Ch11

Percy woke with a gasp. It was still dark when he jolted awake, chest heaving and Kronos' laugh still echoing in his ears.

"Don't get caught."

Kronos had a point. He hated thinking that. He hated that the thought was occurring more and more often too, because clearly Kronos thought little of Percy- and probably mortals in general. Even before Percy had made it to camp there had been talk about residents of New York packing 'go-bags' in the event they'd have to evacuate because of the storm. An event that was looking more and more likely. Millions of lives upended or potentially destroyed because the gods couldn't sort out their issues without it spilling over into the mortal world.

And don't get him started on Poseidon sending a child on a deadly quest to stop his war.

But he still didn't have any assurances that Kronos would be any better, and history didn't exactly paint him in the best light. Kronos himself had told Percy that, like the gods, he viewed Demigods as pawns. Humans, probably even less than that. Cattle, maybe.

But you don't know that.

Either way, it appeared he didn't have a choice. Both deities needed him on that quest, and if he didn't go then the chances of Zeus just…vapourising him were increasingly likely. Going was his only option. He sat up in bed and surveyed his cabin. The sun was only just beginning to rise over the horizon, starting its lazy ascent. The pieces of Clarisse's spear sat on the bed across from him. Broken.

"It was a gift from my father, dipshit."

He knew all about complicated relationships with fathers and father figures. Gabe didn't count but outside of the divine, John was probably as close to complicated as it got. He was a hardass. He pushed Percy and the boys so hard, and nothing but the best was good enough. Sometimes, not even that. When Uncle John said 'jump,' you said 'how high?' Then you got yelled at for asking questions.

But…Uncle John loved them. Percy knew that. It didn't excuse any of his behaviour but it did…explain it in a way. Hunting was dangerous, and sometimes not even the best got you out alive.

So it was safe to say Percy knew all about trying to please someone who would never outwardly acknowledge how proud they were. He knew how much he treasured the few times John said the words 'I love you boys,' or 'I'm proud of you, Percy.'

He knew Clarisse understood that too.

"Your immediate options are to take the quest, or die."

Either way, he was running out of time to get it fixed. In fact, it was looking more and more likely that the spear would remain in pieces because he certainly couldn't fix it. Not only did he not have time to try but he wouldn't even know where to start- the Winchesters hadn't covered enchanted spears when they'd taught him how to look after his weapons. He'd have to take it to someone else and he didn't exactly have a lot of favour within the camp.

The broken pieces of the spear taunted him. There was no way out of it. He had to go on the quest. The quest he might not make it back from. Probably wouldn't make it back from. Still, it was better to have half a chance than no chance at all.

Your best shot would probably be the Hephaestus Cabin.

So far they'd stayed out of his way and their councillor, Beckendorf, had been cordial the few times their paths had crossed.

He'd told Clarisse he'd get her spear fixed.

Fuck it.

Percy rolled out of bed.

...

No one else was out of bed yet and the camp was eerily quiet. The Apollo cabin was softly glowing, as though it could sense the sun just beginning its ascent. The Hephaestus cabin had a faint light coming through the windows, like someone had a personal lamp on, but none of the smokestacks on top of the cabin were letting out any smoke.

Percy hesitated in front of the closed door. He looked down at the two halves of Clarisse's spear and steeled his nerves. He knocked quietly.

Beckendorf opened the door. He squinted at Percy, stared up at the dark sky for a moment and then looked back at Percy, his face scrunched in confusion.

"Jackson." Percy wasn't surprised that Beckendorf knew his name, he'd have been more confused if he hadn't with the ripples Percy had been making at camp. He glanced down at the spear pieces in Percy's hands and promptly choked on air.

"That's Clarisse's spear. Why do you have Clarisse's spear?"

Percy just shrugged and resisted the urge to shift in place. "Any chance I could convince you to fix it?"

Beckendorf just stared at him for a moment before reaching out and taking the spear pieces. He examined it in the dim lighting.

"Look," Beckendorf began, "The spear itself? Easy. But this was imbued with Ares' blessing, and I can't restore that."

Of fucking course.

Percy let out a sigh, "And how would one go about getting that?"

Beckendorf stared at him blankly for a second. "From Ares."

"From Ares. The god."

