The next afternoon, June 14, seven days before the solstice, our train rolled into Denver. We hadn't eaten since the night before in the dining car, somewhere in Kansas. We hadn't taken a shower since Half-Blood Hill, and I was sure that was obvious.

We found a do-it-yourself car wash so Annabeth could contact Chiron using a drachma through Iris-Message, a magical form of communication in which Iris, the goddess of rainbows and messenger of the gods would pass the message. Luke answered and we told him everything. He told us about The mess that was going on at Camp Half-Blood. Word got out about the standoff between Zeus and Poseidon so people are taking sides. Aphrodite, Ares, and Apollo are backing Poseidon and Athena is backing Zeus. Luke said is was probably the same scumbag who let the hellhound in to camp. Me, Annabeth, and Grover went to go scan for any places to eat while Percy finished the call.

However, After hearing my stomach growl, Luke cut the call so we could go eat. However, there was no place for us to go summon some food without causing suspicion so we went to a local diner.

We were sitting at a booth in a gleaming chrome diner. All around us, families were eating burgers and drinking malts and sodas. I fiddle with my ring as we waited for the waitress

Finally the waitress came over. She raised her eyebrow skeptically. "Well?"

Percy said, "We, um, want to order dinner."

"You kids have money to pay for it?"

Before anyone could come up with a sob story, a rumble shook the whole building caused by a motorcycle the size of a baby elephant pulling up to the curb. When I saw the motorcycle, my blood ran cold. The seat looked like leather, but I knew what it was: Caucasian human skin. It had Shotgun holsters on either side with shotguns in them.

Odd enough, all conversation in the diner stopped. However, my gut was telling me to fight. Ares was here. I feel the same vibe from him I do from Clarisse, just a whole lot older and more powerful.

He was dressed in a red muscle shirt and black jeans and a black leather duster, with a hunting knife strapped to his thigh. He wore red wraparound shades, His face handsome but brutal due to all the scars on it

I felt a soft buzz in my eyes and everyone went back to talking. The waitress blinked, as if somebody had just pressed the rewind button on her brain. She asked us again, "You kids have money to pay for it?"

The biker stared at me for a bit, then said, "It's on me." He slid into our booth, which was way too small for him, and crowded Annabeth against the window.

He looked up at the waitress, who was gaping at him, and said, "Are you still here?"

He pointed at her, and she stiffened. She turned as if she'd been spun around, then marched back toward the kitchen.

Ares looked at Percy and Me. Percy looked ready to commit arson. Whatever effect this guy was having on people, it doesn't work on me. But his treatment of other people really pisses me off. "What are you doing here?" I said,

Annabeth's eyes flashed me a warning. "Zari, this is—"

"Oh we know, Blonde Brainiac. I recognized that ugly-ass vicious smirk anywhere." said Percy. Grover was scared shitless, "Percy, this isn't the time for sassy. Ple-?!"

"S'okay, little Markor," he said. "I've come to terms with the effect my divine aura has on people. As long as he stays in what I would consider toleratable sass."

But he looked at me and said, "But for some reason, it doesn't work on you. Odd"

"I'm the chosen one, I guess," I said, using a mock-ominous voice.

"I like this one," Ares grinned and took off his shades. Where his eyes should've been, there was only fire, empty sockets glowing with miniature nuclear explosions.

Looking at Percy, he said "So little cousin, I heard you broke Clarisse's spear."

"Should've told her not to fuck with us. She was asking for it."

"Eh, water under the bridge. She was too much anyway and had it coming."

The waitress came back with heaping trays of food— cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and chocolate shakes.

Ares handed her a few gold drachmas.

She looked nervously at the coins. "But, these aren't . . ."

Ares pulled out his huge knife and started cleaning his fingernails. "Problem, sweetheart?"

"I apologize for our... cousins' behavior. He has IED, Internment Explosive Disorder and Severe daddy and mommy issues and his sister just died. Mental headcase basically," said Percy, while giving an apologetic smile. "Here, You deserve this," handing her a hundred-dollar bill as a tip.

I gave him a look and he said "Helen. Man, that girl is a keeper."

Annabeth flinched at this. I gave her a chill-out look.

The waitress smiled nervously and walked away with both the drachmas and money.

"What's your problem? She's just trying to do her job." I growled.

