Ch31

Percy tried his best to follow the van but soon found himself lost. They couldn't have gotten far. He scanned the horizon trying to find the car but to no avail.

A part of him was still wondering if he should even be helping. It was obvious that Zoe didn't want help, especially his help. Yet he knew that it was the right thing to do, deep down he really did want to help find Artemis and Thalia.

Please be safe Thalia. We didn't know each other long enough but I hope you are ok.

Resting on a building Blackjack let out yelp as various vines grabbed him and the other pegasi. A misty image appeared in front of them to reveal Dionysus who didn't look amused, "Going somewhere boys?"

"Uh hey Mr. D," He said calmly as Blackjack tried to remain calm. "We are just off to save Artemis?"

Dionysus frowned at them, "Why would you do that? The hunters and Mr. Underwood already left."

"It's the right thing to do," he said looking the god in his eyes. "I know you don't care for us heroes but we need to help her."

Dionysus stared at them with a bemused expression. "Right thing to do? You heroes are so arrogant, you only care about yourselves and your own glory."

"But we are here right now," Chrysaor said meeting the god's gaze. The pegasi he was on stared at him as he spoke, "Artemis needs help and without her many will get hurt. I know Percy is doing this out of his own free will, he doesn't care about the glory. We want to do the right thing and help her so please let us pass."

He looked at his brother in surprise, Chris wasn't much to talk about heroes or doing the right thing. You've been acting weird. Is it because of your brother? He knew Chrysaor was having dreams for some reason and whatever it was it would happen out here on the quest.

"Fine," Dionysus stared as the vines around their pegasi disappeared. "Who knows maybe I'll have less campers to deal with." The image of the god disappeared and they were left on the edge of the building.

"Well that was close," Chrysaor said as they flew through the sky. "I think I see them down there?" His brother pointed to a familiar van in the distance speeding through the street.

Squinting he saw the van the hunters were using ride out of the city. "Come on lets follow them."

"Artemis is being held west why are they heading south?" He asked as the van went south into Pennsylvania.

Chrysaor frowned. "I don't know maybe Grover's tracking is leading them somewhere?" His brother seemed more preoccupied with not making eye contact with the pegasi as they flew. "They should be going to California. That's where it will all go down."

"Why there?" He asked taken aback by his brother's attitude.

"Oh um I sort of had a dream about a certain someone," Chris mumbled "He is in the west, apparently a lot of monsters are out here." His brother cleared his throat. "My uh other brother."

He looked at Chris who sat rigidly on his pegasi. "Is he ok?"

"I guess," Chrysaor said softly. "We grew apart and haven't spoken in ages since we fought. But he always manages to get out of sticky situations."

He nodded. "I see. Well maybe there is a reason why you are getting those dreams about him now?"

Chrysaor froze his posture turning rigid. "Yeah maybe."

He shifted in his seat. "I mean I know it's not really my business but do you think he still cares about the last time you fought?"

His brother remained silent. "I don't know," Chris said softly a hint.

"Well I'm sure he probably misses you too deep down," he said carefully. "I mean you've changed a lot since we first met." Chysaor didn't say anything but only stared ahead.

Well so much trying to get it out of you. He decided not to push his brother any further as they flew south. Eventually they arrived in Washington DC and bought some refreshments for their pegasi. "Alright guys you can head back to camp now," Percy said as he gave them each a donut they bought from a convenience store.

"Are you sure boss?" Blackjack asked after he ate the donut whole.

"Don't worry we go this," he said looking at them both. "We'll take care of things."

"Well alright. I hope you both stay safe," Blackjack said before flying off with the other pegasi.

They found the hunter's van near a museum followed by screaming. "What the hell is that?" He asked drawing his sword. A large lion broke through the entrance while Grover, Zoe, and her hunters tried to fight it.

"The Nemean Lion," Chrysaor said drawing his sword. "Careful its fur is impenetrable we have to think of a way to harm it from the inside."

He nodded as they observed the surrounding area, "Look a fire hydrant!" Percy said. "Can you break it while I help them?"

"Sounds like a plan," Chrysaor said as they sprang into action.

Zoe and Bianca both stared at them in shock, well Zoe frowned as they charged forward with their weapons.

He quickly ran over to the fire hydrant and lopped the top off with his sword. Water erupted from the fire hydrant and he focused on it. The water bent to his will as he focused it on the lion. Percy and Zoe were now distracting it while Bianca and her companion Phoebe fired arrows at it.

"Percy focus the water into it!" Chrysaor yelled as they willed the water to fire at the Nemean Lion. He moved just as the lion was about to bite him and removed his sunglasses making eye contact with it.

The water went into the lion's mouth as they forced water down its throat. The lion roared as it tried to struggle against it but his brother held his gaze immobilizing it.

The lion whimpered its eyes going white and he charged at it with Riptide. Calm on we don't have time for this. He stabbed it in the eye sinking Riptide into its hilt. Gross. He winced The lion let out a moan as it disappeared into golden dust except for a fur coat on the ground.

"I did it," he said his heart racing in his chest.

"Good job Percy," Chrysaor said clapping his hands. "Take the coat it is a reward."

He picked it up, it looked neat. "Um thanks."

Zoe frowned at them, "We didn't need thine help."