"Directly, usually. It typically involves completing some sort of quest to please the god, although I heard Clarisse got it initially for being the first female Ares head councillor in a hundred years or something."

Great. Because deals with all powerful non-mortal entities are always a great idea.

Percy let out a heavy sigh. "If I worry about getting Ares' blessing, can you fix the spear and return it to Clarisse for me?"

Beckendorf stared at him blankly again. "You're going to get Ares' blessing, but you want me to return it to her?"

"Yes?" Chances are I won't be making it back to return it anyway.

"Jackson, Ares won't give you his blessing unless you complete a successful quest and it doesn't count as a successful quest unless you make it back to camp."

It doesn't what.

Percy let his eyes slip closed and let out a deep sigh.

Of course. Of course it isn't that easy. Like it's not possible to complete the quest and then die on the return or, heaven forbid, show courage or skill or whatever through death. Meaningful sacrifice is a thing but council help us if the gods make life simple. Why would they? Why would they when Demigods are just entertainment to them. Little pawns to watch as we struggle through the life they 'blessed' us with. Fine then. You know what? Fuck it.

"Jackson?"

"Don't worry about the blessing, I'll sort it."

Beckendorf frowned. "How? Chiron hasn't granted a quest in years." Percy just smiled bitterly and Beckendorf stiffened. "You're not saying-"

"Chiron offered it to me yesterday."

Beckendorf straightened, all of a sudden looking wide awake. He looked down at Percy's considerably smaller frame. "Aren't you-"

"Twelve? Yes. But apparently my parentage puts me in a tricky position." Beckendorf's frown deepened.

"Being Poseidon's son doesn't mean you have to accept a quest from Ares. It doesn't work like that."

Percy's smile twisted further. "The quest isn't for Ares."

Beckendorf scowled deeply. He turned a burning gaze on Percy, fire seeming to flicker to life in his brown eyes. After a moment he sighed, but the fire never left his eyes.

"You be careful, Jackson. I know it probably doesn't seem like it right now, but before our parents, before our mortal families, we are Demigods first and foremost. So you be careful, and you come home." Percy felt his resolve harden.

Beckendorf glanced at the spear in his hands before looking back down at Percy. Beckendorf's voice turned rough. "I'll fix the spear, and when you come back you can return it to Clarisse."

Percy reached out and Beckendorf clasped his hand. They nodded, faces grave, before Beckendorf disappeared back into the Hephaestus cabin, shutting the door quietly behind him.

When you come back.

For fucks sake Jackson, where did the pity party come from? Dean taught you better than this.

Percy looked around the shabby motel room nervously, trying to resist the urge to start pacing. Dean let out a sigh from where he was sitting at the table cleaning the guns.

"C'mon then, Perce."

Percy jerked his head around to face him, nearly tipping himself off the bed in the process. "What?"

"You're as tense as a board, so hit me with it. What's up?" When Percy didn't say anything Dean put down the gun he was checking over and turned to look at him. Dean rolled his eyes. "Percy."

"Aren't you scared?" Percy blurted out. "I mean-" he continued before Dean could say anything, "-this thing has killed five people already and one of them was ex-army and we don't even know what it is or where it is but Uncle John just wants to go out hunting and-"

"Woah, woah, Percy!" Dean cut through his rambling. "First of all, we might not know exactly what it is but we do have a pretty good idea, and Sam's going to stay at the library to try and narrow it down some more. Dad's gone to stock up on some more silver because we're pretty sure that whatever it is hates it, and we'll have the usual salt and iron rounds anyway just in case. The difference between us and the vic's is that we actually know what we're walking into- you know we'd never let anything happen to you right?"

Percy fell quiet but felt some of the tension leach from his shoulders.

"You can't promise that I'll be alright Dean. Uncle John said that there's no such thing as a safe and easy hunt."

Anger flashed through Dean's eyes so fast Percy almost missed it and he got up from the table and walked towards him. He settled both hands on Percy's shoulders and knelt down so they were the same height.

"Percy, you don't have to worry about that, okay? Do you know why? Because you're a Winchester, and Winchesters always make it back."

"But-"

"No buts. Listen, we go down swinging or we don't go down at all. And have you ever seen Dad go down?"

Percy shook his head.

"No. What about me?"