Ares laughed. "Have you not seen the hidden wars this country goes through? They're so satisfying. Believe me, my treatment of her is nothing compared to what this country is going through. However, I came here with a proposition"

"What favor could we do for a god, an otherworldly being who has all the time in the world, can access powers we can only dream of having, and can travel to and from any place in the world within seconds?"

"Something a god doesn't have time to do himself, Fish-Fuck. It's nothing much. I left my shield at an abandoned water park here in town. I was going on a little . . . date with my girlfriend. We were interrupted. I left my shield behind. I want you to fetch it for me."

"Why don't you go back and get it yourself? Should be pretty easier for someone who can teleport to and back from any location is the time it takes to finish this sentence."

The fire in his eye sockets glowed a little hotter. Percy and Me just gave him a murderous look. we have nothing eft to lose

"Why don't I turn you and Fish-Fuck over here into prairie dogs and run you over with my Harley? Because I don't feel like it.

A god is giving you punks an opportunity to prove yourself, Percy Jackson and Zarion Frost. Will you prove yourself cowards?" He leaned forward. "Or maybe fish fuck only fight when there's a river to dive into, so your daddy can protect you."

"And I wouldn't be talking such smack, colorful cuntface. Unclaimed don't EVER go on quests. You're the first in history."

"And I'm about to be the first in history to whoop your ass...Wait now that I think about it, didn't Athena already whoop your ass?"

"We're not interested," Percy said. "We've already got a quest."

Ares glared at me "I know all about your quest, punks. Who do you think had to look for it first? The bolt is a weapon of war and After not even me being able to find it, Aunt Hestia convinced Zeus to give you a chance to find it, I told him my suspicions about old Corpse Breath."

"You told him Hades stole the bolt?" exclaimed Percy.

"Absolutely. In a way, you got me to thank for your little quest. Look little cousin, I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. Your dad and I go way back. "

"Thanks," Percy grumbled. I was getting really pissed off at the fact the gods think mortal lives are expendable.

"Hey, What can I say, I'm a generous guy. Just do my little job, and I'll arrange a ride west for you and your friends."

"We're doing fine on our own," muttered Percy.

"Yeah, right. If you call having no money, no wheels, and no idea what you're up against fine, yea. Come on, help me and I'll help you. I know something about your moms."

Me and Percy shared a look, then looked back at Ares.

He grinned. "I knew that would get you attention. The water park is a mile west on Delancy. You can't miss it. Look for the Tunnel of Love ride."

"Tch. running from something that ruined your date?" I asked.

"Yea, what could possibly scare of the the 'great God of war'"

Ares looked ready to rip us apart but showed restraint. I narrowed my eyes. Odd.

"You're lucky you met me, punk, and not one of the other Olympians. They're not as forgiving of rudeness as I am. I'll meet you back here when you're done. Don't disappoint me. Or else my father will find out about your little river's sec—"

Now I admit, I may have or may have not lost it for a second there. Before Ares could finish his sentence, I had Ares by the throat while Percy had his knife at Ares's cheek, "If anything happens to Helen, nothing, and I mean NOTHING on Olympus with stop us from ripping you apart with our bare hands. We'll get your stupid oversized dinner plate."

"If Cassandra is harmed, I will make your kids and the entire Olympian Council watch me rip your heart out. Don't fuck with me, Ares. I don't care if yo—?!"

Boy

"Dad?" I looked around and saw a crow. Ares and my friends looked to where I was looking. The entire diner was unaware of everything we were doing. Perks of being a God.

I understand your frustration but never let the enemy rule your emotions

"I don't let ANY—"

—One threatened family. I know. I've watched over you, boy. I know about your morals.

"Fine."

"Who's that punk?"

Ahh my former protege. Glad to see you're doing well. I see you did become my successor.

"I never had a master!"

Just like you never love a woman named Sirena

Ares paled, "I never told anyone that. Ever!"

You told me, Ares. And I know so much more. So as the mortals would say: Fuck off

Ares disappeared before away our eyes. His motorcycle was gone too.

Annabeth whacked us on the head, "Idiots! Do you have any idea what Ares can do to his enemies?"

Percy glared at her, "Let's just get the stupid shield."

We finished our food in silence and left the diner.

By the time we found the waterpark, the sun was sinking behind the mountains. It was abandoned. Everything was old and empty. Fliers and tickets fluttered everywhere and were spread all over the place. The sign that once said WATERLAND had some of the letters missing, reading as WATRAD.

The main gate had barbwire and was padlocked

"If this is the ideal date place to Ares," I said, staring up at the barbed wire, "His date has gotta be ugly."

