Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If you heard the word 'hell', what would you think of? The list of possibilities was endless. Some imagined a traffic jam; others would give everything to avoid a family gathering. Particularly religious ones had pictures of fields of endless pain, fire, and a red-skinned devil with horns. Percy's first thought was Tartarus. A bottomless—almost as he'd had a misfortune of finding out this past summer––pit of evil, torture, and treachery was designed to fit the name. Any other day he would be confident in his choice. Had that been any other day.

This particular morning––day, week, month… he didn't know; all of them were horrendous––was his best choice. Even Annabeth, who was a beautiful shade of pale pink, agreed one hundred percent.

Okay, perhaps there was the need to rewind a little and start from the very beginning.

Percy could say that his day had gone downhill from the first second he'd woken up. It was because he'd overslept… again.

But it wasn't his fault… partially. For one, Percy was going to defy anyone who would try to blame him for watching too much TV. What else was he supposed to do? Stay on Olympus? Train at camp? Give autographs to naiads and tree nymphs? (Now, that was a nightmare.)

Percy's choice fell on TV. It let him clear his mind. Annabeth wasn't impressed but she also was buried under heaps of projects and requests made by both Gods and campers to dwell on it for long. Even Romans couldn't stand in the corner and not participate in 'let's-get-Annabeth-too-busy-to-sleep' challenge.

Without her what else was he to do?

Anyways, having satisfied his craving for some brainless talk-shows and kung-fu reports, Percy had crawled into bed at roughly 3 am. It was one of the first days of the new school term in the Goode High School––how he'd managed to not get kicked out was beyond him––so Percy had to cut off the explanation and return to reality. Paul, who was also his stepfather, had convinced them that Percy's disappearance had in no way been his fault and it certainly would not happen ever again. Percy was on board with this idea; he would like to spend a few months without saving the world or being a punching bag to every single immortal monster out there. Both had a tendency to destroy his life which sucked big time.

Morning should have been his first warning sign but, being too late to worry about anything, Percy missed it. Of course, later Annabeth would claim it was his natural obliviousness, but Percy knew it wasn't.

Speaking of Annabeth, she should already be here. Percy stopped dead at the entrance, not caring that the bell was about to announce their first period, looking around in case Annabeth was hiding somewhere. Nothing seemed out of ordinary. The hallway was almost empty and quiet.

With a heavy sigh Percy scurried toward his class.

The new term had started precisely four days and one minute ago. Yet, WELCOME banners could be seen at all corners up to this very second. They were also written in fancy italics, which made it virtually impossible for him to decipher. Being too distracted by sudden sadism of whoever had made those, Percy missed the bell (don't even ask). He picked up the speed, still determined to reach his first class which, luckily, included his stepdad. Perks of being Paul's family: You could barge into the classroom last minute and not suffer any severe consequences.

When he entered the class, Percy saw Paul already present; the lesson hadn't started yet so Paul had no intention of making a scene. Or he was simply too engrossed in that weird, fancy-looking book in his hand. Was there a skyscraper? Percy squinted. Yep. A skyscraper that looked like the Empire State Building and a horse with wings. Huh? Peter frowned at the image of Blackjack springing in front of him. Weird.

His brain decided that none of it mattered and it was a good time to stop overthinking.

He should have known better. Of course, he should. If he had known beforehand, he would have pretended to be sick, or being called to camp, or amnesiac… well, the last one was an extreme. But he was not overreacting. He was not!

But that would happen later. For now he had nothing to worry about.

But Paul looked excited. He examined the book with too much attention Percy rarely saw him express. (It should have been a red flag!)

Perhaps, not calm but indeed oblivious to the inequity of the word and obsession with torture some individuals had, Percy looked around the class. Barely a moment later, he caught a glimpse of Leo and Jason, both of who were sitting in the most inconspicuous corner possible with dead looks on their faces. (They had tried to back out but Chiron had turned out quite tenacious in his task of making them suffer; no one had asked Percy, as always.)

Percy couldn't help but grin at their misery. Leo fully deserved it for the stint he'd pulled on the Half-Blood Hill. Leo. He should have been more vocal about his survival, but he'd done nothing. He had reappeared at the Camp boundaries with Calypso behind him, as they floated above the Half-Blood hill whereas Leo had been doing the last-minute touches to his "I'M HERE!" sign. Fully deserved.

Jason, however, was still determined to pretend he enjoyed it. As far as Percy was concerned, Jason didn't mind going to school––which caused them some troubles because Jason barely existed in a mortal world; really, Hera?––he just wanted Piper to be here with him as well. Instead, he was stuck with Leo, Percy, and Annabeth, all three of whom were giving him a headache with their mere presence. But Piper had charmspoken her way out of this mess and had left to California to finally reunite with her father, promising to return a later when she'd be done with business there––whatever she meant by that.

Conveniently, they had a vacant place near them which was fine with Percy and his gut feeling. Perhaps, he was wrong and everything was a big fat lie, including this class. Perhaps, he was just overly optimistic, and some evil bastard by the name of, say, Triumvirate Worst Rulers I-can-beat-Zeus Holdings would burst into the room and murder all of them in the messiest and the bloodiest way imaginable.

Throwing last wistful look at the door, still waiting for Annabeth to enter the classroom, Percy made his way to his seat and collapsed on it as though he had just finished holding the weight of the world, immediately placing his head on his arms. Paul would understand.

Paul (damn him and his loud voice) cleared his throat, and everybody stopped talking. He held up the book high up in the air so everyone could see it.

"Our today's class is going to differ from the curriculum I've set up for you. This book in my hands represents the sort of subject we wouldn't usually assign for this class. However, it is a high probability that you'll find the story compelling. To further motivate you, I'd like to announce that the book will have no weight in your final grade. I," Paul raised his voice to be heard again now when the focus of the students dispersed. Fortunately, the distraction was not as strong so calling them to order didn't present any sort of difficulty. "I, however, would encourage you to proceed with our original plan, for the most of assignments I give, will make up the major part of your final grade. If we ever finish it."

The last part was uttered in an undertone, which prevented most of the class from catching his words; those who did, preferred not to draw attention to the comment.

"I presume you're aware of all the peculiar events that have taken place around the country and in New York precisely in the last couple of years," Paul faltered to examine his students once more then continued. "This book will shine a light on those events and, potentially, explain everything you might have found bizarre before."

He shouldn't have said that. For one, kids instantly erupted into an animated debate which almost instantly transformed into mayhem, a literal cacophony which might or might not have given certain individuals a splitting headache (they would think next time before eavesdropping). They could not see the point of this change, and the premise of the commentary, the unanimous conclusion they'd come to, revolved around the idea of Paul having gone insane.

It required answers.

"What are we going to read about?" a girl in the first row, Lyssa, asked in thinly-veiled suspicion. Most of the students nodded.

Paul's eyes instantly landed on Percy and his friends. Lyssa, being overly observant, noticed his look and made a mental note to look into it later; she'd think of the reason when the time came.

"It's hard to explain, but I'm sure you'll understand everything with time," Paul finally said.

"What do you mean, sir?" a girl, Lora, inquired; her almond-shaped hazel eyes filled with confusion.

"Well," Paul resisted the urge to scratch the back of his head, which was so not typical for him that a few kids narrowed their eyes, "I think you are well-aware of all the mystifying events that have been occurring for several years now. This book will… explain everything to you," he said and looked at the class, waiting for their reaction. It wasn't long in coming. Everybody started talking at the same time, clearly less than satisfied with his evasiveness.

"What exactly are we gonna read about?" Lyssa reiterated, watching him intently.

From what she had gathered in the last several years, the natural phenomena she had witnessed could be put in the category of 'inexplicable' until further notice. The scientists had proposed numerous of explanations but not one had stuck, for each and every one had been disproved by yet another weird occurrence. How could a book from your English class solve something science struggled with?

"Some unusual people," Paul answered carefully, watching Percy (damn you, Paul!).

Percy was bound to get it. It took less time than Percy would like—then he would have been able to push the blame on his thickness or something. But he couldn't. Suddenly he found it hard to breathe, for his lungs practically gave out the moment Paul's words had settled in in his head. An image of a black winged horse appeared before his eyes; it did look like Blackjack, if you think of it. Could it mean…?

Percy shook his head to dispose of unpleasant thoughts.

Naturally, an idea, planted so carelessly, rooted itself in his brain immediately. His luck had to be the worst, didn't it? As if Fates didn't have anything better to do with their infinite amount of time than torment him! Percy was certain it had something to do with them, it had to! Apparently, if he were right––and he must be, because he had already riled himself up––then this lesson would turn into a big mess.

"Could you be more precise, please?" Lyssa pressed.

"You'll understand everything when we're reading," Paul promised her and looked at the book. He still tried to conjure up the way of telling Percy where he had gotten it from because Percy would make inquires on the subject. There was no way to avoid the drama.

"May I ask you a question? Who sent it to you?" Percy proved his suspicions as if he read his thoughts. There was only one question that should follow this discussion.

The class gasped in overly exaggerated manner. It was partially understandable, as he hadn't talked much at school, even when he had still been in New York and with his memory; his conversations with teachers had been reduced to scolding in class and recalling that one particular event Percy himself had refuted on numerous occasions.

Lyssa stared at him, fairly stunned by his… question. Percy was never known for being an avid participant in class. Why now? And this manic glint in his eyes… It seemed he knew what the book was about and couldn't bring himself to find at least one positive moment to make it tolerable. A decision was painfully easy to make: she'd watch him to figure out a mystery that Percy Jackson was. She'd never resist the temptation.

"It was in the box… I don't know who sent it," Paul answered a little apologetically. He had wisely left out some details, but a grimace on Percy's face promised a serious talk later.

A minute silence transformed into chaos with everybody eager to express their opinion before the other. Everybody was shocked. Did they hear it correctly? Their teacher was planning to read a book sent by an anonymous? Without as much as checking the credibility of the source?

Percy personally believed it was a shape shifter disguised as Paul, for his Paul would never, under any circumstance, allow himself to demolish the remnants of Percy's normal life. For one, Paul had a firsthand experience with supernatural, what would be the reason for him to confirm its legitimacy? He should not forget a tiny detail of Paul being married to his mother. If somehow Percy did not matter in this equation, she always did. Purposeful disruption of Percy's life would inevitably lead to her downfall. Or downfall of their marriage, to be exact. Even Paul's evil twin would not attempt to screw Sally up. It led to a more working presumption: someone played him. Someone beyond powerful. Someone who had infinity at their disposal.

The gods would regret their games if it exceeded Percy's level of dangerous.

If only his classmates saw the issue…

They didn't.

"Mr. Blofis, are you sure that you want to read this book?" Lyssa asked, sounding doubtful. As exciting as it seemed… No, Mr. Blofis behavior didn't fit. Lyssa knew it wasn't the plan, it wasn't supposed to happen at all.

So what exactly was going on?

"I'm certain it will be an enlightening experience. If you don't mind, I will start," Paul's tone said that he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Decided. They would beg for mercy when Percy had finished with them.

Chapter Text

"What's the name of the book?" Lyssa inquired, watching Percy out of the corner of her eye. His reaction didn't fail her expectations (Though, Lyssa didn't even know why she had them in the first place); Percy blinked, rounded his fists and glared down at the table, making it impossible for anyone with eyes to miss the fact that Percy Jackson was more than involved in whatever there was going on. Or, at least, aware of it.

Lyssa was the only one to notice.

Paul looked at the cover as if only now coming to realization that it should have a title. There was none; it had taken him too much time, but he managed to make out one word: Perseus. Nothing more, but telling nonetheless. Paul had only one Perseus in his life. "There's no name. Now we're starting."

He purposely ignored a long dirty look Percy was giving him. For all the troubles Percy had faced, this one was shaping up to be the worst… And he couldn't even tell if he was correct in his presumptions.

I ACCIDENTALLY VAPORIZE MY PRE-ALGEBRA TEACHER Paul read.

He blinked. His eyes found the title again. No, he had not made a mistake. That was an actual title of an actual book about an actual person. Paul let out a small laugh. It took him a moment to realize what he had done and two more to put a mental seal on his mouth; otherwise, he would not be able to keep his composure. That was thoroughly unprofessional to find other people's misfortunes amusing.

Several people followed him, equally mortified by the first revelation of the book.

"How someone could vaporize a teacher? Anyone?" a student, Sarah Wilson, who was sitting not far away from Percy, asked, feeling pretty befuddled. In her mind, there was no such thing as vaporizing.

"How could someone give a chapter name like this?" her neighbor, Steven, wondered, feeling as lost as the rest. Surprise was so strong that he had completely forgotten to confront her and point out that wasn't the most important thing to ask about.

"Why should we care?" the question came from another part of the class where Percy's irritation sat. Riley. His name was Riley and he was the most annoying creature in the world. Even worse than Octavian. At least, Octavian tried to destroy the world; Riley simply believed it would crumble if he glared at it. Granted, his wish still lay unfulfilled but that never deterred Riley from making another useless attempt.

"Well, according to the chapter's name it's from the first point of view, so we'll know who this person is," Lyssa said reasonably, half restraining herself from pointing a finger at Percy to accuse him of vaporizing his teacher. She was certain the book was speaking about Percy; she could swear Percy was well-aware of it, too, as he was glaring at the table, clearly intended to ignore voices around him. If Lyssa weren't her usual curious self, she would feel pity. She didn't though.

Only if she were aware of the damage her careless remark had caused, she would not have to wait additional ten minutes to confirm her presumption. Frankly, open confrontation now would have saved them plenty of time, for Percy, in this precise moment, was in distress and, potentially, could let a thing or two slip.

But she didn't…

On the other side of the classroom, Percy almost fainted at the prospect of her being right. That would mean... would mean… It would mean a lot of things actually.

"How'd you know?" Riley asked with a tinge of derision. He honestly could not imagine the world in which he would be interested in any book that might be read out in this class.

"It's just a thought, but I'm sure I'm right," she said confidently.

"May I continue?" Paul asked. When nobody answered, he started reading.

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood.

Lyssa pointed at the book, to which Riley huffed.

Percy's eyes darted to Paul. He was sure he had misheard him. Even if he knew he didn't. Leo stopped whirling the bolts and froze, his eyes never leaving the book. Was it just his imagination or he had really just heard what he had heard? One look at Jason's grimace, and it was confirmed. Fantastic. Fingers began moving again, thought of potential danger thrown away; whatever it might lead to, Leo was not going to bother himself until further notice.

"Who the hell is a half-blood?" Steven demanded loudly. He looked around as if trying to make a point of, well, getting attention to his question. No one knew what to say, so his inquiries were left without a response. Almost. There was always Peter Rodriguez, an overzealous boy and the biggest support anyone could have in this class. In short, he would always provide some dumb and unnecessary response when no one else could offer one.

"Harry Potter?" Peter suggested with a wide grin spreading across his face.

"We're not reading Harry Potter series," his neighbor, Sarah, rolled her eyes. Constant interruption was getting on her nerves already, and they'd barely gotten through the first line!

…close this book right now.

"That's kind of dramatic," one of the students pointed out. Their neighbors nodded.

…gets you killed in painful, nasty ways.

Several people frowned; others exchanged a quizzical look with their neighbors. The story progressed to the highest levels of creepy already, despite it being the first page.

Jason furrowed his brows and shot a glance at Leo, but he looked equally as lost, so both were side-eyeing Percy. Percy, however, had fallen completely out of it and was peering at Paul intensely, mumbling something incoherent under his breath.

Boys shared a look then spun back to the front of the class and vowed to pretend there was nothing ominous going on. For as long as they could, of course.

…believe that none of this ever happened.

"This person is pretty optimistic," Lyssa commented. No one offered her any sort of response which she took calmly. She had more pressing issues to take care of than to worry about a bunch of bewildered classmates.

…You might be one of us.

"One of who?" Cassandra Accardi muttered quietly; she desperately tried not to tug her raven black hair which she tended to do when unnerved. Her whole life distressed her severely; Earth distressed her a lot. Now they had a book to stress over. It was seriously getting on her nerves. Seriously. A book should not keep you in suspense so early on! It just should not.

…they'll come for you.

"Who are 'they'?" Lyssa was clearly intended not to let anyone around her breathe freely without hearing her voice in their ears.

"Well, maybe if you stop interrupting we'll finally be able to know," someone behind Lyssa said. She did not need to search for the source to know she might be speaking to Kylie. She would always recognize that screech of a sound the other girl would produce when she did not like something. Kylie was not eager to share space with her irksome classmate. Unfortunately, she was not allowed to leave the classroom. And, to be able to do that, Kylie required as much peace and quiet as this place could offer. It meant no crazy know-it-alls within a mile radius of her. Know-it-all's fault.

"No one asked you, Myers," Lyssa muttered under her breath but had more sense than raising her voice. Kylie might be an innocuous nuisance most of the time, but at the moment Lyssa did not have time to engage in pointless quarrels with her. Kylie's harmlessness tended to take quite a chunk on everyone's time when she was heated up.

Her attention got drawn back to the back of the class, as something inexplicable, some pestering feeling of foreboding pushed her to act. Any moment now.

…My name is Percy Jackson.

"What?!"

The chorus of voices rang through the room.

Percy started, took a deep breath, and glared at the ceiling as though contemplating whether to go up on Olympus and shove this book up Zeus'… never mind. Jason and Leo stared at Percy in horror (false or not, was hard to tell); horror they felt as the realization the story about Percy might contain far more than him being his usual self was slowly dawning on them. There was only one place worthy of a book. Or one story. Whatever. In fact they had simply confirmed something they had been thinking before the big reveal courtesy of Percy's evident discomfort.

"Sir, it was the reason behind your decision to read the book, wasn't it?" one of the students had broken the dead silence, Jenna. Unlike the rest of the class that openly ogled Percy, she only threw a couple of short glances his way. That, however, was enough for her. He wanted to vanish, but all he could do was sit here and mimic a statue that had faced its worst fear and lost.

"Do you have anything to say?" Percy groaned softly but ignored Lora's voice. A hard task, but he managed. Well, partially, considering he did respond to her, even if involuntarily. However, the slip-up did not deter him from pretending he was anywhere but in this classroom at the moment. In short, Percy put on a mask of indifference and stared stubbornly at the wall before him (or whatever he found, Percy barely saw when he tried to kill with his look).

Ten long seconds later, Lora heaved a sigh of resignation. If she were to tell the outcome of this confrontation, she would admit the defeat. Whatever Percy endeavored to keep hidden, must be important to him; otherwise, they would not have to suffer through the mess someone might call a conversation. It was anything but.

Lora turned to her other classmates, namely Lyssa, as though asking her to proceed from here, for she, Lora, had done everything she could. Lyssa caught on at once. Within seconds, she faced Percy, acquired her best tell-me-everything expression and peered at the three. Instantly, Jason and Leo mirrored her, for it was a much safer thing to do. Percy would not appreciate such cowardice. Later. He would not appreciate it later. For now, he was kind of agreeing with his friends.

That was the exact moment for Lyssa to seize the opportunity.

"What does it mean? Half-blood?" the question came out more urgent than intended due to Lyssa's overwhelming curiosity. Though, barely anyone felt fazed by it, equally eager to hear his explanation.

Some more than others. Leo and Jason examined Percy with the mixture of interest and uneasiness. The second prevailed thanks to the subject of the discussion and general atmosphere, created by a bunch of mortals. Percy mentally zapped both with Zeus' lightning then turned to Lyssa, raising his eyebrows in anticipation of another meaningless confrontation from this terrifying girl.

"Jackson!" came in an exclamation. Percy shrugged in response.

"I cannot help you with your problem," he stated. At perplexity, displayed by Jason and Leo, he only rolled his eyes. It was easy to guess his next step.

"But you can!" Lyssa objected.

"I cannot."

"This is a book about you. You wanna tell me you don't know what you are talking about in there?" Percy's answer made Lyssa want to groan. Or rip out her hair. Preferably, both. Instead, she turned to Paul who suddenly found himself enjoying the darkest corner of his classroom; all while wearing the most sheepish of expressions. Not suspicious at all. "Mr. Blofis, what are your opinions on the subject at hand?"

Ha! She thought! Either due to Percy's slightly shifting look or Mr. Blofis' sudden realization of the disturbance his actions had caused, he cleared his throat and stared at the book. Literally held it in front of him, mimicking thoughtfulness. A very loud and quite explicit answer.

Unfortunately, Lyssa's tenacious nature hindered her to see the source of their evasiveness. It was simple: Percy did not want the truth out and he would do everything for it to remain hidden, even if it included threatening his stepfather (which he would get to in a couple of seconds). Especially, if the said stepfather pretended to be both dumb and blind and continuously pushing the story to the forefront (he did hold up the damned book!).

"So we're gonna read about Jackson, aren't we?" Riley butted in when it had become obvious no one would answer McKeenley.

Several people instantly glared at him. Percy twitched. Riley shrugged.

"It seems so," Jenna agreed. Her eyes immediately went dull as another pretty exciting detail came up. "At least we finally would know something about him. Isn't it great?"

For years she––and everyone––had been hearing wild rumors regarding Jackson. They had barely interacted with him before and, frankly speaking, Percy had never seemed to mind. He still played along but refused to be involved in anything that required full investment from him. Having worked with him a few times, she could confidently state that Percy had been at school physically but not mentally; he must have had lots of things on his mind if he never really made an effort.

That, however, did not help him avoid the rumor mill. Oh, what sort of rumors he would hear about himself! Some appeared so crazy that even Riley, the person most defiant toward him, preferred to generally stay away. After all, some of those rumors included him, Percy, destroying a music room even before he’d accepted in the school. The rumor no one managed to either confirm or refute, further sending the school into the state of permanent dissatisfaction.

Percy was about to argue the statement. Both of them, for he would find their lack of knowledge a blessing. Unfortunately for him and luckily for the rest, he got distracted by a sudden idea of this damned book burning brightly at the top of the Zeus' throne. How could he do that and not be suspended—or sentenced to a jail time if Zeus burned the school in retaliation? Frankly, not many possibilities came up, leaving Percy disappointed in this world.

I'm twelve years old.

"It's from the past?"

"Obviously. He doesn't look twelve."

Both boys that participated in the exchange glanced at Percy to confirm that he, indeed, did not look twelve (hint, he didn't).

…a private school for troubled kids...

"You were in a troubled kids' school?" Lyssa turned to him, having forgiven him for being so obstinate.

"I changed a lot of schools," Percy murmured. Whoever had heard him, which weren't many, made sure to pass the statement along so everyone would be aware.

Am I a troubled kid?

"Are you?" one more student, Mike, hopped onto this bandwagon. His response consisted of that elf-looking guy smirking and the blond next to him huffing. Well, neither affirmation nor rebuttal. Just like this whole experience.

You could say that.

Well, at least, Percy was generous enough to give straight answers. Both Percys as the real one grumbled something under his breath and attempted to smack the elf-guy.

I could start at any point in my short miserable life

Several people raised their eyebrows, while Jenna squinted at the book pensively. He indeed must have had too much on his plate back then; it did appear that he had a lot on his plate still.

…was leading this trip, so I had hopes.

"For what? A good tour?" one of the students scoffed.

"It wasn't a bad one," Percy objected to everyone's surprise. What exactly had prompted him to engage in this pretty pointless conversation, he didn't know. Heck, he couldn't say why he had heard this random comment! It had happened and had the need to share his opinion with the world.

Both Jason and Leo glanced at him, unsure what to think, but immediately returned to their own affairs. It shouldn't be a surprise Percy might respect a bit of wisdom once in a while; he wasn't dating Annabeth for nothing. Percy simply preferred to play dumb for whatever reason.

…always smelled like coffee.

At that both looked up from their respective occupations and simultaneously frowned at the new information.

"Is it..?" Leo pointed to the book then made a circle with his finger. The moment Percy nodded, he grimaced a little and turned back to a pencil he had been mesmerizing for the past minute in his endeavor pass up the time.

The most curious part of the class (read, everyone) groaned in indignation when it had become clear they would not be getting clear answers anytime soon.

…class didn't put me to sleep.

"You sleep in class?" Lyssa all but bellowed in obvious outrage.

Several people started. Others hissed at her like a bunch of disturbed snakes. Lyssa was loud. So loud it seemed illegal.

Percy shrugged.

…I got expelled anyway.

The class erupted into fits of delighted giggles and laughs as Percy slowly slid on his seat, covering his forehead.

That was going to be a long day… Where was Annabeth when he needed her?

The thought made Percy jump. Fortunately, by this moment everyone was already fully engrossed into the book, so no one questioned him.

…our class took an unplanned swim.

They all started laughing again. Even Paul couldn't help but chuckle. Percy, meanwhile, was looking around sternly in search of Annabeth, still wondering where the Hades she was and why the thought she had never made it to the class hadn't occurred to him earlier.

…This trip, I was determined to be good.

The laughter faltered instantly as everyone stared at the real Percy with the mixture of disbelief and irritation. Percy, suddenly aware of being watched, turned toward the source of disturbance and offered them an equally struck look. But he was genuinely lost; he had been too fixated on Annabeth's weird absence to care about the rest.

"You just jinxed it, didn't you?" someone asked, only deepening the frown on Percy's face.

…hitting my best friend Grover

Jason and Leo exchanged a look then turned to Percy, who didn't spare them a single look, prompting Leo to throw a paper ball at his head. It hadn't worked.

…with chunks of peanut butter-and-ketchup sandwich.

"Ugh! That's awful!" Kylie gagged, wrinkling her nose as if she could smell the odor.

"Was he all right?" Lyssa inquired, wondering who this Grover character was. It was clear this particular boy would be mentioned a lot more or he wouldn't be called a friend.

She never received any answer.

Grover…cried when he got frustrated.

"What a wimp," Riley muttered, instantly receiving two glowers, including Leo who seemed not to follow the story at all (how did they catch his words?).

Not that he noticed, being too bored out of his mind but too eager to hear all the dirty details to use them later.

He must've been held back several grades...

Mike shot a glance toward Lyssa, who was hovering above her desk, busy scribbling down everything she was hearing (her shoulder's position was a dead give-away). Oh boy, was she on a roll already. Mike's attention shifted to the strange group, the one that had brought this madness—not literally or voluntarily, though—to this class. He pitied them for a sole reason of Lyssa being on their case. It meant she would not get off them no matter what.

Maybe he needed to tell them. Just to be a Good Samaritan for once.

…enchilada day in the cafeteria.

Several people stared at Paul. Others frowned.

"Is he that bad?" Paul wondered despite himself. A belated thought that, yes, he was, visited to him the second Percy confirmed it; though, begrudgingly.

"You have no idea," Percy let an involuntary shudder as innumerable amount of images of Grover being unconventionally enthusiastic flashed before his eyes. As much as he loved Grover, there were things he would never understand. Like, enchiladas—even if he liked them.

He didn't like listening to this book, though. It was imperative he find something to do besides lying on the desk.

He'd found. For better or worse but he reminded himself of the most important task he would ever have in his life: destroying the book. He must get rid of it! It was not fair they were reading about him from his point of view. Didn't Paul love him just a little? Percy thought they were getting along pretty amazingly, so how come Paul was letting him down so much right now? How?!

Instigated by his own mind, Percy dropped on the desk with a loud thud, so Paul had to raise his voice to win the attention back.

Anyway…I was already on probation.

All eyes immediately found Percy, who showed no signs of life, leaving the rest guessing which of his escapades had gotten him on probation.

…'It's okay. I like peanut butter.'

"This boy is weird," someone said.

Due to an extremely tensed atmosphere, everyone immediately turned toward the source of disruption. Cassandra only raised her eyebrows as though asking them to fight her on that one.

"You're right," Lora conceded. Her first urge was to ask Percy about that, but he still seemed to mimic the dead, making it virtually impossible for the others to engage him in their debates. His friends appeared unavailable as he; though, they did show some sort of activity.

Lora stared more when she caught a glimpse of something shiny. Could it be..? The whirl back was as fast as it possibly could, for Lora so did not want to know why they seemed to carry a razor blade with them and how they'd managed to sneak it on the school grounds.

…Grover pulled me back to my seat…

A loud thud was so sudden that everyone inadvertently jumped on their seat.

Percy straightened up, looking around wildly in attempt to detect the violator. With how quick Jason's escape from their desk was, it was easy to guess whose fault it had been.

Silence lasted roughly ten seconds as everyone took in the scene before their eyes: Leo, all dusted from, presumably, cinder, sat with his head in hand as he watched the pile in front of him.

He hypnotized the remains of whatever it was for good ten seconds. The rest, namely, Percy and Jason, seemed divided between curiosity and a strong desire to gut him. Neither, though, acted on the urge, preferring to look at Leo with disdain. (He honestly deserved that one.)

"Guess it was the wrong sampler," Leo announced a little strained. "Hey, everyone, does any of you have a spare pencil? I'll give it back, promise!"

No one reacted to his plea, causing Leo to grumble under his breath. With a heavy sigh he scratched the back of his head then turned to Percy as a brilliant idea came to him.

"No!" a huge smile disappeared from his face as Leo took in his friend's response.

"Oh, c'mon! I won't damage it!"

"You said the same thing about the last five pencils," Jason noted. Another paper ball missed its target (Peter would argue them, however).

"What is going on?" Cassandra butted in. The two stared at her quizzically and alarmed; they sure had forgotten they had an audience. Within seconds, Jason returned to his place, Leo pushed the pile of ashes on his lap and Percy glued himself to his desk. "Thanks…"

Paul, who watched the scene with concern but no desire to interfere, cleared his throat and put the book up, reminding his students why they were here in the first place.

…the mess I was about to get myself into.

"What happened?" a very loud voice outside his little bubble came through fiercely, snapping Percy out of his daze and drawing his attention to the issue at hand. The moment it came to the forefront, Percy mentally groaned. Damn this stupid book, may it burn in the eternal fires of hell.

Percy examined the classroom. His eyes found a presumed intruder, his mind running through the statement. "Um, what?"

"What mess did you get yourself into?" the same person repeated.

Percy's heart instantly dropped.

"I guess you'll know in a bit. We cannot just stop reading," Percy's wave of exasperation shot through the room but missed its main aim, for Paul was too curious to take notice.

Several students groaned feeling genuinely hooked on the story. Percy's disinclination to participate in their one-sided debates only fueled to their interest, for Percy seemed like the last person to garner importance enough for a book. Of course, they were more than eager to see the reasoning behind his weirdness.

…a stele, for a girl about our age.

"Again, how old were you?" Mike wondered.

"Twelve," came in Percy's response. Several people stared at him, surprised he'd even answered; though, though, it didn't look like Percy cared much, too busy staring at the ceiling; his head so high up, it threatened to snap the neck in half. He was basically sprawling on his seat, seemingly, unconscious. The only other thing that proved he was still alive and breathing would be his response. And a little finger fidgeting.

Otherwise, no sign that he listened.

Apparently, the thought had occurred not only to his mortal classmates but Jason and Leo as well, for both tore themselves away from their respective occupations for a second to fully dedicate it to staring at Percy as though he was Mars in a tutu.

…Mrs. Dodds, would give me the evil eye.

"She doesn't like you," Lyssa noted. A burning question why? didn't hesitate to pop up in her head. Then again, it might be not that serious of an issue; Percy did seem like the type of a person to cause trouble and be any teacher's worst nightmare whether it was on purpose or not. Perhaps, he had just done something in the past.

A nagging feeling that it was not that simple was shoved away in the depths of her mind.

"Hates," Percy corrected but didn't elaborate. If his gut feeling was right, they would find out the reason of their mutual distaste.

Mrs. Dodds…was fifty years old.

"It's not a normal math teacher," Lora said frowning.

"Everyone's allowed to have their own quirks," Peter noted. Maybe she was a very free-spirited woman. Who cares?

…ride a Harley right into your locker.

"Quirks, you say?"

Peter shrugged. He still did not see anything out of ordinary in the way she conducted herself.

…when our last math teacher had a nervous breakdown.

"What did you do?"

Lyssa's level of astonishment certainly infected the rest of the class, for her question was met with varying degrees of agreement. Mostly, people felt her question. Some especially astounded supported their alliance with Lyssa by nodding slowly.

Such a coalition should have intimidated Percy. It should have made him talk. He was one against them all!

Percy didn't as much as glance at Lyssa, offending her profoundly and sending a wave of discouragement and outright despondency through the class.

Only Paul let out a soft chuckle and continued reading, instantly luring his students into the Percy Jackson's world and making them forget real Percy's crime against their curiosity.

…figured I was devil spawn.

"She's a very… nice lady," Cassandra noted with a strain.

"Oh yeah, I can absolutely see just how much she adores children!"

…'You're absolutely right.'

"It's not like she's a monster," Riley snorted.

Instantly, Jason and Leo perked up upon hearing the magic word. To gain response from Percy, Leo used another set of paper balls, the amount of which was growing rapidly, thanks to a very bored Jason. Surprisingly to all present, Percy straightened up in a second, his eyes wildly traveling around the room in search of the thing that had disrupted his peace.

Unfortunately, Leo had returned to his razor blades and the rest pretended they'd seen nothing.

…'Will you shut up?'

"Why do I have a feeling it will only cause trouble?" Cassandra asked, turning to Percy. He jerked again and stared at her. His expression clearly suggested that he struggled to understand why she addressed him. "With Mr. Brunner."

Percy's frown deepened as he wondered why his classmates were interested in asking about Chiron. Then it hit him that she was asking about Mr. Bunner a.k.a. the person Chiron had disguised himself as when Percy had still been young and blissfully ignorant of all the horrors of life. Right, the book!

"Er, with C-Brunner? Nope," if there presented a slightest trouble regarding Chiron, he was unaware of it.

"How can you be sure of it?" Cassandra inquired again, seeing that Percy was actually talking to her. Of course, she would seize the opportunity. Percy didn't let her down with this once.

"It's Brunner, he's cool."

Unlike his response which made little sense. Cassandra, though, chose to overlook such an inconsequential issue in favor of preserving her sanity. For some reason, she considered talking about Percy's old teacher pretty damaging.

It came out louder than I meant it to.

"Right, it couldn't have happened any other way," Peter muttered. His levels of stress had just beaten the record from last year when he had had to face both exams and a State Competition, all the same week. Somehow reading about his classmate's life seemed on par with not sleeping, not eating, and constantly running through all the worst scenarios of both events that your future depended on. Somehow…

…'did you have a comment?'

"God job, man!" Mike cheered sarcastically. Of course, he must have gotten in trouble.

Percy's head shot up. Thoroughly confused, he started to look around in attempt to find the source of noise; his eyes rested on Mike who grinned at him. His smile didn't fool Percy, though. Mike held back a bit of dispirit. But why?

"Why are you so friendly to me?" he blurted out. A moment later, his hand covered his mouth as Percy cursed himself for inability to keep it shut. Considering he had gotten by before this very moment quite well, it was a tremendous disappointment.

"What?" Mike's befuddlement did not lead Percy astray. He was still as persistent as he seemed curious to know why someone who had not as much as given a side-glance in the whole of their two-year school history would talk to him. "What d'you mean?"

Now everyone was watching their exchange almost wondering the same thing. Most of the class could see what might have forced Mike to acknowledge the guy. Mike maybe wasn't on Riley's level of meanness but he wasn't all sweet and kind either. Usually he preferred to ignore almost everyone outside of his own circle of friends. Apparently, Percy's past-book-self must have been that turning point for him.

"Since when do you talk to me?" Percy asked back. "You usually ignore me––which I'm completely fine with, by the way––but when you talk to me, you don't sound so… friendly."

Mike's eyes widened slightly when the truth dawned on him. His mind, as a sort of a joke, brought all the instances of him being nothing short of kind to Percy during this hour alone. To make thing worse, it also started a comparison between this class the last two years they might have known each other… Well, he had a point.

"Did I?" words came out involuntarily; however, when he heard his own voice all he could do was agree with it. "Well, sorry?"

Percy chuckled. "Do it more often."

…I said, 'No, sir.'

Some people laughed, which in the complete silence of the room seemed almost sinister.

…'That's Kronos eating his kids, right?'

"What?" someone cried out. Instantly, majority of the class stared at the disturber as though the person was insane.

"Are you all being serious right now?" Lyssa gasped, her eye twitched promptly the moment she received a response. Countless of comments ran through her head, none of them appropriate for an English class. "How come you've never heard of it? I thought everyone had this lesson in middle school, or did you? Am I the only person who covered Greek mythology in school?" her outrage turned to fear as Lyssa whirled back on the seat, her head low as she muttered to herself that it was fine; they were fine. "How can someone be so careless with their studies? Don't you have any urge to self-improve or what? This is ridiculous and—"

"Can it, McKeenley," Kylie cut her. Lyssa's overdramatic ass was getting on her nerves. If Lyssa went into hysterics, they might as well go and blow up the school; at least, this way they would save countless of people outside. "What's this?"

No one uttered a word. They were too busy watching Lyssa freeze upon hearing Kylie. In slow motion as though she auditioned for a role in another sci-fi movie, Lyssa turned on her seat until her eyes found the source of her current irritation. Kylie raised her eyebrows, awaiting explanations. Lyssa threw a look around the class; apart from the Three, the rest seemed genuinely curious, which deepened this feeling of disdain that she had.

"Well," she breathed out, not sounding much calmer. "Once Kronos has seized the power from his father Uranus, who he had cut––"

"McKeenley," Kylie groaned, "be not as annoying!"

Lyssa huffed but swallowed the insult. Between her pride, of which she was certain, and an opportunity to enlighten the poor creatures she called her classmates, Lyssa would always choose the latter.

"After Kronos seized the power, he received the prophecy which stated he would be overthrown by his own son. In fear of it coming true, he swallowed each of his children the moments after they were born. His wife, Rhea managed to save the youngest, Zeus, by hiding him away on the island of Crete, and fed Kronos a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes. Later––"

"All right, that's enough!" Kylie exclaimed. Her expression turned slightly green as she envisioned––quite vividly––a flash-eating man throwing a whole human right into his throat.

Lyssa, despite feeling offended at such disrespect, turned back to Paul, who immediately resumed reading, cutting off any opportunity for Lyssa to say more.

…Kronos, into barfing up his brothers and sisters––'

"Gross!" a collective echo ran though the class.

"You didn't tell this part!" Kylie accused Lyssa who rolled her eyes.

…'Please explain why Kronos ate his kids.''

Some students laughed. Lyssa, on the other hand, frowned. Why was it even mentioned? She knew it might be something Percy had overheard, but along with several other things she had gathered from just this first chapter alone… No, she was simply over-thinking things.

…completely undigested in the Titan's stomach.

"Why is it so disgusting?" Kylie shuddered.

"It was really disgusting," Lyssa admitted. "Fortunately, it's only myths and we can think that Ancient Greeks were all insane."

Sometimes she would wonder what those ancient people had been thinking when they brought such stories to life. Couldn't they go without turning someone into a cannibal? She was certain they could; they just did not want to.

Those stories were jarring and had no place in the head of a twelve-year-old.

…On that happy note,

"Happy?"

…You must learn the answer to my question,'

"About a creepy myth? Why?" Peter asked. His own river of curiosity threatened to overflow as it got continuously fed by Percy and the book without a chance to empty.

But thanks the gods for his classmates! They always knew how to humble him.

"That's his subject, duh!"

'About the Titans?'

'About real life.

Several people frowned, wondering what exactly had it to do with real life. Lyssa was the worst. She knew there was a reason for constant remarks about different creepy bits of history she would not give much thought to in other circumstances. She felt it might be important. Granted, the idea was still in the process of forming but it was an idea nonetheless. A pretty convincing one if they proceeded in the same manner.

And how your studies apply to it.'

"It wasn't about real life," Peter said, still thoroughly confused.

"The last question!" Lyssa reminded him. Now he looked even more befuddled than before which was quite a feat, for the whole chapter puzzled him a lot with its little remarks. Lyssa signed and shook her head. "Doesn't matter."

…I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson.'

"He's not pressuring you at all," Levi snorted.

Some people nodded in assent. Lyssa's frown deepened at hearing this.

…this guy pushed me so hard.

"You can't get angry with a teacher," Lyssa gasped, all concerns forgotten. "It's a teacher!"

It took Lyssa a couple of moments to realize that her comment received no response, which prompted her to analyze the situation. She threw a glance at Percy. He was swinging on his chair, giving feeble pushes with his legs. He appeared to be in some sort of daze as he continued moving. His movements worried her immensely; they felt robotic, as though he was doing it automatically without realizing he was doing it. The only thing that pointed to him listening were his tensed shoulders. Percy despised every second of this class; he simply preferred not to show his distaste.

…global warming or something,

"No global warming could do that," Kylie commented. Her classmates, as one, turned to her, absolutely mystified as to why Kylie would say something of that sort. Of course, Kylie took notice of their looks; it was virtually impossible not to. "What? I read too, you know."

To emphasize her point, she glared at them. Slowly everyone around Kylie returned their attention to Paul, still mulling over the fact Kylie, of all people, read.

…since Christmas.

"Weird?" Steven repeated. "It was uncanny and freaky, not just weird!"

Steven's voice grew louder by the end of his exclamation, forcing the closest to him ones lean away and cover their ears; or they would have suffered something more appalling and less curable than temporary deafness. More fortunate ones (read, the rest of the class), stared to Steven, silently marveling what had happened to him again and why they had to be the ones listening to it. In all, resignation remained a prevailing emotion.

Demigods, too, did not go against the majority and looked at Steven. Their states, however, varied from plenty annoyed (Leo, whose project was as well as destroyed cause he had been distracted) to perplexed (Jason really didn't get the problem) and alerted (Percy had dozed off when Steven decided to yell). All three, being backed-up by their classmates, looked at him for several more seconds until Steven drew attention away by inquiring––loudly––why Percy was rubbing his shoulder.

Oh the heavens, thank you for Paul!

…a hurricane blowing in.

"Somebody's really pissed off."

Class was so quiet that there would be no way to miss the comment. Everyone turned toward Jason, creating a blow of wind that might rival the one described in the book.

"What do you mean?"

The voice seemed closer than Jason would like to admit. Closer and more intimidating than he would ever like them to be. With a start, he glanced at the disturber. "What?"

"You said someone's pissed off. What did you mean by that?"

It took Jason a few moments to get it. The moments, which they spent in silence as no one wanted to let Jason off the hook now when he'd clearly slipped up and might even be a better help than Percy (who, again, was lying on the desk wishing for the day to be over). Jason, meanwhile, rewound the last two minutes until he was certain he'd found the point of interest.

"Nothing!" he exclaimed (receiving a nudge from quite dissatisfied Leo; he would have to restart again). "Absolutely nothing."

"Somebody's a Drama Queen," Leo grumbled helpfully, his eyes on the razor blade carefully stacked in his hand while his mind somewhere far from the damned class. His aid only further disoriented those who had heard him, which was saying a lot as they were in that state of mind where you couldn't get any deeper anymore. "Please, don't follow in his footsteps," the complaint worked and Jason cracked a smile.

He was never going to turn into his father––hopefully––but it didn't mean he felt generous enough to confirm it.

"I'm glad I get it now," Percy muttered under his breath. Unfortunately, the lament he had just thrown into the world, did gain attention of those most inquisitive (about two-thirds of the class).

"What do you mean you understand now?" Mike asked.

Percy pretended he was not in the room at the moment and it was actually his evil spirit doing all the talking. Mike examined Percy for a few seconds then returned his gaze back on Paul as if having come to some kind of conclusion in his head. He did, in fact, but Percy wouldn't be happy about it. After all, if you keep silent about something, there is a 100% chance you are somehow connected to the issue you are trying your best to keep out of your mouth.