Percy frowned and shook his head, a small smile slowly making its way onto his face. So far Sam hadn't been able to get the drop on Dean while they were sparring, much to his annoyance.

"Exactly. And we're going to be standing between you and whatever is out there. Say it with me; Winchesters always, always make it back."

"Winchesters always make it back."

Dean shook his head, "No, Winchesters always, always make it back."

Percy's grin got bigger, "Winchesters always, always make it back."

Dean grinned back at him, "Exactly."

The telltale rumble of the impala could be heard as a car pulled into the lot outside and headlights shone through the window. Dean stood up and winked at Percy.

"Whaddaya say we go and gank this son of a bitch?"

Percy laughed, "I'm going to tell Mum you swore in front of me." Dean paled slightly and glared lightly at Percy.

"You won't, or I'll tell her about the F-bomb you dropped when you stubbed your toe against the table yesterday!"

"Oi! Don't you-"

It was still early when Percy made his way to the Big House. The sky was no longer dark and the sun had made it over the horizon but there were still streaks of red across the sky, as though Apollo couldn't quite be bothered setting off yet.

Chiron opened the door when Percy knocked, looking like he hadn't slept a wink.

"You've come to a decision then, Percy."

Percy tried for a smile, "S'not like there's much of a choice to make, really."

Chiron winced but, to his credit, didn't look away. Percy straightened his spine and looked Chiron in the eye.

"If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging. I accept the quest."

Chiron just nodded. There was no fanfare to this decision, he didn't smile or congratulate Percy on accepting such an 'honour.' In fact, he seemed to age before Percy's very eyes. Neither spoke for a moment before Chiron reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen.

"I know you don't feel favourably about your father Percy, and understandably so considering the circumstances, but he would not have you undertake this quest unarmed."

Chiron stepped back and uncapped the pen, tossing the lid aside. A pen that was suddenly very familiar.

Flashes of leather wings and yellow stained fangs filled his mind. He fought off the terror the memories brought even as the echo of Chiron's "What ho, Percy!" haunted him.

Chiron nodded at him, as if sensing the direction of his thoughts. "It was blessed by the sea. You'll find that with your heritage it should be perfectly balanced." Chiron held the sword out hilt first. Hesitantly, Percy reached out and took it.

This. This was what he'd been missing. Percy stepped back out onto the deck and gave it a few tentative swings. It was…it was balanced. He hadn't realised how much having to compensate for an unbalanced blade had been slowing him down. He caught himself grinning as he ran through some of the simpler drills Luke had taught him. It was so much easier. He could move faster and with more precision and still only use half of the effort it had taken before.

"Percy!" Speaking of Luke. Percy looked out from the deck to see Luke jogging up, grinning wildly. "I was going to get an early morning training in when I saw you. I haven't seen you move that fluidly before! Did you find a sword that fit you?"

Percy's grin grew bigger. "Chiron gave it to me! I didn't realise how much the others were fighting me until I swung this one!"

He didn't tell Luke it was from his father. He wasn't going to tell anyone until he figured out how he felt about it. He'd gotten nothing from Poseidon all his life, not even a brief 'Hi, I'm your dad, sorry about abandoning you and all that,' and now he had what appeared to be a tailor made weapon?

"That's amazing!" Luke snapped him out of his spiral. "What's its name?"

"What?"

"Every great sword has a name, and that sword looks like it's seen battle before. It's not like we've got access to a lot of new weapons." Chiron cleared his throat and they turned to look at him.

"Anaklusmos. Its name is Anaklusmos."

Luke let out a low whistle. "Now there's a name, Perce. Appropriate too, considering how everyone seems to underestimate you."

"The riptide that takes one by surprise," Percy translated before snorting. "If you say so." Not tailor made, then, just…unique.

Chiron reached into his pocket and pulled out the lid to the pen…the lid that he'd tossed away just a few moments ago. Chiron smiled at his confused frown.

"The sword is enchanted to always return to your pocket when you lose it." Chiron passed Percy the lid. "Just press it to the tip and it will revert- Yes, just like that."

Luke frowned, eying the pen speculatively. "That's a pretty powerful enchantment. Why are you giving it to Percy now, Chiron?" His eyes widened and he spun to face Percy, "Not that you aren't deserving of-"

"It's alright, I get what you meant." Percy grinned at Luke before sobering. "My dad…reached out, you could say."

