And there he was, sinking like a stone, expecting the usual smackdown from gravity when, surprise, surprise, he found himself floating like a leaf on a lazy river. Percy blinked, mentally checking off "bizarre underwater experiences" from his already crowded list.

A giant catfish swimming up to him and engaging in a conversation wasn't exactly on his bucket list, but hey, when you're the Son of the Sea God, you tend to attract all sorts of attention. "Son of the Sea God!" the catfish exclaimed, as if Percy needed a reminder of his divine lineage. Percy couldn't help but chuckle.

"Thanks for the memo," he muttered under his breath, reaching out to give the overgrown fish a friendly pat on the head.

With a flick of its tail, the catfish swam off, leaving Percy to ponder the strangeness of his situation. Surrounded by murky water and floating trash, he wrinkled his nose in disgust. Definitely not the kind of aquatic paradise he had in mind.

But then it hit him. He was breathing. Underwater. Like, actually breathing, not just holding his breath for countless minutes like he was used to. He was also somehow still dry, even though he was completely submerged in the Mississippi River.

"Well, ain't that a neat trick," Percy mused, the corners of his lips quirking up in a lopsided grin. "Who knew being a demigod came with such perks?" With a hesitant whisper, Percy directed his gratitude to his absentee father. "Thanks, Dad."

The water rippled in response, or maybe it was just a trick of the mind. Either way, Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. And then, like a cannonball shot from a catapult, Percy was hurtling out of the Mississippi River, his body propelled by some unseen force. He landed on the shore with a dramatic flourish, the water droplets clinging to his skin glistening in the sunlight like tiny diamonds. He flexed his muscles, feeling the exhilarating rush of newfound strength coursing through his veins.

Taking a moment to assess the damage, Percy examined himself in the reflection of the Mississippi River. To his surprise, the scratches and bruises that had marred his persona moments ago were nowhere to be seen. It was like hitting the reset button on a video game, except this time, he didn't lose any progress.

With a grin spreading across his face, Percy shed his jacket and rolled up his sleeve, inspecting the spot where the amphisbaena had sunk its venomous fangs into his flesh. To his relief, the wound had miraculously closed up, leaving behind nothing but a faint scar as a reminder of his brush with death.

With a cocky grin, Percy flexed his muscles, feeling the power coursing through him like a divine surge of energy. "I should've asked for a six-pack while I was at it," he quipped, unable to resist the temptation to crack a joke.

Turning back to the Mississippi River, Percy gave a mock salute to the water's surface. "Thanks for the makeover, Dad," he said with a wink, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But next time, let's skip the near-death experience, yeah?"

"Perce!" Percy whipped around so fast he nearly sprained his neck, greeted by the sight of Ethan and Alabaster sprinting toward him.

"Guys!" Percy exclaimed, relief flooding his voice as he enveloped them in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're all right."

"We? She was after you!" Ethan broke free from the embrace, shooting Percy a pointed look. "You're incorrigible! Nico really needs to teach you some self-preservation."

Alabaster nodded emphatically. "Seriously, Perce. You're like a magnet for trouble."

Percy shrugged, flashing a mischievous grin. "What can I say? Trouble just can't resist my charm."

As they bantered, Percy's mind raced back to their encounter with Echidna, the mother of monsters. The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on him, but he couldn't help but find humor in the chaos.

"Speaking of trouble, who was that old lady anyway?" Alabaster asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

Percy's grin widened. "Oh, just Enchilada."

Ethan burst into laughter, doubling over with amusement. "Enchilada? Are you serious?"

Percy raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What? I was hungry."

Alabaster chuckled, shaking his head. "Only you, Percy." But their amusement was short-lived as realization dawned on Alabaster's face. "Wait, you mean Echidna?"

Percy snapped his fingers dramatically. "Bingo! Sorry, Echidna. My bad."

"The mother of monsters," Ethan chuckled, his laughter bordering on hysteria. "First Medusa, then a horde of amphisbaenae, and now Echidna. This feels like we're racking up quests faster than Hermes can steal."