"Yeah, It doesn't matter how rich a guy is, no woman would've ever agree to have a date here."

"Guys," Annabeth warned. "Be less disrespectful"

"But he's an asshole"

"Yeah, he's more of a dick than Dionysus. I didn't even think that was possible."

"He's still a god. And his girlfriend is very temperamental."

"So?" said Percy. "We got nothing left to lose."

"Guys, The last person who disrespected her had their wife lusted after a bull as punishment," warned Grover. "Where do you think the Minotaur came from?"

"You're serious?" I said, recoiling disgust. "Who is she anyway?"

"Aphrodite," said Grover with a longing look on his face. "Goddess of Love."

"Oh you mean the ugly chick who started a war over a stupid beauty contest?" said Percy.

Annabeth and Grover paled.

I narrowed my eyes, "Yeah. Also isn't she married?"

"Yeah, and didn't she force a sculptor to get married against his will?"

"Yea and didn't she let her own son become one with a rapist? Hermaphroditus, the one she had with Hermes? I mean the kid told the woman no and when shit got extreme, the gods granted the rapist's wish instead of helping the kid?"

(A/N: I don't care what anyone says, There has never been a bigger parental fuck-up than Hermes and Aphrodite. They had a son named Hermaphoditus, who was a good-looking kid. One day when he was 15, a nymph named Salmacis fell for him and tried to get with him. He made it clear he wasn't into her, so when he was bathing in a fountain one time, she tried forcing herself on him, and during the struggle, she prayed to the gods that they be joined forever. Instead of Hermes or Aphrodite helping Hermaphroditus, you know their son, the gods granted her wish, I kid you not, they granted the wish of a rapist, knowing damn well Hermaphroditus didn't give ANY consent at all, whatsoever, and fused the two together forever, becoming the first entity with both male and female genitalia. You thought neglecting Luke and his mom was bad? Try living with the knowledge you own parents let you become one with someone who tried to rape you. They got mad and cursed the fountain so whoever touched its waters would be cursed with the same fate. Salmacis was the first female rapist.)

"Yea, and didn't she give some girl named Psyche a hard life cause people said she was more beautiful than her? Even though Psyche never wanted any of the attention she was getting?"

"Y-you guys are crazy," said Grover.

"Ok and?" said Percy, "I don't care how physically appealing you are on the outside, as soon as I recognize your personality is the same as a Gabe, in my eyes, you're the ugliest person in the world."

Grover's eyes widen when he looked behind me. I looked and save a dove. Annabeth paled, "Doves are Aphrodite's sacred animal. She heard everything,"

"You guys better hope Poseidon can protect you guys. Let's just get back to the quest," muttered Grover.

"So how do we get in?"

"Maia!" Grover's shoes sprouted wings.

He flew over the fence, did an unintended somersault in midair, then stumbled to a landing on the opposite side. He dusted off his jeans as if he'd planned the whole thing. "You guys coming?"

I turned Green, grabbed both Annabeth and Percy, then hopped over. I had finally gotten the hang of green. Green is superhuman movement. I'm not sure about purple, though. It seems to be absorbing injury and redirecting it, but the more damage I take, the heavier my body becomes.

After searching for the Tunnel of Love, we saw there was a clothing store so we decided to get some fresh clothes. After changing, we all looked like living advertisements of the late park. Annabeth also grabbed some extra goodies.

When we found the Tunnel Of Love, I started feeling on edge, "Something's not right."

"Ares took his girlfriends to a run-down amusement park, dude, there's always something not right."

"You right."

In front of us was an empty pool that would've been awesome for skateboarding. It was at least fifty yards across and shaped like a bowl.

Around the rim, a dozen bronze statues of Cupid stood guard with wings spread and bows ready to fire. On the opposite side from us, a tunnel opened up, probably where the water flowed into when the pool was full. The sign above it read, THRILL RIDE O' LOVE: THIS IS NOT YOUR PARENTS' TUNNEL OF LOVE!

Grover crept toward the edge. "Guys, look."

Marooned at the bottom of the pool was a pink and white two-seater boat with a canopy over the top and little hearts painted all over it. In the left seat, glinting in the fading light, was Ares's shield, a polished circle of bronze.

"You guys handle this. There's something I gotta check on," I said. Annabeth and Grover looked like they want to object, but Percy said "Sure thing dude."

I wandered around the park, waiting. Something has been following us. For the past few days I feel like there is something stalking us. Whatever it is, Grover can't sense it.