…make it elsewhere.

"I'm not sure it would work," Mike stated. Truth to be told, he was certain it would anything but work. Percy did seem the type of person whose plans blew up in his face.

To his eternal surprise, Percy instantly perked up, feeling the greatest need to respond. So he did. He couldn't even count how many times he had attempted to pretend he wasn't one of those children; that he wasn't as bad as everyone considered him to be, that he could hope for a different, brighter life… could his life be considered lighter now?

…sixth school in six years

"Wow. You really did change a few schools."

"How did you do it? Teach me!" Steven bellowed, causing several people to wince at his loud voice. When he noticed everybody's looks, he did the best thing he could, "What?" he asked.

Nobody answered him and Percy made a mental note not to teach him anything or give him any ideas. Just in case this over-hyper version of every single Hermes child decided to put his advice to use.

…Nancy Bobofit…dumped her half-eaten lunch in Grover's lap.

"That's rude!" Cassandra said.

…'Count to ten, get control of your temper.'

"Never works," someone muttered.

The recount of Percy envisioning the tumult that, indeed, rampaged inside him made Lyssa wondrous of many things, including his unusual obsession with water. Even this very part of Percy hearing the wave roaring in his ears or realizing this Nancy girl was soaked wet now, sitting in the fountain. Too much water if you ask her.

…'Percy pushed me!'

"Um… what?" Sarah frowned. She cast a glance at Lyssa as she was always the one with all the answers but her expression clearly reflected the one Sarah herself wore. "Mr. Blofis, could you, please, repeat the last part?"

"Does it really matter?" Kylie snarled, annoyed. Peter gave her an evil eye, making her huff. Those people had trouble differentiating between important pieces of information and redundant ones.

"Yes, it does! It said that Percy pushed her, but he didn't even move! If you don't want to know what's going it doesn't mean nobody wants!" Lyssa snapped out of her little stupor only to get engaged in the fight with Lewis right off the bat.

Perhaps, next time she needed to think first.

"You can't talk to me like that!" Kylie replied, leaping to her feet in attempt to reach Lyssa and give her piece of her mind. Echoing pain in her thigh only steeled Kylie's determination to teach this stupid McKeenley a thing or two.

Fortunately, she barely managed to pass her own desk as Peter intercepted her right in front of his own––three desks from Lyssa's––and now was holding her down, preferably back on her seat. Instantly, Mike leaped to his feet to aid. Paul did not hesitate to call the class to order; alas, to no avail as a quite agitated pair slowly proceeded with their quarrel. The rest of the class, except the demigods in the corner, watched the soon-to-be battlefield. Some felt excitement surging up, for it was hands down the most entertaining class in years. It was a wonder they still had not run out of time…

What put an end to the chaos was a loud thud. Everyone turned to Paul. A very––extremely––infuriated Paul. Seeing him standing there nonchalantly, everyone froze up on the spot, then, as if a bunch of cockroaches caught by light, dispersed along the class, hurrying to take their seats.

The only unfazed people stayed the three demigods; people, who had gotten used to constant noise and mayhem.

Paul crouched down to pick up the book he had dropped. With the same expression, he found the right page and, in complete silence, continued with the reading.

The next part was being read in defeating, absolutely uncomfortable silence as everyone was afraid as much as to twitch, let alone interrupt again. Not that there was anything worth of a comment. Except Grover's unusual jumpiness and an urge to take the blame for the accident so Percy might be spared. Which made progressively more people send mystified glances to Percy who remained petrified. His friends, on the other hand, were actively involved in some serious creative process. The process no one dared to disrupt, for the razor blade was still an integral part of whatever they were building. It was easier to get mad over the word 'honey'.

It was too peaceful and quite for far too long. It must be. This class seemed too energetic to relinquish so fast. It was bound to get broken at some point.

I have moments like that a lot, wh ––

"What are you doing?" Mike's loud question scared everyone who was the closest to him and caused Paul to choke on his own words. Paul glared at him.

To his relief, Mike took no notice of the disruption he had caused, too focused on the trio to care. He so wanted to know what the deal was and what part the razor blade had in it all.

Instantly, all three twitched. Percy froze, his hand reached his pocket right in the moment when Leo let out a high-pitched yelp and dropped everything he was holding. Scattering, squeaking, and a couple of angry curses did the trick and withdrew Percy from his trance. He blinked. A couple of moments of looking around, and he finally realized where he was.

Unlike Leo who was full-on ready to kick the ass of those who destroyed his project again. He was seriously out of razors blades now.

"Never do that again!" Leo bawled, trying to pick up the parts from the floor. He could kiss the project goodbye now, that's for sure. Everything––every single detail––was in shatters and unfitting to the adjustment. Screw this boy and screw this school! "You could scare someone to death!"

Leo straightened up and poured all the things on the desk. Jason did not hesitate to scatter away, just in case. Mike looked unimpressed.

"You mean I could scare you to death," he corrected, almost smirking at the effect his words produced on this elf-looking scrawny kid.

Leo's eyes narrowed as he examined him.

"It doesn't matter. Never—do—this—ever—again!" he snapped and took a deep breath in attempt to soothe his throbbing heart. How come he had gotten caught by surprise by a mortal kid in a school? Was there something in the air? Or was it water? He did drink the water in this school! Could it be contaminated by something? Could it?

Leo's pretty spectacular return to his seat was interrupted by equally struck, but not anymore mad, Paul. At least, he had time to find the part that they'd been interrupted at. And the class seemed more eager to finish with it than participate in pointless fights.

…between me and Mr. Brunner,

"And what Brunner could do? Show her kung-fu?" Peter broke the silence with a valid question. That was the only reason no one barked at him yet. That and their finally getting over the previous five minutes.

"He's a teacher," Lyssa reminded him.

"So it means he must help?"

"Duh!"

…in his novel.

"Really helpful," Peter muttered sarcastically but did not raise his voice to avoid Lyssa's wrath.

…at the end of the entrance hall.

Speaking of Lyssa…

"How does she do it?" Lyssa's eyes widened while her mind raced in search of any plausible explanation of such behavior. She, indeed, had figured out this teacher was not a person one would believe to be a teacher but her behavior exceeded even this… So what was going on?

"I think you'll understand by the end of this chapter," Paul assured her and continued. He was looking forward to knowing what had taken place that day.

…like growling.

"What?!" Jenna yelled, her eyes wide open. Maybe Percy had just misheard… whatever it was. Yeah, that's what had happened, she decided.

…honey,' she said.

"Stop saying 'honey'!" Sarah ordered.

"You're talking to a book. It can't take orders from you," Lora reminded her, marveling what was wrong with her and since when Sarah was this overdramatic.

"I just can't hear this! This word is driving me insane!"

…get away with it?'

"With what? What is she talking about?" Steven furrowed his brows, completely lost. He had figured people tended to blame Percy for everything––God, rumor has it he had been in the epicenter of a big explosion of this very school a couple of years ago!––but he clearly underestimated the extent of it.

"You'll see."

…It was evil.

"She's evil," Peter said confidently.

"She's a monster," Percy grumbled. His friends instantly threw questioning looks toward his way to which he responded with a small nod.

"You know, your not liking her does not give you permission to call her a monster," Lyssa reprimanded Percy, who backed away, having not expected her to leash out on him for stating a fact. A nervous chuckle escaped him and she glared at him. "Jackson, it's not funny! She's a teacher, not a monster!"

"If you say so."

Paul raised his voice to prevent a clearly exasperated Lyssa from blowing up.

… Thunder shook the building.

"What's wrong with the weather?"

"I'm more concerned about a weird accusation this woman throws at a child."

…less pain.'

"What a generous offer," Lora scoffed, but trembling of her voice gave her tension away.

I didn't know what she was talking about.

"Neither do we and you're not helping at all!" Lyssa accused Percy who choked on his own laughter and started coughing.

…my dorm room.

"You did what?"

The class groaned. Literally every single person, excluding Paul and demigods, let out an injured animal's last plea to murder them fast type of sound. Lyssa huffed at the amount of disrespect they were showing her, which was a lot if you considered a teeny-tiny fact that Lyssa believed she did the right thing in calling him out. Naturally, she was the only one.

…my grade.

"That's the right decision," Lyssa grumbled under her breath, still thoroughly unhappy with the way Percy had been living.

…read the book.

Lyssa didn't know she had the capacity to feel even more disgruntled than she did. Turned out, there was plenty of room inside her mind to cherish and nurture the despondency she was feeling.

"Your time is up," she hissed.

"She didn't even listen to you!"

Then the weirdest thing happened.

"She turned out to be a monster?" Peter suggested.

…She wasn't human.

"I didn't mean literally!" Peter exclaimed, looking stunned just as the whole class stared at him, equally struck.

…yellow fangs,

Everyone peered intensely at the book, struggling to comprehend its content. All but one.

"It sounds like a fury," Lyssa said thoughtfully.

At once, three demigods began looking around as if waiting for Alecto or her sisters to appear. Fortunately, she was really busy at the moment, probably torturing some innocent soul, so it didn't happen. Which, however, didn't ease anyone up and spoiled the creative process. They could as well listen to Percy getting himself killed.

With a loud sigh, Leo dropped piece of steel, which left a scattering sound in the room and effectively snapped the mortals out of their stupor. Paul cleared his throat, wasted a moment on the search of the right passage then continued.

…to ribbons.

As one, the whole class sucked in a deep breath. Lyssa's frown deepened.

Then things got even stranger.

"Brunner turned out to be a superhero with a magical weapon?" Peter marveled, his eyes never leaving the book. He couldn't be right twice, could he? One seemed more than enough.

Mr. Brunner,

Peter paled. Several people cast him concerned looks. A couple shared a suspicious one, for Peter's comments appeared... off. Jason and Leo glanced at Percy who shrugged and bent forward to ask Leo to lend him something he could fiddle with.

…holding a pen in his hand.

"A pen?" someone muttered, absolutely lost. A pen? What could a pen possibly do to aid him with this... this... thing?

…through the air.

"Reeeally helpful."

…out of the air,

"And he eagerly accepts it!" the same voice said.

…It was a sword

For a moment there was complete silence in the room. And then...

"What?"

"How?"

"Is it real?"

A round of voices rang across the room as their owners turned toward the corner where the narrator of this pretty fascinating story was sitting. Percy, despite wearing a very pained expression, kept calm, preferring to whirl a piece of wire he had obtained from Leo with his fingers. He did not once flinch when several people called him. He remained nonchalant when same ones asked about the sword. However, he could not ignore Mike a.k.a. the second most irritating human being in this class after Lyssa. (The two could compete and you would still have a problem deciding who the worst was.)

"Are you serious?!" instantly the noise quieted down as everyone peered at Mike. He was watching Percy with a mixture of excitement and longing as though his life depended on Percy's response. "About the sword?"

"Err, Paul?"

Although Percy could not ignore him, there was nothing about him giving straight answers.

…"Die, honey!"

Someone groaned.

…straight at me.

"Run!" Steven yelled. In his state he didn't even notice his own actions, so a perturbed yelp came as a surprise. Steven was leaning too close to his neighbor.

"Steve!"

"I'm nervous!"

Paul was left no choice but to raise his voice.

…came naturally:

"Run?" someone suggested.

I swung the sword.

Again, everyone was perplexed at the revelation.

"How could it be natural?" Lora marveled.

She received no response courtesy of Percy's glare.

...a power fan.

For a moment there remained nothing but silence, and they everybody started talking at the same time, eager to express their concerns.

"She was turned to sand?"

"Who was what?"

"How did you do this?"

It was all that Percy understood. Everything else was more of a hubbub.

"Percy, you did it without knowing what it was?" Jason asked. Percy nodded, making Jason raise his eyebrow in astonishment. He was impressed. It took him quite some time to accustom himself to a sword, and he had been raised by both Lupa and the Fifth Cohort!

"Children! Quiet!" Paul ordered and continued reading to prevent any further disturbance. Of course, the very first words of the book did the trick and shut them all up.

…magic mushrooms or something.

"Dude, that's creepy," Leo noted. Jason nodded.

Apparently, Leo's comment did not sit well with his classmates.

"He defeated a… whatever it was and you say that his last thought is creepy?" Lora asked, absolutely appalled at the lack of compassion this boy showed.

"Yeah," Leo shrugged. Fury? Pfftt, it was simple and old; magic mushrooms however, in Percy's hands could turn both in a very dangerous weapon and a source of great laugh, both of which scared him to death.

…your butt."

"Who?" someone asked.

I said, "Who?"

Chapter Text

The amount of people involved in the reading was growing rapidly. How does Percy know? Oh, he had caught a look or two on his way to his next period and overheard several things no one should know if they hadn't read at least an excerpt of that damned book.

Percy was angry. Not only this reading was mortifying and humiliating, but it also put him and his friends in danger. He couldn't possibly let a bunch of mortals learn the truth about them. Who knows what kind of disaster it would lead to?

Annabeth agreed whole-heartedly after she'd rubbed her shoulder. They had met a few moments prior, but she controlled herself just fine. They had collided–quite literally–outside the classroom when Percy stormed off without looking around, too into his own feelings to care. Annabeth was no better but not because of the book; she'd spent the whole first period in the Principal's office and refused to elaborate on the meeting. 'He had a couple of questions to discuss', was all she'd said. Apparently, he had driven her to the verge madness there, so Percy preferred to keep silent. Unlike Leo who spilled E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G before Annabeth could have recollected herself then set off toward his next class–something to do with Workshop that Percy hadn't even known they had–leaving them and Jason who happened to stand nearby to deal with the mess he'd left.

There was plenty of it: Their classmates, all of who halted to eavesdrop; other people listening in; and Annabeth. Percy saw the precise moment when the truth dawned on her, when it horrified her and made her agitated.

Percy's nervous tic he never knew he had was so prominent by the end of the day that he tried to blink as little as possible. (Perhaps, consulting Will Solace would be a great idea.) Annabeth's persistence was only making it worse, for she basically forced Percy to relieve the terrifying hour. Second by second. That made him even jitterier than he'd been before; he barely sat through his classes, thanks to Annabeth, who, despite being alarmed, tried to remain calm. But she had it easier. She had not been in that class; there was not enough information to work with. All she knew was that those mortals believed the book instantly. It was hard not to when Percy had spent the whole hour looking like he was going to murder someone and sending the signal of you're right; it's true, but I hate it that you know. Who was not going to believe the book?

It was Annabeth's decision.

It was Annabeth who had literally pressed him against the wall and in the most eloquent way imaginable explained what she would do to him if he left now. Percy really had no choice.

"There's gotta be something," Annabeth muttered, her eyes traveling from one student to another. Her main goal was to send a simple message of do-not-come-up-to-me that students seemed to receive without a problem; though, she did not help in the let's-pretend-it's-all-bull-crap quest that Percy had started and failed at. "I just need to figure out what."

Her mind was filled with plethora of ideas––some of which were too outlandish even for her. Nothing seemed to fit, though. Not enough information on the book and its origins. Nothing to allow her to hold onto. Plenty of ideas had come and gone, but none she could actually work with. One was particularly tempting, but Annabeth had to dismiss it as she knew for a fact Percy had not been abducted by aliens as Leo had generously offered. He seemed to be unaffected by the whole book-reading session which might have thrown Annabeth off if she didn't know it was Leo. He was the worst case of pretending he was not hurting.

Jason, on his part, had gone to contact Chiron and warn him about potential complications that might ensue. Jason's natural sense of responsibility and seriousness would make him the best person to break the news and not have a breakdown.

He was yet to return.

"Another problem?" Leo suggested, his hands flying around a piece of metal; this time not a single razor blade in sight.

"I doubt it," Annabeth pursed her lips. "If there were a problem, we would be already running for our lives."

"We as well may," Percy grumbled. "With the whole school giving us funny looks."

Annabeth stilled herself; her eyes widened for a moment. Her mind helpfully provided a series of images from her conversation with Percy. What had he told her? Paul had found the book? Yeah, something like that. Then why..?

She whirled on the spot and gave Percy a bone-crushing hug and a kiss before leaping to her feet and rushing out of the cafeteria. "YOU'RE A GENIUS!"

All the students that were in the cafeteria stared at her, but Annabeth didn't care. She had other, more pressing matters to deal with.

"Wh-what happened?" Percy stuttered, watching Annabeth darting to the exit; his mouth hanging open and his anger long forgotten.

"Dunno, man, she's your girlfriend," Leo, too, had forgotten all about his project, too busy gaping at Annabeth. "She'll tell us anyways."

Mike entered the library barely a minute after the bell and caught her almost immediately. He traversed the reading room, heading toward one of the stands. They were not tall enough to cover her. Mike almost stopped to admire her beauty from afar but fought the urge, sensibly figuring he would have time for that later.

"I knew I'd find you here," Mike whispered, startling the girl.

Neither had time to talk right after class, so, of course, they had to wait for the break. Mike also had to get Riley, who couldn't shut up about how annoyingly irritating Percy Jackson was, off his back, which had devoured a great chunk of his time.

She, not quite expecting anyone to disturb her, started and almost jumped. A stack of books fell on the ground with a loud thud causing both to freeze, terrified of what was to come. Neither moved, waiting for the tempest to pass. Perhaps, she hadn't heard anything; perhaps, she was too busy to…

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?" came in a shriek that caused both to jump several feet up and start to move frantically like panicked chickens. Halfway through the process Mike managed to hit something soft, which only led to a muffled 'oopmh' from the girl who began to rub a sore spot.

Just right in front of them was standing a grand figure of a very small woman. She had her arms crossed; her expression did not propose anything good. It only meant one thing: both would be miserable for the rest of the year.

She didn't disappoint.

"I HAVE NOT HEADED THE LIBRARY FOR TWENTY YEARS TO WITNESS SUCH A SACRILEGE!"

They stared at each other in horror, trying to make sense of her words, for it was quite a bold presumption she had made. The woman sized them up and smirked as though she had found something she had been looking for in their behavior to draw such a conclusion.

"Ma'am," the girl stepped in to confront the woman but Mike placed a hand on her shoulder to prevent further damage to their, arguably fair, reputation.

"Lyssa," he said. "Don't."

Whatever. He needn't have worried, because the woman snarled at them, her upper lip lifted, exposing a row of sharp teeth. She could have passed for a monster if they ever believed in them.

"I've overlooked your ventures," she began in a somber tone, "hoping you'd bring respect this place truly deserves but, alas, I was wrong. Never have I ever in my career seen such disrespect," her eyes landed on the pile of books Lyssa was yet to pick up. Mike and Lyssa looked down. It was just a pile of books. Books that were lying there, not damaged in the slightest. That meant nothing in the eyes of the woman. "Now, please, leave," she finished. Lyssa and Mike goggled at her, completely lost. "YOU TWO ARE OUT! NOW!"

"But–" Lyssa unfroze instantly at the prospect of being kicked out of the only helpful place in this school. This couldn't be happening, could it?

"NO BUTS, MS. MCKEENLEY!" the librarian interrupted loudly and pointed to the exit. "And return the books on their respective shelves while you're at it. Thank you."

Still dazed by the absurdity of the situation, they cleaned up and rushed to the exit, still feeling the librarian's stern look drilling holes in their backs.

Once outside, both stopped and glanced at each other. A moment later, they burst out laughing, not able to contain themselves anymore. For all the weirdness of the day, this was by far the worst.

"W-what got over her?" Mike wondered.

Lyssa shook her head, quite perplexed.

Mrs. Fierst was that kind of person who you should never cross. She was barely five feet tall but held herself with such confidence that everyone would instantly forget just how small she actually was. Always dressed in a suit and a pencil skirt, Mrs. Friest emanated professionalism. How exactly she managed to turn simple attire into a weapon no one ever figured out. It was a fact, an axiom. She treated her realm with great responsibility; she could babysit books if they ever required that. She was strict and abode rules she had placed herself and always expected it from others.

In short, Mrs. Friest was terrifying.

"All right, let's return to the problem at hand," Mike muttered after several minutes. "Any ideas?"

Lyssa was about to open her mouth when her eyes widened. Mike spun on the spot, intrigued. What he saw would forever be a source of dreams—bad or good, he wasn't sure yet. A blond girl–Annabeth as he recalled from previous days of school–wearing a determined expression, was heading their way. Fast. If she were a train, she would already have caused several casualties, so unresponsive she seemed to the outside world. Perhaps, those few who were wandering round the halls thought the same as they were scattering away from her, trying to avoid severe pain that would inevitably come once she'd collided with them.

Annabeth stormed past them, clearly heading toward Mr. Blofis' class, leaving a blow of wind behind her. A moment later, she disappeared behind the corner.

She was truly scary.

She was furious.

She must be one of them.

Mike looked around to see just how many people were in the same state of shock as he. In usual circumstance, he would never think much of it; with the book, however, it only added to the weirdness of the whole situation.

Lyssa placed fingers to her temples and sucked in a deep breath. "I'd suggest going after her, but we indeed have more pressing matters at hand. I betcha she's with them."

"Err, what?" Mike blinked, returning to reality. Lyssa waved him off. "Tell me what you've got."

"You'll be laughing," Lyssa retorted, knowing full well he wouldn't. She personally wanted because it all made so much sense that she couldn't help but hope it to be a ruse. Mike raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue. "How do you feel about constant mention of Greeks?"

Jason's head hurt. Who would have thought that a simple IM to Chiron would bring so many problems? The old man wouldn't let go until he received a detailed report of the lesson to Jason's dismay. He wasn't a delivery boy!

Something soft and warm hit him hard on the shoulder, causing Jason to snap out of his pensiveness and swirl on the spot, all while struggling to keep his balance. Only a couple of seconds later, did he remember to pull out his weapon just to realize he didn't have any on him. That knife he had borrowed from the Armory right before being pushed toward the car by Argus could hardly be considered a weapon. Damn you, Hera!

"Jason, fast!" Annabeth shouted, making him squeeze his head tightly and wince. "C'mon!"

Annabeth grabbed him by the arm and towed him forward, hurrying to catch Paul before it was too late. In her haste, Annabeth had completely overlooked the fact that she could interrogate him any day she wanted; she as well as lived at their place.

"Where're you going?" Jason managed to utter, trying to extricate himself from her grip.

"Paul, of course!"

Of course. Where else would Annabeth go if not Paul?

They barged into the office right when Paul was about to go and get his deserved break. Upon seeing Annabeth's crazy look, he sucked in a heavy breath and collapsed back on his seat, mentally inviting her to speak up.

"Paul," she said in her best Chiron voice, "exactly where did you get this book from and why the whole school seems to know about it?"

Paul blinked. Then rubbed his eyes to make sure he did see Annabeth and not an illusion. Still Annabeth, impatient as ever, was waiting for his response. He knew the answer to the first part of the question, even if he had no urge to answer. The second… he preferred not to think too much about it.

Even Jason backed away from Annabeth upon hearing the venom in her voice. After having witnessed monsters, crazy goats, two apocalypses, and much more, Annabeth was still one of the scariest things he had encountered. No matter how accustomed he was to her, sometimes she went too far with the scare, making it almost impossible for others not to get terrified. Jason could see why: She had survived a literal hell; she had jumped in the battle right after escaping the said hell; she had confronted not only gods and giants but also faced her biggest fear… and right now she was staring at their English teacher. Jason did not envy Paul.

"…Sorry?" Paul squeaked out.

Annabeth examined him, trying to understand whether he truly did not know or was just messing with her. She shouldn't have, of course, for Paul would not intentionally harm Percy. It was just not him. There must be something more to it. Something that corrupted even Paul. Something stronger.

"Where did you get the book?"

Paul was determined to render silence, for he did not want to disclose the truth: he didn't know.

Just a week prior, they had ordered new curriculum books that were supposed to arrive that morning. Paul, being the closest to the bookshop, had been instructed to bring them to school. He had done so. He had checked the books—all thirty of them. They remained the same up until he had put them on the desk in the teacher's room.

That was when Paul had first realized something had gone out of control.

"I don't know," he said at last.

Annabeth's eyebrows shot up high, as she took in his expression. He had to be joking!

"Paul?"

Chapter Text

Percy's weekend only fueled to his bad Friday. Confronting Paul had brought nothing but disappointment. He had no knowledge of what was happening; he had no valuable information whatsoever. And the worst of all, he refused to give up the book stating that it had a weird effect on him, prompting him to pick it up and read and read and read… Comforting (not).

His mom, too, admitted there was nothing she could do; though, she had tried giving Paul her piece of mind. Her only suggestion was to go and find out through the camp.

It would have been sound advice if not for a little detail: Annabeth had taken the camp on her. Something must have happened between the moments she'd run out of the cafeteria and returned to the class. Something troubled her. Unfortunately, no matter how much Percy pestered her for answers, Annabeth did not give in. She stayed silent right up to the last minutes of their last period then left for the camp almost immediately without even waiting for Jason and Leo, both of whom had to take a taxi grumbling all the time about how cruel she was to leave them like that. (Argus being the one driving had completely slipped their minds.) Those two seemed less affected by the existence of the book than Percy would like them to be, which, to be honest, made Percy a bit annoyed with them. What was worse, the two seemed to be less interested in going back to camp than they were in complaining about Annabeth leaving them behind.

Eventually, Percy had managed to send them off. Perhaps, it was the best thing that had occurred that day, which wasn't saying much in hindsight. Even his mom's supportive but crestfallen expression had done nothing but discourage him even more. How come Paul had not thought about her when bringing this stupid book to the class, Percy failed to understand.

The whole weekend had been spent on stressing over myriad of things including the book, Annabeth, GODS (oh boy, he did not envy them when Annabeth's done with them), Monday, and much more. Percy spent most of his time passing back and forth in his room, pondering over all the ideas that would come to him. He might have gone to the camp, had it not been for Annabeth's direct order to stay put and not even think about it. He would do nothing but ruin whatever Annabeth had in mind. Perhaps, she was right.

Two days passed so quickly, Percy had to rub his eyes to double-check that he, indeed, was in reality.

Annabeth hadn't returned yet, but Jason swore she would arrive with them; though, he had no idea what she had found. Annabeth preferred to keep her findings to herself which made Percy's eye tic return. Her silence meant he would not like the news.

At the moment, not feeling tempted to go inside and face people, Percy was standing outside, hidden in an inconspicuous corner, watching students entering the building. His hiding spot was perfect; no one even as much as glanced at him contrary to Friday when he couldn't escape curious eyes of students that followed him everywhere he went. That was another reason to be distraught. He had enough time to mull over the happenings of the day to catch one vital piece of information: the WHOLE SCHOOL seemed to be onto him!

How come Paul had never mentioned he had shared the book with other people? It wasn't that Percy believed that; he simply couldn't find any other plausible explanation for this turn of events. If Paul didn't act as a sponsor of the Goode High, then Percy was screwed. If he were not involved, it only meant someone else had a hand in it, which would never sit well with Percy, for there were too many enemies who wished to destroy his life, starting with the whole population of Tartarus and going right up to Zeus' deserved top spot. Neither of them had any power over his memories, though; plus, they were more concerned with killing him, why bother with humiliation? Embarrassed, Percy held no use for either of them (except Ares, perhaps). They would rather him dead.

Sooo… who had such sadistic tendencies as to do this to him? Who had infinite access to his lifeline and memories? Not the Hera style of memory manipulation but more of a 'let's see what he was up to back in the day' sort of way. The only group of species (or whatever) he could come up with were Morai. Though, why would they trouble themselves with spreading stories about him was beyond Percy's level of comprehension. They surely had other, more important issues to take care of; why waste their time on him?

Every single conclusion turned out to be a dead end which didn't bode well with Percy and his rapidly developing paranoia. He knew someone was playing him to satisfy whatever fetish they might have now. In fact, he half-expected someone from Olympus to barge into the school with a large sign stating: "FREE DEMIGOD ENTERTAINMENT! ONLY TODAY 50% OFF!" Percy wouldn't even be surprised if they sat around a TV-set every evening to watch another episode of 'Let's make Percy Jackson's life suck by_", this time it certainly would be 'making him read a book from his point of view in front of his mortal classmates".

Percy shook his head and looked around. He noticed a familiar Delphi Strawberry Service van which brought three most important people of this morning. Percy was so delighted to see them that he missed Lyssa calling him. She rolled her eyes, watching Percy bolt toward the van. Three people poured out of it; all wore grim expressions.

"Any good news?" was the first thing Percy asked.

He was inexplicably jittery and more hyperactive than usual. It was so bad that he attacked Annabeth before she was able to put her feet on the ground. It only led to Annabeth's own hyperactivity kicking in; she surged forward and grabbed his wrist to push Percy away, but he reacted faster. He caught her hand and put it behind her back, leading to them colliding nose-to-nose. Both stared at each other, hearing their own heart's throbbing in their chests. Annabeth stared at Percy's eyes so intensely she could discern her own reflection.

Annabeth's plan to scold Percy for being so actively stupid and tactless was cut short by him. Percy kissed her nose and backed away before Annabeth could react. Still dazed, Annabeth stared at him, this time in disbelief. A moment later, she let out a strained laugh, causing Percy's smile to grow bigger.

"I missed you too, Wise Girl. So, how's it going?"

Annabeth blinked. "…sorry?"

"Dude!" Leo's awed voice snapped both out of their trance. Annabeth glared at Leo who put his hands up and leaped to the side.

"What did you find?" Jason stepped in before Leo would have an opportunity to open his mouth again and aggravate the situation.

"I've had several theories and I'm sorry to inform you that I was right. They are involved." Annabeth faltered, watching some students passing them by; these were not in any of her classes and clearly younger but they still had their eyes glued to the demigods, gawking at Percy as if he were their personal zoo hamster. An obvious question in their minds. "Chiron's still in the process of, um, what exactly do you do to get information from the gods?"

"Send Percy," Leo rolled his eyes, restoring his composure. The Fates decided to have their fun, so what? Nothing to fret about.

"Anyway," Annabeth said, trying to fight a smile, "all I know is a) the book is very much real, b) we have to read it, and c) the whole school is partaking in this big experiment of theirs."

"Wait, what?" Percy frowned, not quite following her or, rather, preferring not to understand. He did have two days to think it through, after all.

"It means we are in deep shit."

Despite crazy librarians, theories, and two sleepless days Lyssa was more than contented. She was certain she had figured out the big secret.

Shiver traveled down her spine. No matter how much Lyssa tried to persuade herself that it was, in fact, cool, she still couldn't shake off the feeling of uneasiness. If her theory could be backed up by real facts then it meant her whole life had been a lie and there were such things and almighty immortal divine beings. As fascinating as it seemed, that was still plenty creepy.

Lyssa watched the four interacting with each other, clearly discussing some big issue. She saw how a blond boy and an elf-looking one depart from the couple and head toward the entrance. Neither Percy nor Annabeth moved, though. Maybe it was because they were too preoccupied by staring at each other intensely. More like glaring if Lyssa's vision was anything to rely on.

Finally two broke their eye-contact, Percy wrapped his arms around her shoulders and they strode across the parking lot right up to where Lyssa was standing.

It was her cue to act.

She waved at the couple right when they approached her. Annabeth automatically returned her greeting, hardly even seeing who she was waving at; Percy just stared, clearly baffled. He had gained friends while being at school first two years, kind of; a year absence, though, messed everything up and pushed him back to the bottom of the social food chain. No one willingly talked to him the first couple of days, everyone was simply goggling as though checking whether it was really him and not his evil twin. Of course, it was Percy but it wasn't him either which only pushed away those who might have accepted him. Percy was fine with it. He had Annabeth by his side, he was going to college next year. There was no reason to cry over lost possibilities in school when he had such great prospects ahead of him.

Percy was ready to march through the year in peace… a damn book had to go and ruin it.

"H-hi," he responded quietly, not sure what to do. "How's your weekend?"

"Oh, it went great, you know," Lyssa smiled dreamily. "I've spent quite a lot of time doing research, Mikey––I mean, Mike almost drowned me for this… Anyways, it was fun. Thanks."

"What research?" Annabeth caught on quickly, knowing pretty well what this 'research' might mean for them. She might not have been there on Friday, but she sure as hell was aware of everything that had gone down in that classroom.

"The usual, you know. Myths, books; this kind of thing," Lyssa shrugged.

Annabeth's expression was a great reward, really. Lyssa's triumph, however, was cut short by Mike who just had to intervene. Whether he didn't notice the couple, which was impossible, or didn't care, Mike snuck up on Lyssa, scaring her to death.

All tension forgotten, as one couple was watching another with amusement. Lyssa didn't hesitate to chide Mike for being so damn awful to which he smiled dazzlingly then proceeded to salute Percy and Annabeth.

"Did you tell them?" he questioned Lyssa, who had to collect herself in order to stay unmoved.

"Tell us what?" Annabeth immediately jumped in to see what exactly Lyssa knew and how to get around it later.

"I know who you are," Lyssa said simply. That was not the way she had rehearsed but Mike just had to go and mess everything up.

Annabeth and Percy stared at her, trying to understand whether she truly figured something out or was just pretending? Lyssa didn't move, watching them intently.

"And?" Annabeth finally asked, feigning calmness.

"You're a Superman!" Mike blurted out before he could shut his mouth.

Now all three stared at him.

"Nah, that's Jason," Percy responded idly; though, a thought that he should avoid the company of these two was throbbing in his head, never letting him breathe freely.

It was only, what, three day since they had started the reading and this girl already had come up with several theories of what it might be about. Not something he'd expected from the senior year.

"I meant to say," Lyssa gave him an annoyed look then got closer so only the three of them could hear her. "D-E-M-I-G-O-D."

She backed away then, leaving the couple gaping at her.

"See you in class," she smiled, pushing Mike closer to the entrance.

"How did she do it?" Percy whispered, turning to Annabeth for an explanation.

Annabeth opened her mouth to say something but shut it, at a loss for words.

"We'll soon find out," she responded at last. "Come on."

The class was full with buzzing teenagers. Of course, everyone instantly looked at them the moment they stepped into the room. Everyone gawking at the addition that clearly was a part of the gang everyone wanted to know so much about. Pretending it didn't bother them as much as it truly did, Percy and Annabeth strode across the room and resumed their seats in the corner. Well, Percy tried as Jason occupied his place.

"Bro…"

"Sorry, I need Annabeth's help,' Jason responded sheepishly. Then he noticed Percy's darkened expression. "Something happened?"

"Lyssa happened," Percy grumbled and in whispers recounted the conversation with an annoying girl.

"It had to happen, didn't it?" Annabeth sighed.

The bell rang, indicating the beginning of the lesson. The noise died down, everyone sat still waiting for Paul to start the reading. So eager, none even pulled out the books nor were they planning to do so. A bit surprised, Paul cleared his throat and addressed the audience, asking if they must continue. He didn't even manage to finish, interrupted by a shout of dozen of students. After all, this book was the only reason they rushed to the class.

Paul rubbed at his temples and picked up the book. He was so going to regret it…

I PLAY PINOCHLE WITH A HORSE

Every single person bar the demigods stared at Percy with wide eyes. For one, they were still in the state of marveling what Lyssa knew and freaking out over possible outcomes of it. Then there was a teeny-tiny bit of them having seen much weirder things to pay mind to the trivial one. And it was. Chiron only ever played that stupid game with Mr. D, so they would hear about Mr. D and, perhaps, Chiron. Both were a usual occurrence. Not something to get scared of—unlike Lyssa and the prospect of being exposed to the world. Leo and Jason, upon hearing it meant Mr. D, simply accepted it as something usual; they had heard about–and seen–him to believe a pinochle would be the game for him (whatever it is; the name alone was dreadful).

They just wondered when and why Percy would play with Chiron of all people.

"Erm, Percy, why would you play with a horse?" Sarah inquired, officially opening the season of 'let's ask Percy a question' game. "Can horses even play?"

Percy wisely kept quiet, sensing where this chapter would lead to; as far as he could remember, Percy had seen this very game once.

"Fine," she snapped. "We'll get answers today."

Leo had to place a hand on his shoulder to prevent Percy from snapping at his innocent classmates. If he were given a choice, he would never make the one, involving Percy going ballistic on his classmates.

I had weird dreams full of barnyard animals. Paul started and furrowed his brows.

"Barnyard animals, really?" Leo mumbled, absolutely disinterested in his question; he did not expect any sort of a response, fully intended to dive into some project—this class was too stressful to move through without distractions.

Percy shrugged, having no clue what it meant either. He didn't really care. Why would he when there was a whole book to agonize over?

Annabeth, perhaps sensing his dismay, reached out from her spot and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it softy to show she was on his side. A moment later, she was, again, more concerned about the location of a shrine than the book that would unravel many of her secrets. Why bother when she had a more pressing issue of a shrine hill waiting to be filled?

None noticed the attention their classmates showered them with. And they had looots of questions, starting with figuring Annabeth out and fitting her in this puzzle. Where was she included in there? Did she know the content of the book? If she did, then why was she not freaking out yet? Did she even care?

All relevant questions, of course. Several people gave in at last.

"May I ask?" Lora finally chimed in. All four stared at her, sending a row of shivers down her spine. Something in their looks unnerved her. However, it did not stop Lora from posing the most important question of this day (until they found a new burning topic to discuss). "Why are you acting like this reading is the most usual thing in the world? I mean we're reading your boyfriend's life-story, shouldn't you be appalled?"

At first, no one could understand her question. Then, as though it dawned on her, Annabeth's eyes widened.

"Oh, I'm appalled," she confirmed nonchalantly then returned to the blueprints, leaving kids wonder what the heck that was.

The rest wanted food.

Only to be brought right back with a sentence. Several students snorted. Demigods glanced at Percy who kept unreadable expression (which wasn't hard, he simply lowered his head).

Several seconds of silence and then…

"I shouldn't be surprised anymore," Annabeth shook her head.

…so I just passed out again.

Several students frowned; others sent glances to Percy who had changed his field of occupation and now was watching Leo tinkering. They might have found it off-putting but could not deny it was a frequent occurrence. Percy especially; he'd passed out quite a lot.

...The girl with curly blond hair…

Now all eyes rested on Annabeth who indeed had curly blond hair.

…with the spoon.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Lyssa made a 'time-out' gesture and whirled on the spot to face the demigods. "What have we missed?"

Even Paul lowered the book to watch an entertaining match that was about to unfold. Annabeth looked up to see that everyone was watching her with curiosity.

"What have I missed?" she frowned.

"You're feeding me," Percy grumbled, not even glancing at her.

Annabeth's frown deepened. "When?"

"Then," it might sound vague for anyone, but Annabeth's eyes widened and she nodded, getting what he tried to say.

"You mean we skipped something?" she asked.

"You skipped something?" Lyssa repeated at once, being backed up by several of her classmates–more involved ones like Sarah and Cassandra, both of whom had spent the whole weekend mulling over all the facts they'd gotten to see where it might lead. They just weren't as crazy about it as Lyssa.

Percy shrugged. "How should I know?"

Lyssa wanted to groan but restored her composure and accepted his response. It was clear he still refused to cooperate. He would have to, eventually.

…"What will happen at the summer solstice?"

"What now?" Jason almost groaned. With all the talks about the weather in the first chapter, he was sure his father had a hand in this. He had to.

"Does he really need a reason to hate me?" Percy wondered absentmindedly.

"Point," Jason nodded then pointed to the dot on the map, which Annabeth began to read in amazement.

Who was that?

"And that… who's that?" Annabeth focused on the name to get it right. Damn Jason and his attempts at writing in English. "Kymo-po-leia? Who? I've never heard of her."

She glanced at Jason who leaned closer to have a better look at the name dot that was put not far away from Poseidon's shrine at the Temple Hill.

"Percy's sister," his responded in whisper. "Goddess of violent storms, you know, the one who almost sank Argo II."

Annabeth blinked and stared at the dot. "Oh…"

"I promised her," Jason added. "In exchange of her helping us."

"Oh…" Annabeth realized what was meant by that. She decided not to kill us.

…"What?"

"My sentiments exactly."

…someone would overhear.

"Chiron was sooo not happy I snuck around," Annabeth muttered, causing Jason to gawk at her. What did she mean by that?

"…We've only got a few weeks!"

"Something was stolen?" Leo looked up. He glanced at Jason who had the same confused expression on his face. "How come we were never told that?"

He was ignored. The only reaction Leo received was a kick in a calf from Percy for being so damn candid.

"See, we're not the only one in the dark!" someone exclaimed, but the four ignored them too.

…my mouth with pudding.

"It was something serious, wasn't it?" Lyssa inquired. Upon noticing confused looks she elaborated. "She's being sneaky; it's clear she breaks some rules by attempting to get something from Percy… whatever it is."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow, studying Lyssa pensively. "How are you doing this?"

"So you admit there's something going on?"

The only response Lyssa received was Annabeth picking up a pen and starting to encircle Kym's name, contemplating on what to do with her shrine. Her patience was getting thin with each step, and soon, Annabeth could feel it, she would give up completely.

"…Thanks."

…a dozen of them...

Paul stopped to stare at the book. No one even uttered a word. Silence rendered for some time as every single one of them, except the demigods who only restrained themselves from bursting out laughing at mortals' reactions to Argus, tried to process a thought of a man having dozen of eyes.

"He. Has. More!" Leo stated in a dramatic whisper, causing the three to glare at him. "C'mon, they'll know it anyway."

Now he gained more than just demigods' glowers. Every single student looked at him, some curious, some clearly disgusted. But everyone interested, nonetheless.

"Moving on," Percy said sharply, still looking daggers at Leo. He could swear this boy loved that.

…using it for a nest.

Mike chuckled and shook his head.

"You have very, very strange thoughts," he commented. No matter how off-putting some things already were, Mike wasn't going to let them affect him. They simply fit Lyssa's theory (which was bizarre on its own). "You have some pretty interesting comparisons."

He didn't even care that Percy, once again, ignored him.

Steven, who'd opened his mouth to retort, shut it as soon as he saw a not-so-subtle sign from Lora to keep it down.

…CAMP HALF-BLOOD.

Everyone perked up upon hearing 'half-blood' again. That was it, they thought. Their rapidly enhancing by a two day break curiosity would be gratified.

"Will we finally learn what you mean by that?" Sarah wondered excitedly. She was really into the thing thanks to Lyssa's questions and Percy's less than satisfying responses.

"Do you really wanna know, though?" Percy muttered under his breath, sensing that he'd have to make up a retreat plan while he still had time. No matter how inconceivable the truth might be for many mortal minds, he knew at least one person more persistent in gathering knowledge than any Athena child. She would never pass up an opportunity to satiate her curiosity, even if it meant her tying him to a radiator and tormenting with a marathon of Teletubies she knew would be on TV.

"Leo," he pinched the boy to gain his attention. Not expecting to be so violently injured, Leo yelped (he would deny that later) and jumped, dropping his screwdriver––again!

"What for?" he wined, giving Percy his deadliest eye.

"How do you feel about a little disruption campaign?"

Not the goat boy.

"Excuse me, what?" surprisingly enough this came from literally everyone but Lyssa who simply kept her silence, ticking off the points that had already got proven to be true.

As one, students turned to Percy who was too busy scribbling something down madly. He had a tip of his tongue stuck out while he was creating a soon-to-be-plan in his notebook.

Leo was just giving him a side look, simultaneously trying to get Annabeth's attention by making faces that she would not be able to see. He was afraid to move, for he had no idea how Percy would react to it. After all, he'd had a misfortune of meeting Percy's impetuous side–aside from having one himself–that would put anyone within a mile radius in mortal peril caused by whatever Percy might attempt when disturbed. Too preoccupied with a surge of ideas, he remained alerted, which basically meant the tip of his sword would end up pressed against your throat or chest or any other part of that body that happened to be there.