Percy rolled his eyes, but a smirk played at the corners of his lips. "At this rate, we'll have more quests under our belt than Hercules."

Alabaster nodded in agreement, his expression a mix of amusement and apprehension. "We've definitely earned some bragging rights in the demigod world."

"But let's not get too cocky," Percy interjected, his tone turning serious. "We still haven't dealt with Echidna."

His hand instinctively went to his jeans pocket, where Riptide had returned to. Percy truly loved the charm on it, he will never fear losing the sword. With a confident grin, he retrieved the pen and uncapped it, reveling in the familiar weight of his trusty weapon. Beside him, Alabaster summoned his spear, and Ethan brandished his morning star.

"Now that I think about it," Percy mused, his grin widening, "wasn't Enchilada known for her chimeras?"

"Echidna," Alabaster and Ethan corrected simultaneously, exchanging amused glances.

"You are right, though. Why the hoard of amphisbaenae?" Ethan's voice held a grim edge of uncertainty.

Echidna's sinister presence interrupted their banter as she slithered closer, her monstrous form casting a shadow over them. Ethan and Alabaster took a step back, their faces pale with apprehension, but they quickly composed themselves, closing ranks firm beside Percy.

"Because the Hunters of Artemis slew my poor babies," Echidna hissed, her eyes narrowing in fury.

Percy shot Ethan a knowing look. "Looks like we've stepped on a few snake tails."

"Enough!" Echidna hissed, her patience wearing as thin as a piece of string cheese in the sun. "You should be honored, Perseus Jackson. Lord Zeus rarely allows me to test a hero with one of my brood!"

Percy raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that screamed, "Seriously?" "Lady, you've lost your marbles," he snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Echidna's face contorted in a mix of shock and annoyance, as if she couldn't believe Percy's audacity. "If Uncle Zeus wanted me out of the picture, he'd have zapped me into oblivion faster than you can say 'demigod drama'," Percy continued, waving his hand dismissively. "And here you are, thinking you're some kind of VIP on his hit list. Hate to break it to you, but you're not that special."

Echidna's face turned a delightful shade of crimson, her pride clearly wounded by Percy's nonchalant attitude. "You insolent brat! I'll make you regret ever crossing paths with me!"

"Yeah, yeah, we've heard it all before," Percy retorted, waving his hand dismissively. "But the last time I checked, your resume wasn't exactly top-tier. I mean, sure, you birthed some nasties, but let's face it, even Cerberus has more street cred."

Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at Percy's bravado, shaking his head in disbelief. "Seriously, lady, you picked the wrong demigods to mess with. We eat monsters for breakfast and spit out their bones."

Echidna seethed with rage, but the trio couldn't care less. Echidna's eyes narrowed at Percy's cavalier attitude, her frustration evident in the way her scales seemed to bristle. "Do not underestimate the power of my brood, demigod. You may find yourself regretting your insolence."

"Regretting? Please, the only thing I regret is not bringing popcorn to watch this spectacle," Percy shot back, his grin widening as Echidna's scowl deepened. "I mean, come on, Enchilada, you're not exactly the pinnacle of monster royalty. No offense, but I've seen scarier creatures in the school cafeteria."

Ethan and Alabaster exchanged amused glances, struggling to stifle their laughter at Percy's boldness. "You tell her, seaweed brain," Ethan chimed in, unable to resist adding to the banter.

Echidna's frustration boiled over, her patience wearing thin with Percy's snarky remarks. "You may mock me now, demigod, but you will soon learn the consequences of your arrogance."

"Consequences? Oh, I'm shaking in my stylishly worn-out sneakers," Percy quipped, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Look, Enchilada, if you're done with your little villain monologue, can we get back to the quest? I've got monsters to slay and demigod heroics to perform."

Echidna's frustration reached its boiling point, her scales practically quivering with rage. "You insolent demigod! I am a force to be reckoned with!"