"You know usually this is the part where I say 'come out, I already know you there'. Just tell me who are you."

(Shoutout to Gammawolf he's is a genius)

"Wow. You are good." said a male voice. A tall dude walked out from behind a booth. His hair was chestnut brown and he had a slight tan. His eyes were indigo and he smiled at me. "My name is Carter. Carter Lancaster. You guys seem a bit off, so I decided to follow you."

"Off as in you're a monster or off as in you can see this," I said, summoning Firestorm. He held his hands up in surrender, "Not a monster. My dad is a God. At least that is what he told me on my 12th b-day when my powers came too."

I narrowed my eyes, "You and your dad are close?"

Carter nodded, "Yea, he lives with us. He's pretty chill considering he's a God of war. Just like yours."

"What are you talking about?" I said. My dad as far as I knew was...unknown. Carter raised an eyebrow, "I can sense it. You're a child of war. I thought you knew."

I shook my head no. Carter held out his hand, a mirage of Celtic daggers floating in front of it, "Being able to summon and Control any kind of weapon is the mark of a child of war."

"Who's your dad, anyway?" I asked, handing my hand out and trying to summon weapons like him.

"Camulus, Celtic God of War, Battle, and Fights," said Carter proudly. I sighed, "Of course. There's more than one set of gods. Why wouldn't there be?"

Carter narrowed his eyes, "What? You didn't know that?"

I shook my head.

"But the ones at my... home can't do that," I said, confused. Carter's eyes widened, "That's not good. It doesn't matter what pantheon, all children of war are supposed to have those powers."

"Well I'm from the Greek pantheon," I said, still trying to summon a weapon.

"Oh, never mind then. I understand."

"What do you mean?"

"Well isn't the king of your gods arrogant, paranoid, and controlling? Can't stop cheating on his wife? I guess it would make sense nearly no demigod in your pantheon has the powers they need to survive."

"Wait, what? To survive?"

"Yea. Don't any children of the sun have the power to control sunlight? What about children of Love? They should be able to control and weaponize rose petals or perfume. What about children of the blacksmith? They're supposed to be able to mold any type of metal with their mind and control its temperature. How about children of mischief and thievery? They're supposed to be able to move super fast and be able to turn invisible. Children of wisdom are supposed to be able to read minds and sense them and/or have a mind that works as fast as a supercomputer, allowing them to copy skills as soon as they see them."

"..."

"Judging by the look on your face, I'd say no dice."

"They just have innate extraordinary talents. And the body built to go with it."

"Your king god is a dick."

"Everyone knows that. I mean he turned his daughter into a tree to save her life, instead of actually saving her life." I said, finally conjuring a silver xiphos. Carter smiled and said, "See? I was right. The best part is, that it gets stronger the more it is used."

Carter waved his hand and thousands of knives appeared, swirled around him, then disappeared.

"Listen, it may be a lost cause, but you need to figure out how to awaken your demigod friends. They can do so much more. In fact, judging from how things are said to go down in the Greek pantheon, their lives depend on it," said Carter.

After handing me a pocket knife that I could use to summon him, he left.

I was furious. Doesn't Zeus care about his people? A true king worries for his people, not his throne.

Suddenly, I hear Percy and Annabeth yelling, so I ran back to the Tunnel Of Love. Instead, I see Percy and Annabeth in the air so I yelled, "Grover you get Annabeth, I'll get Percy."

Grover was able to catch Annabeth but had a rough landing, resulting in her breaking her leg. I caught Percy and landed less roughly than the other two. He immediately rushes to Annabeth's side, Ares's shield in hand. She was wincing in pain, but still managed to stand. Man she's tough.

Percy turned and glare at the entrance to the pool, which had the Cupid statues that actually were filming us. The statues had swiveled so that their cameras were trained straight on us, the spotlights in our faces. The glare he had on his face made me flinch.

The ground was shaking and he roared, "If Annabeth doesn't make it, Ares, I WILL RIP YOUR FINGERS AND TOES OFF, SHOVE THEM SO FAR UP YOUR ASS, YOUR INSIDES WILL LOOK LIKE A FUCKING SAW MOVIE."

"Show's over!" I yelled. "Thank you! Good night!"

I saw a different color as I raised my hand, without realizing it, and a bolt of lightning shot from it and destroyed the entire pool entrance.

There was no one more shocked than me.

