Chapter 5. Nico: Lapses and Rumors.

The Junkyard of the Gods was streched out around me as far as I could see. Smashed chariots, shields, swords and other stuff that wasn't good enough for the mighty Olympians arranged in lopsided piles. The sun was setting in the horizon and the first stars were already appearing. I could already see the latest addition to the skies; the Huntress, the constellation Lady Artemis had created to honor Zoë Nightshade. The view from where I stood was captivating, enough to keep a normal person standing there drinking it all in for hours. But I was no normal person.

I stared at the grave stone, feeling the deep dark void in my heart grow larger. On the shiny black stone were curvy letters inscribed just the way Bianca liked it.

Bianca Di Angelo

(1935-2007)

Beloved Sister

Daughter of Hades

Hunter of Artemis

Died defending her friends from Talos's malfunctioning prototype

You shall always be remembered.

Placed at the foot of the stone were four things; Bianca's bow and arrows and hunting knives which she received when she left me to join the Hunters, her floppy green cap and a Mythomagic figurine of my father, Hades. I picked the figurine up. Hades had silver pieces of aluminum for eyes, dark black robes, and had a poor replica of his helm on his head. Obviously the whole thing looked nothing like the real god. My hands shook as I placed it back to its place and carefully picked up her green cap. Running it my hands through and I thought back to how she used to care for me; no matter how tired, sad and lonely she was and no matter how bratty I was being.

She loved me. I had truly believed that. But she left me. Stunned, I let the cap fall from my hand. She left. Nothing would ever, ever change that.

Turning away, I walked into a clump of shadows and wished myself away.

Lotus Hotel and Casino. A grand and expensive looking building that just screamed "Come in!' to the passersby, especially demigods. Even some of the mortals who are really only seeing a measly quarter of the real world stop and stare at the place. Sweet smelling flowers and a paved driveway led the way to the doors of the hotel. Butlers, chauffeurs and other fancy-looking people waved at everyone, smiling cheerily. The hotel looked utterly harmless.

It gave me the creeps.

Night had fallen and bright neon lights that hurt my eyes decorated the façade of the hotel. I hesitated at the front steps. Was this really worth it? Am I willing to risk another seventy years in this fancy hellhole just to check if Percy was here? Yes, I decided.

Taking a deep breath, I ran up the steps. One of those infernal butler people came up to see me, smiling so wide it must hurt and waving a bright green card. I ignored whatever he was babbling and went straight to the point.

"Have you seen this boy?" I asked, catching the guy by surprise. He seemed speechless for a moment, staring at the photograph I was now waving in his face. In the photo, Percy had his arms around Annabeth and they were both grinning stupidly and waving at the camera. It was taken right after the Second Titan War, two years ago.

Seemingly regaining his voice, the guy flashed me his pearly white teeth. "Maybe. It depends, I guess." His voice was smooth and slick, like and a business man.

"Depends on what?" I shot back, resisting the impulse to raise a skeletal army to trash the place.

"If you're going to take the card or not" My eyes were automatically drawn to the green card in his hands. Making a split second decision, I took in and looked at him, waiting for a proper answer. Impossible as it seems, his grin grew wider. "Enjoy looking around the place. I'm sure he's in here somewhere." Turning away, he disappeared into the crowd in the hotel, leaving me staring at him speechlessly. Then, I gritted my teeth and looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of a boy with jet black hair and sea green eyes.

I saw kids from seemingly every era wearing their thumbs out on video games. I saw floor after floor of people all focused on their respective PlayStations, Game Boys and whatnot. Behind them, beautifully decorated bedrooms with king sized beds just waiting for someone to lay down on them. The place was exquisite. But I noticed that there were no windows and neither was there any sight of Percy.

It had been years since I saw this place again but I remembered everything. How excited Bianca and I were to be spending time in this wonderful place all by ourselves. The hours we spent jumping on the beds, stuffing our faces and of course, gaming. In spite of everything, I felt myself smile. It was dumb but I remembered Bianca more clearly here. Suddenly one of the endless games before me caught my eye. "Catch the Skeleton." Bianca and I spent hours challenging each other on that. My legs automatically carried me there. The green card in my hand hovered just above the slot we were supposed to insert it into.

No, I can't do this. Time was passing, I have to go.

Yes, I can. There's nothing wrong with taking a break. Just one round.

No. No! Percy. Remember Percy!

Bianca would want me to do this.

Just as I was about to slip the card in, the dolphin-shaped gold ring I wore on my right hand burned white-hot. I stumbled backwards with a cry, suddenly realizing what was I about to do and its consequences.

