Author's Note:

*nervous chuckling* Hey...it's been a while.

Anyway, I've been slowly clawing the pieces of my life together. I'm accepted into university, got some scholarships, and other stuff. I also have been in two musicals in as many months and will find out today if I made the third. Opening night is next weekend and I'm hyped. And tired. Solo and Ensemble is this weekend and I'm suffering so there's that. Moving on.

^ So, I'd meant to update that weekend, but unforeseen life happened and...no update. I truly am sorry for the long wait. I have been dealing with so much homework and pre-college things that I've been surviving off of less than four hours of sleep for nearly six months now. I've also been dealing with some serious health issues. I know these are just excuses, but I've honestly had very little energy to do anything- much less write Stolen, which always takes a great deal of effort and energy for me nowadays. I also lost all my plot plans, my original chapter andthe backup, and all the original character infosheets, which were critical to this chapter (thanks little sister). Also! I graduated. Yay.

I will finish Stolen. I've said this since the beginning and I intend to keep this vow. I willfinish it. Soon, I'll actually have free time again and I've been mulling over ideas. I've had very little motivation or energy to do so lately, but I'm finally getting the chance to recuperate. Stolen will be updated hopefully every month, if not more, until the end. I've put together a writing schedule with my other projects to balance them better. This schedule can be found at my Ao3- everlarklane, as well as at my writing & art tumblr- effloresensess. To sate your appetite in between updates, I will be posting periodic sneak peaks and extra omakes on the tumblr. If you send questions, I'll answer them. However, in order for me to do that, there must be interest. I honestly feel like very few people are interested in Stolen anymore, but for the handful of you who still have faith in me, I will complete Stolen and would absolutely be willing to make extra content in between updates.

You are allowed to write 'fanfic' for this fic, as long as you PM me the link and credit me as the idea-guy. Please talk to me first, though.

Reminder: Rain is a veryunreliable character. Not everything she says is truth. She wants what she thinks is the best for the system and will do whatever it takes to achieve that. Also, all her knowledge of the system's early history comes from what the others have told her and her knowledge of DID comes from a handful of books she read when she was out. Take everything with a grain of salt.

Also, to answer an anonymous question from my tumblr (I accidentally deleted it): Percy and River have 've never been diagnosed and don't know all that much (since a lot of information in the books they have are very outdated and inaccurate). Their system is actually loosely based off two of my best friends' systems (one has OSDD-1a, one has DID, one diagnosed, one not). Alters CANNOT die. Again, Rain is a liar. Don't trust her. At the end of this story, I'll put up links to resources and explain everything about their system.

On with the chapter.

"Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are." – Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Last time on Stolen:

"The children of Ophion entered the war."

CHAPTER 22

River

The ground shook beneath our feet. Power flowed almost painfully beneath our skin as Courage's golden light thrummed. Our chest heaved and sweat clung to the back of our head as the midday July sun burned down.

There was something freeing about knowing the other had our back- literally. If I missed something, Courage instantly could convey the detail or move when I couldn't, and vice versa. Unlike with Percy, we were together- minds fused nearly as deeply as our bodies.

Unfortunately, I didn't exactly have the luxury of marveling about the effects of the merge. Unlike in the movies, our enemies- a wide variety of monsters sampled from Tartarus- weren't dumb enough to stand in circles and take turns attacking. There was no honor in this sort of battle. Instinct and training ruled.

"I'm trying something," Courage said quietly in our mind. Mentally, I raised an eyebrow, but continued fighting. Immediately, I felt strength pour into me as Courage retreated a little ways into our mind. I managed to cull three hellhounds by the time Courage finished...whatever he was doing.

"Switch!" he shouted in our mind and I instinctively faded back in our mind as Courage tore water from the earth and slammed it against a swath of the enemy. I watched with wide eyes as he clenched our fists and turned the water to ice and then shattered it.

"That was terrifying," I thought to him, but had no time to ask any questions. We barely dodged a furious strike from an empousa, dodging and falling into a roll as another monster tried to behead us.

Courage shoved me back once more as he pulled another line of water from the earth and transformed it into a whip. Contrary to either Percy or I's experience, it was ridiculous just how much energy the primordial contained. I watched in awe as Courage spun, the whip freezing his enemies as the whip slammed against them and then crumble into dust.

"Stop admiring me and get your head in the game," Courage growled in our mind, slamming the butt of Riptide into the windpipe of a monster, instantly destroying it. He coughed through the dust and sent a stream of information into my brain. A dull ache grew but a quick splash of water helped as clarity burst into my mind.