Luke stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Percy sighed. "I've been issued a quest, Luke."

"Percy, you've been at camp a week-"

"It's not optional Luke. Hence, the sword."

Luke looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. He turned to Chiron and saw the resignation in his eyes. His face turned grey.

"You've got to be joking." It came out in a strangled whisper. Percy just gave him a strained smile.

"Any advice?"

Luke whipped towards him again and stared. Percy wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Your scar. It's too…twisted to be from a sword or dagger so it had to be from a monster of some kind." Percy took a deep breath and looked up with determination. "So, any advice? I'd really like to make it back alive."

Somehow, Luke's face lost even more colour. He stared at Percy for a moment before reaching out and grabbing Percy's shoulders. He leaned down so they were eye level.

"Be smart. Don't trust anyone you don't know extremely well. Don't play the hero. Better you live to fight another day than make some reckless choice where your only option is to go down swinging. Avoid a fight at all costs. You might be the best swordsman I've seen in a while but you've still only been training for less than a week. The moment you fight is the moment you chance death. And by the gods Percy, trust your gut."

Percy gave him a measured nod. Luke stared at him for a moment to make sure he understood, and then pulled him in for a crushing hug. He pulled away after a moment and wiped at his eyes.

"I'm going to go and get a few things from my cabin that might help. Don't leave without seeing me- I'll meet you on the hill. Who's going with you?"

"We're just about to discuss that," Chiron broke in. Luke nodded at Percy again and pinned him with a serious look.

"Choose wisely. You need to be able to trust them to have your back no matter what, okay?"

"You will be betrayed by one who calls you friend."

Good thing you don't believe in fate.

Percy nodded back and Luke hurried off.

...

"Have you given any thought to who could have accompany you? Luke was right, you must be comfortable with them- it is too dangerous out there for anyone who would hesitate."

Percy blew out a long breath. "Chiron, in case you hadn't noticed, most of camp hates me. At the very least they're all 'hesitant.' By what you and Luke said, there's no one I can take."

"Percy, I'm honestly offended that you think I'd let you go on a deadly quest without me." Grover. Percy whirled around again and, sure enough, there he was walking up the steps of the Big House. Then Percy registered what he'd said.

"Grover, I can't ask you to come on this. You're my best friend and there's a very real chance we don't come back."

"Perce, you don't get it. You've had my back from day one. I want to do this."

"But-"

"Percy, like you said, we're best friends. I've got your back." Grover let out a heavy sigh. "Besides, according to the Council of Cloven Elders, a quest is my last chance at becoming a Searcher. I've tried to keep my issues away from yours because you've got a lot going on right now, but the Council are the ones who hand out Searcher licences and I need to prove my 'valour and bravery.'"

Percy snorted, "Grover, that's ridiculous. You're plenty brave."

"Yeah, well, not according to the Council. According to them, I lost you at Yancy and that disqualifies me or something." Grover grinned, "Basically, if you don't let me come, you're 'destroying my career.'" They both shared a grin at the audible sarcasm. The grin slid from Grover's face. He swallowed, "Please Perce, it's my last chance."

Percy hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Grover, as best friends, my shit is your shit and your shit is my shit." He let a silly grin slip onto his face. "Please will you come on my super dangerous and likely deadly quest?"

"Percy! Language!" Both Chiron and Grover looked scandalised, although Grover's reprimand was lessened by the touched look he couldn't wipe off his face. Percy grinned unrepentantly.

Chiron let out a long suffering sigh, seeming to decide it wasn't worth the effort.

"That's one. You need one more camper, what about Miss. La Rue?"

La Rue? Oh! Clarisse!

He opened his mouth to explain but he was interrupted.

"Clarisse is better served here, training the others. I'll go, if you'll have me Percy." Annabeth.

"I thought you didn't want to go against your siblings?" Percy couldn't help but point it out. As much as he wanted to be her friend, he would not get stuck in the middle of her cabin feud if she wasn't absolutely certain.

