I don't PJO, HoO, or ToA, and its characters, all characters belong to Rick Riordan.I only own the Original Characters.


The night air was cool and crisp as Genji leaned against the wall of the diner, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on the horizon. The trio had left to retrieve Ares's shield, and he was left to wait, his mind racing with thoughts of the Olympians, the quest, and the growing complexity of his role in all of it. He wasn't used to feeling uncertain, but the events of the past few days had left him questioning everything.

The sound of heavy boots crunching against gravel pulled him from his thoughts. He didn't need to turn to know who it was—the aura of raw power and aggression was unmistakable.

"Waiting for your little friends, Godling?" Ares's voice was low and mocking, his red wraparound sunglasses glinting in the dim light of the streetlamp.

Genji turned his head slightly, his expression neutral. "Lord Ares. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Ares smirked, his scarred face twisting into something between amusement and menace. He leaned against the wall beside Genji, his massive frame dwarfing the younger godling. "Just thought I'd check in. See how my favorite babysitter is holding up."

Genji's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone even. "I'm not a babysitter. I'm here to ensure the Master Bolt is retrieved. Nothing more."

Ares chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down Genji's spine. "Sure, kid. Keep telling yourself that. But let's be real—you're just another pawn in Daddy's game. And trust me, he's got a lot of those."

Genji resisted the urge to summon his sword, forcing himself to relax. "Is there a point to this, Lord Ares? Or are you just here to waste my time?"

Ares's smirk widened. "Feisty. I like that. But don't get too cocky, Godling. You might have a fancy sword and a bit of lightning in your veins, but you're still just a kid playing at being a god."

Genji's eyes narrowed. "I'm not playing at anything. I'm here to do a job. And if you're not going to help, then I suggest you leave."

Ares laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Oh, I'm helping. More than you know. But let's talk about you for a second. You've caused quite a stir on Olympus, you know that? Hera's furious. Thinks you're just another one of Zeus's flings. And the others? They're not too happy either. A Godling running around, meddling in their affairs? Not exactly their idea of a good time."

Genji clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin. "As I said, I'm not here to meddle. I'm here to retrieve the Master Bolt. That's it."

Ares raised an eyebrow. "And yet, here you are, babysitting a bunch of demigods and picking fights with the Mother of Monsters. Doesn't sound like 'just retrieving the bolt' to me."

Genji's temper flared, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I did what I had to do. If the Olympians have a problem with that, they can take it up with Zeus."

Ares's smirk faded, replaced by a look of genuine amusement. "Oh, they will. Trust me, they will. But for now, you're useful. So, they'll let you play your little game. Just don't forget your place, Godling. You're not on our level, and never will be."

Genji's eyes flashed with anger, but before he could respond, the sound of footsteps interrupted them. He turned to see Percy, Annabeth, and Grover approaching, their faces pale and their clothes singed. Percy was clutching Ares's shield, his expression a mix of anger and exhaustion.

Ares straightened, his smirk returning. "Well, well. Looks like the kids are back. And with my shield, no less. Took you long enough."

Percy glared at Ares, his grip tightening on the shield. "You set us up. That trap was meant for you and Aphrodite, wasn't it?"

Ares chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Guilty as charged. But hey, you survived, didn't you? Consider it a test. And from what I saw, you passed with flying colors. Well, mostly."

Annabeth stepped forward, her gray eyes blazing. "You could've gotten us killed. That trap was designed for gods, not us."

Ares shrugged, his expression unapologetic. "What can I say? I'm a god of war. Humiliation is part of the job. Besides, it's not like you didn't get anything out of it. You've got my shield, and now you've got a story to tell. Not bad for a day's work."

Genji stepped forward, his voice cold. "You used them. You put their lives at risk just to save yourself some embarrassment. That's low, even for you."

Ares's smirk faded, replaced by a look of genuine irritation. "Watch your tone, Godling. You're not in a position to lecture me. And as for you three," he said, turning to the demigods, "you did what I asked. So, here's your reward."

He tossed a backpack at Percy, who caught it reluctantly. Inside were fresh clothes, $20, a pouch of golden drachmas, and a bag of double-stuffed Oreos. Percy looked at the items, his expression unimpressed.

"This is it? This is your idea of a reward?"

Ares shrugged. "Take it or leave it. But I'd suggest you take it. You're going to need it where you're headed."

Percy hesitated, but Annabeth and Grover nodded, urging him to accept the backpack. Reluctantly, Percy slung it over his shoulder.

