Ch50

The next day after getting ready Eurytion gathered them around and took out a metal disk. "This here should take you to Hephaestus, follow it quickly it runs fast." He tapped the button and the disk turned into a large spider.

Malcolm screamed and grabbed onto him.

"Sorry he is afraid of spiders," he said as he calmed Malcom down. "Come on we have to follow it ok?"

Malcolm nodded his face tense with fear as the spider began to move. They followed the spider as it ran through the dark labyrinth. They were chasing it when a large creature growled and leaped in front of them.

"I am the great sphinx. To pass you must answer my riddle," the sphinx said.

Malcolm took a deep breath and stepped forward, his body shaking, "I'll handle this," he muttered. "I'll answer your challenge," Malcolm said trying to sound confident. "What is the riddle?"

"What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on?" The sphinx asked.

Come on you can do this. He watched as Malcolm scratched his head his brow furrowing as he thought of an answer. "A coat of paint."

"Correct. I have branches but no trees or leaves what am I?" the Sphinx asked.

"A bank," Malcolm said quickly.

"Correct. Your final question how many apples can you eat if your stomach is empty?" The sphinx asked.

"Just one because then it won't be empty," Malcolm said confidently.

"Correct you may all pass," The sphinx said.

"Hey good job there," he said as they ran after the spider.

Malcolm's face turned red. "Thanks. I liked doing riddles when I was younger."

Eventually, they reached a tall metal door with various Ancient Greek symbols on it.

"Ready to meet Hephaestus," Grover asked nervously.

"No," he said as Tyson and Malcolm opened the door and they all followed her inside of it.

They entered a large room that was full of mechanical things and various hydraulic lifts. Wow this place is pretty cool he said as he and Malcolm stared in awe at the various pieces of equipment and projects all around them. That was when they saw Hephaestus tinkering with some machines. Here in his workshop Hephaestus did not appear to be preoccupied with his appearance as he wore a dirty jumpsuit, which was covered in grease while his misshapen head was covered in sweat and grime.

"Um Lord Hephaestus," Malcolm said speaking up.

Hephaestus stopped working on his project and looked at them, "Half bloods," he said looking over each of them. "What brings you all here?"

"Um sir," Malcolm said hesitantly. "We are looking for Daedalus, we thought-"

"Daedalus?" The god roared causing his workshop to quake. His beard burst into flames and his black eyes glowed. "You want that old scoundrel."

"Um, yes sir please," Malcolm said nervously

Hephaestus sighed as he calmed down, "You're wasting your time, that is an expensive favor. I can do anything else to help you all but that is not an easy task. It would be wise not to go looking."

"You know where he is then?" Malcolm said. "We need to find him, its urgent for the camp."

Hephaestus narrowed his eyes and nodded, "I do but there is a price and I need a favor to be done."

"We will do it," Percy said. His friends nodded in agreement.

Hephaestus started laughing, "You heroes always make rash promises but fine." He turned on a TV near them and they saw what appeared to be a large volcano. "Mt St. Helen it used to be one of my favorite forges and the monster Typhon is sealed beneath it. I have sensed intruders in my mountains; someone or something is using them. When I go they are empty but I know someone is using them and my automatons do not return when I send them there. I want to know who dares invade my territory and if they mean to unleash Typhon."

He looked at Percy and they both nodded, "We will do it," he said. "How do we get there?"

Hephaestus clapped his hands and the spider jumped in front of them causing Malcolm to jump back a bit. "My creation will show you the way, it is not far from the Labyrinth, stay alive," he said as the spider began to walk towards the door.

They ran after the spider and for awhile they were doing good. However, when they reached a large tree root Grover suddenly stopped. "This is it," he muttered looking at the tree.

"Grover we have to keep on moving," Bianca said.

Grover took a deep breath, "Pan is nearby I can smell him. You all go on ahead."

"But we can't the forges," Malcolm protested.

Grover looked at her sadly, "I have to, Malcolm don't you understand. This is my last chance."

Malcolm looked worried and was about to argue. "Don't worry he has this, trust me I think its for the best," he said. "Tyson accompany Grover and keep him safe ok?"

Tyson nodded. "I will!"

Malcolm looked at him with a tense expression but nodded. "Fine lets go. Be safe Grover"

Grover nodded, "I will good luck to you all we will meet again."

Bianca sighed as they ran after the spider. "This is bad, splitting up is a really bad idea.

"We will see him again come on the spider is almost out of sight," he said as they ran after it.

