Ch27

This maze really does go on forever. Ethan thrust his spear into the scorpion's head turning it to dust. The light from Alabaster's torch lit the way revealing which was blocked by a large scorpion that charged at them with its pincers.

"Look out!" Percy blocked the tail as green fire flew and descended on the creature.

I may not be as strong as them but I still want to make her proud. He thrusted his spear as Percy brought his sword down on the monster's head. Their combined attacks finished it off, the scorpion turned to dust as he pulled his spear back.

"That's the last one," he said.

Alabaster held the torch up lighting up the halls of the labyrinth. "Let's keep going."

He didn't know how well Alabaster could see down the path, to be honest, he thought he was guessing half the time. He's also fighting for his mother. Looking at Alabaster the son of Hecate's gaze was calm yet determined as they continued their way down the tunnel.

Mother what can I do to make them recognize you? He had never met Nemesis, yet he yearned to make her proud of him, to make sure she was respected just as the other gods. His mother was the goddess of revenge and balance, he didn't know what powers he could have but he doubted they were as flashy as mist magic or manipulating the seas.

Either way I'll make sure to make her proud. He stared off into the dark paths of the labyrinth, the hairs on his neck stood up as he gripped his spear tightly.

"You ok Ethan?" Percy asked.

He nodded. "Just nervous."

"Don't worry we'll get through this," Percy said. "We'll find the entrance to camp and be home before Christmas."

They arrived in audience chamber with a bunch of Roman décor and a large fountain in the middle. Looking around at the marble statues and paintings a sense of awe came over him as they carefully examined the area. "How did these get down here?" He muttered.

The hairs on his neck stood up as the light in the room shimmered. The three of them gripped their weapons as a woman in regal attire holding a staff in her hand. "Greetings demigods, I am Hera queen of Olympus."

The three of them looked at each other before lowering their weapons and bowing deeply. So this is Olympus' queen. Just being in her presence was like being in the presence of an all powerful being unlike anything he had experienced before.

Hera smiled at them like an old school teacher greeting her students. "Come we have some things to discuss." With a snap of her fingers a table full of food appeared before them.

"Uh thank you mam," Percy said awkwardly.

They sat down at the able and helped themselves to the food as Hera smiled over them. Personally he was rather hungry but the presence of the Queen of Olympus made him uneasy as he nibbled at the food provided to them.

"Eat up," Hera said with a motherly smile. "Young heroes need to eat in order to finish their quest."

"Thank you mam," Percy said carefully. "Um what brings you here?"

Hera looked at them all as if she were a teacher examining her students. "Well the winter solstice is coming upon us and despite a few hiccups that are occurring I'm confident we'll have a productive meeting."

The three of them exchanged a look with each other. Hera wouldn't just come here to visit unless she had an agenda but it wouldn't be wise to be rude to her..

"Anyway we are a big family," Hera said. "We all must do our part for Olympus regardless of who we are." She smiled at each of them. "Big or small we must do our part to support each other."

Support each other? Our mothers don't even have thrones. He looked over at Alabaster who was watching Hera with a calm gaze, of course it would be stupid for them to make a snide remark to Hera.

"That is why I wish to invite you three to the Olympian council should you finish your quest in time," Hera said calmly.

Percy raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes." Hera said before looking at him and Alabaster. "Both of your mothers usually don't come due to them not having thrones but I shall invite them as honored non voting guests."

Well that's something. "Thank you mam," he muttered.

Alabaster nodded. "We'll be there."

Hera then snapped her fingers and a few beds appeared in the room alongside a few towels and a shower curtain around the fountain. "Rest well, my blessing will be a protection here for the night." She then smiled at them. "Rest well." With that she disappeared leaving them alone in the room.

"Well that was interesting," Alabaster said.

Percy rubbed his head. "Can't figure what else she could want."

All gods want something. He looked at Alabaster who appeared deep in thought. She wouldn't just visit us and have our mothers come to their all important council. Just what are they playing at?

"Come on we should rest here," Alabaster said. "Tomorrow we'll head out again."

"Sounds good," Percy said.

With that Alabaster set some charms around the room and after using the fountain as a makeshift bath they went to bed.

He didn't know when he was asleep but he found himself awake no long after. Looking up he saw Hera sitting on a golden chair watching them her gaze unreadable.

"You yearn for your mother's recognition," Hera said. "To be a hero for her."

He lay transfixed but managed to nod. "I do."

"A noble goal," Hera said. "The land of your father's side produced many heroes and warriors through their discipline and loyalty. Be the hero you want to be and bring honor to our family."

"I will Lady Hera." He paused as a curious question came to his mind. "Lady Hera if I may ask if World War II in Europe was a war between the big three what about the Pacific Theater? What about Japan?"

Hera's eyes flashed menacingly sending a shiver down his spine. The atmosphere tensed and for a moment he feared she'd strike him.

