Hey guys I'm so sorry, for some reason my account kept deleting this chapter every time I saved it and then I couldn't get access to a computer, and I don't know why but my app won't let me upload, just write, so I've actually had this chapter written for about a week now but haven't been able to upload it. So I am really, really, really, sooooooo incredibly sorry. Regardless of the fact that I am incredibly inconsiderate and cannot uphold my promises I hope you can enjoy the chapter.

Percy

Aria launched herself at the monster knocking both of them to the ground, the sphinx howled and dug its claws into Aria's arm. That didn't even seem to phase her, Aria nimbly flipped the sphinx over and landed on top of it. Then she was thrown into the wall, and she slumped to the ground.

Grover poked her in the eye with somebody's leg bone. She screeched in pain. Annabeth put on her cap and vanished. The Sphinx pounced right were she'd been standing, but came up with empty paws.

"No fair!" the Sphinx wailed. "Cheater!"

With Annabeth no longer in sight, the Sphinx turned on me. I raised my sword, but before I could strike, Tyson ripped the monster's grading machine out of the floor and threw it at the Sphinx's head, ruining her hair bun. It landed in pieces all around her.

"My grading machine!" she cried. "I can't be exemplary without my test scores!"

The bars lifted from the exits. We all dashed for the far tunnel. I could only hope Annabeth was doing the same.

The Sphinx started to follow, but Grover raised his reed pipes and began to play. Suddenly the pencils remembered they used to be parts of trees. They collected around the Sphinx's paws, grew roots and branches, and began wrapping around the monster's legs. The Sphinx ripped through them, but it brought us just enough time.

Tyson pulled Grover into the tunnel, and the bars slammed shut behind us.

"Annabeth!" I yelled.

"Here!" she said, right next to me. "Keep moving!"

We ran through the dark tunnels, listening to the roar of the Sphinx behind us as she complained about all the tests she would have to grade by hand.

Then I noticed something. I stopped dead in my tracks.

Annabeth turned around, also coming to a stop. "Percy, what's wrong?"

"Where's Aria?"

Carter

I suppose that it was a good thing that Aria hadn't called, but I still couldn't help worrying. After learning that she just happened to my half sister, I was a little shocked, but I have to admit, if she didn't come back I would be devastated.

I was becoming absent minded during lessons and our trainees almost always bested me. It was really hard to concentrate when two of the people you care about have suddenly gone missing.

We'd been searching for Zia ever since we learned that she was a shabti, but we hadn't had any luck. It was like she'd been wiped off the face of the earth. Which knowing our godly friends wouldn't be too far fetched.

I sighed and drew my khopesh. Turning to face my sister I tried again in vain to try and figure out where Aria had gone. I guessed that it was somewhere in Manhattan, but knowing how Magicians could teleport just about anywhere, that hypothesis was pretty weak. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't notice the flames coming towards me until I was suddenly engulfed.

The fire died and I coughed raggedly, "I was not expecting that."

Sadie rolled her eyes. "Gods above eternal Egypt, Carter, stop worrying. If we know anything about Aria it's that she can handle herself. Same with Zia."

I sighed and sheathed my weapon, "I know, I just keep feeling like she needs help. I can't explain it either, I just know Aria's in trouble."

Aria

I gasped, my eyes shooting open. For a minute, my thoughts were scattered and I couldn't remember what I was doing staring up at a dusty brick ceiling. Then it all came back and I sat up suddenly. Just to find myself staring into the eyes of the Sphinx.

Instantly my mind shot into the past.

Flashback

My feet pounded beneath me as I ran. My breathing was rapid uneven. The desert sand clung to my feet like hands trying to pull me down. I stumbled up a dune and then almost instantly tripped. I was sent tumbling down the hill. I came to a stop and pushed myself up with shaking arms.My heart pounded in my ears as I stood up. Then I tried to run again, only to find that I could move. The desert gripped my feet and held them fast. Starting to lose my head I screamed and pulled, trying desperately to free myself. Then the monster found me.

The Sphinx's growl made my blood run cold. I turned around. found myself staring into a monster's maw.

End of Flashback

I stood up and stumbled away from the monster. I was almost instantly backed up to the wall. She paced and came to a stop in front of me.

The Sphinx licked her paw absentmindedly. "You have a peculiar scent, Half-Blood. You remind me of the Desert sand. Want to tell me why?"

I blinked and after a second recovered from my shock. I racked my brain for an answer to her question. Something told me, filling her in about me would get me into serious trouble. I was fairly certain that Kronos had a bounty on me and if the monster knew who I was, I would probably get turned over to my brother.

Unfortunately I hesitated a little too long.

"You know, I think I've heard about you." The monster purred. "A child of Gaea is a scent hard to mistake. Greetings, Aria Kane, Your brother will be pleased to see you."

Alex

I never understood why Kronos thought he could get Aria on his side. It wasn't as if she was suddenly going to hate the other half-bloods.

Still that didn't stop my half brother from giving a reward to anyone who could bring in Aria alive. That part confused me still, why did Kronos want Aria on his side so badly? Not to offend my sister but she wasn't the most powerful weapon. Or was she?

Kampe had said something about an Egyptian, then I'd learned from Luke that she'd recently been defeated by Percy Jackson and his friends. Then there was the fact that Aria's last name was Kane, just like Julius Kane the Egyptologist. Then there was her disappearance in Tartarus. She just vanished, poof. The more I thought about it, the more sense it made.

Somehow Aria was more powerful than she ever let on. She was an Egyptian, which seemed impossible because the ancient Egyptians were dead. Weren't they?

It's a little short on words but I figured I should get it out anyway. I am soooo sorry it took so long, it really shouldn't have, but my account kept deleting this chapter as soon as I saved it. I hope you enjoyed it besides the wait.