Chapter VII: In Which Things Get Hot
Todd was standing in the middle of a wheat field. Something was wrong about this, he thought as he looked around. Nothing was with him besides a fresh breeze and even than made him feel uncomfortable.
"Children of Pluto are very predictable, almost as predictable as the children of Jupiter or Mars."
Todd looked around for the source of the voice. He couldn't find it anywhere. "Do you think you're special because you're a child of the former Big Three?"
"I am the only child." Todd responded, starting to get angry.
The voice laughed, it reminded Todd of huge boulders smashing together. Over and over and over again. "Oh, the ignorance of the gods and their vassals continue to amuse me. One day, Lupa and Chiron will regret this."
"Chiron? Who in the name of Mars is that?" Todd looked up in the sky. It looked calm with a few clouds following the breeze. What was wrong in this picture?
"You will know soon enough. But first, I will show you."
The image of the wheat field disappeared and Todd felt the sensation of falling in the darkness surrounding him.
Todd landed roughly in an empty grave. Someone had just started digging it. He climbed out and looked around. He was in a cemetery, in the middle of the night. The cemetery had a surreal look to it, the graves were too new and almost all of the graves had flowers.
The cemetery was empty besides a boy dressed in black and a huge dog with him. The dog was so huge; it made a garbage truck look like a mini cooper.
The dog whined, and nudged the boy. He had dark hair and olive skin. "Mrs O'Leary, I know he isn't here. I have to check something then we'll go back to searching, okay?" What a weird name for a dog.
Todd stepped closer, something about the boy felt familiar to him, like knowing who your family is when you met them for the first time.
The boy twisted the skull ring on his finger, almost nervous. Just as he was about to pull something out of his aviators jacket, Todd heard a low growl that vibrated the ground.
The boy paused, "What's wrong Mrs O'Leary? Mrs O'Lear-"
Todd turned just in time to see the dog pounce on him before falling into darkness again.
"The person who has the answers is your enemy and he is right in front of you."
Todd sat up right on his bed. He didn't know what time it was but he knew it was almost morning. He felt sweaty and jumpy. He could still feel the weight of the dog slamming into him. Now that he was awake, Todd was almost positive that the dog was a hellhound, though a lot bigger than the ones at camp.
Todd held his palm over his heart, feeling the quick thumping of his heart. If you haven't felt your heart after a hellhound pounces on you, you haven't felt anything.
What was that voice? And who was the boy? Todd has so many questions that his head started to hurt.
He sat in his bed for who knows how long before the morning call rang. It was never a good thing to be awake before the morning call. Todd ran his hand through his hair. Should I tell Matt? I don't think I even have enough time to get ready to leave. Shoot.
Todd rubbed his eyes and rushed to get ready on time.
Gwen woke up just as the morning call rang. She didn't know what to feel since this was her first quest and all. Failing was not an option but this quest seemed doomed from the start, especially since Percy and Bobby were going to be together.
Those two are going to be a pain throughout this quest. Especially Bobby.
Gwen stayed in her cot for a few minutes wondering if she could do anything to stop those two from fighting. Probably as likely as meeting the original Pegasus.
She got up and grabbed her bright yellow satchel. She had packed the night before. Spare clothes, check. Supply of arrows, check. Book of mythical monsters and creatures, check.
"Looks like I've gotten everything I need." She mumbled to herself as she got dressed.
On the nightstand by her cot, the photo of her mother, her sister and cousin stood in the background of the Empire state building. It was about a year old but Gwen cherished it dearly. Lupa didn't allow any contact with parents or relatives that were mortal. Somehow, her mother had sent the picture to Dakota, who had given it to her.
She slightly smiled at the various tones of redheads in her family. Her mother's hair was almost a dark orange colour it looked a bit weird with blue eyes. Her aunt had dark red hair like Gwen's, except it was curly instead of straight and the same hazel eyes.
Even though she had never met her cousin, Gwen felt oddly close to her. Like they went through the same experience. Gwen snorted quietly at that. In the picture, Rachel looked like she could take on anything with her reddish brown hair and green eyes. Gwen wondered how she was doing with a mortal life. She would give almost anything to have a mortal life. Being the offspring of a god does have its perks.