Leo was sooo not gonna do it.

As it turned out, he was the only one fully aware of his surroundings. At least, he saw people staring at him. Leo caught Lyssa's eyes–he had a feeling she was in charge of a soon-to-be-Percy-hunt–and shrugged as if saying: Sorry, I'm not suicidal.

"Why is Grover the goat boy?" Jenna asked anyway. This boy was paying attention to them, wasn't he? He as well could explain it.

"It's Grover," Leo shrugged, softly drumming his fingers on the table.

"Aaand?" Sarah prompted.

Leo simply pointed to Percy who still gave no sign he was listening. Whatever they wanted to know they'd get from him.

Of course, with Percy's persistent pretense, no one dared call his name to demand answers. Paul decided to continue to avert attention from his stepson to… his stepson. Well, he needed to work on that.

So maybe I'd had a nightmare…

"What?" many voices chorused together, ringing through the room.

"What happened?" Mike inquired loudly, fixing his eyes on Percy in hope his piercing glare would work. It did in a sense as Percy fidgeted uncomfortably and scratched the back of his head before resuming whatever he was doing.

Mike heaved a sign and massaged his temples. He already imagined how obstinate Lyssa was going to get once she got her hands on Percy or whoever would be the closest to her…

"You saved my life," Grover said. Paul read loudly, effectively cutting off whatever discussion was about to break out after Percy refused to respond.

…bull's horn,

Lyssa rested her head on the table, taking a deep breath. There was no way she'd drag this story out of Percy; there just wasn't.

…It hadn't been a nightmare.

"You had a nightmare about a broken off horn?" Steven asked despite himself. He counted to ten then repeated his question. And again, and again, and again until even Annabeth snapped out of her daze and barked at him to shut up.

Steven's next words were the same to the dismay of those who had to listen to him more than they wanted thanks to Percy's unnatural stubbornness.

"The Minotaur," I said. Paul read at last, trying his best to drown out Steven who was quite determined to procure answers. He succeeded. Partly. For one, Steven shut up. However, when the words did get through to him, Steven gaped.

He was not the only one, though, as every single one of the students (including Jason and Leo who were awed) stared at Percy. What was the reason of Percy's obsession with talking about strange creatures, all of which appeared useless outside of a history class?

"Min–"

"DON'T!" Annabeth and, surprisingly, Percy shouted in unison. Now stares were divided between the two.

"But–" Sarah tried once again but faltered under Annabeth very, very horrifying glare.

"I am not to meet him again," Percy grumbled, crossing his arms. Last five minutes had made a drastic difference in his mind. He had time to mull over Annabeth's words; he had more than enough time to plot and fail to come up with anything remotely sufficient to trick them. In short, Percy felt cranky.

"Again?" all eyes found Riley who huffed and stared at Percy in confusion. From everything he'd heard so far, it might be that Percy was kind of off his rocker. So bonkers that Riley didn't feel like insulting him for that; he had his doubts and an unorthodox belief that Jackson might be dangerously reckless and, well, dangerous. It was better to stir clear from him until further notice.

"Yeah, man, again?" Leo's brows disappeared in his hairline. He exchanged a glance with Jason, who shrugged slightly as though saying: Sorry, man, I'm no help here. "But really, why are we the last ones to learn these things?"

"I'm starting to believe we have to interrogate you," Jason nodded. "You've failed to mention a couple of things in the past and now I'm wondering what else we don't know about you…"

"Jason!" Annabeth gasped in exasperation. She tried to order him to shut up through her look but Jason was unfazed. He'd faced far worse things than Annabeth to compel. (Though, angry she easily made a top ten of every single camper.)

"Let him continue," Kylie commented from her seat, immediately drawing attention of her classmates. "What?"

Several people shook their heads.

"She's actually right," Jenna noted. "What?"

Eyes traveled back to the demigods who were busy having a staring contest between themselves. Annabeth was murdering Jason who was giving Percy a thoughtful look as though trying to come up with an effective way to get this story out of him. Only Leo was looking from one friend to another, seeming to be the least troubled by the whole situation. He might not like the fact they would potentially approach a subject of Greek mythology being real but he could live with it as long as there was no book from his point of view.

Silence stood for several more moments until Paul cleared his throat and proceeded with the reading, not caring if anyone listened to him.

Paul's voice brought everyone back on track. After all, whatever they wanted to know might as well be answered in this chapter.

…"Half man, half bull."

All three of Percy's friends stared at him in resignation. That, of course, didn't go unnoticed by the rest, and one by one, being nudged by their neighbors, kids turned their eyes to Percy as well. Paul closed the book, knowing full well this one had to be discussed now as kids were simply curious and Percy's friends must be disgruntled. He wouldn't be allowed to read much.

"Are you joking?" Jason gawked at Percy like he had never seen him before. He was aware that Percy was obstinately dense in some aspects of the mythological world; there'd been enough rumors circulating around both camps for that matter. Still, rumors and Percy's actions tended to go separated ways, only causing Jason to have a headache.

One can't be so determined to not follow rules, can they?

"It's Percy," Annabeth noted.

Jason stared some more, pondering over her response. "Yeah, you're right."

He shook his head and returned his attention to Paul, prompting him to continue to the dismay of those who tried to eavesdrop.

"Sooo not fair," Steven shout-whispered a few people around him, who only rolled their eyes, preferring to stay out of this mess altogether.

…"How much do you remember?"

Paul stopped, sensing the reaction this one would provide.

All eyes were, once again, on Percy who did his best to pretend he was not there. Which literally meant he returned to his soon-to-be-failed plan and examined it like it was the most precious possession of his.

"We will not get anything from him, will we?" Lyssa addressed her neighbors, all of whom simply nodded. "I thought so. Mr. Blofis, if you may?"

He looked down.

Paul's lack of knowledge did not prevent him from slipping a bit of sadness into his voice. Who knew that it would be so painful to read about hypothetical death of your significant other?

If anyone noticed it, they didn't say a word. After all, it was his wife and, as far as they understood, something bad had happened to her. Maybe. Like 50% sure thing.

…in the sunlight.

"Even?" Jenna raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"That Percy notices the weirdest of things," was an unexpected response from Annabeth who was dividing the Temple Hill into parts so they would be able to squeeze all of the shrines in there. As for now, with Jason's aid, her list of divine beings who required eternal worship had grown by five names, three of which she had never heard of before this very second. Sometimes she wondered whether those were reproducing by buds. "Guess you'll have to expand the territory."

Jenna blinked. "…what?"

Annabeth looked up, confused. Then realization dawned on her as she glanced at Jason. "Not for you. You, here we'll have…" he voice got lower until no one but Jason was able to hear her.

Jenna rubbed at her temples, muttering that she was too young to go down like that.

…Nothing should look beautiful. Whether it was a mass hallucination or Mr. Blofis truly imbued his voice with a tinge of sadness, but the excerpt sounded almost depressing.

"She… died?" someone asked.

"No, idiot, it's obvious she's alive!" another voice responded.

"How do you know?" same student wondered, watching their neighbor in confusion.

"He's Percy's stepfather and I'm sure they talk about her in present tense!" same voice snarled.

"Are you two done?" a third person butted in, sounding thoroughly irritated. "We have a book to finish."

…"I'm–I'm the worst satyr in the world."

Annabeth groaned but didn't elaborate.

…so hard it came off.

Paul took a deep breath, allowing children to express the bundle of emotions they surely had a hard time containing.

"What d'you mean 'came off'?" Peter instantly chanced the opportunity. His expression mirrored his inner state which mostly consisted of astonishment. Was he an alien of sorts? Or, perhaps, a lizard? Could he grow limbs as well?

Apparently, children in this class lacked even the tiniest bits of acumen, for they displayed varying levels of astonishment at hearing a satyr might use artificial human limbs to hide his own. None–none!–pointed out that he was not human.

"He has fake feet?" Lyssa wondered lazily as she had her pen ready to tick off another point in her list, or inscribe it as they went.

"He has fake what?" Steven's eyes widened. "Dude, can I meet him?"

"No," Percy replied coldly.

"Maaan, you're no fun!" Steven whined. "Ow, what for?"

"Stop deviating attention from important issues!" Cassandra commanded. "Sooo, fake feet?"

Percy exchanged a glance with Annabeth, who shrugged. She had a feeling they had no other choice.

"Paul?"

Paul cleared his throat and finished the paragraph, holding his hand up to prevent children from interrupting every second word. …except for a hoof-shaped hole.

"Hoof-shaped hole?" Lora mouthed, glancing at Sarah who had the same flabbergasted expression.

Grover was a satyr.

Silence enveloped the room as everyone mulled over the revelation—mostly because half of them had skipped the course in Greek Mythology and held no knowledge of the basics; makes you wonder who allowed them to miss so much of middle school. A loud, extremely unpleasant sound rang through the classroom: Lyssa slapped her forehead.

"Damn, of course!"

"What? Who's that?" Peter instantly asked.

Several people groaned, wondering how much time it would take Lyssa to murder him. Seeing her expression, they would settle on 3 minutes and 22 seconds, excluding the extra time she'd use up trying to reach him.

Lyssa's eye twitched.

"You don't–"

"He doesn't!" Mike cut in immediately.

"He's sooo dead," someone whispered as they watched the pair peering at each other intensely, hostile even.

"He's not," Kylie snorted but chose not to elaborate on the unfortunate event that had taken place a few months prior. The history of these two always gave her a headache.

"Mr. Blofis?" Lora suggested.

Paul cleared his throat, diverting Lyssa and Mike's attention away from their staring contest.

"Where was I?"

Meanwhile, completely unaware of an impending civil war amongst her peers, Annabeth looked at Percy who shrugged.

"You recognized?" she whispered.

"I'm pretty sure he mentioned it at some point while we were running away," Percy responded just as softly.

"Oh… That makes sense."

…tiny horns...

"He'd kill you for that," Annabeth chuckled and turned to face her friends. "He's quite fond of his hair."

All three nodded in agreement, pretending they were the only ones in the classroom and no one watched them.

"C'mon, it's not fair!"

Steven's complaint was drowned out by Paul who recommenced the reading.

…or even minotaurs.

"That's one way to accept it," Leo nodded.

"Wait till later. He's still as clueless as one can be," Annabeth said.

Leo's eyebrows rose in wonder. Just how worse Percy was than he?

…dissolved into yellow light. Paul stopped and took a deep breath. It indeed was way harder than he thought.

Lyssa held up her hand to get Paul's attention. "Dissolved into yellow light? Just what really happened?"

Just for the umpteenth time every gaze was on Percy who, feeling they would not get off his back, groaned. "Short or detailed?"

Shocked silence remained the only response for good thirty seconds in which Percy mulled over the proposition and made a decision himself.

"I'll go with short," Percy announced. "My school year ended. Mom and I went on a vacation. Just when everything was going fine, Grover appeared out of nowhere, stating I was in danger. We encountered a Bullface on our way to… should I say it?" the question was addressed to Annabeth who nodded mournfully. "Alright, on our way to the camp. We fought; he took my mom. I won. The end."

Percy's gaze returned to the piece of paper in front of him. He frowned and crossed out one of the points, purposefully ignoring a burning sensation on his head caused by dozens of eyes drilling a hole in his skull.

"And then?" Mike prompted. All he got was silence. Mike heaved a sigh and turned to Mr. Blofis who was doing his best to keep his expression impassive. Something was telling him that's the best they would get from Percy.

"Mr. Blofis?"

Paul returned to the book, still feigning indifference which he did not feel.

…Smelly Gabe?

"Who?" Peter asked.

Percy only groaned in response.

…join the army.

At that Annabeth snorted. "Sorry to inform you, but there was no way you'd pull that off. You were scrawnier than Leo!"

"Hey!" both boys exclaimed in unison then stared at each other. "Hey!" Leo shouted out once again, this time indignantly, for he felt Percy's reaction was not a positive one.

I'd do something.

"He's quite determined," Kylie muttered thoughtfully, shooting a glance at Percy who was glaring at a smiling Annabeth. Perhaps, she could work with it; she knew where to put his spunk. Though, it still had to be discussed with Mike.

…poor goat, satyr, whatever–

Several people snorted, Leo being the loudest. Of course, it was such a Percy thing to accept something regarding his friend and move on quickly. Or he simply still hadn't fully digested the news, which was also highly probable.

…to protect you."

"He was supposed to what?" Lora gasped. As far as she knew this boy–or whatever–was being mistreated by his classmates and barely showed any courage! What part of his looking terrified implied he protected Percy?

"To protect," Lyssa repeated, almost rolling her eyes.

"I can kinda see it," Peter interfered. "He did try to avert attention of that hag, what's-her-name."

Lora mentally sighed. Oh, right…

"The bigger question stands," Jenna said. "What's he protecting from?"

As one, everyone in class turned to the demigods. The four either didn't hear him (arguably) or were really fixated on the idea of pretending there was no elephant in the room. Jenna shook her head and asked Paul to continue.

…straw to my lips…

"Just what really happened between you and Min–whatever?" Sarah cut herself off upon seeing Annabeth death glare.

She received no answer.

…Liquid cookies.

"You have a stash of liquid cookies?" Steven wondered loudly.

Percy and Annabeth exchange glances, having torn their attention from their affairs just for this one moment. "No."

"Dammit," he muttered under his breath, almost hitting the tabletop with his fists. He definitely wanted to taste those.

…my mom's homemade cookies...

"You would taste them, of course," Annabeth nodded.

Percy frowned feeling Leo elbowing him. "What?"

"Just forget it, Seaweed Brain," she chuckled, returning to her own project. Though, she wanted to know what exactly Percy was so immersed in that he missed half the story about himself—just to prevent further intrusion.

…going to be okay…

Riley turned to tell Percy what a wimp he was, because there were not enough times he'd said that, in his opinion, but Percy didn't even acknowledge him to Riley's dismay as he realized he wouldn't be able to use the insult all that much.

…I felt guilty…

"Why would he sound wistful?" Cassandra frowned. Couldn't he, like, go and fetch one himself?

"He can't drink it if he wants to live," Annabeth responded absent-mindedly. "You'll see."

Cassandra studied Annabeth for several moments before nodding to herself. Whatever it meant, she wasn't about to find out through long tiring conversations with her.

…"I just… wondered."

"He would seriously die if he tried it?" Peter asked, still not quite catching on to what the deal with the beverage was.

There must be one hell of an excerpt to discuss, for all four tore themselves from their respective tasks to offer Peter a response.

"Yeah," Percy nodded.

"He'll burn up," Jason added.

"Completely," Annabeth elaborated.

"To ashes," Leo finished dismissively.

Peter stared at them, not sure whether they were joking or not.

…"Chiron and Mr. D are waiting."

Lyssa's arm shot up. It was natural she would catch the name and want to discuss and start a full-on debate regarding the issue. Paul suppressed a heavy sign and gestured her to start. Everyone, sensing quite a drama coming out of it, straightened up, waiting for her to commence.

"You mean Chiron or Chiron?" she inquired, looking straight into Annabeth's eyes who had been elbowed by Jason who, in turn, had been called by his neighbor.

"What?" someone whispered, but was shushed by their neighbor who truly wanted to hear their conversation.

Annabeth had spent a week in this school total, but it was already apparent she would be able to rival Lyssa when it came to brains; their debates were, perhaps, the finest moments of every single class they got stuck in. In fact, and everyone could agree, this girl–along with her friends–could be promoted to the 'you're too cool for us' club because they managed to avoid Lyssa's questionnaire for more than five minutes. Lyssa was a complete nightmare when she wanted something.

"Chiron," Annabeth replied nonchalantly, causing several people to groan.

"More information, please?" Steven begged, suddenly realizing what fun Lyssa found in scavenger hunts.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow at his tone but refused to elaborate. Steven grumbled something unintelligible then caught Lyssa's smug look. "You see what I have to deal with on a daily basis?"

"Who's Mr. D?" Lora asked.

Percy looked up and mused. "A very cranky old sot," he said simply, causing Annabeth to burst into fits of uncontrollable giggling which only made Percy's smile widen.

"Apparently, it's supposed to be funny," Cassandra commented, studying the couple incredulously. "Is it too late to back out now?"

Paul only restarted the reading.

…trying to walk that far…

"You're pushing yourself too hard," Kylie mused, drawing attention of those who heard her. "What?"

…I wasn't going to let it go…

Demigods all nodded absent-mindedly. No matter what your personality was; no matter what your boundaries were; heck, it didn't even matter whether you were insanely atrocious and power-hungry like Octavian–none of them let go of things they had paid for easily. Even Percy was no stranger to it.

…north shore of Long Island,

Several people raised their eyebrows in wonder. No one expected to learn the location of this mysterious camp for half-bloods. (What exactly they implied when coming up with the name?)

…ancient Greek architecture–

Lyssa nodded to herself as though it proved something. Some people who noticed her movement exchanged a quizzical look but settled on leaving it alone for their own sakes.

… they all looked brand new,

"Seaweed Brain, of course they were new," Annabeth snorted softly, turning her attention to Percy, who reclined on his seat just to pout at her comment. "Gods would never allow us to have rusty old buildings."

"I know that," he complained in whisper. "But I could barely understand what was going on and that was a genuine concern!"

"If you say so," she chuckled and gave Jason a do-you-believe-him? look which only brought another round of pouting from Percy.

They, once again, missed staring from their classmates, all of whom got alerted by weird noises coming from their desks.

…satyrs played volleyball.

"A dozen?" Cassandra mouthed. Then again, why was she shocked to hear it; it was a camp, after all.

…some of their horses had wings.

"Were you..?"

"Shhh!"

Steven, who had dared to ask the question, held his hands up in defeat and turned back to Mr. Blofis.

…on the porch rail next to them…

Jason and Leo, as well as dozen of their more curious classmates, stared at Annabeth in puzzlement. Both knew Annabeth was the oldest camper there––it was common knowledge––but was she old enough to hang out with Chiron and Mr. D? Granted they hadn't really had a chance of meeting the god but knew he was insufferable to anyone but his son. How come she felt comfortable around both of them at the same time?

"…Stop staring at me. I was twelve!"

Perhaps, Annabeth didn't care; highly unlikely she really thought this would explain anything, but she did feel contented with her reaction.

…small, but porky…

Jason stared at Percy more intensely upon hearing those words. Percy only looked up from whatever he was doing and gave him a thumb up.

…No, cherubs.

At that they burst out laughing, Annabeth being the loudest because she was the only who actually knew Mr. D.

"He'll kill you if he ever hears you!" she breathed out in a moment of a short break from laughter before falling in again.

Percy glanced up at her, wondering what in the world she was talking about. He received no help from either of his friends, so he returned back to his paper, still having a faint feeling of loss as though he should know the joke but missed the most of it (which sucked).

"Will we know what they're laughing about?" Peter asked loudly in hopes of catching their attention. He never succeeded.

…middle-aged in a trailer park…

Laughter got louder. They were in danger of being heard by the western wing of the building now. Paul even had to wait before they calmed down a bit to be able to proceed.

…could've out-gambled even my stepfather.

"Er, Mr. Blofis?" Peter raised his hand to get his attention. "You gamble?"

"No," Paul responded simply. He attempted to keep his expression indifferent, but it was a difficult task.

He hadn't heard much of this… man but the tone that Percy, and sometimes Sally, used when describing him in passing–this person barely deserved any more–, suggested that this topic was closed and it was better to never mention him ever again. As a result, Paul both knew and did not know a thing about that man. And what he knew never sat well with him; Sally's assurance that it was all for Percy's safety didn't ease him up either.

Perhaps, he sounded too harsh, as Peter backed away, stunned, and averted his gaze. There was an awkward silence that got interrupted only by a muffled noise from the back of the class.

Several people raised their eyebrows, wondering what had made them so entertained. It was clearly not a laughing matter, even if they had no information on the issue.

"Why're you laughing?" Mike inquired.

Jason, who did have a small smile on his face, shrugged. Leo mirrored his movement and whirled a finger at his temple, suggesting that Annabeth might have lost it. (Percy was engrossed manic scribbling, so that characterization might be applied to him, too.) Granted, it was kind of funny to imagine Mr. D as a typical drunkard with an excessive card obsession, but that image didn't warrant hysterical laughing.

"H-he might—if he—" Annabeth took a deep breath. "If he isn't placed with C–" she cracked up once again. "W-with Chiron!"

Mike rubbed at his temples, realizing she hadn't even heard him.

"How am I supposed to work in such conditions?" he grumbled, ignoring a concerned look Riley was giving him.

"Ahem, …She's just a camper,

Laughing stopped abruptly, as Annabeth bestowed the book with the dirtiest look she could muster.

"Just a camper?" she gaped. "I'll have you know, I'm–hmm-mhm."

"Can we–" Jason jerked his hand away upon noticing Annabeth look. Her expression changed to smug; she loved that kind of authority that let her keep them in line without lifting a finger.

"I'll have you know that I'm a cabin counselor!" she finished. "No need to silence me."

Paul blinked a couple of times then restored his composure and returned to the book.

…longer than just about anybody…

Several people look confused.

"Um, longer than anybody?" Cassandra asked.

"Yeah," Annabeth shrugged. "So what?"

"But that's… that's a summer camp, isn't it?"

"So?"

Cassandra opened her mouth to continue a pointless debate only to close it when she realized it was pointless. Whatever she wanted to know, she might as well hear in the book.

…the scraggly beard.

Lyssa's eyes widened. "He is Chiron?"

"Who?"

In response, Lyssa simply pointed to the book.

"Mr. Brunner!" I cried.

"Him?"

"You sure?"

"Who's that?" all stares rested on Steven who held his hands in defeat. "What? It's been two days, d'you expect me to remember everything?"

Sarah hid her face in her arms and mentally groaned, not able to believe the level of ignorance he displayed.

…answers B.

"Typical," four voices echoed through the room. Everyone stared at them. Annabeth had already come to her senses and now was eyeing Percy, as though waiting for him to notice her. Jason was examining something before him. Leo was tinkering. Percy himself was still immersed in whatever he was doing, a little too oblivious to his his surroundings for it to be true. Yet,  nothing showed that they either of them had even heard Paul.

…"Now we have four for pinochle."

"What's that?"

"A card game."

"A veeeery stupid card game," Percy corrected, not looking up. The thunder boomed in the distance as though expressing its affront, making him snort. Of course, of all things in the world he'd heard that. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

Annabeth stilled herself; a moment later, she whacked Percy across the head.

"Ow! Hey!"

"Do not–" Annabeth faltered. "You know what, doesn't matter."

She turned to Jason and held out her hand, waiting for the paper. There was no point in trying to change Percy when he was, well, Percy.

…to be glad to see you."

Students stared. Then turned their attention to the demigods.

"What kind of camp director does that?" Cassandra wondered. Several people nodded.

"Mr. D," Percy responded simply. He was in no mood to explain how the god felt cranky because he'd been locked up with kids for a century without a chance of drinking. Percy didn't quite know how exactly this would make someone hate humanity, but was sure it somehow had made Dionysus do just that.

"It's not like we don't have similar teachers…" Kylie snorted, receiving stunned looks in response. "What?"

No one answered.

…hitting the happy juice.

"Again this Gabe, who's he?"

Percy ignored the question, preferring not to even look at its source. Paul, too, decided it was a great idea to ignore the questions about the man. He started to read.

…I was a satyr.

The thunder rumbled in the distance, this time drawing attention of people. Some frowned, wondering what was happening. The sky was crystal clear, and there was not even a hint of a cloud. So where had the thunder come from?

The demigods heard the thunder as well, though their reaction was more in line with their usual. They rolled their eyes, marveling how much they hated demigods to go and eavesdrop.

…you back to health, Percy.

"Some things never change," Annabeth snorted softly, receiving a pout from Percy. He wasn't that bad.

…cabin eleven for now."

Leo and Jason exchanged a confused look and stared at the pair. Annabeth simply pointed at Percy as though telling them to torture him; she, personally, had nothing to do with any of this. Percy rolled his eyes and, in hushed tones so not to be overheard, gave a brief summary of the life at camp back when he first arrived.

Both were surprised, but not too much. They'd met gods, after all; something like ignoring your children and banishing other, lesser gods—and Hades—was just their style.

Steven groaned loudly when he realized no one would explain him anything.

…couple of inches taller,

Annabeth rolled her eyes. Of all the things to concentrate on…

…California girl

Annabeth frowned.

…her eyes ruined the image.

A frown deepened, and Annabeth glared at Percy who offered her a dazzling smile. She huffed in annoyance. How could she be offended at him when he's like that?

…to take me down in a fight.

"She could do it, yeah," Leo nodded to himself, though his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. Annabeth smacked him to his chagrin and other's entertainment.

…Wow, you're so awesome!...

"I know, I know," Percy raised his hands in defense, looking at his friends. "But, in my defense, I barely knew anything about her but her name."

Jason and Leo's eyes crossed, a similar thought in their mind: how could they barely know each other? For someone who'd met them later in their friendship that was a difficult notion to grasp. And they weren't the only ones thoroughly confused.

…"You drool when you sleep."

The class erupted into laughter. Percy, seemingly unaffected, only wore a goofy smile.

"That's more like it," Leo nodded, avoiding Annabeth's hand.

…You may call me Chiron."

"And it didn't throw you off?" Lyssa wondered despite herself. She would've fallen in a state of deep trance, had she met him.

"It takes much more than that to throw me off," Percy responded to her surprise. He didn't sound pompous about it, though, simply stating it as a fact which only deepened Lyssa's shock.

"Yeah, like naiads," Annabeth said simply.

Jason and Leo stared at her—as well as the rest of the class with Peter going as far as stage whispering what it meant—then turned their attention back to Percy who looked sheepish. It was a long day–a long week, actually–he'd been overwhelmed since the moment he'd woken up; something would've inevitably broken him.

"If only you were so supportive back then," he complained playfully, purposefully ignoring inquiring looks his friends were giving him.

"Dude," Leo couldn't help but say, "naiads? Of all things to get–"

"Finish this sentence and I'll tell Calypso where her stuff is hidden and what Festus has to do with this," Percy warned, effectively shutting Leo up.

"He said Calypso?" one of the students asked.

"Who's Festus?" another one wondered.

The four managed not to answer a question, but only further complicate things by saying some weird stuff that only they could understand.

"Anyway, naiads?" Jason prompted.

"I'm not talking about it," Percy suddenly snapped and crossed his arms.

"He means it's gonna be somewhere in the chapter… maybe book," Annabeth said supportively, ignoring a scandalized look Percy was giving her.

Paul cleared his throat to gain their attention. Having achieved just that, he started reading.

..I looked at the director.

Annabeth gestured in the general direction of the book as though proving her words. Leo snorted, Percy pouted, and Jason simply shook his head in disbelief. Their previous occupations long forgotten.

...go around using them for no reason."

"Then why did we keep using her name like it's nothing?" Leo wondered absent-mindedly, his fingers drumming on the tabletop. There was silence for a few moments while the demigods stared at their friend, stunned, and their classmates in confusion. "What?"

"You're… right," Annabeth blinked. "I mean we did mention quite a lot of names that now I wonder––"

"–why they hadn't started it earlier," Percy finished, completely in tune with her. "I'd be cranky and annoyed, were my name constantly mentioned by…" he faltered, letting his friends finish it for himself. By dirty mortals.

"Why exactly were we so reckless?" Jason asked.

"We're always reckless," Leo noted.

"Point."

"Are you done?" Sarah wondered in irritation. They were obviously very, very candid about whatever they were talking about. The problem was this 'whatever'; all she managed to gather was that they meant someone whose name shouldn't be spoken aloud. Not much if you ask her.

The four looked at her and nodded.

…Chiron-Brunner broke in,

"Chiron-Brunner?" Annabeth repeated, battling a smile. "Really?"

"What else was I supposed to think?" Percy shrugged.

"Um, maybe that he is Chiron? He did tell you it was a pseudonym."

"I didn't believe him!"

Annabeth examined him for a few seconds. "That I can believe."

…to a potential camper.

"A house call?" Cassandra asked. Did it mean this man had done this specifically for Percy?

"Grover was very… convincing," Annabeth said, looking straight at Cassandra to insure she wouldn't get sidetracked by something else. "He was certain Percy needed to be watched over. Not that he was wrong."

The last part was said with a smirk which notified Percy it was a soft jab at him. So he did the most obvious thing: He stuck his tongue out at her.

Cassandra only nodded as if she got it. In fact, Annabeth's explanation hadn't cleared anything up.

…I've wasted my time."

"He's such a sweetheart!" Mike said sarcastically.

He still had a hard time processing the fact that Lyssa's theory was, in fact, not a theory. Of course, their reactions this morning had kind of given them away, but that was still a theory through and through. Come to think of it, so was this book… So why did they believe it unconditionally?

…keeping a lookout.

"There are more?!" Steven bellowed, causing his neighbors to recoil and wince.

Annabeth and Percy, being both official and unofficial leaders of their class company, exchanged a glance. "Yes."

"Are there any in ours?"

"No."

"It's unnecessary when we're here," Percy added.

…take a leave of absence."

"Is that even legal?" Jenna frowned. No one responded, though. They weren't sure themselves but didn't want to set Chiron up either. "...thanks."

…We contacted your mother,

"They knew she was aware of..?" Annabeth frowned. How come she'd never known of that? What else Chiron had hidden from her back then?

Percy only shrugged, unsure what to think himself. It was highly possible his mother not only knew about them but also had met at least a representative of the camp. In fact, she'd given him clues that it was true.

…that's always the first test."

Paul didn't find the revelation overly shocking but still decided to stop here to let children express their outrage.

"Is he joking?" Jenna gaped. She had a strong urge to glance at the four to receive either proof or rebuttal. Her only issue that stopped her from doing so was 'either'. Jenna didn't want to see her theory being proven.

Steven, however, didn't have such boundaries. He went on to look at the demigods and almost paled upon seeing their expressions. It was not a joke. "Damn…"

…a tiger-print Hawaiian shirt.

"Percy!" Annabeth groaned just as the thunder rumbled once again. More people started to look around as though wondering what the hell was wrong with it today. "He's their boss!"

"I know, I know!" Percy held his hands up. "But you must admit it was a genuine question!"

"Bro, I'm pretty sure you'll get yourself killed before the day ends," Jason shook his head in disbelief. He was very agreed with Percy about Dionysus' appearance but tried to prevent himself from being disrespectful even in his mind, at least from time to time when it could be avoided. Turned out, he was pretty right in doing so.

"I didn't know my thoughts would be read out loud," Percy complained.

"As if it would stop you," Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"True."

…less and less.

The thunder boomed again, this time much closer; it seemed like it was right outside their classroom. Students started to look around once more, still thoroughly confused as to why it was happening.

"Seems like the feeling is mutual," Annabeth noted then added under her breath: "And they're listening in."

As one, those who heard her stared at her.

"What does it mean?" Cassandra demanded. She was, as always, ignored.

…to know the rules."

"Am I uncivilized, then?" Steven whispered to Peter who was sitting right before him. "I sure as hell don't know what this game is about, let alone the rules."

"Same, dude, same," Peter wanted to pat his friend on the shoulder but couldn't do it in from his seat. Instead he offered his a comforting smile and retuned his eyes back on their teacher.

…what is this place?

Annabeth pointed to the book, silently telling that was what she'd been talking about before.

…landed in his pile.

"Is this Mr. D so bad?" Sarah asked.

"For them? Nah, it was just Grover. They do respect them, though," Percy offered a simple response. He wanted to add 'don't really understand why' but thought better of it, feeling Dionysus wouldn't leave it with just thunder if he heard him.

…usually get killed.

"Why is he so calm?" Jenna asked in outrage. Firstly, they say 'if you don't get killed, you've passed the test', not they almost laugh about someone getting killed! Just what place for sick people was this?

"He got used to it."

The class stared, for the umpteenth time, at Percy, wondering if he was joking or not. He didn't seem to find his words funny, so he must be serious. Though, an observant person might notice tension in his posture and a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Percy both felt thoroughly hurt and unsure that Dionysus didn't care. He cared even if it only ever concerned his son.

…won't be sufficient."

Annabeth perked up. A light of confusion in her eyes.

"Wait, you didn't watch the orientation film?" she asked incredulously, not believing Chiron would hate her that much. How much trouble could have been saved if she had known it back then! It would've probably saved a lot of time also, for Annabeth wouldn't have considered him dumb half of the quest.

Percy turned to her and shook his head.

"Did you watch it as an orientation film?" he asked instead. (Or at all, he wanted to add. She had not been there when this horror had forever tainted their minds.)

"What orientation film?" Leo wondered out loud but was ignored by the couple. Jason was no help either as he had never had the need to watch any film.

Annabeth frowned. Truth to be told, she hadn't watched it upon arrival. There lay no need for her. "Well, no, but I didn't need it—"

"No one needs it!" Percy exclaimed, almost shuddering. Damn that day they'd learned about that stupid movie. "I'm sure I'm not the only one catching up along the way."

He pointed to Leo as though waiting for him to step in, announcing that he was right, but Leo didn't see his gesture, too annoyed at being ignored.

"WHAT ORIENTATION FILM?!" he shouted in exasperation.

"The one only Nico, as we found out, has seen," Percy explained. "You weren't there yet. In short, we discussed what we would change, given a chance, and he mentioned how it'd be better if no one had to sit through the orientation film… We broke into Chiron's office and retrieved it… It was horrible. So horrible I can never forget it!"

"How come I never saw it?" Jason asked Annabeth ignoring Percy's over exaggerated anguish. "Was it so bad?"

"Er, it was a film from fifties… and yes, it was awful. With songs and dances and Apollo (cue several confused looks from those who recalled the name) in every scene… Yeah, it was horrifying," she responded, trying to shake off the feeling of uneasiness. (That truly had been the second most horrifying incident of that first year after the life on the run.)

"Let's just say: Nothing he does is a masterpiece," Percy added.

"Where was I?" Jason furrowed his brow. He should have remembered that, shouldn't he? He was certain he'd never forget something so horrifying.

"At Ca–away?" Percy suggested, catching himself mid-sentence. Of course, the slip up didn't go unnoticed by their overeager classmates, but he wasn't going to explain things either way so it didn't matter.

Percy gestured Paul to continue, not waiting for Jason's reaction.

…"No," Chiron decided.

"I can't believe!" Annabeth groaned. "All the trouble he could've saved me!"

"We got by just fine," Percy objected, ignoring her annoyed look.

"Do not remind me," she grumbled and glanced at Paul thoughtfully, as though trying to decipher from his expression just how much of the chapter was left. This was getting irritatingly tiring for her.

…you have killed the Minotaur.

"How come he speaks names but you can't?" Cassandra frowned.

The demigods just shrugged. Recently they stopped questioning even themselves, let alone Chiron.

…are very much alive."

And here Paul jut had to stop. It was something he'd expect to have a great reaction from his students. After all, the book just proclaimed that ancient mythological creatures were very much real and alive.

The class stared. They seemed so lost that even Paul had a hard time keeping himself from laughing out loud. Not only it was unprofessional, he also would embarrass them more. Even the four had unreadable expressions; though, it was hard to tell whether it was a consequence of the reading, hearing this part, or seeing the other kids.

Lyssa was the first one to regain control over her own head and emotions. It shouldn't come out as a surprise, for she was still virtually the only person in this room except Mike and those who'd been in the known for years who had guessed it right. The only thing she wanted now was to receive a confirmation.

Lyssa slowly raised her hand while turning to face the four. Annabeth caught the movement and averted her eyes, silently confirming her assumption. Funny, Lyssa thought. She was receiving silent proof of her theory the whole day and was yet to freak out. Perhaps, two days had been enough to placate her sense of self-preservation and not twist her mind.

The only regret she had was astonishing ignorance of her classmates.

"They are what?" Sarah finally voiced the only question that had been going through not only hers but though the heads of all her classmates. Suddenly Lyssa's cryptic questions made sense, which basically meant that Chiron was… Chiron. Sarah rubbed at her temples.

She truly wished it to be only a book of fiction.

"Very much alive, haven't you heard?" Steven said in a duh tone. He was mortified for whatever reason but also didn't quite understand the real impact this revelation had on him. After all, it's not everyday things like that happened.

"Stop playing an idiot," Jenna snapped rather angry. "That's not what she meant!"

"What exactly did she mean?" Kylie snorted. Everyone was in a state of serious shock so that they didn't even react to her.

Jenna didn't know how to respond. It was simply a rhetorical question induced by a strong wave of surprise. However, Kylie would never accept it as an explanation, so she did have nothing to retort with.

The rest watched them in amusement, their own shock suppressed by anticipation of a fight. Almost everyone, as Mike was too busy sending Lyssa signals and Riley watching him with suspicion. He was wondering to himself when and how Mike had gotten along with that… that… girl. Oblivious to Riley's bafflement, Mike continued with his little quest of getting Lyssa's attention. Too bad, she was too busy staring at the four, all of whom were watching the scene with mirth; they knew how much more shocking it might get.

When no one else said anything, Paul picked up the book once again.

…and chewed it mournfully.

Students, still stunned by the revelation (apparently, some critical thinking was not needed in the case of this book), frowned then turned to Percy for an explanation. Feeling irritated by so much attention he'd gotten today, Percy only crossed his arms and started watching Leo tinkering. At least, some things never change.

"Yeah, thanks, dude," Steven grumbled. "I really appreciate your generosity."

…you were just talking about–"

"He should've allowed you to watch the orientation film," Annabeth shook her head. "You could've grasped the basics quicker."

"Do you really think this thing would've been helpful?" Percy raised an eyebrow as though provoking her to retort. Annabeth fell into pensiveness.

A moment later, she chuckled. "You're right, that wouldn't have been helpful at all."

"Did she just admit the defeat?" Leo gasped histrionically, receiving two heated glowers in response. “Okay, okay; I'm shutting up right now!"

That's a smaller matter."

The thunder rumbled again, this time more forcefully and ferociously as though it expressed utmost offence. Several people expectedly turned to the window; others just stared at the four, understanding dawning on them.

"Zeus," I said.

The thunder sounded discontented now, which made Percy fight a smile and Jason shake his head in disbelief. Less than a year with Greeks allowed him to learn more about his father than he'd ever known before. And the more he knew, the less fascinating that man seemed. Right now, for instance, he appeared to be a very displeased five-year old.

a cloudless day.

Just like it did now. This time everyone turned to the four, waiting for their response.

"Is that… them?" Cassandra asked, afraid to hear the answer.

Percy shrugged; Annabeth promptly ignored the question; Jason returned to his own work; and Leo didn't acknowledge her.

"Take it as yes," Peter suggested. Cassandra nodded.

if I were you."

"Why?" Steven wondered out loud, furrowing his brow. Several people around him groaned, which only made him more confused. They couldn't understand how he could be so slow, and Steven couldn't understand what set them off.

"Names have power," Annabeth said simply.

Steven nodded slowly, suddenly recalling something like that having been discussed earlier.

"Then why do we keep repeating the Min–his name?" he cut himself off upon seeing Annabeth's dirty look. The groaning became louder as it was also something they had discussed.

There was silence for several moments as the four took in Steven's words. Yes, they'd talked about that earlier but it concerned only their own usage of names, not Paul's reading. So why was Paul constantly repeating the Minotaur's name? Shouldn't the damned creature appear right in the middle of the class because, duh, Percy's luck?

"…Good question. Why indeed?" Annabeth frowned and looked at her friends, all of whom were at a loss for words as well.

Surprisingly, it was Percy who found the answer.

"I bet you they put some kind of protection on the book, so no one notices we throw all these names around," Percy snorted. His friends stared at him. "What? They did have some kind of protection placed; I'm sure of it."

"Do you really believe this?" Jason inquired.

"Um, yeah, I do. If it's not true then we're screwed."

There was dead silence for a few moments.

"Sooo reassuring," Leo finally broke it, not even looking up from his hands. It was a wonder in itself that he even heard them.

…Perseus Jackson

A few people raised their eyebrows at the name; Riley snorted softly in derision but had more sense than to fight with Jackson in front of everyone. He wasn't an idiot.

…no sense of perspective.

"Mortals?" Cassandra mouthed. "Did he say 'mortals'?" she raised her voice to be heard by other people.

"He did," Lyssa confirmed, sounding nonchalant. She did not quite know who it was but she was sure he was a god. "Think about it."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow but preferred to wait for the book. No one but Lyssa was fond of thinking of bizarre things just for the sake of it. There was no need in doing so when they had all the answers right in front of them.

…Look at this boy and tell me."

"Alright, that's offensive."

"That's Mr. D, he–" the thunder rumbled once again, more threatening as though prompting Percy to finish the sentence so it could blast him to ashes. "–has a legitimate reason to say that."

Everyone stared at Percy, not sure whether he was joking. Percy wasn't. Of course, he was not. If his peace meant appeasing Mr. D, then he was willing to sacrifice his dignity. The book was more than enough of a trouble as it was.

I wasn't liking Mr. D much,

The thunder boomed. This time no one paid much attention, believing it had something to do with the book. (If only Lyssa heard them, she'd disown her whole class.)

…Existing, just as you are, for all time?"

"Thanks, I still don't want to," Percy grumbled under his breath. Back then the idea had seemed both exciting and terrifying. But the more he learned about the life of an immortal, the less he wanted to become one. Just picturing him being an eternal teen—even with the ability of changing his age, of which he wasn't sure—an undying punching bag for Ares (a double no) was enough for Percy to discard the whole idea altogether.

…sounded like a pretty good deal,

Annabeth couldn't help but fall pensive. It was clear, just from this one sentence, that Percy was not always opposed to the idea of immortality. Just what had altered his mind then? She stole a glance at Percy who was mesmerizing her with his eyes, completely still (which was surprising on its own). As though reading her mind, he tipped his chin in her direction, telling her what––or who––had influenced his decision to decline a very generous offer.

Annabeth started to breathe freely, as if a knot in her stomach loosened and disappeared.

…call you a myth,

"Don't they already?" Jason frowned.

Percy's head snapped in his direction. "…What?"

Jason startled and glance at him, a sheepish smile on his face. "Oh, that's nothing. Just a couple of things Cabin Eleven’s been spreading."

That didn't make Percy feel any better but he willed to drop the issue now, for they were still in the middle of a classroom full of mortals. He ignored a discontented expression on Steven's face from not receiving anything.

…incinerates you."

"Come again!" several students exclaimed in shock. Others stared at the four, all of whom wore bored expressions. Only other completely unaffected was Lyssa who had a triumphant smile. After all, she was right.

"That's what you meant, didn't you?" Cassandra asked incredulously.

Lyssa nodded. "It was simple once you really think about it."

Had that been any other moment, they might have started a riot, accusing Lyssa of being too arrogant, but they were dumfounded. Why, though, even Paul struggled to understand. The book had been hinting at the notion for some time already; it was a natural progression of things.

Silence dragged for too long; they might not have time to finish the chapter if it continued in this fashion. Paul opened the book again and cleared his throat loudly enough to catch children's attention.

…a goblet appeared…

Several people blinked but kept quiet.

…can of Diet Coke.

"A god drinks Diet Coke?" Lyssa asked, gaping. From all the things she'd learned in the past few days that was what surprised her.

"He has restrictions," Percy said.

…declared off-limits."

"They fought over a… wood nymph?" Jason's eyes widened.