It wasn't long before the tunnel started to get hot. The stone walls glowed with heat as the air felt as if they were walking through an oven. They ran after the spider and found themselves in a large cavern the size of a large stadium There was no floor, just bubbling lava hundreds of feet below them. In the center was a huge platform with all sorts of machines, cauldrons, and forges, along with huge anvils and various other types of equipment.

That was when they also noticed the monsters. There were many of them and since they were far away they could not get a good look at them. "We'll never be able to sneak up on them," he said.

"I can wait here," Bianca said as she picked up the metal spider and deactivated it. "Hold this," she said as she passed the spider to him and hid in the shadows.

"What should we do now?" Malcolm asked looking at him with a tense expression.

That was when they heard the sounds of approaching monsters talking, "Lets hide for now," he said pointing to a cart. Malcolm and him went into a cart of supplies and covered themselves. They felt the cart lurch forward as the monsters talked, the cart eventually stopped as they reached what appeared to be a class for young monsters.

"What are we?" A monster asked.

"Telekhines and we serve Lord Kronos," another monster said. He looked at Malcolm as they both gripped their weapons. He activated Riptide while Malcom gripped his sword.

"If things go bad take your use the cap and run with Bianca," he said softly.

"What do you mean?" Malcolm said.

"Just in case," he said looking the blonde in the eyes.

"Now we have some scraps to practice with," The teacher monster said as he approached their cart. He gulped and gripped his sword as he saw the shadow of the monster.

As soon as the tarp was lifted he and Malcolm jumped out and swung his sword at the monster which looked like the combination of a dog and a sea lion.

The monster's head flew off as the rest of them snarled at them. "Demigods we will eat them," They snarled as they approached them.

"Back off!" he said trying to sound as tough as possible. "Or new lesson monsters will be vaporized like your teacher if you are sliced with a celestial bronze sword."

To both of their surprise, the monsters backed off as Percy grabbed his wrist. "Good now class dismissed," Percy said as they both booked it and ran.

"Bianca !" They both yelled as they ran through the corridors.

"Shh ," Malcolm said gripping his sword tightly. "Telekhines, they are making some sort of weapon, they betrayed the Gods before and Zeus banished them to Tartarus. We have to get out of here now."

He grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes, "Bianca I need you to take Malcolm in run while I hold them off"

"What that's suicide," Malcolm said. "You can't fight them all off!"

"I can hold them off just long enough no go!" He said gripping Riptide tightly.

"Come back safely ok," Malcolm said with a worried look.

He pulled the son of Athena in for a hug, "Don't worry I'll come back I promise."

Malcolm hugged him back before Bianca pulled him away. "I'll be waiting for you Percy," she said as they ran back towards the entrance.

"I'll be back I promise," He said as he gripped Riptide. He felt a tugging sensation in his body, Water is everywhere. It was something Triton once taught him, even in a place like a volcano there was water. So he called out to the sea remembering the waves and the currents, the endless power of the ocean. He let it lose with a scream as the area shook and blasted him upwards. Fire and water collided creating steam as he shot upward into the sky.


Thalia's head was spinning as she vomited again. Damn it did I catch something? Her body shook as she slouched against the wall of the motel bathroom. She was in a motel not far from Sacramento and was told to recuperate for a future battle.

Her body shook as she grabbed the water bottle and drained its contents. Think I couldn't have been poisoned I'm too valuable for that so why do I feel so sick?

She carefully got up and returned to her bed. Resting her head in her hands she tried to think of the causes. Could my father be punishing me? No he would kill me straight away. Besides I just feel weak not poisoned.

Resting on her bed she thought of anything else unusual that could've happened to her. I mean besides me not having my period in a while nothing is out of the ordinary. She froze at that thought her eyes widening as she looked up at the ceiling. Oh gods.

She covered her mouth tears forming in her eyes. No no it must be a coincidence. Just because we didn't use protection doesn't mean I'm pregnant. Yet that did little to sooth her mind.

"I'm just over thinking it," she said softly as she got up. "I just need a shower to cool off that's all."

After a nice warm shower she quickly went to bed to get some rest. As soon as she fell asleep she felt Kronos's presence.

"Thalia Grace I will you your brother soon perhaps you can convince him of the right path," Kronos said in his usual silky voice.

"He's alive?" The Titan Lord had always implied Jason was alive but right now it all but confirmed it.

"He is," Kronos said frankly. "But the situation is complex."

She noticed the careful way he spoke as if there was something even the great Kronos dared not to speak of. "What do you mean?"

"Greece wasn't always the pillar of western civilization," Kronos said carefully. "Normally I wouldn't risk this operation since if things go south I can get incapacitated too. But if done right I can kill two birds with one stone."

