Blood and carnage. As a demigod you grow used to that kind of life style. Being a part of two major wars means todays demigods have seen the grey area of life. Most continued on as they always have while others seemed almost stuck. The seven of the prophecy tried to regain a normal life but they had seen too much. They all suffered PTSD but took refuge in each other. Jason, being retired at age of seventeen, worked on bettering temples and cabins between camps to give him purpose. Piper reminded her cabin what true beauty really is. Finding the best in a person and being kind, not the first to break someone's heart. Frank took his position very seriously and excelled. Praetor suited the stiff boy. Hazel took to strengthening both camps protections with her magic and mist manipulation. It took a lot of her time and strength but to her, and everyone else, the camp safety was worth it. Leo worked to better his cabin's luck. He reminded them that they used to build because they enjoyed it, not for war. He and Calypso were always seen smiling as they ran their mechanic and flower shop. They were working on enjoying their life together to the fullest.

Annabeth and Percy took life into their own hands for the first time. They finished high school and even started their college education. Annabeth began her official study in Architecture. It was difficult to go to regular school but as a daughter of Athena she made sure to excel. She and Percy rented an apartment together where they could commute to school. They protected each other from the dimwitted monster. Many monsters feared the formidable pair of hero's. Percy studied Marine Biology to the surprise of no one. Cleaning up the oceans, rivers, and lakes was his prime focus. This gained him favor with his step family and lesser water gods. Now, his father's wife and heir did not like Percy but they did not outwardly hate him anymore. Annabeth and Percy spent quite a bit of time at both camps. Training the demigods to adulthood was their goal. They taught not only how to fight but also how to live outside of the camps if they chose not to go live out the rest of their lives at Camp Jupiter or Camp Half-Blood when construction was finished. Demigods with stronger scents still tended to choose camp life but many others chose to go to high school and even middle school if they were strong enough.

Today Percy and Annabeth were meeting with Blackjack's new girlfriend. Blackjack met an appaloosa Pegasus, Jewel, a year after the Second Giant War. Now, two years after the war, they were finally meeting the lovely Jewel. The Pegasus claimed it was to make sure the lady Pegasus was not using him for his 'connections' with Percy. Annabeth and Percy waited patiently on the roof of their apartment building. They bought a basket of apples and a box of dough nuts respectively. Annabeth was insistent that two pegasi couldn't possibly eat twelve dough nuts but Percy just commented that she's never seen Blackjack scarf down the pastry before.

"Percy, I see them." Annabeth pointed in the direction of camp where two shapes could be seen flying towards them. Her long blonde princess curls were swaying in the slight breeze.

Percy's face broke into a grin as he and his girlfriend watched his long-time friend get closer. The two winged horses landed gracefully as was their nature. Jewel's white and grey spots were a stunning contrast to Blackjack's midnight coat.

"Hey Blackjack." Percy greeted as he walked up to the Pegasus couple.

'Yo Boss. I want you to meet Jewel, the most beautiful Pegasus on the winds.' Blackjack introduced. Percy could hear his voice in his head.

'Hello Lord Percy.' She greeted.

"Just Percy please." Percy sighed, every equine was the same. "Jewel, this is Annabeth."

'Hey scary girl.' Blackjack snorted then pushed his nose into her hand.

'Hello Annabeth' Jewel shook her mane.

"They both say hello." Percy translated 'horse' for his girlfriend.

After that they all settled down for snacks and just catching up. Both demigods had been busy with school and their jobs at camp therefore had little time to visit with the enthusiastic Pegasus. Once all doughnuts were eaten and most apples as well the equine couple prepared to leave. Then something unusual even to demigod standards happened, a portal opened up in the sky above the building. The pegasi looked ready to bolt to the skies but Annabeth stopped them.

"No, don't fly! The winds are pulled towards the vortex." Annabeth warned. Blackjack planted his hooves immediately and after a moment Jewel followed his example.

"Annabeth, any idea what that is?" Percy asked with Riptide already in sword form. His eyes were darting everywhere, scanning for a threat besides the swirling wind. His eyes landed on their emergency backpack they always had on them.

"No, I've never even heard of anything like this in the sky. Sea sure, sky not so much." She said as she raced against the wind to reach the backpack. Inside was her magic sheath for her drakon bone sword. She eventually did get a replacement knife but it was painful to remember the one she lost. Swords in hand the demigods went back to back in front of the two pegasi, whose wings were pinned firmly to their sides to prevent them from being injured in these winds.

"I swear I didn't do anything to Zeus recently." Percy yelled over the now blistering wind. Annabeth couldn't see much through her flying hair and even if she could the winds were strong enough for the need to squint against them. "Boreas and I are cool the last I checked."

"This is different. Don't you feel it? It feels like magic. Remember what Hazel said about Hecate's presence? You can physically feel that she's different from the other gods because of the magic."

"Hecate is behind this?" Percy questioned.

"I doubt it. She is still lying low from the Titan War." That was the last thing she said before the wind grew again and picked her up.

"Annabeth!" Percy screamed as he lounged for her only to be swept up as well.

The pegasi were not far behind. Even free falling they kept their wings pinned until they thought they could gain control without breaking them. As they all entered the vortex their world went black.