Gwen put it inside of her satchel, she didn't want anyone to see that she had broken a rule, her status as Praetor would be ruined or taken away.
Before she left the tent, Gwen tried to pump herself into thinking that this quest wouldn't fail and that it would help Jason and the other six demigods destined to be in the Second Great Prophecy.
Bobby twirled his new gladius, Acris between his fingers. The gladius wasn't as light as Sanguis but he will get to use it. He felt good today. Every monster that blocked their way, Bobby will eliminate it. That'll show that Percy who's better.
Then his dream will come true.
The night before, Bobby had one of the better dreams than the normal, terrifying dreams that demigods are cursed with having. He dreamt that he had beaten both Jason and Percy in a par mortis. And that he was lifted on a shield, being called Praetor of First Legion.
Bobby smiled to himself and a tuff of hair fell onto his face. He moved the tuff away from his eyes. "Curse Kim. Cutting my hair every few weeks is starting to get annoying. I swear she can hold a grudge better than Todd can."
He picked up his purple backpack and put Acris in its sheath that was hooked to his pants.
When he left the tent, he saw Percy leaving the stables. Good, at least Percy had the smarts to finish his morning chores before leaving.
Bobby took a deep breath of the fresh morning air before leaving to meet the others.
My lord, you look tired. Bourlota stated as Percy yawned. Did you get enough sleep?
"Slept like one of the kids from the Somnus Centuria. Almost slept through the alarm Tim had set up for me."
Is it true that you will be leaving the camp for a quest?
"Yeah, how did you know?"
Daisy answered for her, The Venus kids gossip too much. They gave me the wrong hay last time.
Percy chuckled slightly. "I'm not surprised but yeah. I'm leaving soon; I'd just finish my morning the chores before I leave."
My lord, are you sure you are going to be safe?
"Since when were quests safe? It's gonna be as safe as being here, only not so predictable."
My lord, then why are you going?
"I have to, what else can I do? I also want to go."
But you might get killed! We don't want that!
Percy shrugged and refilled the troughs with water. "I dunno why, but I don't mind it if I die. I don't think I can die."
What do you mean you can't die?
"Lupa told me I have something called The Curse of Achilles. She wouldn't tell me what it was."
The morning call rang, just in time.
My lord, we hope you do return. If you ever need me, just call my name and I will be there. Bourlota promised, kneeling down.
Percy blushed slightly; he wasn't used to the horses' royalty treatment still. "Thanks Bourlota. I'll keep that in mind."
We wish you luck, my lord. The horses and Pegasi said as Percy left the stables.
Percy arrived at the entrance of the camp. There was a white van outside the gates and Todd, Gwen were there. Dakota was there as well.
"Dakota? What are you doing here?" Percy asked.
Dakota gave him a lazy grin. "I'm here to give you your supply. You each get one hundred and twenty five dollars and twenty Aurei, plus a couple squares of ambrosia and a canteen of nectar that all of you have to share." He handed the canteen and plastic baggie of ambrosia to Gwen and her bag of money.
"Sweet, twenty Aurei for me." Todd took the baggie of money from Dakota. "O hope this quest is gonna be cheap."
Gwen rolled her eyes. "If you didn't spend your Aurei on sneaking in outside snacks into camp, you wouldn't have to be scrambling for money.
"Hey, I need my Doritos and Sobe drink. A teen needs his junk food." Todd chuckled.
"Plus," Dakota added. "I get some profit from that."
"Profit from what?" Bobby asked.
Dakota gave him his bag of money. "Nothing, Bobby. Just some old fashioned sneaking around."
"Whatever Dakota. Just make sure my Vanilla Coke is in my sleeper tent when I come back." Dakota snickered at Gwen's surprised look.
"Bobby, you're with Dakota as well? Percy, what about you?" Gwen asked, a bit annoyed.
"No…"Percy answered.
Gwen looked at him.
"Okay, okay. Coke and blue candy. Sheesh." He admitted. "Don't hurt me."
Gwen scoffed, "I'll be waiting in the van." She turned and entered the white van.
Dakota was smiling. "Well, I think she'll keep my little business a secret, don't cha think?"
"The ride to Frisco is gonna be really awkward." Todd supplied and Percy agreed.
