Hi... long time no see. I'm really sorry for my long absence. I've been really busy. I tried to start writing again last fall, but The Blood of Olympus came out and I couldn't find out how to continue this story.

So, it will be post-BoO from this chapter. I'll try to update new chapter every weekend from now on.


Alex was watching the sea, recalling the events with the seven demigods.

Two weeks ago, he encountered the seven half-bloods of the Argo II. When he decided to go with them, he did expected some attacks, but didn't expect that his new friends would be attacked because of his enemy. After the fight with Chinese traids, he was unable to accompany them anymore. So when the ship sailed near Ithaca that night, he left a note and got out. With some small gadgets in a waterproof bag, a small celestial bronze knife, and the Mossberg 500. It was diffficult to swim with the gadget bag and the gun, but he managed it.

Returning to San Francisco was a tricky part. He didn't have any idea to pass the airport security, but the Mist did its job. It was quite amazing to see the Mist fooling the metal detector. Anyway, he was able to return home.

That was two weeks ago. As the world wasn't destroyed on August 1st, he presumed that the demigods won Gaea. He wondered if his friends all survived. But he had nothing to do. He was just a mortal who accidently found out the world of mythology, and the one who put demigods in danger during their quest. I have to forget everything about it, he thought. But even when he was thinking this, there was a celestial bronze knife in his pocket. He sighed. Then he glimpsed something shimmering by the seashore. When he focused on, he realized it was the wreck of a helicopter. When he went closer, he couldn't believe his eyes.

It was the helicopter of King Minos.

"No way," Alex murmured. There was no way for the helicopter in the Mediterranean Sea to float to San Francisco. He examined it closely, trying to find the evidence that this was a differnt one. But the more he examined, the more it looked the same. Then he saw something that sent a shiver down his spine.

A sliver scorpion symbol attatched to the plane.

Scorpia.


Frank was in Camp Jupiter, doing his work as a praetor. He just came back a day ago, and the Camp was a mess. Hazel had told him to take some rest, but he couldn't.

At noon, he gave up lunch and went out for a short walk. Then he saw a blue horse flying toward him and smiled. It was the horse from Shengxiao. Frank called him Lan, which means 'blue' in Chinese. Lan only appeared when he wanted to, and it was a little disappointing when he didn't appeare anymore after Ithaca.

That was around the same time that Alex Rider had gone. Alex had left a message which said that he didn't want to put them in danger anymore. He had left some gadgets in exchange for the weapons he brought with him. Frank wonder how he got home.

Hi, Lan, he said to the horse. How's everything?

Get your weapons! I'll tell you the reason on the way while flying. HURRY! Lan's voice echoed in his head. He did what he was told, and Lan started to fly at his full speed.


A bullet grazed past Alex's ear. Shocked, he turned back. When he saw the attacker trying to shoot again, he ran. He dodged another bullet, and darted behind a building. The gun was equipped with a silencer, so nobody heard the noise. Alex ran in circle and caught the attacker behind. Alex kicked him with all his strength, snatching the gun. A punch was thrown at him, but Alex was faster than that. In ten seconds, he knocked him down and examined him.

The attacker was young, probably 20 or 21. Alex found a tiny drawing of a scorpion on his gun. He must be a new one, as he was so carelsss. Alex ran home. He had to make sure if Sabina's family was all right. He became more anxious when he found out nobody was home. Alex was about to call CIA when he saw the monster.


What's wrong? Frank asked Lan.

Remember Alex Rider? Lan said.

Yes, but... why? Frank was a little surprised. Is he here? Is he under attack?

Remember traids making an alliance with Shengxiao? Lan said. They're not the only ones. Just check your bow if it's all right.


Alex recognized it as a manticore. Its scorpion tail was more horrible than he had imagined. Alex grabbed his Mossberg and shot it with bronze bullets, but the manticore wasn't that injured, despite all the bullets he fired. Then he felt a bullet grazing his ear just where he had been shot earlier. A man was firing at him though the open window, and Alex threw his knife, only to see it passing though him. Alex opened his gadget bag and picked up the inhaler grenade, and threw. the man was knocked down.

That's when Alex was hit by the manticore's poisonous spike. The manticore broke the wall and came in, and the last thing Alex saw was a familiar arrow.


It took seven very special arrows to kill it. When Frank realized the manticore was trying to kill Alex, he shot with all his might and the manticore turned into dust. He was almost hit by its spikes, but Lan was able to parry away it all.

"Alex! Are you okay?" Stupid question. Alex was already unconscious and looked like he was dead. Lan let Frank drape him over his back. Frank climbed onto Lan and sat behind him. Lan, fly to Camp Jupiter as fast as you can.

Sure thing. Lan flew to the camp as fast as he could.


Frank and Lan should have noticed the man with the gun getting up and following them.