Hi..

Okay, I know, I lied when I said I'll be back for three days, 'cause I'm not actually a stick-to-the-plan kind of person. If you want to hear my reasons, go ahead, it's at the bottom. I'll make it up to you.. I'll try...

Well, here it is! Hope it's long enough to make up for you. :)

Chapter 7

"Look out, Braniac!"

She leaped out of the way, and a club was brought down from where she just stood, grinding the dry leaves beneath it.

Lexter stepped on the club just as it was raised, and he jumped, swinging his sword on a downward arc towards the Cyclops' head. Two golden arrows found their way buried into the monster's back. Its knees buckled, and it dissolved into what was caking the dirty ground.

Alyssa dusted herself off, standing up and turned to see Aria walking to her with a concerned face. "You alright?" she asked.

She nodded. "Yes," she answered, before she turned to Mitch, her face twisted in annoyance. "What did you call me?"

Mitch was innocently playing with his bowstring, then looked up confused when he noticed he was being addressed. "Hmm?"

"Nothing," Alyssa shook her head. "There are many monsters out today. I mean, more than usual."

"I know right," Lexter piped up cheerfully. "Last time I checked, demigods don't get assaulted all the time with packs of monsters."

"You're so wrong," Alyssa murmured sarcastically.

"It's true! Five hundred years ago, they don't-"

"She was being sarcastic! Gods, Lex!"

"Uh, yeah. Of course I knew that."

"Riiiiiight."

"Anyway!" Aria interrupted, making them jump. "Let's get going. We don't want these monsters slowing us down."

They all nodded and started to walk out of the snowy forest nearing the Canadian borders. As if realizing this, Mitch turned to Alyssa.

"Um..." he murmured uncertainly. "Why exactly are we here, this far? I mean, you could have just flashed us like, near the pine tree, you know!"

"It was not me. It was Lord Aether's doing," she tried to reason, but Mitch heard none of it because his own voice flooded his ears, blocking out all the other noises.

"We're still nowhere near either of the two camps, and we're being assaulted constantly by heavy packs of monsters!"

"I told you, it's Lord Aether's doing. There has to be some kind of reason. So please, just quit complaining and don't jinx it."

Mitch opened his mouth and looked like he wanted to argue, but thought better of it. He nodded to himself and kept walking, tugging on his bowstring.

They walked for a few moments of silence. Lexter and Mitch would occasionally talk about archery and healing, but both would die down eventually. Aria glanced at Alyssa, who seemed lost in thought. Curious, she nudged her.

She looked up at her, who raised an eyebrow. She sighed and motioned for her to come closer.

"I had this weird dream, and I can't take my mind off it. Something tells me that the dream was somewhat important; I don't really know, but it doesn't make sense to me whatsoever," she explained, before groaning in frustration. Oh how she hated not knowing things.

Aria studied her curiously. "What is it? Maybe I can help you with that," she offered.

"I'd tell you, but I wanted to think this out first. Come to think of it, I've brought a book with me; I just hope that it gives me the answers I want. But thank you for the offer," she looked at her apologetically, with a hint of appreciation.

"Um, okay, I guess."

Silence reigned upon them once again. Aria joined in the little discussion the brothers had, leaving Alyssa to her thoughts. The powerful voice in her dream, the man, the gift. Why was it shown to her? What was it about, anyway?

They weren't exactly given any orders from Aether and Hemera; they only sent them to, maybe, help with the rehabilitation and all that. And if they were going to fight with them against the dark side, won't their help be to little? Four people? She isn't really the best either; just a lowly peacekeeper with mental-based powers- and sure, she was a decent fighter, who has the most pathetic fear of spiders.

That didn't really help the thought.

Her thoughts drifted back to their mission. She thought of a lead. Okay, they will protect the two camps from spies and assassins. They will try their bests to minimize the deaths and captives- or not let anything at all, if they could help it. That all adds to a pile of work. Sure. Let the oh so powerful warriors of the light handle the job. Piece of cake.

Note the sarcasm. She could already anticipate the work they were going to have. Protect two camps with four people. Even the own residents of the camps- which were a rough 500 all together, had almost given out with a separated 600 of a monster army, had the traitors help with that. So how will they manage with four people, without the traitors- dang, why are traitors always powerful- and decreased army?

