Bobby drove us to San Francisco Bay and reluctantly dropped us off at what seemed like the middle of the highway. What we were really looking for was the service entrance near the main Caldecott Tunnel. I hadn't used this method of entry very often. There was a portal between the camps, designed by the gods for emergencies but used in every day life. I traveled between the portals daily to get to my favorite coffee shop in New Rome.
When we approached the tunnel, I expected the guards to come storming forward. They didn't. In fact, there was no sign of people anywhere. I stepped through the tunnel first, growing more and more worried with each step.
They're all gone.
The pavilion was empty. Chairs were tipped over and the weapon racks had basically been torn apart.
"What happened?" Charlie asked in wonder.
Luke stared at the architecture in awe. "You weren't kidding; this isn't Greek."
"Roman," I said."Looks like they left in a hurry. I don't see blood or any other sign of a struggle. They must have left to help the other Camp."
A small noise caused Luke to shush us. We all froze in anticipation until Bob somehow managed to trip over his feet while standing still. Bob was just talented like that.
Something bleated in anger, followed by a small splash. Luke took the lead and slowly looked around the corner, motioning for us to stay back. He sighed and got a sad look on his face as he quickly came back around. He looked like he was going to puke.
"What?" Charlie whispered urgently. Luke only shook his head. Bob and Damasen took this as a sign to march forward and attack whatever it was that had upset him. They stormed forward with their weapons raised. I took a moment to wonder how Bob's broom had survived so many fights and remained so intact. Well, mostly intact. I was surprised he still had the handle.
"Oh Gods! Don't kill me!" A familiar voice screeched.
My eyes widened. "Wait!" I ran past Luke, who was still shaking his head.
At the center pavilion in front of the fountain was Grover, looking terrified at the giant and titan standing before him. Bob had his broom raised over his head to attack.
"Bob no smash!" I yelled, waving my arm. I kept running towards Grover.
He's not the Hulk, idiot.
How did the arai know about the Hulk? Or right, they were in my head.
Grover immediately lost interest in Bob and Damasen. "Jason?" he asked softly. I grinned and opted not to reply.
"Are you… are you real?"
I was uncomfortable with the notion that Grover didn't recognize me. I finally reached him and I tackled him in a hug before yelling, "Uncle Grover!" in his ear.
Nobody will recognize you anymore.
"Jason!" he bleated. "We all thought you were dead! After the arm, it was kind of impossible not to accept it...Even Hades thought you'd died! But you're not! You're alive!"
"He did die," Charlie muttered.
Grover broke away from me to get a look at Charlie.
"And you must be Leo's kid," he guessed. I was glad he didn't ask about Charlie's sarcastic commentary. Charlie grinned and waved awkwardly.
"Chuck, this is Grover Underwood," I introduced. A look of understanding crossed his face and he nodded.
"Your uncle Grover, right? He's the dad of your friend… Rose?"
I smiled and nodded.
Grover hugged Charlie as well. "I don't know you but I'm glad you're ok too, and I'm glad you somehow managed to keep Jase alive. Percy is going to be so excited! Once they finish up with at Camp Half Blood—"
I had to stop him there. "Grover the battle is much bigger than you think it is. The camps are in danger. Whatever is going on right now is way worse than you think. Nyx—"
"Nyx is attacking?!"
"No, Jase killed her," Charlie interrupted. "Nyx's army is attacking. They're wiping out the camps, then the gods. There are more of them than you think. The Labyrinth is opened and monsters have been escaping for years, hiding out and waiting for this moment."
The army is too large for you to defeat
"You killed Nyx?" Grover took a deep breath and stared at me. "What are we supposed to do?" he asked.
"We have the element of surprise. Luke has gotten good at fighting on the outskirts, so he can join the battle without being seen and help out. Bob and Damasen can head right down the middle, and Charlie and I can find the root of the problem."
"That's Bob and Damasen? What about Luke? Luke who?"
I went behind the corner and pulled Luke out. He had a guilty frown on his face and looked down but he didn't resist me.
"Luke. He saved us, and tried to save Mom and Dad too. If it weren't for him, Charlie and I never would have made it out of Tartarus," I explained.
Grover was speechless. He bleated and stuttered, backing away slowly.
"It's ok, he's good. Charlie and I trust him with our lives. We have. There's no Kronos left. It's just Luke, the same Luke you used to know," I assured.
I looked at Luke, urging him to speak, then pushed him forward towards Grover. I didn't think it was possible for either of them to look so shy. Charlie nudged Luke.
"Grover, I'm so sorry for everything. I thought joining Kronos would make things better but all it did was end in war and death. I was wrong, and I am so sorry. As soon as we get Charlie and Jase back home and save the camps, I will leave. I'll get out of the mythological world and even go back down there if that's what you want," Luke said.
I frowned. "No you won't."
"What?" Luke and Grover said synchronously.
Charlie shrugged and crossed his arms to back me up. "Yeah, Jase is right. We just spent nine months trying to get out of that place, and you helped us do that. You're one of us now, and we're not letting you go. If anybody says anything different then Jase can show off his new one-armed dagger throwing skills."
Not even your friends will be accepted back
"Chuck, I always use one arm when throwing a dagger."
"You get my point."
Grover smiled, then offered Luke his hand. "If Jase is willing to trust you then I am too. Let's start over; I'm Grover Underwood."
Luke looked astonished. He limply shook Grover's hand. "Luke Castellan," he said softly.
"We should get going. Grover, are you here as a lookout?" I hated to interrupt the moment but we had a lot to do.
Grover frowned, pointing towards the portal. "The portal isn't working. Neither are Iris Messages. Phones are sketchy, like, sketchier than usual. I got stuck over here once everybody else got through."
"So we can't warn them," I summarized.
You'll be too late.
"Basically. If we want to get to Camp Half Blood, we have to go the long way. Or find another way to send a message. The battle didn't start yet, the Romans left because Zeus sent warning that a fight was on the way. We aren't prepared for what you say is coming."