"Well we are already here so we might as well work together," Chrysaor said folding his arms. "Besides I believe you could use all of the help you can get right now."

Zoe frowned but sighed, "Fine just don't get in our way Pirate Boy."

His brother smiled while ding a mock bow. "Of course madam."


Nico sat on a log alone holding in the tears. How could she just leave me like that? Anger swelled inside of him, his sister was gone and just abandoned him. Percy said he would watch over her but he didn't seemed to care. That part hurt him the most, Percy was like a real hero but when he spoke to him he seemed more annoyed than anything.

"Hey there what's wrong?" A sympathetic voice said. Turning around he saw a girl he recognized from the Aphrodite Cabin.

"S-Sorry my sister left with the hunters," he muttered. "What's your name again?"

"My name is Silena," She said sitting next to him a sympathetic smile on her face

She patted his shoulder, "Don't worry the Hunters are not nice people. If you need any help come and ask me ok?"

He smiled at her, "Thank you." Most everyone else seemed annoyed by him but she seemed kind. Even Percy wasn't this kind to me. It hurt that the son of Poseidon mostly kept to himself and seemed more annoyed by him. He was a hero to him, it was like one of his game brought to life

"Good now take this," Silena said as she handed him a nice gemstone bracelet.

"What's it for?" He asked as he put it on. It was cold and in one of the gemstones he swore he saw what looked like a scythe deep down.

"Consider it a gift," Silena said carefully her smile tense. "I mean you seem like a special boy, a true hero. Consider this your first gift. Welcome to camp."

His heart fluttered as he put it on. A pulse seemed to spread throughout his body as he looked at it. Cool! Just like Mythomagic. I'll be a real hero, one that Bianca will look up to then she won't need those pesky hunters anymore.

"Anyway keep it safe," Silena said. "There are a lot of thieves in the Hermes Cabin."

He nodded. "I will thank you."

Silena patted his shoulder before leaving. The rest of the evening was lonely. Most of the people in the Hermes Cabin ignored him and found him annoying and as much as he wanted to feel accepted a part of him couldn't.

I want to be a hero just. That way Bianca won't need the hunt and Percy he'll appreciate me too. He smiled at the thought of the son of Poseidon patting his shoulder and telling him good job. I'll be a hero I promise.

That night as he huddled up in his sleeping bag on the floor a cold presence washed over him. It pressed against his consciousness to the point he wanted to squirm away.

"So you want to be a hero? A cold voice said. "I could make that happen if you are loyal to me."

"Wh-Who are you?" He muttered in his head. His body tossed and turned as he felt the presence push against him.

"You can say that we are family," The voice said with a small chuckle. "This camp is too small for you. Your potential is limitless if you follow me."

He felt the presence push against him. Limitless potential? The voice's words excited him. He didn't feel afraid anymore. I can be a hero. A real hero.

Images played out in his head. Bianca was with him rejecting the hunt, embracing him and praising him for being a hero. Percy the son of Poseidon's smile melted his heart as he invited him to hang out. I could be a hero.

"Rest well child," the voice said. "Listen and follow me and your desires will become the best hero this world has seen.

The best hero.


Reyna gripped her sword as she parried her sister's strikes. Hopefully they are ok. She was still getting used to Percy and his brother but they were both kind to them and she was grateful for this place.

Her sister Hylla countered her attack though her gaze seemed to be elsewhere. "Is something the matter?" She asked.

Hylla sighed as they lowered their swords. "No just bored." Her sister sighed as she looked around the training ground. "It's a shame we can't have a quest of our own."

"Yeah but we've only been here for a few months," she said. "We don't even know who are parents are." Or why we aren't to speak of them. But she didn't care, she sort of liked the camp and the opportunity to train.

Hylla sighed as she sheathed her blade and looked up at the sky. "I want to explore the world though."

"You mean like the hunters?" She asked.

"Sort of but I don't know if want to give up men completely," Hylla sighed. Her sister turned to her. "They have mentioned the Amazons to me, apparently they are a thing too but without the ban on men. How would you feel if I joined them?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "If it makes you happy I don't mind just think it through."

"I know," Hylla said. "I mean this camp is cool and all but I don't like being restricted. How about you? Do you want to stay or join one of these groups?"

"For now I'll stay. It's not like I have anything else to do," She said as they headed back to their cabin. "Besides I kind of like it here despite it being disorganized."

"I get that," Hylla said. "Almost like a shoe on the wrong foot."

As they approached the Poseidon Cabin she noticed that boy Nico di Angelo playing by himself in front of the Artemis Cabin. He was muttering to himself rocking back and forward while playing his card game with an imaginary friend. Poor boy. She shook her head as they entered the Cabin together.

"That child was sitting there this entire morning muttering to himself," Hylla said they sat on their beds. "His sister leaving must be affecting him hard."

"I imagine so. He is so young," she said as she watched Circe rest in her cage. "But I'm sure he'll adjust eventually."

"True. Being a demigod isn't easy," Hylla said as she looked up at the ceiling. "If I were to join those Amazons are you sure you wouldn't be upset?"

"I'm sure," She said firmly. "We are sisters. I'll support your decision."

Hylla smiled at her. To her surprise her sister went over and hugged her. "That means a lot."

She smiled back and hugged her sister. "We've been through so much. I want you to be happy. Don't worry about me I'll be safe here."