Thank you all for your reviews, alerts, and favorites!

Last edited on 7/13/2017

Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 13: Enemy of my Enemy

After packing up and planning what we should do next, Grover had taken out his pipes, managed to calm the boar down a bit and with reins and a small apple, the boar became our next mode of transportation. Mist or not, I never want to be seen riding on a boar's backside so I rode on Lappy instead, who was better than a massive pig any day.

As we accelerated our pace, the mountains fading into the distance and replaced by miles of flat, dry land. The grass and scrubby bushes got sparser until we entered a large desert plain. When night fell, Lappy eventually halted as the boar also came to a stop at a creek bed. I dismounted from Lappy nimbly while the others leaped down from the boar. Each of them looked bummed out and more or less had their fill of the ride.

Suddenly, Lappy gave a loud, echoing bark and charged straight at the boar. The boar, despite being at least four times Lappy's size, gave a terrified squeal and ran as far as it could from the bloodhound. Each of us had to dodge or else we'd end up trampled to shreds.

"What is Lappy doing?!" Grover said in horror, his face paling at the sight.

Percy shrugged, "I don't know, but I think Lappy looked hungry..."

"Hungry?!" Grover all but shrieked. He looked at me for confirmation.

I smiled sheepishly. "He likes bacon?"

Grover looked faint.

"It was time for Laelaps to leave," Zoë said, gathering her things. She was the only one looking undisturbed by the fact that she just rode on a pig. "I was surprised Lappy stayed as long as he did. But it seems his assistance has come to an end."

"But to chase after Pan's gift?" Grover said, before muttering, "I hope he doesn't hurt him."

"You still think it was a gift?" Thalia huffed. "That boar nearly killed each of us a bunch of times. Where are we anyway?"

Each of us took a moment to analyze our surroundings. There was a bunch of dry sand and cacti around. There was two-way road ahead us, and beside it there was a deserted station that consisted of an abandoned, boarded up house and an empty taco bell. There was a croaked sign that stated GILA CLAW, ARIZONA hanging on the front door.

"Something tells me we're not going to find a car rental here," Thalia said. She looked at Grover. "I don't suppose you got another wild boar up your sleeve?"

Grover was sniffing the wind, looking nervous. He fished out his acorns and threw them into the sand, then played his pipes. They rearranged themselves in a pattern that made no sense to me, but Grover looked concerned.

"That's us," he said. "Those five nuts right there."

"Which one is me?" Percy asked.

"The little deformed one," Zoë suggested.

"Oh, shut up."

"What does it mean?" I asked Grover, whose countenance turned grave.

"That cluster right there," Grover said, pointing to the left, "that's trouble."

"A monster?" Thalia asked.

Grover looked uneasy. "I don't smell anything, which doesn't make sense. But the acorns don't lie. Our next challenge …"

He pointed straight toward the junkyard. With the sunlight almost gone now, the hills of metal looked like they belonged on an alien planet.

We decided to camp for the night and explore the junkyard in the morning. None of us wanted to test out the limits and end up getting ambushed by whatever Grover's acorns were warning us.

Zoë had produced five sleeping bags and foam mattresses out of her tiny backpack. There was no way a tiny, silver duffel bag could possibly fit all that stuff- logically speaking anyway. Must be enchanted.

Percy and Grover had gone out to collect the firewood. I helped set up the tents along with Thalia while Zoë was looking up at the night sky, reading the constellations. When everything was set, Thalia blasted an energy bolt into the pile of wood, and a fire immediately started heating us up.

As I got comfy, Zoë and Grover started discussing how human pollution was the blight of society and how much the god, Pan, was missed. Then, Percy started to join in and eventually Zoë and Percy had a two way slugfest as to who caused the world "more damage." I rolled my eyes, smiling slightly. It's been awhile since I've been in my friends' company-even Zoë's bantering seemed like old news.

I heard the sound of tires approaching as I suddenly got up and notched my bow in offense. Zoë had done the same, while the others scrambled to their feet as headlights of a white limousine appeared before us. I narrowed my eyes in anticipation: was it Clare? Had she finally decided to attack? I quickly dismissed the thought- Clare would never attack from the open.

It had to be someone else.

The ringing of metal shot forth as the back door opened, its tip dangerously close to Percy's throat. Percy was frozen stiff, his eyes narrowing at a tall, built man slowly stepping out. Even without seeing his face, I knew immediately who it was.

