Disclaimer: PJATO does not belong to me.


The voyage took longer than expected. Percy and his friends didn't expect the journey to last 10 days. Percy was more anxious about getting to Athens. It was urgent that he delivered that package to his father. He was anxious. He urgently needed to see Manos and get that package from him to his father.

From Pireas, they boarded a carriage. It took 7 days. It was longer than expected. Heavy rain delayed their journey.

When they reached Athens, Percy had got a room in an inn for them to stay in for a few days. When Percy had persuaded Grover to take care of Nico (which cost him ten gold drachmas and a furious Nico screaming at him that he could take care of himself), he set off to find Manos. It was difficult to locate the man. Even if his father had told him where Manos would be waiting, it was still difficult. He searched all of Athens and came up fruitless. He could only cover so much land in a day.

Later that evening, after a day of fruitless search, he entered a tavern. He ordered a suggestively heavy meal to fill his empty stomach. Suddenly, he heard a loud laughing man at the corner sitting with a large number of people. There were at least six of them. He could see a middle aged man, a younger woman, a pair of male twins, a young man and a young woman. They were all laughing happily. Percy immediately saw Annabeth. He quickly turned away. This was Athens and he really didn't want the citizens to know that he was here. From where he was seated, he could hear their conversation. "Luke. Thank you again for taking care of my daughter. She can be a little clumsy," the elderly man said. "Father!" Annabeth shouted, embarrassed. Percy swore he saw Annabeth's father before but he couldn't quite place him. "Well, she's very reliable. And not at all, clumsy," Luke said. Annabeth blushed deep crimson red at his appraisal. They laughed merrily. Percy wanted to get out of there, quickly. But, he needed his strength. He decided to quickly finish his meal and get out of the tavern. From there on, he prayed to the gods Annabeth or her father don't say anything about him.

However, he wasn't in luck. "Did you meet anyone in Nauplia?" her father asked. Percy stiffen at the question. "No one interesting," she said. Percy relaxed at the answer. "Really? What about that boy?" Luke said. Percy groaned inwardly. He just had to say it, Percy thought. He nearly hit himself. He was Greek, not American. America is really getting to him. "Who is that boy?" the woman asked. "No one. Just a resident there," Annabeth said. "Must be a filthy Nauplian. Such simple-minded beings," the woman said. Percy wanted to shout at her but his meal came. He thanked the server for the food and (mentally) from making a fool out of himself.

He quickly finished his food and left. If he had looked back, he would have wondered why Annabeth's face was as red as a tomato when they brought up Percy. Perhaps, it was because she had seen him but had made no move.

Percy dropped onto the bed, tired. Nico jumped at his sudden presence. "You must have had a long day," he said, examining his elder brother limp form on the bed. "You have no idea," he replied. Nico grunted in response before saying, "Grover went out."

Percy propped himself up on his elbow. "Where?" he asked. "Something about nymphs," Nico simply replied. "Aah," Percy answered sagely. Chasing nymphs were satyrs past time and always will be. Percy gave a fitful yawn and told Nico he would be asleep. In a matter of seconds, he fell asleep. But no matter what he do, he can never escape the gleaming nightmares.


He was talking with a buff man. That man was strong; Percy could tell. He held a box. It seemed like a music box but Percy knew better than that. It was Pandora's Box. The horror that a tiny little box can hold. He would have taken the box but an invisible force stole it from Manos' hands. He didn't know how, but he knew who the thief was. He didn't think and ran after it. More than fearing for what he would have done with the box, he was fearing for the life of someone precious. He would never want her involved. But, she trusted the thief more than she trust him. Whatever happened, Percy would always protect Annabeth from harm.


Percy jolt up from bed, startling the young Nico awake. "What is it?" Nico asked groggily. Percy shook his head. "Nothing. Go back to sleep," Percy urged. Nico nodded and fell back to sleep. Percy steadied his breathing first before scanning his surroundings. Grover slept in a hammock, unconsciously rocking himself. What was that dream about? Percy asked himself. It was hazy and he couldn't remember much of it. His dreams were getting worse by the day. If this continues, he would never be able to sleep. Not wanting to waste much time, he slipped into something comfortable and set out to search for Manos once again.


It has been three days since reaching Athens. Three days of fruitless search for Manos. He was at least two miles from the main city when he found Manos. He stumbled upon him in a rather curious way. He was at a junction when Percy decided to take a rest. It was a hot day and he was finishing his supply of water fast enough. As the grandson of Poseidon, water was very important to him. He finally finished the last gulp of water. If he died here, it would be a waste. But, he didn't have any more strength. He truly was going to die here. His sight was fading quickly. He was so close into falling into an eternal slumber when he felt someone splatter water onto him. He regained his strength and got up. Why didn't I think of that? Percy mused. His eyes snapped open and saw a muscled man with a thick beard holding a canteen. "You okay, son?" the man asked. "Yeah, thanks," came the reply.

Percy stood up and shook his head a little. He really should have splatter water on himself. The man was examining him. His eyes lit up after a good inspection. The man laughed and pulled Percy into a hug. "Percy! Good to see you again!" the man yelled. Percy spluttered as he tried to breathe as a stranger suffocated him with a bear hug. Percy pushed him away, glaring daggers at him. He prepared his sword. That man nodded in a very welcoming way and unsheathed his own sword. Percy took the first strike. The man parried with ease and struck towards Percy's hand. Percy managed to avoid it but just barely. He stabbed at his ankle, which the man deflected his sword and unarmed him. He pushed the blade towards Percy neck, dangerously. Percy closed his eyes for the finishing blow. But, the stranger just laughed and sheathed his sword. "You certainly improved! I had to take you seriously!" the stranger said. "You're not going to kill me?" Percy said. "Why would I?"

"Percy, my boy! Have you forgotten me?" he asked. Percy brows knitted together in confusion. "It's me, Manos!"


Manos was Percy's father's old friend. They used to go hunting together. Percy was just a child when he first Manos. Percy loved him like a second father but he was just a child. One could not blame him for being so forgetful. Manos suddenly disappeared from his life and Percy had all but forgotten him.

Percy told Manos what his father needed. Manos nursed a mug of ale in front of the fire. "I see," Manos said. "So, do you have the package?" Percy asked. "Of course!" he said jollily. His eyes were serious as he spoke. "But you must be careful not to open it. I, too, had been tempted but as you can see; I didn't. Once you open it, there's no coming back."

Percy nodded. Manos handed over a small bag. It was small but quite heavy. They talked a little while longer before Percy returning to Athens. He was lucky a cart happened to be stopping by there. He held onto the bag like his life depended on it, which it technically did. And so did the rest of the world. He got back and made sure he kept the Box in a safe place.

No one knows about it. No one except a certain son of Hermes.


I hope you enjoy this.

Sincerely,

Sylvia Vail