"Y-you're t-teal," grunted Annabeth, "A-at this p-point, I'm not even s-surprised. And Percy, you n-need to calm down. And c-clean your glasses."

As soon as Percy calmed down, the ground stopped shaking.

"Dude, you're earrings are glowing," said Percy. I touched to lightning bolt earrings I gotten from Thalia's tree. I can see some light coming off them. I suddenly felt a slight buzz and they stop glowing when my skin went back to normal.

(A/N: Power Planner will kick in to save the user's life if it can. When Zarion was struck ny lightning, his body absorb all the energy to protect Percy. Since Zeus doesn't have his master bolt, he wasn't able to kill Zarion or Percy. However, Zeus unknowingly made Zari stronger.

Teal: Energy absorption and redirection. However, NORMALLY he can't change back or switch to another color until he releases all the energy. However, whoever had Thalia give him the earrings knew he would get this power. And Thalia picked the weakness for this power since a part of her is in the earrings.)

"Who...What are you?" asked Grover. I shrugged, "Someone not to be fucked with I guess"

"And Percy, just and FYI, your father is titled 'the Earthshaker' as in he can create tremors and earthquakes. Be careful next time," said Annabeth. However, Percy had summon some water from the Tunnel Of Love ride and used it to heal Annabeth's leg. He was a bit drained, but still pissed, "I need to have a little chat with Ares."

The war god was waiting for us in the diner parking lot. Percy threw Ares shield at him, "You knew it was trap,"

Ares caught the shield and spun it in the air like pizza dough. It changed form, melting into a bulletproof vest. He slung it across his back.

Ares gave us a wicked grin. "I can only imagine the look on that ugly blacksmith's face when it was a couple of kids that fell for his trap. You look good on TV."

I glared Daggers at him. Literally. A mirage of Daggers circled around me. However, That made me tap out and Percy had to support me while walking

Ares narrowed his sockets at me, "I like you, punk. You and Fish-fuck over here are interesting. But back to business."

Our free ride was an eighteen-wheeler parked across the street from the diner. Grover had to read the sign cause my dyslexia made me give up: KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL: HUMANE ZOO TRANSPORT. WARNING: LIVE WILD ANIMALS.

He also gave us a blue nylon backpack off his handlebars. Inside were fresh clothes for all of us, twenty bucks in cash, a pouch full of golden drachmas, and a bag of DoubleStuf Oreos.

"So," said Ares, kickstarting his motorcycle, "You really think you can handle the news about your moms?"

"Unless you start talking, we start walking," I said.

"They're not dead, punk."

"Oh my god, you're right. It's not like we watched them disintegrate before our very eyes, but yea, they're not dead."

"They dissolved into piles of golden dust, correct?"

I nodded.

"Lucky for you punks, that's not death. It's metamorphosis. Someone is keeping her."

"Why would anyone would wanna keep our moms?"

"Your camp needs to teach a class on war tactics. Hostages. To take control over someone."

"No one controls us."

"If you punks say so," said a laughing Ares.

"I wouldn't be acting all smug. I'm not the one who ran from a bunch of cupid statues," muttered Percy, clinching his fist.

"Watch your back, Jack Frost. We'll meet again." He revved his Harley, then roared off down Delancy Street.

Annabeth said, "That was not smart, guys."

"I don't care."

"Yea, he's a prick."

"You know what? Never mind. Let's just go"

We ran across the street and climbed in the back of the big rig, closing the doors behind us.

And what we saw nearly made us hurl.

Sitting in a row of filthy metal cages were three of the most pathetic zoo animals I'd ever beheld: a zebra, a male albino lion, and some weird antelope thing I didn't know the name for. The smell hit me like an anvil. Like shit mixed with throwup.

They were given food they weren't even gonna eat; Turnips for the lion and meat for the zebra and antelope. The antelope had a Balloon tied to it with some gum in its mane.

"This is kindness?" Grover yelled. "Humane zoo transport?"

Before anyone could go give the transporters a piece of our minds, The truck started and we had to sit down as the ride started rolling.

Grover communicated with animals as me and Percy got them some water with a water jug. When I came close to the lion cage to switch the food with the zebra and antelope's, The lion Backed away.

Thank you for your kindness, my king.

I looked around to make sure I'm not crazy. I looked at the lion, "Uhhhhh...Was that you?"

"Dude, who are you talking to?"

I understand your confusion. All who wear the pelt of a progenitor can understand felines.

"Apparently anyone who wears the Nemean Lions pelt can talk to all felines."