She didn't know what he was referring too but the carefulness of the Titan Lord made her curious at what was going on.

"Be safe and congratulations," the Titan Lord said with amusement.

She was left to sleep with more questions than answers. Still if I can find Jason even better. She stopped by the pharmacy and quickly grabbed some cold medicine, on the way to the register she saw the pregnancy test.

Swallowing a lump in her throat she instinctively took it and put in her cart. I'm not pregnant but still it would be better to know for sure. Deep down she didn't know how she would react if she were.

As soon as she got into the car the cyclops driver drove her towards the monster camp. It was full of various monsters and enemy demigods with their weapons drawn.

A cyclops came up to her and bowed. "Lady Thalia Lord Krios is waiting for us to deliver supplies to him on Mt. Othrys we shouldn't keep him waiting."

"Understood," she said as she was given a spear. "Lets get going then."

As soon as she got into the car she rubbed her head as a wave of fatigue hit her. Damn it why am I so tired? Fatigue spread through her body as she tried to concentrate but deep down something was different about her and she didn't want to face what it was.

Looking at the bag of supplies she got her she shook her head. I'm thinking this but just to be safe I'll take the test later.

She gripped her stomach her heart racing in her chest at the possibility she didn't want to face. But what if I was? She shook thinking of the possibilities. I can't raise a baby alone let alone in the titan camp.

She winced forcing the tears out of her eyes at the possibility. Oh gods what would I do? Her heart raced in her chest as she debated the possibilities. I'm too young to be a mother and Luke. Tears formed in her eyes knowing what her was about to do. Gods no.

As soon as they made it to the base near Mt. Othrys she quickly ordered the servants to show her to her room. She would mee with Krios in a bit but she had to get the worries out of her.

"Give me privacy," She told the demigods escorting her. "No one is to get in, I'll meet Lord Krios when I am done."

The two demigods nodded as she closed the door to her room. She quickly threw her bag on the bed and grabbed the pregnancy test.

Her hands shook as she tore it out of the box and quickly read the instructions. This is just to verify nothing more. Her heart pounded in her chest as she went to the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Oh gods what would I do anyway? She didn't know, she was at a complete loss at what to do as she pulled her pants down and sat with the pregnancy test in hand.

When the act was done she took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes. Looking down at the results her eyes widened as she saw one word and her world crashed down on her. Positive.

Her vision began to blur as she fell to the ground tears forming in her face as she held onto her stomach. Luke. Tears fell down her face as she let out a small sob. That was when she heard her door lock


Chrysaor blocked Reyna's strikes as the campers watched from a distance. Reyna was quick and agile her blows pressed him trying to find an opening.

He's gone. A pit formed in his stomach as the dream of Geryon passed through his head. He saw how his wayward son tried to fight to Percy and lost. Who knows maybe one day he can see the light.

A part of felt guilty yet a part of him knew his son well and knew his fate. We should all be given second chances though.

Raising his golden sword he blocked Reyna's attack and went on the offensive. Reyna tried to keep up he moved faster and disarmed her pointing his blade at her throat.

"I yield," Reyna said in frustration.

He removed the blade as the campers clapped. "Alright all of you practice disarming each other."

As the campers began to split into groups he and Reyna went to supervise them. "You're not half bad," he said as he watched. "Your swordsmanship is pretty good for the time you've been here."

Reyna nodded. "Thanks. The camp isn't half bad but we could use more organization. Clarisse yelled at me to go away when I suggested making adjustments to our phalanx."

Well you Romans always cared about the finer points of formation. "Don't worry we'll make sure we are prepared. Have you looked over the plans for the defense of the camp?"

Reyna nodded as they watched the campers disarm each other and practice their strikes. "We are still outnumbered. We can only do our best to survive."

"Don't worry I've been up against worse odds before," he said. "I was thinking of having the pegasi drop Greek Fire, it won't be much but cause sufficient pain to the enemy."

"We'll have to do our all to defeat the enemy," Reyna said as she looked up at the sky. "I wonder what my mother would say if she could see me now?"

"She would probably be proud of you," he said. "Gods aren't the best at showing it but they are grateful for their children when they accomplish great things."

Reyna nodded as she watched the campers practice. "Well either way we are on our own to defend the camp." Her gaze drifted to the clouds. "I wonder how Percy is doing?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine," he said. "He is stronger than he looks."

"I know," Reyna said softly. "He has done so much for me here, I hope I can support him with all I can."

"Your devotion to my brother is impressive," He said.

Reyna avoided his gaze, he swore he saw her face redden. "I'm grateful for all that he has done for me and my sister," Reyna said before looking up at him. "Come on lets continue planning."