This took a while to write. Not sure how I feel about it.

CHAPTER 7: QUESTS 'N STUFF

Percy stared in shock at the glowing symbol hovering above his head, the image of a crocodile's head and a crown shining faintly in the dim light. Around him, campers and Hunters were kneeling, their eyes wide with fear. Even Thalia looked unsure of what to do.

He had knew that Sobek, the ancient Egyptian god, was his father. But seeing the others kneel made everything feel… real.

"Is this for real?" Clarisse muttered from the back, eyeing Percy warily. "I thought the Egyptian gods were just myths. Like, actual myths."

Chiron, still standing, looked deeply unsettled. His expression was tight, his eyes flickering with uncertainty as he gazed at Percy. "Sobek is… an unusual god to claim a demigod child in these times. The gods of Egypt have not interacted with our world for many millennia. But regardless, Percy is a camper, and he has been chosen for the prophecy."

"Great," Percy muttered under his breath, still processing. The prophecy, the quest, his divine parentage - it was all crashing down on him at once. He felt like the the Nile itself was pressing on his shoulders.

Grover, ever the peacekeeper, cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, Chiron? Should we-?"

Chiron snapped out of his daze. "Yes, yes, rise everyone." His voice was commanding, but the nervous edge to it hadn't gone away. Slowly, everyone stood, casting wary glances at Percy.

Zoë Nightshade was the only one who hadn't reacted with fear or awe. She glared at Percy as though nothing had changed. "Sobek or no," she said, crossing her arms, "this quest is not about you. We go to save Lady Artemis, and I will not let you or your newfound status interfere."

Percy met her gaze with frustration bubbling inside him. "Trust me, I'm not asking for special treatment. We have a job to do, and that's all I care about."

Thalia, ever the practical one, stepped between them. "We need to get going. Prophecy or not, if Artemis is in trouble, we can't waste time."

Chiron cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "The prophecy has been spoken," he said gravely. "And it is clear that a new quest is upon us."

"Five shall go west…" Grover muttered, chewing on his lip as he tried to process the words.

"Two of them must be Hunters," Zoë said, her tone making it clear that it wasn't up for debate.

Thalia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed in thought. "The prophecy says 'campers and Hunters combined prevail,' so it's obvious we'll need a mix."

"But who?" Grover asked.

Everyone looked at Percy, who threw up his hands. "Why is everyone staring at me? Just because it's my quest doesn't mean I automatically know what to do!"

Zoë scoffed. "Your father is known for his cunning in battle. I doubt you're as ignorant as you pretend."

Percy scowled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Zoë. Real encouraging."

"Enough," Chiron interjected, holding up a hand. "Let's stay focused. We need to determine who will embark on this quest. Percy, it is clear that you must go. The Oracle's prophecy has singled you out."

Percy grimaced. "Fine. But who else?"

Drew raised her hand. "I'll go." Percy nodded.

Zoë scowled, but didn't object.

"You're not going without me," Thalia added, her voice firm. Percy didn't exactly like her, but Thalia was powerful. Having her along wouldn't hurt.

"That makes three," Chiron said. "We still need two more."

Zoë exchanged a look with one of the other Hunters, her expression hardening. "I will go as well. Artemis is in danger, and I will not leave her fate in the hands of a child of… him."

Percy rolled his eyes.

Zoë ignored him, her eyes fixed on Chiron. "One more Hunter must join us. Phoebe, thee are the fastest. Thou shall come with me."

Phoebe looked embarrassed. "I… cannot."
"Why not?" Zoë asked.

Phoebe shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Zoë's piercing gaze. "I… uh, I can't. Poison ivy," she muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm still recovering from that batch I ran through last week. You know how bad it gets."

Zoë raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Poison ivy?"

"It's all over my arms!" Phoebe defended, pulling back her sleeve to reveal angry red splotches across her skin.

Zoë sighed in frustration. "Fine. Then we must bring a different Hunter." She scanned the room, her eyes landing on a younger girl near the back.

"Hold on," Percy said. "It's my quest."

Zoë turned slowly to face Percy, her expression unreadable but cold. "It is a quest to save Lady Artemis, not thee's personal adventure, boy," she said sharply. "We are here because it concerns us."

Percy crossed his arms. "Yeah, but the prophecy says 'five shall go west', not Hunter's and co."

Zoë's eyes narrowed. "And yet, it would be safer if Hunters took the lead."

