heart, "...Atlantis.... And all the people inside of it... All our ships.... Every single person... Including the ones closest to me.." his voice hit shaky, his throat was coarse, "...My sister Lillian, my baby brother Maximus, my mother...." He fought back every single tear, "..all of them... Were slaughtered by my older brother, Aridon, then he forced our armies to march on all the Minoans, crushing and slaughtering their kings, queens, Princes, and princesses..." His fists clenched so tightly his broke his own skin, "Posiedon sent me home from Olympus, and had me build our army, and we attacked them just as they demolished their Greatest Kingdom..... And there we clashed. Atlanteans killing Atlanteans... Brother killing brother... Father killing father.... And by the time I met Aridon on the battlefield, we were all that was left.... And... And I slew him... Breaking my bound promise... Going against everything I pledged... I... KILLED... HIM... I killed my own brother... And I am now all that remains.. Ahriman then swallowed my kingdom.. and sunk Thera into Posiedion's abyss... And I haven't heard his voice since... I was tainted... And I lost everything... I am the last Atlantean.."

King Harold stood up from his throne once more. And placed his hand on Deimos's shoulder.

"Deimos... I am sorry... You must have been through allot..."

"I can't even use any of my abilities granted by all the deities who trained me... I am powerless... I became corrupt, and I still feel unpurified.."

"You were tainted?"

"...yes....."

"So how are you not a shadow?"

"Erebus..." Deimos huffed, "the silent one, who rules over Ahriman's original station..."

"..the dark god?.. the holder of the threads of balance?"

"..he merged with me, and expelled the corruption.. now he lerks with my soul... And I must bare his burden..."

"Lord Deimos... You must be under a great amount of stress... I am sorry you have lost so much.. and I am especially sorry that you had to merge with Erebus of all deities.. fate's thread must be weaving into a new destiny for sure.."

"Demigods can be corrupt... And Erebus is no longer in his throne?... It seems calamity is unraveling at a greater rate than first expected..." Wylin broke his silence, "..the end really is beginning..."

"So why did you come to Athens Deimos?.."

"I first sought out your oracle... But she wasn't at the temple... Then I ran into princess Annabeth.. your daughter has all of of spirit Harold, much like She did... I've never met such a brighter soul..."

"Her mother was the best of us..."

"I am sorry about what happened friend... When I found out that lady Anora was slain... I almost ended my training in Babylon, and rushed to Ithaca.."

"But.. in the end Diemos, you did answer my prayer..."

"It wasn't an easy request... I still was picked on by Aphrodite, right to the day I returned to Atlantis..."

"..I don't know what you did Lord.. but, in the end we caught Blood Mage Karthus, and I beheaded him myself... Sacrificing him to Athena.."

"He deserved no less..." Diemos calmed down, "..anyhow... Annabeth brought me here.. she asked that I stay in your palace until I can meet your oracle.... I don't want it intrude... But I'd rather ask your permission personally..."

"..why... Lord Deimos.. you are my friend... You are my patron... Everything I have, I owe to you... You never need to ask... After all, what kind of paladin would I be if I can't shelter my own patron deity in his time of need..."

"..thank you Harold.. I can't tell you how much this means to me.."

"I owe you everything Diemos... Stay as long as you need.."

"So.. this is the god you build your kingdom for? But he is mortal... Doesn't that make him a weak god? Especially if he doesn't even have his divine abilities?"

"Divine abilities or not Wyll.." King Harold stood up to the mage, "..Rather his is mortal or immortal... Deimos is a deity through and through... All the gods owe him.. even if he is cut off form their blessings.. even if Erebus merged with him... Deimos is not a weak god... He is a hero, more human than any one I have ever met.. even in his wakaned state, he could still best you, and he wouldn't even break a sweat.."

"Is that so..." Wylin gave a low growl, his mind scheming, planning something, but hiding it all behind a clever smile, "...then I guess it's best not to anger this man..."

He bowed politely to Deimos, and quietly left the chambers. Leaving Deimos and Harold alone.

"He seems like a charming fellow to have around.." Deimos scoffed, "..when did you even get a Court Sorcerer?.."

"About 10 years ago... When Anora was killed.. she always said we needed a mage to protect me, especially now that I am as old as I am..."

"I'll say this.. I was not expecting to see you... I haven't seen you well since you were but 18... I heard your prayers, and I heard your voice.. but it is strange to physically see you this ancient..."