"Ares," Percy confirmed with a hiss. Ares grinned, his scarred faced still sporting the same dark shades that hid his hollowed eyes.

"Not so fast now, are you, punk?"

The war god gave each of us a glance, smiling when he noticed our armed weapons. "At ease, people."

He snapped his fingers, and our weapons fell to the ground.

"This is a friendly meeting." He dug the point of his blade a little farther towards Percy. "Of course, I'd like to take your head for a trophy, but someone wants to see you, and I never behead my enemies in front of a lady."

"What lady?" Thalia asked.

"Oh, I don't think she wants to meet the rest of you. Particularly not her." He jutted his chin toward Zoë, who looked annoyed, and then his gaze lingered on me, studying me much longer than the others. I shifted uneasily; the god's thoughts obscured behind his shades. "She's interested in you though."

I blinked in surprise. "Who?"

"Get inside, punk," he said to Percy, "and mind your manners. She's not as forgiving of rudeness as I am."

Ares stepped aside, allowing Percy to see the mystery occupant in the car. He had a surprised expression before he was quickly shoved in by Ares, who shut the door right after with a thud. For the next few minutes, there was silence, with the sound of Ares sharpening his nails with a dagger as he stood guard beside the limousine.

"Interesting weapons you got there, kid," Ares addressed me, the tip of his knife pointed at my pair of black daggers. "I haven't seen those in awhile. Wonder why I didn't notice 'em before..."

"You know about these?" I exclaimed.

Ares scoffed. "God of war, punk. It's my job to know every single weapon ever made in history. Yours aren't an exception."

"What are their names?" I asked, my 'anger' disappearing. "Who was their original owner?"

"Owners," Ares corrected. "You may have heard of them, or not. I don't care. They were sisters from this big royal family. The one on your left is called nychtoperpati̱tí̱s while the other is known as skoúrocháker."

"Nightwalker and Darkhacker," I easily translated. "What happened to them?"

Ares shrugged like the thought didn't even occur (or matter) to him. "They died- Had a shitty family curse because of their pops. Anyway, the family line eventually died out and the possessions were smuggled and stolen. These daggers were separated for centuries, had numerous owners. I never thought I'd see the two of them together again." He grinned. "Consider yourself lucky."

"Yeah…lucky," I muttered.

The door of the limo eventually opened. Percy was blushing. I raised an eyebrow at him before a melodious voice called out from inside.

"Ares, dear," she called, her voice sounding sickly sweet. Was that who I thought it was? "I would like to see ah, the young man you were speaking to next."

"You heard the lady." Ares gave a cruel grin, shoving me forward. "Now get in."

I turned to the others: Grover looked intimidated, while Thalia and Zoë were looking defensive. Thalia gave me what appeared to be an assuring nod before I was shoved inside the limousine...

...facing the most beautiful lady in existence.

She wore a red satin dress, her hair was curled in a cascade of ringlets. Her face was the most beautiful- no, that word wasn't enough- she looked stunning. Gorgeous.

Her appearance, the way her hair and eyes seemed to keep changing color and form made the goddess every definition of beauty. One moment she had lustrous blonde hair before it quickly altered to luminous black swirls. There was also this strange…smell coming off her. It shifted towards me, and immediately my keen sense of smell picked up a mix of utter sweetness and repulsion. I flinched slightly, eyeing my potential enemy.

The goddess laughed. "Don't worry, dear. I won't bite."

I scooted as far away as I could from her, shaking off that alluring and repulsive scent. "No, because we both know you can do so much worse."

"Is that any way to speak to a lovely lady?" the goddess of love pouted. "I've heard so much about you, Seth Hunter. My daughters have said many interesting things."

"Your daughters," I repeated. Then, I remembered my little interrogation at camp. "You asked them to spy on me?"

"Spy?" she mouthed. "Oh no, of course not! I merely asked them for bits of information about you, see what you are like. Nothing harmful. My children haven't done a single thing against you after all."

I caught the carefully veiled threat. "I…appreciate it." I said carefully. Speaking to Aphrodite was like walking through a mined battlefield- say something wrong, and I might get myself blown up.

She smiled. "You are a very interesting dilemma. By far the most amusing young man I've set my eyes on in quite awhile. Such a tragic and lonesome hero- always the best I must say- and your appearance!" She giggled. "Dear Apollo really wasn't exaggerating- you truly look like a male version of Artemis."

