Chapter 12: The Lotus Hotel and Casino
As he struggled with the dream, Percy was almost gasping for breath. This was no ordinary nightmare. He could feel its every nerve-wracking movement, like some heavy, distant oppression looming over his conscious mind.
In the heart of the dream, Percy sat inside a cold, lifeless room, with his arms strapped in his straitjacket. The scraping of pencils over paper grated against his nerves. The teacher's voice swooned, annoying him.
"Come on, Percy. You aren't stupid, right? Pick up your pencil."
He could feel the weight of the restraints biting into his skin, a phantasmic pressure that tightened in his chest. To his left, his storm-green eyes searched for a familiar figure. A girl with spiked, black hair contrasted; dark eyeliner framed her fierce eyes. Thalia, daughter of Zeus.
"Well, Seaweed Brain?" The tone cracked like a whip aimed at him, aimlessly accusing him. "One of us has to get out of here."
The straitjacket binding her creaked as she strained against it. Percy felt an uncommon stir of something-respect, perhaps. She was not begging or panicking. She was calling him out.
The edges of the dream were fraying, the classroom melting away. The straitjacket dissolved into nothing, and he plunged, spiraling into darkness.
When he landed, Percy found himself in a cavern. Shadows moved and danced on the walls in a faint glow that twisted and darted toward the pit along his path. Thin wisps of spirits floated in the air, faint souls crying out in loneliness so eerie that anime collectively shuddered.
The voice came from the pit: deep, cold, and vicious, echoing in his mind and wrapping around his thoughts like chains.
"Percy Jackson," the voice said, almost amused. "Yes, the exchange went well, I see."
Percy was frozen with fear. He wanted to move, to speak, but the weight of the voice brought him near paralytic terror.
The great dark enormity in the pit did not, not entirely, speak to him. Its gaze was diverted, as if directed towards another presence close to it. Percy strained to see, his senses sharp, but found nothing. Only the invisible weight of something-or someone-standing near him.
"And he suspects nothing?" the voice from the abyss asked.
The answer came from a voice over Percy's shoulder: silky and slimy. Disturbingly familiar but just out of reach of recognition.
"Nothing, my lord," the voice replied. "He is as ignorant as the rest."
Percy circled around but could not see the speaker.
"Deception upon deception," said the being in the pit, a lash of cruelty in its tone. "Excellent."
"My lord," began this invisible servant, its words tinged with hesitation, "was it truly necessary? I could have brought you what I stole directly—"
"You?" The cackle of a voice, venomous in its scorn. "You have proven your limits already. You would have completely failed me if I hadn't intervened."
The servant hesitated. "But, my lord-"
"Silence," uttered the voice with thunder and icy fury that made the timid and sensitive heart of his dream-self quake with fright. "We have gained a six-month advantage. Zeus's fury has swelled. Poseidon has played his final card to desperation. Soon, we shall turn it against him."
His heartbeat flatlined for a moment; they were talking about him. The Crooked One, Kronos, had designs for him, and he was the focal point.
The voice grew incisive in its next breath. "Shortly, servant, you shall obtain that which your heart desires. Your vengeance draws nigh. But wait…he is here."
"What?" The servant's voice broke, panic seeping in. "You summoned him, my lord?"
"No." The voice from the pit hissed. "Blast his blood-he is too changeable, too unpredictable. The boy brought himself hither. "
"Impossible!"
"For you, perhaps." The monster shot back. It directed its full attention towards Percy. The pressure in the room made it hard for Percy to breathe.
"So . . . you wish to dream of your quest, young half-blood?" the voice mocked. "Well, let me oblige."
Percy was thrown into the throne room by an unseen force. The basic construction was black marbles with a polished floor that glared with bronze reflecting the faint light of torches.
The throne loomed at the far end of the room; it was made from the fused bones such that the bones shone with an unnatural luster. It emptied Percy's stomach.
Skeletons in Greek armor leapt out of the shadows, their hollow eye sockets glowing dully. They surrounded Percy, grasping him with bone fingers on each arm. He tried to fight them off, but there was strength in numbers.