"Anyways, you guys should be going. Remember, don't go too far east."
"Aut vincere aut mori." Dakota saluted them as they entered the van.
..
"What did Dakota mean by 'don't go too far east'?" Percy asked to break the silence that developed in the van since they left First Legion.
Gwen, who was in shotgun, started to answer. "You may not realize it, but the gods don't interact much with mortals. They like their privacy, Mount Olympus is in New York. We get too close, like maybe Virginia or something along those lines. They do something."
Bobby added, "We don't know what. The campers who get too close don't come back and if they do, they don't remember anything. We took that as a hint,"
Percy frowned and looked out the window. Why would the gods do something like that? They've gone a bit too far with their privacy.
"So, Bobby. What's the plan when we get to Frisco?" The driver, DJ, a son of Mercury asked.
"Just drop us at the usual place."
"Lafayette Park?"
"Yeah." Todd and Gwen groaned.
"We're gonna spend forever in this car. If the quest doesn't kill any of us, the car ride will." Todd complained.
"Then shut up, Corpse Breath. Take a nap or something."
"I can't sleep in cars." Todd grumbled.
"Then shut up!" Bobby snapped. "Gods, you're so annoying in a confined space."
After a few minutes of silence, Percy thought that Todd had managed to fall asleep. It was quiet in the car besides the radio. Gwen was reading some book in Latin and Bobby was talking to DJ.
Percy was looking out the window when he heard 'Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer on The Wall' being hummed.
"TODD!" Everyone shouted.
After an hour and a half of driving, they arrived at Lafayette Park. DJ managed to find a spot to park briefly. Todd was one of the first people out of the van.
"See, Todd? Was that so bad?" Gwen asked, amused.
"Shut up Gwen. It was horrible!"
"But nothing happened." Percy stated , a bit confused.
"Exactly!"
"Dude, what's your point?" Bobby moved Todd out of the way so he could get out.
"Nothing, nothing at all."
DJ rolled down the windows. "May the goddess Fortuna bare good will on your quest. You guys are gonna need it. Peace."
The park was green and hilly. Percy felt weird in the city. He kept staring at the little things.
"What are we gonna do now?" Percy asked as they walked through the park.
"First, we need information about the monsters that are supposedly rising. And anything else weird." Bobby answered.
"Where are we going to get information like that?" Todd asked, not really concentrating on the conversation.
"Las Vegas."
Gwen stopped and looked at Bobby. "How are we going to get there?"
"Peter, do you remember him?"
"He's here?"
"Who's Peter?" Percy asked, beating Todd to the question.
"Peter was a camper at First Legion. He graduated, and after his term in the army decided to help the campers on quests get out of California."
"Is it legal?"
"Todd," Gwen supplied. "When has anything we've done on quests been legal?"
"Touché, anyways. Go on."
Bobby waited. "Any more questions? No, good. Anyways, he owns a car rental near here. If we give him a few Aurei or cash he might let us use a car."
"Can any of us drive?" Percy asked, and was answered by silence. "Great. This guy is gonna lend us a car but no one can drive."
"Well, what about you?" Bobby retorted. "How old are you anyways? For all we know, you could be a tall twelve year old."
"I'm sixteen, how old are you?" Percy didn't want to fight with Bobby on this quest, especially if it means that one of them would die. He would rather have Bobby on his side than against it.
"Sixteen too, how do we know you're not lying?"
"Percy, Bobby. Stop fighting for one moment. Why don't we go see Peter and figure out who's gonna drive later, kay?" Gwen interrupted them.
Maybe it was because Gwen was the only girl in the group, or maybe it was because she could kick any of these guys' butts with missile weapons but Bobby and Percy stopped arguing.
Todd clapped his hands together, "Alright. Now that the toddlers have stopped arguing, Bobby, where's Peter's place?"
"A couple of minutes away. We should go there now before he opens."
"Follow the leader then."
"Percy, when was the last time you played that game?" Gwen dryly said.
"I dunno. Why?"
"Cause we're never going to be playing that."
"Ouch, I can see why you date her, Bobby."
"Shut up, Todd."
Peter's place wasn't that different from any other rental place. It had cars of various models. And a small building. There were no lights on, even though it was nine in the morning,
"That's odd. The place should've been open by now." Bobby didn't like that.
