Even if she's sorely tempted to take the quest and confront Hades for trying to kill her three times, and the fact that her mother was in the Underworld. Only to remember the fact that Hades was a god, one of the Big Three, and has millennia of experience and unbelievable power. And she's just a kid that barely has two weeks of training.
"Suspecting and knowing are not the same. Besides, even if the other gods suspect Hades, and I imagine Poseidon does, they couldn't retrieve the bolt, themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule." Chiron explained. "Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"
"I'm no hero." Jakob said with a frown. "A hero… is someone who is willing to do anything for anyone at the expense of himself. That's what I believe. To be called a hero when I've done nothing… just doesn't seem right. Hell, I'm almost sure most of the demigods here haven't done anything hero-worthy. I'd rather be called a hero for something I've done rather than because of who my parent is."
"Quite a smart way of thinking." Mimir agreed. "I know you don't want to be remembered simply because your father is Thor."
Chiron pondered his explanation, before nodding, "That… is an interesting aspect. One not many are willing to see to that level. I am inclined to agree with you."
"You're saying we're being used," Andromeda interrupted, bringing the conversation back to the main point. Jakob frowned at the idea of being used. He was nobody's tool, weapon... monster.
"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."
'That doesn't make it any better.' Thought Andromeda, given that basically meant if her father wasn't desperate, then he wouldn't have claimed her or at least as soon as he did.
That's not counting how he's ignored her for the past twelve years, and now suddenly he needs her to fix everything.
"You've known I was Poseidon's daughter all along, haven't you?" Andromeda asked rhetorically while looking at Chiron.
"I had my suspicions. As I said…I've spoken to the Oracle, too." Chiron admitted, giving her an apologetic look for keeping the information from her, making the ravenette sigh and cover her face before lowering her hands.
"So let me get this straight," Andromeda said slowly. "We're supposed to go to the Underworld to confront the Lord of the Dead."
"Check," Chiron said.
"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."
"Correct." Jakob nodded.
"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, ten days from now."
"That's about right," Chiron nodded.
Andromeda looked at Grover, who gulped down an ace of hearts.
"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" Grover asked weakly.
"You don't have to go," Andromeda told Grover. "I can't ask that of you."
"Oh…no…it's just that satyrs and underground places…well…" Grover said before taking a deep breath and standing up, brushing the remains of the playing cards and cans off him.
"You saved my life, Andie. If…if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down." Said Grover, with the ravenette smiling in relief and thanks.
"All the way, G-man. So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go west." Andromeda said, turning back to Chiron, wondering how they're supposed to get to the Underworld.
"The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, of course, it's in America." Replied Chiron.
"Los Angeles." Jakob said, causing all eyes to turn to him and he shrugged. "You think Odin isn't going to know where potential enemies are placed? The Underworld is in Los Angeles, that is where we are going."
"Oh, naturally. So we just get on a plane-" Said Andromeda.
"No! Andromeda, what are you thinking?! Have you ever been on a plane in your life?!" Grover said, panicking at the idea of them taking a plane.
"You are the daughter of the Sea God. Your father's bitterest rival is Zeus, Lord of the Sky. Your mother knew better than to trust you on an airplane. You would be in Zeus's domain. You would never come down again, alive." Chiron stated, with lightning crackling overhead as if in agreement.
"Only Jakob could travel through air, given his own heritage and even if Zeus tried blasting him the lightning would tickle him." Mimir said.
"Standing right here, don't talk about me like I'm not." Jakob said with a frown.
"Sorry." Mimir apologized sheepishly.
"So…walking then, great." Andromeda muttered.
"That's right." Chiron said. "Two more companions may accompany you boys. Grover is one. The other has volunteered, if you-"
Chiron was cut off when they heard yelp, looking to see Jakob holding Annabeth's Yankees cap, revealing the Daughter of Athena.
"Gee, who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?" Said Andromeda, feigning surprise, having already guessed Annabeth would be the other volunteer.
"How did you know I was there?" Annabeth huffed, so sure she was so quiet nobody would've noticed her.
"Training." Was al Jakob said, causing the daughter of Athena to huff.
She then looked at Andromeda. "I've been waiting a long time for a quest, Seaweed Brain. And someone needs to be around to keep you both in line."
Jakob narrowed his eyes. "You assume I cannot do this."
"Not alone, thunder head." Annabeth said with a small smirk while Jakob grunted at the nickname.
"If you say so. I suppose you have a plan, Wise Girl?" Andromeda said, making Annabeth blush in annoyance.
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