Later that night, Max was in the stateroom of the princess Andromeda. I can't get one good night's sleep?

In the center of the room, Luke knelt on a Persian rug in front of the golden sarcophagus of Kronos. In the moonlight, Luke's hair looked white. He wore a chiton and a himation, which was a cape variant that flowed down his shoulders. He looked like a minor god on Olympus. The last time Max had seen him, he looked broken and was unconscious after a bad fall.

He looks too good, Max thought. Something's up.

"Our spies report success, my lord," Luke said. "Camp Half-Blood is sending a quest, as you predicted. Our side of the bargain is almost complete."

Excellent. Kronos's voice pierced Max's mind instead of talking aloud. It was filled with cruelty. Once we have the means to navigate, I will lead the vanguard through myself.

Luke was collecting his thoughts as he closed his eyes. "My lord, perhaps it is too soon. Perhaps Krios or Hyperion should lead—"

No. The voice was firm. I shall lead. One more heart shall join our cause and that will be sufficient. At last, I shall rise fully from Tartarus.

"But the form, my lord..." Luke's voice started to shake.

Show me your sword, Luke Castellan.

That was the first time Max heard Luke's last name before. Nonetheless, Luke drew his sword, Backbiter, which was half steel and half celestial bronze. It was able to kill both mortals and monsters. Max wondered if he could ever summon a weapon like that.

You pledged yourself to me, Kronos reminded him. You took this sword as proof of your oath.

"Yes, my lord. It's just—"

You wanted power. I gave you that. You are now beyond harm. Soon you will rule the world of gods and mortals. Do you not wish to avenge yourself? To see Olympus destroyed?

Luke shivered. "Yes."

The coffin glowed, golden light filling the room. Then get the strike force ready. As soon as the bargain is done, we shall move forward. First, Camp Half-Blood will be reduced to ashes. Once those bothersome heroes are eliminated, we will march on Olympus.

"But what about the son of Enyo?" Luke asked.

I have something else planned for him, Kronos answered, sending a chill down Max's back. The light of the coffin faded as someone knocked on the door. Luke rose, sheathing his sword, adjusting his clothes, and took a deep breath.

"Come in."

The doors opened, and two dracaenae slithered in with double serpent trunks instead of legs. Between them walked Kelli, the empousa cheerleader.

"Hello, Luke," Kelli smiled. She was wearing a red dress and she admittedly looked nice, but Max knew her true form.

"What is it, demon?" Luke's voice was cold. "I told you not to disturb me."

Kelli pouted. "That's not very nice. You look tense. How about a nice shoulder massage?"

Luke stepped back. At least he has some sense, Max thought. "If you have something to report, say it. Otherwise, leave!"

"I don't know why you are so huffy these days. You used to be fun to hang around."

"That was before I saw what you did to that boy in Seattle."

"Oh, he meant nothing to me," Kelli said. "Just a snack, really. You know my heart belongs to you."

"Thanks, but no thanks. Now report or get out."

Kelli shrugged. "Fine. The advanced team is ready, as you surprised. We can leave—" she frowned.

"What is it?" Luke asked.

"A presence," Kelli said. "No, two. Your senses are getting dull, Luke. We're being watched."

She scanned the stateroom before her eyes focused on Max. Her face withered into a hag's as she bared her fangs and lunged.

-:-:-:-

Max woke up panting. He looked at the clock on the wall.

"Midnight," he muttered. Bianca and Nico were asleep next to him on his right. Max mentally made a note to tell everyone else about the dream later. He then tried his best to go to sleep, but it was until 2 AM that his eyes finally closed.

-:-:-:-

Just after dawn, the members of the quest had met at Zeus's Fist. Max had packed a thermos with nectar, a bag full of ambrosia, bedroll, rope, clothes, flashlights, and many spare batteries. Annihilator was resting on his wrist.

"It could be the last time we see the sky for days," Bianca said as she looked up at the sky.

"Let's not think about that." Juniper was currently straightening Grover's rasta cap and fussing over his clothes. "Please don't die, Grover."

"I'll be fine." Grover ran his hands down his shirt, eliminating any wrinkles. "By the way, Percy, you look terrible."

"Thanks," Percy muttered.

"He killed the water fountain last night," Tyson explained.

"How'd he do that?" Max asked. Before Percy could explain, Chiron trotted over. "Well, it appears you are all ready!"

Max asked, "Did any of you have a dream last night?"

Everybody except for Percy shook his head. "Percy, did you have a dream about Luke on the Princess Andromeda?"

Percy's eyes shot up. "You were the other presence Kelli was talking about."

"Woah, Woah, Woah, hold on," Annabeth interrupted. "What was your dream about?"

Percy and Max went on to explain their dream, filling in when one person stopped to catch their breath. When they were finished, Chiron had a grave look on his face. "If Kronos is well enough to come to the camp, we would stand no chance."

"Knew it," Max muttered.

"Max, you said that Kronos had something planned for you," Chiron said. "Do you have any idea of what it might be?"

"I don't know what it is exactly, but I think I know what it is about," Max replied. "I'm related to a pharaoh."

"Wait, like the ones from Ancient Egypt?" Percy asked.

"Those are the only types of pharaohs, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said. "So Max, Kronos wants you just because a king from a couple of thousand years ago is somehow related to you?"

"I'm also related to a woman who ruled during that era, but yeah, that's all I know. My dad might know something. He said that he had something to tell me."

Chiron nodded. "Well, it seems that everything has been sorted out. Take care, all of you. And good hunting."

"You too," Percy said. The six demigods walked over to the group of rocks. Max stared at the crack between the boulders—the entrance that was about to swallow them.

"Well," Grover stated nervously, "goodbye sunshine."

"And hello, darkness," Bianca agreed. And together, they all descended into darkness.