After avoiding a most unfortunate encounter with the hunters—at least for them—I finally flew back to the train, catching up with it almost instantly. Unaware of the exact position of my companions, I extended my senses through the train, catching onto the winds that brought back the sounds of their voices.
"...help?" Came Anna lite's murmur and I skipped past dozens of compartments, hunting for the voice.
"What do you mean?" Percy's reply came much stronger this time, finally enabling me to locate their exact location.
"When you were asleep earlier, you mumbled; 'I won't help you.' Who were you dreaming about?"
The familiar windowless hole greeted my vision soon and I dove in without preamble, announcing my arrival with a barely suppressed smirk. "What's this about, Perce?"
The duo exclaimed in surprise, jumping on their seats as they whirled towards me.
The surprise turned to irritation instantly.
"Couldn't you have knocked?" Percy asked with a frown.
I maintained my wide smile. "Oh sure, I could've knocked...the whole train aside if I wanted to. Yes, what about it?"
"...Forget I said anything." He mumbled quietly.
"Good. Now what's this about your dreams?" I asked again, this time serious.
The boy looked reluctant to say anything—glancing at us both warily—but eventually opened up.
"I've been having these dreams lately..." He started, and I gave him all of my attention.
By the time he was done describing his dreams, my fears had been confirmed. The boy was dreaming about Kronos.
'But why does the Titan need Percy to bring him the master bolt?'
I'd suspected from the start that this plot might be the Titan lord's doing. He was known to be quite cunning and manipulative; there was a reason he was called The Crooked One. Especially with Hades' help, he could've easily stolen the bolt.
After all, the bolt disappeared in winter solstice, the only time Hades was allowed on Olympus.
….But a god cannot touch another's symbol of power.
'Must've got Luke to do it.'
But this whole plot was standing on the idea that Hades and Kronos were working together. And that's where my confusion began...if they were working together, why the hell does Kronos need Percy's help to get the bolt? Hades had direct access to Tartarus, he could just send one of his monsters down with the bolt...
The Fury's words suddenly rang in my head. 'Your friend is the lightning thief and you know it!'
Could Hades actually not be working with Kronos? But why capture Sally then? Why work with Kronos and Gaia to assault their camp?
Maybe the reason was more practical than insidious. The Lightning Bolt was one of the most powerful weapons in the world, containing a ridiculous level of divinity no doubt. Perhaps a random monster just can't carry it? Perhaps a demigod was needed for the job?
'But they can just use Luke then!'
Something fishy was going on here that much was certain.
"That doesn't sound like Hades." Annabeth's words startled me out of my thoughts. "He always appears on a black throne, and he never laughs."
"Oh, it definitely wasn't Hades in his dreams alright." I informed them gravely. "And I'm beginning to think maybe we are on a wrong track."
"He offered my mother in trade though." Percy said uncertainly. "Who else could do that?"
I frowned, my mind working in overdrive.
Kronos should have no authority over the dead. Did that confirm his allegiance with Hades? Or was it simply a play of words? Perhaps he was trying to trick Percy, not outright lie about it.
For Kronos, the only way to get the boy's mother back would be if he conquered the underworld, and took control of the soul-management department.
"Ah, now it makes sense." I muttered.
The Titan Lord wanted Percy stuck to his wagon. Permanently.
Percy will do the job of bringing the bolt to him, and he will, of course, deliver his promise to return Sally...but only after he conquers Olympus.
For which he will once again dangle her to secure Percy's allegiance, gaining a powerful pawn to do his bidding in the coming war. And all this for free.
Cunning bastard indeed.
…Unless, of course, he does have Hades in his pocket and I was simply overthinking things.
"You know something, don't you?" Annabeth asked, scowling.
Her hatred of being ignorant was a common knowledge, as was my enjoyment in needling her over it whenever possible.
"I do indeed." I replied with blatant mysteriousness, turning away from her to stare out at the passing horizons.
"Well?" She urged impatiently.
"Hmm?" I blinked, turning back. "Sorry, did you say something?"
She groaned. I smiled.
"Just tell us please." She begged.
I finally relented and began relaying my suspicions to the duo. It might be reckless, considering their minds were vulnerable to any gawker with the ability to peer inside, increasing the risk of the info reaching unwanted ears...but I found myself uncaring.
If the kids can't be trusted with a secret, trusting them with my sister's life would be the height of folly.
"But...but why are we still going to L.A then?" Percy asked after digesting my suspicions. "If it was Kro–"
"Don't say his name!" Annabeth snapped.
"The Titan." Percy corrected himself, shooting an annoyed glare at her. "If it was this Titan dude all along, then going to underworld is just a waste of time, right?"