Most importantly, how would they defeat the traitors? Beforehand it all, they had shown superiority in all types of battle and all of them looked as though they could make up a whole new strategy in one blink. She wasn't that sure with him, though. At times, she wished that he had stayed dumb and slow, and this was one of those times.

She knew one thing. If he wants something, he makes sure he gets it. Revenge. That's what he wants. They all knew that the sea does not like to be restrained. A lot of things from the sea reflected on him. Calm and cool, but vicious and deadly. She's sure that he's moving again, towards the camps, out for blood. There were friends there. His friends. That's evil. Is the sea evil?

No, I guess not.

It's like an animal. It doesn't kill without a reason. The sea acts by its creatures. When you pollute it, they strike. Mother Nature does not like it. She sends typhoons and tsunamis. And no, she's not referring to Gaea.

When they harm the son of the sea, he strikes back. He gets revenge, on them, and them only. Last time, he doesn't do that. He doesn't get revenge. But she found out that she was wrong, tenfolds at that. He harmed everyone who allied with them, who are the only ones who hurt him. Yet, he doesn't fully have a cold heart.

He doesn't forget. He didn't forget all the things that some gods did for him. He spared them. He had a small look of sympathy for the goddess of the hunt because he hadn't been able to spare her fully. She was shackled, not by him, but by his companion. He did not stop them though.

He didn't.

Yes, he doesn't forget. Five hundred years, and he did not forget. Mainly, the betrayal. The pain. The misery. She knows how that felt. She had felt it too, seeing him over at the enemy with an angry look on his face. She, too, did not forget what happened five centuries ago.

Funny how she knew so many things about the sea. About him. It was nothing to laugh about. After all, it had been true that they spent so much time together. And... and she broke it all.

Alyssa shook her head. This was no time wallowing in her self-pity. They had a mission to do! And if- no, think positive- when they succeeded, the camps would be safe, the gods- oh man- the gods would be taken out of Tartarus, hopefully- no! definitely, yeah; definitely, they would be taken out of Tartarus.

She sighed. Why must the Fates be so cruel?

It's always a good time!

"WOOOAAAAAAH! WOOAAAAH, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD TIME!"

Alyssa's eye twitched. Her ears started to feel itchy and she could practically feel a headache coming. That's a bad thing. She has a bit of a resistance to headaches. And the constant, loud, ear-piercing screams known as singing certainly weren't helping. In fact, it made all things worse.

Glancing at the traffic light, it showed red. It looked like it would be anytime then, so she looked at the back with the rear-view mirror. Behind her seat, sitting was Lexter. He was singing at the top of his voice- and here she thought that Apollo kids sing quite well, even high pitches. But- yes, in fact they do, because these were exaggerated. He was screaming, not singing.

Beside him, at the back of Mitch's seat, who was also screaming his head off, was Aria. She was sinking into the leather seat with a pissed expression- no doubt trying to escape the torture she was currently in. She caught her eye and glared, before pressing her ear to the window; one hand supporting her chin, and another clutching her head, at the same time covering the other ear.

In short, in Alyssa's opinion, and contradicting to the song, It's freaking not.

You see, after walking a few miles and talking, none of them knew how to flash, or teleport, or like that. Not that they could, anyway. So they opted to find a ride. But just with their luck, all of the abandoned vehicles they came across had empty gas tanks. And then, well, they crossed ways with a particularly dumb mortal. They didn't want to steal, but.. they did.

And now here they were. Having to put up with two music addicts- two singing banshees. Fortunately, just now, two good things happened once they loaded the vehicle. One, they had arrived in Seattle, and two, the song ended and changed. Oh yes, fortune, indeed.

If I was your boyfriend, I'd never let you go
I can take you place you ain't never been before
Baby take a chance or you'll never ever know
I got money in my hands that I'd really like to blow

Alyssa sighed as she drove to the nearest McDonald's, just to rest and eat. At least the guys calmed down a tad, singing a few tones down below the last. Okay, the song hit her. If I was your boyfriend, I'd never let you go.

