Nico appeared from the shadows of the Lotus Hotel. The damned place kept trying to avoid him. It wasn't like he tried to attack the workers, break a couple of games, and burn it down.

That was crazy.

Slipping the lighter into his coat pocket, he walked inside ready to drag his cousin and companions out of there. He could feel Hekate's magic much stronger than how the hotel was the first time around. He was thankfully immune to the power by being Fated and the new ambrosia bubble gum that Katie created.

Keeping up with Jackjack on this quest was proving to be more tiresome than they originally thought. Especially since the Moirai seemed to make them aware of everything only after the danger had passed. Nico and Katie had already made their way to the gateway arch to personally take Echidna and the chimera back to the entrance of Tartarus.

[Katie and Demeter and Persephone and Zagreus had taken joy in outfitting the entrances with all the most dangerous plants they could. And with the machine that Hephaistos made that was infused with Apollon's power of the sun, they could survive to blast anyone trying to escape right back into the pit.

There were just many more openings that they needed to find.]

He looked around the casino, smiling at the workers that scowled back at him. He wondered if they could feel the touch of the casino on him. A lost soul that they could no longer control.

A pair of black wings caught his attention. He smiled at the god beside him, "Thanatos, I thought you were reaping that governor today?" The god of death shrugged, eyes raking over the bodies as he moved through his checklist. He knew that the death god hated this place, but the only reason it stayed on the Underworld's payroll was because it helped with the clogging of the netherworld.

"His nurse told me to come back when her shift was over?"

Nico looked around for his charges, taking note of a few kids playing mythomagic in the corner. He sensed that they were mortal, so he turned away. "And when is that?"

"3 am." Nico turned to look at the god whom he stared blankly back. He shook his head once turning away, attention catching onto Jackjack who was stumbling around. He moved closer to his cousin, cursing at the various tables that were magically appearing in his way. He snarled at the workers as their eyes flashed red with hunger. It was obvious who he was after as the workers began to attack and go after the trio.

He smiled when Jackjack turned, taking a tray of hors devours and smashing it on one of the biggest monsters' heads. The trio ran out the building while Nico plunged his sword into the monster's chest. The king of ghosts smiled, almost bloodthirsty sensing the way the life strings connected to this one were quickly drained.

The people it fed off rapidly age before dissolving into dust as they passed on. He eyed the closest shadow around him as the other monsters squawked in outrage. Nico smiled even brighter as he pulled out the lighter in his jacket. "Ages," he questioned. Thanatos looked up from his data pad, "All have passed their mortal time. With Zagreus' expansions, we have more than enough room for them all."

The ghost king hummed, pleased, and then he set the building on fire.

Percy caught up with the trio as they made their way to the beach. He was surprised yet not surprised to see the backpack on the boys' back. "Who gave you that," he questioned, pleased to see how the trio immediately whirled around, weapons at ready. The three of them looked at him in suspicion, so he pulled out Stormbreaker. They relaxed slightly, so Percy repeated his question, "Who gave you that backpack?"

Jackjack blinked as if he just realized that he had an extra accessory. The trio's brows furrowed, "I-i don't remember." Percy was immediately alarmed. He looked at the other two who shook their heads also. "Okay. Strong magick is being used on you three. What can you remember?"

They exchanged looks before Grover spoke up, "We were at some diner? Yeah, we were at a diner. We were talking about the searcher's license and how I ended up finding Castellan."

Annie's eyes lit up, "I remember now. Someone came up to us to pay for our food and then they sent us to that amusement park." Percy knew that much. It was very embarrassing and shocking to witness the past repeat itself. The only difference being that Ares and Aphrodite hadn't left the mountain at all. The war god had been thinking about sending one of his own kids down to get the shield when the cameras began to roll. Aphrodite had been standing guard over the kronides' symbols of power, keeping guard alongside Luey, Con, Trav, and the huntresses.

[Aphrodite's scarf and Ares' shield were still missing. Neither of them were happy about that, sending the younger version of Clarisse to find them. Ariadne had scowled to herself when she noticed that Persia and Palphian's daughter that looked far too much like her, Andromeda with her.

The wheels of fate spun once more. A child of war, a child of doves, a child of sea. Sounded like a bad story if she had to guess.]

Annie's brows furrowed, "I don't remember much after that. We ended up on this truck." The other two scowled. "It was inhumane," Grover bleated angrily. Percy knew that also. He had mentioned it to Artemis and she sent her hunters to burn the entire company to the ground. "Then we got trapped in that hotel."