"I get that a lot." I said blandly. This was nothing new to me.

Aphrodite continued, "now, I've always wondered how that would look like. Seeing you here, the result turned out much better than I pictured."

"Result?" My voice darkened. I thought I got past this, but it still stung whenever someone mentioned my…condition. All the gods were the same.

I forced myself to erase the anger inside me. It wouldn't do if I suddenly got on Aphrodite's bad side while inside her car. I shivered. Gods, that sounded creepy.

"Is there something you want to say to me, Lady Aphrodite?" I said, trying hard not to add sarcasm. "If my looks are the only thing on your agenda, I would appreciate it if I am allowed to get out."

Aphrodite, instead of getting mad, only laughed. "Patience dear, I was getting to that. The reason why I asked to meet with you…" She casually leaned forward, her kaleidoscope eyes fixed on me. I tried not to flinch. "What is your motive for being here, Seth? I know it's not for that pitiful Artemis- please, who needs her anyway? So you must have a reason why you are here."

Why oh why is everyone always asking me this? I thought.

"To save Annabeth," I said simply. "She's my friend."

The goddess gave an eye roll. "Sure."

"But it's true!" I protested. "That's the reason why-!"

I stopped when Aphrodite placed a manicured finger over my lips.

"Seth Hunter," she sighed dramatically, "I know you are better than that. 'I want to save my friend! I travel this far, facing perilous danger at every turn just to save a friend' Perhaps if Annabeth is your love interest..."

"What? No!" I said, horrified. "I don't see her like that-!"

"...which proves my point that your reason is absolutely bo-ring!" Aphrodite said. "I mean, come on! Saving a friend is just so cliché."

"And saving a love interest isn't?"

"Those never get old," Aphrodite dismissed. "You see, I know the real reason why you are here. Two in fact."

"Two?" I said in disbelief.

"You want to hear the boring one or the interesting one first?" she asked. Before I could answer she had already continued, "The boring one: you want to prove yourself: prove yourself worthy to your friends, to us, and more importantly to yourself. Am I correct?"

I blinked, "t-that I don't…I mean, that could be…but how did you-!"

"As the goddess of love, I am especially sensitive to a person's emotions and feelings." Aphrodite said. "You are like an open book dear, and frankly, I think that makes you quite adorable."

I felt my face heat up.

"As for the interesting reason," Aphrodite gave a knowing smile, "I'll let you figure that one out on your own. I'm sure you're a smart boy." She sat back, her gaze now fixed on her window's dim reflection. "You may leave now."

"Wait, why are you telling me all this?" I asked. "You're supposed to be like…my enemy."

"That depends on you, dear," she said, still staring at the window. "Right now, despite our differences, you seem to have more commonalities with me than even your mother. You and I know how important one's emotions are, you do not defy love, and most importantly…" She narrowed her eyes. "We both despise Artemis. Am I wrong?"

I stared at her in silence, not saying anything. Aphrodite smiled.

"We will keep in touch in the future," she said sweetly. "Until then, take good care and make sure not to touch anything in my husband's trash heap. That's all."

With that said, I exited out of her car.

-o-

"So what did Aphrodite want with you?" Percy asked. We were now stranded in the middle of a junkyard. There were piles of metal devices, broken toys, and even shards of weapons and magical items.

"Nothing much," I said. "She wanted to get a good look at me, finds me interesting. She also said something about not touching anything in Hephaestus' trash heap."

While that wasn't a lie, I didn't feel like disclosing the whole truth.

"See, that was what she told me too," Percy told the others, "Why don't you guys believe me?"

Zoë remained skeptical. "The goddess of love would not make a special trip just to tell thee that. Be careful, Aphrodite has led many heroes astray."

"For once I agree with Zoë," Thalia said. "You can't trust Aphrodite."

Percy nodded. "How do we get out of here?"

"That way," Zoë said. "That is west."

"How can you tell?"

"Ursa Major, right?" I asked Zoë, who nodded. Wow, I didn't even think I knew astrology. "Ursa Major is always north. So that way must be west."

"Oh, yeah," Percy said, "the bear thing."

Zoë looked offended. "Show some respect. It was a bear. A worthy opponent."

"You act like it was real."

"Guys," Grover broke in. "Look!"