Ares then gestured to a nearby truck, its sides emblazoned with the words "Kindness International." "There's your ride. Get in the back, and don't ask questions. Oh, and one more thing," he added, his tone turning serious. "Your mom's not dead. Hades has her. Thought you might want to know."

Percy's eyes widened, but before he could respond, Ares disappeared in a burst of flames, leaving the group standing in stunned silence.

--

The back of the truck was cramped and smelled of animal fur and hay. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Genji squeezed in among the cages, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. Inside were three animals: an albino lion, a zebra, and an antelope. The animals looked miserable, their food misplaced and their cages in disarray.

Percy frowned as he noticed the chewing gum tangled in the zebra's mane and the balloon string tied to the antelope's antlers. "What kind of operation is this?" he muttered.

The zebra turned its head, its dark eyes locking onto Percy's. "Help us," it said, its voice soft but urgent.

Percy blinked, startled. "Did you just… talk?"

The zebra nodded. "Please. We need to escape."

Percy looked at Genji, who shrugged. "Divine Energy," he explained. "All divine beings, whether immortal or not, possess it. It allows some of you to communicate with animals that might be related to you in some way, among other things. You're just starting to tap into your powers."

Percy frowned, still processing the information. "So, I can talk to horses now?"

"Yes, and possibly other equines," Genji said. "It's part of your heritage as a son of Poseidon. The more you embrace your divine energy, the stronger your abilities will become."

Grover, meanwhile, was already speaking to the antelope, his voice soothing as he promised to help them escape. Annabeth was examining the cages, looking for a way to free the animals without alerting the drivers.

"We can't just leave them here," Percy said, his voice firm. "We have to help them."

Genji nodded. "Agreed. But we'll need to be careful. Once we reach Las Vegas, we'll let them go."

--

The truck rumbled through the night, the group huddled together as they planned their next move. Percy's frustration with Ares's comment about Genji being his "bodyguard" simmered beneath the surface, but Annabeth and Genji were quick to reassure him.

"You've done more on your own than most demigods ever do," Annabeth said, her voice steady. "You defeated the Minotaur before you even knew what you were. And you took down the Chimera without anyone's help. Don't let Ares get to you."

Genji nodded. "She's right. You're stronger than you think, Percy. And you're only going to get stronger."

Percy sighed, leaning back against the wall of the truck. "I just… I don't want to be seen as someone who needs protecting."

"Nobody thinks you're incapable, Percy," Genji said. "But there's no shame in accepting help when you need it. Even the greatest heroes had allies."

--

When the truck finally reached Las Vegas, the group wasted no time in freeing the animals. Grover blessed them, ensuring they would find safety in the wild. As the animals disappeared into the night, the group turned their attention to the city ahead.

The Lotus Hotel loomed in the distance, its neon lights casting an eerie glow over the streets. Genji's eyes narrowed as he recognized the building for what it was. He opened his mouth to warn the others, but a sudden presence caught his attention. He turned, his senses on high alert, but the presence vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

When he turned back, the trio was already heading toward the hotel, their curiosity outweighing their caution. Genji cursed under his breath and hurried after them, his sword at the ready.

Genji steps through the doors of the Lotus Hotel, his heart pounding with a sense of foreboding. Whatever awaited them inside, he knew it wouldn't be good.

--

As soon as Genji stepped into the Lotus Hotel, the overwhelming scent of exotic spices and fresh flowers hit his senses. The air was thick with a subtle hum of energy, something unnatural but oddly inviting. The moment he crossed the threshold, a hotel worker in a crisp white uniform approached him with a warm, practiced smile.

"Ah, welcome, sir! We've been expecting you," the worker said smoothly. "Please, allow me to escort you to your VIP suite. Everything has been prepared for your arrival."

Genji frowned, his instincts immediately going on high alert. "I didn't book a room."

"Oh, but of course you did," the worker insisted, motioning toward a lavish golden key in his hand. "Your accommodations have already been taken care of. We offer only the best for distinguished guests such as yourself."

Genji hesitated. Something felt… off. His mother had drilled into him the dangers of unknown magic and illusions, and this place reeked of both.

"I'll pass," he said firmly. "I'm just here with my friends—"

"Oh, I think you should accept," a new voice interrupted, smooth and melodic.

Genji turned to see a girl standing just a few feet away.

She was around his age, maybe a little older, with long blonde hair that framed her face with elegant, side-swept bangs. Her eyes, a striking crimson, shimmered like polished rubies under the golden lights of the hotel. She wore a sleek black top, a skirt, and a belt that matched her outfit's aesthetic, all contrasted by a white sleeveless bolero that made her stand out even more.