Percy nodded, "Yeah, I know that also. Nico has already taken care of that." The ominous lotus flower that was left in the debris was a little alarming, but Hermes had stated that was normal. It was just a sign that the monsters had been defeated, but when the flower bloomed fully, it means that it respawned somewhere else. Nico was simultaneously happy and furious about that. "I know that Connor drove you three out here before he went to handle something else." Crusty's waterbed business was about to be out of service. He knew the other was already trying to figure out how he was going to spin owning the business to Ariadne and Travis. "We've been keeping up as much as we could, but something has slipped past us."

"I fell off the gateway arch," Jackjack stated. Percy nodded, "Nico arrived right after you jumped. He and Katie escorted Echidna back to her cell. Did she say who sent her?" It couldn't have been Zeus. The god was out of commission at the moment. Jackjack ran his tongue over his lips, "Grandfather. She said our grandfather sent her."

Percy inwardly flinched, remembering murderous gold eyes. Jackjack stared at him, "The nereid in the water. She told me to come here. She told me not to trust the gifts." The trio's eyes widened before Jackjack swung the backpack off his shoulder at the same moment a blast of wind, not unlike a viscous push, threw Percy away.

The trio was left, standing before an enemy they couldn't even see. "Aw," the enemy croon. It's voice sounded deep and rich, but also threatening—like a tremor before a major earthquake. "But the best gifts are the ones given with love."

The trio clutched onto each other tightly, as the wind in the air picked up. Percy's grip on the backpack loosened and now he suddenly regretted moving it from his shoulder and into his hands. He didn't know where his brother had been blasted off too, but he was not liking his odds.

"If you do not like my present then you can just return it," the voice mocked. Percy could feel the power in the words. It was almost like Drew's charmspeak except stronger. But with the power of the ocean behind him and the lessons he had with Aphrodite and the sirens, he was able to resist the power.

The same could not be said for his companions with whom he had to slap their hands away.

"Who are you," Percy demanded. "Show yourself."

"Are you sure? Many people say that I resemble Death. It makes sense though. My mother was born from it after all. Still—Thanatos and I… We are not so different. Except Death is sometimes kinder." Percy tightened his grip around Riptide. The voice chuckled lowly before the air rippled in front of them.

Look… Percy has met Apollo and Hermes. He's met Hephaestus and Ares. He's met Dionysus and Zagreus. There were those twins at camp fishblood that he was fond of. There was Travis [definitely Travis].

But even they didn't compare to how beautiful the god before them.

He was like every wet dream that Percy had since Ariadne made Apollo sit down and talk about puberty with them. [He never forgave her for that nor did he forgive Apollo for stretching it out into a month as he gave in depth explanations that included power points, graphs, and detailed pictures.]

He could understand how people could think he was Death. Percy felt as if he could sit there, admiring his beauty until the day the sea swallowed the sun. He could feel himself flushing as the god smiled prettily at him.

"Return my present," he stated. Percy began to hand him the bag when the water splashed over them. The god spluttered indignantly as his brother flew back into the range. He was being chased by something as he flew further away. His friends were shocked out of the spell they were under.

"Who are you," Percy demanded as he pulled the other two back into the water with him.

"I believe you already know, but to make this easier. I am Eros, more commonly known as Cupid."

Percy can admit. He did not see that coming. He had never met Cupid and didn't really understand why he was going against the gods. Love was universal as Aphrodite would say. Thankfully, Annabeth spoke up, "Why are you doing this? What use do you have for the Kronides' statues?"

Eros' eyes glinted with cruel amusement. "It's no hard feelings, child. Simply put that this provided me with the most magnificent gift. Love."

Percy scoffed, "I've met Aphrodite and this does not align with anything about her."

"That's where you are wrong, kid. My father is Ares just as my mother is Aphrodite. I am a product of their affection. War breeds love and love breeds war. With how high the tensions are amongst the realms, war would've broken out and passion would burn the streets as they all fought for what they believed in… for what they loved."

"You're delusional."

Eros laughed sharply, "Be thankful it was me, little god. Your precious Athena was so close."

"My mother wouldn't fall for such foolish tricks," Annabeth spat. Eros smiled sharply at her, "Wouldn't she? She's been finding their pain amusing. Mocking them for being stolen just as she. Do not presume to know your mother, child. She was born long before your ancestors drew their first breath. The oh so coveted battle strategist would have only needed a few words to plunge the rest of them into war like she has been since the Fated slept."

