It seemed the entire neighborhood was being transformed into a war zone.

A few dozen military vans were parked throughout the entire street; dozens more magicians firing spells of all kinds at the hotel's magical barriers. Flashes of orange and green filled the air, turning the normally peaceful Boston street into something akin to a ghastly fireworks show. Monsters of all shapes and sizes, some she recognized, some they didn't, snarled and growled, eager for something to rip and tear.

And yet, mortal pedestrians continued about their day, in bliss, totally ignorant of the monstrous sights they were passing by.

"And there's nothing we can do?"

Freya shook her head. Her form flickered and the image she'd shown them disappeared. "This enemy is beyond any of you alone. Valhalla's walls are not easily broken though; we still have weeks and maybe even months until the enemy finds a way through. But with the help of others, other magic from outside our realm we may stand a chance. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about."

"Camp Half-Blood?" Magnus asked. "How do you know they'll accept us?"

"I don't know much about our enemy, who they are, or what they want. But what I do know is that they've planned something for them tonight as well. They'll be wanted as much help as they can get."

Freya winced once more. Her form began to dim. "I've run out of time. I've given you refuge and a place to go. The portal will take you straight to the Camp's gates. Stay safe, demigods. Allfather bless you."

Those had been the goddess's last words before she had vanished, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Alex couldn't believe that was the most they got out of her. Surely there was more to it than to enter a realm that would normally be impossible for them to enter? But they had no choice but to obey her orders, given they themselves had no plan on where to go.

Earlier, Freya had directed them to the location of a hidden weapons stache at, of all places, the base of the Leif Erickson statue in Boston along with a magical portal that would lead them to the Camp's gate. There, they had argued with the stubbornly cautious guards until Jason and the others had arrived. Much to her disappointment, what she got in return for her efforts was a direction to head straight to bed.

At first, she had been furious that they weren't immediately trying to do something about their situation? Rest? Her friends and home were in danger of being gone forever, dammit! She was surrounded by some of the most legendary demigods who've ever lived, and they understood the reality of the threat as well. What were they all waiting for?

But the more she thought on it, the more she realized her anger was unjustified. It was almost two in the morning. Everyone was clearly tired. When one of the girls did ask for answers and ended up instead in tears, Alex knew that it would've been selfish of her to try to push the subject any further.

Annabeth then led them to the Big House, where they found a couch that could open into a queen sized bed. Samirah went to bed in one of the rooms elsewhere.

But while cradled in Magnus's arms, warmed by his body heat and surrounded by the musky smell of him she loved so much, Alex had trouble falling asleep that night. All that she could think of was the moment Mallory told her to flee. Her boisterous friend had known that there was very little chance she could've survived. She would have been certainly going to her death, and it would have been all her fault…

No. She'd made her choice. She couldn't dwell on what could have been. She had to move forward and go on in their memory to stop this new enemy at all costs.

And with that determination, she found she could finally relax, and let her dreams overtake her.

But it seemed she would find no rest in them either.

She found herself in the middle of what first appeared to be a dusty old amphitheater, clearly Greco-Roman in design. The corners of her vision swirled and rippled like ocean waves, showing that she was having, well, a vision. The entire area was covered in a thick, green fog.

Carved in stone on the front of the amphitheater's stage were two sentences written in strange symbols that resembled Roman numerals, though Alex couldn't be sure given she'd never learned Latin. School was a long distant memory among many she didn't care to recall.

"Love art in yourself, and not yourself in art. It seems the Romans are still as cultured as ever. One of the things I always admired about them, even while they desecrated us."

She turned behind her. There stood a woman dressed in a luscious two piece dress of emerald. The woman was blonde, pale and beautiful, but Alex could recognize those piercing, amber eyes anywhere.

"Father?"

"I imagined you would be more surprised to see me." The God of Mischief said, sounding slightly disappointed.

"I am. It shouldn't be possible. But if it's true that all the gods have been captured in Valhalla, then it must be easier for you to reach out to me."

Loki's form flickered. She winced as if she had gotten an electric shock. "Still, easier is still miles away from easy. Ooo, I've just realized, I never used this form in front of you before. Don't you like it?" She grinned and gave a flirtatious smile, which only made Alex feel sick.

"You didn't come here just to show off, didn't you?" she said, wishing to herself she could punch her father in the face. Her anger towards him had not diminished.

Loki rolled her eyes. "I have planned on some much needed father-child time, but not now. I seriously need your help."

"To free you?" Alex spat back. "Fat chance. I'd rather throw myself into Muspelheim than trust you."

Loki's brow wrinkled. "Then your friends will die. The entire pantheon will fall if you don't allow yourself to trust me. This sacred land as well."