"The only lesson to be gained from the Pacific Theater is that those who wish to take advantage of Olympus' chaos will be put down," Hera said coolly. "The family of Olympus will always prevail against outsiders."

"I-I see," He muttered as a shiver went down his spine.

Hera turned around. "For what it's worth I was opposed to the interning of your people. It was a foolish mistake that must not be repeated. A family must be united in times of conflict." With that she disappeared and fell back asleep.

Be the hero I want to be. He thought of his mother who he had never met. I hope I can make them recognize you.

The next morning they found breakfast on the table and after getting ready they quickly continued on their path through the labyrinth. Eventually they came across a large metal door. "Maybe this is it?" Percy asked.

"Only one way to find out," he said as he went up to it and pushed against it. The sound of metal creaking filled the area as they were greeted by a bright sun.

They carefully exited the door and found themselves in the inside of an abandoned building. His heart raced as they exited the room and found themselves outside. There were more abandoned barracks lined up along the dirt sand and in the distance he could see the mountains looming up ahead.

"Where are we?" Percy asked.

He swallowed, his body shaking as he remembered his grandfather's stories. "Manzanar Internment Camp." A wave of emotion hit him as he remembered all the things his father told him his grandfather had to endure here. He stared at the surroundings as he fought the urge to tear up.

"Internment camp? For who?" Percy asked.

"For Japanese Americans," Alabaster said softly. "During the war they were interned for fear of their loyalty."

He nodded and gripped his spear tightly. "My grandfather was just a kid before he and his family had everything taken by them." A wave of anger hit him as the cold air brushed against him. "He was just a kid when he was accused of being an enemy of the state. Their farmland was seized and never returned."

It was that bitterness that attracted the attention of his mother to his family. The anger and unjust that his family felt during that time still lingered even after all this time.

"Oh," Percy said awkwardly. "Sorry to hear about that."

He didn't blame Percy for his ignorance, he knew the son of Poseidon wasn't the best in school. The cold morning made the hairs on his neck stand up, looking around at the bleak surroundings he couldn't imagine being here for years.

That was when they heard the sound of large footsteps approaching. Looking up he saw a large cyclops in an old US Army uniform come from around the corner. "I didn't think there would be more Japs here."

He gripped his spear as Percy and Alabaster drew their weapons. His blood boiled as he looked at the monster. The cyclops laughed. "I haven't eaten anything in a while, it'll be good to eat a Jap for once."

"Look out!" Alabaster yelled as the cyclops charged at them with his bat. The son of Hecate summoned a ball of green flame that hit the cyclops but the monster merely ran through it.

He and Percy charged at the cyclops with their weapons. Percy blocked the club with his sword while he thrusted his spear. The monster winced as he sunk the spear into his leg. You bastard. His body shook as he met the monster's gaze. Anger and resentment began to boil inside of him as he looked the monster in the eyes.

"You Japs really do play dirty," The cyclops grunted. "Too bad we couldn't finish your kind off, I would've feasted on your lot had I been allowed to."

His blood boiled at the monster. Just looking into the creature's eyes he could see the hatred he had for people of Japanese descent the same hatred he had often experienced in his own life from those around him.

The cyclops swung his club at him, he leaped out of the way as Alabaster sent another blast of fire at it. The monster only roared in irritation as he swatted the flames on his body. "You damn Japs should've been put down," The cyclops roared as it swung its club at him. "Lord Zeus should have done to that land what that damned JapGoddess did to China and Korea."

He leaped out of the way the anger inside of him building up. Taking a deep breath he could feel it, the feelings of the people that were once here. Their anger and hatred at their situation, at how the US never accepted them and treated them like treacherous vermin. Suddenly the anger turned into something else as he looked at the large cyclops. His fatigue left him as the anger and resentment from the past drove him to seek vengeance on their behalf.

Mother give me your strength. Allow me to avenge the injustice that was done here. I'll avenge their memories here, mother help me bring balance. A cold energy spread throughout his body. "Avenge," he muttered in Ancient Greek. Gripping his spear he charged at the cyclops, Percy came by his side and blocked its club.

His body worked on its own as he charged and struck the monster repeatedly, it was as if he were connected to a battery charger as he went on the offensive. He thought of his grandfather and all those who had been unjustly imprisoned here. I'll bring the balance to them. I'll avenge them all.

The cyclops roared as Alabaster's flames knocked it off the balance. "Bring balance," he muttered as he thrusted his spear into the cyclops. The monster roared in pain as it stumbled back.

Vengeance and balance. Correct the injustice. Mother give me your blessing. The negative energy around the camp enhanced his senses as the resentment of those interned gave him the strength he needed. "Percy Alabaster give me an opening."

