Flying cross-country on a pegasus sounds cooler than it is. Especially when said pegasus is constantly talking.

"Boss, you really think she likes you?" Blackjack flapped his wings lazily through the morning clouds. "I mean, c'mon. You caught her staring at you, like, five times back at camp."

"Blackjack, drop it," I muttered, glancing over at Reyna. She was flying beside me on her pegasus, Scipio, her posture straight, focused. Regal, as always.

"Just saying, boss," Blackjack said innocently. "You two would make a cute couple. Serious Roman vibes, but you've got that sea-charm thing going. Bet she likes it."

I sighed. "I'm not having this conversation with a horse."

"Technically, I'm a pegasus. Show some respect."

From beside us, Scipio gave a whinny that almost sounded like a chuckle.

"She does like you," Scipio said.

"Okay, seriously? Can we not?" I groaned.

"What?" Blackjack replied, totally amused. "Boss, I'm just trying to help you find love. You deserve happiness. Maybe some cookies too. I like cookies."

"I can only hear Percy," Reyna called over the wind. "But judging by your face, I'm guessing Blackjack is being… Blackjack."

"Yup," I said flatly.

She raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know what he's saying?"

"Nope."

After a few more hours of flying and constant teasing from the horses, we finally hit New York airspace. The city glimmered beneath us—chaotic, loud, alive. Home.

We landed discreetly in an alley near the Empire State Building. Pegasi flew off to the top as we approached the entrance doors. I hadn't been here in a while, not since… well, things had changed. No longer was it the fort we made what felt like so long ago.

As we reached the front entrance, I paused. The usual guard—a sleepy old guy always reading a book—was gone. In his place stood a young woman in a stylish pink blazer, a subtle charm bracelet jingling on her wrist. Her curls were artfully arranged, and she wore the faintest glimmer of pink eyeliner.

She looked up from a book—To Charm or Not to Charm: A Modern Guide for the Lovestruck—it must've been a good book, because she had no acknowledgement about the fact that me and Reyna was here. Reyna did one of those "cough to be seen" and the guard blinked in recognition.

"Oh. My. Gods. Percy Jackson?"

I blinked. "Uh… yeah?"

She stood, brushing off her blazer. "Casy. Daughter of Aphrodite. I was transferred here last week." She gave Reyna a glance before turning a warm smile back on me. "You know, I've read about you. A lot. My siblings over at Camp Half-Blood talk about you like you're a celebrity."

"Oh. Cool," I said, trying not to sound completely awkward.

"I mean, you saved Olympus multiple times. There's even a forum post about how your seaweed hair survived Tartarus."

Reyna coughed, and I could feel the tension spike beside me.

"I'm flattered," I muttered. "But we really need to get upstairs. Urgent business."

"Of course," Casy said smoothly, but then her eyes flicked to Reyna. "You must be…?"

"Reyna," she said, her tone calm but ice-edged.

Casy nodded, her gaze lingering a second too long. "Nice to meet you."

There was a moment. Long, awkward, and strangely intense. The two stared at each other like chess masters trying to calculate the other's next move.

I cleared my throat and grabbed the elevator key card. "Thanks, Casy. Appreciate it."

"Anytime," she said, her smile still in place, though noticeably cooler.

As we stepped into the elevator, Reyna didn't say a word.

The doors slid shut. I dared a glance her way.

"Sooo… that was new."

Reyna looked straight ahead. "You have a fan club?"

"Apparently?"

"Must be nice."

I frowned. "Are you… mad?"

"No," she said curtly. "Just surprised. That's all."

Outside, I could hear Blackjack's delighted laughter riding the wind. "Boss! That girl looked like she was ready to duel over you. This is better than a soap opera."

I groaned and leaned against the wall as the elevator hummed upward.

When the elevator doors opened, the view of Olympus hit us like a divine slap to the senses.

Golden pillars reached into a cerulean sky, and floating bridges arced between palatial buildings that shimmered like they were carved from starlight. The clouds beneath us glowed faintly with celestial fire, and faint music echoed from a distant lyre.

"It's beautiful," Reyna said.

"Yeah," I murmured. "Annabeth used to say Olympus was the perfect blend of Greek architecture and celestial grace. She always made it sound like paradise."

Reyna didn't say anything. Just gave me a glance—understanding, not pitying.

We made our way to the throne room, and as we stepped into the grand hallway, the usual pressure of godly power settled onto my shoulders. It was like stepping into a thundercloud made of raw energy.