I sighed irritably. "That's the problem. This is all my own logic and theory. We don't really know if Hades is actually involved in this plot or not. I guess we'll find out in hell. That's what we are going for, more than anything else."
And for some payback if I could get it.
"But wouldn't he just..." Percy slashed a finger across his throat.
"If he isn't involved, then no." I denied reluctantly.
While I would like to believe Hades to be a demon in god's clothing, that just wouldn't be true. Greek mythology depicted him as one of the few half-decent gods, with his own twisted sort of divine code.
"He isn't going to just kill us. Making enemies with both of his brothers isn't good for his health. If he is involved in the plot however? Well, you better pray to your daddy dearest for some miracle. I will be able to escape if he goes berserk, but you won't be so lucky."
Our compartment went silent after that, everyone buried in their own thoughts.
I turned to stare outside, a little surprised to note how dark the night had fallen. We must've been talking for over 3 hours.
"Alright kiddos." I turned back, snapping my fingers. "Off to sleep with you."
"It will be another day before we reach Denver. So get as much rest as you can."
We were in the sleeper class so there wasn't any need for me to make new beds again, and the kids quickly retired for the night.
'Tomorrow... tomorrow I'll figure out what to do moving forward.'
-----------------------------
The next morning, our train stopped at Amtrak station downtown. It was supposed to be a three hours break before we completed our journey to Denver.
I decided to wake my companions early, the refreshing haze of a misty morning too special to waste away sleeping.
"So sightseeing?" Annabeth sat up excitedly. "Do we have time for a ride to the top of the Gateway Arch!? We'll never get a chance again, not this early in the morning. Did you know that we can see the entirety of Missouri from one side of the arch and St. Louis from the other?"
I snorted. "…Sounds interesting."
What use was such a viewpoint to a person capable of flight?
"Do we have to?" Percy drolled out drowsily, not sharing any of our enthusiasm.
"Well, we're going." Annabeth announced, though not without shooting me an uncertain 'Right?' look—getting a shrug of acceptance in return. "This could be our only chance to see the Arch. So, are you coming or not?"
Percy agreed reluctantly, and soon we left the closed confines of the train, ready to do some sight-seeing and stretch our legs.
The Arch was about a mile away from the station. Visible from far away, it stood high and tall, a ring of hollow metal tube making an inverted U upon the ground.
Until a few years ago, I'd thought the Arch to be a dense ring of concrete and metal, made just for our viewing pleasure. It was only a little while later when I realized that you could actually travel inside it.
Indeed, there was an elevator inside the semi-spherical structure that could bring us to the very top. Thankfully, there were very few people visiting the Arch at this time, so we didn't need to wait behind any lines.
We made our way through the underground museum, passing various antique items that Annabeth couldn't keep quiet about, yet looked like mere trash to me and Percy.
But while lackluster to the extreme, Annabeth kept our interest balanced by spouting random facts about the Arch, so we passed the time. Struggling but successfully.
We were standing at the bottom of the elevator's hoistway, waiting for it to arrive back down, when I sensed the unmistakable presence of a monster.
I extended my senses quietly through the air, not wanting to startle the kids.
It wouldn't have mattered too much though as Percy jerk straight suddenly, a look of discomfort stark upon his face as he looked around us in growing paranoia.
"Guys... something is wrong." The boy whispered, alert but most likely not recognizing his instinct's call.
"Oh, do be quiet." Annabeth snapped. "We're not backing out just because you got cold feet all of a sudden.."
I sighed, leaning against the wall to keep an eye at the back.
'This girl gets a really tunneled-vision in matters like these, doesn't she?'
"No, really." Percy insisted. "I feel someone is watching us. You know about the god's symbol of Power?"
I hummed.
"Well, doesn't Ha– I mean, doesn't the under-god have a hat like Annabeth's?"
"The Helm of Darkness." I nodded. "One of the most powerful objects in the world. That's his symbol of power."
"I saw it on our trip to Olympus last winter solstice." Annabeth commented.
"He was there?" Percy asked, surprised.
I snorted, a little surprised. I always forgot Percy was still so very new to this world.
"It's the only time he's allowed to visit Olympus—the darkest day of the year." Annabeth replied. "But his helm is a lot more powerful than my invisibility hat."
"Indeed, with it he can become darkness incarnate itself." I grunted, reluctantly admiring. "And by darkness, yes I do mean the intangible, pitch-black darkness. He is the embodiment of 'Fear the Dark', and can radiate such extreme fright that it'll freeze your entire being; heart, mind, and soul."
"But then…how do we know he's not here right now, watching us?" Percy whispered, eyes flickering wildly.
I laughed, finally unable to hold it in. "Relax. Perce. It's not Hades you're sensing, but one of the monsters. There's nothing to fear."
Shockingly, that did not make him relax.