"What has changed?" Annabeth asked rhetorically. Jason only nodded, which pushed the ones who'd regained their composure and were eavesdropping on the four back into a state of dissatisfaction.

…The second time

"Twice?" Jason stared at the book like it had suddenly spouted out fangs and was about to cut him in a half. "He did it twice?"

Perhaps, he was too loud because his voice managed to break others out of their daze. Now, being woken up by the noise, they started to search for its source. They found it in the form of a blond boy who was staring at the book with mixture of confusion and disgust.

"Sometimes," Annabeth started, "they follow their, err, cravings over their brains."

"It does not explain this!"

"Gods, Grace, shut up!" Percy groaned. "It's not you he's hitting on."

Jason paled and turned away. A picture of his lovesick half-brother chasing him around flashed before his eyes, making sure he would have nightmares for the rest of his life.

"You just broke him," Annabeth stated, having studied Jason. "Don't do this, please."

…for brats like you.

"He hates you?" Sarah wondered. No one responded. Annabeth was ignoring her, too worried about the damaged Percy's words might have done to Jason; Percy preferred not to linger on the problem; and Jason was simply too preoccupied with his own mind to care. "…Thanks."

… My father is Zeus, of course."

Jason blinked at the name of his father. Surprisingly enough, it managed to return him to reality.

If anyone else was stunned, they preferred to keep it to themselves.

…"The god of wine."

"The god of wine is your camp director?" Lyssa choked, stunned.

"The god of wine is your camp director?" Jenna sounded more confused than shocked. She could barely see how a person whose domain was alcohol would be allowed to work with children.

"The god of wine is your camp director?!" Steven repeated excitedly. This camp was getting cooler with each page. He half-wondered whether he could visit it.

"Yes, the god of wine is our camp director," Annabeth confirmed.

…Percy Jackson.

"He didn't butcher your name?" Annabeth blinked. She gazed at Percy who wore the same astonished expression. Percy recalled being addressed correctly before but he didn't remember it being one of those times.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Can I ask?" Cassandra raised her hand as though it would draw their attention. When the couple glanced at her, she proceeded with her question. "Why are you so, umm, surprised?"

The shared a look. "Well," Annabeth elected to speak up. "He tends to get our names wrong for whatever reason."

"He finds pleasure in miscalling us," Percy added, still sounding uncertain. He wasn't sure that was the case. M. D loved tormenting others–one of the reasons Tantalus had ever gotten to the Camp–but this was getting old because kids were getting used to it. Perhaps, the man was more complex than they all thought.

…"A god. You."

"Finally a sign of shock!" Leo announced. "I thought you were incapable of that!"

…for the rest of my life.

"You did realize he was capable of turning you mad," Annabeth chuckled. "I hope you didn't try anything reckless."

"I didn't," he smiled in response.

…"The game goes to me."

Annabeth shook her head. "He can never win." The thunder boomed, insulted by her words. "Oh, get over it!"

Whatever Dionysus was about to do to her later, didn't matter now.

Annabeth, being too proud of herself, missed Percy's mirthful chuckle and Jason and Leo's astounded looks.

…on this assignment."

"What he means by that?" Lyssa blinked.

"It might or might not come up later," Percy sighed; he was still hoping to tell a thing or two about invasion of privacy; he didn't think, though, gods would understand his reasoning. Lyssa's mouth opened in astonishment—Percy giving straight answer still put her out. "He thought Grover had failed his assignment because we'd almost died."

"Almost… died?" Percy ignored her, probably feeling he'd done his job. "Fine! There's still a whole book ahead of us!"

…go back to Olympus."

"Another century?" Leo repeated befuddled. He turned his attention to his friends to get the answer to this burning question.

Percy shrugged. Jason, not really feeling like talking about his half-brother, returned to his side-project.

"Back to Olympus?" one of the students asked.

"Duh!" Lyssa rolled her eyes as though this question personally offended her. "Where have you been for the last hour?"

She didn't receive any response, preferring to keep quiet. It was a simple questioned caused by stupefaction, and there was no need to get so angry. Not that anyone would willingly tell this to Lyssa; she might get scary when furious.

Paul continued reading, preferring to keep an appearance of calmness in the class. The more he read about Olympus, the more excited kids became. One thing was to hear about how it all worked and completely another to learn that it was in America. Lyssa was the most curious and attentive one. While searching through the info, she had one simple question popping up in her head every now and again: If that were true, then where were they? Lyssa had a problem with gathering basics of the whole notion because she had a hard time explaining how it had never been revealed before.

As gods they, perhaps, possessed certain powers that allowed them to be independent of space. The book partially confirmed that already, making it easier for Lyssa to accept further explanations.

Lyssa was overwhelmed by the amount of information that had been falling on her head these past few days. She was less surprised than others, apparently, as it was the first time this past hour when no one uttered a single word, too engrossed in the explanation Chiron had given Percy several years before.

Naturally, Percy had to spoil everything.

"And then they died." Paul read.

"Seaweed Brain!" For someone who was supposedly in grave danger, most of the time Percy appeared extremely oblivious. How exactly had he survived till camp? "Have you even been listening?"

Percy shrugged. Back then it felt like a good question, especially for an overwhelmed Percy.

Mike perked up, shrugging off the remains of daze upon hearing a weird nickname. He opened his mouth to ask but thought better of it the moment he received a glare from Percy. Whatever.

…as if I were part of some club.

Annabeth rubbed her temples.

"C'mon, no one gave me a straight answer!" Percy complained upon seeing her expression. "You would've felt the same if you were in my shoes."

"I'm so glad I'm not in your shoes."

…rise from his wheelchair.

Several people gasped. Lyssa cast an annoyed look at them for being so disappointedly ignorant on the whole topic. Paul raised his voice to prevent the children from getting lectured by her.

The description of Chiron turning into a horse, though, did give them a slap Lyssa might've given them otherwise. Their mouths hanging open, everyone felt just like Percy in the book. (Percy himself would deny it later.)

…Let's meet the other campers."

Paul closed the book, signaling the ending of the reading.

Just when he did this, the bell rang. Whether they liked it or not, the kids started to move. Stupid school! Could they cancel classes and let them read in peace? They didn't ask for much. There were many questions burning inside their minds that they didn't have a chance of asking and, by the looks of it, wouldn't have.

Were they a little dejected? Probably.

Percy had certainly sensed where it was coming as he grabbed Annabeth and started to tow her to the exit, not even letting her take her stuff. He simply didn't care; he wanted out. Annabeth sent Jason and Leo a pleading look, but all they could do was take her things for her and follow them. Percy was too persistent in his attempts to escape attention that he didn't even wait for anyone.

Just in time, as it turned out, for Lyssa had readied herself to pry a thing or two out of him. Too bad, Percy was already long gone when she exited the class. Several students stayed with her, equally disappointed.

"Damn you, Jackson!"

Chapter Text

Percy had a hard time avoiding inquiring looks and equally inquiring mouths of his fellow class–or more likely–the whole school. He wasn't sure what exactly had evoked such a reaction but, for some reason, not many people were trying to approach him. He certainly couldn't complain about that. Jason had stated it was his expression that kept them away; he, personally, would back away as well if he didn't know Percy so well.

All Percy could do at that was grumble how unhelpful that all was.

Of course, he still had a plan. Even if Leo–Leo! as, gods forbid, Annabeth ever heard of it–called it bad, it was still a plan. At least, unlike the bunch of traitors that they were, Percy did something. He was sure neither Leo nor Jason were disturbed by the book. Why would they? It's not about them or from their point of view; it wouldn't even disclose their secrets! They wouldn't help him, afraid to incur Annabeth's wrath when–not if because it was Annabeth–she learned about Percy's plan. They were so not going to help him with anything, fairly believing only Percy would be able to withstand the full extent of her anger.

Percy mentally groaned and placed his head on his crossed hands, not able to contain his frustration anymore.

Perhaps, the Fates didn't feel like they'd done enough to torment Percy, because, as though a sick joke, several people appeared out of thin air right next to their highly guarded table. (At some point Percy thought he'd try to drown anyone who dared to come up to them, effectively blowing up any remnants of a cover they still had.)

The biggest daredevils on the whole East Coast were standing silently, waiting for Percy to see them. It just felt right to seek his approval. He was the protagonist after all.

Annabeth was the first one to give up and nod at them. Then she returned to her sketch-book. With the reading and stares from everyone, including the teachers, Annabeth just couldn't concentrate on classes. She honestly tried her best. The Fates, however, had other plans, forcing everything and everyone to distract her. In the middle of the Biology, Annabeth had entertained an idea of shouting at them to stop because, unlike some people, she was not immortal and eternally free to waste her time. She hadn't done it but certainly scared all her classmates with death glares and a grumpy expression.

Newcomers were standing there awkwardly, not sure what to do. They could simply go on with their day, leaving the book to the book. Of course, Mike couldn't help but say something.

"Do you mind if we sit here?" he asked.

All Annabeth did was nod; she never offered them to stay. Percy's response came in the form of a wounded animal howl; the sound was muffled, for he still had his head placed on his arms. Annabeth tore her eyes away from her papers, chuckled, and returned to her work.

"Apparently, he means go to hell," she commented. "I'd suggest you moving on."

They wouldn't take it, of course. Steven, for one, was more than eager to learn a thing or two about this camp where they had an alcoholic as a director (sooo cool!). He plopped on a vacant seat and stared at the four, waiting for them to start a conversation. If Mike wanted to say something (how did he end up with Steven?), he decided not to do it, figuring there was nothing that could stop him from seeking answers. Mike just hoped he'd be far away from Steven when the truth about these four got revealed.

"Tell me," Steven drawled in a tone that sent shivers down Percy's spine. He barely recalled Steven from before he had been kidnapped–thank you, Hera, thank you so much!–but had enough experience with this type of people to know where it was going. "How's camp?"

The four stared at him. Steven immediately shrank under their looks, not able to shake a funny sensation off. It was crawling down his spine, getting under his skin, making sure he did get it. Mike furrowed his brows upon seeing the reaction they invoked out of his easy-going classmate. As far as he remembered, barely anything could frighten Steven or make him think clearly. Steven was simply that indifferent to the cries of self-preservation. Only mortal danger–of that Mike was not sure–could force him to realize he was not, in fact, invincible.

Mike exchanged a glance with Sarah who, along with Cassandra and Lora had asked to participate in the little quest of theirs. She, too, was aware of Steven's unique sense of danger and recklessness. To see Steven so uncomfortable was jarring. It made her realize that Percy Jackson possessed power that she was not accustomed to yet. Combine him with the rest, and it's a wonder Sarah was still sitting here and not running away screaming.

Percy groaned loudly, both drawing attention and effectively breaking an ever-growing tension. Annabeth was the first one to react. A chuckle slipped off her lips, and a moment later she was giggling uncontrollably. Of course, later she would claim that it was a result of stress that she had had to undergo, and she was allowed to fall into hysterics on an odd occasion. But that would be later when Leo, despite his own sense of paranoia and fear of getting drowned by Annabeth, would recount the story at the campfire. (That was pure luck he was fireproof, for she was ready to throw him into the very appealing-looking bonfire.)

Her friends stared at her in disbelief. Both Jason and Leo had yet to encounter Annabeth's human side which basically meant she, too, was no stranger to crying, being afraid, and hysterics.

Mike fidgeted, not sure how to proceed with the question that mattered the most. They appeared to not have fully accepted the fact that there was a book about them. Of course, no one would be glad to learn such a thing, but it didn't mean you should be upset till the end of times!

Annabeth made an attempt to catch her breath but fell short. Her nerves were shattered by everything that had a misfortune to have happened ever since Percy first appeared at the camp with a Minotaur's horn in one hand and unconscious Grover by his side. Realization, that she had hardly had any peace ever since, hit her hard. The book was simply the last straw that triggered it.

"I–I…" she took a deep breath in an attempt to slower the pace of her heart and clear her head. "I'm s-sorry—Gotta–go."

She leaped to her feet, dropping the chair to the side, and darted to the exit, in desperate need of being in a dark and quiet place. Preferably by herself.

"Qué pasè con ella?" shock had blunted sense, causing Leo to barely register what he was saying. "Do–where did she go?"

Jason only shrugged. Percy hardly took notice; he was too busy contemplating. If even Annabeth broke down then they were in trouble…

"You really have a death wish," Leo repeated, wondering how exactly he'd ended up in this situation. It was him who was supposed to act recklessly and make rushed decisions. Though Leo would never come up with something so… broken, but everything else? Ha! He was all up for it.

Percy glared at him. "I'll have you know that this plan is pure perfection!"

"It looks like one big black hole," Leo shook his head. Percy gave him a funny look. "I'm a Hephaestus' kid, I'm expected to find errors to be able to fix them before my invention explodes on me."

Leo was making too much sense it frightened Percy. But he could not back down now. They had only one shot.

"What are you gonna do about Annabeth, you know, your horrifyingly scary girlfriend?"

"Nah," Percy dismissed his concerns with a wave of his hand. "Annabeth's too busy with Jason's temples. They won't even notice our absence."

Leo didn't think so but elected not to point out the obvious.

The plan was simple and badly thought-out. It had so many flaws that even a slug could find them. Firstly, there was no way every single teacher would be away; secondly, Annabeth. Did Percy seriously think that would work out? That they would be able to do it behind her back? Triple HA!

Leo shook his head. "Let's do this."

Keeping low when everyone seems to know you is a difficult task. Almost impossible when you also try to blend in with the crowd. It seemed that every single person in this damned school was watching Percy, some even went as far as pointing their fingers at him and gaping. Like, actually standing with their mouths open and their eyes wide. Percy had a secondhand feeling of uneasiness. He suddenly recalled that one time he had been turned into a guinea pig. That's what it felt like now, as though, he was locked in a cage and, just like in that plan of Circe's, being stared and pointed fingers at. Percy was certain that if, gods forbid, he ever were to shrink in size, they'd be grabbing and squeezing him as well. Just like Circe…

His back started to ache but Percy ignored it. It was a phantom pain; something he'd been through a long time ago, something he was never to experience again given a chance.

At least, they managed not to draw even more attention to themselves (yay!). Just when the last person had left their side, Percy broke into Paul's office. Well, not literally broke as the door was unlocked. He pushed the door open and stepped inside the classroom, ordering Leo to stay on alert. Leo, grumbling about how Percy didn't value their friendship, flopped on the floor next to the door. He did not believe it would work.

Once inside, Percy went straight to the desk to find the damned book. How to explain a sudden disappearance of it was the last thing on his mind. Percy could always pretend it wasn't him. He had to hurry, for it was not a sure thing Paul had left already; he could always return and start another Percy hunt—this time deserved.

The book was lying in the drawer. Exhilarated by the lucky circumstance, Percy grabbed the devil's creation and hid it in his backpack.

The first thing he saw in the hall was Leo scooting to the side and rubbing his leg.

"So?" Leo inquired.

Percy only gestured to follow him. They had plenty of work to do.

"What were you dreaming of?" Annabeth asked suspiciously. Percy, thoroughly confused, frowned.

"How d–?" he wondered, confused.

"Clovis," Jason said from behind his back. Percy glanced at him; Jason, on his part, was busy stumbling upon his own feet and avoiding an impact with the ground. Percy had a strong urge to ask what was wrong with him, but it seemed Jason could not tell himself, so surprised he appeared every time this happened. "He caught us after breakfast and asked to tell you not to move that much; it makes him dizzy."

"So you assumed I had a nightmare," Percy deduced. Not that they were far off.

That dream of his couldn't be called a nightmare in its full sense. He found himself standing in the school hallway while his classmates stood around, yelling different things and pointing fingers. The worst of all? They sounded like every single monster and foe he had ever faced. It was so weird to hear Lyssa demanding answers from him in Kronos' voice that at first Percy-from-the-dream froze on the spot and stared at her for good two minutes. When it had become apparent that Lyssa was, indeed, transmitting Kronos, Percy had finally broken out of his trance and tried to run away.

He did manage to leave the building only to get in the middle of a street. Dozens of people were wandering around freely and cheerfully, no one paid attention to him. That, however, changed quickly as one by one they stopped and goggled at something behind Percy's back. He didn't have time to whirl on the spot because a loud growl broke the air. Every single person around him was standing with their mouths open, pointing fingers. Some whimpered. A roar echoed through the street, and when Percy finally turned he saw a very weird creature. Partially, it was a mere human; partially, a monster. What kind of monster, Percy didn't figure out because it was shimmering. The monster, though, did notice him and lunged. By some miracle, Percy had his sword in his hand, but before he collided with the creature it disappeared in a puff of smoke.

What was the last straw? Dozens of people screaming 'DEMIGOD!' at him. Percy woke up with a start and heavy pounding in his chest. After that he was hesitant to return to sleep.

"I can tell by your face that it's not," Annabeth concluded, examining his expression. "What was it about?"

Percy took a deep breath and began retelling his what-the-Hades-was-that dream. He finished right before the bell. A unanimous verdict did not ease him up. In fact, it did the opposite, so now Annabeth looked like she was trying her best to remain calm but hadn't learned her part well which caused her to fail miserably in her attempts.

That's how they reached the class: Annabeth blinking rapidly as though endeavoring to start a windstorm, her expression blank; and Percy on the verge of panic because no one explained to him how bad it all really was. He calmed down only half-way to the class when he reminded himself that the book had been destroyed–he personally had drowned it and ensured every single page perished in the oh-so-tempting waves of boiling hot water, supplied by the local water company.

Percy was rather hesitant to enter the room and unwilling to stand outside. Annabeth's push made him move.

Everyone was already on their places, including Paul who flashed him a cheerful smile and gestured to take their seats. Percy flopped on his and almost leaped back when he saw what Paul had in his hands.

"WHAT?!" he shouted, pointing at the book in Paul's hands. What was it doing here?! How?!

"Percy?" Annabeth called, reminding everyone as to why she always had to be reckoned with. It carried so much menace that Percy couldn't help but flinch and scramble to the side, which did no good to him and his mind.

"Err, nothing," Percy faked a weak smile and started to blink to convince Annabeth it was nothing.

He should know better. That was Annabeth after all.

She narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to him, endeavoring to get all the answers, but Paul cleared his throat, immediately returning both back to reality. Annabeth frowned. The reality did not want to come back and clarity had been long gone. She was sitting in the class, hovering above Percy like an overgrown bat in search of… something.

"I'd suggest that we begin," Paul said, eyeing them both with growing concern. What kind of trouble had Percy found himself in again? Why did Annabeth not know about it? Why was Percy looking so sulky? "Do any of you have requests? Questions?"

No one reacted so Paul took it as his cue to start.

"MY DINNER GOES UP IN SMOKE," Paul arched an eyebrow at that and glanced at Percy who was still a little bit too preoccupied with watching Annabeth who'd returned to her place but was throwing him glances every now and then.

"Is it even relevant to ask for an explanation?" Sarah inquired driven purely by habit. She stopped expecting any kind of proper conversation regarding this book with them.

As usual, she received nothing from the fellow demigods as two of them barely heard her and the other two preferred to ignore. Sarah only heaved a sigh and lay down on the desk, fully intended not to allow this to get to her too much.

Word of the bathroom incident spread immediately.

"What incident?" Lyssa was the first one to interrupt.

Unlike the chapters that had been proclaimed a severely discouraging piece of fiction that somehow was the truth, chapter titles had not really sparked up much of discussion. Mostly because they would always allude to something very, very cryptic and downright bizarre. They sure interested certain nosey individuals enough to interrupt the reading every single time. Yet, it was some more bizarre information that didn't let them sleep peacefully and coerced to be even more nosey.

Just like Lyssa did now. Though, no one complained—a rare unity that would take place only during this very class—as they would like to hear details, too. What kind of bathroom accident could've occurred and why wasn't it in the book?

"Helloo," Lyssa even went as far as waving her arms in the air to get their attention but fell short, for demigods had already turned their favorite mode on and sealed their mouths shut till the issue was too important to dismiss. Which this bathroom incident was not. "Thank you!"

…about toilet water.

Leo perked up and stared at the book in Paul's hands. He mesmerized it for so long that it was in danger of combusting, so intense it was. Then again, if it to ever happen, he wouldn't care.

He wasn't the only one interested, for half the class–the oblivious one as insightful people had realized a long time ago that Percy was not a good source of anything–turned their attention to the demigods. They clearly were waiting for an epic explanation of the excerpt, but Percy pulled out his pen and began whirling it mindlessly while Annabeth–the only other person in this room who could fill them in–held a piece of paper before her eyes. Everything in their postures was telling that, no, no one ever would get this story out of them.

Paul continued, drawing attention to Annabeth when her name got mentioned. Upon hearing 'dripping wet', Leo opened his mouth… only to close it a moment later when he remembered whom he was about to question on a seriously funny and humiliating incident.

Of course, even silence from the main protagonists was not going to stop anyone from getting engaged in the story! They simply picked a very random thing to start up a debate over (later all the participants would blame it on their shock).

"I'm sorry, Mr. Blofis," Steven raised his hand, immediately sending half the class into trance, for Steven was almost as bad as Percy when it came to mundane things like raising your hand when you had a question.

Apparently, Paul was as dazzled as his students felt, because he blinked several times then had to restrict himself from rubbing his eyes. Only after an urge subsided, did he nod.

The question followed immediately, only further baffling everyone.

Next Steven surprised even himself by turning to Percy.

"What kinds of swords do you make?"

Percy didn't respond—as usual. It was Leo who took the job from here.

"Depends on your purpose," he said, not looking up from something in his hands. What it was, no one could tell, for he covered the project with the desk.

"If I wanna kill someone?"

"Bronze."

Several students blinked at an immediate response and glanced at each other. When Steven dug for details, he received nothing. By that time Leo was long gone, thanks to another idea of his.

Paul took it as a cue to continue.

Next paragraph was read in complete silence with only one interruption from Annabeth about the 'goat man' remark ('They would've crucified you!').

"Annabeth, I'm sorry about the toilets."

"What was about the toilets?" Steven made another feeble attempt at involving his still very much hesitant classmates in any form of discussion. Nome were baited; none gave him a straight answer or a simple eye-roll (Steven would go for it as well). "...thanks. Just for your information: we're gonna learn anyway!"

It provided no reaction, though, discreetly Annabeth winced and Percy sighed.

"It wasn't my fault."

Lyssa perked up, suddenly taking too much interest in the book. She accepted the fact that Percy, indeed, was a god's child, that he possessed some cool powers and whatnot. (Why she believed it, was a different story.) The only thing that troubled her nowadays, except Mike, obviously, was a mystery of Percy's parentage. Which one of the gods shared blood with him. Granted, Lyssa had an idea, though she preferred it to be confirmed in the book first.

…I had become one with the plumbing.

"Per–" Lyssa turned to him, ready to interrogate, but was beaten by the blond friend of Percy's who simply sat closer to him to succeed.

"That's when you figured it out?" the question was addressed to Annabeth. She didn't respond, though, truly immersed in the little side-project Jason had assigned to her. "Um, Annabeth?"

Percy perked up when he heard her name. The moment his eyes locked with Jason's, he realized that there was something urgent he wanted to talk to Annabeth about. Percy glanced side-ways. Annabeth didn't even flinch, too engrossed in the project.

Percy scratched the back of his head. Would it be safe? Was it worth it even? He had a misfortune of experiencing some of the most excruciating consequences and was not keen on repeating them. The decision was scarily easy to make.

He turned back to Jason and shrugged. "Sorry, man, I'd like to keep my head."

Jason could only sigh.

They once again missed the states others were giving them.

"You need to talk to the Oracle,"

"You've got an Oracle?" Sarah's mouth fell open. What else did they have?

To her utmost shock–and those who happened to present in the classroom along with her and weren't afraid of sending looks toward them––the four nodded. They did not provide any further details, allowing the thirstiest ones to draw conclusions themselves, but that was more than enough for others. Every single person in this class gathered that listening to the book and interrogating its main characters, and—oh damn!—digesting all of it were completely different tasks that required much more than simple curiosity and a strong stomach. Even Lyssa's persistence was not sufficient to pin them down.

When silence dragged for far too long, Paul cleared his throat to return attention back to him. He, for one, wanted to know what had gone in Percy's life back when he hadn't been in the picture at all. At the moment, he leaned toward a more positive side of the reading as Percy, once again, proved to be a quite fascinating boy.

"Who?" he read.

"Not who. What.

"Sorry?" both Jason and Leo stared at the book in shock. Had it been a slip-up or they indeed referred to the Oracle as a thing.

In their search for answers, both turned to Annabeth. She still paid no mind to the class–her own way of coping with stress–too immersed in the piece of paper she had before her. Jason could discern outlines of soon-to-be-someone's-shrine. A good shrine, he must admit. Even early stages of the project looked promising. It was grand and rich enough to satisfy any of the lesser gods but not too splendid to affront Olympians.

Leo, too, saw Annabeth was useless for the moment, so he nudged Jason and tipped his chin toward Percy who, on his part, looked less occupied and absolutely bored out of his mind. In his defense, Percy would claim that constantly agonizing over something he had no control over was draining. He had enough on his plate as it is. A fair remark he might want to analyze his dream, sent him into a very childish hysterics that struck the rest so much so they all vowed to never ever consider giving him advice about school again. Untypical Percy looked terrifying. Annoyed untypical Percy presented mortal peril to those who dared to confront him on anything.

Granted, no one had filled them in on the problem in this hour, so Jason felt absolutely safe when he questioned Percy on Rachel. Percy's answers were succinct. They consisted only of one word: no. No it wasn't her; no, he wouldn't tell. No, he was not grumpy nor did he plan something drastic that would potentially lead him to detention. Percy didn't forget to glare at them, forcing Jason to let the issue slide and return to his own project. Temples wouldn't build themselves.

Again, they ignored the class and inquiring looks. Not that anyone was surprised at this point—merely curious.

…give me a straight answer for once.

"I sooo feel you here, man. Straight answers are amazing!" Peter announced.

Three fourth of the class nodded in agreement.

"Straight answers can help you understand the situation," Lyssa noted.

"Absolutely," Cassandra snapped her fingers and gave Lyssa a thumb-up. They might not be friends, but they certainly had enough in common to bond over one simple mystery that, frankly speaking, was eating everyone up ever since it had been brought up at all. (Again, why was it so easy to believe?)

If only school's administration knew how easy it was to raise the students' spirits and bring them together… they would've definitely utilized this trick a long time ago.

"Not to mention, it will make your life so much easier!" Lora added. "You won't have to wonder what it is; you might even fall asleep without a problem instead of making up theories in your mind the whole night," she did just that so she knew what she was talking about.

No one argued her point, for at least ten people had spent the last several days mulling over the book's content and trying to accustom to the idea of it being real.

"May I continue?"

…from the bottom,

"Wait, what?"

"Shh, you're stalling it!"

…I were a long-lost friend.

Paul faltered. He knew it was a perfect moment to allow children time to stomach the new information and, if they are lucky enough, to dig details out of Percy.

They were too slow. Of course, they were. Lyssa, Sarah, and Cassandra only spun to see Percy when Leo snapped out of his working daze to hear this exact part that surprised him too much to pass the opportunity up.

"Estòy coqueteando contigo?" he even opened his mouth is surprise.

Percy looked up and knit his brows in confusion. "Sorry?"

Leo shook his head and turned to Jason as Annabeth was still in blissful obliviousness (how much he envied her right now!) and could not confirm any of his assumptions. Jason backed away from him, afraid to learn what Leo might want from him.

"Take it easy," Leo chuckled. "I wanted to express my concern about their disregard for the book!"

Jason stared at him for good five seconds then, as though Leo were a beast, slowly began shifting on his seat to the farthest end of the desk. When it ended, he simply pushed the chair to the side, ensuring Leo was at least five feet away from him.

Paul shook his head then cleared his throat.

I waved back.

Several people raised their eyebrows but thought better than to ask.

…"Naiads are terrible flirts."

"Those are real?"

The question provided no reaction from anyone, so Lyssa was reduced to huffing inwardly at the unfairness of the world in general and cruelty of her classmates in particular.

"I want to go home now."

"That's what you meant!" Jason exclaimed, spinning to face Annabeth. His outburst caught everyone's attention, so, as a result, Annabeth woke up to face the whole class.

"Um, why are you staring at me like that? Has something happened?" she elbowed Percy who now was disguising himself as a potato sack—so, zero reaction. Too distraught, Annabeth let the matter slide and returned to the temples. She genuinely believed they could figure it out without her.

"Guess that's your answer," Leo snorted. Jason could only shake his head in amusement.

…for kids like us."

Sarah opened her mouth, but closed it. She realized it would be much faster to simply let Mr. Blofis read the answer to her.

"You mean, mentally disturbed kids?"

Riley, who had been uncharacteristically silent today, snorted loudly. It drew notice of those around him but not enough of curiosity to dwell on the subject.

"I mean not human.

"WHAT?" Percy's head snapped toward Paul, his eyes glued to the damned thing that was messing his life big time. "WHY SO EARLY?!"

His voice should have been a bit softer to prevent certain individuals from catching his words. Immediately, all present turned their heads toward him, waiting for Percy to elaborate on this exciting piece of information.

Annabeth got brought out of her deliberation on how to squeeze this enormous shrine of Clio so it would not get in the way of Apollo's statue—the only one that was approved by Zeus to his son's complete dismay. For the time being, the task appeared absolutely impossible to solve, so Annabeth struggled twice as hard.

Needless to say, she was less than impressed when a sudden noise destroyed an already forming picture in her head. She didn't even manage to catch it!

Her eyes narrowed while she searched for the source of disturbance. It came in form of her soon-to-be-dead boyfriend. For a split second Annabeth took in his countenance… then calmed down. Percy seemed bothered by something, almost on the verge of a breakdown. The only thing in her memory that could push him to this state was the book. Annabeth's eyes found Paul; she cocked her head to the side and turned to Percy.

"What's happening?"

"Nothing big," to Annabeth's internal horror, Percy didn't open his mouth; the sound came from somewhere farther than he. Annabeth followed the voice and faced one of her new classmates whose name she'd already forgotten. A blond boy had a huge pleased smile on his face. "You told Percy he's not human!"

He waited for her reaction. It was clear as day. Annabeth, despite wanting to maintain an air of indifference, didn't succeed. Her mouth fell open as her brain raced in attempt to find a proper explanation of her behavior.

"I... what?"

The boy smirked and tipped his chin toward Paul. "Yep, what I said. Sooo…"

For the first time in a long while Annabeth was at a loss for words. All she could do was blink, trying her best to gather the meaning behind his words and why it was so important to him—or anyone.

"What?" she repeated.

Leo's eyes widened. Like a whirlwind he slipped off his chair and, ignoring all the rules of logic and banal decency, rushed to Mike, narrowly missing a hard hit on his head from one of the desks. He also almost fell on his ass in the process.

"Duude!" he yelled, startling Mike, who instantly regretted his decision to interrogate these weird people (half-people, who cares?), for enthusiasm in this tiny body of an elf guy seemed dangerous. Unaware of Mike's reaction, Leo gripped his hand, and shook it violently. "You just broke Annabeth!"

Mike froze. Annabeth, on the other hand, came back to her senses.

"Hey!" she screamed in outrage, matching the state Percy was currently in. At the sound of her voice, he perked up and stared at her intently, as though waiting for her to explain the mayhem he was stuck in. "I'm still here!"

"See?" Leo pointed to her. "Absolutely lost!"

"Hey!"

Several people looked around, not knowing what to make of the scene and in hopes of getting the answers from. Someone more perceptive than them. Bizarrely, despite the claim in the book that those were supposed to be not human, they acted the most human since the beginning of the reading.

Discreetly, Cassandra motioned Paul to continue, inwardly hoping it might avert attention from Mike and, subsequently, the other boy.

"Not totally human, anyway." Paul read loudly. All the heads snapped toward him, making him chuckle cheerfully. Half-human."

"Paul!" Annabeth's anger turned to Paul. Simultaneously, she was elbowing Percy who still struggled to wrap his head around all the revelations this book had made so far.

"Ha!" Steven exclaimed, immediately getting attention on him. "They're sooo confirming it!"

Paradoxically, it calmed the class down. Several students nodded; others hummed in agreement. Atmosphere in class cooled down to accepted temperatures. It definitely had an effect on everyone as Leo blinked and stared at his hand.

"Um, sorry," he muttered. "I'd… yeah…"

As Leo made his way back to his desk, Paul cleared his throat.

"Half-god."

Silence engulfed every single corner of the room. Not even demigods made a sound, for it felt useless at this point. Plus, they were too disgruntled to form a proper argument.

"YES!" a screech broke the silence, effectively acting as an unfreezer. "I knew it, I knew!" Lyssa almost leaped to her feet but had enough decency not to, thus settling on using a very obnoxious way to express her exhilaration.

"Lyssa!" Sarah groaned. "We're happy for you but, please, keep it down. Thank you."

…"Demigods,"

As one, all turned to stare at the four again.

Percy lasted roughly ten seconds before groaning loudly and hitting his head on the desk. He didn't move after that, fully determined to express just how much he hated this day already. Annabeth, being not far away from him but also not truly affected by the extract, patted him on the shoulder and gave everyone who she managed to catch a dirty look. Jason and Leo wisely rendered silence, for it had potential to go south fast.

"They're taunting us, aren't they?" Steven voiced what was on everyone's mind. "They're definitely taunting us. Am I right, Mr. Blofis?"

Paul was too busy examining Percy wearily to hear the question. Understanding that it might have a negative effect on them finally dawned on him, prompting him to close the book and put it away.

Of course, something as unusual as Paul halting the reading would never go unnoticed. All the heads spun toward him, several students frowning.

"Err, Mr. Blofis, what are you–"

Cassandra never got a chance to finish her query as the book made a weird booming sound, subsequently, scaring a good three fourth of the class, and opened. Pages were flying swiftly, almost silently while the book searched for the right part of the story.

If their coach were here at the moment, the whole class would automatically pass PE based solely on their reaction. As one, every single student backed away from Paul, some being more determined to be as far as possible than others, and heaved a collective sigh. The book stopped moving.

Three seconds were not enough to overcome your fears. They weren't enough to comprehend, to analyze. Three seconds, however, were all certain individuals gave them, as the booming outside suggested they were better get going. Alarmed, Percy straightened up and began to look around, hoping to see the culprit. All he got, though, was nothing. For one, no one as much as shot a glance at him. No, they all seemed preoccupied with watching the book in horror.

A huge smile appeared on Percy's face when realization hit him. Whatever had happened, they were finally afraid of the damned thing! He could get rid of it at last!

Percy leaped to his feet. Annabeth's attention immediately shifted to him.

"Percy, what–" she mentally followed his trajectory of moving and took a sharp breath. "Wait, no!"

Her scream worked as an invisible slap, for everyone instantly sobered up and stared at her. It took about two seconds for Lyssa to catch up and additional five to watch Percy make the biggest mistake in his life. His expression fueled to the absurdity of situation. Percy seemed both blissfully unaware of what he was doing and contented he was doing it anyway.

Annabeth covered her eyes and slid down on her seat so not to see him making a fool out of himself in front of an entire class. The rest were more eager to watch a train wreck in the making, unable to tear their eyes away from an impending disaster that, if you know how Percy's luck works, felt inevitable.

Percy ignored everyone, even Paul, who, on his part, took a step back, so not get in the middle of it. Percy didn't overreact. Absolutely. He was 100% certain his behavior was in line with the world. He grabbed the damned book and solemnly, almost pompously, threw it in the trash.

"Ha! Get it!" he exclaimed, pointing to the trash bin.

Jason slapped his forehead.

"Did he just–" he heard Leo's voice. Jason nodded. "And you tell me I'm foolish."

They were virtually the only ones who offered any form of a reaction to his actions. The rest of their class was too struck to answer. They kept on staring at the spot where the book had laid before, unable to believe he had thrown it in the trash. As surreal as it seemed, Percy confirmed it to be true with his actions.

Sensing an uncomfortable silence, Annabeth peeked from behind her palm… and instantly slid under the desk, while wondering loudly whether he'd done what he'd done. When no one responded, she groaned. Percy's head snapped in her direction. He smiled cheerfully.

"C'mon, Annabeth, we're done 'ere!"

He should have waited to see that no, he nor anyone else were done here. The thrash bin began shaking violently, immediately catching Percy's attention. He pointed to it as though asking what the heck was going on. The next second, the book flew out of it, aiming straight in his eye. Luckily, Percy's instincts still worked so he almost avoided an unfortunate collision. Almost. It did hit him on the forehead and fell on the floor.

Percy yelped at the impact and rubbed the head.

"What's just happened?" he marveled out loud. His answer came straight from the sky in form of a very displeased booming. (A terrifying thought: an unhappy cloud.)

Percy froze. Then he stared out of the window. His eyes moved to his friends and back to the window, as though he tried to ask silently for their confirmation on the topic. As Annabeth was nowhere to be seen and Leo stared at him incredulously, Percy turned to Jason, who simply nodded.

"NOO!" Percy's voice echoed through the building, effectively alerting everyone who happened to reside in this part of school. "This is so unfair! Why don't you make a TV show about yourselves?!"

As Percy had his attention on the sky, the class decided to follow in his lead and look out of the window. Lightning broke otherwise peaceful sky (not even a cloud).

"Oh, they're unhappy!" Percy yelled. "And what about me? I've saved your asses several times and you don't have enough decency to leave me alone!"

Steven and Cassandra exchanged a glance as well as several other students when his words had sunk in.

"Now he's arguing with them," Jason whispered. A moment later, he and Leo turned to Annabeth.

Meanwhile Percy, completely oblivious to his surroundings, continued his shouting match with whoever chilled on Olympus right now. He had a strong suspicion everyone but his father participated in this quarrel—one way or another.

"Why don't you develop a new show?" he yelled. The sky didn't respond. "Ha, I know why! You just love it when we are in pain! That was your plan all along! Busted! Busted! I'll–"

What Percy prepared to do, no one would ever learn, for Annabeth cut his hysterics right in this moment. The scene was so amusing that not one person felt decency to turn away and was openly watching a couple sharing a kiss. At least, it worked, and Percy shut up. For now.

With all obstacles overcome and Percy safely stuffed back on his seat (under Annabeth's watchful eye) and new debate began. Clearly, whoever had sent this book to them was determined for them to finish it. The only problem was that Percy had scared them enough to put off the reading for a while. Plus, they barely got time left to continue.

When Steven realized they had only ten minutes, he rushed to Paul and practically snatched the book out of his hands. Paul was so shocked that he didn't impede Steven. To be frank, Paul was intrigued by his antics; he wanted to see where it might lead. Steven didn't disappoint: he opened the book on the correct page (with the divine help, apparently) then, having cleared his throat, began the reading. He read fast, words got mashed together so much that hardly anyone could understand anything. But Steven didn't care. He had to finish with the chapter to see what cool things they hid in that camp.

No one uttered a single word, simply taking in the facts.

"Athena. Goddess of wisdom and battle."

Lyssa frowned. She almost spun to question Annabeth, but Steven wasn't making pauses for them to interfere and start a discussion.

Still, she couldn't help but wonder, wasn't Athena a maiden? Lyssa could swear it was a part of the myths. She stole a glance at Annabeth. No, there was no way she would be able to ask this question and stay unharmed.

"And my dad?"

…Nobody knows."

"But you knew, didn't you?" Jason whispered to Annabeth.

She shrugged. "It was obvious. But we also knew about the treaty, so…"

"Haven't we learned the gods don't follow their word?" Leo wondered absent-mindedly. The pair exchanged a look but didn't press the subject. It was clear what he meant.

…their identities."

It was inevitable. Demigods were destined to disprove this statement with the loudest snort one could produce.

"What did I think?" Annabeth mused to herself.

"They're too big-headed to pass up an opportunity to show off," Percy added. A thunder boomed in the distance. "Oh, come on! We all know it's true!"

His focus zeroed in on Jason who shook his head. "One of these days you'll get yourself killed."

"Not before I say so," Annabeth interfered, giving both a pointed look.

…burst my bubble.

"Oh, poor Jackson, everyone needs to babysit him," Riley grumbled under his breath. He was lucky that no one heard him, for demigods were too pissed off to ignore his comments.

…Sometimes it happens.

"Wait, sometimes they don't… acknowledge you?" Sarah asked.

Not only mortals were interested in the answer, for both Jason and Leo had never encountered the old order of things, though they heard all about it when they first arrived in camp.

Annabeth preferred to remain silent on the issue at hand, considering it had stopped being a problem recently. For the first time in a while they kept their promises.

"Thaanks..." Sarah waved her hand. She didn't feel surprised at being ignored again.

…But gods should behave better.

"And that's the start of an infamous Percy campaign," Annabeth snorted softly. Percy sent her an annoyed look which she ignored. "I should've known."

"Not funny…"

"I never said it was."

"Um, guys, can you shut up for a sec? We've got not time left so…" Steven announced loudly.

We're year-rounders.

"Wait–" Steven groaned, interrupting whatever another of the students, Levi, wanted to ask. "Alright, alright! I'll keep questions to myself!"

He had plenty of those. Some had already gotten answers, like how they chose who stayed at camp and was enlisted as 'powerful'. Then there were monsters that, apparently, 'sensed' them (Levi did not want to know how they did it). This part sparked up several curious looks that got dismissed by demigods.

Steven barely read a part about kids being killed off and famous demigods when Lyssa had had enough.

"Who are they?!"

Another voice caused Steven to start and cut himself off.

"Lyssa," he hissed, giving off an air of anything but calmness. Not to mention it did not seem like Steven at all.

Lyssa ignored him. Jenna gestured Steven to continue. After all, Lyssa was so not getting any answers anytime soon, even if she might want to argue the conviction that she was that bad, but the way Steven's eye twitched made her change her mind. Who cared, really? If anything, she would corner them later. Steven should be glad they listened to him at all, for he was reading with such ardor that the lines were almost incoherent, like the first words of a child, a baby talk in general.

Although, he tried his best, he did not manage to succeed.

"So monsters can't get in here?"

That was the last bit Steven managed to read as the bell rang. For a second, the ringing echoed in the ears of all present then, as one, dozens of voices expressed their collective howl of disappointment with Steven being the loudest.

"C'mon, sir, let us finish!"

He did try, but Paul shook his head somberly. "I'm sorry, Steven, but, as far as I'm aware, you've got classes to attend."

"But–"

"You heard it, now shut up," Mike snapped up.

Steven turned to him, quite bemused and offended.

"Aren't you eager to read the rest?" he marveled.

"I am," Mike agreed, putting his open bag on the desk. "But I have a chemistry test next that I'm determined to pass."

"But–"

"Steven, cut it," Sarah interfered. "I'm pretty sure we'll finish it tomorrow."

Chapter Text

Fortuna was out of business today. Or she simply sided with the rest of Olympians and was enjoying the movie with as much amusement as the rest of them.

"Percy, you gotta calm down before you blow something up," Annabeth advised.

Response Percy offered could hardly be characterized as human. It was something between a growl and screech. Jason patted him on the back.

"Annabeth's right," he said. "Nothing exceptionally bad has happened yet."

Percy stopped dead on his tracks and whirled to face Jason; his left eye promptly twitched.

"Hel-lo!" he waved his hand in front of Jason's face causing him to back away and crash into Leo. Leo yelped (not girly-yelped, despite whatever the rest attested to) and pushed him to the side just in case. Percy ignored disturbance he had caused, too eager to convey the message. "If they're also reading this book, which they obviously are– to prove his statement, Percy gestured somewhere behind his back instantly making several students look away as though they weren't watching them. "Then everyone knows!"