"Maybe he slept in or something." Percy suggested.
"Not if you wake at six since you were two." Bobby replied, "But maybe that could be it. You haven't seen what a couple of days of sleeping in can do to you."
"Then let's go and knock on the glass. Not it!" Todd clarified.
"Not it!"
"Not it!"
"Shoot, I'm so glad that we solve decisions doing that." Percy muttered. He adjusted his teal backpack and walked toward the small building.
Percy could see really awesome cars in the window. He knocked on the door and then the window. He waited a few minutes and nothing happened. Turning toward the others, he gave a shrug and the head shake that meant 'He isn't here.'
A very warm hand grabbed his shoulder. "Can I help you?" The voice was very deep and had a heavy Italian accent.
Percy wanted to squirm for some reason but the hand wouldn't let him. "Uh, hi. We were wondering if Peter was here."
"You're friends with Piero?"
Percy swallowed, "Uh, yeah. Me and my friends were wondering if we could talk to him."
"Where are you friends?"
"They're..uh, waiting in the parking lot." Percy caught a glimpse of the hand. It was a ridiculous shade of orange. What urged him to turn himself into a walking orange?
"I'll go get them and you go inside." The owner of the voice turned Percy to face the door and let go of his shoulder.
Inside of the building felt like it was the middle of the day, it was really warm and humid. Percy couldn't see a light switch on the walls.
Percy saw one of the nicer cars in the building.
It was his dream car.
Or at least that's what his mind told him.
The car was a red convertible Maserati Spyder. The roof was up and the paint was flawless. Percy ran his hand lightly over the hood. It was slightly warm but heck, everything in the building was warm. Percy was starting to sweat.
"…I see. Piero is not here, unfortunately."
Bobby nodded slightly, his face saying that he didn't believe it one bit. "So where is he?"
"I do not know," Percy turned and saw the largest guy he had possibly ever seen in his life. "He said that something had come up and left last week."
The dude must've been at least seven feet tall. He was bald and had bright orange skin. His eyes were beady and black. He was wearing an Italian suit that reminded Percy of someone who reminded him of death.
"Alright…we'll just leave and come back later. Can we get your name? Percy, come on." Gwen looked at Percy and nodded at the door.
"Cal. May I also get yours? So I know who to mention when Piero comes back."
Bobby answered before Gwen opened her mouth. "Just tell him that Bobby and some friends just stopped by. Percy, come on."
Cal turned toward Percy. He grinned toothily. He really needs to brush his teeth. Even his teeth are orange.
"Percy, is it? What an odd name. I see you've been admiring the Spyder, that car brings in a lot of customers. Would you like to sit in it for a few minutes before you leave?"
Percy glanced at Bobby and Bobby gave him a look that said Hurry up.
"Sure." He answered.
Cal pulled a set of the car keys out of his front pocket and unlocked the car. "You have a nice taste in cars, Percy."
Even the inside of the car was warm. It also smelled weird too, like burned clothes. Percy sat down and Cal closed the door.
He felt excited to be in his dream car. It started to get warmer in the car. Percy was almost uncomfortable.
"Uh, Cal? Why is it so-" The click of the locks clicking into place. The car was really getting hot now.
He tried to unlock the doors but to no success. "Cal! Unlock the doors!"
Cal grinned maliciously. "And lose my breakfast? I think not, Son of Neptune. Watching you burn slowly will be entertaining."
"Burn? You're Cacus, the fire breathing giant. That explains your orange skin and why it's so hot in here." Gwen exclaimed, pulling how her bow.
Cacus turned to her, "Correct, Daughter of Apollo. You will burn in the brazen bull as well, after the boy."
Percy felt like he stuck his body in an oven. It was uncomfortable but it was getting warmer. He banged on the glass but it wouldn't break.
Todd tried to open the door but burned his hand on the metal. "Ow!"
Bobby and Gwen ducked when a plume of fire was shot from Cacus' mouth. "Don't try to escape. Everything is heated enough that a single touch will burn you. Surrender now."
"Never!" Bobby shouted. Todd had pulled out his Stygian Iron sword. It sizzled in the air.
"Then you will die!"