"Lady, listen to me clearly, because I am getting tired of repeating this." Percy couldn't help but roll his eyes at Echidna's continuous attempt to intimidate them. Echidna recoiled as if struck, clearly taken aback by Percy's nonchalant attitude. "If my dear old uncle really wanted me gone, he'd just zap me with his lightning bolt. But here I am, still breathing. So why would he send you to mess with my quest? It doesn't add up. And they call me seaweed brain!"

Alabaster chimed in, his tone dry and sardonic. "While I might have phrased it more politely," he drawled, shooting Percy a warning look, as things were starting to get out of control. "I have to agree with Perce. Zeus isn't gaining anything by sending you to disrupt our mission. Especially when Olympus has already cleared Percy of any wrongdoing."

Echidna's confusion was evident as she struggled to comprehend the demigods' defiance. "But... why would Ares give me orders in the name of his father?"

Ethan couldn't resist a sarcastic remark, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, you mean the God of War? Yeah, that sounds like Lord Ares, all right. Maybe he's hoping for a war that'll plunge the whole world into chaos. Sorry, lady, looks like you've been played."

Echidna's rage echoed through the air, the very ground trembling beneath her fury. "I will kill him! I will tear him piece by piece and feed him to my babies!"

Percy merely shrugged, his demeanor infuriatingly casual. "You do you, lady. Meanwhile, we will blow this popsicle stand and go back to our quest."

But just as they prepared to make their exit, darkness coalesced around them, and out of the shadows emerged Nico di Angelo, looking like he'd been through Tartarus and back. Blood oozed from countless wounds, painting a grim picture of his ordeal.

"Nico!" Percy dropped to his knees beside his friend, panic seeping into his voice. "We need ambrosia, like, yesterday!"

"Use this spell to heal him," Harry, one of Nico's ghostly guardians, instructed Alabaster, who wasted no time in channeling healing magic to mend Nico's battered form.

As Alabaster worked his magic, Ethan stood vigil alongside Nico's other spectral protectors, his grip tightening on his morning star. "What the Styx happened? Even a Drakon would struggle to put Nico in this state. Who—or what—did this to him?"

Alexander hung his head in shame, while Albert shot a fierce glare into the distance. Even Echidna, full of hisses and threats, fell silent. Finally, it was Helen who broke the heavy silence. "Nico couldn't be involved in this quest; it was decreed by the Fates themselves. But that didn't stop the quest from chasing after him. Nico tried to evade it, but it just kept coming after him... and running away stopped working."

Percy's eyes blazed with fury as he looked up. The water of the Mississippi River rippled in response to his anger, and the ground trembled—not because of Echidna this time, but because of Percy's barely contained rage. It was clear that Percy was ready to unleash hell if anyone dared to harm his beloved Ghost King.

"Who is this jerk, and why is he targeting Nico?" Percy's voice carried a dangerous edge, as if it were echoing with the power of a storm.

"He wanted Nico out of the picture because he didn't want our King interfering with this quest," Alexander muttered, his voice heavy with regret.

Albert scoffed, his expression dripping with disdain. "The idiot couldn't wait and decided to take matters into his own hands. Nico wouldn't have defied the Fates' orders willingly. But here we are, thanks to his impatience."

"Who?" Percy's voice was a low growl, resonating with the fury of a tempest about to break loose.

Suddenly, all the demigods and ghost guardians whipped their heads towards a screaming Echidna. They watched in shock as Echidna burned away, her form disintegrating into nothing more than ashes. In her place stood an intimidating figure—a man who seemed to exude trouble from every pore.

He was a hulking mass of muscle, with a demeanor that practically screamed belligerence. Clad in his signature ensemble of black jeans, combat boots, a leather duster, and a red muscle shirt beneath a bulletproof vest, he looked like the poster child for rebellion. A large hunting knife was strapped to his thigh, and around his neck hung a necklace fashioned from a heavy padlock and thick chain. Red-tinted wraparound sunglasses concealed his eyes, which were said to blaze with flames, while his rugged features bore the scars of countless battles—a cruel smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Did you miss me?"

Alexander tensed visibly, his glare piercing through the man's facade. "Hello, father."