The rise was still uncomfortable but much more manageable this time. Most of the ride was spent watching Grover talk to the zebra and antelope thing. I helped him to get the proper food to the right animal, but I couldn't do much until we stopped. It was pleasant because this time I had Grovers back and those 'caretakers' would pay.

As we continued down a bumpy road I looked over to see Annabeth studying me. It wasn't as bad anymore, and the ache on my back was all but gone. The visions were a different story but they mainly consisted of past memories and the occasional older version.

I tilted my head, my black hair sliding along my head as I gave a toothy smile. Instead of glaring she blushed and looked away. I had been around the block and knew what that could mean, and I was afraid. Ever since the sea of monsters, I had a crush on her, and I was always impressed by her.

I turned away as well but not with a blush, thanks to her kiss during the Labyrinth I was ready for most of what she could throw. I was about to ask her something when the Van stopped suddenly sending me onto the lion cage. I watched as it walked towards me, I didn't want to but I may have to hurt it. Then it stopped and laid down, right in front of me with his head on his tucked forelegs.

I looked over to Grover who just shrugged his shoulders as he examined the lion. My arm shook as I pushed it in the cage, my hand rubbing against coarse fur. It was like petting Ms. O'Leary all over again, but this time it was orange.

I started laughing as loud as my body would allow me. This was amazing and I was so happy, it was a sign of change and I think it shows a good one. Both Grover and Annabeth looked at me like I was crazy. I just gave one more toothy smile while stroking the lion's mane.

It was an hour or so later when I fell asleep. I was hoping for no dreams but instead, that is exactly what I got.

The dream was so much worse than it had been last time. All around me were demigods flailing with one, two or multiple missing limbs. Some were crying out my name, while others cried that it wasn't fair to them. I could feel the tears accumulating in my eyes as I watched the scene and noticed that it wasn't just demigods but also gods and some mortals, including my dad. I wanted to close my eyes, to leave but there was a reason I was here, there always is. I turned in a slow circle before I noticed Thalia kneeling behind me with Annabeth behind her.

Thalia had dark rings around her eyes with frayed hair and blood covering her body. I could see her grip on her spear tighten as I looked at them. Annabeth was laying on the ground with a familiar dagger sticking out of her chest. She was pale and shaking with her grey eyes clenched shut and most of her hair standing on end. It looked like she had been electrocuted.

"What..?" I asked trailing off as Thalia glared at me.

"You were supposed to help, why didn' you?" She snarled at me her eyes glowing a bright blue. "Now she's going to die because you were focused on saving the world again!"

I was shocked speechless. I had never thought I wasn't focusing on Annabeth enough. I had helped her. It was my fatal flaw, I would always be there for my friends no matter what. I would do what they wanted regardless the cost to me.

"The cost for you doesn't matter," Thalia whispered. "It was the cost for the rest of us that did."

I glared at her with anger. I had tried, she was there when I tried. It was a failure all the way around, not just me.

"What do you mean!" I yelled. "Is my life not enough? How was I selfish? I killed for Annabeth, fought for you and your dad and yet I'M selfish?"

She stopped glaring and walked forward dropping her spear and shield. I almost flinched when she spoke again

"Then why won't you allow someone else to share the sacrifice? That is how you are selfish."

I looked around again my tears soaking the ground. I was the 'hero' though if I didn't sacrifice who would? I needed to save the world, yet that was what ended it last time. I could've acted faster, or allowed Annabeth to know where my Achilles heel was so she could protect my back as well as herself instead of getting herself stabbed in a misguided attempt to save me.

"Percy, you go wake me up, and allow me to help you, ok?"

I nodded as she cupped my cheek again. I saw Annabeth looking at us with betrayal in her eyes. I grabbed Thalia's hand and moved it from my cheek. She just smiled at me before walking to Annabeth and kneeling beside her. I was about to go over as well when a shrill laugh filled the field.

"You are the one? I must say I am disappointed that you were the best those nieces of mine could do."

The voice thrummed with power. It outclassed any I had ever heard like the very planet was shaking in fear of it.

I pulled out riptide allowing a soft glow to fill the area around me. Then the being laughed again before my sword dissolved to dust. I started focusing to control the water around me when my feet slipped beneath me.

"You will be fun to play with my child. Do you think you have a chance? If so diminish that thought, it will only fail you in the end. As will your friends, family and my nieces."

The battlefield started to rise to form the shape of a woman. I was terrified and embarrassed at the same time. It was a behemoth at least as big as Typhoon and more powerful than anything I had ever heard of before. Oh yeah, she was also naked and that was what embarrassed me. Back on the subject she had forest green eyes that seemed slightly cloudy like she was exhausted, her hair was multiple different colours. It was like a waterfall of glowing orange, bright green, dull gold and a beautiful brown. All over her was ore and crystals, which was a weird look but was increasingly terrifying.

"I want you to prepare, I want you to be able to fight me. That way I can show you the true power of a god. That way mortals and immortals alike will once again fear the title Primordial."

