Ch16

Percy's senses were on edge as he walked onboard the Princess Andromeda with Alabaster and Lou by his side who were manipulating the mist around them as they carefully walked along the ship.

"Why would Lord Hermes send us here?" Lou asked. "This place is full of monsters." She carefully hid behind him and Alabaster as they made their way around the ship.

Alabaster's eyes carefully scanned the area, "Something isn't right, I can feel it." The cruise ship was eerily quiet and the few mortals on board appeared dazed and in a trance like state.

"Damn it what do you mean we lost them!" Yelled a voice that made him freeze. "Annabeth was on it!"

Oh gods. As they slowly turned the corner they saw Luke throw a map on the ground. The son of Hermes was flanked by two very large and scary looking bears while Luke appeared as if he hadn't slept in days.

"I can't believe we lost them," Luke muttered. The son of Hermes shook his head. "Never mind when they leave we'll get them. We'll take them by-"

The bears by his side growled and turned to them.

Uh oh.

Luke's head shot towards their direction. "Intruders!"

Alabaster grabbed his arm as they ran down the halls of the ship but were met by more monsters. "Ventus!" With a snap of his fingers, Alabaster knocked down the monsters. "Come on I'll make an escape route." They quickly ran down the hall of the ship but soon they found themselves surrounded by monsters.

"Crap we're surrounded," he said as they gripped their weapons tightly

The sound of clapping made him turn around. Behind him Luke and his two bears came up to him, a pulse went through the air and the mist around them dissipated. "Well Percy Jackson long time no see."

He was prepared to fight but Lou grabbed his shoulder. "Not yet, I don't think we can fight through all these monsters. Let's be calm and see if we can get any information, then we'll act."

"Fine," he sighed as Lou's words calmed him down.

"We can do our best," Alabaster muttered. "We'll take them down and escape

Lou frowned. "We are out numbered Al and we are trapped on an enemy vessel in the middle of the ocean and only one of us can survive in the ocean for long periods of time." She said the last part as if she were explaining it to a child.

Alabaster just rolled his eyes and shook his eyes. "Fine."

Scanning his surroundings he saw that the halls around them were full of monsters just waiting to tear them apart. Luke sat in front of a desk his face tense. "Come we should talk," Luke said casually. "I'm sure we can reach an understanding."

He kept his hand on Riptide in his pocket as they were led to the captain's room where a large gold sarcophagus lay. Staring at the sarcophagus a shiver went down his spine as a cold aura enveloped the room.

"Sit," Luke said motioning to the seats in front of the desks. The bears stood on guard glaring at them. "Oh where are my manners these are Agrius and Oreius, they were cursed by the gods many years ago."

They remained standing as Luke went over to the sarcophagus. "It's beautiful isn't it?" Luke's voice was soft as he gently touched the sides of the sarcophagus. "With each loyalty pledge to him, Kronos will rise and a new age shall come."

"Kronos?" he stared at Luke, his body shaking. "What the hell are you doing?"

Luke laughed and shook his head. "The gods have never cared about us." The son of Hermes looked at him with a cold gaze. "Percy how much longer will you be your father's pawn? Alabaster how much longer will you and your sister pretend that the gods care about your mother? The three of you could be useful here, we can bring about a new age."

"Our mother would never do something so evil!" Lou said firmly.

Luke gave her a small smile. "The gods have never cared about anyone but themselves. Especially your mother, she has constantly helped them and look how they don't even recognize her. She will make the right choice, Lord Kronos knows it and I know you both will make the same."

The son of Hermes looked at Lou and Alabaster his gaze calm. "Your mother never saw a single path as correct. Kronos will give her what she wants, what you all want deep down."

"You know nothing about our mother," Alabaster said his gaze narrowing. "She loves us and cares for us all."

The son of Hermes nodded. "She craves recognition, all gods do and Olympus has long been neglectful of her and the other minor gods. I know you and your siblings love her. Kronos he can help her, he'll help all our families." Luke went over to Alabaster and gently lifted up his chin. "He can give you anything, he'll make sure she is given the glory she deserves. You can be a part of that too. The camp never cared about you or your family am I correct? Here you'll be safe and respected."

Alabaster didn't say anything, his body tensed up as his green eyes betrayed curiosity.

"Get your hands off him! Our mother would never serve Kronos," Lou yelled.

"She'll see the path just like everyone will," Luke said firmly. "Lord Kronos knows all, he is very persuasive." His voice betrayed fear, for a moment Luke looked afraid.

"Luke your father sent us," he said. "He cares-"

"DON'T YOU SPEAK HIS NAME!" Luke yelled his body shaking as he slammed his fist on the desk. "They let her die, Thalia could've lived." Luke shook his head his gaze going vacant. "She'll be better though." The son of Hermes looked at him his gaze almost crazed. "I'll get the fleece and Thalia will be better after Kronos is healed."