The other kids around me kept on playing their respective games. My eyes swept the crowd but no one seemed to have noticed my lapse. Suddenly, I saw a girl with dark hair and eyes staring at me from the other end of the room. Unlike the others, she was nowhere near a game. She was just standing there.

"Bianca" Her name escaped my lips in nothing more than a whisper. She turned and fled.

"No, wait!" I yelled. I ran after her, pushing bodies out of my way and ignoring their indignant cries. I saw glimpses of her now and then which spurred me onwards. All of a sudden I was outside. Las Vegas was alive and kicking. I looked around for the girl but she was nowhere to be found. Then, I drank the sights in. At least I was still in the same century.

I turned away from the damn hotel and ran to the street. Stopping a random passerby, I asked the date. I had to know how much time I had wasted with my stupidity. The lady I stopped seemed surprised but she told me the date anyway. My shoulders slumped with relief. Just a day. Nothing major. I thanked the lady and turned away.

Time is of the essence, my father had said. I hoped he wasn't watching me. But knowing my luck, he probably is. I shadow travelled to the first location my father gave me as soon as I found a convenient patch of darkness.

The night was silent. Moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating the forest. I stood in the shadows cast by the trees above me, cursing. I had gone to the beach where, according to my father, I would find the girl. Nothing. I used the damn ring which led me here, to the heart of the forest surrounding the beach. Nothing! Just a few broken branches, probably from an animal.

I began pacing, wondering what to do now. The ring was unresponsive. I had no clue where to go to find this girl or even if she was still alive. I conjured up her image in my mind. Her bluish gray eyes. Her long brown hair. I knew it as well as I knew the back of my own hand. The only problem was: where is she?

I sighed and stared at the forest floor, frustrated. I found myself looking right at the hoof print of a cow. A very large cow. I knew that print. The Minotaur It was like someone had flicked a switch in my mind. I stared at the area around me. Each broken branch, each flattened bush took on new meaning. The girl, whoever she was, was attacked by the Minotaur. Crap, crap, crap! This is my fault! This girl might have died because of me.

Closing my eyes, I reached into the void, trying to sense a death. When I found that there had been none here recently. I opened my eyes and smiled. No human had died but a monster had been killed. The girl is tougher than I thought she would be.

Turning my attention to the ring, I waited for something, anything. All I got was a feeling of idiocy. The silence of the night was broken by the crack of a branch. Instinctively, I created a shield of dark energy around me and stood, motionless, waiting.

Two of the most ugliest and horrific harpies I ever had the misfortune of laying my eyes on emerged out of a clump of bushes. They were making such a racket that I was surprised I didn't hear them earlier.

"But the Mistress asked to snatch the half-blood!" One of them screeched. "Snatch only!" They both had glowing red eyes which reminded me of the Fields of Punishment, tattered wings, and gruesome faces. The sight sent chills down my spine.

"So what? Retorted the other one. " She wanted them gone. What difference is that from having a nice meal?" The full meaning of their words struck me. They were searching for the girl. My mouth went dry. I looked around, trying to come up with a strategy.

"She is one of the seven! The seven!" The first harpy shot back. Surprised, my focus wavered and my shield disappeared. I was left standing in full view of two hungry, and not to mention ugly, monsters.

I smiled calmly and bowed. "Greetings, ladies." The harpies recoiled.

"Son of Hades!" They hissed. Then, seemingly recovering they attacked, shrieking all the while. I winced. Their voices made me feel like clawing my ears out.

"You will be a nice appetizer!" Dodging a swipe from the second harpy, I twisted my ring of my finger. It transformed into my short black sword. Percy was told me that it was as black as a nightmare. I grinned beatifically. Swinging my sword around, I caught the first harpy by surprised, and plunged the sword into her heart. My sword immediately absorbed her essence. I turned back to the remaining harpy.

"Fool!" She shrieked. "You cannot hope to defeat my mistress." I didn't waste my breath arguing otherwise. Feinting, I slashed her legs and, as quick as lightning, brought my sword upwards to cleave the head.

Silence fell. Through the treetops, I could see that the sky was tinted with the first light of dawn. Willing my sword to change shape, I slipped the ring back onto my finger. My other ring twitched and I froze, then grinned. Stepping into a quickly disappearing shadow, I twisted in the darkness, a satisfied smile on my face.

My mission was almost over.

AN: I know, I know, I'm late! But still, it's a nice, long, juicy chapter! But it's another cliffhanger, I know and I'm sorry. I will start on the next chapter right away. The reasn for all these cliffhangers is time. The next part of this story needs to have perfect timing so the right person gets to narrate. So onward!

Don't forget to review!