Islands of Blest

We traveled for almost a few hours before the ocean carried us out into one of New York's main rivers. I knew exactly where we were. Annabeth slept on the raft as I guided our boat down and making sure the Mist was strong enough to hide us. We'd probably get in trouble for being there when it was three in the morning.

Annabeth finally got up after a boat let out a terrible call. She jumped a bit and instantly pulled out a dagger. I guess being a half-blood makes you jumpy. I could understand that. "Where are we?" She murmured, rubbing her eyes and yawning. In the New York light we couldn't see the stars, which was slightly disappointing. Annabeth normally would show me where they are.

"The ocean seems to be leading us here," I motioned just as we were just passing the stature of Liberty and Ellis Island. Getting a closer look now, I saw that the statue was actually a man with large muscles and a sword. He bore the crest of Hercules. There was a similar stature in the middle of Ellis Island. Our boat began to pass between them when Annabeth gasped.

"I never knew they moved it here!" She bit her lip nervously and stood up as if she could look at the buildings better. Her grey eyes darted down to me, "Do you realize where we are Percy?" She fidgeted and began bending the rim of her cap like she always did.

"No, I've never seen this before." We were safe, I couldn't even feel something evil approaching although it would've been nicer to have Tyson around because he was better at it than me. I placed my hand in my pocket for Riptide in case any monster appeared.

"Well, these statues are Hercules! We're passing through the gates to the Islands of Blest, Percy. They were marked by two statues of Hercules. Back when the Gods were in the east, they had been placed at the strait of Gibraltar." Annabeth was gazing in awe at the statues. She sure did love architecture.

I remained sitting and focusing on the water just in case things got out of control but everything was smooth so far. "Are the Islands of Blest good or bad?" Annabeth laughed and looked down at me if I was the cutest thing she had ever seen. I smiled at her and stuck out my tongue. "Should I be ready to fight some monster or not Annabeth?"

She stuck her tongue out back, "No, not yet, I don't think. The Islands of Blest is where the virtuous live their lives after death. People like heroes. I believe the reason we're coming here is because something we search for is waiting there. Tyson and Grover most likely." That made me happy to know. At least I would be able to see them again and not have to worry about saving them too much.

Wind pushed the currents along faster and when we passed, New York instantly disappeared and I found we were in paradise. First, it was day time and before us were three islands close together with thousands of people walking about on the beach. They looked like tourists having a giant island party.

Our raft hit the sand and a bunch of them walked up to us. They all shone gold and bright giving us wide smiles. One boy in dark blue swimming shorts and a wide, well-muscles chest approached Annabeth, "Hey babe. Say something if you're interested?" I glared at him and instantly went to reach for Riptide. He seemed dangerous enough for me.

Annabeth blushed deeply and stepped next to me. She reached down to my hand in my pocket and pulled it out. She wrapped her fingers in mine, "I'm taken." I smiled at him wide and I saw he was hurt. Annabeth was smiling too and trying not to giggle.

"All right, I see how it is. A hero can't steal another hero's girl. Sorry man, I didn't know." The boy had blonde wavy hair and dark brown eyes. He grinned again, "The name is Hercules. Welcome to the Islands of Blest. How may I help you?" A bunch of others were gathering around us now. I didn't want to ask for their names at fear of forgetting them.

"We're looking for my brother, Tyson, whose a Cyclops and Grover, he's a satyr." Hercules nodded and waved his hand for us to follow him. Annabeth let go of my hand as we began walking. I leaned over towards her to whisper, "See? Easy?"

Annabeth frowned a bit, "Too easy if you ask me. Let's wait it out though, I don't want to accuse them of anything without proof." I had to admit, the glowing gold people that were now following us through the woods of the islands freaked me out. They all seemed very interested in us.

Hercules led us to a cave that was lit up by candles. Three figures sat in the cave that was large enough to hold hundreds more. "Grover, Tyson, you got company!" I watched as two of the figures stood up and turned to face us. Suddenly, I was wrapped up into a huge Cyclops hug as Annabeth and Grover hugged.

"Brother, we knew to wait for you!" Tyson backed away and gave a large grin. His eye was twinkling. So leaving Poseidon's palace had led them here when we broke apart. Grover came over and we hugged too. Tyson was talking to Annabeth, "I missed you!"

Grover stared at me with a frown, "I thought it would take you longer. I received word that you were with Calypso. Most men take a few days before leaving. You've only been gone for two." I smiled and stared at Annabeth.

"I had someone to convince me to leave. Who visited you?" I ran a hand through my hair. I felt the strands getting too long for my liking. I was exhausted a bit and needed some sleep. The mention of the gods greatly intrigued me. I thought they were too busy to meddle in anyone's affairs, even someone who was supposedly so important.

"Hermes of course, he's still focusing on what happened to Luke. He doesn't understand why his son has made the wrong choices like that," Grover hadn't gotten much taller since I last seen him. I was almost a head taller now.

Hermes, well, Luke had blamed his father for why he chose the side that he had. Now, Luke was the capsule for the Titan's leader, Kronos. Not exactly a good choice if I might say. "Interesting, is there any way I could sleep? Annabeth passed out and so I had to stand watch longer than I was supposed to." Annabeth whacked my arm and I smiled.

"Sure, of course there is," Grover pulled my arm and led me towards the cave and the third figure. He was covered in shadow by the way the fires flickered around. I wondered who it was that sat there. "Percy needs to rest."

The figure pointed towards a door I hadn't noticed before. "Third room on the left, but we're full. I hope, Annabeth, that you don't mind sharing a room with Percy. Tyson, grab their bags." I knew that voice, I recognized it instantly. Annabeth sucked in air as she gasped.

Sitting before us was Deadalus.