"I'm not saying it won't be," Percy countered, "but I'm part of this, whether you like it or not. And it's supposed to be my quest too."

The tension thickened as Zoë's jaw tightened. She opened her mouth to speak, but Chiron cut in, his tone calm but authoritative. "Both of you are essential to this quest. The prophecy chose you, Percy, and that cannot be ignored. But Zoë is right - this quest also concerns the Hunters deeply, and they must have a say."

Grover piped up nervously, "Uh, guys? Maybe we could, you know, focus on saving Artemis?"

Percy frowned. "Ok, whatever."

Zoë's gaze swept across the clearing, landing on Bianca di Angelo, who stood quietly by the creek. "Bianca," Zoë said, her voice softening slightly, "you will come."

Bianca blinked in surprise. "Me? But… I'm still new to all of this."

Zoë nodded, but her expression remained firm. "You have pledged yourself to the Hunters. You are one of us now. Besides, we need five, and you have the heart of a true Hunter."

Percy's eyes widened. "Wait, Bianca? She's a hunter?"

Bianca shifted uncomfortably, looking down at the ground. "I… I joined them right after the game. Zoë offered, and I thought…" She trailed off, glancing up at Nico, who looked as shocked as Percy felt.

Nico's face was a mixture of confusion and hurt. "Bianca, why?"

She winced, but Zoë stepped in, placing a hand on Nico's shoulder. "She has chosen a path of honor and bravery," Zoë said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Bianca has the potential to be a great Hunter, and her choice should be respected."

Percy shook his head, still trying to process it all. "So, you're really coming with us?" he asked, directing the question to Bianca.

She nodded slowly. "I… I want to help. I have to." Her voice wavered, but there was a determination in her eyes that reminded Percy of himself.

"But Nico-"

"Nico will be safe here," Chiron interrupted gently. "This is the safest place for him while you're gone."

Bianca gave Percy a determined nod. "I'm going, Percy. This is my choice."

Percy wanted to argue, but one look at Bianca's face told him it would be pointless. She had made up her mind.

Zoë nodded approvingly. "Then it is settled. Bianca will join us."

"Looks like we have our five." Percy said.

Percy's heart sank a little. He wasn't thrilled about Bianca going on such a dangerous quest, but there was no changing her mind now.

Chiron nodded, regaining his composure. "Prepare yourselves. You leave at dawn." He turned to Percy, his voice low. "We'll talk more about the… matter of your parentage when you return. For now, focus on the quest."

Percy felt the weight of Chiron's words as he walked away from the group. He was used to being different, but now he felt like a stranger even among his own kind. Sobek's symbol still flickered in his mind.

"Hold on," said Silena. "I feel like we're not addressing the elephant in the room." She pointed at Percy.

He blinked, looking at Silena, who seemed surprisingly serious. "What are you talking about?"

Silena crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at him. "You're the son of Sobek, an Egyptian god. This is kind of a big deal, and we're just acting like it's normal?"

A murmur went through the group, and Percy shifted uncomfortably. He hadn't really had time to process the implications himself, let alone discuss it with everyone. "Look, I get that it's strange," he started, glancing around at the others. "But right now, we have bigger things to focus on. Artemis is in trouble, and we need to go save her."

Beckendorf cleared his throat. "Uh, Percy, Silena has a point. If you're the son of an Egyptian god, that could change a lot of things for us."
He raised an eyebrow. "Really? We're all demigods, but a demigod from a different pantheon is where you draw the line?"

Silena uncrossed her arms. "I'm just saying."

Percy looked around at the campers, feeling the weight of their stares. He hated this - feeling like some kind of unknown factor, something everyone was unsure of. "Look," he said, his voice a bit sharper now, "I don't know how this changes anything, okay? The oracle chose me."

Zoë still seemed unimpressed. "It changes everything, Percy Jackson. We do not know what Sobek's power will bring to this quest. You are an unknown, and an unknown is dangerous."

"Dangerous or not, we don't have time to waste arguing about this," Drew interrupted, her patience clearly wearing thin. "The prophecy's already been given. We've chosen our five. And if Percy's a son of Sobek, then he's still on the team whether we like it or not."

Zoë pursed her lips but said nothing, her eyes flashing with disapproval.

"Besides," Drew added, giving Percy a small smirk, "if Percy's anything like he was today during capture the flag, he'll probably come in handy."

Zoë scowled.

Percy grinned.