Silk robes were draped over his shoulders, and a laurel crown was thrust on his head. The wreath burned against his scalp, the sting sharp and searing. Smoke rose from where it touched his skin, but Percy bit down hard, straightening himself out without a whimper.
The voice from the pit was now malignant and unruly.
"Hail, conquering hero!" the voice boomed. Its laughter echoed in the throne room.
Percy's fists clenched. He would not yield, even in the middle of a nightmare. His stormy green eyes glared toward the abyss, a steady defiance burning in the depths.
"Is that all you've got?" he spat, his voice steady in spite of the clawing terror in his stomach.
The laughter ceased, replaced by a chilling silence.
"We shall see," the voice whispered, its tone dark and foreboding.
The dream shattered, and Percy awoke with a start, his chest heaving.
Grover was shaking his shoulder.
"They're stopping," Grover said, his voice steeped in a low, urgent pitch. "I think they're checking on the animals."
Percy sat up, mind already working. A tricky situation is always a valuable opportunity; he wasn't going to let it go. Annabeth was already putting on her invisibility cap and flickered out of existence by the time he reached the trailer.
"Hide," she hissed, suddenly authoritative.
Percy glanced at Grover. Percy, however, paid no regard to his heroics. He pointed out a pile of sacks behind the trailer and said quietly, "There. Move."
Just as the trailer's doors creaked open, they dived behind the sacks. An explosion of heat and sunlight joined the familiar smell of the animals inside, making Percy's nose wrinkle as he looked on as two truckers boarded.
""Man, I wish I hauled appliances." one muttered, waving a hand in front of his face. He was carrying a bucket of water, and he sloshed it around as he walked to the cages.
The lion protested with an angry roar when the water splashed on its face. The trucker laughed, mockingly. "Cool off, big guy."
Percy followed the scene with narrowed eyes. These men carried animals not for transport but to satisfy their bloodthirsty cruelty. He took note of that, and the ideas began whirling. Grover was tense beside him, fingers twitching.
"Calm yourself," Percy whispered softly. "We wait."
The trucker moved off, tossing a crumpled fast-food bag into the antelope's pen. He turned and smirked at the zebra.
"You will be getting off the train at the next stop, Stripes. You like magic? You won't mind being cut in half!"
Fear in every stamp of the zebra's hooves. Then it turned its eyes and looked squarely at Percy, imploringly. A clear, too-comfortingly-pleasant voice rang in Percy's head: Free me, lord. Free me.
Percy froze. He did not move a muscle outwardly, but it totally threw him off guard. He had never experienced anything like it. He squeezed the hilt of Riptide with slightly more force.
Nearby, Grover whispered, "Smugglers. The lion told me."
"Calm down," Percy said in a sharp and commanding tone. He did not want Grover to go all panic-stricken and blow up the whole place.
Then, a loud knock came from outside the trailer. Inside, the trucker, Maurice, paused and yelled, "What's going on, Eddie?"
Outside, a gravelly voice bellowed back, "What're you yelling about?"
Maurice cursed under his breath and jumped out to see what was happening, leaving no one in the trailer to guard it. As soon as he stepped out, Annabeth appeared back at Percy's side, her expression grim.
"This is illegal," she said, her voice low but firm. "We have to do something."
Grover nodded eagerly. "The animals—Percy, we can't just leave them."
Percy locked eyes with Annabeth, seeing her resolve. She was clever in her way, calculating, but there burned within a fire for justice he could use. He allowed a slow nod, not because he cared about the animals, but because it would cause pandemonium—and a whoop of chaos could come handy.
"Fine," he said, his voice steady. "Let's make it quick."
Again, the zebra's voice rang in his head: Free my cage, and I will take care of myself.
He moved stealthily, drawing Riptide. The celestial bronze blade gleamed as Percy's cut through the zebra's cage. The zebra came leaping out, nimble with a strange elegance. As it took off, it turned to Percy and awkwardly bowed its head in a gesture of thanks that seemed almost dignified.
"Thank you," it said, its words resonating in Percy.
Grover said something with his strange goat tongue and raised his hands in a kind of prayer. Percy ignored him and went on to the next cage, slashing the locks on them with ease. The antelope and lion lingered for the briefest of moments then escaped into the wild.
