Questers
Hector, Anastasia and Chloe had left camp at sunrise, geared to the teeth for what was the first quest for all of them, usually, a quest would have guidance from the Oracle but Chiron had told them as it had been issued by Zeus, they would have no time to spare. They were sat in the back of the camp minivan driven by Argus, as they were going into New York, Anastasia explained to the other two what she had been told last night by 2 of the Infamous 7.
"Wait, so their advice is to go into the underworld and hope the God of the dead will help us find Percy? That sounds like suicide." Hector said bitterly, Anastasia nodded she understood where he was coming from but she was determined to prove herself to the Gods and the rest of camp
"Nico is supposed to be a brother to Percy, he will help us, "she said firmly, as she looked over to the youngest guest member who had been fairly quiet during their trip and gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
"I think we should fly to LA with the mortal money, we are on a quest for Zeus so we should all be okay travelling will mean fewer monsters in the sky "The daughter of Apollo reasoned. Her quest mates nodded in agreement. The three of them fell into a comfortable silence as they continued toward NYC. After reaching their destination they all said goodbye to Argus as they wandered towards the airport, despite a couple of run-ins with a few monsters who were quickly dispatched they found the airport. Despite all being underaged some subtle mist manipulation from Chloe ensured that no mortals questioned why 3 kids were unaccompanied. After boarding a flight to LA they took full advantage of Olympian money, getting First class tickets and making the flight as comfortable as possible. Whilst Hector and Chloe made the most of the free food and drinks, feeding their ADHD most healthily, Anastasia decided to catch up on sleep after her long night previously. As she went to sleep instead of her regular dreams, she was met face to face with a man with golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. His teeth were so bright it would have been almost blinding for another else.
"Dad?" The demigod queried
"Hey Ana, how are you" the god smiled at the young demigod, Although Apollo had claimed her and was more proactive compared to other gods when interacting with his children. Several times he snuck in pretending to be "Fred" one of her brothers just to see everyone but even then, it was extremely rare anyone got to talk to him just 1on1.
"Why are you here?" She asked him albeit timidly, the god frowned slightly before replying,
"Can't a father have a quick catchup with his daughter?" He asked, heart on his chest in mock hurt, causing Anastasia to roll her eyes.
"Not according to Aunt Artemis" the demigod replied smirking, Apollo huffed and started muttering something about Arty ruining his kids before turning to Anastasia
"Unfortunately, your right I came to warn you about the quest you need to be careful" He stated firmly surprising the demigod,
"WHAT?! Why it's Percy Jackson we will be okay, Chiron said he wouldn't hurt us "she asked her father, whose eyes dimmed at the response. He stayed silent for a second before taking his daughter's hands,
"Look, Ana, I won't sugar-coat it. This quest is quite literally exactly what Percy has asked us not to do after the war. And although I don't agree with it whatsoever, I can't overrule Zeus, I don't know how he is going to react "
Anastasia looked at her father as he told her this, anxiety from the night previous coming back in full force, she didn't want to fight THE Percy Jackson.
"What happens if he fights us Dad, there's no way we are going to win," she asked a small quiver making its way into her voice. Apollo embraced her in a small hug before releasing her,
"Look sunshine, there's absolutely no way I would let anything happen to you at all. Percy is a good guy I just don't know what these years might have done. When you wake up, you'll have a charm, use it if you need my help for anything and if he tries to fight you" The God replied, causing the demigod to crash back into him. Thankfully she didn't notice the relief which washed over his face, he knew deep down she would be okay, but he had this itch in the back of his mind that something would happen. While if he had to fight for his daughters, although it would be flaunting the ancient laws, he knew it would be a bloodbath for them versus the son of Poseidon. The two hugged for a short while and make some general conversation as Apollo tried to catch up on aspects of his daughter's life that he had missed. After catching up he sent his daughter back into her normal dreams before flashing himself to his temple.
He needed to relax, and while he would never admit it to a single soul Percy being pissed off terrified him. After witnessing the battle with Gaea, he watched the power the demigod wielded in awe, despite being an Olympian just being near him in that battle made his skin itch. He just hoped Percy would forgive him and Arty for Zeus' mistake, The twin archer decided to blow off some steam hopefully Hermes would join him in pranking his sister.
Percy
The day had gone fairly well with little drama from his students, all of them were ready for the National Finals which were happening in 2 days. Currently, they were all going over the final details to get everyone there, although it was in 2 days, they were planning to travel early to make sure they would get there with plenty of rest beforehand. All the heads of PE were going over the logistics of hotels booked, and allergies and ensuring everyone signed their permission slips. Percy was sat with the others doing their share of paperwork and sporadically broke out into coughing fits, trying to conceal the blood that was forcing its way up his throat, after the 5th time in 10 minutes one of the other PE teachers spoke up
"Hey, Percy are you sure you are okay to go on this trip you sound super sick?" Samantha asked if she had been selected by Percy himself when interviewing for new teachers. He looked at her for a second before waving his hand in dismissal
"Nah I'm all good I've had this for a while just waiting on test results back from the hospital to tell us how to stop it. Can't be missing the finals anyways." He replied cheerily, the lie slipping through his teeth almost effortlessly, it worked a charm as Sam sent him a look of sympathy before resulting some papers around and handing one to him.