"W-where?" He stuttered out, looking under him as if a monster might pop out from underneath him.
I sighed. "Just...stand still and shut up, will you?"
"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better." The boy replied sarcastically.
I wacked him on the head, ignoring his indignant yelp as the tiny elevator car finally came to greet us.
Annabeth piled in quickly, not waiting for us. Before I could follow, I felt a tug on my sleeves and turned to see a very green Percy.
"What the hell happened now?" I scowled.
"I hate confined places." The boy whispered urgently, glancing at Annabeth to see if she heard. "Like, very much."
"Well that's just...wonderful."
How on earth did both the demigods from big three have some nerve crippling fear? First Thalia with her fear of heights, and now a claustrophobic son of Poseidon.
I sighed. "Just don't puke, we'll be out quick."
Before he could become more hesitant, I pushed us both into the elevator, sharing the cramped space with a big fat lady and her fat Chihuahua.
As soon as we were in, I instantly zeroed in on the duo, sensing the presence of both mist and Mystiokinesis from them.
'Observe'
Chimera
Race: Monster
Tier: 5
Level: 250
Mana: 100,000/100,000
Stamina: 257,800/257,000
Health: 258,000/258,000
Stats
Strength: 210
Speed: 213
Dexterity: 252
Endurance: 257
Constitution: 258
Mental: 16
Spirit: 100
A wide smile formed on my face, my head feeling light and euphoric, and eyes disbelieving.
'My luck...my luck is supreme. Perhaps I'm the god of fortune?'
I couldn't be blame for such an assumption.
One whole Chimera, prepared and ready for the taking. What could be more blessed than this?
I glanced at Percy. This boy…it has to be this boy. He was my lucky charm no doubt.
I'd been searching for these monsters for three years now. Three freaking years in over a dozen cities. And I hadn't even found the Chimera's morning dump, let alone the monster itself.
Yet, in the course of 3 days, I already had one of them in the bag, had a solid start to track down the other one whenever I wanted, and now got the third one rolling over and presenting its belly to me.
Simply beautiful.
I observed the fat lady next.
Echidna
Race: Monster
Tier: 6 (Divine)
Level: 590
Divine Power: 2,600,000/2,600,000
Stamina: 2,795,000/2,795,000
Health: 2,720,000/2,720,000
Stats
Strength: 604
Speed: 539
Dexterity: 454
Endurance: 559
Constitution: 544
Mental: 43
Spirit: 520
...Ooh. Well now, this makes it even more interesting.
As the elevator travelled in a curved direction, I quickly settled on a plan. There wasn't a single chance in hell that these two were here by coincidence. They were clearly here to hunt us.
So I'll let them start the show.
"No parents?" Echidna asked us, her beady little eyes boring into Percy.
"Nunya." I cut in, staring down the monster.
Confused, she leaned closer. "Where now?"
"Nunya fucking business."
The Chimera growled, its sharp canines peeking out in anger.
It wasn't the only one to react though.
Scandalized gasps ensued from the kids, while the guard—who'd been pretending not to listen—barely suppressed a choked laughter, managing to turn it into an unstable frown that looked a second away from breaking.
"Now now, Sonny. It's fine, it really is." Echidna patted her son before shooting me a disgusted look. "Kids these days have no respect for elders. I didn't expect anything better."
I snorted. "I could say the same about your kids. But you won't ever catch me complaining."
Both the monsters growled at me this time.
Percy was still confused, but Annabeth quickly picked up on it. I shushed her down and whispered to continue with the tour.
The monsters weren't gearing up for a fight yet. And I wanted the Arch empty when we did decide to throw down the gauntlets. Or gloves, in my case.
We soon reached the top of the Arch—which was an observation deck—piling out quickly as the guard herded us away.
The deck was built like a thin but long hall, just curved up and carpeted. It had tiny brick-sized windows, from which observers could peer outside.
The view was...not quite worthy of any praise. I'm sure someone else might've enjoyed it, but it was hard to be impressed by this when one can constantly fly at the altitudes of an airplane, without some curved metallic wall acting like a shield.
Compared to that, this was pretty lukewarm.
My opinion was not shared by my companions however.
While Percy was still looking green—not moving an inch from his corner of the deck—Annabeth was surveying the Arch like a scientist studying an exotic virus. She soon forgot all about the fat Echidna and rattled my ears off by praising the Arch while complaining about it in the same breath. According to her, while still an impressive structure, she could've done a much better job of creating it.
My attention slipped the moment she started showering us with architectural knowledge, and Percy grew progressively more despaired as he realized that Annabeth wouldn't be leaving from here anytime soon.
Luckily for the boy, the Park ranger soon announced the observation deck's closure in a few minutes, and he jumped at the chance to hurriedly shuffle us into the elevator.