"Prepare yourself," I muttered to Reyna. "Walking into that room, you can feel the Olympians."

We opened the doors.

And immediately questioned if we had walked into the wrong place.

The throne room was a mess. Goblets were tipped over. Scrolls littered the floor. There was an honest-to-Zeus toga slung over Athena's throne. The gods were yelling over each other in at least four different ancient dialects.

Only Hestia sat calmly at the hearth, tending to the eternal flame.

She looked up first and gave us a soft, knowing smile.

We bowed, and she stood to greet us, wrapping us in a warm embrace.

"It's been a long time since you've to this side of your home Percy" she said, just looking at gave me the feeling of how my mother would talk to me, soothing and calming. She then acknowledged Reyna.

"Praetor Reyna, welcome to the mess of Olympians" she beckoned towards the chaotic appearance of the thorne room "we're very pleased to have you join us" she said.

"Thank you lady ves-Hestia" Reyna corrected herself, "But what is happening?"

"No spoilers yet, perhaps Percy it's time to make yourselves noticeable" Hestia said, so I did.

I cleared my throat and looked around. "Uh—EXCUSE ME?"

The yelling continued.

I sighed and shouted again, louder this time. "HEY! THE MORTALS ARE HERE!"

The room finally went quiet.

All eyes turned to us. My father, Poseidon, looked worn out. Zeus looked worse—unkempt beard, tie askew, suit jacket wrinkled. The king of the gods looked like he had just lost a week-long poker game with no sleep.

"What happened to you guys?" I muttered.

Reyna stepped forward. "We came to report something that has happened in New Rome. But… what happened here?"

Apollo raised a hand like he was waiting to be called on. "Everyone's freaking out because of what happened in New Rome! You know—cursed weapon, missing Terminus, monster army?"

Hermes and Athena were locked in a heated debate about funding.

"I'm telling you, we don't have the drachma for another war!" Hermes shouted.

"And I'm telling you, we can't afford not to act!" Athena snapped.

Hephaestus and Ares were growling at each other nearby.

"That weapon," Hephaestus said, "it cut through Riptide. That's not normal."

Ares scoffed. "My sword could have broken that wimp's stick too. That's weak." He pointed at the empty space next to him where Riptide had been.

"What?" I frowned. "You think a mortal made that weapon?"

"That's not what I meant, kid," Ares growled. "But whoever made it… it's not like any weapon we've seen before. It cut through Riptide like butter."

At those words, Artemis and Poseidon exchanged a glance. There was something unreadable in their eyes—something I almost asked about—but Poseidon merely mouthed later as he shifted uncomfortably.

I almost blurted out my confusion, but then decided against it. Instead, I cleared my throat.

"So why haven't none of you done anything about this, there's a god missing on our side as well" Reyna said

"Guys!" I snapped. "You knew what happened in New Rome and you didn't do anything?"

"We are bound by ancient laws," Zeus said gruffly. "We cannot intervene directly. Not without… consequences."

"Terminus is missing!" Reyna exclaimed. "We've lost our divine guardian. Monsters are breaching the city!"

"For a quest," Hera added quietly, "you'll need an augur. And unfortunately, we cannot provide one. The last known augur vanished with Apollo's final child."

Apollo looked sheepish. "Actually… about that. I… might know where he is."

Everyone turned to him.

"You what?" Artemis narrowed her eyes. "You told me your child was missing."

"He is!" Apollo said quickly. "I mean, I didn't lose him. I just… didn't mention he exists. He lives in Pennsylvania. He's got the gift. Of prophecy."

"You absolute moron," Artemis growled, standing up with twin knives drawn. "You swore you'd stop fathering random children!"

"It was before I made that promise!" Apollo squeaked, backing away.

Poseidon cleared his throat. "Let's not turn this into a family brawl."

I stepped forward. "Where in Pennsylvania?"

"Near Scranton," Apollo muttered. "Small town. Quiet. But if you want him to help… you'll need to go there."

Athena spoke up. "There is a complication. Without a prophecy, only children of the Big Three are allowed to quest. The power imbalance is too great otherwise."

"What?" Reyna said. "You're saying I can't go?"

I looked at her, shocked. "Wait, seriously? Just because she's not one of the Big Three?"

"The laws are ancient," Athena said. "To go without a prophecy risks doom. Only the children of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades are permitted."

I clenched my fists. Reyna didn't speak, but I could see how much it hurt.

"That means I'll need help," I said slowly. "Nico. Jason. They're the closest ones near that area."