"What is this place?" Alex asked. Nothing about the location they were in jogged her memory.

"New Rome, the sanctuary for the Roman demigods," Loki said. "Your friend Percy Jackson knows of this place. The Greeks have many allies here."

"You know Percy?"

Loki nodded. "He's quite renowned in our pantheon, amongst others. We're not completely segregated from them, you know. But back to the topic. The Greeks may have allies, but trouble is brewing her also. I've heard of the ongoing siege on Valhalla, as well as monsters of all kinds gathering at some unknown location. And little more, because despite the Hotel being under siege the Gods do not officially grant me freedom. But one other thing I know for certain: Ate is at New Rome, helping plot its fall."

"Ate?" Alex tried to recall if she had heard the name before.

"My Greek counterpart. The other trickster goddess. She reached out me for help, that's how I knew. Offered to help free me if I agreed."

"And why didn't you?" Alex asked.

"Because I am no fool," Loki said. "Ate thinks she is clever, but she has no clue she may be merely be playing into the enemies' hands. You, my child, must help me. Free me and I will lead you to victory."

Alex resisted the urge to snort. Did her father really think she was going to be tricked that easily? "And the siege on Hotel Valhalla? What about our friends?"

"Valhalla's gates will hold, as they always have," Loki said. "It takes more than a hundred magicians to match the will of the gods. Your Greek friends have far more pressing matters. Their goal; to save New Rome, is ultimately yours as well, as their help will be needed to end the siege on Valhalla. It is the only way we can effectively save them all."

Alex wasn't convinced by her father's newfound desire to help the gods. How could she, especially given his nature? "And why should I trust you now, after all this time? You don't care about anybody except yourself. Or should I just forget about the time you tried to cause the end of the world?"

"Please," Loki said, pleading in a way that sounding shockingly desperate from a god Alex knew rarely showed fear. And for the first time in a long time, she wanted to believe her, especially given how dire their situation was.

Normally she would not resist her instincts so was too much bad blood between them. Loki was also the best liar in the nine realms. But something told her this time was different. Loki had never been as patient or seemed as honest as she did at the moment.

After a moment of silent deliberation, she made her choice.

"Fine. What do I need to know?"

Loki's form flickered again, like an image being projected from a faulty projector. The trickster god wrinkled her brow. "Something is interfering with my magic. My time runs short. Use my blood, my heritage within you. It's about time you fully embraced it anyway."

The edges around Alex's vision began to blacken and dim, and before she knew it, she was back in her bed and in Magnus's arms.

"You okay, honey?" Magnus said when she moved out of his arms. He had awakened before her, it seemed.

Alex rubbed her eyes, trying to not let the events of her dream get to her. She hadn't expected to ever see her father again. She had hoped she wouldn't. Ever since they'd stopped the Ship of the Dead she had hoped to finally move past every ghost of their memory and everything she'd suffered because of them. And yet… if what they said was true, then somehow she would need to confront those very ghosts somehow, in some form.

But, this time she wouldn't be alone. This time she had hope that was realer and stronger than any ghost.

"Yeah, I think I am."

"You ready?" Hazel called from the floor above.

"Yup," Leo replied. "They're done clearing the area?"

"It's all done," Frank said from the hallway leading to the main deck. "They're ready for you."

Leo turned to the screen of the ship's navigational interface, touching a little strip of mapped land. It was one of the biggest updates he'd made to the older design of the Argo II for the Argo III ; the result of his two months slaving away at the intercamp Fyre Engineering Initiative.

The Argo III and the Pandora, which sailed right behind them, were two of the four warships that've been commissioned for both demigod camps. All were constructed in four months, thanks to the combined numbers of the children of Vulkan and Hephaestus.

But the prize pieces, his Big Babies, were the twelve mobile cannons that Leo himself designed for both were each armed with a variety of projectile options including Greek fire, magical netting, animal transformation balls, to name a few.

The Initiative's goal was to produce a new line of weapons tech upgrades that could be used to aid in the defense of a camp wide attack. He felt incredible pride knowing that he had directly contribution to demigods feeling safer at home. But the joy of working on such incredible projects couldn't compare to the feeling of New York morning air he relished as he made his way up to the upper deck.

When he caught sight of the Big House for the first time all summer, his excitement levels went off the charts. The day blessed him with clear skies and a cool breeze rustling his hair. He was excited to see some of his demigod friends especially, given how long he'd been away from camp.

"And here's Festus's lunch." Reyna handed him the enormous jar of chili sauce he'd asked her to get. "That's fifteen denarii."