"One," Annabeth started, "I've wanted a quest for ages and I haven't exactly been quiet about it." Percy saw Chiron wince out of the corner of his eye. There's a story there, I'm sure. "This wouldn't be out of character for me, divine feud or no. Two," she hesitated for a second but seemed to come to a decision. "I thought about it some more. I respect my siblings and I want my mothers approval, but we aren't our parents. I want to be your friend, and I'll live with the consequences that brings. It's my life I'm living, not theirs. Demigod's first and foremost- they'll remember that eventually. Three, I've been having dreams about this quest so I'm pretty sure I'm meant to be on it regardless."

Huh. Guess dreams are an accurate thing around here then.

Shit. You need to call Bobby.

Percy turned to look at Chiron.

"I'm not pleased about you all being so young, but Luke was right about needing to be able to trust your companions. I'd rather you take a senior camper but the choice is yours."

Percy looked at Annabeth assessingly. She met his gaze unflinchingly. He let out a breath and nodded.

"How much did you hear yesterday?" Chiron looked surprised at the question but Annabeth appeared unruffled.

"All of it. Chiron, what's your theory?"

Chiron gave them all a measured look before his gaze settled on Percy.

"You spoke with the Oracle yesterday, Perseus. What did they reveal?"

Percy grit his teeth, "I don't believe in prophecy or fate."

"Regardless of your beliefs, prophecy is used to guide the questers on their journey. I have my theories but I wish to be as certain as possible before I begin accusing a deity of theft. Such an accusation will not go down well regardless of its accuracy."

Percy hesitated a moment before looking away from everyone. "West. The Oracle said to go west."

"Are you sure?" Chiron pressed. "Prophecies aren't typically that definitive."

"You shall go west and face the god who has turned." Percy quoted in a tight voice. "Pretty hard to misconstrue that, don't you think?"

Chiron looked resigned but it was Annabeth who spoke next.

"West. You think it's Hades, don't you Chiron?"

Chiron looked older than he had all morning. "He would stand to benefit the most from a war between Zeus and Poseidon, yes."

Grover looked like he wanted to be sick. "You want us to accuse the Lord of the Dead of theft."

"Grover-" Chiron began half-heartedly.

"Have you lost your mind? You want Percy to- No. It has to be someone else. Tell Poseidon to give the quest to someone else."

"Grover, what-" Percy was so confused but Chiron spoke over him before he could get any further.

"This is different! It's an organised quest-"

"No quest is organised-"

"Percy has training-"

"So did she!"

Everyone fell silent. Grover's chest was heaving and his eyes were wild, but Chiron just looked defeated. Percy didn't know what to say. Grover had been fine with going on the quest right up until Hades had been mentioned. And this wasn't- Grover wasn't scared for himself. He was scared for Percy. Something had happened with Hades before.

"This time will be different." Annabeth's voice was quiet, but determined. "It has to be different."

"But-"

"Grover, I don't have a choice about this." Percy's voice was tired. "I don't know what you're all going on about but if I don't find and return the bolt, Zeus will kill me."

Grover looked like he'd swallowed a lemon but he nodded slowly.

Chiron let out a weary sigh. "Percy, the rest of the prophecy?"

"You don't need to hear it."

"Percy-"

"No. I'm not budging on this. How many heroes of old heard their fate and tried to escape it, inevitably setting the events in motion that lead to their downfall? You don't need to hear it. We make our own fate."

Chiron clenched his jaw but must've seen something on Percy's face that told him Percy would not be budging on this matter and he just let out another sigh.

"Fine. You three should head off as soon as possible. I will meet you at the top of the hill once you've packed in order to see you off. Argus will take you to the nearest bus station. From there, I'm afraid you're on your own."

...

Percy was the first one to the top of the hill. He didn't have much at camp in the first place, and he'd had plenty of practice in packing his life into a bag and ditching a location at a moment's notice. Chiron hadn't believed him at first, but a quick examination of his bag ended that line of inquiry pretty quickly.

Plus, having a sword that you can fit into your pocket really saves on packing space.

He hadn't bothered to pack armour or a shield. Both were too bulky and would make him stand out, plus armour was only good if you knew a fight was coming. It wasn't like the enemy would pause for the few minutes it took to get all the armour on.

Luke came jogging up the hill with a shoe box in his hands.

"You're still here! I was worried I might miss you."

"The others are still packing so you had time," Percy said with a wry grin. "Did you run through the whole camp like that?"