As the animals fled, Maurice appeared back by the trailer's doors, bewildered. And before he even gathered what was taking place, the zebra leapt over him into the pandemonium of Las Vegas streets. In shock, Maurice shouted, staggering back as the last of the fleeing animals passed him. Tourists screamed, and cars honked as the lion roared as its great shape crossed the neon-obscured cityscape.
"Percy," Annabeth said after him, tugging at his arm. "Come on, we need to move. Now!"
Percy smirked back. "What do you think?"
Grover lingered, his eyes fixed on the animals. "Will they be all right?"
"They will survive," Percy said abruptly, turning to Grover. "Focus. We are not here to babysit."
Grover frowned but offered no rebuke. Annabeth pushed ahead, drawing on her cap as they slipped from the truck and into the alley behind. He took one look back at the spreading chaos in the street. The police responded quickly as their shouts mingled with the sounds of tourists and traffic.
"That was reckless," Annabeth said as they moved away from the scene, her voice laced with disapproval.
Percy shrugged. "It worked. That's what counts."
She did not respond, but her silence spoke volumes.
Percy didn't care. He'd done what needed to be done, and now, the truckers would be too busy dealing with the aftermath to come after them.
"Come on," he said, his voice calm. "We've got a quest to finish."
As they disappeared into the shadows of the city, Percy couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The chaos he'd unleashed was a small taste of what he could do when he set his mind to it. And while Annabeth and Grover saw the act as a moral victory, Percy knew it for what it truly was: a demonstration of power.
—
The sun just kept on shining down on them fiercely as they all made their way along the teeming streets of Las Vegas. It seemed that the very air shimmered with that kind of destructive heat, leaving the trio looking and feeling as beaten and misplaced as they were. They passed by glittering casinos, towering monuments, and an astonishingly small replica of the Statue of Liberty. Percy's gaze skipped over the crowds toward whatever next might happen. They needed a plan to head west. The trouble was that his mind was all but foggy with tiredness, and their options were limited.
Percy heard the faint whir of the air conditioning before he saw the Lotus Hotel and Casino. Its entrance seemed to shimmer like a mirage above the desert. A giant neon lotus flower crowned its front, petals flashing in truly alluring sequences. The chrome-plated doors wide open straight in when invitingly cool and fragrant air wafted through like a siren's song. Percy paused, feeling his instincts prickling. Something about this place felt...off.
"Hey, kids!" A man stood at the entrance in crisp uniform, displaying a practiced, sympathetic smile. "You sure look like you could use a break. Come on inside and cool off."
Percy's stormy green eyes looked the man over for any signs of danger. He appeared like an everyday kind of guy-no symbols of godhood or evilness, just another face blending into that great ocean of mortals into which they had been born. Percy responded with one curt nod, to go with the little charade. "Sure," he said pleasantly enough, with the shadow of suspicion buried deep beneath his words.
They stepped into the hall of the Lotus Casino, a surreal glow surrounding the vast room. Grover's violet seemingly darted around the hall to absorb the extravagance. Annabeth, however, seemed petrified, eyebrows narrowed. Percy stared blankly, with stormy green eyes now focused on a huge glass elevator coupled with an indoor slide twisting around it and the unending hurly-burly of games and attractions. There was just something… off about the place!
"Whoa," Grover uttered in a shocked tone..
Percy said nothing but raised a slight smile that could have been characterized as that of amusement. The whole place bespoke indulgence: a playground for individuals with no true worries. Yet extravagant as it looked, an odd feeling began to tickle the back of his head.
A man approached in an ostentatious Hawaiian shirt marked with yellow lotus flowers, shorts, and flip-flops. He had an unnerving, pristine smile and an overtly cheerful demeanor despite the relaxed attire.
"Welcome to the Lotus Casino!" The man raised his arms. "Here are your room keys."
Percy frowned. "We didn't book—"
"Oh, no, no!" And he laughed, interrupting him. "Everything's all taken care of. No charge, no tip. Just enjoy!" He finished off with a flourish—he unfurled a card.
As he handed over three green pieces of plastic, he said: "These are your LotusCash cards! Unlimited fun! They work on everything: games, rides, and restaurants."