Reyna looked away.

I turned back to the gods. "But what could be behind all this? Who would even try to start another war?"

No one answered.

Hestia looked into the flames. "Olympus has endured much. But every time… we had a champion. And lately, we've had the strongest demigod of our age fighting for us."

I wasn't sure whether to feel honored or doomed.

Zeus nodded. "We will support you… within the laws. You will not be alone."

That surprised me. A lot.

"Okay, okay. Can everyone please just take a shower or something?" I snapped, trying to make light of the tension.

One by one, the gods began to leave, offering their words of advice and cleaning up the mess as they went.

"Well, I'm going to take a nap," Hermes said, grabbing a goblet off the ground and winking at me. "Catch you later, kid. Be sure to stop by if you need something important, or if I find more drachma."

"I'll be going," Athena muttered, scooping up some scrolls and slipping out. "I have work to do."

Ares turned on his heel, grumbling under his breath, dragging his sword behind him. "Next time, I'm bringing a better weapon."

Hephaestus muttered something about designing something better, and then all but stomped out of the room.

Zeus waved a hand vaguely. "The prophecy's on the way. You'll find out what happens soon enough."

Hera shot me a sidelong glance before disappearing with the rest of the gods.

After a few moments of silence, only four gods remained in the room: Hephaestus, Poseidon, Apollo, and Artemis.

Reyna:

As the others trickled out, one by one flashing away with tired nods or brief words of encouragement, Reyna lingered. She could feel the weight of the meeting still lingering in the air—thick, charged, unfinished.

Percy was off to the side, deep in conversation with Poseidon, Apollo, and Artemis. He looked overwhelmed, like he wasn't quite sure how he was supposed to carry all the expectations suddenly falling on his shoulders. She wanted to go to him, to say something—anything—but before she could take a step, a warm voice pulled her attention away.

"Reyna."

She turned. It was Hestia—though no longer Hestia. Now it was Vesta, her Roman aspect glowing gently like embers in a fireplace. Her presence was calm, unwavering, and somehow more intimate than any other Olympian she'd spoken with. Beside her stood Vulcan, who was tinkering with something in his massive, scarred hands—Riptide, Reyna realized. He must've taken it while she wasn't looking.

Vesta gestured with a slight incline of her head. "Come. We need to talk."

Reyna hesitated, but something about Vesta's tone didn't leave room for debate. She glanced back at Percy again, then followed.

They walked through the marble halls of Olympus, though Vesta led them toward a quieter balcony overlooking the clouds. The winds tugged gently at Reyna's hair and armor, but the warmth of the hearth goddess shielded her from the chill.

"I asked you to stay behind," Vesta said softly, "because your journey is different from Percy's."

Reyna frowned. "Different how?"

"You'll walk a path he cannot follow," Vesta said. "But it is no less vital. Before you return to New Rome, I want you to go see Sally Jackson."

Reyna blinked. "Percy's mom?" Her voice came out sharper than she intended. "Why?"

Vesta turned to face her fully. "Because she needs to know he's okay. Not just from the gods. Not from divine whispers. But from someone who's stood beside him."

Reyna folded her arms, bristling without quite knowing why. "He's her son. If anyone should reassure her, it should be him. Why would she listen to me?"

Vesta smiled. "Because you know his battles. You've seen him break and rebuild. You've fought beside him—and care for him. That matters more than you think."

Reyna's face flushed slightly, but she didn't argue. She couldn't, really. Vesta's words settled in her like hot coals—quiet but impossible to ignore.

Before she could respond, Vulcan stepped forward, breaking the tension. "That's not all," he grunted, still turning Riptide in his hands. "This sword… It's not normal. Even for a god-forged weapon."

Reyna raised an eyebrow. "You made it, didn't you?"

"Not quite." His eyes glinted behind a layer of soot and ash. "This is beyond even my best work. It holds something ancient. I've never seen magic woven into metal like this. And it listens, Reyna. The blade listens."

That sent a chill down her spine. She remembered how Riptide had leapt into her hand during battle, like it wanted to be wielded.

"I want you to find my grandson," Vulcan said suddenly, slipping the sword back into its pen form and handing it to her. "He works at a shop in Jersey—'The Metal Place.' Kid's got the forge in his blood. Not many left like him."

He pulled out a lump of fused metals—half celestial bronze, half imperial gold—and placed it in her palm.

"Show him this. He'll know it's from me."

Reyna's fingers closed around the warm metal. "Why now? What do you need from him?"