We'd reached the crest of a junk mountain. Piles of metal objects glinted in the moonlight: broken heads of bronze horses, metal legs from human statues, smashed chariots, tons of shields and swords and other weapons, along with more modern stuff, like cars that gleamed gold and silver, refrigerators, washing machines, and computer monitors. You name it, it was there.

"Wow," I whistled, noticing a solar board. "Some of this stuff is pretty nice."

"It is," Thalia said grimly. "Like Aphrodite said, don't touch anything. This is the junkyard of the gods."

We continued on through the junkyard, making sure not to touch anything. We started picking our way through the hills and valleys of junk. The stuff seemed to go on forever, and if it hadn't been for Ursa Major, we would've gotten lost. All the hills pretty much looked the same. Plus, there was this uneasy feeling I had. There were so many hills…so many hiding spots.

"I have a bad feeling." I muttered, looking uneasily around my surroundings. "How much longer till we get out of this place?"

Thalia looked grim. "I have no clue. Zoë?"

"It shouldn't be too far." Zoë said, but even she sounded doubtful. "We should just keep going."

We trekked onwards, until finally, we saw the edge of the junkyard about half a mile ahead of us, the lights of a highway stretching through the desert. However, something stood in front of our path…

"What the heck is that?" Thalia exclaimed.

Ahead of us was a hill much bigger and longer than the others. It was like a metal mesa, the length of a football field and as tall as goalposts. At one end of the mesa was a row of ten thick metal columns, wedged tightly together.

Grover said, "they look a lot like…"

"Toes." Zoë, Grover, and I said in unison. We looked at each other for a moment before hastily looking away.

"Let's go around," Thalia said. "Far around."

"But the road is right over there," Percy protested. "Quicker to climb over." I agreed with him, my legs were about to break.

"Come on," Thalia said, insistent. "Around."

After several minutes of walking, we finally stepped onto the highway, an abandoned but well-lit stretch of black asphalt.

"We made it out," Zoë said. "Thank the gods."

She jinxed it; because next thing we knew, I heard a loud, thunderous noise behind us. I turned, and watched wide eyed as the "toes" tilted over and landed on solid ground. Piles of scrap metal were pushed aside as an insanely tall metal giant stood up on its feet: adorned with the traditional Greek armor and helmet, sword and all. Now I could see what's wrong with the thing: the left side of its face was completed melted, giving it a zombie look. No wonder Hephaestus threw it away: I wouldn't want a zombie giant either.

"Talos!" Zoë gasped, and then she said, "Someone took something…Who took something?"

She stared accusingly- you guessed it- at me and Percy.

"I didn't take anything!" I snapped. "Quit being so sexist!"

"I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a thief." Percy said, before the three of us had to dodge Talos' big foot.

"If no one took anything," Zoë shouted from the other side of Talos' foot. "Then who did?"

-o-

Ethan took a moment to catch his breath as he hid behind a small pile of rusted metal, a silver chalice dangling slightly outside his jacket pocket. He threw the chalice back on the ground: he wouldn't need that anymore.

So far, so good, he thought, as he watch the Quest members battle the metal giant known as Talos- at least according to what the Hunt's lieutenant had shouted. There were five of them now, he noted. There was another boy, who was now notching three arrows at the giant's chest. The arrows did little damage. Another archer…must be a son of Apollo, Ethan concluded. He'd have to report that change to Clare.

This was the perfect chance. With the Quest members distracted, they wouldn't have time to act as back up once he managed to get Percy Jackson isolated. Now, all he needed to do was to catch Jackson's attention…

He scrambled about nimbly, his small figure giving him an advantage as he dodges numerous cave-ins from the falling metal piles. Percy was now climbing up the giant's foot and slashing it with his sword. He fell back as Talos roughly kicked him off. He now landed just below Ethan, only 7 feet away.

This is it! he thought. He quickly grabbed what was a used softball and threw it at him. The ball bounced off of Jackson's head. He waited as Percy rubbed his slightly injured head, he turned and saw him.

Got you.

"Hey!" he shouted. "What are you doing here?"

Ethan snorted. He wasn't here for vacation, that's what.

He picked up another object- a metal box- and chunked it at Percy again. Percy was taken aback but predictably, he easily dodged his throw. Now he managed to get him annoyed.

"Look, I'm not here to play games…" Percy growled.

He rolled his eyes, he wasn't either.

"…so just go away already!" he snapped. He turned away from him and started to head back.