He could still feel it, though, like a weight pressing down on him. Sobek. His father. The god of strength, power, and destruction… and devourer of enemies.

The campers and Hunters exchanged uneasy glances, but no one argued further.

Percy swallowed, feeling the enormity of the situation crash down on him. He wasn't just fighting monsters anymore. He was stepping into unknown territory - literally. Egypt, Sobek, ancient powers that hadn't apparently surfaced in millennia. And now, on top of all of that, a prophecy that was already shaping up to be probably the most dangerous thing he'd ever faced.

Drew winked at him, her expression softening. "We've got your back, Percy. Egyptian god or not."

He nodded, grateful for her support, but the uncertainty in his heart remained.

"Percy," Nico said, tugging on his shirt, "can you look after Bianca for me?"
Percy felt bad for the small boy who was clearly worried about his sister. Percy knelt down to Nico's level, meeting his eyes. "I'll do everything I can to keep her safe," he promised. He meant it. Bianca might be new to all of this, but Percy knew what it felt like to be thrust into danger when you weren't ready.

Nico gave a small, hesitant nod. "Thanks," he mumbled, though the doubt didn't fully leave his face.

Standing back up, Percy watched as the campers began preparing for the quest, Percy couldn't shake the feeling that this mission was about more than saving Artemis. His father had claimed him for a reason, and whatever it was, Percy had a sinking feeling it wouldn't be easy to face.

THE SON OF SOBEK

The five questers - Percy, Drew, Thalia, Zoë, and Bianca - were all cramped into a minivan that was just a bit too small.

The tension in the tiny van was palpable as the five questers sped westward, the headlights slicing through the night. Percy sat wedged between Drew and Thalia, with Zoë driving and Bianca in the front passenger seat. Despite the closeness of their bodies, the silence was deafening, thick with unspoken words and lingering doubt. Zoë hadn't even tried to make conversation, her focus entirely on the road ahead.

Percy leaned back, staring out the window as the landscape blurred past. His mind was still spinning, trying to process everything.

Sobek. His father. The so-called 'Great Devourer', king of crocodiles, god of strength and military and probably a bunch of other things.

He could barely make sense of it, let alone explain it to the others. And now, here they were, heading straight into a quest that felt like it had layers upon layers of mystery.

Including a missing goddess.

"You good?" Drew whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.

Percy glanced at her, catching the briefest look of concern in her usually confident gaze. "Yeah," he muttered. "Just... processing."

She gave a small nod, though the unease in her eyes didn't completely fade. "Well, try not to freak out too much. I need you sharp when we run into whatever mess we're heading into."

He smiled weakly. Drew's confidence had always been comforting, in its own way. Still, he could feel the pressure building. Everyone was depending on him. And then there was Zoë, who clearly didn't trust him. He could feel her disapproval radiating from the front seat.

"Why so quiet, Percy?" Thalia asked suddenly, breaking the silence. Her tone was casual, but Percy suspected something.

"Just thinking," Percy replied, turning his head slightly. "About my dad. The prophecy. All of it."

"Prophecies are never straightforward," Thalia said, her gaze steady. "You'll figure it out. We all will."

Zoë scoffed from the driver's seat, her voice sharp in the quiet of the car. "Do not be so certain, Thalia. Prophecies are often misunderstood, and they rarely lead to what one expects."

Thalia's eyes narrowed. "We don't need the negativity, Zoë."

"Negativity?" Zoë shot back, glancing at Thalia through the rearview mirror. "I am simply being realistic. We are heading into the unknown, led by a boy whose very existence complicates the balance between pantheons. We would be foolish not to be cautious."

"Hey!" Percy snapped. "I didn't ask for this, okay? But like it or not, I'm going to do whatever it takes to finish this quest. You think I want to deal with all of this?"

Zoë's eyes flicked toward him in the mirror, cool and unreadable. "It is not a matter of what thee want, Percy Jackson. It is a matter of what must be done. I do not doubt thy resolve, but your father is an unpredictable force, and so are you."

"Oh yeah? Who's your dad, Zoë?"

Apparently the question was either not exactly one Zoë wanted to hear, or she just wasn't a fan of whoever her dad was, because she clenched her jaw and gripped the wheel tighter.

Drew rolled her eyes. "Okay, enough of this. We're on the same team, remember? Bickering isn't helping anyone."

Silence fell over the group again, but the tension remained thick, like a storm building in the distance. Percy clenched his fists, trying to calm the rising frustration inside him. They needed to work together, but it felt like every step forward was fraught with resistance.

