A/n: They are in the Labyrinth

WE VISIT THE DUDE RANCH OF APOLLO

After a long time of walking, just before Dallan fell down, we saw a cattle ranch. Nico stopped in the middle of the road, and said,

"Oh. This place." His scowl returned, and we continued. Dallan suddenly reacted to the news enthusiastically. He looked so much like Apollo. You could clearly place the resemblance; I don't know how I know what Apollo looks like I just do...

I felt bad for him, brand new life thrown at him without Dallan having a choice.

Let me tell you about Dallan, he is very tall for his age, and has light blonde hair, freckles, and clear blue eyes.

His face lights up whenever you talk to him, and he can get very hyper. Plus he has a very good voice for a six year old.

His smile is as big as the world. Though he is very quiet since he was attacked. He's only six years old, during the Trojan War I was almost kidnapped. I pity him; it wasn't his fault that he was being attacked.

We turned and walked up to the driveway of the ranch. "This is the ranch of Apollo. Don't do anything stupid, and don't eat the meat." Nico warned, pointing his finger around at everyone, but more especially at me. I gave him a 'what' look.

"Wait, there's meat?" Dallan asked, "Why can't we? Mom never let's me eat meat!"

"If you do, Apollo will kill you." Nico warned he was getting pretty perturbed.

"When I lived in Troy, they spoke of the cattle of Apollo, he was the patron god of Troy. When Achilles stormed through the temple, Apollo got really angry, and had him killed. This place is sacred, and to eat his cattle, is an offense to him." I said

"What does my dad do all the time?" Dallan asked curiously

"He's the sun god, so rides a golden chariot—or used to now he drives a Maserati—that's the symbol of the sun." Nico replied.

"Cool!" Dallan said walking faster.

He was so much like his dad. It was crazy.

Ten minutes later we were there. There was a barn with evil horses, and then there was a fence with a pasture, that had nice red cows. (Odd.) The sun was so bright here; I had to squint my eyes to see. Dallan knocked on the house enthusiastically. He knocked again, and asked, "Does he ever answer the door?"

Nico smiled (For the first time,) and said, "No, last time I came here he wasn't here."

We were about to give up, and leave when there was a voice in the house. We heard footsteps and a tall guy opened the door.

"Who is it?" He said looking at everyone. He had boots, a button up shirt, and a cowboy hat, and he was really tall!

"Oh, come in!" He said opening the door.

"You must be Nike's girl!" He said while getting everyone a glass of water. When Nico walked in he said, "So you've returned. This time I won't lock you up." Nico grinned. And shook his hand.

"My name's Eurytion Son of Ares. I am the manager of this ranch. Ellen has been here before. She'll show you around, while I need to tend to my jobs. I'll be back."

He left to do his jobs, and we walked into the kitchen. Dallan's mom moved around the kitchen like she knew where everything was. There had to be more about her.

"I used to come here on weekends and work on this ranch. That's how I met Apollo." She said tracing her fingertips on the counters.

"Wait, mom, you worked at this dump?" Dallan said trying to find some food. "All he has is some Cheeto's! And they are expired." He moaned a little down.

"Apollo doesn't live here, this is just a place to keep his cattle." His mother said having him sit down at the kitchen table. She got him a glass of water and another bag of Cheeto's. He ate his dinner making a crunching sound every time he bit them.

Eurytion came back and started a barbeque. He had fried chicken, we all ate in silence, and though judging by Eurytion's character; he was kind enough to let us eat in peace.

That night I had another nightmare, it started the same way, but this time it led to a dark pit. Inside the pit was a dark voice. On the outskirts of the pit a man stood leaning over. The man was blurry, and I couldn't see who he was.

"Then, you must try harder. Being a god has truly weakened you!"

"Yes, father I understand, but—"

"No buts'! Do as I say. Your mother was terrible at teaching you!"

The angry voice suddenly looked (well, it didn't exactly look) it sensed my presence, and the dream ended.

I woke up, and decided that I would go on the rest of the quest alone. Walking past Dallan I stepped on the wooden floor, it grunted under my weight, so I walked faster until I was outside. Finally free from having to worry about others, a runner with red shorts and a green T-shirt ran by.