Sorry for the long wait. But, now, I present to you. THE FOURTH CHAPTER!

"Go back-to-back!" Thalia commanded as she pressed her back against Zoe's.

Grover and I nodded and followed their leads.

"Watch each other backs and keep each other safe."

We nodded again.

"Attack!"

I couldn't remember the details of the battle but I remembered seeing Thalia summon lightning bolt after lightning bolt and taking down her enemies one-by-one. I could faintly hear Grover playing his reed pipes nearby. Zoe took on the Manticore by herself. It seemed like the odds were in our favor when I suddenly heard Zoe shout. She was clutching her side and wincing in pain, I could see a thorn sticking out of it. The Manticore was smirking evilly.

"Zoe!" I heard Thalia yell.

What happened next I wouldn't believe if I didn't see it myself.

The sky suddenly darkened and the sun was blocked out. I looked up and found myself staring at two giant winged men made out of metal. They looked really familiar. I suddenly remembered they were at the entrance of Hoover Dam. How they managed to move? I didn't know but I was thankful they were there. With one swipe of their hands, skeleton bones clattered on the floor. The Manticore looked surprised and very annoyed.

"What trickery is th-"

The angel aimed a hand at him before he could continue. I watched in awe as the Manticore flew out of sight. Apparently, they weren't done yet.

"Get on!" they commanded, stretching their hands toward us.

I looked at it hesitantly. Should I trust them? They did help us after all. Slowly, I stepped onto the hand. Thalia and Zoe did the same for the hand outstretched to them. I looked at Grover who was saying something to the Ophiotaurus.

"Grover, it's time to go!"

He said his last words to it and jumped onto the hand just in time. The Ophiotaurus dived into the water just as the bones started to knit themselves together. The angels took off as soon as Grover clambered on.

"Where to?" one of them asked.

"San Francisco," I answered remembering Percy mentioning something about it before.

"We'll be there in a few hours," he said, "by the way, my name's Chuck and this is Hank." Hank waved at us.

"Thanks," I heard Grover mutter.

We rode in silence but I could hear Thalia and Zoe talking in the other hand.

"Grover, I'm sorry about Percy. I really am. I shouldn't have taken the figurine."

Grover looked at me briefly then looked at the sky line of the city below.

"Yes you shouldn't have."

Grover sighed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted that way."

Grover paused.

"It's just that he was my best friend…"

Grover wiped away his tears.

"He was the one who understood me the most. He knew how to cheer me up when I was in one of my depressed moments."

He gave a hollow laugh, one without any amusement.

I felt uncomfortable and I tried to change the subject.

"What did the ophiotaurus tell you?"

Grover looked relieved that I had changed the subject.

"He asked where Percy was. He said… he said that Percy was his protector."

"Protector?"

"Yes. He saved him from a trawler's net after he was fetched by the Hippocampi."

"Oh."

"He's been following Percy since. That is until he died."

I winced. Why did he have to keep reminding me that?"

"What did you tell it?"

"I placed an animal sanctuary over it."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that he will reach the wild safely."

"Oh."

We fell into a comfortable silence and I nodded off to sleep. Bad mistake.

Guess who's gonna star in the next chapter... ;D