Percy hesitated just before taking hold of the card while his fingertips glided through its smooth plastic. "Unlimited?"
"Absolutely!" The man grinned even wider.
Percy now cocked one eyebrow slightly. "How is that possible?"
"Why, it's simple!" the man said as though the question itself was ridiculous. "There is no limit! Just enjoy yourself!"
Grover did not wait any longer for an explanation. He yanked his card from the man's hand and stared about like a kid in a candy store, his instincts soon lost to the fancier allure of flashing lights and cheerful music. Annabeth took hers much more slowly. Yet, her gray eyes indicated a flicker of interest.
Percy, meanwhile, stood still, gripping the card a little tighter. He did not trust this place. The horrible feeling deepened in his stomach like a whisper issued from deep within-a voice he did not recognize yet could not ignore.
"Top floor," the man continued. "Room 4001. If you need anything-any extra bubbles for the hot tub, skeet targets for the shooting range, anything-just call the front desk."
Percy tilted his head a little, his gaze piercing. "What's in it for you?"
The man blinked, momentarily taken aback by the question. "I... Well, nothing! We just want you to have the time of your life."
Percy was quiet, but his expression said what needed to be said. He tucked the card into his pocket and motioned for the others to follow after him.
As they stepped into the elevator, the cheery music around them faded. The polished chrome walls reflected distorted and rock-shaped images of them. Percy leaned up against the side of the elevator, his arms crossed, his mind racing. The air here felt dense in weight; something peculiar charged the atmosphere.
"What's your problem?" Annabeth asked curtly, out of mere curiosity.
"Something is wrong," Percy replied, his gaze focused on the glowing numbers above the elevator door.
"You think everything's a trap," she said, though her voice had a dainty edge of rising unease.
"And I'm usually right," Percy went on, in a steady voice but with authority.
The elevator bell chimed, and as the doors of the elevator opened, a luxurious suite comparable to the lobby's sheer absurdity appeared before their eyes. It was massive, having an expanse for a broad window that extended to the glittering cityscape, further filled with opulent furniture along with luxurious amenities.
Grover whistled in a low manner. "This is... so cool!"
Annabeth sauntered over to the window and traced a finger across the curtains. "That's so... extravagant." Even as she spoke, her uncertainty rang through.
Percy walked to the center of the room, slowly, a nagging discomfort coming to a point inside him, as if the walls themselves were trying to jam him into the ground. But unlike his companions, he felt no inclination to lose himself in the allure of the place. If anything, the sensation of being watched, of time slipping away unnoticed, sharpened his focus.
"Not just some casino," Percy muttered mostly to himself.
"Who cares? They've got enchiladas, blue milkshakes, nachos-everything you could ever want!" Grover flipped through the menu, oblivious to Percy's growing discomfort.
Annabeth turned quickly, frowning at him. "Do you really think something's wrong?"
He turned to her, his green eyes unreadable. "Don't you?"
Her silence conveyed everything.
Laughter and music drifted in from the hallway, its rhythm almost hypnotic. Percy set his jaw, resolutely trying to remain calm. Whatever this place was, it wouldn't get to him. Not now, not ever.
"Have fun," he finally said, with slight dismissiveness. "But don't forget why we're here."
Annabeth cast him a worried glance, but Grover had already reached the door, attracted by the allure of entertainment that seemed limitless. For a moment, Percy's gaze lingered, taking over the suite one more time. Something about this place wanted them to remain here, and he was going to find out why.
For now, he would play along. But only for now.
---
End of Chapter 12
Author's Note: A decently long chapter for once. So, Percy isn't affected by the time magic of the casino. Could it possibly be a sign of something? Anyone have any ideas for what I can do with the next chapter? I would like to know what you guys are thinking. Comment below if you feel you have any ideas. Also I have another question. Do you guys want me to rewrite the initial chapters like how percy reached camp and stuff in details including his camp experience? If you do, then I'll spend 2 or 3 weeks working on that instead of continuing and posting the next chapter.Tell me what you think in the comments. I'll hold a sort of poll for it.
Hope you enjoy this chapter and also Merry Christmas in advance.