For a moment, Genji couldn't look away. It wasn't just her appearance—there was something about her presence that demanded his attention, as if the world around him had faded into a blur.

She smiled at him knowingly, her crimson eyes flickering with amusement. "A VIP suite sounds nice, doesn't it?"

Genji's initial resistance wavered. The idea of relaxing, of unwinding even for a moment, seemed… tempting. After everything they had been through, what harm could there be in taking a short break?

Before he even realized it, he nodded.

The girl's smile widened. "Great! Come on, I'll show you around."

She hooked her arm around his and led him deeper into the hotel, past dazzling chandeliers and vibrant slot machines, through halls lined with marble columns and golden statues. Everywhere he looked, people were smiling, laughing, indulging in games, food, and entertainment.

"This place is amazing, isn't it?" she said, twirling around gracefully before stopping to face him. "It has everything you could ever want. Endless fun, endless excitement… You could stay forever and never run out of things to do."

Genji smiled slightly. He had to admit, it was impressive. He had been so focused on the quest, so burdened by responsibilities, that he hadn't realized how exhausted he was. Maybe he did deserve a moment to just enjoy himself.

She led him to a dance floor bathed in golden light, where couples moved fluidly to a soft, enchanting melody. Without hesitation, she took his hand and guided him into the rhythm.

"You're not bad at this," she teased, stepping closer as they moved in sync.

Genji chuckled. "You're not so bad yourself."

Her eyes gleamed. "I know I'm not."

As they danced, the world outside the Lotus Hotel felt increasingly distant. His worries, his mission—everything faded into the background. The only thing that mattered was the girl in front of him, the warmth of her hand in his, the soft laughter in her voice.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something.

Percy and Annabeth were pushing their way through the crowd, their expressions determined.

The girl let out a barely audible curse under her breath.

Genji blinked in confusion. "What was that?"

She pulled away slightly, her fingers lingering on his wrist for just a moment longer than necessary. Then, leaning in close, she whispered into his ear:

"See you around, Hybrid."

His breath hitched.

The trance shattered in an instant.

His mind reeled as clarity rushed back. He looked around, suddenly aware of the overwhelming, dreamlike atmosphere of the hotel. How long had he been here? Had he really let himself get so distracted?

Percy and Annabeth reached him, both looking breathless and worried.

"Genji, come on!" Annabeth urged. "We need to find Grover and get out of herenow."

Genji shook his head, trying to push past the lingering fog in his mind. He turned back to the girl—

But she was already gone.

Finding Grover wasn't hard. The satyr had been lounging near a fountain, nibbling on what looked like a never-ending supply of fresh strawberries. It took some convincing (and a few harsh words from Annabeth), but eventually, he snapped out of the trance as well.

The moment they stepped outside, the cold night air jolted them fully back to reality.

Annabeth ran straight to a nearby newspaper stand and grabbed a copy. The moment she read the date, her face drained of color.

"Five days," she whispered.

Grover let out a strangled noise. "W-we lost five days?!"

Genji exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm. His mind was still spinning from what had just happened inside, but there was no time to dwell on it.

"Then we move," he said. "Now."

Annabeth didn't waste another second. She stepped to the curb and whistled for a taxi. A yellow cab screeched to a stop, and the driver rolled down the window, raising an eyebrow at them. "Where to?"

Annabeth didn't hesitate. "Los Angeles. Fast."

The driver snorted. "That's a long way, sweetheart. You got the cash for that?"

Without missing a beat, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a sleek black card—the one she had been given at the Lotus Hotel. She handed it over.

The driver barely glanced at it before swiping it on his machine. The moment he did, the payment screen displayed a strange symbol—.

His eyes went wide. "Uh… yeah. Right away, miss."

The doors unlocked, and the group piled in. As the taxi sped off into the night, Percy and Annabeth discussed their next move in hushed voices. Grover was still recovering from the shock of losing five days.

Genji, however, was silent.

His mind kept drifting back to her.

She had known what he was. She had called him Hybrid.

Who was she? And why did he feel like this wouldn't be the last time he saw her?


Any Constructive Criticism is welcome

PS: Sorry for the very long time since I last posted, but I started to go to University, and I ended up losing my motivion.

but I got it back now (for good I hope).

and also I will be postng new versions of the past chapters, because re-reading them I realized I'm not satisfacted with them.