I do not own Percy Jackson nor Heroes of Olympus, they belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter Thirty - Alyx

Reyna slammed her hand on the map.

"We need to attack. It's the only way to get our children back." Shouts of agreements went up.

Everyone that was on the quest last summer, excluding Jasmine and Gray, but including Carlos and Liam, had been captured overnight. It was around 6:30 in the morning, the entire camp awake.

She was leaned up against the wall behind Reyna, Chiron and Clarisse. They stood at the table, trying to pin point where they were located.

"Alyx, what do you think?" They turned, looking at her with curious eyes. She picked at her nails.

"To be honest, it's a stupid idea."

"Hey! Our kids have been captured-" Clarisse started. She lifted her head, her eyes a cold steel. Clarisse froze, her fingers loosening around her dagger and dropping it to the floor.

"One, you don't know the layout of Tartarus at all. Two, Tartarus is swarming with monsters that are bloodthirsty and will kill any demigod on sight. Three, Akira has guards swarming the castle and his kingdom. Four, if he does sense an army coming, he will either hurt or kill one of them." She raised her eyebrows. "See my point?"

"Very well explained, my dear Alyx."

He stood there, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and black skinny tie. His hair was slicked back and his eyes glinted with triumph and pride. Everyone stood, glaring at him and reaching for their weapons.

"No, no." He flicked his hand, everybody but her freezing. "If you attempt to harm me, I will give the order to kill one of your friends. Probably starting with the mortal."

"M-Mortal?"

"Yes." A smile came onto his face. "Bianca, yes? Named after Bianca di Angelo?"

"Don't say her name, you bastard." Nico hissed, his eyes burning with hatred. Akira simple smiled.

"They certainly have been entertaining. The mortal is much stronger than I thought she would be." His smile turned into a grin. "And the Hephaestus boy is rather entertaining as well."

"If you so much as lay a finger on my son-" Calypso started.

"No, no. The other one. Carlos, yes? He's my personal slave-"

TWACK!

He froze, the grin wiping off his face, stiffening at the wind from the throw.

"If you lay a hand on him," she growled. "I will end your life and army." He cleared his throat, brushing his shoulder with his hand.

"You've certainly gotten faster." He commented, looking at the knife embedded in the wall. He pulled it out, examining it. "Is this steel and Stygian Iron?"

"Celestial Bronze." She said gruffly.

"Hm." He slid his fingers over it, but hissed and dropped it. "By the way, your deadline to come and rescue your friends is three days." He smirked. "Hurry, my dear. Come alone. It won't be long until I get impatient." He licked his lips and vanished in a cloud of smoke, the grip on everyone vanishing. She glared at her shoes.

"You're not thinking of going, are you…?" She felt her dad's hand gently grip hers, his fingers long and slim, but rough from working. She pressed her forehead to his shoulder.

"I have to, Papa…"

After saying her goodbyes, she went to her mother's room. She laid her hand on the knob, taking a breath and opening it. She was sitting in bed, reading a book, the twins in their cribs. She heard soft cooing and whining, and saw their little feet kicking up.

"Oh, honey." She closed her book, marking it and putting it to the side. "I know that look. What happened?" She patted a spot. She loved her mother. Soft and gentle, but strong and commanding in combat, despite not fighting in years. She was similar to Grandma Sally, in a way.

"The others were kidnapped overnight." She said softly. She explained her story, everything from the moment she woke up in the forest to now. She watched her mom think about it after she finished.

"Then I guess you need to go." She smiled, gently cupping her cheek. "To think you are seventeen now." Her hand was warm and soft, unlike other architects who had rough and dry skin from drawing blueprints and writing all the time.

"Come back safely, alright?"

She zipped up the Ziploc, slipping it in the small pouch with the vials of nectar. She double checked the bag. Nectar, ambrosia, a first aid kit, and some snacks. She closed it, clasping and pulling it on her shoulder, then glancing at her backpack. She went over, pulling out the box.

"How will I know when to open it?" She asked Charles.

"You'll know when the time comes." He smiled warmly. "Please, be careful with my son. He's not made for fighting."

"I understand." She bowed. "I will protect him."

She gently put it back. Not the time right now, she thought, zipping it up.

"Really going, huh?" She turned to see Isaac leaning in the doorway, a satchel over his shoulder, his sword on his hip.

"Um, yes. What are you doing?"

"Going with you."

"No, you're not." She glared. "Look, you might've gone through Tartarus alone, but this guy is probably way smarter than last summer. Let me come. I know how to fight and I'm a skilled battle planner."

"You sure about that?"

"Shut up." She eyed him carefully before sighing, adjusting her strap.

"Fine." She looked at herself in the mirror. A short sleeve, skinny jeans, gloves and Converse hi-tops. In all black. Her hair was still ruffled from sleeping, but she smoothed it down. She had wrapped her arms with bandages, since it'd become a habit.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yeah." She sighed. "Meet at Central Park in an hour in a half."

"Okay." He said. "What are you doing?"

"Just… Go there and wait." He shrugged but nodded.

She opened the door to the New York University building. The receptionist looked up.

"How can I help you?"

"I'm here to see Harper Beckendorf."

To Be Continued...