"Well... What seems like a blink to you, is many years to me...I am really am blessed to have such a long life, even though I am human... After all not many humans love to see the old age of 44..."

"Then I guess you've made the most of your life now... Another prayer I answered for you..."

"Deimos..." He moved, walking side by side with his deity, "..I am so happy to see you my friend...truly I am.."

Deimos continued to walk with him. Catching up with his old friend. Humans live such short lives compared to Elves, Fae, and dwarves. But Deimos always resonated with the humans more. They were the youngest of all races. For Deimos, not even a year passed since last he saw him. That's just how Atlanteans see things, all the races in the world lived short lives. But standing with Harold, Deimos realized just how short human lives are, he has lived an entire life, something no Atlantean has ever done. Nobody knows how long Atlanteans live, only that they age like humans until about the age of 24, and then they don't age past that. No Atlantean has ever died of old age. Atlanteans have only ever died in battle, with their blades in their hands.

Harold told Deimos everything he has experienced so far, how he helped bring Athens to the Kingdom of enlightenment it is now. He shared with him the tales of battle and war, and Deimos was eager to listen.

They continue to climb the great staircase, and Harold guides Deimos to the eastern wing. Where the guest rooms are kept. By the time they get to the 5th room at the end of the hall, Annabeth seemed to already be waiting patiently, her scarlet hair draping over her left shoulder.

"Father, Deimos, you finally made it.." she smiled, "I've been waiting for hours you know..."

"Yes... Sorry my dear... I was tending to our guest, Deimos is an old friend of mine, and I guess we lost track of time..." King Harold chuckled, "I'm guessing this means that his room is ready?"

"Yes.." she nodded, "everything is perfect... I readied Deimos's room myself..."

"How many times do I have to tell you... This is precisely why we have house servants..." Harold scolded her lazily, "..so much like your mother..."

"I'll keep that in mind father..." She nodded, then turned to Diemos, "..I hope you enjoy your stay, there's so much I want to learn about Atlanteans... And so much I want to ask about the deities you've interacted with.."

"Enough... You will not disturb Diemos.." Harold continued to scold her, "I'm sure Deimos has much to do while he stays here.."

Annabeth gave a frustrated frown to her father, her eyes shifted to him, than she shifted her gaze to Deimos, and back to her father. He did tell she was curious. He could tell she genuinely wanted to learn about him. But why, he couldn't understand.

"If the princess is willing to learn about Atlanteans and deities, she can always ask, it won't be a problem.." Deimos answered, ".. while I'm here, I won't mind answering your questions... I'll help you understand what I can.."

"Really?! Do you mean it Deimos?"

Deimos nodded, Annabeth's father sighed.

"Fine... But only if she is respectful about your position Deimos..."

"I will be father... I promise..."

Harold nodded, and opened the door to Deimos's room. As the three of them entered it, Deimos could tell how much work Annabeth out into setting the room up. It was the cleanest room he ever saw, she placed thick blankets onf Deimos's bed, it bared the trident of Posiedon on it, symbolizing Diemos's bloodline. She put 2 teal colored, bases in the corner, they were made from Atlantean Orichalcium. Deimos felt almost as if he had returned to Atlantis. Annabeth seemed to understand his culture well. There was even an armor stand, and on the farthest wall, she had a large stone box, laying on an Orichalcium table. Large enough for him to place his sword in.

"I am impressed princess..." Deimos looked around, "if you know this much about my culture already, I doubt you'll have any questions you need answered.."

He unstrapped his off-silver armor, and placed his sword on the stone box.

"But where is my bag?"

"It's in your closet over there, resting in yexfloor next to some shoes and boots I think you would enjoy, there are also allot of tunics and togas hanging inside Incase you want our servants to was that dirty old tunic your currently wearing.."

With his armor off, and his arms and legs now bare, Annabeth could see many decorated scars, some crossing over each other forming Xs all over his body. He had burn scars, some axe scars, scars form blades and hammers, all along his body. It was obvious that Deimos had seen a breast many things.

"You really are the Scarred Warrior, aren't you?.."

Deimos looked at his arms, and nodded.

"Yeah.. I guess I do have allot of them don't I?.."

"Will you tell me about them sometime?"

"I don't think that's a good idea..." Deimos answered, "there are allot of scars I don't enjoy talking about..."

"Still... Id like to learn if I can..."

"For the love of Zeus... Quiet down daughter.." Harold sighed, "if Deimos doesn't want to talk about his scars, please don't keep asking.."