"They might not believe it," Leo shrugged. He, of course, didn't think they might get away that easily but self-preservation screamed at him to placate Percy before it was too late.

"Our class believes!" Percy exclaimed, effectively catching attention of the said class.

Levi elbowed Lora and gestured toward them, at the same time whispering something to his other interlocutor–a boy from a different class.

"Percy, with how you react to it, I'd say you confirm the suspicion," Annabeth pointed out.

She shouldn't have done that, for Percy, further placing suspicion on his sanity, huffed, stomping his foot promptly (Jason and Leo took several steps away at that, truly terrified) and rushed off.

Annabeth scratched her chin.

"Um, guess I gotta talk to him," she concluded.

Things never picked up from that point. For one, curiosity prevailed, beating logic and common sense, forcing students to discreetly and not so carefully discuss the chapter, pose questions, and god knows what else. Several extremely brave ones even went as far as going to check the truthfulness of the claims in the book.

"That's dangerous."

"That's dumb."

All eyes rested on Riley.

"Why are you even here?" Cassandra marveled. Sarah nodded in assent while Levi grunted his support. Riley's eyes narrowed but he did not voice his thoughts. "Good; now, please, leave."

To say Cassandra disliked Riley, would be an understatement. She loathed him with passion. She also wondered why the coach still hadn't kicked him out of the team, for, as she recalled, Riley presented a serious hindrance to the functioning of the team. He would  disrupt more practices than there were held.

Riley clearly did not like her words but said nothing. He might have, but there was someone he wanted to have a word with. Speaking of them, Mike was the reason for which Riley spared those losers.

Not deigning them with any sort of response, Riley marched toward Mike, fully determined to beat the truth about his sudden affection with the freak out of him.

"Um," Lora pursed her lips. Trying to understand Riley's behavior presented an actual struggle; his less than good demeanor only complicated the job. "Steven believes it's a great idea to ask them about the book?"

Lora raised her voice too high; that she realized too late when everyone already turned their attention to the group. Sarah started and pushed Lora to the side as though asking her to find a more secluded corner to have discussions in.

It didn't help as several students nudged each other, hinting to drop everything because there were way more entertaining things to look forward to. A couple especially insolent ones moved closer to them to eavesdrop.

"Steven is dumb," Lora concluded. "You don't go and confront people like that!"

"But he has a point," Levi noted. "I'd love to know what we missed. I mean Percy seemed relieved so it must be something good."

"Yeah, I'd still like to hear what happened in the bathroom," for a second they rendered silence before bursting out laughing.

"Bazroom?" came in a voice behind them.

All three turned to the source. There stood a boy. An unfamiliar one, for that matter. Neither could pinpoint his age, for he appeared to look at least twenty; his tanned skin might as well glisten in the lights. Black hair was put in a ponytail, his black eyes watching them intensely.

"What?"

"You have talked about some bazroom," he explained, revealing his thick accent. Levi frowned while Lora and Cassandra exhaled simultaneously. A newcomer smiled, further sending the girls in the state of exhilaration; his beautiful smile made him even more charming.

Levi sized them up in confusion. His eyes found the boy again; his mind raced in search of answers. What was so special about him? "Err, um…"

"Alexander," he supplied.

"Alexander," Levi nodded. "Sorry, I don't understand what you want. Girls, c'mon, we gotta find Steven."

He forcefully pushed Cassandra toward Lora to snap them out of their daze. It worked. Lora squealed while Cassandra glared at Levi.

"Steven," Levi reminded. "Bye, Alexander, see ya later!"

He walked around Alexander, ignoring an expression of extreme confusion on his face.

"This won't work," Sarah announced.

"I'm beginning to believe you," Lora said. Her eyes never leaving the source of their conversation. "What are they aiming at?"

"No clue."

"Since when they're associating with each other?"

To prove legitimacy of Sarah's question, Mike–the one they'd been watching for the past five minutes–patted the seat next to him, hinting Lyssa to take it. Apparently, Lyssa either did not register her actions, being too exhilarated, or simply never cared about it. She followed Mike's suggestion with a bright, illuminating smile.

"Excuse me," someone said. Half of the table jumped at unexpected disturbance then began to search for the source of it.

The job was done quickly, for the intruder did not hide. He was standing there, uncertainty etched in his features like it was his usual expression. The female part of the group immediately softened, caught up by his presence. Levi sent Steven a pointed look as though explaining what he had meant earlier.

"Something happened?" he addressed the boy.

"I, um, sorry to interrupt you, but can I sit here?" he pronounced every other consonant with too much force, revealing just how much of a struggle it was to him. Probably embarrassed, Alexander acquired a sheepish expression.

Levi opened his mouth to decline, but Lora beat him to it with a loud, 'YES!', that drew attention to their table. Levi and Steven glared at her, but Lora didn't care, too busy interrogating the newcomer and enjoying his warm and adorable smile.

"I tell you he's strange!"

"Percy, you are strange."

"He's supernatural strange!"

Annabeth surveyed his face then snorted. "Perce, if he were a monster, why would he hide?"

Apparently, logic left Percy in favor of panic, for this definitely sound argument was not taken into consideration.

"Have you heard his accent?" Percy cried out. "It's offbeat!"

Jason and Leo exchanged a glance and pushed their chairs away from the table just in case. Percy acted bizarre even by their own merits. Who knew what might come to his mind next?

Annabeth didn't feel as concerned as they. She rolled her eyes. "Percy, that's not enough of a reason to suspect him of a crime."

"You don't believe me?!"

"I don't follow you," she corrected. "You need to–"

"Don't tell me to calm down!" his voice grew louder, securing attention of several tables around them. Fortunately, no one felt inclined to disclose their curiosity just yet, so the most of the mayhem went unnoticed.

Speaking of mayhem, Percy received his response. It came in the form of a bottle making weird noises, as though it was heating up.

"Percy!" Annabeth hissed, pushing the bottle on her lap. Not that Annabeth cared. She had more pressing issues like keeping secrets hidden as long as she could. (Which was practically impossible thanks to that scene in class. What had he been thinking?)

Percy huffed and crossed his arms. Annabeth shook her head. She could see where Percy was coming from. She, too, found difficulty with conducting certain mundane activities because of this past summer. Percy had it worse. He had suffered through worse things that she. It was inevitable Percy developed a post-traumatic syndrome that made him jittery and defiant. In fact, Annabeth could attest to him taking it lighter than any other person in his place. She herself wanted to cry every now and then.

"Hey!" a cheerful exclaim reached her ears. Annabeth looked up to see Mike. Lyssa peeking from behind him. "May we sit wit' you?"

He didn't wait for a response. Mike gestured Lyssa to take one of the seats and, ensuring she was settled in, plopped on the one closest to Percy. Percy perked up.

"What?" he grumbled.

"Relax, I just wanna talk." Percy huffed, so Mike decided to take matters in his hands. "I've talked to some people… do you really burn you food?"

No one responded. Frankly, Mike didn't expect them to. Lyssa had rubbed off on him enough to notice when pushing would be superfluous. That was the moment.

Mike nodded to himself and began examining the group in hopes to see which one of them was the most eager to talk. Not that anyone fitted his image, but that blond boy appeared the most open one.

"What other traditions do you have?" Mike addressed Jason. Jason froze. A moment later, he slid down on his seat and covered his forehead. Mike's expression didn't change. "OK, how 'bout you? Any interesting stories?"

Leo, who happened to be his next victim, demonstratively raised a small box and shook it. The elicited sound rang through the hall for a second, merging with the noise, produced by dozens of students.

"Mike, let go of them," Lyssa said.

That drew Percy's attention (and literally everyone else's, for it was Lyssa); he looked up and gaped at her. Something in his eyes unnerved Lyssa, causing her to fidget on the seat.

"Hey, dude, stop it," Mike snapped.

A feeble hint of an emotions crossed Percy's face.

"Percy, don't," Annabeth hissed. Both boys immediately glanced at her. "Just eat, Percy."

"Are we to witness a great food sacrifice?" Mike's eyes widened. Four people stared at him. "Okay, okay! I'm just curious–"

"Yes, we burn food," Percy grumbled. Mike froze mid-action, his eyes flickered toward him. "Get over it."

"Percy!"

"Can I ask a couple of things?" came in Lyssa's voice. Percy grumbled under his breath and resumed his previous position while Annabeth rolled her eyes and gestured her to begin—the best way to dispose of their company was to offer something to occupy them with. "Um, why is Dio–"

"Mr. D," Annabeth interrupted her.

Lyssa blinked. "What?"

"Mr. D," Annabeth repeated. "Let's settle on Mr. D 'cause I'm in no mood to deal with him right now."

"Ditto," Percy muttered.

Lyssa nodded in understanding. Something was telling her that the man's distaste was mutual with the people he despised.

"'Right, Mr. D… Is he always like that?"

"Absolutely," Percy butted in. He ignored confused looks his friends were giving him, for he was in no condition to explain the basics of his mood swings. "He hates the camp and heroes in general."

"How do you–?"

"I have my ways."

Lyssa sized him up for several moments before accepting the response.

"Have you figured out your pare–" Percy's loud growl interrupted her and provoked plenty of students to turn their heads to the table. Some did not look away even after they'd realized no one would inform them on the context of a noise.

"Dude!" Mike exclaimed in outrage. He couldn't believe Percy. Hadn't he asked him not to do it? Lyssa placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered him to calm down.

"What?!" Percy snapped back. His anxiety returned with more force than before. And anxious Percy tended to put up defenses.

In his rage Percy missed the moment when most of the student body had begun to watch him. His story was exciting; there was no way they would miss a scene if it might reveal something important. More than one saw Lyssa sitting there as well, further proving the significance of this exclaim. Lyssa was notorious in school.

Mike frowned. "Please, calm dow–"

"I won't calm down!"

"Why are you so stressed out?! Take it easy…"

He shouldn't have said that.

Percy's cheek twitched; a shadow crossed his face. A moment later, he was already on his feet, trembling like a leave in the wind.

"Take it easy? Take it easy?!" he bellowed, capturing attention of all around them. Not that Percy cared, he was too stressed out as Mike pointed out to notice something so inconsequential. "I would've taken it easy if it was useful! But it ain't! We just sit and read about things that already happened and have no value in future!"

Demigods' mouths fell open. Percy had definitely put a lot of thought into it. He must be struggling with the reading, hard. Being Percy, he'd attempted to find positives in the situation!

Silence was broken by Mike whose remark should not have been made in the first place.

"You admit to it being true!"

Percy let out a loud animalistic screech. Next, he was already rushing to the exit, determined to hide for the rest of his life.

Annabeth stared at the door for good five seconds. Then, finally having come to a conclusion, turned to face Mike. Upon seeing her expression, his smile faltered.

"You!" Annabeth's finger found his face. Mike recoiled and almost fell off his chair. "If I ever hear you say this again, I'll kill you. Now, Lyssa, excuse me, I need to find Percy before he causes havoc."

A quick search proved to be fruitless. Distressed, Percy had managed to hide so well that even Annabeth had trouble with finding him. Cursing the bell, she headed to her next class, mentally hoping he hadn't run off…

Percy, on his part, was mesmerizing the door of his locker. His hand ached, as he covered now bloody knuckles with his other hand and made a fist. The locker's door was staring back at him, seemingly accusing. His hand jerked; Percy put all of his strength to swing to the side but instead hit another locker with his head. Couldn't they all just vanish? Just once could everything go as he'd like it to?

The door to the dressing room squeaked, indicating someone's arrival. Percy's blood boiled. Now more than ever was he aware and on alert. Steps became louder, each drumming in his ears. One, two, three… With each new sound, his fists got tighter and the urge to punch someone grew stronger. Percy's body got rigid as he awaited the intruder. One more step, then one more. Every moment now…

A few seconds later, a figure appeared in the corner, shooting Percy's anxiety up the roof. His fist now so tight he could barely feel them.

Percy knew that he'd overreacted. Then again, who wouldn't? Gods and their antics in the last five years had annoyed everyone to the point where any misstep caused uproar. And he meant uproar. Chiron was not pleased; campers were furious. No one said any good word about the book being read by mortals. Everyone got even more enraged when it had become obvious gods would do nothing to fix the problem.

If they were angry, why did Percy have to act calm?

Percy also couldn't answer this question.

"I'm sorry," a boy said. It was that same boy who had gaped at him the first time they'd met. Clearly, Greek. Presumably, dangerous. "I couldn't find anybody here; can you tell me where ze coach sits?"

Percy's eyes narrowed; countless of theories flooded his mind like water from a destroyed dam.

Stop thinking about it or you'll drive yourself insane and will have to ask for Mr. D's help. You don't need Mr. D's help. You don't!

Yet, his breathing grew heavier while he watched the boy apprehensively.

"He's at the end of the hall," Percy said slowly. He loved how the boy flinched at his voice; he wanted him to suffer. All of them. "There a huge green sign next to his door."

Another shudder went through the boy, but he managed to swallow the fear and nod. Percy's cheek twitched. "Sanks…"

Then he stared at Percy with those black eyes of his.

Percy blinked and focused back on the boy's face, but the task had suddenly become challenging. The eyes kept on popping up, reminding him just how terrified they were.

You're scaring him, a faint, girl-sounding voice snarled at the back of his head. Percy blinked again, suddenly calmer than ever, then zeroed in on the boy, who had not moved an inch. Did he really have to ogle so much?

"What?" Percy snapped.

"Nocing," came in a response. "Are you fine?"

Percy's grumble went undetected by the guest. Perhaps, he should have been louder to get rid of the boy.

Not pleased by the answer, the boy took a few steps forward. "I'm sorry, you zust look, um, sad. Is everycing good?"

"As if you don't know."

"Me synchoreíte," the boy murmured. Percy's head snapped toward him, his eyes wide. This time, the boy caught on and acquired a sheepish expression. "It means–"

"Excuse me, I know," Percy interrupted. He tilted his head to the side, surveying the boy pensively. "Who are you?"

"What?" the boy blinked.

His confusion might throw anyone off his tracks. Not Percy. It only steeled his suspicion. Percy leaped to his feet and approached the boy. His finger pointed at an already lost and confused person, halting just mere inches from him.

Go and pierce him, Perce, a very unpleasant voice whispered. Ignoring voice of reason and throbbing at the back of his head, Percy balled a fist and pressed it against the boy's chest. As it was expected, the boy recoiled.

"Who-are-you?"

Peace at last. That voice had not made a return.

"Er, Alexander," the boy mumbled. A few moments and short breaths later, he continued in less hoarse and scared voice: "You are Percy, right? We–"

Alexander never managed to finish, having noticed a weird change in Percy's expression. Percy didn't care; his brain had just clicked out.

"WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!"

Before Alexander could even blink, Percy pushed him to the side and rushed out of the locker room, determined to, if not confront gods then, at least, find a hiding place where he could not be found.

Chapter Text

"He what?"

"That's what I've heard. Paul had a talk to the Principal."

Jason and Leo stared at Annabeth in mute shock. She did not provide any further information on the subject, but that was enough for both of them to feel concerned.

Percy had cracked. That was the general consensus that no one dared to discuss yet. Why would they? Percy was their bastion of calmness and stability. He had not given up in the worst of situations… If they admitted Percy had gone into hysterics from a book, it would mean they were screwed.

"He's not comin' today?" Jason marveled.

The idea of Percy missing school seemed alien to him.

Annabeth shook her head. "He made an early trip to camp; Chiron organized the ride."

"It's Wednesday!" Jason exclaimed, feeling even more disoriented than a second before. Percy had run away to the camp? How come they hadn't stumbled upon each other? It wasn't like they'd been in a hurry—they hadn't; they'd lazed through breakfast with not even a whisper of Percy being back.

Annabeth surveyed him for a moment then sighed: "As I said, an early trip."

He wasn't supposed to be found then.

Jason nodded.

Once in the classroom, they took the seats in the corner, never acknowledging other students, some of whom went as far as greeting them almost earnestly.

Percy's absence was glaringly obvious. However, the scene from the previous day had enough impression on them for children to lay questions aside.

Paul didn't provide any form of explanation either. Despite looking thoroughly confused and dejected, he silently went to his table, picked up the book, and opened it, indicating the beginning of the reading.

(No one had a heart to disturb him even more.)

(Paul didn't have it in him to face the truth either. He was not ready to lose his sanity just yet. He wasn't ready to face his colleagues either.)

We Capture The Flag.

Upon hearing this Annabeth groaned softly. Here went her hopes that these people would not be as nosy now when Percy was nowhere around.

…satyrs, nymphs, and a centaur.

"They teach?"

Annabeth's urge to curse grew stronger. They were barely through a sentence and these people already made comments! They should have talked to Paul and other teachers. Why hadn't they talked yet?

They did need to talk to teachers.

"They are good teachers," she said calmly.

A few people looked at her wearily but said nothing.

…Ancient Greek from Annabeth,

"Ancient Greek?" Cassandra repeated, too struck. "What would you need Ancient Greek for?"

Apparently, her question was dumb and ill-timed, as Annabeth, already too disgruntled by Percy's outburst and, consequently, the rise of her own anxiety, didn't bother to smooth her words. Or voice. Or attitude.

"Maybe because we're living in the world of Ancient Greek gods?" she snapped, causing Cassandra to flinch and several other students to recoil in fear. Even Jason and Leo stared at her weirdly, afraid she might suffer a breakdown next.

Paul, sensing their distress, cleared his throat and continued reading. (Why were they torturing themselves, again?)

…about my dyslexia:

"He has dyslexia?" Mike marveled out loud. In hindsight, it made sense, for he had noticed Percy's struggles with certain aspects of studies. After all, ADHD usually came hand in hand with inability to comprehend–or perceive–some things.

To his surprise, Annabeth not only nodded but also added that almost all of them had this disability. 'Our brains are wired to Greek', she stated, refusing to elaborate on the subject.

…out of his tail.

Several students snorted with Leo and Jason being the loudest.

The wood-nymph instructors left me in the dust.

"They leave everyone in the dust," Jason noted, spinning the blueprint in hopes to find the best angle. For now it was the only thing that successfully placated his mind and allowed him to sit somewhat still.

Everyone turned to look at him as though expecting to be explained everything.

"They've got years of practice running from gods," Annabeth said absent-mindedly, her full attention on the map in front of her. "It'd be a huge disappointment if they weren't able to outrun everyone."

"True."

They looked away from each just, as others groaned.

…Clarisse would pulverize me.

"Who's Clarisse?" Lora wondered. She did not expect her question to get answered. She merely wanted to satisfy her curiosity by throwing the question out there and hoping for the best.

All three only chuckled but chose not to elaborate on the girl.

…was canoeing,

Several people narrowed their eyes. Water and everything related to it had been mentioned too much for it to be a coincidence. Lyssa nodded to herself, mentally ticking off another of her characteristics, wishing the book would finally reveal the truth so she would stop antagonizing over it.

Lora furrowed her eyebrows, her thoughts in line with Lyssa's. Some other students, too, wondered what it might mean.

And then there was Riley. Irritated beyond normal, he desperately searched for something that could put his mind at ease. This would do. Too determined to blow off some steam, Riley ignored the voice of reason in favor of a loud snort.

Naturally, he drew attention of his classmates.

"What is it?" Kylie called, irritated at having been interrupted. She had been in the process of deciphering Lyssa's atrocious handwriting––thanks to Mike, she had her notes on her now; she almost decoded the clues! And here Riley managed to break her concentration and threw minutes of intense work in the trash.

Kylie was not the only one miffed by him. They simply allowed Kylie to deal with him.

Perhaps, Riley felt high from his discovery, for he had completely missed the moment Kylie had turned despondent.

"Canoeing!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, canoeing, so what?" Kylie sized him up as though Riley were a three-year-old. "So what, genius?"

"It's lame!"

Several students groaned. Paul already prepared himself for a scolding when he caught Annabeth look that he'd better just continue which he did with pleasure.

…had beaten the Minotaur.

Riley pointed to the book as though trying to say that even Jackson himself agreed with him. Kylie slapped her forehead at that.

…an easy time of it.

Jason and Leo looked up at that then, as one, spun to face Annabeth. Annabeth didn't notice them at first, too busy with regarding the paper. Leo cleared his throat. Annabeth looked up, question obvious in her eyes.

"Really?" Leo asked. Question became more visible. Several students, equally curious, turned to watch them. Paul, seeing that half of the class had tuned out, only sighed and, once again, closed the book, waiting for them to end the debate. (He did need to reassess his life.)

"He meant, did it really take you so much time to figure to out," Jason supplied. A frown deepened.

"What?" Annabeth confirmed her confusion.

Boys exchanged a look.

"Are you listening?" Jason asked. Annabeth tapped at the map, giving him a pointed look. "Percy's dad. Was it that difficult?"

"As I said, we had reasons to… you know," Annabeth shrugged. The ones who wanted to hear a detailed response, groaned loudly, ensuring the demigods received the message. "We were foolish, I know."

"Considering he's a spitting image of his dad and you've seen him before…" Leo shook his head.

Annabeth and Jason stared at him. Leo noticed it and began swirling on the spot, trying to find the reason of their looks. He hoped he had not burst into flames, for it would defeat the point of keeping low in this school.

Seeing his distress, Jason rushed to help. "You're making too much sense."

"It's scary," Annabeth added. Leo stopped and blinked. "But, as I said before, the ones who realized, did not want to believe it. It woul've brought too much trouble."

They fell silent.

Paul cleared his throat to avert attention from kids as it was clear there would be nothing more exposed.

…make of me either.

"Really, Luke?" words escaped Annabeth's mouth before she could help it. Bitterness in her voice drew notice; however, no one dared to address her, afraid she might snap up at them.

Description of camp activities intertwined with its nature made several people smile in appreciation. But then Percy had to step in and stomp on their good mood with his thoughts.

…to bring her back….

Jason and Leo heaved sighs. They realized Percy might want to do something of that kind. Heck, they knew he had done it, just not in detail.

"Does it mean he will try to… what?" Sarah frowned. This sentence emanated determination to do something very, very stupid. She could also picture Percy attempting it. In short, Sarah did not like where it was going.

In her internal distress Sarah missed the fact her question got ignored again.

…make a phone appear?

"Why indeed?" Lyssa asked loudly in attempt to catch the demigod's attention.

Annabeth looked up from the map. "Um, it's for me?"

Lyssa nodded. Something in Annabeth seemed more open; if Lyssa didn't know better she would swear Annabeth wanted to answer her question.

As though confirming her presumption, Annabeth chuckled darkly. "They've got ancient rules. Gods are forbidden from interfering in their kids' lives."

"But how is an occasional 'hi' interference?" Lora frowned.

A smile again appeared on Annabeth's face. "That's a stumbling stone between Percy and the gods. He's wondered the same."

"So he is suicidal," Leo supplied.

"But he's right!" Lora exclaimed, feeling outrage forming inside of her. It reminded her of people who would find every excuse to avoid responsibility. It reminded her of her own father who covered his lack of affection with countless of excuses so he would keep on ignoring her. Lora had grown up and stopped waiting for him; she, however, could not prevent herself from taking cases of child neglect to heart.

Annabeth surveyed her pensively then nodded. "Of course, he is. Frankly speaking, gods break those rules all the time; some simply are not as open about that," thunder rumbled right next to the window followed by lighting that threatened to shatter the glass, had it appeared slightly closer to the school. Several students yelped in surprise. "Oh, don't even start! You've got no right to!"

Annabeth gestured Paul to proceed before it turned into a full-on war with gods. She pointedly ignored looks of wonder not only mortals but her friends sent her.

News about a sword-fighting lesson brought students back to reality. Some straightened up, eager to hear the story. After all, Percy was proving to be quite good with the sword.

…my reflexes were good.

"No wonder," Mike chuckled. "He seems pretty good with that thing."

…felt right in my hands.

"That's a wonder he cannot lose his own," Jason said, having momentary torn his eyes away from the papers. Those had been killing him for a few hours now—all to come to a depressing realization that he'd require much more than a simple hill and a few campers to fulfill.

He pushed the papers away and heaved a sigh. Leo's eyes flickered toward him, before he hummed and returned to tinkering—a miniature overweight and slightly beat up cherub, an obvious inspiration of Mr. D.

Annabeth snorted softly. "I'm glad someone somewhere decided Percy can't lose Riptide or we would've been…" she faltered, having noticed hungry looks some of the kids were giving her to the displeasure of the said people.

"Why're you still fighting us?" someone grumbled but chose not to repeat the statement just for the sake of survival.

…since this was my first time.

Annabeth glanced at the book, inwardly wondering whether it had been mere courtesy or Luke strove to check his potential. She did not believe he'd never figured out Percy's parentage. Luke had been many things but not dumb.

"Maybe he'll go easy on me," I said.

Annabeth's concern transformed into mirth, and she let out a laugh. When dozen of eyes rested on her, awaiting her explanation, Annabeth shook her head as she dug out a piece of paper and held it up before her, tilting her head to the side and closing one eye. For this angle the shrine appeared absolutely out of place which bummed her.

Under a watchful eye of the class Annabeth tore the paper in half and pulled out another one, then placed it on the map—could she survive with it losing an inch?

She could, Annabeth decided a moment later. Her mother owed her more than she'd been willing to give. She'd have to go with this one tiny suggestion.

"Well…" Paul raised his voice to return attention back on him. At least, it worked.

The camper snorted.

"That's reassuring," Levi shook his head. "He lives?"

"Absolutely."

…flat of his blade.

Several people winced while Annabeth, still half-listening, suppressed a heavy sigh. How come she had never heard of it? It did seem like Luke had tried to prepare him.

…The sword didn't feel so awkward.

Lyssa frowned. Something was telling her Percy's surge of strength was more than a simple break. She shot a glance at demigods to either confirm or refute her presumption. Boys looked like they had sticks up their spines while Annabeth did her best to hide a small appreciative smile.

All it did was confuse her even more.

Technique that Luke had chosen told nothing to either of students (bar demigods who would were silent on everything) so they simply sat through the part, more eager to hear how Percy would get through the practice.

Then came in time for the real fight. Paul's voice rang through the class. No one interrupted him. No one as much as uttered a word, too engrossed in the description. Though, several especially irritating kids had their brains split in two with one part dedicated solely to the analysis of Percy's actions and senses.

Lyssa's mind was overworking. Percy's surge of energy was definitely not normal. He had a strong connection to water, which, as it seemed, offered him more than it should. Lyssa could affirm it to be a supernatural offering. No water in the world could help you 'open up your senses' and predict another person's attacks. At least, not when you're new to the whole thing.

And his apparent right choice of timing? Ha! His intuition got better as well.

Lyssa was so not surprised to learn that Percy had won.

Unlike people in the book.

"Um, sorry."

Percy's words snapped kids out of their daze and returned a bit of humor to the class. Some people chuckled.

"Did he apologize?" Leo asked, still half-mesmerized by the fight. Of course, he had seen more outstanding performance from Percy, but that did not mean Leo would stop getting astonished by those achievements.

Jason, equally struck, for he knew for a fact how difficult of a task it was to begin your training and succeed in it, nodded.

"This is Percy," Annabeth reminded them, her eyes never leaving the map.

Leo and Jason exchanged glances then shrugged.

"You're right."

"Yeah."

Luke was stunned. Then he asked Percy to show off again, but Percy refused, believing that whatever that had given him that power, was not here anymore.

Lyssa's suspicions shot high. Others merely wondered how Percy managed to perform such a difficult, as it appeared, task without much trouble. If Lyssa heard their thought-process, she would, firstly, disown them again; secondly, lock them all in the library to ensure they had read all the Greek myths.

…"Beginner's luck?"

"It appears so," Cassandra nodded. Most agreed with her.

…with a balanced sword…"

"Lots of scary things, I bet," Steven snorted. When no one reacted to his words the way he wanted them to, Steven looked around the class. "Hey, I was joking!"

"After the things I've heard, I so not look forward to seeing what Percy can do," Levi retorted, getting approval of half the class. Sane half as Riley inwardly sneered at him and Steven huffed loudly–neither accepted the fact, though, for completely different reasons.

…on the climbing wall.

"It's not that hard," Leo objected absent-mindedly, looking intensely at the box in his hands.

Wise part of the student body chose to ignore his statement in favor of their own sanity. Several days was not enough to get over the fact mythology was real and countless of crazy people were running around genuinely believing it to be the norm.

…a mountain goat,

"But he is a goat," Jenna noted in confusion.

"That's Percy, don't mind him," when Jenna glanced at Annabeth, she was engrossed in her work (still a wonder what she got busied herself with), giving no indication of being the one who offered her explanations.

but the lava had almost gotten me.

Upon hearing the description, most of the class shuddered as one.

"Not that difficult, you say?" Mike inquired, examining Leo, who looked up, blinked then, as though truth dawned on him, nodded solemnly. "You're insane."

Leo offered him a huge appreciative smile. He'd only proved a presumption of being crazy.

"Fine," he said. "Just great."

"It doesn't seem like it," Sarah spun to see demigods' expressions, but none even noticed her. "Are they even listening?"

Sarah's question was born out of extreme case of irritation caused by their evasiveness, so she did not actually wait for a response. Therefore it came twice as surprising when she heard three pretty loud, 'Yes!'.

…I want a searcher's license?"

"He wants a searcher's license?" Cassandra asked.

"What's a searcher's license?" Lora marveled.

As one, students turned to look at the demigods.

"Why're you still waiting for their answers?" Kylie snorted loudly when, once again, their queries were not fulfilled.

…So did you get it?"

"Keeper's assignment? What is this?" someone groaned.

"I'm pretty sure it'll get explained," Cassandra assured them. A dozen of eyes immediately rested on her, provoking her to justify her statement. "What? I'm talkin' about the book!"

Collective 'aah!' rang through the room, effectively alerting Paul that he needed to continue.

…so our fates were still tied together.

Many frowned at that, not quite seeing where it was going.

"So he's bound to get himself in trouble," Jason stated. His friends simply snorted.

…he'd consider the job complete."

"Now I'm convinced he's gotten himself in trouble."

"It's Percy. When he is not in trouble?"

"True."

…why would you want me along?"

"Grover!" Annabeth's groan rang through the class. That was the only noise, however, for her classmates decided to stay clear from asking any questions as Annabeth's voice did not suggest any good news for those unfortunate ones that might develop a desire to confront her. After all, this class did not have reckless people.

Next bits were read through in silence as it turned out to be simple descriptions of cabins. Granted, some wanted to pose questions and push for details but, with the way things were now, none held a naive belief those questions would be answered.

Then came, perhaps, the most interesting part: the big three. At least, that's what mortals figured as demigods suddenly tensed.

"What now?" Lora groaned softly.

"I'm sure we'll know soon."

…is Hera's," he said.

Lyssa blinked at that while Jason and Leo stared at Annabeth, awaiting her explanation.

"He's had strained relationship with the rest," was all she said. Boys got it; the class, however, did not. They simply acquired another question that they would like to get responses to.

…That's her husband's job.

Thunder rumbled outside, indicating that gods–or a particular one–did not like the content they heard.

"I figure he doesn't like it," Sarah stated, watching the window apprehensively. Who knew what a supposedly affronted god could do to her?

Demigods weren't as discreet in their reactions. Annabeth chuckled, Leo began to shake from concealed laughter while Jason shuddered, appearing disgusted. His reaction made Lyssa narrow her eyes, as another idea started forming in her head.

…the sons of Kronos."

Thunder's answer sounded more pleased as though Zeus–who else, really?–found description quite nice. In response to his father Jason placed his head in his hands; Leo only patted him on the back. They might have spent less than an hour in the company of gods to draw any proper conclusions that would not sound offensive, but even it was enough to realize certain individuals had big heads. So big even a shade of praise would boost their spirits and put them in relatively good mood (on the bright side, it meant more chance of surviving for demigods).

…drew lots to decide who got what."

Later class would attest that this time thunder gave an air of ostentation, like a cloud was proud. They might have held no knowledge of what was happening on Olympus; though, if they did, they would never ever forget a quite amusing picture of Zeus puffing his chest up pompously and declaring loudly that the sky was the best bet he had ever acquired from that war. (Those poor souls that happened to witness the scene, would spend the rest of the day in mild confusion.)

"Zeus got the sky,"

Jason slid down on his seat, too embarrassed at the tone thunder sounded. Honestly, if anyone had ever told him a couple of years ago just how unbearably big-headed his father was, he would have laughed in their face. Mentioning Zeus channeling children—eavesdropping children—in the worst way possible would have sent the unfortunate one straight to the stables for the rest of their lives.

"This cloud is quite… proud," Sarah noted. The sky responded in agreement, sending shivers down her spine. There was something terrifying in realization that you had drawn attention of… the sky.

Annabeth further proved she had been aiming at an all-time unlimited extermination course by giving the loudest and most disdain-filled snort one could expect from her.

"Percy's finally rubbed off on her," Leo shook his head, mentally applauding Annabeth and marveling how she had survived as well. It was evident Percy's contagious influence had gotten to her.

No one responded. Annabeth didn't care while Jason was too into his head to hear him.

"Poseidon the sea, Hades the Underworld."

No reaction provided by the thunder. Some of the noisiest children noticed and chuckled inwardly, realizing why certain comments had been made.

"But Hades doesn't have a cabin here."

"Why?" Cassandra frowned.

"It's gods we're talking about. They decided a long time ago that Hades was—" Annabeth faltered, struggling to come up with fitting, completely non-offensive words. It turned out to be quite difficult to achieve, for basically everything she might say could be taken the wrong way. "They didn't like him much."

"That's… upsetting," Cassandra concluded.

"on Olympus, either.

"Even better!" Cassandra run her fingers through her hair then took a few deep, calming breaths.

"Cassie, why's that so surprising?" Levi called from the side, seeing her distress; just a few more moments, and she'd start rocking on her seat or pulling her hair out—like she had done the previous year during that horrible week of rigorous preparation for the Nationals a.k.a. the day their future had been shattered. (He was not ready to talk about that.) "He's a god of death, right?"

Question was addressed to the demigods, all if whom frowned. Jason even made an attempt to correct him. "Well, technically–"

"See?" Levi cut him, depriving himself of a chance to learn that no, Hades, was not actually the god of death. He looked after those who had passed away, nothing more. "Not everyone is comfortable with death; I suspect, even gods are no stranger to this feeling."

"But he's not–" Annabeth interfered but was cut off almost instantly and exhaled loudly in ire. Jason shook his head, silently hoping that at least Hades did not eavesdrop—or they might have embark on the actual death trip to the Underworld to beg for this mortal's life back.

Not the way he'd like to spend the weekend.

"Well, you're right…" Cassandra muttered, sounding as uncertain as one possibly could when they discussed things they held no proper knowledge of. "But isn't it, well, sad? It's not his fault he got death as his main domain."

"He's not–" Jason breathed out, inhaling sharply as he'd once again gotten cut off. He threw his hands up and stared at the ceiling in defeat. Leo cackled but instantly disguised it as a cough. Annabeth huffed but did not try interfering just yet.

"We're not saying it's his fault," Lora butted in. Levi and Cassandra glanced at her in question, which she took as a sign to continue and squared her shoulders. "After all, it's a lot! He as well might have gotten air–" thunder rumbled threateningly at that, absolutely loathing the fact someone dared to insult it.

"But he didn't!" Sarah noted, drawing attention from the sky back to the discussion. "Levi's right, not many want to be associated with death–"

"BUT HE'S NOT THE GOD OF DEATH!" Annabeth yelled at last. She had obviously forgotten how marvelous silence was. "He's a patron of the dead. He watches over you in the Underworld but he has nothing to do with you getting there. It's Charon and Thanatos' jobs."

Thunder roared apprehensively to which Annabeth only rolled her eyes.

"But, technically, he deals with the death, right?" astonishingly enough, it was Steven who said it.

"Well, yes…"

"Then we can agree why the gods are hesitant," he announced loudly. "Not everyone's happy to deal with the death!"

Annabeth slapped her forehead but, otherwise, did not provide additional commentary on the issue at hand. Paul, sensing the distress, cleared his throat and continued reading.

Let's leave it at that."

Thunder rumbled in agreement.

Leo looked up. "Um, he does realize he kinda gives himself away with constant thundering?"

"When did it stop him?"

Lightning shot through the sky but only people outside paid it notice.

Grover began an explanation of the current situation. Atmosphere in the class grew more tensed, for several extremely curious people started another round of deciphering the meaning of all this. The book would not mention this fact if it weren't important, right?

Granted, they had more questions than that.

"Are they really more powerful?" Lyssa wondered. She didn't miss a quick look toward Jason but chose not to press the issue further, having decided to deal with one problem at a time.

"Generally, yes," Annabeth nodded. A few people peered at her, genuinely stunned by her willingness to cooperate. "There are far more complicated issues than that, though."

"Which are…" Jenna prompted, realizing she was kind of open for a discussion and it was better to make the most of it while they could.

"Rivalry," Annabeth shrugged. For a split second, her eyes rested on Jenna, before Annabeth glanced at Jason then returned to the papers in front of her. (How she managed to work in these conditions, would remain a mystery to Jason.) "They tend to inherit more than children of other gods and it usually leads to some sort of disaster."

Jason nodded, staring off into the space. Gods know they'd almost killed each other back then.

"So it's a good thing to… avoid having children?" Lyssa asked. Her brain in full mode to dissect the answer so she could draw more conclusions and move one step closer to the final solution.

Annabeth pursed her lips. "Um, well… I guess, yes."

"So it's a good thing that they have no kids," Lyssa finished, her voice filled with smugness. Annabeth did not answer, which fueled to Lyssa's good mood. "Mr. Blofis?"

"Seventeen years ago, Zeus fell off the wagon.

Several student snorted while the thunder boomed, sounding exasperated.

"Oh, she's mad," Leo announced calmly. "Good."

Thunder's intensity grew to which Leo shook his head and threw a small ball at the window. It bounced off the glass just when the thunder responded again, this time violently.

he just couldn't help himself.

Jason's eye twitched a little upon hearing about his mother.

a little girl named Thalia…

Jason's froze. Throbbing inside his head got louder, driven by a small sensation. Something was telling him a bad story was coming.

well, the River Styx is serious about promises.

"Is it..?" Sarah frowned. Her mood dampened a little when she noticed Annabeth nodding gravely. She so did not want to know what they had to face because of it.

…a terrible fate on his daughter."

Lora's mouth fell open in shock. "What?!"

"I'm fully agreeing with Lora here," Cassandra uttered. "What?"

As one, everyone turned to Annabeth in search of any form of logical explanation of this blasphemous occurrence. Annabeth didn't react to their queries, too busy pulling her mind out of an overwhelmingly huge sea of grievance, triggered by memories.

Annabeth did not feel bad for herself, because she had found the best family in the world. She could not stand hearing about that heinous act again; that night had been a source of nightmares for years, before Percy had come into the picture and brought plethora of other horrors with him. Every night Annabeth would see sharp claws and gleaming eyes and hear inhuman roars; every night for several months straight she would jump in bed and fear to go back to sleep. Thalia would appear before her eyes, standing on that damned hill, awaiting her final battle.

That was the worst she had experienced. Annabeth still considered it the worst thing, for back then she had lost her sister; the guardian and mother, and her best friend.

Something warm touched her hand, snapping the girl out of her musings. After three seconds of vigorous blinking, Annabeth managed to focus and saw Leo who watched her in concern.

"It's fine," she choked out softly. "I'm fine."

It wasn't the little girl's fault."

"Like they care," Annabeth chuckled bitterly. If her words drew suspicion, none dared to voice it, seeing her state all too well. They might not know the cause of Annabeth's distress but they were not insensitive to dismiss it in favor of acquiring answers.

Well, almost all, as Sarah had to physically cover Steven's mouth to avoid dumb questions while Mike glared at Lyssa, warning her to keep her mouth shut.

Grover managed to exacerbate it by going into details of that fight. Annabeth's fists remained balled tightly the whole time as she focused on the blueprint of the shrine—which one, she didn't even know anymore. She didn't care. The book, this school, these people… She wanted out, bad. She wanted to walk straight up into her mother's quarters and demand answers. She wanted them to listen, once; to see their point, to understand how allowing mortals to read and actively participating in the reading would lead to repercussions far more severe than demigods getting mad at them. Again.

They haven't learned, she thought. They haven't learned. They are making the same very mistake they made. They've alienated Percy. They've alienated everyone. They continue being assholes as if nothing has happened.

A loud snap startled her. Annabeth looked down at her eyes only to find a broken pencil. She glanced at Jason and Leo, neither of who had taken notice, and hastily shoved the pencil's remains to the side—together with the blueprints, and her dignity, and any desire to implicate herself in this project. She was done.

Another glance at Paul, who appeared perturbed by the reactions kids provided; he kept on reading like it was his job, like he felt no guilt in exposing Percy's private moments, his thoughts. Like he was under their spell and did nothing to fight it off. He might not even know he'd been enchanted.

Annabeth looked around and heaved a sigh. None of them were aware of it. None were aware their acute curiosity might have been a result of enchantment. Their excitement, ever-growing hunger for more information, for more knowledge on this new world was not natural. It had never been natural. It had never been their choice.

Just like it had never been theirs. None had agreed to take part in this experiment. They'd been dumped into this new situation with no explanations, no motives and no understanding of why they'd have to let mortals learn about them. They never had a choice.

Annabeth closed her eyes, feeling extremely exhausted. She could hear Paul's voice in the background, a faint hubbub somewhere at the back of her head; she could not find any strength to care, however. She had lived through Grover's story; seeing response to it would be overwhelming, in a negative way for sure. Focusing on the book for longer than necessary would be detrimental to her sanity.

Did she have any sanity left?

Annabeth didn't know anymore.

She didn't care.

like Nemesis, the god of revenge.

"Grover caught the Percy disease?" Leo blinked, tearing his eyes away from the screwdriver in his hand.

"The Percy disease?" Jason frowned, momentarily forgetting about the temples

"Mixing up things, being silly and acting stupid and careless with gods, off–" Leo began listing off the points but Jason covered his mouth before it could go further.

"Okay, okay, I got it!"

"By the way, I don't think Nemesis would like to be offended," Leo stated.

He was sized up by Jason for good five seconds before he finally shook his head. "She did mess you up big time, didn't she?"

"What?!"

Leo simply chuckled, ignoring curious looks students were sending him. Truth to be told, he did not know whether she had messed him up or not. Heck, he didn't even know whether he had paid his debt! No one ever informed him on the state of his agreement, no one even hung a huge sign declaring it!

At last, it was time for capture the flag.

It was going great, obviously.

"What's that?" someone asked.

"A game," their neighbor responded with a huff.

"A war game," Leo corrected absent-mindedly.

There was a moment of hesitation from that student before they asked: "What would you need a war game for?"

"Um, to survive? Seriously, you've heard about those monsters, you think they sit and wait for these beasts to rip them to pieces?"

"Why did you feel the need to put it like that?"

"Guys, shut up, we're reading!"

Yes, there are more of noisy people than it's believed. Some are simply more discreet and not Lyssa.

Everyone began to listen closely to the description of the game, glad that Percy held little to no knowledge of the traditions as they were provided some of the needed answers.

When they heard of Luke's scar, several people frowned and addressed the demigods. However, they received no explanations, for neither Jason nor Leo knew and Annabeth appeared so dead they didn't dare to look at her longer than a moment, afraid she might start searching for blood and brains.

Then Chiron stepped on the scene.

…Arm yourselves!"

"It begins!"