"Nothing," Vulcan said. "But you will. That blade of yours might need reforging, or… something else. And my grandson's the only one I trust to handle it. There's an order to things, Praetor. Tools. Fates. Even chaos follows rules."

She didn't like how cryptic that sounded. "Will I find him easily?"

"If you're meant to," Vulcan said, then added ominously, "Find him before I vanish in fire."

Reyna wasn't sure if that was literal or metaphorical—and didn't want to ask.

Vesta placed a hand on her shoulder, grounding her again. "This journey may not be grand. You won't slay monsters or carry the world. But what you do will shape the ones who can."

"Why me?" Reyna asked quietly. "Why not a child of Hermes or Iris or even Athena?"

"Because you lead with discipline, and love with restraint. You see order in pain. And… because you care. Even when it terrifies you."

Reyna hated how those words hit the deepest part of her—how they understood things she hadn't even told herself.

Vesta gave her one final, warm smile. "You will do well. Give Sally our blessing. And find the boy."

Reyna nodded slowly. "I'll do it."

Vulcan gave her a short grunt of approval, then vanished in a flash of embers. Vesta lingered just long enough to speak one last time.

"Keep your heart steady. The storm's coming."

Then she, too, was gone.

Reyna stood on the balcony alone, the lump of metal in one hand, Riptide's pen form in the other. The sky stretched endlessly around her. Percy's voice echoed faintly in the distance, still caught in his meeting with the Olympians.

You walk a path he cannot follow.

For the first time in a long time, Reyna allowed herself to feel unsure. But even so—her steps moved forward.

Percy:

As Reyna disappeared with Vesta and Vulcan, Percy turned back to the gods still standing nearby—Artemis, Apollo, and Poseidon. The tension in the room didn't vanish with everyone else. If anything, it seemed to settle heavier in the silence that followed.

He cleared his throat. "So… what do you guys know that you're not telling me?"

Artemis, arms crossed and silver eyes cold and unreadable, was the first to speak. "The blade Eris used—it's magical, yes, but not like most weapons forged by divine hands. We believe it was bathed in the waters of Lethe… and Styx."

Percy blinked. "Wait. Both? Isn't that… bad?"

"It should not exist," Artemis said, voice sharp. "Weapons bathed in the Styx are rare enough. But Lethe… that changes the essence. Erases what it was, what it meant. And yet—"

"It still broke Riptide," Percy muttered. "That shouldn't be possible."

"No," Poseidon agreed grimly. "It shouldn't. But Artemis noticed something else last night. Something… disturbing."

The goddess turned her eyes to the sky beyond the throne room windows. "One of the constellations is missing. The Huntress."

Percy felt like the floor tilted under him. A sudden cold swept through his chest. His mouth went dry. "…Zoe."

He hadn't said her name in years. But now, like a crashing wave, memories returned—her sacrifice, her bravery, her name immortalized in the stars.

"She was the original wielder of that blade," Apollo said, somber now, all his usual swagger gone. "She's gone. Not dead, we think—but… taken. Kidnapped. Under cover of the darkness you felt the other night."

Percy's jaw clenched. "Reyna… she said there's a group forming. Dangerous. They want to take down both camps. This is probably them, right?"

Poseidon nodded. "It is more than likely. And you've made it this far not because of your weapon," he added, his voice low and warm, "but because of the sharpness of your mind. A gift you don't give yourself enough credit for."

Percy blinked, surprised at the compliment. "Uh… thanks?"

Artemis stepped closer. "On your journey, you should stop by the Hunters' camp. Something stirs there. I cannot intervene—not directly. But my lieutenant, Thalia… she will need help. Eventually, you'll see what I mean."

Percy didn't like the ominous sound of that. He frowned. "Is she in danger?"

"She's angry. Hurt. And something dark waits for the moment she's most vulnerable." Artemis's silver gaze softened—just barely. "You'll know when the time is right."

Without another word, Artemis vanished in a shimmering gust of silver wind.

Apollo clapped Percy on the shoulder—harder than necessary, like he was trying to knock him back to reality. "She means well. Just cryptic. Classic Moon Vibes."

Percy almost smiled.

The sun god held out a small golden compass. The arrow spun erratically at first before settling.

"That'll lead you to my son," he said. "The last seer born of me. Kid doesn't know what he is yet. Be gentle with him. Ease him into all this… madness. He's got a big role to play, but he's not ready."

Percy took the compass. "Thanks. I'll… be careful."

Apollo nodded, and with a bright flare of light, he vanished.