"It's that simple?" I demanded, but Courage only shrugged, the two of us melding together once more as we bombarded the monsters again and again.

When we had worn through most of the monsters ahead of us, we paused for a moment to catch our breath. Our reprieved lasted mere seconds, however, until the ground shifted beneath our feet as an oppressive aura swarmed out against us.

Around us, demigods and monsters together braced themselves on the ground as screams broke out across the field and roars burst from the loyal children of Ophion. Memories flashed through my mind in rapid fire as I fell back, suddenly trapped back in Ophion's lair…

Envy leans over me, long hair falling over his shoulder as he traces my chin with his finger, humming quietly.

"You're really lucky my Father wants you alive," Envy says, twisting a piece of my ragged, long locks of hair around his finger. I shudder, unable to move as the paralytic courses through my veins. "I just hope I have enough self-control not to wreck you before he gets what he wants...ha...I wonder if I can take a finger? How much do you little demigods bleed….hey, kid, look at me. Which finger could you live without….?"

"River!"

This time Wrath is there, angry as always. She is easier, mostly. I can just float away and pray that this time, they don't heal me enough.

"River, it's a flashback. Snap out of it!

Ophion stares down at me and all I feel is terror, oppressive and curling around me as he grabs my arm and slowly tightens his fist around it.

"RIVER!"

I slowly came back to myself as Courage panted, surrounded in a wide circle of monster dust.

Get your head in the game, he spat. I understand you have problems but you can't be spacing out right now. I'll try to hold you out as well as a I can, but this will only work if we are in synch. Unless you want to die-

I'm sorry, I replied, tightening our grip on Riptide and strangely enough, Shadowfoot. Apparently while I was out, Courage started dual wielding. Wasn't sure how our body could handle the weight, but hey, it wasn't like I exactly had a lot of experience in human/god mergings. Can't really help it, I finished saying.

I'm aware, Courage said as our eyes met Envy's. But please try.

"So Courage, found a little mortal body, didn't you?" Envy hissed above the clamor, clearly audible despite the distance between us. Our jaw tightened as we shifted our grip on Riptide and Shadowfoot.

"Enough talk, Envy," Courage said, eyes flicking up to meet the taller primordial. "Father always did say you talk when you're nervous."

"Was that an attempt to anger me?" Envy said. At some point, we began circling each other, the sound of battle dimmed as gold eyes met green.

Courage shrugged. "Perhaps."

Now.

We lunged forward, taking the tall primordial by surprise. Our feet found their placement in the dusty earth as we twisted beneath the late strike. Drawing our swords together, we popped up from under the slowed strike and exploded forward, slashing outwards with both weapons.

Envy grunted, managing to duck away. Instead of the gouging, game-ending wound we aimed for, gashes, ugly but shallow, erupted across his skin.

We skidded away, swords raised and ready to intercept an attack.

The primordial in front of us staggered, one hand coming down to cup the golden flow as his eyes flickered up.

"That was rude," snarled the primordial. "Are you so keen to earn the title of brother killer?"

"If that brother is you, certainly," said Courage, immediately plunging us back into the fray.

This time, Envy was prepared. Blade met blade, our two held in an 'x', catching Envy's blade. We retreated, slapping away his blade with the flat of ours. I took control of our right hand as Courage took our left, the two of us working in unison as I attacked and he defended.

I was not as good of a sword fighter as Percy. This we both knew.

Percy could not be allowed out.

I could only hope Rain would be enough to hold him back.

The weight of our blades pulled on us as we moved. Even with the power of a primordial

flowing through us, even with the blood of a god pulsing through our veins, I was only mortal.

We can't keep dual wielding for much longer, I warned as Courage blocked and parried. We have to finish Envy now.

Working on it, Courage snarled.

Something's wrong, I said, taking a 'step' back and letting Courage attack.

Envy finally landed a blow on us.

We swore, vision blurring as blood pooled across our bicep. Courage blocked with our other sword as I collapsed Shadowfoot and pocketed it, quickly testing our range of movement. It ached and burned, but I was used to cuts after Tartarus.

Usable, I relayed, easing back into our merge.

We kept attacking, but no matter what we did, Envy was able to move just out of reach.

This battle is too long, Courage grunted. Figure out what's going on. I'll lead.

He was right. Normally fights were over within a minute for us. Envy wasn't exactly fast, not with how tall and bulky he was. He had to be doing something.