How was Bobby gonna defeat a fire-breathing giant when it was getting hotter every minute?
Todd was distracting Cacus with his sword. "Yo! Did you have an accident at the tanning salon? Cause you're colour is ridiculous!"
Cacus roared and the desk caught on fire.
"Gwen, did anything in your mythology book say how to defeat this thing?" Bobby took off his shirt and wrapped it around the hilt of Acris.
"I think," Gwen panted, "That Hercules strangled him so he couldn't get oxygen to fuel his fire."
Bobby looked around for something to use. "Gwen, try to get Percy out of the brazen car before he catches on fire. I've got a plan."
Gwen wiped the sweat off her forehead and nodded. "Got it. Try not to get burned."
"Same for you. Go! While Todd had Cacus' back turned."
Gwen crouched and ran through the burning debris.
Now, I just need to find it.
"Percy!" Gwen shouted when she reached the Spyder. He didn't look to well. Covered in sweat and his clothes started to sizzle. Gwen could see him panting to get enough air.
He was trying to break the glass. For some reason it didn't melt. Gwen looked around for something to break the glass. She spotted a van that didn't look hot. Why wasn't it starting to melt?
"Percy, how long can you last?" It seemed like a stupid question to ask but Gwen needed to know.
Percy looked hurt but he held up five fingers. "Okay, I've got an idea, but put on your seatbelt. We don't want you dead."
Percy looked at her confused but complied. "Try not to get burned."
Gwen sprinted toward the van and touched it. It was deliciously cold. She tried the door and it was unlocked. She climbed in and took a moment to relish in the icy coldness of the interior.
She took a deep breath, "Okay. Let's see if Dakota's hot-wiring lesson actually works."
A few two minutes, (Gwen actually had to keep track. She didn't want Percy to die this early in the quest).
Thank the gods, the van started up. Gwen might not know how to drive but she had a vague idea of it. She moved the gear from P to D.
She was glad that the van was already facing the Spyder. She was low on time anyways.
Gwen slammed her foot on the gas.
Percy tried to ignore how the plastic of the belt started to burn. It was a miracle that the car hadn't caught on fire already. It was really hot and hard to breathe.
What was Gwen doing anyways? Percy wasn't even sure his five minute estimate was accurate. He had a feeling that the car was going to explode any minute. He could feel it in the car, or in the air. Or his nerves. They were as tense as Gwen's bowstring. He just was waiting for that explosion.
That's when his clothes caught on fire.
"Oh gods! Oh why now?" He exclaimed as he tried to pat the fires out.
Another smell joined the other smells of burning stuff. His head felt hotter than usual.
His hair was on fire now. Percy cursed in that language he knows and ran his hands through his hair. This couldn't get worse.
On cue, Gwen's van slammed into the Spyder.
The belt that Percy had put on didn't do a thing. He went flying through the windshield and slammed into something hard and scalding hot.
Cacus roared as he stumbled. Todd backed up, his black and white hair was stuck to his face. "Percy! Nice timing!"
"Todd…" Percy groaned. "Shut up."
"Percy! Don't get off of him!" Bobby shouted as he came out of the back of the building. He was holding the chair that was used to tow cars.
Cacus was already trying to get up. Percy didn't know what else to do but pull the head back.
"Let go of me, filthy demigod! I will burn you to a crisp!"
Bobby wrapped the chain around Cacus quickly but Cacus shook both he and Percy off.
Gwen jumped when Percy landed on the hood of the van. She was trying to figure out how to move the van in reverse.
Once again, the van didn't take any damage.
Bobby was tossed into Todd. "Thanks for slowing my fall."
"You're welcome." Todd groaned. "Now get off and strangle the darn orange." He pushed Bobby off.
Cacus turned his attention to Percy and Gwen. He took a deep breath and Bobby figured out he was going to turn them to a crisp.
Percy, he could get less about but Gwen, no one was going to hurt Gwen and get away for it.
Bobby scrambled for the chain and ignored the burns he got from it. he pulled hard and Cacus grunted. "Todd! I need help!"
Todd responded rather fast for a guy who had a hundred twenty pound guy land on him. "We pull on three" Bobby nodded and wrapped the chain around his arms. He gritted his teeth against the pain.