Bianca's quiet voice broke the stillness. "We'll figure it out." She glanced back from the front seat, her expression firm but gentle. "We're all here for a reason. Even if we don't fully understand it yet."

Percy met her gaze and nodded. For all her inexperience, Bianca was right. They had a mission to complete, and whatever doubts lingered, they didn't have the luxury of falling apart now. Sobek's power coursed through him, strange and untamed, but it was his. He would figure it out.

The road stretched on ahead of them, and with each passing mile, Percy felt the weight of Sobek's claim settle deeper into his bones.

A few miles later, and Zoë decided to stop at a gas station. It was almost abandoned, the only signs of life being the lights and a beat-up truck.

Bianca stepped out of the car. "I'm going to go to the toilet. Anyone coming?" Thalia and Zoë stood up, walking with Bianca to the dimly lit gas station.

Percy stayed behind, leaning back against the car's seat and letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Drew, who hadn't gotten out either, was staring at him from the front seat, her eyes thoughtful.

"You okay?" she asked, her tone more genuine than he expected.

He nodded, though it was half-hearted. "I don't know. It's a lot to take in - this whole Sobek thing, the prophecy, everything." He rubbed his temples, the pressure in his skull building. "I feel like I'm constantly one step behind."

Drew tilted her head, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. "Look, I'm not gonna pretend I know what it's like to have an Egyptian god for a dad, but you're one of the strongest people I know. You're not as lost as you think you are." Her smirk returned, albeit softer this time. "Besides, you're not exactly made out for anything else. Pretending to be a son of Triton lasted," she pretended to count on her fingers, "not even a day."

"I hate you," Percy muttered.

She laughed.

Then, out of nowhere, a deafening roar was heard, sending mortals scrambling. A massive, golden-furred creature leapt over the petrol tanks, its paws skidding on the polished floor. Percy knew exactly what this was: the Nemean Lion.

In the middle of a gas station.

Whatever Percy had done to piss off fate, he really regretted it now.

"Drew," he said. "Get the others. Now!"

She didn't argue, immediately jumping out of the van and sprinting toward the store where the others were.

Percy slowly crept out of the van, never letting his eyes leave the lion. He stood his ground, his senses kicking into overdrive. "Here we go," he muttered, glancing around at the scattered crowd. Of course people decided to come now.

Not exactly the best place for a fight, but he didn't have a choice.

With a sword he had gotten from the armoury, he slashed and stabbed at the lion, only to realise it was useless. The Nemean Lion's golden fur was impenetrable, the blade skidding off its hide like he was hitting solid stone.

Percy gritted his teeth, frustration boiling inside him. The lion roared again, its maw wide enough to swallow him whole. Percy dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its massive claws as they gouged deep into the pavement. He needed a different strategy - something beyond brute force.

Or maybe brute force was exactly what he needed.

There was more than one way to skin a lion, after all.

The lion's fur shimmered under the moonlight, its invulnerability almost mocking him. It lunged at him again, and while Percy narrowly escaped becoming lion food, his sword wasn't so lucky.

But he wasn't going to be beat by a zoo animal.

With no weapon in hand, he allowed his Sobek-gifted powers to surge. Scales rippled across his skin as his muscles bulged with reptilian strength. The lion charged with a deafening roar, barreling toward Percy like a living battering ram. Percy dodged to the side, rolling behind a truck, then quickly spun to face the lion again.

He charged forward, meeting the creature head-on. As the lion's claws swiped at him, Percy ducked low and wrapped his arms around the beast's massive neck. It thrashed and snarled, trying to shake him off, but Percy held on, his muscles surging with primal strength.

"You're not invincible under that fur," Percy growled through gritted teeth. His arms ached as he tightened his grip, using all his strength to force the lion's head to the ground.

The beast shook him off, but Percy stomped the ground, creating fissures snaking towards the lion.
Then, Percy saw it. A fire extinguisher mounted on the wall near the entrance of the gas station. It wasn't much, but it could work as a blunt weapon. Without a second thought, Percy dashed toward it, grabbing the extinguisher off the wall.

Improvising might just work.

He lunged at the Nemean Lion, hefting the extinguisher in his hands as the lion lunged once more.

He swung the extinguisher with all his might. It connected with the lion's head with a dull thud, and for the first time, the creature recoiled, staggering back with a dazed look in its eyes. Percy jumped on it, wrapping his arms around its neck.