The ones around Steven recoiled, too struck by his enthusiasm.

…covered with equipment...

"Do you actually use all of that?" Mike gaped.

In response, Paul chuckled softly. To explain the reason of his mirth, he held up the book.

"Whoa," I said. "We're really supposed to use these?"

"Oh, so we're getting answers!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Such a wonder…"

"Unless you want to get skewered by your friends in cabin five.

"So it's a 'yes', right?"

You'll be on border patrol."

"Border patrol?"

"Why are you still asking them? Haven't you figured it's much easier to learn through the book?"

"Oh, yeah. Then shut up, I'm listening!"

…horsehair plume on top.

"I have to agree with Percy here: I hope no one's expected to run in them. It sounds heavy," Lora said. Jason and Leo only chuckled at that.

"Guess they don't agree," Lyssa giggled.

The blue team went to take their positions. Percy, being too lost, wanted to receive answers. If not about his place in the game, then about their plans.

Seeing where it might lead, Jason and Leo stared at the book in anticipation of an entertainment in the name of Percy.

…can loan me?"

"He absolutely doesn't know you," Leo stated shell-shocked, turning to Annabeth for a second.

Annabeth offered no response.

Leo didn't register what he was doing; his whole attention on a deathly pale Annabeth that was staring at the desk with an empty look on her face.

"Dude," he heard himself whisper as he tapped on Jason's shoulder. Jason raised his eyebrows then, at Leo's command, spun on the seat to have a better look at Annabeth.

It had just gotten out of control.

…I'd stolen something.

Leo's head whipped toward Paul; he frowned. However, daze lifted off a moment later when he turned to Annabeth to ask. Right…

…Has Luke given you your job?"

"Was it Luke really?"

The question sank in the void—just like everything they'd been asking today.

…Athena always has a plan."

"You don't trust him," Mike concluded to the surprise of several people. Riley almost gaped at him, having no previous experience with his perceptive side. After all, he hadn't managed to corner him yet. Mike caught their looks and rolled his eyes. "So," he turned to Annabeth. "Are you all right?"

That wasn't what he'd initially planned to ask. He was not a prying type either (mostly), but an unnatural lack of vigor from Annabeth confused him. Jason and Leo's concerned expressions did nothing but convince him that something was going terribly wrong. Probably Annabeth's mental health.

There was no response. From neither the boys nor her.

He hadn't expected them.

Mike leveled Steven with a stare and gestured Mr. Blofis to continue, all while ignoring dumbfounded looks his classmates were giving him.

It wasn't like they were going to hold onto this memory for long.

…I felt like an idiot.

As if on cue, Riley snorted. No one, however, would agree with him. Most believed they would have felt the same, had they been in his shoes.

Standing there absolutely alone did not seem as entertaining as one might believe. Percy, for example, was already bored out of his mind.

…I'll miss all the fun, as usual.

"You did it on purpose!" Jason suddenly exclaimed. The class immediately snapped out of trance and glared at the blond boy, who, on his part, was too busy watching his friend with a mixture of worry, disbelief, and irritation. "It was your plan all along!"

"What plan?" Leo inquired, his eyes flickered to Jason, but he almost instantly turned back to observing Annabeth.

There was a flicker of life in Annabeth's eyes that dimmed as she hummed—whatever she was trying to convey with this one.

"Why didn't you fill him in?" Jason posed another question, fully oblivious to a deep frown that Leo sported.

"It thought he'd mess it up," Annabeth's voice nothing but a whisper, barely audible even in dead silence of the classroom.

"What would he mess up?" Levi asked loudly to no avail. All he got was Leo shrugging as though saying he had no clue either.

"But would he really?"

"Well…" Annabeth sucked in a deep breath but made no other movement, still leaning against the seat and wearing a mask of nonchalance. (Or it was a real lack of desire to emote.) "We didn't know what he'd do; it was a precaution."

"What precaution?!"

Mark's question drowned in Jason's gasp when he realized what Annabeth must have felt back then. Of course! Percy had stumbled on their grounds with a horn in his hands; he'd managed to mess up in the toilets (whatever it meant); Chiron had believed him to be worthy of personal assistance… Then there was Percy himself and his need to do dumb things. He could see why Annabeth had been feeling hesitant.

Annabeth raised her eyebrows, to which Jason nodded then returned to his temples. Leo frowned but dropped the questioning altogether.

As their only hope seemed to have given up, the rest of the class had to follow as well, though feeling more exasperated than Leo.

…a low canine growl...

"The what?"

"Excuse me!"

Offense got quickly replaced by anxiety.

…something was stalking me.

The level of anxiety went through the roof. Everyone remembered how this camp was supposed to be 'safe'. It clearly was not.

…I felt the presence retreating.

Annabeth looked up, thoroughly confused and seemingly mildly interested in the book. Jason raised his eyebrows, equally struck. Then both exchanged a look (for that Jason had to spin his head toward her).

"I'm so glad he's on our side," Jason said at last. In the unusual silence of the class his words drew attention.

Mike shot a glance at Lyssa who shook her head slightly, indicating that whatever he had on his mind needed to be re-evaluated and completely forgotten.

Neither of the two appeared conscious of the attention they had on them.

"You've no clue how happy I am," Annabeth commented in a dead voice.

Jason nodded again. He was not going to push further now when Annabeth had moved on from whatever episode she'd had; he was too happy about that to disturb her.

Paul took it as a sign to continue.

Ares' kid didn't impress mortals. None, however, attempted to hold a proper conversation about it, for the moment someone noted how funny Percy's descriptions seemed and how awful those kids were, thunder boomed louder and more violent than ever before. After that, they hesitated to offend, as they figured, Ares.

On the good note, Percy appeared to fend for himself quite alright.

…Her stupid spear was electric.

"I-is it l-legal?" Cassandra stuttered out, completely horrified.

Silence was her response which made Cassandra feel worse.

…and I hit the dirt.

Many winced at that.

…but they were too busy laughing.

"Typical," Annabeth breathed out heavily. These people managed to make same mistakes times after times without realizing what they did wrong.

On the other hand, Annabeth was glad they appeared too thick; it meant she didn't have to devise a new plan every single time.

Ares' kids did not disappoint this time around. They functioned in their normal way, which basically meant they hit, grabbed, and laughed a lot, completely overlooking some crucial parts like the prize and being on alert. They also underestimated Percy, having gathered the wrong concept after spending some time taunting him and using physical strength as an argument.

Absolutely no imagination. Zero novelty. Plenty of chances to defeat the enemy. Percy could not pass up a chance like that. Even if he disclosed the location of their flag, he did not miss an opportunity to trick them.

Then Ares' cabin made a fatal mistake: They pushed Percy into the creek. Needless to say, Lyssa was all ears.

…double-espresso jelly beans.

She nodded to herself upon hearing another confirmation of her theory. She was not the only one as several other students began having their own suspicions.

…knocked his helmet clean off.

"How come he came to his senses so quickly?" Levi wondered.

The ones who heard him and were not in the process of decoding all the clues, shrugged.

…Both of them backed up quick.

"Don't tell me he–" Sarah shook her head, realizing that, yes, he had done just that.

…I snapped it like a twig.

"He absolutely did."

"Wait," Leo snapped his fingers, momentarily diving out of his thoughts. "He broke her spear?"

Annabeth nodded. "She was furious that day."

"Percy's insane. Even I have more sense than infuriate her!"

"You're afraid of her, is all," Jason chuckled, swiftly avoiding a whack Leo attempted to give him.

Their good mood disappeared at once. The reason? Percy's team chose the moment to come in with a win. Of course, Clarisse was less than impressed.

"A trick!" she shouted. "It was a trick."

"That's what you meant?" all eyes rested on Sarah who was watching Jason pensively. He nodded. "Who's plan was it?"

She wasn't surprised to see them pointing to Annabeth. Who else could it be?

Book Annabeth confirmed her real-life words by appearing out of thin air. Literally.

…she'd just taken it off her head.

If it were possible, the class would be filled with the sound of jaws hitting floor. Everyone seemed to be in the state of absolute shock. Annabeth. Appeared. Out. Of. Thin. Air.

"Just how?" Lora breathed out.

Silence was her answer.

It seemed Percy didn't find her going invisible all that troubling, for he was more concerned with dragging answers from her. Then Annabeth shifted the train of the conversation.

"No. It was a sword cut. Look at it."

Lyssa narrowed her eyes. Gut feeling was telling her that she would receive her well-deserved answer now. She wouldn't have to wait any longer.

…a small scar, and disappeared.

"How?!"

It was the only question, a sentiment that united the class. They might have difficulties in communication outside the classroom, but they sure as hell were on the same wavelength when it came to this book.

"Step out of the water, Percy."

Lyssa hummed softly. She didn't need an open confirmation anymore. Annabeth's question had done the job.

"What's with him and water?" apparently, only Lyssa was on the right path as many students agreed with the question.

…I assumed it would be Zeus…"

"What's she on about?" Steven asked.

Contrarily to his belief, several people simply gasped, realizing who Percy's father might be.

"Is it..?" Cassandra's eyes went wide for a second. It made so much sense, she felt horrified. If all the talks were true, then Percy had brought plenty of trouble.

Demigods rendered silence, not wanting to reveal it just yet.

…A howl ripped through the forest.

Surge of excitement from realization transformed into stifled horror that threatened to burst through their bodies. It was not good. At all!

The campers' cheering died instantly.

Negative reaction from people who knew only raised anxiety of those who didn't.

Paul rushed through the extract, feeling physical pain from having to read about Percy's troubles. Words got slurred together; he barely fought breath between sentences. No one accused him of being too careless about it, for they could see why Paul seemed to struggle. It was his stepson that suffered from an animal attack in the book; it was Percy's description that made it worse.

All released breath only when it was confirmed the beast had gotten killed.

… they're not supposed to…"

Another wave of horror washed over them. They might hold no knowledge about Greeks; they might not know what hellhounds were supposed to be. But they realized how much danger the thing possessed. After all, when you find a monster and Underworld in one sentence then multiple it by Annabeth's fear, you cannot help but see what a horrible mixture it was.

"Someone summoned it,"

"What?!"

All eyes rested on Annabeth, who did not acknowledge any of those.

Percy summoned it!"

Somehow, that was not the end of the book, for book Annabeth decided to fire off her theories. Too distressed from previous events, no one batted an eyelid upon hearing about a mysterious 'sign' that appeared above Percy's head. Only when Annabeth explained it meant his father, did they perk up and regain bits of enthusiasm. That was bound to be interesting.

Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God."

"Yes! I knew it! I knew!"

Lyssa was ecstatic.

Chapter Text

There was something sinister going on.

That's exactly what Paul had come to believe the next morning, having had to deal with an uncharacteristically disassociated Annabeth, no news from Percy, and a worried Sally.

So far, the enthusiasm that kids exuded, had not waned. It had turned more complicated. Some of his colleagues had called it 'overwhelming', and Paul had found himself agreeing wholeheartedly with the sentiment. It had been overwhelming. The weight on his shoulders—and the shoulders of all the staff—had brought them just this close to the edge of their ropes. Paul had to admit that he might have had to drag himself out of bed or debated for a good minute whether to cancel the class—all of them—and demand his well-deserved leave.

Perhaps, he hadn't managed to school his features on time, for he was met with complete silence once he entered the class. (A stack of paper he had stuffed under his arm, had almost dropped on the floor.) Well, not the most morbid greeting he'd had this term, that much was true. Not even the most offensive one—that would be Melinda and Rupert's huffs the morning after that first day. Paul couldn't really blame them. Just as everyone, they were doing their best to adjust to the new worldview and not crack.

(Although, he had a nagging suspicion Rupert had cracked a long time ago if his droning about that one trip to Albuquerque and a woman with snakes on her head was anything to go by.)

None of them knew how to adjust. That was not something taught in children's psychology course. Paul should not be as bewildered to see their conversations in the staff room devolve to an occasional irritated growl and constant complaints about kids having no focus; he had nothing to counter their arguments with and did not feel like engaging in any of the squabbles.

He'd lingered at the entrance a little too long, not inclined to continue with the book. But all and any thoughts to put the book aside had never actually occurred to him. That was a revelation his class caught him processing.

They did not look well.

No one was well, that Lora had realized the moment she halted at the entrance. The illusion had lifted... Maybe. The fog in her head hindered, a lot.

And not just her. Cassandra had stated the same while blinking and frowning. Such a downer. The worst day of the week, a full-on mood shifter.

"I'm not the only one uncomfortable, right?" Nancy from Gym had asked in passing at the lockers. Lora could only nod.

Uncomfortable. Such a peculiar word, it tasted weird in her mouth and sounded funny to her ears. She was uncomfortable. Watching Annabeth move through the hallways, looking ready to face a dragon (dragons did not exist, right?) might have made an impression on everyone; not one soul dared to be in her way. No one spared a glance when she entered the classroom.

Everybody understood. Gods existed, the book was definitely cursed, and the main protagonist suffered a public mental breakdown. All in span of a week.

If it wasn't depressing, then what was?

"So, class…" Mr. Blofis uttered. Kids perked up and focused their attention on the man who appeared to be divided between countless of emotional states and struggled to pick one; his incredulity had transformed into confusion, which had shifted into bemusement. He had settled on uneasiness at last. "Um, Annabeth, could you come here for a moment?"

Morose, though, defiant on the surface, Annabeth moved to the teacher's desk. He placed the book in front of her as though asking her to…what?

"What do you want me–" Annabeth frowned. She made a weird gesture with her fingers that Grover would identify as a very ancient and absolutely forgotten by satyrs’ symbol of harvesting. But Grover was not here, so Annabeth had no chance of knowing.

(Then again, even if she knew, it would change nothing as the gesture was quite useless in modern times; hence, it had gotten erased from the memory of hundreds of generations.)

"Open it," Mr. Blofis said.

No one could tell what was on Annabeth's mind, but it was obviously nothing good. She examined the book, though refused to touch it. They could not really fault her for that. For all they knew, it could explode on her.

A few moments had passed before Annabeth had seemingly overcome her stupor and picked the book up then opened it.

For a second. The book stayed open for roughly a second before shutting back up with a loud thud no one knew books could produce. Noise would have drawn attention of the class if they weren't busy watching her already.

Dead silence was the only thing anyone heard before…

"What was that?!"

Percy was in heaven. No school, no weird looks and stalking. No book. No book!

He hated that book.

Look, he if he had been told straight away what the book was about and why it had to be this way, he might have reluctantly agreed—for the greater good or whatever. But there hadn't been a single peep since the whole ordeal started. Not even once. Not even his father deemed it not beneath him to send a short assurance that it was for greater good. It had to be for a greater good, right? Right?!

Of course it was for greater good! He kinda-sorta-mayhaps placated himself. Kinda-sorta-mayhaps successfully.

Percy glanced around, feeling at peace for the first time since the school started. Come to think of it, he had been stressed out way before the book even appeared in the picture. Percy suppressed a sigh. (He had a strong urge to lie down on the ground, but he didn't trust other campers to leave it at that and not take advantage of his position.) Since the first second in this new universe, Percy's life had been screwing him over. Time and time again. The book was the last straw. Percy stared at the lake. Naiads, having turned annoyed with the lack of attention from Percy, dove in the depth of the lake right when he finally decided to take notice of them. Their loss.

Ever since the news had broken, the camp was in a light state of panic. They had recently ended a second war in year. They had not recovered. They did not know how to work with 'peaceful'! Heck, some parts of the camp were still in ruins because cabins seemed more important. No sense of peace and safety whatsoever!

And here came Percy with some other terrible news. The only reason no one tried to murder him on the spot was the fact Jason had informed Chiron beforehand, so most campers were already aware (how exactly had Annabeth managed to blab out the fact was a mystery; perhaps, he should blame Leo). But the warm welcome never happened, and the safe heaven turned into a disaster.

Again, no one asked Percy.

Footsteps echoed, causing Percy to tense. He listened closely in hope to learn who it might be before he got injured.

"Percy, what are you doing here?" Percy's head snapped in the direction of the voice. He leaped to his feet and rushed toward the girl way before he could recognize her. Piper would be soo unhappy with him breaking her bones, but Percy didn't care. He was simply too relieved to see her. "Shouldn't you be in school?"

Percy pulled away, beaming at her widely and enthusiastically.

"I'm skipping," Percy informed.

Piper stared. The color of her eyes went dark before resuming its initial kaleidoscopic one. Percy did not know what it meant, but he happened to have noticed more than once that when Piper's eye-color calmed, Piper herself was anything but calm. At least, he believed that's what it was. He didn't know.

"Skipping?" she repeated, evidently struggling to understand what 'skipping' even meant and how to work with it. "And Annabeth still hasn't killed you?"

"She was on board with it."

Level of Piper's confusion was reaching new levels. Reasonably so.

Piper had been weirded out before camp and genuinely hoped to recollect herself in the familiar territory. Contrarily to her expectations, she had gotten thrown in a bigger hole of confusion three seconds after arrival.

"She… what?" Piper uttered at last.

"Uh-huh." Piper mentally groaned at that. "She said I needed it."

The corner of his mouth twitched, pushing Piper into more confusion. "But why?"

"The book!"

She shouldn't have asked. Piper already struggled with perceiving reality, for everyone seemed to want to send her conflicting messages and give a strong headache. Hedge, for example. He basically pushed her off the plane the moment they landed, not allowing Piper to regain the sense of orientation and a feeling of herself. Nope, Hedge simply towed her along the road up until they reached the van.

Piper rubbed her temples and heaved a sigh. Percy's pretty strange behavior was the last thing she wanted to deal with at the moment. What the heck was he talking about and why it seemed to affect him so much?

"What book?" she asked, pretty exasperated but still holding it in; somehow. "Annabeth forced you to read some book?"

Percy gaped at her. Literally opened his mouth and froze. Piper could swear that, if he put his hands on his cheeks, he would resemble that 'Scream' face. It didn't calm her down but only brought additional set of questions Piper couldn't wait to find answers to.

Percy didn't appear to give signs of life anymore, so Piper poked him on the shoulder, causing Percy to jolt and blink. No further response came to Piper's dismay. Percy wasn't supposed to drop a weird comment then remain quiet. Why exactly was he keeping the answers from her? Of course, she made another attempt to wake him up but achieved a completely different result: Percy's stare. He half lost the train of the conversation.

But Percy seemed to have regained composure quite fast, thanks the gods.

"Oh, right, you don't know," he snapped his fingers. "Well, gods decided to torture me again and sent a book about me to the school full of mortals."

His voice was calm; Percy himself appeared composed. He was not joking, at all.

Piper's mouth involuntarily fell open.

"They what?!" she shrieked.

Percy was not as candid as Piper would like him to be. In fact, he would rather jump off of a cliff than mention the book, promoting Piper, who wanted to know all the minute detail of his problem, to use a bit of charmspeak on him. Percy was certainly going to murder her once he'd been through with the dreadful story of his life at school. His look seemed more telling than his words could ever be.

Piper didn't care.

Twenty minutes later, Piper marched through the camp, wondering where he might have gone now. He was always in the camp! Why would he disappear right when she needed him?

"Piper, stop!" Percy called after her, hot on her heels. Piper ignored him. She was in the middle of a search that she preferred to finish before midnight.

Percy halted. It was clear Piper had elected to ignore voice of reason and stubbornly continued searching for whatever she was looking for. She managed to scare off a couple of new kids along the way. Two boys scooted away and bumped in the iron box they had been carrying to the training field when Piper ran past them. Piper missed this, too determined to get through the volleyball court and reach her destination.

Once she stopped at the entrance, Piper caught her breath, giving Percy a chance to catch up with her. He didn't ask any questions, even though he wanted to. Did it really matter?

Chiron, apparently having heard them, stepped outside, holding a cup in his hands. Upon seeing Piper, his featured softened, a smile on his lips.

"Piper!" he exclaimed. "It's good to see you here. Have you come for long?"

"The book!"

Percy and Chiron stared at Piper.

Chiron heaved a sigh. "Could you, please, elaborate on your request?"

"I can! What the heck are they doing now?" Piper's voice rose in volume, fueled by anger she experienced. It reverberated through the air, spreading across the field in waves, the next one louder and stronger than all before them. Both Percy and Chiron instantly flinched; though, Piper didn't seem to care about their comfort, determined to deliver the message. "What now? Another apocalypse? War? Maybe aliens finally decided to come and enslave us?! You know, in comparison to the rest, it's not such a bad idea!"

Her voice carried through the camp like a fire caught by wind. Which it was, for someone decided to aid her a little and allow her voice to be heard not only all around the camp but in a mile radius from it. (Those poor mortals were now considering to quit drinking for good.) Not that it was helpful, but the initiator felt proud. They genuinely believed they had done a good job (not).

Campers that happened to present nearby, abandoned their affairs and turned their attention to Piper. Some gaped (those were newcomers that had only heard of her but were yet to see her in person), the ones who knew her stood behind, not willing to wear themselves out just yet.

"Pipe–" Percy began after a while when it came evident no one knew how to respond to her fair queries.

"What?!" her shriek echoed through the field, causing an unfortunate bird to flee with an indignant chirp.

Now everyone stopped. Even those who had been as far as dining pavilion perked up and began searching for the source of a screech that they had been ignoring before.

Percy endured everything, even her death glare. (And they said he'd overreacted!) Having mentally counted to thirty, Percy put a hand on her shoulder.

"If you continue shouting, we'll have to build a second infirmary. We're so out of materials and motivation that by the end of it you'll be the first visitor. Take a deep breath."

Silence dragged for several more seconds as Piper tried to gather the meaning of his words. She managed to do it, luckily.

"N-no, I don't—I-I'm fine," Piper finally responded. Percy exhaled in relief. Too early, as it turned out, for Piper put on an expression of determination and whirled to face Chiron. "But I'm still fairly curious as to why you–or gods, for that matter–still haven't done anything. Isn't it dangerous?"

Campers all around them immediately turned their attention to Chiron. No one had ever explained them much beyond facts. Even those were not enough. Can you consider 'there's a book about us and mortals read it' a good explanation? Neither could they.

Chiron looked sour, but it didn't deter Piper from glowering at him.

"Alas," he said, "I wish I could possess all the answers. Gods were rather reticent on the problem."

Piper stared at him, unable to believe his words. Gods–gods!–turned a blind eye to an actual problem their children had faced! That she could believe. But it did not mean the situation was not serious.

"There was nothing?" she inquired.

Chiron spread his hands. "I'm sorry."

"You sure? Chiron, are you sure they didn't say anything of importance?" Piper asked again, seeing Percy's anxiety kicking in again. He had been quiet thanks to his shock; it was slowly wearing off however, allowing fear take over again. "Anything!"

Chiron fell pensive for a moment. He was watched carefully by a dozen of eyes; kids did want to know the truth, after all.

"Well," Chiron broke the silence, "Hermes did mention some complications…"

Percy's eyes widened.

"And you didn't tell us?!" he yelled, startling Piper and those who stood nearby.

Piper covered her right ear, afraid she would go completely deaf by the end of the day. Then, seeing where it might lead, she stepped in front of Percy, preventing him from attacking Chiron (which he might do).

"Percy, calm down!" she ordered. Percy didn't hear her, still stuck somewhere inside his head and his worries. He kept on staring over her with an empty look; a vein on his temple was pulsating as he was going paler, almost ghoulish yellow. "Calm down," Piper repeated, this time adding a little bit of conviction in her voice. Percy relaxed at once; a vein did not seem as dangerous now. "What complications?"

This was addressed to Chiron.

"They were careful not to disclose anything more," of course, Chiron could not bring any good news. No one was surprised anymore.

Piper suppressed a groan. Why was everything so difficult? Like, really difficult? No one bothered to inform them again, despite it having a direct connection to their well-being! So Olympian gods, if you ask her.

"Guess I know what they're hiding," came in a female voice. Piper and Percy jumped up a little and began looking around.

She came out of thin air. Literally. Well, not so literally; she simply used a bit of magic to stay unnoticed until everything got settled.

"Lou Ellen!" Piper exclaimed. "Don't do this again!"

Lou Ellen ignored her. She gestured to the house as though asking them to come inside. She held a morning paper in her hands but did not say why she did it, sparking up a bit of curiosity.

"Follow me," she ordered. The paper dissolved in the puff of smoke which meant Lou Ellen really needed them to go with her.

Passing through the crowd proved to be both the toughest and easiest task of all. Children stepped to the sides the second furious Piper and dumbfounded but equally disgruntled Percy sent a glance their way.

Lou Ellen walked fast, and though hurrying to present whatever she had stored for them, pumping the two enough to accelerate as well. They did want to know.

Once inside, Lou Ellen did not stop until she reached the ping-pong table. Percy and Piper exchanged glances then followed her, Chiron right after them. Lou Ellen had already jumped up on the table and was swinging her legs impatiently and could barely conceal her contentment when they finally encircled her.

"Lou–" Chiron began but got caught off by her hand. He chuckled. "I wanted to know where you found the morning paper."

"Hermes' kids," came in a response. She pointed a finger to her lips then put the paper on the table next to her. To allow them to see it, she descended back on the floor and moved to the side. "I guess I know what they're doing," she repeated. "Read."

All three exchanged looks then flocked above the table, eager to see what made her so conscious. It must be something extraordinary if she put so much effort in acquiring the newspaper.

It would've been better if they never laid their eyes on the damned thing.

Why? Oh, it only confirmed they were screwed.

There, on the first page, in huge, bold font, was, 'MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCES ALL ACROSS THE NATION. ARE ALIENS COMING?'

Chapter Text

"It was this creature—I don't even know what it is, but Chiron looked grim; anyway, they saw him, Annabeth. They saw him—it… What is it even? How should I address—never mind," she knew she looked disgruntled, so an apologetic smile was not a surprise. Annabeth's features softened a little.

"So they saw a monster," she prompted.

Percy's grimaced, which with all the IM distortion looked a little bit funny. "I s'pose so. Can it happen?"

"Two months ago I wouldn't've believed I'd never do everything we've done…" she faltered, as air left her lungs. Percy instantly jolted and leaned forward only to sit back, defeated and disheartened.

"This is so unfair," he complained.

Annabeth's eyes instantly fixed on his image, as she took in his expression. And got stuck on examining his features; it might have allowed her mind to wander a little and placated her, she was not going to lie. With his brows knit tightly and pouting, Percy appeared his softest self, and that was the exact reassurance she needed.

"I'm all right," she exhaled.

"You're not."

There was too much conviction in his voice; that alone had made her blood boil. (Just a little; she could never be mad at him for long.)

"Percy."

"I know this look. I know when you're lying," he objected; his eyes flashed with red as he stared somewhere into the distance. "I'm worried, Wise Girl."

"I'm okay," she repeated with more force.

For a few unbearably long seconds, he said nothing. Then rubbed his face down in a I'm-so-done-with-this-why-are-we-still-doing-it manner that Annabeth was in total agreement with.

"Okay," he breathed out. "Okay. We're good. Everything's good. It'll be—no, I'm not jinxing myself."

His expression, even in the wavering image of an IM message could not be described as anything but terrifyingly hurt. Annabeth couldn't bring herself to disagree. Time after time, they ended up in the same exact trouble, all because they dared to believe it would be okay, the future would be secured, and they might finally focus on fixing their lives.

But when was everything so easy?

They were back to a survival mode.

"The monster," she uttered tentatively. Percy's look darkened, but was more like a trick of the light, albeit non-existent.

"Yeah, monsters," he nodded. "I—what?"

His voice had gone from relatively tired to murderous, as he stared down at something in front of him. There was indistinct mumble in the distance; some familiar voice that Annabeth did not bother to place it in her mind.

Percy's expression had morphed into bemused then back into tired, and he nodded.

She had to be truthful; she had not expected to see Piper. Disheveled, breathless, and fairly worried Piper.

"You okay?" she asked, tapping her fingers on a button on her dark-gray jacket. Annabeth nodded curtly, ignoring prickling in her fingers and an urge to start pulling her hair out. "Did Percy—" she sized him up thoughtfully. "No; of course, not. I won't ask—Anyway, I believe you have to know that—"

Her image froze: Piper, standing in front of the IM, fingers on her jacket, her head turned to a Percy, who sat back with a blank expression. That was also not expected: They'd run out of time.

The IM image flickered and became more transparent.

"Please deposit one drachma for another five minutes," came in a female voice.

Annabeth threw another coin in the specifically Leo-made magically refilled-with-water fountain (while refusing to look into reasons of it having been made at all). Instantly, the image had come to life. Piper had returned to watching the IM, but Percy next to her seemed to have gone even more done with the world and now was mesmerizing the wall with an empty look. Annabeth was certain that's exactly what she would see in the mirror.

"–screwed," Piper finished. Then blinked, confused. "The connection ended, didn't it?"

Annabeth pursed her lips. "You were saying?"

"That description in the newspaper, it didn't look right," Piper said. "And, uh, I don't know—well—I IM'd Reyna. I mean I wanted to IM Hazel, but she's busy, so… Reyna."

Now morose, Piper was picking on her nails and refusing to look at any of them.

Percy eyed her in concern then glanced at Annabeth, who shrugged. He slumped back on the seat and stared at Piper pensively, though, as Annabeth figured, disinclined to act on any impulses of his.

"Pipes?"

She started, suddenly flustered. Percy raised his eyebrows. "I, uh, I might have had an argument with… Reyna. And the Senate. And they've noticed weird occurrences—"

"Occurrences?" Percy whispered incredulously.

"Yeah, a few. I guess," Piper scratched her head in, what appeared, unconscious movement. "I think—I think they did not know it had gotten to the mortals. They've hardly left the camp, and their borders aren't really magical like ours, and I—"

"They've had attacks in camp," Annabeth said. Piper didn't say a word. She didn't even move. "Why did you fight with the Senate?"

"I might've called them self-absorbed assholes and suggested they ate their rules."

Percy snorted involuntarily and covered his eyes. Annabeth placed her head on her palm.

"We're not having another war, are we?"

"Reyna and Frank conceded that whatever it is, it's more important. Frank resolved to ask Hazel. Said it looked strangely similar to what Hecate might do—from Hazel's stories."

"Oh, Gods, I hope we're not dealing with Hecate!" Percy groaned.

Annabeth could only acquiesce.

They truly hoped they were wrong. If Hecate—any god, honestly—also had a hand in this mess, then there was no way out of it. Gods had shown time and time again just how insensitive they were to their kids' struggles; and how much they enjoyed flaunting their power and their hold over everyone.

There would be no safe way out. At best, gods would sneer and remind of their infinite generosity in having not exterminating anyone yet; at worst, they'd curse you into the next millennia.

Whatever games Hecate played—

"What if it's not Trivia" Jason inquired.

They sat at the farthest table; the one out of the way and in the corner to prevent all and any interference. Others had seemingly received the message without much problem, for except a few side-looks, scoffs, and pointed fingers; there was not much activity from them.

Any other day, it would've allowed them some solace. Not today. Not after everything they'd heard and seen. Not this year even.

Annabeth heaved a deep breath but did not respond. She sat, hunched on her seat, drumming on the table. The hubbub in the background had toned down, turning up the whirlwind of thoughts instead. Annabeth blinked and glanced at Leo. Leo's expression remained unreadable, yet it was obvious by the way he twirled a pencil just how much this whole situation unnerved him.

"Yeah, we're having a mass hallucination, totally," Leo grumbled at last. "Since when do gods care?"

They stayed silent.

"At least, Percy took the news about the book well, right?" Jason inquired tentatively.

Annabeth instantly paled, sickeningly white. Her fingers pressed against the tabletop; a clear answer.

"C'mon, Chase! It wasn't that hard!" Leo groaned.

"He went straight for the monsters from the newspaper, what was I supposed to do?" she spat out, leveling him with a look.

"Dunno, tell him?" Leo shrugged. He slumped on the chair, struggling with a crushing wave of irritation. "You know he'll be dead angry when he learns this stupid book is somehow hung up on him. I'd be mad."

She could not argue with this one, and it was killing her from inside. It was bad enough to hear about herself even from Percy's point of view. What would she do if they read her thoughts? How did Percy do it? He was too calm about everything. About the book. The gods. The whole 'monsters appear in front of mortals' thing.

How?

"This dude unnerves me," Leo said suddenly. Annabeth looked up.

Leo's head was turned toward a table not far from theirs. There sat a group of people that Annabeth faintly recalled having seen before. They must have shared some classes. Perhaps. The stress of the book overwhelmed them all too much for other, less alarming stuff to hold their attention.

Those people were watching them. A boy—a faint image of Physics class flickered before her—had his eyes trained on them. He was fully aware of their presence and dreading them.

Annabeth frowned. "He unnerves you? He? Are we seeing the same person?"

"Hey, he's been looking at me funny the whole day!" Leo objected, his voice slightly hysterical. "I'll look at you when they stare at you so much."

"They do," Jason whispered.

Leo glared at him, though with no real heat. Jason leaned to the left and jolted, crossing his arms that, as Annabeth could swear she'd noticed, trembled slightly. As well as Leo's—together with his voice quiver, for that matter.

She wasn't ready for that.

"Anyway," she said loudly to catch their attention. "Any ideas?"

They had none.

So it went by. Paul made a slight turn toward their usual plan, kids complained for three days straight, and no one was happy. Mortals for not being able to read more; demigods for getting pressured over this.

"Finally!" Leo shouted when their van stopped at the entrance of the camp.

He didn't say more, leaping out of the car and rushing in the general direction of Calypso. Jason and Annabeth exchanged a look and followed him.

That was going to be a very long weekend.

That could not be natural. Paul examining the book like it was a curious contraption as though the previous few days had not happened, all these people vibrating with excitement, the few teachers that had dared to look at them on their own volition; none felt natural. None could be natural.

Annabeth found herself balling her fists in futile attempts to regain some semblance of tranquility, and exhaled loudly, which instantly caught Percy's attention.

"Are you okay?" he muttered.

Annabeth could only nod stiffly, unsure of her own self-control.

Instead, she leaned forward and tapped Jason on the shoulder. Jason jolted up straight and stared at her with his mouth slightly agape. (Annabeth had to fight the urge to analyze this one.) Jason paled as well and looked like he'd seen something horrifying. His eyes kept on flickering toward Percy as though he battled the urge to ask him something.

Annabeth knew exactly what.

"Hey, need help?"

Help. He was certainly in dire need of assistance and Annabeth in dire need of a distraction. A binder with all the blueprints was buried deep in her backpack, flashing nauseating gray every time she had to pull something out. Her heart would jump into her throat then sink down in her stomach, evoked by the same whirlwind of thoughts: What if they did not appreciate her having put the blueprints aside? What if they'd strip her off her responsibilities? What if they'd incinerate her?

The pure terror of a possibility to lose such a job, the biggest task she'd ever been offered to complete, had sent Annabeth's mind reeling, as she attempted to even out her breathing and her pounding heart and was that sweat rolling down her neck?

With a low, wheezy breath, Annabeth slumped on the seat and closed her eyes shut.

She needed time to think.

They were supposed to be thinking. Probably. Not required. Was that even in the cards? The book! It was here, and they would be reading it right now. Today. In a few seconds.

The bubbling exhilaration, a puppy-like enthusiasm might have thrown Paul off if he actually stopped to ponder over the children's behavior. He didn't, infused with the same amount of enthusiasm.

He didn't think twice.

I'M OFFERED A QUEST

Silence was so loud; any kind of disturbance would have broken it. And it was when Percy cursed under his breath and banged his head on the desk softly.

What was worse none bothered to check up on him; not even Paul.

The next morning, Chiron moved me to cabin three.

Several hands rose immediately; every single person deeply confused. Almost a week of deprivation caused their memory to erase a couple of moments, like what the heck cabin three meant and why it was such a big deal.

"What's cabin three?" someone asked, not bothering to follow the pattern to save time.

"Poseidon," Annabeth said while Percy banged his head on the desk once again. Annabeth's eyes momentary lingered on him, then she heaved a breath.

"Ahh…" rang through the class.

I didn't have to share with anybody.

"Wow, that must be nice," Leo mused out loud.

He, just like Jason, was eyeing both Percy and Annabeth uneasily. Leo raised his eyebrows and tipped his chin toward Annabeth as though asking what had come over her, but Jason obviously had no clue; that was evident: his eye had been twitching non-stop the past hour. (Leo could sympathize. With how fast things were spiraling out of control, they'd have to charge at Olympus sooner rather than never.)

"Hardly," Percy responded in a dead voice, to which Annabeth started and turned motionless.

Not that anyone actually took notice.

…and not listen to anybody else.

"That is cool!"

Several heads snapped in the direction of an unfortunately boy who dared say it. He immediately shrunk into himself, not liking all the attention.

"You kiddin'?" Peter asked despite himself, disbelief coloring his voice. "That is so boring; it's almost like being an only child trapped inside your own house without a chance to break out!"

Now all the eyes rested on him, some bearing a gleam of curiosity in them, including befuddled Jason and Leo, both of whom exchanged a look. Peter saw all of them, of course; he had decided not to deign these people with any kind of explanation.

Paul cleared his throat, too enthused and delighted to care about quite a few quizzical looks and angry whispers. He ignored Leo mouth 'what the fuck?' over and over again.

…I had some rare disease.

Annabeth involuntarily rubbed her neck, distracted for a moment. She had seen other campers being hesitant toward Percy, she had heard them commenting on his appearing on the camp ground at the worst possible time. No one was happy. They were terrified. After all, the last child of the Big Three had gotten herself murdered five feet from the camp's entrance. With Percy having made it as far as he'd done, they felt like the prospect of the prophecy coming true was looming over their heads, pushing everyone toward the edge.

That was a good thing, she decided, that Percy had never been power-hungry.

Jason and Leo didn't bother with rhetoric. They were too busy staring at Percy in wonder. That the Big Three happened to be more dangerous and generally scarier being, both knew fairly well. Both had gone through exile of sorts and knew what it felt like to be unable to fit in. Jason had a whole Fifth Cohort behind him––and epitome of an outcast within the group of outcasts; Leo had lived through the death of his mother, countless of foster homes, and personal physical difference. He was small and scrawny and, therefore, a big victim of bullying. Yeah, they could assist to what mistreatment felt like. Sympathize even.

"That sucks," someone commented, effectively breaking the silence.

…had always been considered safe.

"That sucks," Lora gestured in the general direction of the book.

"That would've been weird if it didn't," Mike chuckled. At her questioning look he decided to elaborate. "Imagine ter––some very, very bad people invade your highly protected house. They not only destroy everything but also go on a murder spree just because that's what they always do. I'd be mad if no one cared."

Lora sized him up then shot a glance toward Lyssa who was too busy shaking her head in exasperation then returned to Mike. He sent her a small smile to which Lora rubbed her forehead.

"You're hopeless," she concluded. "Please, keep an eye on him before he goes ballistic with his weird-ass made-up situations."

Lyssa let out a loud giggle. She certainly would.

…as much as possible.

"Ouch," Mike winced, "you're a bunch of bullies, aren't you?"

They were listening, weren't they? They must have; he saw Leo and Jason go rigid at the insinuation and—did he imagine it?—glower at a hunched Annabeth with pure hurt(?).

Percy was still overall non-reactive, swinging from side to side with his forehead still pressed to the desk. Annabeth was staring at him, not blinking. Then, as though Mike's comment had been processed, she jerked up and glared at him.

"Hey you–" Annabeth was full-on ready to shower him with plethora of counterarguments, but a small part of her mind managed to capture her attention for long enough to realize it was the truth. Many had used the incident to insult Percy or show him just how much they did not want him around. Annabeth had almost engaged herself in a verbal fight with one of Apollo's kids because of that. "You're right."

Mike gaped at her. Annabeth offered him a small smile then turned back to the blueprints. There were too many blueprints, and her resolution to follow through with her offer was under a little too much pressure.

"Alright… ahem, Mr. Blofis?"

…my lessons with Luke became one-on-one.

Still stunned Mike missed a great opportunity to grumble about how insanely pathetic they all acted. After all, almost everyone but Luke acted like a jerk to Percy, pretending he had some kind of an extremely contagious rare disease: they ignored him, weren't involved enough with him, and so much more.

But it had nothing against the New York Daily News accident.

BOY AND MOTHER STILL MISSING AFTER FREAK CAR ACCIDENT

The more Paul read the damned article, the more in synch he was with Percy's emotions. He was not the only one as several students shot Percy sympathetic looks while others did their best to rein in their own fury. Whoever was responsible for this, knew what they were doing. They knew Percy's weak spot.

It turned even worse when they reached the part about Gabe. Paul's grip tightened. That was the only sign of distress he allowed himself to display. Granted, keeping his expression blank and his voice calm was difficult, but he was a teacher and could not afford to show his true feelings.

Percy was in no better condition. He rounded his fists under the desk and began mentally counting to ten, slowing down after each round. It became harder, for his anger threatened to leak through. Thirty seconds later–duration of one whole paragraph–was enough to feel fed up. Therefore, Percy attempted to tune out and concentrate his thoughts on something more important. Like his future sister. Yeah, that was an amazing, absolutely calming thought. It even made him a little happier. If only he could prolong the moment…

Annabeth watched Percy with badly concealed worry. She had witnessed just how despicable the man was; she heard him announce Percy as the #1 criminal, the boy responsible for the disappearance of his wife and destruction of his damned car… Basically, Annabeth tried her best to stay calm as well at the unfairness of it all simultaneously keeping an eye on Percy in case he'd have a breakdown. (She wasn't secure in her beliefs anymore.)

Finally the article ended. Paul heaved a sigh of relief in attempt to calm himself down and gather his thoughts. No one pointed it out, too preoccupied with battling varying levels of anger.

Most were outraged at the fact someone had done something as vile as underlining the phone number in attempt to, clearly, get to Percy.

"How–that's despicable!" Sarah finally said. "How can someone rub it in your face like that?"

"So you're completely unbothered by the article?" Mike wondered.

She turned to Mike and gave him a dirty look, effectively stating that, no, she was anything but unbothered by the article.

"I'm pretty sure she is," Jenna noted. "The article is awful. I don't know who wrote it but they did hint at Percy being to blame. That's weird."

"Why, though?" attention shifted on Kylie who rolled her eyes, irritated by the look of surprise everyone wore every time she said something. Yes, she did follow the book and, frankly speaking, found Percy quite amusing and, well, fascinating. She would attempt to get closer to him if it weren't for that scary blond girl he always hung out with. God knows, Kylie did not develop self-harming tendencies. "We don't know what exactly happened; it was never in the book."

Hardly anyone would like to admit this, but they were in full agreement with her. The book did not show any inkling to Percy being responsible for the mess that was written in the article, but it did not mean they had to trust it, or believe he hadn't had a hand in it. Critical thinking was required when it came to things like this book, filled with mythical creatures.

"Hey! I did not destroy the car nor did I cause my mom to disappear!" every head spun toward Percy. He sat straight, a gleam of anger in his eyes. "The article was a complete bull––"

"He wanted to say it was the Min–you–know," Annabeth interfered before Percy could rile himself up to the point where he would cause a water-driven mayhem and finally get kicked out of the school. "Monsters have no regard to mortal inventions. They would break everything in their way to get to us."

She motioned Paul to continue before anyone could digest her words and begin asking questions.

That night, I had my worst dream yet.

"Another one?" Jason wondered. He himself had a fair share of dreams, but not as often as Percy seemed to. How much time passed? A week? Two?

"I tend to get lots of those," Percy shrugged. Ever since he'd returned to the world from the lands of his desk, Percy weighed all the possibilities and was forced to admit staying alerted was the best one. He needed to offer a proper and timely reaction to all the comments they were leaving.