His eyes widened. "It was you! You poisoned the tree."

"It was a necessary thing," Luke said looking to the ground. "Believe me it wasn't easy for me either." The son of Hermes cleared his eyes. "Thalia, she would've supported me. Annabeth." Luke froze and shook his. "I'll save her, we'll go into the Sea of Monsters and get her. She should be on my side too."

"You're crazy!" Lou yelled. "You know the camp is being attacked daily?"

"Clarisse is gone and Annabeth…" Luke froze as a pained look spread across his face. "He says she might still be alive. I'll save her, she'll understand. We'll get the fleece and save her, Thalia, and the camp." The son of Hermes looked at them his gaze half mad half pleading. "Percy you don't have to suffer your father's humiliations anymore. I have people in camp who tell me how you've been embarrassed by him."

"You don't know what you're talking about," he said not wanting to think of Tyson or how the camp has treated him.

Luke then turned to Alabaster and Lou. "Your mother will make the right choice. I hope you both do to, with Kronos she'll gain the respect she deserves."

"Don't you dare speak of our mother," Alabaster growled. "You aren't worthy of mentioning her."

Luke gave him a weak smile. "You honestly think the gods will ever respect her? Do you know how those gods really work? Percy can't do anything for her even if he tries." The son of Hermes grabbed Alabaster by the chin. "You can help her bring a new world to fruition, she'll have a throne."

Alabaster avoided his gaze his eyes burning with anger. "Don't speak of my mother as if you know her."

"I know what it's like wanting a mother's recognition," Luke said his gaze hardening. "Trust me they don't care. Make the choice Alabaster you and your sister could be a part of the change and give your mom the recognition she deserves."

"Oh don't act like you know how the gods work," he retorted.

Luke turned to him. "Don't be so naïve Percy. Lock them up and don't let them go until they are ready to swear loyalty to Kronos."

The two large bears growled as they pointed spears at them. He gave Luke one final glare as they were escorted out of the room.

"Don't worry just be patient," Alabaster whispered as they were led below deck and into a cell.

As soon as the bares left the room Alabaster took out one of his cards and began to chant. Green smoke filled the air he summoned his mistform butler on the other side of the cell. "Come on we should act quickly before-"

The boat shuttered, outside the peephole he could see the waters turn dark and agitated. "What's going on?" Lou asked as she helped the butler open the locked door.

"We must be entering the Sea of Monsters," Alabaster said as the boat lurched to the side. There was a loud thud as the ship hit something hard.

"Why would they risk going in with Kronos' coffin?" Lou asked.

His heart sank. "They must know that Clarisse and Annabeth didn't make it." A pit formed in his stomach, yeah he didn't get along with those girls but he didn't want them to die either. "This must be a gamble."

"A risky one," Lou said as the boat made a sharp turn.

Looking out the peephole his eyes widened as he saw what appeared to be large mountains rise up from the water. "How are we going to escape this?" he asked.

The cell door opened. "Come on we'll deal with that later," Alabaster said. "Lets get to one of the lifeboats."

"Would they be safe enough?" He asked.

"We'll leave once we are in a safer part of the waters," Alabaster said as he reached into his bag and pulled out a compass. "Our mother will show us the way as she always does."

"I'll cover us," Lou said as she began to chant around them. With a blink of an eye he noticed that the three of them had changed appearances and looked like regular tourists.

"Good job," Alabaster said as he muttered something in Greek. Green mist flew from their bodies as clones that looked just like their original forms appeared in the cell. "Lets get out of here."

Of all the places he thought he'd dream Chiron did not expect to find himself in Hecate's domain. He looked at the goddess who watched the flames with a calm gaze.

He bowed. "Lady Hecate."

Hecate nodded. "Chiron you trained many heroes yet you are far from camp."

"It is a temporary situation that I hope to resolve," he said politely.

"Tell me how are my children at your camp?" Hecate asked.

"They seemed to doing their best to fit in," he said. "They've doing their best to defend the camp just like everyone else. Their magic is very useful."

Hecate looked up. "As a goddess I naturally want recognition and glory. Yet as a mother I naturally want to defend my children."

The hairs on his neck stood up. He had a feeling where this was going, he'd half to tread carefully. "All demigods are capable of becoming heroes and your children have just as much potential as everyone else."

"Chiron tell me will you teach them just as well as you have taught the great heroes of the past?" Hecate asked.

He nodded. "I train all who wish to learn how to be a hero. I will do all I can to make sure your children are welcome and are prepared for the world."

Hecate nodded her gaze the color of her flames. "There are many paths in life Chiron. I see them constantly changing, moving, and branching off to form new paths. I hope my children can survive whatever the future throws at them."

"I swear that I'll do my best to prepare them," he said firmly.

The goddess nodded her gaze burning like a torch. We have much to discuss. I see perils that the camp will soon face, things that should be known to you."