He never, never let her go. Until she did it herself. It was a miracle her mother didn't disown her; her previous actions was not that of a child of the wisdom goddess', but she guessed that she can't do it... in her current situation.

She shook the thoughts out of her head. She wouldn't think that- not now. She could plan to save her later. But for now...

She pulled up. "Guys, let's make a stop here. I'm starving."

The boys cheered in agreement as they all filed out of the vehicle. They went in the fast food as soon as they did, while Alyssa made sure to check the car was locked. She didn't really mind it being stolen- it's just that, she didn't want to plow the whole city to find another dumb lonely mortal with a car filled, keys inside, enough room, and all that crap- just no way.

Alyssa found the boys and sat across from them. Aria was not here, so she reckoned that she was getting the food. She craned her neck to see past the gleeful, lively sons of Apollo, and saw that Aria was still at the end of the line. Not impressed by the thought of entertaining the boys- oh, boys- that sat across from her, she reached into her pack and brought out the only book that she brought with her- not fun, therefore not about architecture; frustrating, because searching could be like that- The Realm of Hades.

She was about to open the book when Mitch seemed to notice it just now. "Hey Annie, what's that?"

Alyssa glanced up at him annoyed. "Nothing, Michael," she turned her attention back to the book. "And don't call me that."

"But Annieeee!"

She ignored him and turned the page to a certain section of the book and began to read, turning oblivious to her surroundings.

Mitch eyed Alyssa as she began to read, her eyes darting around the page as if looking for a hidden enemy. He glanced at his brother Lexter to see him bobbing his head up and down and humming some tunes, with headphones on his ears. He straightened his back and looked over his shoulder. Aria was now in front and ordering.

He turned his head back to watch Alyssa, who appeared to be lost in thought. He could tell that she was no longer reading, staring at one point of the page. What could it be? But then sitting here now, having even only a little bit of time to relax and think things, why not?

He sighed. Mitch realized that so much- oh indeed, so much- could happen in five centuries in the life of a demigod. Well yeah, five centuries since he died. From what Annabeth had told them- he thought that there was more to it; she was hiding something- they had won the Second Titan War, thank the gods, his death was worth it.

Then another old times war resurfaced: the Giant War, the war with Gaea her sons, the Gigantes. It appears- long story short- they have, yet again, won the war in favor of the gods. With the help of the most powerful demigod hero, yet again. And then.. what happened? They had peace for five hundred years, and until then, they hadn't noticed that the hero- Percy- was missing?

There is something wrong here.

Annabeth told him that theoretically, he was on the enemies side for five centuries, two years after Mitch died. She told him that he was missing at that time. But that still got Mitch thinking. Why did they not look for him, if it was only a suspicion that he was at the enemies' side?

Okay, he was confused now. Percy had many friends- loyal friends; he returns the loyalty- and he goes missing, then Annabeth told him that they didn't go look for him? Why wouldn't they come looking for him? Especially Annabeth? Last time he checked, both were clearly in love, everyone could see that- except the lovers of course. And here he remembers part of the story that he disappeared just after the Titan War, and she goes worried sick for him, and gone over crazy to places in hopes to find him. He furrowed his eyebrows. Annabeth's not telling him something.

Something is definitely wrong here.

Before he could continue on with his train of thought, it got broken by a thud. He almost jumped out of his seat, while Lexter did not seem bothered. He looked up at Aria who was smiling like a Cheshire cat, and sat down beside Alyssa, who was putting her book away. She glanced at everyone; Alyssa who was eying the food nervously as if they were coated with poison, Lexter who was already chomping down his double cheeseburger while bobbing his head to the beat of his song, and Mitch who was eating another double cheeseburger, chewing absentmindedly.

Aria shrugged this off and began to attack her salad, firstly munching on the chicken happily. She wasn't really a meat lover; she's more of a vegetarian, but the chicken is just too tasty to resist.

Alyssa watched them carefully as she took a bite from her cheeseburger- a normal cheeseburger, thank the gods Abby knew that she does not eat much like the boys; boys are boys anyway, they eat more than girls because they have bigger stomachs, especially growing, teenage boys. But they're not exactly growing- they're immortal. Well, yeah, they grow in age, just that- Alyssa wasn't so sure if they grow mature; or if the physical growing are like toning muscles and all that.