"Ooooo sweet."

Annabeth cut the Ballon off the antelope's head while Grover calmed him down. We decided to leave the gun alone since we in a moving vehicle. Grover promised the animals we would help them more in the morning, so we settled down for the night.

My dream was informing.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

I was in the forest, on a cliff. It was night and I looked down the cliff. It was nothing but silver I looked around but couldn't find the source of the voice.

"Yoohoo. Looking for me? Look up silly"

I looked up at the moon, confused. It was a lot closer to me than normal.

"Sweet, I have your attention. So, Just wanted to let you know to watch your back. Can't have one of my favorite bloodlines dying out on me

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Oooo the mouth on this one. Just like your mother"

"Who th—"

"Tsk tsk tsk, questions, questions, I know you have them, but unfortunately, I can't answer them. You're not aware of yourself yet."

"Then why bring me here, dumbass."

"Temper Temper, little Wild Card. All questions will be answered soon. However, you will need to harness your true power. Start exploring your abilities. You do want to protect your friends, right?"

"Of course. They're my family."

"Ooooo, Familial love. Good. Hold onto that. Use it. It can make you stronger,"

"What are you really after?"

I don't know who this guy is, but he seems to know too much about me.

"Oh nothing but your survival, but let me make it interesting for you. Don't you want to find out why the birthmark on your chest is in the shape of a dragon with a crescent on it?"

My eyes widened. Only Percy, Mother, and Momma know about that.

"I'll give you a hint: The crescent part comes from the heritage associated with me"

"Who are you?"

"Ah, ah, ah, can't tell you that. Now till next time. You're waking up."

I woke up to Grover and Percy pulling me behind feed sacks, whispering we need to hide cause they're coming to check on the animal. Annabeth had nothing to worry about cause all she had to do was put her cap on and disappear.

The trailer doors creaked open. Sunlight and heat poured in.

Watching the way the Truckers treated the animals made me consider being a vegan.

"Hey big boy, you look like you need to cool off." he said to the lion, putting some water in the animal dishes then splashing the rest of the bucket right in the lion's face.

Retched human. I would rip your throat out with my teeth if I could.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," the man said.

Percy and I had to hold Grover down to keep him from tearing the trucker a asshole. Let me tell you, You don't know Grover's strength until you commit acts against nature in front of him. Even I could barely restrain him and I'm the strongest one here.

The trucker threw the antelope a squashed-looking Happy Meal bag. He smirked at the zebra. "Hey Stripes, how are ya? This is your stop. You like magic shows? You're gonna love this one. They're gonna saw you in half!"

Percy twitched when the Zebra looked in our direction.

The was a sudden bunch of knocks that brought the guy, who was apparently named Maurice to his partner, name Eddie, out of the truck to see what the ruckus was about.

Annabeth appeared as soon as Maurice left.

Percy said, "This transport business can't be legal. There's gotta be at least 5 things in here that would send them to jail."

"It isn't legal," Grover said, yanking himself out of me and Percy's grip. "The lion says these guys are animal smugglers!"

"We've got to free them!" Grover said. Percy cut all the animal locks. The zebra bowed to us and Percy said, "You're welcome,"

Grover held up his hands and said something to the animals in goat talk, like a blessing.

The animals all escaped, hopping over Maurice's head, just as he opened the door

Maurice and Eddie ran after them, with a few policemen running after them, shouting, "Hey! You need a permit for that!"

"Now would be a good time to leave," Annabeth said.

Some tourists screamed. Most just backed off and took pictures, probably thinking it was some kind of stunt by one of the casinos.

"Will the animals be okay?" I asked Grover. "I mean, the desert and all—"

"Don't worry," he said. "I placed a satyr's sanctuary on them."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning they'll reach the wild safely," he said. "They'll find water, food, shade, whatever they need until they find a safe place to live."

"Why can't you place a blessing like that on us?" Percy asked.

"It only works on wild animals."

"So it would only affect Percy and Zari," Annabeth reasoned.

"Hey!" We protested.

"Kidding," she said. "Come on. Let's get out of this filthy truck."

Boy

"Aagh, Dad. Stop doing that! What do you want?"

Everyone looked at me in confusion.

I need you and your friends to go to the Lotus Casino.

"Uhhhh why?"

I made a promise I intend to keep.

"Fine, but it better not be a side quest."

I will guide you and I promise it won't take long. Take some time to rest up, then I will give further instructions.