Now only Poseidon remained.

For a moment, they just stood there in silence. Percy finally broke it. "Is there… anything else I should know? Something I can do to stop what's coming?"

Poseidon's face was unreadable. "No. Not yet. But there is something you must remember."

Percy looked up, meeting his father's storm-colored eyes.

"You are powerful, Percy. My strongest son. But power untempered is dangerous. I felt what you did in the woods. So did the other gods."

Percy's shoulders tensed. "I didn't mean to—"

"I know," Poseidon said gently. "But that's exactly why you must be careful. Your strength… it's unpredictable. It makes it harder to see where your limits lie. You must be responsible. Not just with your actions, but with your intentions."

It wasn't a scolding. It was a warning. A father's warning.

Then, without another word, Poseidon stepped forward and pulled Percy into a tight hug.

Percy blinked in shock, arms frozen at his sides for a moment. But then he hugged back.

When Poseidon pulled away, his expression softened with pride—and worry.

"Be brave, Percy. Be smart. And don't try to carry everything alone."

With a final gust of sea-salt air, Poseidon vanished.

The heavy bronze doors of the throne room clicked shut behind Percy just as Reyna turned the corner. She blinked, surprised, then offered a faint smile. He looked a little disoriented, like the conversation he'd just had had left his soul somewhere in a whirlpool.

"You okay?" she asked first.

He gave a weak grin. "I should be asking you that."

They both answered the same way at the same time.

"Yeah."

But neither of them sounded convincing.

They stood in awkward silence for a beat before Percy scratched the back of his neck. "So… Artemis, Apollo, and Poseidon gave me some info. Apparently, Riptide should've never broken. It was enchanted—Lethe and Styx-level stuff."

Reyna's brow twitched, but she kept her lips sealed. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.

"They think Eris's blade is something ancient. Wrong," Percy continued. "And also... Zoe Nightshade. She's missing. Artemis noticed her constellation vanished."

Reyna stiffened. "The constellation?"

Percy nodded. "She thinks it might be tied to the same group you mentioned. The ones in the shadows."

"I see." Reyna didn't say more. She didn't tell him about Sally. Or about Vulcan's concerns. Or even that she was leaving… not yet. There was too much he carried already. She didn't want to add to the storm brewing behind his sea-green eyes.

They reached the elevator, where, mercifully, Casy was nowhere in sight. Maybe she was off doing another round of dramatic fangirling somewhere else.

They both let out a breath as they stepped inside.

Outside the Empire State Building, Scipio stood waiting near the curb, noble and proud, and Blackjack pranced beside him, flicking his tail with a casual confidence.

Blackjack whinnied the second Percy stepped out.

"Yo, boss. You good? You look like someone dropped a cyclops on your heart."

Percy groaned quietly. "Can we drop the 'boss' thing already?"

Blackjack snorted. "Fine, fine. What's the move, then?"

Reyna glanced at him, confused. "What?"

"Huh?" Percy blinked.

"You said something. But then you said something else… to your horse?"

"Oh. Uh." Percy coughed. "Blackjack talks. I mean—well—he talks to me. Long story. Magical bond."

Reyna raised an eyebrow. "Of course he does."

Before Percy could ramble more, she stepped toward Scipio, her hand brushing the white pegasus's mane.

"I'm heading back to New Rome," she said, not looking at him.

"Oh." The word came out flatter than Percy meant it to. "Right. That makes sense."

Reyna looked at him for a moment. There was something in his expression—something unsettled and almost boyish. Sad, even. He didn't want her to go. He probably didn't even understand why that made his chest feel weird.

"I'll come back soon," she said softly.

Percy didn't reply, not at first. He just stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.

It was supposed to be a quick, polite hug. But the moment she hugged him back, everything went quiet. His heartbeat slowed. The chaos in his mind muted.

He didn't know why her arms felt like calm itself. But he didn't pull away.

When they separated, Reyna looked just as stunned as he felt.

"I'll be careful," she said.

"You better."

She smirked, then swung onto Scipio in one fluid motion. The pegasus neighed, wings spreading wide. A moment later, they were off, vanishing into the sky.

Percy stood there, staring up long after she was gone.

Blackjack nudged him. "Soooo… Camp Half-Blood?"

Percy sighed. "Yeah. Let's go see what fresh disaster is waiting."

He swung onto Blackjack's back.

"Just one thing," Percy muttered as they lifted into the sky.

"Yeah, boss?"

"Stop calling me boss."