Brute force could work.

Just as he prepared for another blow, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Percy glanced up to see his friends running towards him, weapons drawn.

"Percy!" Thalia yelled. "Duck!"

Without hesitation, Percy released the lion and dove to the side as Zoë loosed an arrow, aiming straight for the lion's exposed eye. The arrow struck true, embedding itself deep in the creature's skull. The lion let out a roar.

It was comical, really. A bunch of kids fighting an oversized lion in a gas station while an arrow was stuck on its face.

Percy rose to his feet, his arms trembling from the effort.

The lion's claws scraped against the concrete, kicking up sparks as it struggled, but Percy felt it - an opening, a way to kill it. The lion's hide was impervious, but its bones weren't.

Percy slammed the lion's head into the ground with a loud, bone-rattling thud. The beast let out a pained roar, its body jerking in shock.

With a final burst of effort, Percy delivered a brutal, earth-shaking punch to the lion's skull, using the full weight of his scaled arm. The lion's eyes glazed over as it slumped, defeated at last.

Panting, Percy stood over the fallen beast, his heart still pounding from the fight. "Thanks for the help."

Thalia smirked, twirling her spear. "You looked like you had it under control."

Zoë lowered her bow, her face impassive.

Percy glanced around at the wrecked gas station - the cracked pavement, the overturned fuel pumps, and the very unconscious Nemean Lion. "Yeah, well… let's hope there aren't any security cameras." He wiped sweat from his brow, trying to catch his breath. "That was way too close."

Drew looked between Percy and the lion wide-eyed. "Did… did you just choke out the Nemean Lion?"

He flashed a tired grin. "Guess I did."

She shook her head in disbelief. "You're such a show-off."

"More than one way to skin a lion."

"What?"

Instead of responding, Percy decided to focus on the spoils. He knelt and worked quickly to remove the Nemean Lion's golden pelt, careful not to damage it. When he finally stood, draped in the lion's invulnerable fur, the once chaotic station now seemed silent.

"Well," Percy said, glancing around at the wreckage of one of the gas station, "that was fun."

"Fun?" Thalia said.

The Nemean Lion's pelt clung to his shoulders like a cloak of victory, gleaming under the night sky.

He laughed to himself. "More than one way to skin a lion."

After the chaos at the gas station, Percy and the others quickly scrambled back into the minivan. The adrenaline was still buzzing in his veins, and the echoes of the lion's roar were fresh in his ears. Thalia slid into the passenger seat, shaking. Zoë took the wheel again, her expression as composed as ever, while Drew slid into the back, making room for Bianca and Percy.

The minivan's engine rumbled to life, and they pulled out of the gas station, leaving the wreckage behind.

Percy rested his head against the seat, exhaustion settling in. "That was... intense," he muttered.

"No kidding," Drew said. "I thought the lion was gonna eat you whole back there."

Thalia let out a short laugh. "You looked like you were auditioning for Hercules."

Percy chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I figured brute force was the only option. Worked, didn't it?"

Zoë didn't glance away from the road, but her voice carried a tinge of approval. "It was... effective. But next time, do not drop your weapon in the heat of battle."

Percy nodded, biting back a sarcastic reply. He knew Zoë was right, even if it grated on him. He'd been reckless, but sometimes recklessness was the only thing that worked.

Bianca, sitting quietly next to Drew, finally spoke up. "What was that lion, anyway? I thought normal monsters didn't have fur that tough."

"It's the Nemean Lion," Thalia said, glancing at her over her shoulder. "Its fur is completely indestructible - nothing can pierce it except for a weak spot."

"The eyes," Zoë added. "Always aim for the eyes."

Bianca nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "How did it even find us?"

Percy sighed. "Monsters like that… they just do. If we're not careful, more will show up. We've got a mission to finish, and that wasn't the last obstacle."

Zoë's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Indeed. We cannot afford further delays."

The road stretched on ahead, and the atmosphere inside the minivan slowly settled into a tense calm. Percy's body ached from the battle, but Sobek's power still hummed beneath his skin, strange and heavy. He didn't fully understand what it meant to be the son of an Egyptian god, but with every fight, every surge of strength, he was learning.

Drew broke the silence. "Well, at least it's never boring with you guys."

Percy snorted. "Yeah, let's see how long that lasts."

As the miles blurred by, Percy leaned his head against the window, watching the scenery shift outside. He knew there were more battles ahead - more monsters, more danger - but for now, he could catch his breath.