"Dude, I so not envy you," Leo commented. Demigod dreams suck. That's all he had to say on the issue.

Obviously, after such an epic exchange, not one student was left indifferent to the problem at hand. (As if they'd ever been before.)

…I had to stop them.

Jason turned to his friend in mute shock. He would be stupid to not see those were his father and uncle. He could also tell just how dangerous Percy's urge to interfere was. For Percy's life. (Of course, Percy didn't even bother to care.)

I didn't know why.

"Typical," Annabeth chuckled. To that, Percy reacted by sending her a mock-angry look to which she snorted. Some things just never changed, and that was the small blessing they all needed.

"May I ask?" Lyssa raised her voice to catch their attention. Both looked at her expectantly, no shade of previous discomfiture. "These are gods, right?" they nodded, which had just sent a little ping to her freakoutmometer. "And you want to interfere in their quarrel again, right?" another nod. "And you tell me that's not the first time which basically means Percy, at some point, interfered in their quarrel."

Annabeth and Percy exchanged a glance then nodded.

"Those were necessities," Annabeth elaborated as though it explained everything.

Lyssa stared at her. Half the class offered her support by following in her lead and goggling at them. When ten seconds had passed and it became evident no one would move, Paul cleared his throat and proceeded with the reading.

That felt like a petty fight between two babies, really, until…

…it turned my blood to ice.

Kids froze up in terror. The delight forgotten as well as amusement. This book was truly a rollercoaster; a special kind of evil that should be used as means of torture in prison. It surely was a successful endeavor of whoever had created the devious thing.

Back to the voice. Whatever they heard, it could not be anything good. Several especially brave ones went as far as shot a glance at the demigods…only to feel horror washing over them. They had their full attention on the book, having abandoned whatever they'd been doing before, which was a clear indication of the importance of this particular part. Their faces were white as sheet. (Except Leo who couldn't tell who it might be; he had been too busy fighting for his life in another of foster homes to care.)

"Do we–do we want to know who it might be?" Sarah asked, trying her best not to stutter.

Silence was her answer.

…Come down!

"He called you back then?" Jason asked despite himself. Percy only nodded grimly. "Dude, I'm so sorry."

"Don't I know?"

…and darkness swallowed me.

Percy visibly flinched. Annabeth unconsciously grabbed his shoulder, wanting assurance he was here.

Paul cleared his throat to return attention to him and spare Percy from an avalanche of unwanted questions. Whatever happened there had scarred and still haunted them, despite an attempt to put on a brave face.

I woke up, sure I was falling.

Annabeth's grip tightened. Had she been conscious enough, she would have realized her nails had sunk into the fabric.

Falling. She was falling. An endless plunge to death. The one they were not supposed to have survived. They were not supposed to be up there, at the Doors of Death. They were not supposed to have made it out alive. To listen to this book. This book. Why was she eager to listen to this gods-forsaken book?! Hadn't she had enough? Hadn't they had enough? Couldn't they have second of peace anymore?!

Percy jolted under her grip, getting her full attention. He was deathly pale, his eyes dead.

She couldn't afford to look away anymore.

…I hadn't dreamed that.

"So…" Jason turned back only to see his friends' excruciatingly terrified faces. "Well… I'll figure it out myself. Um, could you..?"

Paul nodded and began reading while Jason elbowed Leo and in whispers asked him to get something metallic. Preferably something that would not cause a disaster afterward. He was going to shock them out of their trance.

…Mr. D wants to see you."

"What now?" Mike asked loudly and glanced in Percy's direction.

He received no reaction, but got to be a witness of an extremely bizarre scene: Jason was slowly placing something small on Percy's arm. To show how concentrated he really was, Jason stuck the tip of his tongue out. Leo was watching his attempts with unusual stillness as though afraid to distract him and ruin the whole process—whatever the hell it was that they were doing.

Apparently, their mission was an important one. Hence, Mike only turned away and glared at Steven who'd already opened his mouth to ask that stupid question. Unfortunately, it didn't work as Steven's concentration did not break to others dismay.

"Hey, whatcha doin'?"

Jason's hand twitched. The thing fell out and landed on the desk with a loud clank as though someone had just banged on the pan's bottom. Jason's eye twitched.

"What have you given me?" he hissed at Leo, who shrugged.

"Dude, you asked something metal; I gave you something metal," he replied, seemingly unconcerned with whatever issue Jason was having with him.

Mike exchanged a quick look with Lyssa, who lifted her eyebrow—her way of saying she had no clue and wouldn't bother to deal with it right now. Fair.

"What exactly it was?" Jason repeated with more steel in his voice.

Somehow, that was enough to perplex Leo, as he shifted away from an unusually stern and, let's be honest, combat-ready Jason. Like a wolf, concentrated on his prey.

"Well, it's a detail from that one prototype I was supposed to finish but it went ka-boom."

Leo made an explosion gesture with his hands and stared expectantly at Jason, who sighed, suddenly defeated and bereft of any emotions.

"Do you have a coin?" Leo eyed him for three whole seconds before reaching his toolbelt and pulling out some huge silver coin. "Let's hope it works," Jason turned to the class. "Can you… just continue without us."

Paul cleared his throat. As students returned their attention back to Paul, Steven's neighbor smacked him across the head. No one told him why.

(It was hard to get their minds on track, however.)

(They'd managed, though.)

…I'd better let him tell you."

"He's has… positive thinking," Jenna blinked. She was about to turn to ask Percy about it but remembered he was in a weird trance and his friend seemed to torture him. Definitely not the time to interfere with questions.

…it was a crime for me just to be alive.

Lyssa's mouth fell open. "Is that… they wouldn't punish you for being alive, would they?"

A sudden rumble of thunder did not make it easier for her to believe, for it did not sound reassuring; contrarily, the amalgamation of disdain, ire and, it felt, condemnation proved the validity of her skepticism. Perhaps, she was too naive for the Miss-I-Hate-All-Demigods.

Of course, if she interpreted the signs correctly.

That was the moment when something bright flickered through the room and almost made the whole system reboot. Lamps went dark for a moment before restoring the light. A loud angry yelp broke the silence. Jason had finally managed his feat.

"Bro, why? What did I do to you?" Percy complained, rubbing his arm. Annabeth next to him was shifting uncomfortably, fighting off myriads of ants that were running through her body.

"How else would I wake you up?" Jason asked reasonably.

"You could've called my name!" at Jason's look of disbelief he huffed. "Or shake me or kick or–"

"Shock you," Jason supplied with a small smile. Apparently, his shock therapy worked better than he thought: Percy had not only woken up, he also restored bits of his composure and dived out of brooding.

"Or shock—" Percy agreed then realization hit him. "Hey! That's not what I meant!"

"Just say 'thank you, Jason' and move on."

"Thank you, Jason," Percy repeated sarcastically. Next, he turned to Annabeth who seemed to have gotten rid of all uncomfortable sensations thank to Jason's inability to choose normal ways to wake someone up. "See, he gave me a burn. A burn! Do you know how long it'll take to heal?"

Leo pulled out a bottle of water he had taken with him this morning and poured half of it on Percy's arm. They wound disappeared within seconds.

"All done," he announced.

Percy stared at his arm in shock. "Hey, I didn't ask you–"

"Thank you, Leo," Leo said with a slight bow.

"I hate you!"

"That'll do."

At least, Percy returned to himself.

"Um, sir…"

Paul rushed to read, afraid these four would turn his class into a battlefield in the name of Percy's burned arm.

…Mr. D was ready to deliver their verdict.

"They did?" Lyssa wondered, seeing that Percy was out of his daze and, theoretically, available to talk.

Percy however, proved her wrong by, firstly, frowning at the sound of her voice; secondly, begging to search for the source of sudden disturbance, and, thirdly, giving her a confused look when he realized it was Lyssa.

Lyssa could only shake her head in silent exasperation.

…I asked Grover if we needed an umbrella.

"He was very upset," Annabeth commented. Percy's eyes found her, to which Annabeth only shook her head and placed it on his shoulder.

"No," he said. "It never rains here unless we want it to."

"Okay, this is cool," Cassandra said.

"Absolutely!" Steven exclaimed. "Imagine if we could do that? So much fuuun!"

His neighbor put her face in her hands, too embarrassed by this.

…Bad weather always does."

"Grover being optimistic is something I've never thought I'd see."

"But he was right: bad weather barely ever reached us."

Leo and Annabeth exchanged a look then Leo nodded, accepting her argument. In fact, he never really saw storms or raining in the camp. Even when gods had gone insane, weather had always been good.

…kept their eyes on the storm.

"So, I guess it really is something unusual."

"You have no idea."

…two sets of cards hovering in the air.

"Um… okay, one is Annabeth, I can see that… but who's the other one?" Lyssa frowned.

Annabeth perked up and stared at the girl in shock. Had she heard it correctly?

"Why do you think I was there?"

Lyssa turned to her and offered a small, quite offensive if you ask Annabeth, smile. "The chapter's title is 'I'm offered a quest' which means Percy will go on a quest. I doubt he'll go by himself, therefore, someone else must have gone with him. We've got several options, but I bet on Grover, who Percy invited himself, and you."

In response, Annabeth just stared at her before returning—more like diving headfirst, almost literally—to the papers she had spread out in front of her. To Lyssa's—and everybody's, really—shock, Percy followed her; as well as Jason, who'd chosen this moment to pick up on of the papers from Annabeth's desk and stare at them pensively. (Leo hadn't even listened to them.)

Not that it deterred anyone from hanging on every word or throwing curious glances their way. Quite the opposite. The influx of all positive emotions was hard to miss and even harder to battle.

…"Our little celebrity."

"Does he have to be a douche all the time?"

Sarah ignored the thunder that was roaring outside. She would not change her mind just because some cloud got offended. (Oh, they're getting bolder.)

I waited.

"At least, you kept your cool," Cassandra noted.

"That's a wonder," Leo chuckled, perhaps, a little too loud and enthusiastic, for a good two-thirds of kids shuddered. Or they simply were too confident he didn't listen—their loss. Leo couldn't care less. "All the times I've seen him, Percy did everything in his power to win a one-way ticket to the Underworld."

"Hey, I didn't!" Percy's outrage looked so genuine that Jason cracked up along with Leo. Neither could believe he actually thought he wasn't fighting for a chance to end up in the Elysium as soon as he could manage. "Stop laughing! Everything I did was done out of–"

"Sheer desire to get as irritating as you can," Leo finished for him. "We know, man. Apollo's cabin has a list of injuries you may receive for being an annoying–"

"They have what?"

At the sound of his voice Annabeth started and began looking around as though not quite comprehending where she was and why. When her eyes rested on Percy, she heaved a heavy sigh.

"What did you do to him again?"

It might have been addressed to Jason and Leo; it might have been addressed to the rest as well. It was hard to tell, because Annabeth did not look at anybody but appeared so done they didn't dare to actually clarify.

All but Percy, of course.

"They say I purposefully annoy gods!" he complained, loud and clear and leaving no doubts of what he felt about all of that exactly.

Annabeth sized him up; her look softened a little. "But, Percy, you do."

Everyone held their breaths, even Paul, in anticipation.

Percy didn't really disappoint when he sputtered and stared at her, unblinking. A few long, excruciatingly painful moments later, he finally spoke up: "Not you too! I thought––"

Annabeth covered his mouth and gestured Paul to read.

"Are we sure this book is not a ruse and he's actually a powerful son of a Greek god?" someone asked. They never got a response, but several people nodded in agreement. There was no way someone as childish as Percy could be that cool of a hero. It was extremely unrealistic.

…to keep you little brats safe from harm."

"He is…" several students shook their heads.

"You know what, I don't wanna meet him anymore," Steven said. "No way will I let anyone set me on fire. Nope, never!"

He began shaking his head vigorously as though trying to emphasize just how undesirable this outcome might be. Not that anyone felt disgruntled.

"Spontaneous combustion is a form of harm, Mr. D," Chiron put in.

"At least, someone sane in this mayhem!"

…sending you back to your father."

"That's where…" Jason made a weird gesture with his hand. Percy nodded. Neither said anything else, sending a wave of discontentment through the class.

…And Perseus Jackson,

"So he does know your names!" Sarah exclaimed in exasperation.

Somehow, realizing that he indeed knew their names left a bitter taste in her mouth. That was not right; simple as that.

If only these four shared her despondency! But nope, they looked as unperturbed as they possibly could in this class; the calmest anyone had ever seen them, actually.

"We never said he didn't," Annabeth noted absent-mindedly. She hadn't even looked up from her papers, which was plain rude.

"We just pointed out how he likes to be irritating by getting our names wrong," Percy added. He, however, did deign Lora with a smile. Or whatever that lopsided grimace was supposed to be.

…Chiron feels you must do."

"And he's trying to be all protective as well. Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?" Cassandra groaned.

Sarah patted her on the back "He's a god, stuck with a bunch of kids for a century; he can't drink so he's grumpy and unhappy. I'd suggest not paying him much attention."

…A security pass.

"They need security passes to get to Olympus?"

"Dude, that's what surprises you?"

He snapped his fingers…

"And he still needs a pass?"

"Seriously, why are you so surprised by a pass? It's a pass!"

"What did you make of the hellhound?"

"Terrifying."

"Bad."

"It'll definitely kill you on sight."

"Fascinating!" all eyes rested on Kylie who shrugged. She was not going to explain it to them.

…made me shudder.

"I feel you, man."

…I eat hellhounds for breakfast.

"No one would've expected it from you," Jason muttered under his breath.

That was what was expected from the Roman. From him. Yet, Jason was not sure how he would have reacted, had he been in Percy's place.

Not well.

…before you're done."

"Done with what exactly?" Levi frowned.

"Quest," Lyssa chuckled. "We're reading about how Percy gets a quest," she ignored a dirty look Levi sent her, instead focusing on the demigods––still the best source to ever exist. "Is he always so… uplifting?"

Did she expect to catch their attention? No, not really. Therefore, it was a big, pleasant surprise to hear them let out mirthful laughs.

"Absolutely," Leo nodded.

"He never knows how to start an important conversation," Annabeth added.

Did they expect any answer, let alone… this? Definitely not.

"He's trained, um, he's been around for… never mind," Lyssa took a deep breath. For some reason, she still struggled to wrap her head around all this; things just didn't want to get settled in there. "And you tell me he hasn't learned to talk?"

"His first words to me were 'you should be dead'," Jason blurted out. All eyes turned to him, Lyssa's mouth fell open in shock.

She wasn't the only one.

"Dude, what?" Percy gaped at his words.

"Percy, you know my parents," Percy slowly nodded when it hit him. "See why?"

"We're best bros for a reason!" a huge smile appeared on Percy's face. Annabeth next to him slapped her forehead while Jason stated at him incredulously.

…"Well, that's the hard part, the details."

"At least, you asked for details."

No one asked for those details, of course. And the more they heard, the more confused everyone became. The only people who didn't share their sentiments were Jason and Leo. Both tried to understand how Zeus managed to turn it into a blame-party and basically start a war. Talk about overreaction.

"So, let me get this straight," Lyssa spun on her seat the moment Paul read out all the 'details'.

As one, all four stared at her; all in different states of ready. Leo was fidgeting slightly on his seat, but obviously the least busy one; Jason had his attention divided between the papers and Lyssa—he couldn't quite decide where to look. Percy had an unreadable expression on his face and was rumpling a piece of paper in his hands, fully ignoring quick glances Annabeth threw at him every other second. She definitely appeared the best target.

"Someone stole his lightning bolt," Lyssa continued.

Thunder rumbled outside, quite unexpected, too. Lyssa, however, pointed to the window and nodded as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"He agrees with you," Cassandra noted, watching the sky with concern. That was so damn weird to realize some ancient being was eavesdropping.

"Instead of starting an investigation, he blamed Poseidon," thunder appeared offended which, some figured, meant Poseidon was there too. Percy groaned loudly at that. He simply could not believe his father would willingly participate in the torture party of the century. "Then he blamed Percy just because and, if it ever came to it, would murder him on the spot. Is everything correct?"

"Uh-huh…"

"So they bullied Percy into accepting this quest, so he lives through another of Zeus' paranoid periods, because no one felt the need to investigate, preferring to blindly fight."

Demigods stared at her. Then Leo whistled. "Wow, she summed it all up nicely!"

Thunder this time was accompanied by the net of lightning.

"I hope they won't kill her," Annabeth whispered to Percy who was getting worried about Lyssa as well. Times might have changed but the gods didn't. They would still light you up out of spite. They did everything out of spite.

...ITHAKA, CIRCE'S ISLE,

Percy visibly flinched but, luckily, no one noticed it or he would have to, once again, fight off unwanted questions he didn't want to give answers to.

and LAND OF THE AMAZONS.

"Wait, they're real?"

"Absolutely," confidence in Percy's voice brought some questions to the forefront.

Naturally, they were meant to be voiced.

"How do you know?" Mike asked.

"I met them."

Silence descended on the room as everyone tried to take in such a simple and, what was more important, rapid and honest response.

And not even a hint of mockery.

…memento of all: a mummy.

"A what?" Sarah gaped. She was not the only one, for every sane person in this room (read everyone bar demigods and, perhaps, Lyssa who was bouncing on the seat vacillating between excitement at the prospect of hearing about the Oracle and confusion as to why it was so…old) sat in complete shock. They might have come around certain revelations (maybe Percy was not so bad) but every once in a while their brains gave out. There was literally nothing to keep them from experiencing shock in full force.

"A mummy," Mike repeated with a chuckle. To his credit, Mike did not give out his concern, even if he was repeating the word frantically inside his head in hope of it to turn into a joke, so he would not have to expand his mind more to accustom to a new reality. "Haven't you heard?"

"I heard quite fine, Moran," she hissed. Astonishment got replaced by sheer irritation in the blink of an eye.

"Then why are you asking?"

Sarah's hands froze in a quite compromising position for a second as she took to contemplate whether the judge would pardon her for a murder if she confessed just how much Mike annoyed her. When it became obvious that, no, that would not happen for whatever reason, Sarah took a deep breath and leaned against her seat.

Mike chuckled, receiving a dirty look from Lyssa, which made him visibly shudder and hide his face in his hands. It brought a round of laughs from those who noticed and realized just how easier their lives might get if Lyssa stopped pretending she and Mike had nothing in common. Then they remembered who Lyssa was and shuddered as well.

…body shriveled to a husk.

"Why do you have a mummy in the attic?" came in a question.

All the eyes rested on the four. Well, two, as Jason and Leo mirrored their classmates' confusion.

"Yeah, why do you have a mummy in the attic?" Leo aided his unfortunate accomplices in this problem.

Percy shot him an angry look that clearly suggested something along the lines of 'thank you, dude, but don't expect me to help you anymore and wait till I come around which is in five minutes'. Okay, it was his usual 'dude, that's unfair' look, but Leo decided to be dramatic for a moment.

"Duuude, this is so unfair!" Percy groaned.

Annabeth patted him on the shoulder and glared at Leo. Leo stayed unaffected. He was simply too interested in the reason they kept a freaking mummy in the attic. It was not only creepy as hell but also completely unethical.

"She was an oracle," Annabeth explained.

"Yeah, I gathered that. But why is she in the attic?"

"So he completely ignores the fact it's a mummy," someone whispered, immediately getting shushed by their neighbors that were eager to hear Annabeth's explanations. After all, she the only one besides Percy who knew why they had a mummy in the attic and called it an oracle. Oh, she also didn't find it creepy.

"Why are you so surprised? They are children of Greek gods," another student answered, making the shushing louder.

Annabeth examined Leo for a couple of moments before coming to a conclusion that he wasn't joking but actually didn't understand.

"Leo, she's a mummy," she rolled her eyes. "How many campers do you see liking the fact they live next to a mummy and enjoying seeing her every day?"

Annabeth had been afraid of that thing for several months before she realized that the Oracle would not move unless she absolutely needed to tell another prophecy to an unfortunate camper. Annabeth had never gotten to witness this in motion and was genuinely happy she would not get the chance to. That one time terrified campers.

Leo nodded in understanding. "That's a legitimate enough reason to keep her locked up," his friends looked at him weirdly. Leo, instead, pulled out a bolt out of his toolbelt and began twirling it in his hands. "But why attic?"

Annabeth heaved a deep breath, reminding herself that murdering Leo would be a bad, terrible idea. No one would understand her. Leo had sacrificed his life, for gods' sakes! Everyone was on his side now.

"Valdez," she hissed, which provoked Percy to bump his knee on hers in a soothing manner. That might have worked if she were not fully focused on Leo. "Are you that dense or only pretending?"

Leo chuckled.

"Annabeth," Percy whispered so that Leo, too, could hear him. "It's Leo we're talking about."

"Hey!"

Annabeth's rage passed. A small smile appeared on her lips.

"You're right," she nodded, accompanied by another 'hey' from indignant Leo. "You would understand."

Percy's outburst of exasperation was drowned out by Paul's voice.

…she'd been dead a long, long time.

"Why is she an oracle?" Lyssa inquired. "I've read that those were young girls, this one looks, well…"

"Pretty dead," Mike supplied. Lyssa snapped her fingers in assent.

It was evident no one wanted to answer her question. Unfortunately, everyone was more than interested in the explanation, so, with a heavy sigh, Annabeth agreed. "It was a curse. The spirit couldn't leave the body until the curse was lifted," she raised her hand when she saw several people opening their mouths. "That's all I'm gonna say on the issue."

…Approach, seeker, and ask.

Levi shuddered. "I'd leave immediately."

…just looking for the bathroom.

Riley snorted. To his surprise, he was not the only one, for at least three other people did it, including the blond girl Jackson always hung out with (side note: he would absolutely hit on her if she wasn't a freak).

"Only you, Percy," Annabeth muttered fondly.

"What is my destiny?"

"You ask it for advice?" Lora gaped. When she turned to see Percy's reaction, he nodded. "Please, tell me you didn't follow it. You didn't follow a mummy's advice, did you?"

"Sorry, but it's the only way to issue a quest and leave camp officially."

Lora groaned.

...It was Smelly Gabe and his buddies.

Percy's head fell on the desk with a loud thud as he himself groaned. A piece of paper that he'd been holding so carefully, slipped out of his grip and landed with the loudest thud anyone could imagine.

…the god who has turned.

Lyssa perked up. Jason and Leo frowned, wondering what god had turned on them. Both knew that the only divine entities that lived in the west were Hades and titans. But it couldn't be Hades, right?

…and see it safely returned.

"It's a good thing, isn't it?"

"In general sense, yes."

Annabeth's answer sent a wave of anxiety throughout the room. What else had gone wrong?

…who calls you a friend.

All eyes immediately found Annabeth. A moment later, Jenna snorted. "No, it's impossible."

No one argued her.

And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.

"Wait, so you failed?"

Of course, the lack of response did not clarify a single thing.

…What will I fail to save?"

"Oracle won't answer those questions," Lyssa commented. "That's not how it works."

"Of course, you know about it," Kylie rolled her eyes. Lyssa shot her a dirty look but, otherwise, decided not to escalate the conflict.

…My audience with the Oracle was over.

And everyone was glad it had.

"That was… creepy?"

"Unsettling."

"Terrifying."

"Weird."

"Sc–"

"We get it!" Sarah snapped when it became evident Levi and Steven began to love the exchange. They would definitely turn it into a mess if not shut up now. "We got that it's scary and absolutely creepy; no one would ever want to meet this lady or experience any kind of influence from her. We get it! Now, if you don't mind, can we continue? Thank you."

Paul began reading in complete silence, for all of his students appeared to be in the state of shock from Sarah little outburst.

…I didn't have that many.

"I know who didn't," Cassandra chuckled, sending the couple a small smile. She might not know the treacherous friend that would certainly turn on them, but she was sure as hell neither of those three would do that. They appeared too loyal even in the smallest of things like revealing bits of information about Percy's life; she couldn't see them actually betray him.

…Oh, by the way, you'll fail

"You're extremely pessimistic," Lyssa noted. "Isn't it harmful to a quest?"

How could I confess that?

"You should have," Lyssa noted. "It would've definitely been better if you told him everything. He's a mentor and it's his job to navigate you."

"It's Percy," Annabeth said before Percy could open his mouth to retort.

Percy scowled. "Hey, what's this supposed to mean?"

"You know."

"But I–"

Paul raised his voice to drown Percy out; by the end of the sentence several kids were clutching their ears and wincing, wishing for him to tone it down and spare their hearing. Oh, plus three nearby classes cursed him for being so loud.

…until events come to pass."

"I hate it so much."

Everyone caught the undertone in Percy's voice. It was inevitable they asked questions that popped up in their heads. They had to.

"How many times you've dealt with it?"

The question lingered in the air for several seconds as demigods contemplated whether to disclose this part or not. On the one hand, neither wanted mortals to interfere with their lives more than they already did; on the other, it might be revealed without their involvement and not on their terms… In short, so damn difficult!

"A lot," Annabeth finally uttered. "Prophecies tend to get—"

"—hard to fight," Percy supplied. "They're always unclear so you get confused more than you need to, which only adds to the impossibility of the task."

Lyssa hesitated for a few moments before nodding as though understanding his reasoning, even though she did not. At all. The sole piece she gathered from his explanation was Percy's first-hand experience with the damned creature. He led quite an exciting life, didn't he?

…Who's this god in the west?"

"So you did take advice from a mummy!" Sarah groaned. Her friend that sat closest to her patted her on the shoulder in placation.

"Somebody else who wants to take over?"…

"No shit, Sherlock," Mike said. He promptly ignored a look of discontentment Paul sent him, instead turning to face Percy. "Even I see that and I can hardly tell what's going on."

"Should I give you a prize?" Percy's annoyance leaked through, but Mike remained unimpressed. He had learned that, no matter how much Percy hated the situation or people involved, he would rather flip out away so no one gets hurt. It basically meant Mike was safe as long as he didn't present a danger to Percy's safety or his friends.

"I'd like that, yeah."

"Hades."

"Really?" Jason asked. He had seen Hades once or twice at the end of the war (he couldn't recall, for the most of that time passed in a blur of haste), and Hades did not strike him as a particularly violently or power-hungry one. He appeared more tired than anything.

"That was a general belief back then," Percy shrugged. "And a quite sensible assumption."

"So I guess it's not him, then," Cassandra concluded, receiving nothing in response.

"The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."

"Whoa, if Chiron is agreeing, then it's official."

Perhaps. Judging by Annabeth and Percy, it couldn't be farther from the truth. Or they just were constipated. Or dejected. Or tired. It was hard to tell, for the their expressions ranged from exhausted to relatively pained to indifferent.

"He had no other options, really," Annabeth sighed, placing a pencil on the desk. "It's clear neither Poseidon nor Zeus would steal it. Zeus would not even fake steal his bolt," thunder rumbled in agreement; Annabeth pointed at the window as though saying 'see, he's with me'. "Who else's left?"

"But it still doesn't make any sense!" Jason retorted. In his eyes, Hades did not seem willing to bite more than he could handle. Recalling things Nico had said about his father and his job, Jason could admit it to be true. Hades would kill to have some free time on his hands, not to get more responsibility.

"Since when gods made sense?" lightning crossed the sky, indicating that if they wanted to survive, they needed to shut up now. Naturally, no one paid it any mind.

…"Whoa, wait. Wh-what?"

"At least one sane person in this mayhem!"

"Grace, I'd be quiet if I were you."

"But Grover is the only sane in this situation!"

"Grace!"

…Furies obey only one lord: Hades."

Lyssa's eye narrowed. Inklings Percy and Annabeth threw their way clearly suggested it was anyone but Hades. Therefore he had no real reason to send a beast after Percy apart from dissatisfaction with Poseidon breaking the oath. But it didn't feel right. Percy didn't display hatred toward the god; he did not once sneer at his name like he seemed to have done with Zeus (if Lyssa caught it correctly). Apparently, Percy had no bad blood with the god.

It brought her thought process in another direction. What if… what the prophecy said? Something about betrayals. What if… Lyssa sent a glance at the demigods. That was seriously messed up.

…Percy is a son of Poseidon…"

Percy chuckled softly at that and shook his head at questioning looks. He was sooo not going to disclose the reason of his reaction. In fact, he hoped this part would never come up in this book. Percy had not come to terms with reading about himself; he would never want to see what might happen if Nico's secrets got revealed. He had only begun to come out of his shell and anything might trap him back up at this point.

…within the camp.

Sarah frowned at that. She, just like Lyssa, recalled lines from the prophecy and began to wonder if it was more than they were told. Perhaps, she needed to talk to the other girl and compare some of the ideas.

Sarah leaned closer to Cassandra and tapped her on the shoulder. When Cassandra looked up, she explained her propositions, hoping Cassandra would agree. Sarah was not ready to confront Lyssa on her own.

…"That's two major gods who want to kill me."

Class fell into silent pensiveness as they listened to Paul. Some of them, once again, sent their brains into deep thinking process in attempt to figure this mystery out. For some reason, not everyone believed Hades was even involved in this mess. Almost like framing. Someone tried to push the blame on Hades.

Unfortunately, younger Percy did not find it particularly weird. Instead, he appeared more ready to fight than anything. Well, most of Percy.

Whoa, boy, said the small part of my brain that was still sane.

"Guess it won't live long, then," Leo said confidently. "Sane people don't survive in our world."

No one laughed, for the truth behind these words was too sad.

You're a kid. Hades is a god.

"There was once a moment you took this into consideration?"

Percy bestowed Leo with the dirtiest look he could muster to which Leo snorted.

"Are we supposed to know what it means?" Jenna wondered fearfully. Percy's response only heightened her anxiety.

"Guess it's something extremely bad," Sarah noted. Did she really want to know what Percy had done in the past? With the amount of information she learned every day, Sarah had to admit she didn't.

…This was suicide.

"You really need to work on your motivation skills," Lyssa shook her head. "Are you always so pessimistic or it's some special occasion?"

"Special occasion."

"Always."

Percy and Annabeth stared at each other. Percy's mouth fell open in shock when he realized Annabeth did mean what she'd said.

"Hey, I'm not so bad!"

Came in time for another traitor. Jason spun toward them and took a deep demeaning sigh that clearly meant 'sorry bro, but you're, so don't even try to argue'. Percy sent him a dirty look which Jason took indifferently. He saw where Annabeth was coming from. Despite countless of, indisputably, magnificent characteristics Percy displayed, including not losing courage even in the worst of times, Percy was quite pessimistic by nature. Jason faintly recalled their conversation back in summer when Percy had believed he was drowning and had done nothing to alter his predicament. He had accepted the fact and almost drowned, unable to fight off negativity Kym had brought onto them.

In short, he could see what it was about.

"Bro, stop staring at me," Percy's rather squeaky voice broke through Jason's pensiveness, returning him to reality. Jason blinked. He even tried to rub his eyes but almost poked the left one out with soon-to-be-broken-glasses.

"Um, what?" Jason took his glasses off and put them away. Everything immediately became a bit blurry but not enough for Jason to miss the change in Percy's expression.

"You were staring at me the way Aphrodite does every time I see her," Percy enlightened him. Several students gasped at the revelation that Percy, supposedly, had met the Aphrodite and survived. Jason simply stared at Percy more intensely, now reminding of an Ares kid amidst some pretty hard brainwork. "Duude, stop it! I'll give you my food if you want to, but stop!"

Leo perked up, assessed the situation then stared at Percy. What could he say? He loved free food.

All the attention shifted to him. When Jason tried to adjust his glasses but ended up sliding his finger up the nose and frown in confusion, Leo realized he would not get anything free.

"Continue, amigos," a moment later, Leo disconnected from the world once again.

On the other hand, Jason realized what might have caused the distress and rushed to explain his weird behavior. Talking in riddles proved to be his weakest skill yet, so now everyone knew something terrible had happened but, as Jason, omitted half the important details, were left in the dark.

Percy studied his friend for several seconds then nodded but, otherwise, refused to provide any further information on the issue. Instead, he motioned Paul to continue, hoping they would be through with the book soon.

"What were they on about?" Sarah asked in whispers. Her neighbors shrugged. "Are they gonna tell us?"

"Nope," came in response from the demigod's corner.

The class groaned when the meaning of the answer hit them. Some went as far as cursing the demigods for still being damn persistent in keeping this open secret that they were going to know anyway. It was just a matter of time.

"I'm so going to kill gods," Percy grumbled under his breath. Annabeth simply patted him on the back.

…bust some heads."

"And here I thought you were being dumb," Annabeth shook her head, exasperated. "Seriously, that orientation film would've saved me a lot of work."

Her comment came out too loud, drawing attention of the class.

"What d'you mean?"

Annabeth pondered the question for a couple of moments. That was a perfect educational moment, so why not? Not that she was able to resist the urge—funny. The twitchiness that she felt, this restlessness and high spikes of anxiety she'd been fighting off, made her even more fidgety and alarmed. There was something abnormal in this tight knot of emotions she had, and she was ready to overlook it.

"Gods are restricted in many ways," she began, having inhaled through the nose. "There are ancient rules in the play that prohibit them from, say, entering each other's realms. They also cannot take each other's belonging–"

"Which means a demigod has stolen it," Percy finished.

Silence in the room rendered for far too long that Paul, realizing they might, again, cut the reading short, raised his voice to reach their minds.

…they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves…

Annabeth pointed to the book.

...gods always operate through humans?"

"Soo," Cassandra began, spinning on her seat to have a better look at the demigods. Annabeth glanced at her inviting her to proceed. "If I understood correctly, a demigod stole the bol––" thunder roared outside as though warning her to continue and she would be zapped from the earth. Cassandra faltered and stared at the window, afraid to see what else this crazy grumpy cloud could come up with. It was silent. "Ahem, anyway. So a human–"

"Half-human," Steven whisper-yelled. "Keep it in mind, woman!"

Cassandra bestowed him with an angry look then finished her phrase, "–stole the… yeah?"

"I thought we've established that!" Lyssa exclaimed before Annabeth could open her mouth. "I, personally, am more concerned with the fact gods use their kids for their benefit!"

Silence fell on as everyone watched Lyssa with horror. No one–no one!–understood why it got her so worked up. Heck, barely anyone gathered the reason behind Lyssa even picking up on that!

Levi turned to Mike. "Dude, how do you do it?"

Mike, still too struck by Lyssa's behavior, blinked in confusion.

"Um, what?" he uttered.

"How do you tolerate her?" he elaborated. Mike stared at him, still lost. Riley next to him, and Levi could swear, grumbled disgruntled at that but, as he kept an expression of indifference (such a wonder from someone as Riley), Levi elected to dismiss this particularly weird instance.

"Who?"

Levi slapped his forehead. "I swear, everyone dumbened in this classroom!"

He whirled on his seat, ignoring confused looks people sent him. Everyone wondered what 'dumbened' meant.

"When will this end?" Percy complained softly, sliding down his seat. The so coveted piece of paper was just mere inches from his fingers, but he had no energy to dive for it.

Unlike the rest, it seemed.

"You're saying I'm being used."

Lyssa dramatically pointed at the book and gave Cassandra a meaningful look. Cassandra scowled, but chose not to pursue the fight. She knew Lyssa would run her into the ground and Cassandra was quite fond of the remaining bits of her sanity.

…He needs you."

Someone whistled. "Duude, I feel sorry for you!"

"Yeah," Lora agreed. "This is so manipulative. I hate it when they do this, it's…" she took a deep breath and leaned on the desk to hide her face. This particular situation pushed some pretty unpleasant musing to the forefront. Things she didn't want to think of.

No one uttered a word, seeing that something in this part hit too close to home. If there were one thing this class bonded over, it was family. There was a whole camp full of children that, amongst all things, had to fight for their lives every single day. Children that, for some reason, had never seen their parents and presumably believed they weren't needed. Even the worst of people–ahem, Riley, ahem–thought better of it than simply mock them. Well, in this case they felt intimidated by the demigods to openly confront them.

My dad needs me.

Percy almost got hidden by his desk, not feeling like going there now. Fortunately, no one bothered to point this one out. (Besides Riley who, on his part, finally began to grow a bit of self-awareness and self-preservation.)

Next part was read in silence. Hardly anyone wanted to comment on Percy antagonizing and confronting Chiron. Though, some were quite surprised to learn the old centaur might have known about Percy's parentage for some time already.

…he wasn't telling me about his prophecy…

Jason frowned. He had a suspicion he knew what prophecy it might be. Granted, no one really voiced it in the camp; Romans preferred to overlook the issue, afraid to see what it might lead to. Jason could see some had believed he was the chosen one; he'd himself believed it. Then things had gone hectic and everyone forgotten about it. Still, the thing bothered him too much, and Jason didn't even know whether it could be applied to him! He hated to see how his friend would react to the prophecy. Especially so young. Gods know, he hated to be subjected to another heroic quest at fifteen; Jason couldn't imagine the weight at a younger age.

…And get it back…in ten days."

"Ten days only?" Sarah gaped. "How did you manage it?"

"Ten days?" Leo repeated in astonishment. "Where can I sign to have so much time to spare on a quest? What did you do there? Went sightseeing?"

This comment did not fly well with the class. Not at all.

Annabeth snorted bitterly. "Since when are we that lucky?"

"So something definitely went wrong then," Leo nodded. "Good."

Sarah, along with some other students, stared at him in shock. She raised her hand to ask a question but thought better of it and simply shook her head. She sure as hell did not want to know why they found such a short time a miracle. Nope, she would sleep better without knowing this.

In the book, Grover felt intimidated and, again, suffered from an extreme case of self-doubt. Kudos to Percy for lifting his spirits.

But it did not solve the problem. They still needed three people to complete the quest.

The class listened intently, wanting to see who was dumb enough to agree to this suicidal trip. Jason and Leo listened only because they wanted to see how it all had begun.

…The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles."

"What?" rang through the class, as students gaped at the book, suddenly brought back to the reality.

"Oh," I said. "Naturally.

"Why aren't you shocked?"

"After everything I've witnessed? Why would I be?"

Levi stared at Percy. No, he was definitely not insane. Levi suddenly felt like he needed to lay down which he did in a second.

"No!" Grover shrieked.

"Why?" Sarah frowned. Didn't they have only ten days?

"You want him dead so much?" a snort reached her ears. Sarah looked up to see Kylie watching her with a smirk on her face.

"What?"

Kylie's smirk turned in a full-blown sneer. "He's a son of the god of water. How much you wanna bet he'll be dead within seconds in the air?"

No one responded to her. They couldn't argue this point. In fact, no one even had any thoughts in their heads but one: Since when Kylie acted so smart?

Grover confirmed Kylie's presumption, making her smile grow bigger. At least, now she reminded of a good old self-absorbed utterly insulting Kylie, so all the kids felt relieved.

…to volunteer for a quest like this?"

All eyes rested on Annabeth who sent Percy a mock-angry look. Percy didn't notice her, so she received no apology.

…"I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said.

Jason and Leo chuckled. Others laughed a little.

…I'm the best person to keep you from messing up."

"Modesty is definitely your thing," Leo said.

"Leo, I would be quiet if I were you."

"A trio," I said. "That'll work."

"It always works."

"Unless there are five of you."

"Or seven."

"Oh, yeah, I absolutely hate this number. Who even decided it was a good idea to create it?"

"Humanity, Leo, humanity needed to count somehow."

"Do you like this number?"

"Touché."

"What are they on about this time?" Lora asked Cassandra.

"No slightest clue and I don't even wanna know."

…After that, you are on your own."

"How much trouble you've gotten yourself into?" Leo asked. Annabeth glared at him. "Oh, c'mon! You're with Percy of all people!"

"I bet they barely left the camp when they blew something up," Jason supplied. Now the glare shifted to him, but Jason only chuckled.

Leo acquired a pensive expression for a moment then nodded. "You're absolutely right. There's no way they left the ground unscathed."

"Gee, thank you two for trust."

"You're welcome, water boy."

Annabeth had to physically restrain Percy, for he was ready to throw something heavy at Leo who only laughed silently at Percy's exaggerated reaction.

…I think you should all get packing."

"That's the en–"

Paul never managed to finish his announcement, for Percy couldn't keep his excitement to himself.

"HALLELUJAH!" he yelled, thrusting arms in the air, then leaped to his feet and exited the class at the fastest speed that he could do.

Three seconds later, Leo turned to still quite bemused Annabeth. "I feel so sorry for you."

Chapter Text

Percy's outburst had done the unimaginable: it had convinced everyone he was coming around and could potentially start talking to them. Of course, no one bothered to inform Percy on that. Who would, though? Percy had already run away and there was no person brave enough to go and confront him. Well, almost. There was still Lyssa.

Speaking of.

“Hey, McKeenley," Lyssa flinched and took a couple of deep breaths. She had to admit she had been scared. She had not expected anyone to appear in this absolutely deserted locker room right before a PE class. She could not speak for everyone but was certain no one ever went there during the break. Ever.

Lyssa looked to the side and faced a girl from her PE class. Lyssa frowned as she could not recall the other girl's name. Mary–Marissa–Something starting with 'M'.

Her inability to name the person, however, did not mean Lyssa could ignore her. “Um, yeah."

A still unidentified girl went straight to the point. Why waste time when there were more important issues to tackle?

“You're in the same class as Jackson, right?"

Lyssa frowned. For one, she couldn't recall any Jackson in any of her classes. Heck, for such a mundane name it was sure absent from the school. Which was pretty weird if you ask Lyssa. According to the survey, Jackson appeared to have gained popularity in the last decade alone which means there was at least one Jackson on one hundred children. So how come she couldn't recall one Jackson in any of her classes? Except when Jackson was used as a last name. Here, she listed at least four Jackson kids in the whole school, including...

Oh! That's what she meant! This girl-whose-name-Lyssa-didn't-know wanted her input on Percy Jackson. He was Jackson. Right.

“Uh-huh," Lyssa eyed the girl warily, not really knowing why she felt the need to interrogate her about Percy. They'd barely interacted outside the gym. “Is something wrong?"

“Do you know who their parents are?"

Lyssa let out a stunned squeak. It took her disproportionately long time to analyze the question and come up with something intelligent.

“Um, sorry?"

The other girl rolled her eyes. Her friends, too, seemed quite amused by Lyssa's lack of understanding. (And they certainly were cherishing this moment, for it wasn't everyday Lyssa McKeenley was clueless on something.)

“You're in the same class as Jackson, right?” she repeated. Lyssa nodded. “You've got all the others as well." Another nod. “You sure have more ways get the info outta them. I've been wondering who their parents are."

Lyssa blinked, “err, Poseidon and Athena?"

She could swear somewhere outside the thunder roared, seemingly vexed the fact someone had put those two in the same sentence (cough, Athena, cough).

Apparently, that wasn't the right answer, for the girl shook her head in exasperation and glanced at the ceiling as though asking silently what she had done to receive such an ordeal. Lyssa waited.

“I meant the other boys. The blond and elfish ones."

“The blo–oh!" it finally hit her. “You mean Jason and Leo!” the girl nodded. “Sorry, no clue."

It was a blatant lie. Lyssa had been entertaining several ideas for a week at the very least. She had been careful to voice them, though, wanting to be certain before opening her cards. But, if secretly, she bet on Zeus for Jason, because he'd been reacting too strongly to mentions of the god and actually let a couple of very suspicious things slip. Leo, on the other hand, seemed to always be busy with tinkering, so Hephaestus for him. That was a god of blacksmiths and, according to myths, created plenty of work, including Hera's throne. So he was always busy with something, just like Leo who had steel in his hands more often than not.