"Aw man, really?" Leo groaned. "That expensive?"

Reyna rolled her eyes. "Oh, quit complaining. With your overblown salary, Valdez? Pay up. Now."

"Patience, Arellano. I'll pay you back when we get settled in camp."

"I should make you swear on the Styx," she sighed. "Now get going. Your legions of fans await."

"Ah, of course! How could I forget?" Leo walked over to the door of the cockpit, where a bronze suitcase awaited him. With a push of a button, his mechanical friend reemerged.

"Heya boy!" Leo rubbed Festus's head, who let out a playful snort of steam. "You hungry?"

Festus immediately opened his jaw, grinding with ear anticipation. He devoured all three-gallons of Tabasco sauce in a single gulp. He burped out a puff of smoke directly into Leo's face.

"Alright boy," Leo coughed as he waved away some of the fumes. His clothes didn't get too dusty thanks to the enchantments woven into them. "Let's go!"

He'd spent countless hours in some incredible airships (having built a few of them), but nothing compared to the euphoria of flying something that was very much alive. Festus wasn't just a machine, he had as much soul and life as any incredible creature that occupied their world. As they took off, he could feel the hum of Festus's mechanical heart beneath him. Blood rushed in his ears as they descend towards a little crowd that had formed by the base of the ship. They stared up at him, in absolute awe of his incredible coolness (at least he hoped they were).

Well... most of them did.

"Show off!" cried the voice of a girl he knew all too well.

"Missed you too, Wise Girl," Leo quipped back as he unsaddled himself from Festus' back.

Annabeth, Percy and Jason emerged from the crowd and soon Leo found himself crushed in their embrace.

"Woah there, Superboy. Aqualad." Leo wheezed as his life was squeezed out of him. "Annabeth, help."

"Sorry bud," Percy replied as they released him. "We really missed having you around."

"Wow…I can't believe it!" Annabeth stared in awe at the Argo III's enormity. Pangs of nostalgia overwhelmed her as she took in the ship in its all its glory. "It looks just like the original!"

"Well, not exactly like the original." Leo said. "Obviously, Festus isn't a masthead anymore, and I've upgraded the cannons with the latest auto aim tech-"

"Yeah, yeah, the ship's cool," Jason said with a grin. "But it's great that you're here man, given all that's going on."

"Hey guys!" Hazel descended the ladder & landed with a gleeful thump . Frank and Reyna followed behind her.

"Oh wow!" Annabeth ran over and gave them each other a bear hug as well. "It feels like it's been so long!"

"Yeah, it definitely has been," Frank said, rubbing his arms from the strain they had just been subjected. "But we want to stay for as long as we can."

"At most a week though— ow ," Reyna said as she winced in pain from Annabeth's particularly tight hug. "But it's good to see you guys.

Leo noticed the bandages around Jason's check and arms. "Jason…man, what happened to you? Did you like, piss Clarisse off during training or something?"

His best friend grinned. "Heh. I wish, to be honest." Then his expression darkened. "It was something worse, if you can believe it."

"Was there an attack?" Reyna inquired with a look of concern. She reached out and pat his shoulder. "Is anyone else injured?"

"Last night," Annabeth began, "Rachel had to leave Camp Half Blood early to go attend a party for her Dad. But someone attacked them and...her parents didn't make it out. She and Nico had to watch them die."

Hazel and Frank gasped. Reyna looked like she had been slapped in the face.

With that news the mood of the day immediately soured, a sinking feeling starting in the pit of Leo's stomach. But he couldn't get hung over that now. He made a note to himself to check on Rachel to see if she needed some support.

No, she would definitely need it. He knew the pain of losing a parent all too well. "Who would do something like that?"

"We don't know," Jason said. "But apparently they managed to suck the Spirit of Delphi out of her and capture it for themselves."

Leo's eyes widened. "But that's impossible. Does that mean… is she—?"

"She's still alive," Jason confirmed, much to Leo's relief. "We don't know how, but they managed to extract it without killing her. We managed to rescue her just in time to save her. It was…intense. One of them gave me these as a souvenir." He gestured to his unsavory injuries.

"Does Chiron know anything? Or Dionysus?" Frank asked, crossing his arms and wearing an expression that told Leo he was in full on leader mode, focused and ready to help.

"It's just Chiron who's here now," Annabeth replied. "Dionysus was summoned to Olympus a week ago and hasn't returned. No word from the gods either, looks like old habits die hard. Chiron promised to tell us all what he knew when we were all together. But there's more. There's some... friends of ours that arrived last night. Who might have a better idea of what's going on."

"More demigods?"

Annabeth shook her head. "Not quite."