Luke laughed but it didn't reach his eyes. He gave a heavy sigh, "It really is dangerous out there. More so for a Demigod who recognises their heritage. Are you sure you have to do this?"

"It wasn't exactly optional, Luke."

Luke's face twisted at that. "Right. Well then," he opened the shoe box and pulled out a sheathed bronze knife wrapped in leather. "This is an ankle holster. You can pull your jeans down over the top so it's not so obvious to mortals. I know we haven't done any knife work yet but something tells me you'll pick it up fairly quickly."

"I can show him some pointers." Annabeth's voice came from behind Luke, and a few seconds later she reached them at the top of the hill. Luke raised an eyebrow at her but nodded along with it. He turned back to Percy.

"Annabeth is one of the best knife wielders in camp. You couldn't ask for a better tutor." He turned back to Annabeth. "What happened to the whole 'what will my siblings think' thing?"

Annabeth looked past Luke to smile at Percy. "Children of the goddess of wisdom should be able to accept when they're wrong. I'd be doing them a disservice if I allowed them to think they're right when they're not."

Luke snorted and smiled at her sadly. "I don't suppose I'll be able to convince you to stay behind the border where it's safe?" Annabeth was already shaking her head and he sighed. "Didn't think so. Alright, be smart, you hear me? I know it's been a while since you've been out there so don't let yourself get distracted, and Annabeth," he paused until she met his eyes. "You come home." She nodded and he pulled her in for a hug even fiercer than the one Percy had received earlier.

Percy was suddenly struck by the familiarity between the two. Beckendorf's voice echoed in his ears, 'we are Demigods first and foremost.' This was what he meant. They were family.

"Hey guys!" Grover's voice still sounded strained, but he was clearly trying to put his earlier outburst behind him. Percy watched him trot up to the crest of the hill, and it was only because of this he saw the way Grover immediately stiffened once he saw Luke who was disengaging from his hug with Annabeth. Grover wouldn't meet Luke's eyes as he walked up to the group but Luke didn't seem angry, he just seemed…sad. He opened his mouth but Grover cut across him in a rush.

"I'll bring them both back." The conviction in his voice threw Percy for a loop but Luke seemed to understand.

"Grover, what happened that night does not rest on your shoulders. Hades sent those monsters and she made the choice to stay behind. She chose to make a stand." Grover still wouldn't meet Luke's eyes and Luke let out a heavy sigh. "What happened that night was tragic and a lot of questionable choices were made. One day, I hope you'll see that yours weren't responsible for what happened. Believe in yourself. I do." He looked down at the shoe box still in his hands and seemed to come to a decision. He handed the box to Percy.

"My father gave these to me when I went on my quest. They're winged, just like his sandals. Yell out 'Maia' when you want to fly." Percy opened the box to reveal a pair of basketball shoes. There was a lump in his throat.

"Thanks." Luke just gave him a sad smile.

"Good luck," he told the three of them before turning and heading back down the hill to the camp.

Annabeth was the next to speak. "With the feud between Zeus and Poseidon, is it really the best idea for you to be in the skies?"

Chiron was already shaking his head. "You are quite correct Annabeth. Zeus could very well take offence and strike you down, Percy."

Percy swallowed roughly and nodded, but made no move to hand the shoes over. He looked to Annabeth and Grover, reading the readiness in their stance and gaze. He looked to Chiron and nodded once, picking up his bag and starting down the hill to Argus.

They sat quietly in the back of the van. He'd tucked Luke's shoes into his bag and then tucked his bag beneath his feet in preparation for the drive. Annabeth was staring out of the window with an expression that Percy couldn't decipher and Grover just looked stressed. Percy was watching Argus load up the last of the strawberries into the back of the van. For all that Percy had been assured Argus meant no harm, Percy couldn't quite shake the urge to keep track of his movements. Something- someone- with that many eyes was just…unnerving.

You accepted Grover. If you can't accept Argus, how will you ever come to terms with yourself?

The sound of Argus shutting the back jolted Percy out of thought. He looked back to Annabeth and Grover.

"Are we going to talk about it?" He made sure there was nothing accusatory in his voice. Annabeth looked at Grover who just clenched his jaw.

"Do I have a choice?" His voice was flat. Empty. Percy had heard other people use that tone before but on Grover it just sounded…wrong.