"Emergency contact just for my peace of mind," she said seriously, Percy considered flat out rejecting the request but thought better of it before taking the paper and filling out the number for Dr Fir, although Leto would be his first choice she wasn't exactly integrated into the town. Satisfied that Percy had given her real information Sam beamed at Percy before continuing with their paperwork. They ended up working pretty late but were going to have to be up early for the coach trip to Las Vegas, afterwards Percy made the drive to his cabin and set himself an Alarm for 6 am, he briefly considered training but he knew with being up early and what had happened previously it was probably not the best idea he could have. He decided blissful sleep would be the most option, finding himself back in a room with Phanes.
"Here we go again, "Percy thought to himself before sitting down next to the primordial for their next story-telling session.
City Of Angels
The questers touched down in LA well rested and well fed, with all of the intentions to try and find the entrance to the underworld, they decided to try and wander the streets first of all to see if they could find anything normally, all Chiron had told them is that it was called DOA but had not thought to give anyone the exact address. After they wandered the streets of LA, Hector had an idea,
"Hey Chloe, your mom is Hecate surely there's loads of mist around the entrance to stop mortals just wondering are you able to like sense mist in an area?" he asked the younger demigod, who stopped walking for a second and thought for a second about the question.
"It's not something I've ever done If I'm honest, I can try" she mused as she closed her eyes stretching her powers around her surroundings and looking for discrepancies in the mist after a couple of minutes, she opened her eyes before walking towards the left
"Good idea Hec, I think I found something "She smiled as the other 2 demigods followed her, they all walked around LA using their mist detector until they finally approached a building which had DOA Recording Studios written on the top. "I think this is the place, "Chloe said as she pointed at a sign which said
NO SOLICITORS, NO LOITERING, NO LIVING.
The three walked in, and all around them, they could see ghostly figures all waiting in chairs around. At the top of the room, there was a man in a suit looking bored. Anastasia approached the man on his desk who simply gave her a bored look.
"Wait your turn, next boat leaves in 5 years if you can pay," The man said in a monotone voice, Anastasia knew this must be Charon who she was talking to and had come prepared, she hefted a pouch of drachmas that had been taken from camp supply stores and held it up for Charon to see,
"We are here to see Lord Nico as soon as possible "Anastasia said politely to the god, whose eyes widened slightly at the bag before narrowing,
"Nico never takes visitors what makes you an exception "Charon questioned the demigod who managed to hold her own against his gaze
"We are on a quest and we think he would be able to help" she replied calmly, the god looked at her slowly, before seemingly making up his mind gesturing for the demigods to follow him, they all promptly followed him as he muttered something about not being paid enough. They took them to the boat which would lead them to where they wanted. As they crossed over Charon gave them a brief presentation about the underworld and how the various things worked with judgement and the different areas of the afterlife, he also warned them about the Styx the river of broken promises and painful death to ensure if they tried to take a dip.
"If it's a painful death, how did Percy Jackson survive" Hector muttered under his breath, but he didn't quite count on Charon hearing him, causing the underworld god to glare at him for a moment before he smiled
"As you know Mr Jackson is an exception to the norm in all cases, and unlike some, he paid and got me a pay rise" the god raised an eyebrow towards Anastasia who rolled her eyes at the God.
Charon promptly dropped them off a short way away from Hades' palace informing them they would find Nico within the palace. They wandered towards the palace, fortunately avoiding Cerberus and wandered into the Gardens of Persephone. They all slowed their walk as they admired the beauty around them, Hector reached out to touch one of the plants before being slapped promptly by Chloe,
"Are you stupid?! Never touch anything in this Garden it will kill you" the younger demigod chastised as they sped their walk back up to get into the palace. As they walked through the doors, they were met by 2 skeleton soldiers who blocked their path with crossed spears.
"Uhh, we are here on a quest from Zeus to speak to Lord Nico," Anastasia asked towards to skeletons who didn't reply to the question, instead they simply moved their spears away, before turning promptly and started walking into the halls.
The demigods followed the skeletons before finding themselves in a throne room, the biggest central throne was occupied by a God. The trio approached the throne before bowing,
"Lord Hades we are here to speak to your son Nico," Anastasia said boldly to the God of the Underworld, the looked at the demigoddess curiously. He signed slowly before summoning Nico to the throne room without saying a word. His son quickly shadow-travelled to the throne room,
"You called father?" Nico asked, before quickly looking and seeing the demigods in the throne room. Before disregarding them to look toward his father.
"These demigods have been sent on a quest by Zeus they want to ask you a question "Hades drawled out seemingly disinterested in their presence which did not go unnoticed by the questers who expected the god to be cold and unhelpful. Nico turned towards the demigod waiting for them to speak. Anastasia stepped forward addressing God,
"Hi Lord Nico, Zeus has sent us on a quest to find and bring Percy Jackson back to Olympus by any means necessary. "The daughter of Apollo said bluntly, opting to get straight to the point rather than dance around the subject. After saying what they wanted from the son of Hades his eye narrowed at the demigods the shadows thickening around him
"What did you just say," he said sharply an aura of malice seeping around the demigods causing them to step back. "I'm sorry, I just have a hard time understanding why you want me to BETRAY MY BROTHER "He yelled at the demigods, his voice booming around the palace walls causing the demigods to cringe slightly,
"Please Nico, Zeus has said he has to find him and bring him back, "Hector said to the demigod-turned-God who snapped his head over to the son of Hermes, his face painted a picture of pure rage.
"The fact you think I would betray Percy is unbelievable and the next time you try coming to me to find him I will cast you into the fields of punishment myself, "he said darkly, the threat hanging over the demigods who all quickly lost colour in their face before they could say anything the god waved his hand and the demigods promptly found themselves In Las Vegas.