But they're still male teenagers. They had died teenagers and got immortalized teenagers. They probably won't change. Probably. Let's hope.

She dismissed the thought of male teenagers and turned back to biting on her cheeseburger, her careful demeanor transforming to carefree.

"Yay! Romans, we're here!"

They ran to the guarded tunnel leading to the Roman camp. Why run, when they have a car, you say? Well... they kind of ditched it because just as they were nearing, the engine died for whatever reason. None of them truly were mechanics, so they don't know how to fix it at some point, so they decided to continue on foot. Besides, a little exercise doesn't hurt.

When they reached the tunnel, they were stopped by two soldiers in Roman armor demanding their names and business.

Alyssa stepped forward. "I'm Alyssa, these are Aria, Mitch and Lexter. We're here because our master sent us," she told them. "Um, have you been informed of any help coming?"

The guards exchanged looks before turning back to them. "In fact, Mars told us to be ready to accept it. Why?"

Alyssa looked unsure at what she was going to say and glanced at her companions, who gave her an encouraging nod. "We are those help sent by our master, Lord Aether. A.. little bit of help."

The guards glanced at each other mischievously smiling, as though this amused them. "Come with me," the female guard said before turning on her heel, leading the four through the tunnel. The four conversed quietly as they walked, not wanting the Roman to hear them. Unknown to them, she was hearing the whole thing clear as day.

"Abby will be at Camp Half-Blood, I want to try Roman ways," whispered the blonde. The female guard snorted. A daughter of Athena... in Rome. Unwise, as the Athenians would say. Bad move.

"Okay. What about the boys?" whispered another blonde.

"I'll be at CHB."

"No, I should be. You've been there longer."

"We should settle this. Like what a real man would do."

"You're on."

The guard looked over her shoulder to find an amusing sight. What a real man would do.. yeah right.

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!"

Mitch had scissors. Lexter had... wait for it... rock.

"Agh! Gods damn it!" Thunder rumbled, but they ignored it, as usual.

Soon after much bickering and complaining, they found themselves at a hill overlooking the valley where Camp Jupiter was, and at the foot of the hill was the Little Tiber, flowing powerfully as of the original Tiber, river of the empire. In the distance rose Mount Diablo, right where it should be.

The guard trudged down the hill with the others following. She waded into the stream not looking back, as if she expected them to follow, which of course they did, but not before hesitating. The camp's gate's opened, and some kids in armor poured out.

A girl in armor beneath a regal purple cloak stepped forward. She had dark eyes and long black hair, and her chest was decorated with medals. Alyssa recognized the girl. Reyna Milan.

Reyna looked at the female guard questioningly. "Judith. Who are these?"

The guard, Judith, smiled dryly. "The help Mars has promised," she explained shortly, taking in the looks of understanding. "If you'll excuse me praetor, I would like to go back to my duties now." As soon as Reyna nodded her consent, Judith saluted almost mockingly and forged back to continue guarding the gate with her partner.

Reyna turned back to them. She eyed each of them warily, her eyes darted from one person to another, seemingly agitated of seeing someone unrecognized. But once her eyes landed on Alyssa, they narrowed. "Annabeth Chase?"

Alyssa and her friends tensed. She glanced around the crowd behind the praetor uncertainly. This appeared in Reyna's grasp as quickly, and dismissed them. They dispersed reluctantly.

After they were all gone, Alyssa straightened up. "Alyssa. My cover name."

"Cover name..?" she mumbled confusedly. Before any of them could answer, Reyna shook her head and announced. "Follow me to the principia. We have much to talk about."

Alright, really sorry for leaving you just like that.

One time my internet just got messed up so I'd have to wait for two to three days- check. I got lazy- check. I've been a whole new fan for this pop punk band I found, and they're awesome, so I spent my time on Youtube listening to their music- sooooo check.

Yeah, I know, stupid reasons. Anyway, this time I won't make the mistake of telling when I'd update. Besides, it's better to come unexpected, right? I'll catch you by surprise! (when I pass the part of lying lazily on my podex and listening to MOAR songs)(and having more motivation)

Alright, see ya later! 'I've got a way with words and it's the cause of all my problems...'

~Smartzyfan