I watched for a second, drawing almost all the way out of the front. Then I saw it.

Courage was half a second off with every strike, each blow the smallest bit off. In an experienced fighter like Courage, there's no way that was simple error.

Illusions, I swore, slamming back into the front and glaring at the primordial. We need to move a little faster and a bit further in than feels natural.

Courage grunted out loud and lunged forward.

The sword found its home.

"No…" Envy said, collapsing onto one knee as we yanked the sword out. Ichor poured from the wound as the illusionist pressed a hand against the stab wound. "You...you realized?"

"River did," said Courage coolly. "Taken down by a mere mortal, Envy."

"No…"

"Goodbye, brother."

Envy's head toppled to the ground as a scream erupted from his disintegrating form. A black cloud of dust-like material twisted upward and exploded outward.

What was that?! I said, staring at the fading particles.

The death of primordial, muttered Courage as in the distance, an unholy screech tore through the air. "Looks like your friends managed to take down Lust. Not sure how that happened unless your Dionysus actually bothered to help."

I glanced back to see the yellow particles explode out like Envy had.

"So that leaves-"

"Greed, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath, and Pride," said Courage. "And Father- Ophion."

Fear…

"How can we kill six primordials?" I said out loud, catching our breath.

Don't need to, Courage responded. Dispersing is enough. Your friends can handle them. Except for Envy, they aren't used to fighting. Father keeps them in the castle. Envy was his favorite and was allowed to go where he wished and fight whoever he desired.

Where did he learn to fight? I asked, pushing up from our knees as monsters prowled closer to us, no longer startled by our killing of Envy.

Courage twisted our mouth as the first pounced at us.

Me.

We tore through their ranks. After fighting Envy, it was like moving through butter. Dust coated us, filling our nose, our hair, our armor. When the dust landed, the ground rumbled once more.

Daddy just realized his favorite son is dead, Courage mocked as a wave a panic threw everyone around us to the ground. Courage flooded our body with his namesake, our hands glowing gold. Retreat for now. We need to find your Annabeth. I have a plan. Father is pissed, but he won't attack just yet.

Got you, I replied, turning tail and sprinting away from the battlefield.

Bursting through the back lines, our eyes immediately shifted to see Piper, Annabeth, and an Athena boy I'd never seen before beside a pegasi, deep in conversation. We sprinted over, wiping the dust from our face.

"Tell Leo to adjust to third position and assist Jason with the dark haired one," Annabeth instructed, the boy beside her looking exhausted but determined.

"Annabeth," Courage rumbled.

"...which one?"

"Both River and Courage," we said. "Any sign of the Kanes?"

"Griffin spotted," said Annabeth. "Should be here within five minutes, if not sooner. Mio contacted them."

"Envy's dead," we said.

"We heard," Piper grimaced. "Mr. D actually bothered to help. He took down Lust with Hazel's help. Jason's fighting Gluttony right now with Reyna and Hazel. Nico, Frank and Will are against Pride."

"Nico's here?" I said.

"Arrived a few minutes ago," said Piper.

"Any sign of Wrath?" Courage said.

"...who?"

"Tall woman with brown hair."

"Still near Ophion," Piper said with a frown.

"No," Mio said. "Red eyes?"

Courage and I scowled. "That's her."

"She just took down a camper," Mio said quietly. "Imani, I think."

Annabeth and Piper swore. "Tell Frank and Hazel to intercept her," Annabeth commanded. Mio nodded.

"Why are you here?" Annabeth snapped, turning back towards us. "No offence, but we need you out here."

"We're taking on Ophion," said Courage.

"What?" Piper exclaimed.

"Wait until the others are taken down," Annabeth said. "Then we can attack together-"

"His soul can't take much more of this," Courage warned. The girls fell silent. "He can't feel it yet, but his soul is already breaking down. I need to finish this quickly or he will die and take the body with it- and my father will win."

Annabeth chewed her lip. "Do it," she finally said. "We'll redirect as soon as the Kane's arrive. Piper."
"Yes?"
"Get Lacy and Malcolm. We need to help."

"Will do."

Piper clambered onto her pegasus as Annabeth quickly rattled off a set of instructions to Mio and joined Piper.

"Be careful guys," Piper said.

Annabeth stared at us for a second, as if memorizing our face. Then, her eyes darkened and she snapped her head away.

They disappeared into the fight.

To Ophion, Courage muttered.

….to Ophion.

A griffin screeched in the distance.

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