The son of Poseidon looked at him and nodded. "Got it." Percy stabbed the monster in the leg as Alabaster sent a wave of flames at the creature. The cyclops roared in pain as he thrusted the spear deep inside of it. The cyclops swung at him, but he pulled away and ducked as Percy thrusted his sword into the monster's chest.

The cyclops stumbled back and coughed up blood, it gave him a murderous gaze as it fell to its knees. "Your kind could never be a hero. Lord Zeus was right in locking up your people. You only follow that eastern wench." The monster coughed as it spat out blood. "Treacherous Nips we should've exterminated-"

He gripped his spear and thrusted into the monster's chest. "That isn't for you to decide," he said firmly. "I will be a hero regardless of my parentage. I'll be a hero, and gain honor for my mother." He pulled out his spear as the cyclops fell to the ground and turned to golden dust.

Taking a deep breath he felt the energy slowly leave his body. "A-Are you ok Ethan?" Percy asked.

He met the son of Poseidon's gaze. "Never better." Twirling his spear he looked around them. "For a moment I could feel it, the anger and hatred of the residents here. It gave me the strength to fight."

"Your mother is the goddess of revenge and balance," Alabaster said calmly. "It must have been your powers."

"Maybe," he muttered. "But either way I'll fight till my mother gets the recognition my family deserves."

Alabaster nodded. "The minor gods have long been overlooked by the Olympians, but I'll do all I can to make sure my mother is respected."

Percy looked at both of them. "I don't know how things work up there, but I'll do what I can to see if things can change. It's not fair that they are treated like inferior goddesses."

He was touched by Percy's words, most of the camp would probably dismiss Nemesis and Hecate yet Percy would gladly stand up for them. Looking to the ground where the Cyclops stood he noticed a long case.

"What's that?" Percy asked as they looked at the long thin case.

Alabaster frowned. "Must be some sort of prize?" The son of Hecate muttered something in Latin. "No traps are on it."

Kneeling down he carefully opened the box to reveal a sheathed katana. His heart raced as he drew the sword, the blade seemed to shimmer in the light. Something inside of him told him the sword was special, feeling it in his hands made him at home.

"Cool," Percy said as he looked at the blade.

He nodded and sheathed the katana before strapping it to his side "Come on lets go back and finish this quest."

Inside a burning determination swelled, and he found to use his resolve and his strength to defend his mother's name. He was Ethan Nakamura son of Nemesis and a descendant of an interned Japanese American and the world will know his name.

Alabaster gripped his torch as they ran down the corridors of the labyrinth. He could feel his mother's presence faintly tug at him as he looked at the flame. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Percy and Ethan watching the area cautiously with their weapons in hand.

The son of Nemesis had a different air to him, something about him seem calmer and a bit more sure of himself. I'm glad you found your resolve. Our path won't be easy but we'll the world what we can do.

They eventually down a corridor that gave off a faint smell of trees and flowers. "Where are we?" Ethan asked.

He gripped his torch as he took in the scent of flowers and animals filled the air. "Come on lets see for ourselves." Gripping his torch they headed down the hall and found themselves in a small natural area full of flowers and plants.

In the center of some wild animals was a familiar satyr and a large elderly satyr.

"Grover!"

The satyr looked at them in shock, in his hand was the torch his mother handed him so long ago.

The satyr was resting in front of a larger satyr. Pan. The feeling of nature was so strong he couldn't deny it. But it was different, unlike other gods Pan seemed to be fading.

"Percy! Ethan! Alabaster!" Grover greeted them and lifted the torch in his hand. "I found him. This is Pan."

Mother you did it. He had no doubt she could, his mother was always helpful.

They approached the god and bowed. "You're Pan?" Percy asked.

Pan gave them a weak smile. "Unfortunately I'm at the end of my life," the old god coughed. "My habitat is gone and growing weaker by the day."

Grover's eyes watered. "No this can't be. I just found you how could you perish now?"

Pan placed a hand on Grover's shoulder. "I gift you my strength. Spread my word to protect the last bits of nature."

There is more than one path in life. His mother's words echoed in his head. Instinctively he took out the card his aunt gave him. He looked at the fading god and an idea came to him, a crazy idea but an idea that if possible could work in theory.

He approached the god and bowed. "Lord Pan."

Pan smiled. "Ah a son of Hecate. Your mother was always a friend of mine. Pray tell me what does she offer."

He held out the card. "An opportunity to preserve your essence. If you wish it to happen of course."

"Alabaster what are you saying?" Percy asked.

Pan looked at him and chuckled. "Hecate always had her plans."

He smiled at him. "There is never just one path in life. Will you accept it?"

A faint smile spread across Pan's face. "I'll allow it. Do it son of magic."

He began to chant in a mixture of Latin and Ancient Greek. "Head my words my will creates paths and my mother's shall create your destiny! If you wish to head my mother's call then swear yourself to her!" Pan touched the card as a light enveloped them both.

Mother give me your strength for I've never made a mistform this powerful.