"One, two, THREE!" Cacus stumbled backward and made a horrible noise.
"THREE!" The second pull sent him to the ground and he tried to reach the chain.
"THREE!" Cacus jerked and turned into orange dust. The heat simmered down a little and it was silent.
Bobby and Todd removed the chains and hissed at the pain. They painfully walked to Gwen and Percy.
"Everyone not badly burned?" Gwen asked. She had the second amount of damage. Percy looked absolutely fine except for his shorter hair and burned clothes.
"Get in the van and cool down before eating ambrosia. We don't want to have anyone turn into ashes when we just stopped that thing."
"I'll drive." Percy volunteered before anyone could say anything. "Obviously, since Gwen just ruined my dream car."
"It was to save you!" Gwen protested.
"Yes, and thank you. I believe I can drive and I have the least amount of damage. Okay?"
No one protested him. Gwen moved from the driver's side to the passenger. Percy sighed heavily and got in.
The room's temperature suddenly rose. Todd looked at the pile of dust that was formerly Cacus. It was on fire and he could see the dust reforming.
"Uh, Percy. I think you should start driving. Like now."
"What do you mea-Oh."
The pile of dust roared. "Percy shifted to reverse. "Get in the van!" Even in dangerous situations, that still sounds creepy.
"Bobby, did you see the driveway when you were looking for that chain?" Gwen asked as she buckled her belt.
"What?"
"That huge door to let the cars in!" Did the heat do something to his brain?
"Oh, it's on the other side of the building."
"Fantastic," Percy muttered. "Put on your seatbelts!"
He backed out of the Spyder and steered it in the direction of the growing pile of dust. Percy slammed on the gas and the van jumped forward.
Thank the gods yet again, the pile didn't grab at the van. And they didn't run into obstacles because they all burned to ashes.
Percy saw the garage door. "Gwen! Can you shoot the red button?"
"Got it! Just keep driving straight!"
Cacu's voice screamed "Bobby! Percy! You will pay for this! Curse you!"
"Great, another curse." Percy grumbled.
Gwen took a shot and aimed. The adrenaline must've been getting to Percy because he could've sworn that he saw the arrow shake a bit and barely it the button.
Percy looked at the rear view mirror and saw a half formed Cacus behind them, struggling to keep up.
"Hurry up, door." Todd prayed. "I don't wanna die yet."
They barely made it through the garage. The gods must've been on their side because there was little traffic.
A few anxious minutes of sifting through traffic and they made it far enough to park and take a rest and change clothes.
"Percy, I got a question."
Percy took a sip of nectar and glanced at Todd. "What?"
"What was it like to sit in that car? Ya know, before it started to cook you."
"Gods, Todd! Don't you ever think before you ask questions!" Percy exclaimed. Bobby and Gwen sighed heavily.
"Not often. And answer it."
"It was pretty sweet." Percy admitted.
It's me again! With another fabulously long chapter. It's a four day break and that's how I got the time to finish this chapter.
How do you like it? Cacus was a real monster, by the way. I try to make this as accurate as possible...well, besides the injuries. Kind of, i don't think anyone besides Percy, Gwen or Leo could've survived being in that hotSpyder. Get it? Because it's a hot car and it was also burning hot? Ah, never mind. Pun jokes never work...shall we forget about that? Yes, no?
By the way, to those people who suggested that I move this story to the Heroes of Olympus section...I could not find it. I found it way earlier but now i can't. I've looked under The Lost Hero, Lost Hero, Heroes of Olympus. It's not there...so..shut up about it or tell me where i can exactly find it so i can take a look at it to see if it's worthy of this story...
Again, tell me if i mess up anything, especially the Latin. (This time, I used my Latin textbook, so it should be accurate)
Next chapter: Las Vegas and togas!
Reviews make lovely presents for my inbox and teh various devices i check my inbox with!
Scribe of Stories.
Oh, PS. Reviewer Question(Which I know probably very few of you will answer but I'll try anyways): What would you pay Dakota to sneak in First Legion or What car would you rather be burned in?
I would pay for Vanilla Coke and Lay's Sour Cream and Onions.
Car? Well, If I had to choose...it would be The Cayman R Porsche.
Now, to finally end this author note that half of you won't read. :D