I can't let you do that. Ethan thought as he lifted a boomerang and swung it towards Percy's back- successfully whacking him on the neck. Judging the way Percy was now glaring at him…it hurt.

"You just messed with the wrong person…" Percy said before he suddenly took after him, his sword in hand.

Ethan smirked as he quickly ran just in time to get a head start. He made many lefts and rights, slowing down purposely to make sure Jackson was still following him. Once, Percy managed to get too close of a distance and Ethan simply picked something on his way and threw it at him again- causing Percy to get even madder.

After a moment he eventually stopped at what was a deserted clearing. Percy came up a small distance away, clearly pissed off.

"What's the matter with you?" he demanded. "Do you have something you want with me?"

Ethan finally answered him, " someone else does."

He saw Percy's eyes widened as he saw Clare come out from behind him. She smiled at him.

"You!"

"Well done, Ethan," she told him, "I did have my doubts at first…but it doesn't matter now. I'll get a word in for you to Luke when we get back."

Ethan nodded, pleased at his first success. He quickly went to the side of the clearing.

The match was about to begin.

-o-

"Aim it at its head!" I shouted at Thalia, who was now charging some spear she found with lightning. At this point, it didn't matter how many items we pick up. Talos wasn't going to sleep any time soon.

"I'm on it!" she shouted back. "Just get the thing to turn this way!"

So that's what we did. Zoë and I started shooting arrows while Grover tried clunking Talos' foot with a 3 foot club. Fortunately, the plan worked and Talos started turning its nasty, melted head towards Thalia's spear, fully charged with electricity. She threw it, and the spear embedded itself into the giant's face. For a whole moment, its head was completely electrocuted until the circuits inside began to burst and die out.

Thalia had done it- Talos has been taken out. Its knees started to buckle, and a large shadow loomed over me and Zoë…

Uh oh

"Run!" I shouted as the giant threatened to crash on top of us. The two of us ran as fast as we could. There was mountain of metal ahead of us, and I latched on quickly, trying to climb as fast as I could to the top. When I reached it, Zoë wasn't beside me.

"Zoë!" I shouted from above as she struggled to latch on to something firm, but the things kept slipping. "Grab my hand!"

She looked up, fear clearly written on her face as she tried yet again to pull herself up. She gasped as she slipped again.

"Grab my hand!" I shouted. She reached up, just barely brushing past my fingers before I suddenly lunged forward and heaved her up. Just in time before Talos' head crashed against the side of the mountain.

We sat there, gasping as we took a moment to take in what just happened.

"Why did thou do that?" Zoë gasped. "Why did thou...assist me? You hate me."

"Do you honestly think I'm that petty?" I asked her. "I may not like you, but you, me, and the others, are all in this together. We're a team. I wouldn't just abandon a person like that because I didn't like them."

Zoë took in my answer quietly, slightly conflicted.

"Well," she started, as she stood up. "If that's it, then I'll let thee know I don't owe thee anything."

I rolled my eyes. "A simple 'thank you' would have sufficed."

Zoë didn't answer, but I could tell she was amused.

We eventually got back on solid ground. Grover and Thalia were also there, looking relatively okay.

Thalia and I gave a high five, "Great job you did there- Wouldn't have done it without you."

She grinned, "Thanks for the back up."

"Hey aren't we missing someone?" Grover brought up. "Where's Percy?"

A sudden, sharp realization hit us.

"Y-you don't think…" Thalia started, her face becoming pale.

"I think she did." I said in a panic. "We were all distracted! Where could they possibly be?"

"Grover," Zoë said calmly, "Thou had said that thou shared an 'empathy link', could you-

"Yes!" Grover said quickly. "Yes I can! I-I think I can still trace it. Hold on." He closed his eyes in concentration for a moment before he exclaimed, "I know where he is! H-He's in trouble…I think he said he's currently about to fight the 'psycho girl'?"

"That's Clare all right," I said angrily. "What else did he say?"

"There's another- an accomplice. We have to hurry!" Grover rushed, as all of us quickly followed behind him.

-o-

* The family that Ares was referring to is Oedipus Rex, who was prophesized to murder his father and marry his mother. The two sisters are Antigone and Ismene. According to my telling, Antigone is the owner of "Darkhacker"- a tool she uses to dig her brother a grave. For Ismene (who I see as kind of passive) carries "Nightwalker" for protection.