"Is it relevant to the quest?"

"No." Annabeth's voice was soft.

"Then yes, you have a choice. If you don't want to talk about it, don't." Something in Grover's expression eased at that and Percy swallowed his burning curiosity.

Grover blew out a breath and looked at Percy. "So, what's the plan?"

"We have until the winter solstice to find and return the bolt. Annabeth, you knew Hades was in the west, where are we going?"

Annabeth grimaced at the name, "First things first, names have power. If you keep referring to him by name you risk attracting his attention. There's a reason we tend to use their epithets, you know."

Argus got into the front and started the van.

"Secondly, the entrance to the underworld is in L.A."

Percy couldn't help but groan, "It's in L.A, and I can't fly. That is…a very long drive, even by my standards."

Grover let out a snort and they all fell silent again. Percy hesitated a second before speaking up again.

"Is anyone else concerned about the possibility that it might not be Ha- that it might not be the Lord of the Dead?" No one spoke. "Right then. All in favour of high-tailing it to L.A so that we still have time if everything goes pear shaped?"

"Aye!" Grover and Annabeth both called out and everyone cracked a grin.

"How worried are you about it not being him?" Annabeth asked.

"I-" But something caught Percy's attention up ahead.

Is that…is that the impala?

"Percy?"

He ignored Annabeth. Something about this stretch of road was familiar…

There was a scorch mark on the other side of the road. There was a man crouched next to it, examining the mark closely.

He knew that leather jacket.

The man stood up and turned as he heard the van draw closer.

Percy ducked away from the window as Dean stared it down.

Fuck! Argus isn't exactly inconspicuous and tinted windows only do so much!

"Percy? What's going on?" Percy looked up at Annabeth, trying not to let his worry show on his face. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"Hang on…" Grover was peering out the back window. "I know that car! Percy isn't that-"

"Can we not?" Percy cut Grover off with a twinge of guilt.

"Percy," Annabeth sounded torn. "Look, you're entitled to your secrets but if this could cause complications for the quest then we need to know."

Percy looked away. "It's not relevant."

"Are you sure?" Annabeth pressed.

"Percy, what's he doing here and why are you hiding from him?" Grover sounded worried and confused.

Percy grit his teeth, debating with himself for a moment. He blew out a sharp breath.

"Fine. We're…cousins. Brothers. I don't know, something in between. He's probably read the news article discussing mine and Mum's…disappearance and now he's looking for answers."

Or Bobby called him and yelled him into investigating. It's not like he was particularly concerned with helping when you were leaving desperate voicemails from Yancy.

He tried not to think about the desperate look on Dean's face when he'd seen him in that dream he'd had the first night at Camp.

"Then why are you hiding?" Annabeth sounded confused.

"With his…job, it's likely that he wouldn't take my divine heritage well, and I don't have my lies sorted out well enough to deceive him. Plus, he wouldn't let us go road tripping across America without supervision, and that would make this quest kind of hard."

They both fell silent, looking at him almost sadly. Percy blew out another breath and swallowed his anger.

"Look, it's not the end of the world. I'm going to sort it out eventually, but with my parentage it's unlikely I'm going to be able to live outside of camp anyway, right?" Annabeth nodded reluctantly while Grover just looked resigned.

"It could make the quest a little more complicated, though." At this, Annabeth sat up straighter. "Dean is…very good at his job. That often involves investigation, research, and tracking, and he's not likely to let my disappearance go."

Not after those voicemails, anyway. Especially if we're putting stock in dreams like Annabeth seems to.

"So?" Annabeth looked ready to tackle the problem, but Grover looked like he was only just choking back more questions.

"So we're going to have to be a little more careful travel-wise is all. The harder it is for him to follow us, the better. It also means we're going to have to keep a low profile." They both relaxed a little, but Grover had an uneasy look on his face.

"Should be easy enough," Annabeth sounded reassured but she was eying the worried look on Grover's face with trepidation.

Percy sighed. "Let's just take this one step at a time. Step one; catch a bus in the direction of Los Angeles."

You've got this Percy. He has no reason to think the van was suspicious. Just stay two steps ahead of him and you'll be fine.

Find the damned bolt. You can worry about what to do with it once you have it. No point in stressing before then.