"Why are you doing this? Do you want a war between the realms? My brother and sister won't let you," Percy argued. Outside of the Olympians, he didn't know anyone stronger than those of Castellan. He didn't know anyone stronger than his siblings. "Love born from war isn't love at all!"

"Then what do you call my mother? What do you call me," Cupid laughed. "I am the personification of that thin line between love and war."

"You're a jerk," Annabeth snapped. Cupid shrugged, unbothered, "Love can sometimes be a jerk, yes."

Grover bleated, nervously, "You know what this leads up to? The great prophecy is happening… You're on the wrong side."

"Love is on every side, Cupid said. And no one's side. Don't ask what Love can do for you."

"Oh great," Percy snorted. "It's a hallmark line. Olympus edition."

"Give me the bag," the god intoned.

"No," Percy mocked. He sighed deeply as if this was a pain to deal with. "I'm on a schedule here, kid. I need to deliver the rest of those statues before I go home. My wife gets agitated when I'm gone for too long."

"Deliver them," Annabeth noticed. "Deliver them to where?"

"That doesn't matter," Eros cooed. Grover furrowed his brow, "We have to deliver them back to Olympus."

"How about a trade," Eros stated as the trio waddled deeper into the water. "I tell you a secret about your one true love and you give me the bag."

"How about you go to tartarus," a voice from behind him stated. The god turned, and Percy was so happy to see his sister. She looked pissed as she crossed her arms. "Oh, look. It's the sun-stealer. Zephyrus was very displeased to know that you've gained Apollo's heart while Hyacinth fades away in mere flowers."

"Maybe if he hadn't killed him then I wouldn't be with him," Ariadne snapped. Her eyes fluttered around them as if searching for the Zephyrus dude. "What are you even doing, Eros? Ares stated that you rarely ever leave your home with Psyche."

"I thought I'd switch things up a bit," the god stated cheekily. Ariadne rolled her eyes before gasping for air. Another person had appeared behind her, one hand reaching through her chest. Eros smiled cruelly as the other ripped his hand out, holding onto a swirling mass of green, blue, and gold. Eros turned back towards them, "Ahh what was it that your prophecy claimed? 'And you shall fail to save what matters most in the end'?"

"How do you know the prophecy," Grover demanded as he struggled to hold back Percy and Annabeth.

"I know a lot of things," Eros stated as the other god handed him the glowing orb before picking up Ariadne and flying away. "What Zephyrus has just so kindly passed me is your sister's heart. The feelings that she holds within herself. If you give me the bag, I'll return it to you. If not, well your sister will be nothing more than mere husk."

Percy knew from Luke and Thalia that Ariadne had been sick at one point. That her feelings had been her greatest enemy. That she had to be sent away. Percy didn't want to lose his sister.

But–

["Your heart is your greatest weapon," Ariadne told him and Drew as she braided the girl's hair. "Trust your heart. Trust your instincts. They'll never lead you astray."]

He knew that completing his quest and getting the statues back to Olympus was more important.

"Hand over the bag, kid. I'm about to create the best love story since the Trojan War." Cupid stated as he tossed the orb between his hands. Percy wondered if he was the only one to see the tiny fist waving out of it.

Percy narrowed his eyes, "Come and get it."

"Are you challenging me to a fight?"

"Percy," Annabeth hissed. Grover shook a little, "He's the son of Ares and Aphrodite. War gods in their own right."

"No direct involvement," the god shrugged, snapping his fingers. A giant hare appeared in front of them.

"I'm guessing that's not the easter bunny," Percy muttered. The hare lunged at them, but Percy manipulated the water into a giant hand, pulling the animal underwater. He hoped one of his siblings was watching to transport it somewhere else. Percy turned back to the god, "Are you going to fight me yourself or hide behind another pet?"

"Infuriatingly arrogant like your sister," he spat. A bow appeared in his hands and the arrows at the end of their shafts looked worryingly sharp. "I've fought battles for millennia. A child of war. A child of the first olympian. My arrows have been crafted by Hephaestus himself and My arrows never miss a target. I am love personified. I am the one thing no one can beat. What do you have in comparison?"

A smaller ego, he thought. He said nothing, hefting riptide in his hands. He shared a look with Annabeth, childhood friendship speaking volumes. She understood, grabbing onto Grover as she moved them away.

He turned back to the god in front of them.

Eyes narrowed in concentration, Percy lunged.