"I... Understand.." Annabeth frowned, then turned to Deimos, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't pry.."

Deimos held his hand up and smiled.

"Don't worry... Maybe I'll tell you about the sometime.. but not right now.." he put his hand down, reading it at his waste, "..thank you though... This room, it feels like home..."

Annabeth smiled, she then nidged her father playfully.

"See father.. I doubt our servants would have made this room as comfortable as I have.."

"Okay..." He rolled his eyes, and turned to the door, "I.. guess... I won't scold you anymore than I already have.."

As Harold left the room, he smiled, every activity Annabeth does, it always reminded him about Anora, she was so much like her mother...

Alone in Deimos's room, Annabeth's eyes remained fixed on Deimos. She had so many questions about him. She heard tales about Deimos, but she never expected to meet him. She especially wanted to know about her father's connection to Deimos, and why he always speaks so highly of him.

"So Deimos... Father always said he was your paladin, is that like a knight or something?"

"In a sense.." Deimos answered, "a paladin is a holy knight, they have many abilities and powers, like healing others, and calling on miracles, the devot themselves to a deity, and pledge to them. And in return we give our paladins powers, similar to that of mages. Though not nearly as advanced..."

"So that means father pledged himself to you? But why?"

"When I met your father, I was still training to master my own divine abilities. Athens was struggling against Sparta during a 100 year war, he became a soldier at the age of 15, he showed spirit, but was mortally injured. He was begging for help praying to every single God and goddess, but because the gods viewed the war as pointless, they chose not to intervene. I grew angry at them, and decided to descend myself. He was near death when I met him..  an arrow was straight through his chest."

"What happened next?"

"Well, as a god I can't help a mortal unless the pray to me specifically. But I couldn't wait for Athena or the others to intervene, he had so much life, and I could feel the sisters weave his soul, as they were just about to cut the cord. I held my hand to his chest, and told him 'mortal with so much life to live... Letting you go to Hades would be ignoble, the gods cannot answer your prayer, but I can.. all you need to do is pledge to me, and I will held you live a full life... Call on me and I will answer your prayer, but be my sword, my knight and help others as i help you'" Deimos remembered that day, "he pledged himself to me, and then he became my champion.."

"So you're that idol that father and mother kept in their room. But if you're as you are now, as my father still your chosen paladin?"

"..no .. he is but a man now... I'm afraid I don't have that power anymore.."

"But you merged with Erebus... Doesn't that mean you are a god stilll?"

"Truth is.. I'm not sure... I hear his voice from time to time but that's it.. he merged only to keep me from becoming a shadow... I don't even know if he has power anymore.. but I still feel my divine powers are gone.... Just like everything else... But, I still feel my Atlantean abilities... So I guess I'm not completely weak... Then again I haven't really used any of those abilities either..."

His saddened tone overtook him for a moment. Annabeth could tell he wasn't wiling to talk about much more after that. So she nodded to herself, and walked to the doorway. Her voice softened, as she thought about his words.

"You know Deimos..." She spoke, "I think you'll get your powers back one day... And I really hope you have the power to keep protecting my father like you have... Thank you for tonight, I know I only asked a few questions today, but, it was worth it.."

She disappeared into the hall, and Deimos was alone again. Lost in his thoughts. He created a soft heartbeat of flames in the fireplace.  And sat on the couch closest to it. He focused on the dancing flames. His mind wondering. His heart heavy once more.

"Deimos..." Erebus's voice rang, ".. are you okay?.."

"...yeah... I guess..." He clutched his heart, "Erebus, I still don't understand why we are here... We should be going after Ahriman.... Not resting and waiting for an oracle to return to Athens.. can't you tell me where Ahriman is?"

"I don't know... I'm sorry Diemos..." Erebus's voice hollowed, "..Ahriman is a primordial.. only a mortal priest can help us find him..."

"..will be come for me?... Just like he did way back then..."

"What do you mean?"

"You of all deities know exactly what I mean.."

"..I see... Well .. that will be difficult to answer.. your not as you were back then, especially not now.."

"..well.. that leaves some small comforter atleast... I just hope he doesn't seek me out..."

"I doubt you could beat him in this weakened form.."

"But we do need to face him sooner or later still right?.." Deimos continued to stare into the fire, "right?"

"...yes... Eventually we will have to face him... After all, you're fates have always been entwrwine..."