Just for a moment.

As Percy rested his head against the window, a voice, low and ancient, rumbled in his mind like the murmur of a deep river.

"You are mine, Perseus. My blood flows through you. Why do you resist what is yours by right?"

Percy's eyes snapped open, his muscles tensing. The voice was unlike anything he had ever heard before - not a god's whisper or a dream-like warning. It was a presence, vast and unyielding, filling his mind with a cold certainty.

"Who-" he thought, half-panicked. "Who are you?"

There was a pause, as if the voice was amused by his question. Then it answered.

"I am Sobek. The Crocodile. The Lord of the Nile. The Great Devourer. You, Perseus, are my son. And you will embrace your heritage, whether you wish to or not."

Percy felt a chill run down his spine. He had known this power inside him was Sobek's, but hearing the god's voice, feeling his presence so intimately, was something entirely different. The sheer weight of Sobek's authority pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe.

"I don't need this right now," Percy thought, gritting his teeth.

Sobek's laugh was like the growl of an ancient predator. "Need? You misunderstand, my son. This is not about need. This is about destiny. The power of the Nile runs through your veins. Do you think you can ignore it forever?"

The minivan's soft rumble barely registered in the background as Percy struggled to keep his thoughts focused. "Be quiet."

The voice grew darker, more insistent. "You are born of the gods, Perseus. You do not get to choose. The blood of kings flows within you, stronger than any child of the Olympians. You are mine. Do not forget."

Percy's heart pounded in his chest, his fingers digging into the fabric of the seat. He could feel Sobek's power, the untamed, primal strength lurking beneath his skin, ready to explode. But he didn't want to be controlled by it. He wasn't just Sobek's - he was his own person.

"It's unfair," he thought. "Why me?"

"Because you are my son. You deny your heritage still. You could control rivers and storms, create combat avatars, do so much more than those puny Olympian demigods. And even still, Egyptian magic is within your grasp! The power of hieroglyphs and divine words could be yours!"

Percy had to admit, that sounded cool. "Those 'puny demigods' are my friends. And I don't have to deal with this."

"I agree. But soon, Ra shall come. The scarab chose you, and you must fulfill your destiny."

"What?" Percy thought.

Sobek didn't answer. "Bring honour to the House of Sobek, to the Land of the Pharaohs. I will come to you again soon."

As suddenly as it had came, the connection faded, leaving Percy feeling hollow and shaken. He exhaled a shaky breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He hadn't realized that the others were watching him.

Thalia frowned from the passenger seat, her brow furrowed. "You okay, Percy?"

He blinked, forcing a weak smile. "Yeah… just, you know. Thinking."

Drew raised an eyebrow. "About what? That lion almost making you cat food?"

Percy forced a laugh, though his mind was still spinning. "Yeah, something like that."

But deep down, Percy knew it was something far more dangerous than the lion.

Sobek was watching him, and the path ahead just got a whole lot more complicated.

But now he had an idea. A really, really, good idea. Egyptian magic…

Percy thought back to all those times he had near misses with the magicians.

Hey, he thought, if you can't beat em, join em.

Chapter done! Ooh, Sobek's getting involved. And what does Ra have to do with all this? (Bit of a hint: look at the end of chapter two and the prophecy on chapter six).

Review responses for my amazing reviewers:

Anaklusmos404 (the only person to have reviewed from chapters 1-6): Banger review! Trust me, I enjoyed writing that chapter as much as you enjoyed reading it. I was planning on maybe just hands, but if you have ideas, go for it! And Ra's connection to Percy... just have to wait and see...

JettShay: Thank you so much!

Robotdocter: Lmao, Percy did not last long as a son of Triton. The Olympians are most certainly NOT going to be happy when they learn who Percy is, but maybe the quest will change that. Smiting first and talking later isn't the smartest idea, but y'know Zeus. Oh, I have big big big plans for Thalia. Trust me, you'll love it. :D

merendinoemiliano: Thanks!

KINGShaheed: I really appreciate you and your reviews! Thank you.

Sageofchaos: Thanks a bunch!

Umbra Lycan: Man, I almost had a whole scene of Percy humiliating Thalia, but I decided against it. I could PM it to you if you want. Thank you for the review though!

Trife: Thank you! I'm currently fixing those mistakes, thanks for pointing them out.

Guest: Updated.

That's the responses over. This is my longest fic thus far, and the plot is finally getting together.

See y'all next update!