In front of me rose seven coffins with only one left unfilled. I read the names across the top of them. They were Jason, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank and Annabeth. I didn't know any of the others but I did know Annabeth, I also know that this 'Primordial' had just threatened her.

"Who the hellll do you think you are?" I asked extending the L in hell.

She smiled a beautiful smile, with teeth the colour of marble. I was still scared but she had threatened my Wise Girl. I wouldn't allow that one to ever fly again.

"You're going to die when I find you," I growled out. I tried to use my powers again only to sink into the earth.

"I am the origin. I was here before you or your parent and I plan to cast out the disease they have become. That includes you my little toy. I do apologize but it is as my sister decrees. What belongs to the earth shall always return to the earth. I can't wait to collect my long-awaited reward."

She twitched one of her massive fingers and I began to sink even lower. I saw her wink at me before my head went below the surface. I thought I was going to wake up right after, boy was I wrong.

I started to drown with dirt filling my mouth and nose, it was like a liquid but I couldn't breathe it. My head got light as the soil filled my throat, then I was awake in a scream of terror.

Thankfully all Annabeth asked was if it was a nightmare. I said yes and she dropped it allowing me to recuperate.

We had stopped only a few mins after I had woken up. Then one of the drivers started opening the door. I waited until he fully opened it before using the water in his jug to throw him back. Grover began chanting to each of the animals as I held the two drivers away from the car. Then I cut open the cages allowing the three animals to rush out, free of this hell hole they had been trapped in.

We ran away from the van which just so happened to be crushed under a few hundred gallons of water at a speed of 70 mph. That strange phenomenon also cracked some of the asphalt around it. It was a little while later that we ran into the entrance to the Lotus Hotel and Casino.

"Hey guys, let's stop here and try to get something to eat," I said hungrily.

Both Annabeth and Grover nodded affirmation to my statement. Inside the plaza was still an impressive site, with tons of games and guests. The waits for games were none existent even with as many guests as they had. It was stupid but made sense.

The bellhop finally arrived with his Hawaiian shirt. I was so ready to clobber this lying scumbag but we really did need to stop here. If not for food then so I can check on Bianca and Nico. I refused to leave them with no help at all.

"Here is your room key," The bellhop said holding out three green cards. I grabbed one after asking what he meant, which got the same boring answer. Annabeth and Grover both spilt up from me as I went looking in the kids' section for Nico.

It was only a few minutes later that I saw familiar ruffled black hair as well as a slightly taller head of straight black hair. I had to force myself not to run over to her and apologize over and over again. Instead, I walked over calmly and inconspicuous.

Well, that was my hop, but instead, Bianca noticed me and began to drag Nico away. I slapped myself pretty damn hard for that one then ran after them. I caught up with them right before they got on the elevator.

"Why are you following us?" Bianca asked as she put Nico behind her. I was really happy to see her protecting her brother.

"I have a message from your dad," I said hoping Hades didn't just decide to kill me.

I was rewarded with both kids perking up. Nico even got out from behind Bianca showing off his black shaded eyes.

"He said that you should start learning about Greek mythology."

Bianca had a sceptical look on her face while Nico started to smile even wide. Then he pulled out a stack of Mythomagic cards and showed them to me. I laughed a little, it was just too great to see them again.

"Tell dad we will," Bianca said before she grabbed Nico and pulled him into the open elevator. I waved and started my journey back to Annabeth and Grover.

It was a long time after I had started searching before I found Grover. He was pass a large section of slot machines playing on a VR headset that from the looks of it was showing different environments. I walked around the machine before unplugging it. Inside the booth was a bunch of bleating and cursing.

He stormed out of the booth a scowl on his face. I grabbed his arm and punched his stomach. He looked at me in pain before asking: "Why did you punch me?"

"I needed to break you out of your trance," I responded before dragging him along.

It was almost half an hour later before we found Annabeth playing a building VR game. Her buildings were amazing, it was large arches mixed with domes and the use of natural terrain to build a huge city. I was almost sad to unplug the game. It also ended in a lot of cursing Grover and I calmed her down while I explained what this place was.

"How do you know that," Annabeth asked her eyes once again narrowed at me.

"I heard one of the workers talking about how there were a group of new demigods here," I said, "then he said that it didn't matter because we would never leave."

I could see her nod feeling better with that answer. I really am good at bullcrapping my way through things.

"We'll talk about this later."

Never mind.

I nodded before rushing for the entrance with the other two behind me. There were five workers in front of the door who tried to stop us. The keyword is tried. I slid under one grabbing his leg and pulling him down before kicking another in the stomach and running out. Grover slipped off his shoes and jumped over one and Annabeth kicked one's balls. I winced when I saw that but started running again as Annabeth and Grover passed me.

We found a newspaper that told us the date. June twentieth, the last day before the solstice. My first quest was nearing its end, and my war was about to begin.

A/N

Sorry about the slow update, it was a busy week as I prepared for a competition. I am going to try to have a second chapter tomorrow or Sunday but I can't' promise anything.

Until next time my children.

PG