But she intended to keep all of that to herself. Lyssa loved hoarding information no one else knew. It made her feel powerful. Whoever said knowledge is lame, needs to get it first to see just how awesome it makes you feel; it gives you so many weapons and prepares you to the worst of worst. But, most importantly, it makes you feel powerful. Lyssa had lost the count of times she had overthrown her rivals by having more information on her hands than them.

She wasn't ready to give up her power now. Not now.

But the other girl did not get fooled by Lyssa's response. After all, everyone in this school knew Lyssa and her ways.

“Spill," she ordered.

“Excuse me?"

The girl chuckled. “Spill the info. You know."

“I don't."

Now more voices joined in; all adding to the hubbub and contributing to her headache.

“Sorry," she said, “I don't believe you. You, Lyssa, know everything. I bet you figured it out before the book told you. You may not know for sure but you have theories. Spill 'em."

Lyssa wasn't smart for no reason. She instantly recognized their tactic; the conviction they would be getting all the answers they wanted.

Not today.

Lyssa opened her mouth to retort when the bell rang. Lyssa raised her finger then, pretending she was so not going to miss gym, quickly left the locker room.

Saved by the bell. Who would've thought?

**

The thought didn't leave Lyssa throughout all her classes. Mike, having dropped the act, tried everything to bring her back to reality from feigning horror at the prospect of Lyssa getting F to poking her on the shoulder repeatedly. Mike was certain he had left a bruise; that, unfortunately, did not draw her attention.

“I'm out!" Mike announced loudly, throwing his hands in the air and glancing at the ceiling in the 'what-the-heck-am-I-doing-here' manner.

Several witnesses snorted. Riley huffed, still struggling to comprehend why Mike bothered with that girl, then whirled on the spot and asked a girl next to him out. She was baffled, so Riley failed. Completely devastated, he shoved her aside and stalked out of the hall toward something less crowded.

And Lyssa still showed no signs of life…

(Neither had Mike noticed.)

She regained cognizance of her surroundings only when her eyes caught a familiar person. Before that, Mike carefully guided her through the hallways and even had to sit her down, as Lyssa barely noticed anything. Of course, he felt quite offended when, upon only catching a glimpse of Leo, Lyssa squeaked and leaped to her feet, too eager to get answers to care.

“Dude, I feel so sorry for you," Steven shook his head.

“I do too; believe me, I do."

Lyssa jumped from literal nothingness so unexpectedly that Leo didn't manage to control himself. He yelped and dropped his absolutely perfect tray of so unfairly wasted food on the ground.

“Hey!" his voice rang through the cafeteria, scoring attention from everyone around him. Leo, of course, didn't even think to keep it down, so disgruntled he was. “I would be sooo thankful if you stopped doing that! What if I held some pretty amazing and absolutely important project? Do you know how tiring it is to fix your invention while you're on fire? I know, and it is not–OW!"

As Leo couldn't speak anymore (he certainly had bitten his tongue and would like to file a complaint to the Olympus Department of Special Injuries Inflicted By Other Demigods but Not On Duty if Olympus ever had such a department), he glared at Jason. Jason who so cruelly assaulted his foot and tongue.

“Lyssa, has something happened?" Jason pretended he did not see Leo looking daggers at him, concentrating only on the girl before him.

Lyssa tilted her head to the side and sized them up. She did not know what Leo was talking about but figured it to be something extremely important to Leo's identity; otherwise, Jason would not bother shutting him up. The whole school knew they were demigods. There were literally a couple of hundred of people who knew! Pretending it to be false was dumb.

“I wanted to ask," she began. Jason stiffened; his face a mask of indifference, though, Lyssa saw he did not like questions. Then again, who would? “Who are your parents?"

Leo stopped glaring at Jason and whirled on the spot. In the process he slightly lost his balance and almost fell. Fortunately for Leo, he didn't fall. Unfortunately for Leo, Jason's side turned out to be firm, so he would be seeing some nasty bruises.

“What?" Jason absolutely missed all of Leo's misfortunes, too focused on Lyssa's words.

(Shouldn't have bothered. These people were smart and curious; they would've started asking questions, sooner or later.)

“We know who their parents are," Lyssa gestured in the general direction of the table where Annabeth and Percy sat at. Percy instantly winced and grumbled under his breath how unfair it all was. Annabeth could only pat him on the shoulder, for she did not look much better. “Who are yours?"

“No comments," response was immediate.

Lyssa glanced at Leo, but he only shook his head. “Yeah, we'd like to keep it a secret for as long as we could."

“We gotta go,? Jason added.

Both went around Lyssa and made their way toward their table. Neither glanced back to see dozens of disappointed faces.

**

“Is it necessary?? Percy grumbled. Paul only heaved a sigh which basically confirmed Percy's biggest fear: it was. He would have to go there despite his disinclination to step his foot on the school's ground altogether.

“Seaweed brain, you're being dramatic," Annabeth interfered before either Paul or Percy could make it even worse by saying something extremely dumb. “It's called 'detention' for a reason; you're not supposed to enjoy it."

“I'm not dramatic!"

“Yes, you are," came in a united response from Annabeth and Paul. Percy huffed and stuck out his tongue.

“I hate you," he declared. Perhaps, he hoped for some kind of redemption from those two traitors that he for some reason loved but received an eye-roll from Annabeth.

“You can hate us all you want; it will not excuse you from detention."

Before Percy could object or, which was definitely worse, whine some more, Annabeth pushed him forward, inkling him to move or she would drag him there herself. Sending Annabeth his best how-could-you-do-this-to-me look, Percy conceded.

He should have absolutely bailed on this one. He'd had to complain, whine, fight, bite… everything to get out of there because the 'detention' turned out way worse than Annabeth had presented it.

First of all, it was held by a crazy ex-cadet Mr. Rowel that could rival Alecto in the department of punishments and torture. Then there were his methods of handling things. Did Percy mention he carried something that resembled a whip? A real whip. Then his hat. Percy did not like his hat. It was evil. It basically yelled at you 'ha, loser!'. The last thing that unnerved Percy was his grin. The same wore Ares when he believed he was right and invincible. Pretty evil as well.

Then he opened his mouth. At first, Percy thought he had gone deaf from hearing thousands of bells but soon realized he'd been temporarily dazed by the man's voice. Loud. All Percy could say about it.

“KIDS!" all ten unfortunate students jumped on the place and sprang to their feet, freezing afterwards.

Percy glued his eyes to the man, mentally reminding himself that it was human and he could and would not try killing him despite what his paranoia told him. The man didn't make it easier, still shouting out his commands and being generally obnoxious. Just like Ares.

At that, Percy's eyes narrowed. Gods adored watching him suffer. What would prevent them from going here? The man noticed his look and scowled. Had Percy been less experienced–say, his first three minutes of the first quest inexperienced–, he would definitely be pissing his pants and crying for his mama. Instead, Percy's glared at his so-called-teacher-future-dead-god. Mr. Rowel didn't see it; he was already too busy yelling at one of the students.

Percy's fists tightened; a treacherous thought that you should act now while it was still possible was aching at the back of his mind, sending shivers down his spine. Again and again, all while his nails were sinking further into his skin. A light punch would do. Just to check; to see he'd been right all along. Then kick him once more for all the good and bad he'd been getting all these years. Just a light punch in the teeth...

Something hit him on the shoulder. Percy perked up and spun to face a girl that gave him a confused look.

“What?" he grumbled. The girl rolled her eyes.

“Listen up!" Mr. Rowel's voice rang through the hallway, drawing their attention back to him. “You two," he pointed at Percy and his neighbor, “you pay attention or I'll assign you to another day of punishment. Now! We all go outside, take those things people use to collect leaves–" he pointed behind his back where a row of rakes and brooms were laying on the ground.

Percy's suspicion increased, for he genuinely struggled to understand why the school had those evil tools of death and where they hid them.

“Rakes?" someone supplied.

Mr. Rowel roared at him. Literally roared, only further convincing Percy there was something extremely wrong with the man. “You, don't interrupt!.. But yeah, thanks. So!" he raised his voice again, making kids wince, “we take a rake and go clean the school's territory."

All then people stared at him in mute shock.

“But why?" some girl marveled.

“Yeah, it's against the law!" her neighbor added, immediately catching up with the situation. “You're not allowed to treat children like slaves–"

“And you're not allowed to break the rules," Mr. Rowel interrupted her. “But here we all are. Be faster, now! Those in the hands and I want to see the cleanest street in two hours. Go!"

He began waving his hands vigorously. Begrudgingly, children started to move. One by one, everyone took one of the tools and went toward the exit.

“Why is he such an asshole?" Percy heard one boy, whose name he didn't know, ask.

“Have you seen his eyes?" his neighbor, another boy, exclaimed. “I bet ya he's been beer-deprived for the longest. Maybe we gotta offer him some.”

“Jeffrey, this is soo out of place now!" a girl called out from behind them.

Boys glanced back at her and snorted.

And Percy already regretted his life.

**

Who–who–had thought gathering leaves was a proper punishment for kids that had failed following basic rules? These kids had already received punishment for either moving or moving in the wrong direction! What good would it do to make them move even more?

“Why do we have to do it?" a male voice whined across the street.

No one answered, deeming his outburst a mere complaint. They were in the same boat. Percy stood aside. He also was in the process of a slow leaf murdering, for he sure was doing it all wrong. The rake in his hands reminded of an extended version of a sword… and Percy could do only one thing when it was a sword.

“Sorry," came in voice. Percy's eye twitched, a wave of anxiety washed over him, prompting a defense mechanism kick in. Next, he spun on the spot and almost pierced through the unfortunate human with the rake he still held.

Luckily, the boy that disturbed him, reacted instantly and recoiled before such a sad accident could have occurred.

“For the love of gods, do not ever do this again!" Percy shouted, dropping the rake on the ground. No matter what, he would not pick it back up because his obviously shattered nervous system would provoke him to do things Percy would regret later.

“I'm sorry," said the boy. Percy sized him up, trying to understand who it was and what he'd apologized for. Nothing came to him, so Percy did what he was supposed to.

“Who are you?" he asked.

“Alexander."

Percy got more dumbfounded, because he still struggled to match the name, face, and recognizable people. Granted, the boy appeared familiar. Pulse shot high up, triggered by Percy's paranoia. He instinctively did not like the boy; he summoned negative, infuriating thoughts right back up. In Percy's book it equaled trouble, and trouble was something he would rather avoid.

“Sorry, I–"

“I wanted to apolozize," Alexander interrupted him. Percy blinked. “I don't know what I've done but I am sorry for zat."

Percy stared at him.

“Um. But you didn't–" he faltered, having failed to come up with any sort of explanation. He didn't even know who it was! How could he tell what he meant? “Who are you?" he raised his hand, indicating he still had not finished. “Where did we meet?"

“In ze locker room..."

“Right!" Percy snapped his fingers. His mood immediately dropped as Percy recalled why he did not like this guy. “You're from Greece?"

He didn't know where he had taken it from. Percy blurted out the first thing that had come to him.

If this Alexander were shocked, he didn't show it. “Uh-huh, my fazer got ze job 'ere, so we moved."

“Don't you miss it?"

Why Percy kept the conversation going, he would never be able to explain. He just did. Later Annabeth would claim he delayed the work that had to be done, but Percy would still be convinced he didn't know.

Alexander examined his face for a couple of moments then heaved a sigh that Percy, being Percy, deciphered as a sign of impending danger. Bad omen.

“Um, no," he shook his head. “It was stranze zis summer. And last year. I got scared."

Percy hummed in agreement. He, for one, could attest that summer had been extremely bizarre. Even by his merits. Percy was a pro in strange, but he felt lost most of the time because gods decided to go insane and earth to avenge.

He required more proof to either confirm or confute his suspicion. Percy opened his mouth to ask the first question in his long list of questions but was interrupted by a very annoyed female voice. Both, as one, turned to a girl that was standing not far away from them, wearing the most pissed off expression one could ever see. And Percy saw plenty, including the ones gods gave him.

“What?" he wondered.

The girl's expression hardened as she took in their presence and overall appearance. “Why aren't you working? You're stalling us!"

“But we aren't?"

“You're standing there while others are working! Don't make me call Mr. Rowel–"

“Florence," a blond boy not far away from them spoke up, effectively interrupting an already tiring lecture. Florence's outrage immediately shifted on him, but the boy stayed unaffected. “Leave them be. We're not gonna finish in time either way, but he cannot make us stay longer than two hours anyways; school rules.”

“But they–"

“Florence, why don't you take care of that corner? You'll do us all a huge favor."

Florence huffed and marched where she had been pointed. The boy shook his head and turned to Percy. “Sorry, she's a bit noisy."

“If only I could understand what she wanted from me," Percy chuckled, suddenly finding the whole scene amusing. As it was one of those rare times when everything felt right, he wanted to cherish it as much as he could.

“I wouldn't even try if I were you," he said. “Anyways, I'll better do what you do and be done with it."

He dropped the rake and, without acknowledging squeals of rage from Florence, scurried toward the other corner where the rest of the prisoners were working.

Percy's attention returned to Alexander who was watching him with a weird expression on his face. A surge of defiance could not be fought no matter how much Percy would like to.

“Do you like beating up defenseless kids?” he marveled out loud despite himself. That was not the question Percy would voice but something in the other boy's aura seemed off.

“What?" Alexander stared at him.

Percy regarded him for several seconds. The weird feeling disappeared.

Not Ares, then. Good.

There were countless of other gods, however.

“Do you like snakes?" Percy's attempt came out even less thought-out but who cares? Not Percy.

Alexander took a step back, afraid whatever illness Percy had, might be contagious.

“Um, are you sure you're fine?"

But Percy could not be thrown off. He was determined to gain as much information as he could.

“Have you ever considered stealing a cow?"

“Me synchoreíte!"

Excuse me would be the thing a god in disguise could say!

Percy felt like he'd stumbled upon a goldmine. All's left right now was to poke it a little then send this god back to Olympus and burn the book down. Yep. Good. Great. He loved this plan.

“Do you know poetry?"

Percy's nonchalance at apparent craziness prompted Alexander to answer just to ensure he would leave this conversation alive.

“I'm bad at it," he admitted hesitantly.

Percy fell pensive for a second. It wasn't saying much as Apollo sucked at poetry as well. What had Annabeth said? More data. You need more information to work with to draw a proper conclusion. Apollo being downright gods-awful at poetry was not enough proof.

“Finish this one, please, 'roses are red, sky is blue–" he faltered, giving this god under the deepest cover a chance to convince him they were not who he thought they were.

Alexander didn't hesitate to respond. He took another step back, regretting ever coming up to this certainly crazy boy. He would have suffered much less damage if he'd never done it.

“Maybe I should call ze teacher. I sink you have a pyretós."

Percy lifted his finger and chuckled at such a weak attempt at pretending he was sick. He would not be tricked that easily. Gods were much more proficient in disguise; they would not give up acting until triggered by something they could not ignore. Usually, it was flattery or desire to show off. But here… damn, it was hard. What god would willingly hide for so long? Unless…

“How do Annabeth and I look together?" he asked.

“Who is Annabet?" Alexander's expression told him more than Percy bargained for. He had no slightest clue of who Annabeth was and genuinely struggled to keep up with Percy.

Percy was happy.

Hail to the Olympians, it's not Aphrodite!

“Last question,” he said, pretty contented with himself. He confirmed that this boy was not a god and the last question was just a courtesy. “Do you want to kill me?”

It took Alexander less than three seconds to reply. “Yes!–I mean no–I–you're annoying!"

Percy's eyes narrowed. Maybe it was a god, after all.

Percy opened his mouth to fire a couple more of questions but Alexander's expression changes. His eyes went wide, jaw hanging on the sole reason it was firmly connected to the rest of the skull.

“Theé mou!"

Oh my god!

God.

God!

Alarmed and befuddled, Percy turned around. His eyes went wide as well. Still a tank size and playful, wiggling her tail furiously, ensuring every work children had done was ruined, she was standing there. Mrs. O'Leary.

With a loud happy bark she did the only thing she could: run toward Percy to greet him. Percy's eyes got even wider as he began taking slow steps back, afraid he would never be able to explain why whatever those around him saw attacked him and licked to death. Absolutely no reasonable explanation for this.

But who was faster? Of course, Mrs. O'Leary. She caught up with Percy three feet away from his initial location. With a loud, 'No, girl!' Percy fell on the ground and began covering his face just to escape an unenviable fate of becoming his dog's favorite dish.

“Girl–no–stop!.. BAD–I–HELP!”

The yell came out louder than Percy had intended it to. But he was desperate. He needed to catch her attention and remind that drowning your owner in drool was a very, very bad, reproachable thing to do. Mrs. O'Leary stopped and stared at Percy, awaiting his next words. Well, all Percy could do was ask her to move so he would be able to get back to his feet. Then he would allow her to take him wherever she wanted to.

Mrs. O'Leary barked happily right into his face. Percy twitched then got on his knees and crawled to the side, so Mrs. O'Leary would not try to do something else.

He could proudly state he had done it. He had escaped his fate and was safely sitting a little aside while Mrs. O'Leary waited for his command.

So he did. He asked her to return later when he would call her because he still was in detention and, if Annabeth ever learned that he'd skipped it, he would be dead. Literally. Whether Mrs. O'Leary possessed a greater set of comprehension skills than he knew or magical combination 'Annabeth will know' worked, but she offered another bark and jumped into the nearest shadow.

For a moment, there stood complete silence as everyone took in the scene. Then, as one, all the eyes rested on Percy.

“What was that?!” Florence all but bellowed. “Is it—is it a hellhound?”

Percy's head snapped toward her, horrifying images flashed before his eyes.

“Wait, you saw it?” Florence, as well as the rest of the crew, nodded. “HOW?!”

Everyone exchanged a glance with their neighbor, searching for the one brave enough to share this fascinating story. Finally, the boy who had saved Percy from Florence, cleared his throat.

“To be fair, at first I believed it was a cow–”

“–a track,” Florence interrupted.

“Doesn't matter! Then I looked closer and… what the heck was that?”

But Percy wasn't listening to them anymore. He had stopped gaping a long time ago; he had even overcome his shock. He was waaay past it all. Right now Percy was too busy running through all the curses he could come up with to drown the gods in and survive the quest… Who was he kidding? To Hades with that.

“WHY ARE YOU SO DAMN SECRETIVE?!” he bellowed at the sky, effectively scaring his fellow prisoners. “WHY ARE YOU DOING IT AND WHY CAN'T YOU LEAVE US ALONE?!”

Chapter Text

The news of a hellhound had spread like a wildfire. Of course, it had. Everyone who'd been at the detention, had spent the whole day convincing everyone else that it had happened; alas, not much had been harnessed from those conversations, for majority preferred to remain skeptical until Percy himself would come out and confirm it.

He was never going to do that.

In fact, Percy had elected to be as unperturbed as he possibly could, as he made his way toward the entrance, Paul hot on his heels.

They hadn't spoken much since that first day of reading. There was so much Percy would like to share, but his anger would sneak its way out every time he considered a talk, that Percy had dropped the whole plan altogether and focused on less… detrimental sides of the ordeal.

There were not many, though. Everyone acted like he was both the most incredible being on the planet and the freakiest freak (he did hear the talks). Teachers pointedly ignored him, which could've been a good thing if it weren't his last year of school and he didn't have too many questions. His friends couldn't put him out of his misery, either, being on the verge themselves. It left… it left nothing, actually, which he didn't hesitate to pinpoint to Paul, who all but patted him reassuringly on the shoulder and went to prepare for the day.

He hated the book. He hated this school. He couldn't wait until he'd graduated and left for New Rome.

“You're looking murderous," Jason pointed out, sitting in front of him.

Percy made a noncommittal sound and crossed his arms.

“I can't wait until we're done with this book," Annabeth sighed, plopping on the seat next to Percy. “How much's left?"

“Too much," Percy spat out, earning a commiserating look from Jason and a feeble smile from Leo.

“I wish we knew what it's all about," Jason lifted his glasses to rub the eyes.

Just like everyone in their group, and even camp, he was sickly pale and exhausted. His fitful sleep hadn't ameliorated; the dreams had simply turned into incoherent mess that he was too tired to sort out. The flashes of color, shimmering monsters, and a serious Mars were the last things he'd want to focus on.

“At least, Piper's saddled Reyna with it," Annabeth said in an undertone as the student had begun pouring in, almost everyone waving at them or shouting their greetings. “Why are they so happy?"

“They're always happy," Leo replied, his eyes darting from one new person to another and his expression kept on darkening. “I don't like where it's going."

“Me neither," others echoed.

“We gotta talk to teachers," Annabeth announced. Instantly, all three peered at her incredulously. “To see where it came from and why they haven't done a thing about it.”

“They don't care," Percy offered a perfectly reasonable explanation.

Except it wasn't. The teachers seemed to be struggling more than kids. Their Physics teacher, Mr. Morano, stuttered every time he saw them; Mr. Rowel had lost all his composure and barked out his orders in whispers now; their Bio and Chem teachers were definitely in cahoots to report on them to the police or the government; and Mr. Sanchez kept on bugging Percy about a snake woman.

They were totally not fine. Just like this whole school. And this whole situation. And their rapidly deteriorating sanity.

“We could stay behind after class," Jason suggested gingerly, momentarily losing it when Steven punched him softly in the shoulder and offered him a huge smile as he walked past them. “Better today."

Annabeth nodded, watching Steven sternly. “We should."

Paul clapped his hands to get attention of the class. As one, kids shut their mouths and looked at Paul with rapt attention.

“Good morning, everyone. I hope you'll have a great day and a couple of announcements–"

They dragged through perhaps most inconsequential piece of news in the history of this class before Paul was able to pick up the book and curse his life.

It might be a long hour.

WE FIND OUT THE TRUTH, SORT OF

A few people raised their eyebrows at a pretty vague title.

Soo, did they find the thief then?

…a football field packed with a million fans.

The very first lines sent their minds spiraling. Where were they? Why a field? What field? How'd they gotten there? Why'd they skipped something entirely? (Of that everyone was sure.)

“Where are you?” Sarah inquired at last, earning cheering from others for being so persistent.

Sarah herself was more confused though. These skips made the timeline a mess. Suddenly complaints she had heard began to make more sense; if they felt lost from time to time, then what people who had no way of prying the info out of these four thought then. At least, they got explanations. Sometimes. Not even explanations, but some of those were.

They got something.

Her question evoked a few nods of agreement. Percy and Annabeth exchanged a glance (for that Percy left his safe haven in the name of his arms) and frowned. Jason and Leo examined them a few more moments before returning to their previous affairs. They had realized a long time ago that the best and easiest way to learn what was going on was to listen to the book. No exceptions.

Contrarily to the rest, for the kids continued watching the four in futile hope to hear more than the book would offer.

Finally, after a painfully long and awkward pause, Mike cleared his throat. “Did we skip something?"

He received the only answer he expected: Annabeth and Percy shrugged, though this time it did not feel as dismissive; as though they'd recognized the place. It might have not held as much significance to them either.

“Yeah, we did," Annabeth confirmed, quite dejected.

Leo blinked and sent Jason a questioning look to which Jason could do nothing but shrug. Both stared at the two. Reassuring (not).

“Should we–" Mike faltered, casting a glance at an equally lost Lyssa. None of their other friends could be of any help either, so they turned to Mr. Blofis… who appeared just as desponded and a tad bit concerned. “You know what, I don't even care anymore!"

He threw his arms up in resignation and slumped on the seat, expelling a heavy breath. That was getting ridiculous. Here they were obsessing over a weird book that left them with so many questions they might as well start selling them and become rich. Why were they doing it?! What was the point of it? What had been cut off from the book that Annabeth looked like she'd fought a ghost? (Was she even scared of ghosts??)

Mike dropped his head on the desk just in time for Annabeth to startle out of her daze.

Bad news: she looked terrified.

Good news: Percy remained oblivious to her newfound dread, racking his brain for the best response he might offer without divulging anything.

“Uh, we'll learn who stole the bolt soon," he said at last, “like, today." A second later, Percy frowned, trying to recall when Ares' involvement was revealed. He couldn't, so he added 'maybe' under his breath.

The class stared at him, not sure what to make of the whole thing.

Now imagine a field…the crowd.

“Is it only me or it sounds depressing?"

Question was left unanswered which didn't surprise anyone.

…a concert that will never start.

“You know, I'd agree; it does sound pretty depressing,” Sarah acquiesced. Her mind tried and failed to picture the scene Percy-in-the-book described, but she failed every single time and couldn't even tell anymore whether any of it was worth it anymore.

(Whoa, where did this one come from?)

…what the Fields of Asphodel looked like.

“Wait, what?!"

Dozens of eyes rested on the four. Well, the pair. Jason had already figured it out and merely waited for a proper explanation of this, undoubtedly, blasphemous occurrence. Leo mirrored his classmates' actions and was ogling his friends. He knew Percy was reckless. He was reckless. But to willingly go there? At twelve?!

Percy jerked up and sat straight. Next, he took his sweet time composing himself, for, frankly, what else was he supposed to do? The damned book didn't want to get destroyed and meddled with, leaving not many options to work with. Percy selected a less obvious way of handling things and began inhibiting the process of reading as much as he could without being accused of sabotaging the class. Heeding the looks of outrage others sent him, he was succeeding.

“Yes, you were saying..." he uttered, looking at everyone and no one.

“You went to the Fields of Asphodel?!"

Percy's face acquired a slightly apprehensive expression. “Well, duh! You knew it already."

“We did not!”

“Um, Cassie," Lora rubbed her neck; Cassandra's head snapped toward her. “We did."

“No, we–"

“We did,” Lyssa butted in. It seemed like she was the only person in this school who kept a track of everything that had been read out loud. “They've discussed it when he was at camp."

Cassandra froze. Her eyes widened slightly as she ran through the recent memories. Yeah, they had touched upon something of that sort but—

“You didn't want to go there!" she protested. Several people that were sitting closest to her recoiled, afraid she might snap up at them.

If Cassandra believed it worked, then she clearly did not know any of these people (which she didn't). Annabeth snorted. Loudly. Bitterly. Then, rolling her eyes the whole way, explained that it was Percy so his claims of having self-preservation were invalid. Percy's desire to save everyone had thwarted it a long time ago.

She also ignored Percy's objective huffs, which was so jarring to witness that Cassandra decided not to dwell on it too much.

…grew in clumps here and there.

Several students turned toward the back of the class.

“Is it really that depressing or Percy is just being overdramatic?"

Annabeth and Percy froze for a second. It was hard to tell what they were thinking, for both remained pale and quite deliriously… not fully there and overly tensed, which might have sparked a few questions from others; those, however had been shut down by a somber Jason, whose expression hardened every time someone as much as cast a glance their way.

Just like it did now.

And no one dared to confront him on that point.

The next few minutes went in complete silence as Paul recited Percy's impressions of the direst place in the Ancient Greek world (though, some would argue). It was as sad as Percy imagined it: billions of people wandering around aimlessly. They didn't see; they didn't talk; they wanted nothing. As Percy put it, sad.

Several people felt a string of emotions, because they felt pity for the deceased. It was hard to imagine what life was there like. From what they had caught, the dead just existed. Hollow shells that wandered around the field without purpose in life. They lacked reason. If there were a more depressing place than that, none wanted to learn the name of it.  

…Welcome, Newly Deceased!

Several students blinked, suddenly being snapped out of their pensiveness. The pace at which things changed and the contrast of the landscape and the way it was presented got everyone unsettled. If death was this, they would not want it.

Description of the security line made everyone even more creeped out. Cassandra's eye visibly twitched every time she heard words 'ghouls', 'torture' and 'dead'. Frankly, she–or anyone in this classroom–preferred to never know anything about this place. Knowing that this was what awaited you there was a bad motivation. Terrible.

However, it had nothing on the description of the Hell. The one where you got tortured infinitely, chased by demons, had your limbs disjoined, and only bad cover versions of your favorite songs played 24/7. In extreme cases, you could be chased by hellhounds, spanked by Furies, and have an endless shift of moving stones. (Which, again… Percy? A hellhound?! When were they to hear explanations of that?)

Then there was Heaven. Lights, green grass, sun, and music. All love and happiness. The isle of blessing in the sea of blessing.

Elysium.

“It sounds beautiful," Sarah commented. She was the only one, for most kids shared her sentiments and saw no point in adding anything else.

…That's the place for heroes."

Several people perked up at that. The place sounded amazing. Incredible. It was definitely worth it.

“How to get there?" Levi asked despite himself. Immediately, several heads turned toward him. As a response, he shrugged, finding nothing compromising in his desire to lead a better life even after he passed away.

To his surprise, Percy answered in a hollow voice. “You do good things, make sacrifices, lead a good life..."

He himself reminded of a statue, unmoving and hardened; just like Annabeth, who, it seemed hadn't even touched the thing she'd been preoccupied with all those times before.

“Guess there aren't many people there," Lyssa noted after a short deliberation. (A thought of focusing on their state and pondering over possible source of distress left a bitter taste in her mouth.) Confused looks that she received, though, made her snort. “C'mon, how many people are actually willing to save someone? Or make sacrifices? We're selfish creatures, so either of the two options is hard."

No one offered her an answer; everyone appeared too struck to form a proper argument.

Instead, Paul continued reading.

They continued with the walk. The farther they went, the less pleasing it became. Several students even snapped out of their wistful musings, having been slapped by the rough world of the eternal torture. And then they heard Furies.

Of course, Grover attempted to make a little detour to avoid pain and sadness. They would do the same.

"…Like, Elysium, for instance…"

“Coward," Riley muttered under his breath. He would have said it louder but realized no one was on his side anymore. His class was enthralled by stupid Jackson. The worst was that Jackson himself seemed unaware of all the impact he had on them. He clearly ignored the talks.

Annabeth-from-the-book nudged Grover to move. Then something strange happened, and no one felt happy.

"Grover," Annabeth chided. "Stop messing around."

Provided response seemed off-putting. Percy and Annabeth shuddered simultaneously, pain woven into their features.

It was such a sudden change that no one even had time to process if before Jason and Leo leaned closer to them and begun whispering something, too low for others to pick up.

“What's with them?" Lyssa frowned.

These two had been volatile, quite fairly so; but they had never willingly showed so much… pain. Pure, unbridled pain.

She exchanged a look with Jenna, who frowned at her and tipped her chin at an already preparing to speak up Peter. Luckily, his neighbor had caught on faster and covered his mouth with a pretty loud, 'Not now!', which shut up now just him, but also Steven and Levi. Everyone just started at each other in mute discombobulation, not sure where to proceed from there.

“Mr. Blofis?” Mike urged in a booming voice, effectively pushing Paul out of his trance. (What was he even doing?!)

"But I didn't…Help!"

Every single head turned in the direction of the Demigod Safest Heaven, perhaps, still hoping to get explanations; perhaps to check up on them, because this scene had obviously been pretty traumatizing for them. Votes were split evenly.

Either way, none really got what they wanted, for Annabeth and Percy still were staring at the wall with blank expressions while Jason and Leo watched them with worry. They didn't bother much to disguise their true feelings. It didn't matter much when Percy and Annabeth were obviously hurt, probably reliving the most egregious and horrifying moments of their times down there.

No one—not even Chiron—had attempted to interrogate them on their journey through Tartarus, and right now, seeing them so openly hurt and terrified and probably dead inside, both Jason and Leo vowed to never, ever even hint at those questions. Only if either decided to talk about it themselves, which seemed like a far-fetched possibility.

Ten long seconds later, Jason coughed and practically pleaded Paul to continue while they still had a chance to move through this part without any major breakdowns. If he caught a sight of Gods…

Whoa! He caught himself. Stop right there! Gods. Bad. Not worth it.

Not worth it. The torture was not worth it; the hurt his friends were going through was not worth it. They shouldn't even be here, reading about the most private moments of Percy's.

None of it made sense. It had to be bigger than a whim of his father. They always had a bigger purpose. What had Annabeth said? The Fates were at play, which–

Jason's brain clicked out, making him squeeze his eyes shut. When he opened them, there was no previous thoughts present in his mind, only a feeble ghost of an emerging idea that he hadn't had a chance of catching.

Paul resumed reading just in time for everyone to startle out of their forlorn pondering and focus back on the story.

Having been infected by a gloomy atmosphere and overall depressing tone of this chapter, barely anyone interrupted Paul for the next few minutes. They weren't able to open their mouths; even worse, their vocal cords had given out completely, making their owner unable to speak. That whole thing was so messed up! It had started innocuous enough, though, with Grover getting caught up in something extremely weird courtesy of his presumably animated shoes; Grover couldn't stop it. Easy. Ha! They thought!

Apparently, shoes lived their own, completely unrelated to their owner, life and decided to take a trip around the Underworld. Or they just were looking for the fastest way to Hades. An absolutely sane desire of an inanimate piece of footwear. To spice it up, they sped up and almost gave Grover nausea and fear of shoes.

In short it appeared that. Pretty harmless.

Not so much.

…in the opposite direction.

The class stared more intensely at that. To their horror, shoes did not stop there and dragged their owner further, moving away from the right direction. They chose a tunnel. When kids heard it, they blinked. Then stared at the book in the way Carrie inflamed things; their eyes never left it. The moment Percy suggested to 'hold onto something', at least nine of them wanted to slap their foreheads and three actually did that. Even they, people who could barely follow this story, realized 'holding onto something' would not work. Not that type of a situation.

In their distress no one noticed how Percy's look grew darker, his features sharpened. It was much more difficult, he thought. To hear it. The closer his past-self got to the stupid chasm, the more intense his anxiety became. Reliving memories was the last thing in his plan for life. Of course, who cared? Not gods that decided it be a good idea to subject him to another of their games and watch the show. Of course, he was their favorite circus monkey, the one that followed their orders and ended up in some dangerous–and entertaining for them–situations. They knew Percy did it not because he wanted to or was afraid of their wrath–he had been long past that–but because they usually manipulated him into taking another quest. And another. And one more after that. They would take his loved ones, his friends, his memories and life… to solve problems they themselves had brought to life.

How annoying could it be? Even this quest. Zeus pinned all the blame on him so, of course, Percy had to go nowhere to retrieve something he had never seen before in his life, simultaneously trying to survive and not offend the rest of the Olympians. And what about the Golden Fleece? If they had been smarter then, no one would have had to search for it because Polyphemus would have never gotten a hold of it in the first place. And he was sooo not going to recall the mess with Atlas, for there was only one person to blame, but Zeus would rather zip him off Earth than admit to being boneheaded. Hera deserved a special place in Fields of Punishment solely for meddling with their lives because she believed her plan was perfect. Flash news, it wasn't. Jason and he had almost murdered each other. Their camps had almost destroyed one another. The only reason it had never happened was Reyna, Hedge, and Nico and their dedication to fixing the mess. Without them, demigods would have ceased to exist. But gods would never accept the blame. They would shift it on each other until they found out that blaming the deceased was much easier. Dead don't talk. They can't fight accusations. A perfect solution in case they somehow regained their sanity and defeated Gaia.

Percy cast a glance at the book. Slowly, his attention got diverted by the expressions on the faces of others. What was going on?

Curious, Percy allowed himself to tune back in.

…flying off into the chasm to join its twin.

Ah, they survived the first ever meeting with Tartarus the Mighty. Percy slid down on his seat. That was the moment when several pairs of eyes rested on his face. He felt the looks, of course, he did. They made him twitch and his skin crawl as though billions of small ants were running around, determined to find the fastest one. Percy flinched, managing to disturb Annabeth along the way. She blinked back into consciousness and slumped on her seat, resting her head on Percy's shoulder. Neither uttered a word.

…as if somebody had filled it with rocks.

“Wow, you really got it tough, didn't ya?"

They received the answer to their question straight from the book when Percy willingly listened to the pit. A collective shudder that went through the students could rival a small earthquake in its intensity.

“Percy, why would you listen to something so dangerous?" Sarah asked. Well, she was basically accusing Percy of a crime but who cares?

Percy blinked. “Um, what?"

“Haven't they told you that you shouldn't listen to dangerous–whatever it is? They're dangerous for a reason! You don't go and listen to them because even I realize it's a trap!"

Sarah heaved a heavy breath and leaned against her chair, looking peaceful.

“Er, what'd she want?" Percy frowned at Jason, who waved him off, looking positively giddy for some reason.

"We have to get out of here," Annabeth said.

“Thanks the heavens you have a sane person in your company!"

So they tried to escape. 'Tried' being the key word, for Percy moved too slow, weighed down by his backpack. (Lyssa was frowning profoundly the whole time, wondering what exactly they had in the bag for it to appear that heavy.) And then there was the voice. The voice that even through the words sent shudders down their spines, so cold and evil it sounded. No one tried to imagine how terrified the trio must have been.

"What was that?"

“Same question, dude, what was that?!" all eyes found the only person, brave enough to interrupt such an intense moment. Seeing all the looks, Steven snorted. Loudly. “As if you aren't wondering the same!"

…"One of Hades's pets?"

“If only," Percy and Annabeth breathed out in unison, twitching along the way, zeroing on the spot between Leo and Jason and not looking anywhere at the same time.

“Do we–No?" Cassandra watched them with confusion, for she failed to understand the reasoning behind such a comment. “Alright."

Perhaps, it was just a notion of this thing that made them uneasy. God knows, she felt the same, even if she didn't understand the real extent of the issue.

…I never liked those shoes, anyway."

“By the way, what are those shoes?"

A sort of innocent question restored a bit of enthusiasm in the students and provoked them to seek answers. Percy and Annabeth looked up just in time to see everyone staring at them with hunger. Even Jason and Leo, who definitely looked way too excited.

Percy groaned. Loudly. Next, his head dropped on the desk, forcing Annabeth to move away from him. He never got back up which basically shifted all the attention to Annabeth. She heaved a sigh then, as a means of a bloody revenge, pierced Percy's back with her elbow. When Percy provided nothing but a muffled yelp, she'd given up.

“These are flying shoes from Hermes," she stated nonchalantly.

“Hermes gave you flying shoes?" Jason raised his eyebrows.

“Hermes gave you flying shoes?" Lyssa repeated, looking astonished.

“I've never said Hermes gave us flying shoes!" Annabeth snapped at her, sitting straight up. Percy yelped once again but didn't move.

“But you just did!"

This whole class was an abomination that should not exist!

“I said they're from Hermes," Annabeth all but roared. A faint thought at the back of her mind sobered her up for a moment, though Annabeth refused to give in to the voice of reason and question herself on her feelings and amplified irritation. They'd been through this routine too much by this point. “I never said Hermes himself gave them to us."

Lyssa paused for second before jumping right back into the argument. “Isn't it the same thing?"

“No!"

Percy jolted. So did Jason and Leo, watching her with an ever-growing concern.

Annabeth crossed her arms and glared at both—a futile attempt at releasing some of the brewing anger she didn't know how to handle. Why Tartarus?! Why this exact part of all the ones they could have put in this damned book! Why'd they selected one of the most traumatizing moments of her life?

Because they don't know, a more logical part of her mind supplied.

Like hell they didn't! They'd been eavesdropping since the very beginning, willingly or not; they knew everything. They simply didn't care.

“But–" Lyssa began, eliciting a rage-filled exhale from Annabeth.

“Mr. Blofis, if you please," she asked, trying her best to keep her voice steady.

Paul's voice drowned out exclaims of outrage and disappointment several students expressed.

Their disappointment lasted exactly three sentences because the fourth one could not be dismissed.

“Even Echidna hasn't given you that feeling?" Lyssa repeated incredulously. “When did you meet her?"

“You met Echidna?" Jason asked simultaneously. Percy winced. “You don't have to answer; I see you did. When?"

“I agree with the blond boy; when it happen?"

Percy grimaced. Due to irritation he felt or memories, no one knew. Either was probable. They didn't care. All they needed was Percy to elaborate on quite a terrifying (as Lyssa later assured) statement. Well, Percy did. Kind of. He basically summed the story up in three sentences. 'I met her. I was hurt. I had an accident at the Getaway Arch'. ('You remember the name?' 'It's hard to forget when you fall off it'.)

Percy didn't elaborate, prompting several extremely nosey children to seek information somewhere else.

…head toward the palace of Hades.

“Almost?" Levi frowned.

Almost.

“That's… reassuring."

As Paul proceeded with the book, several people realized Percy possessed an infinite amount of drama, intertwined with pessimism and an ability to root fear in you. How exactly he'd not only managed to survive in general but also was allowed to lead a whole quest? They really had no one else, did they?

At least, the palace seemed lovely. As an interesting place as an underground, death-ruled kingdom could be. Those engravings depicting apparent catastrophes? If you don't look at them, you can envision the beauty. The stone, mushrooms, poisonous plants, and jewels-packed garden might capture your attention; though, solely for the fact of it being weird. And those statues...

“What the hell?” rang through the class.

All the eyes on Percy again. He shrugged noncommittally. “Medusa."

Stares intensified, fueled by thorough confusion and perplexity their holders experienced.

“Um, what?" perhaps, it was not the best idea to expose your state...

Who were they kidding?! It needed to be expressed right here, right now in all its glory, for the level of astonishment Percy put them in was not healthy. Not even a bit. That bit that would not threaten their lives had been traversed and stomped on million years ago when they had still been young and naive. But now? Ha! The only way to retain a minuscule piece of sanity was to question everything, to outline the problem and solve it as fast as possible before it might be too late. This moment was one of those especially perfect times when you could do it.

“Me-du-sa," Sarah repeated. “Like the Medusa, the one that petrifies you when you look at her?"

“The one and only," Percy nodded, still exuding as much indifference as he could. Feigned or not, was hard to tell; neither Jason nor Leo succeeded, which left them watching the two attentively to catch the moment Percy might snap. Or Annabeth. Or both.

If they decided to take a vacation after this day, Jason and Leo would fully support them.

“Do we need to–” she froze then shook her head. Nope, she was not going there. Not now, not ever. “Never mind, I don't even want to know how you know her. I'll just go with the belief you know everyone. Yeah, that's great. Continue, Mr. Blofis, sir."

Quite bemused, Paul found the line and began reading.

"The garden of Persephone," Annabeth said. "Keep walking."

“Why?"

They definitely could not keep silent for more than ten seconds (totally Percy's fault). Everyone's heads veered toward Steven who regarded the book with barely concealed confusion.

“That's a good question, actually," Levi noted. “And no, Lyssa, I do not need your input. I'd rather the book explained it."

Lyssa, who already opened her mouth to give him a lecture on the dangers of the Persephone's realm, closed it and huffed.

Thanks the gods for Percy and his inexplicable need to clarify everything that might be difficult to understand to invisible readers. As Levi heard that by taking a bite of pomegranates he had no clue also were there, one would stay there forever. You would not physically be able to leave.

Here Percy's teacher side evaporated, allowing its place to his dramatic one. Really, none–not a single soul in this class or school–would like to hear that skeletons guarded countless of doors. Or that they wore pretty ridiculous for a bunch of bones attires. Or that some carried weapons. In short, everyone's determination to avoid the place grew stronger, basically steeled itself within their minds. Was it too late to turn into a faithless dude and float in the arms of nothingness? For them this prospect appeared much more appealing than seeing walking skeletons or wandering around an enormous field without a purpose.

If they were freaked out before, they got even more dumbfounded with Grover's next words.

"I bet Hades doesn't have trouble with door-to-door salesmen."

Even Paul raised an eyebrow and sent a side-glance to Percy, who didn't even flinch at so many stares being aimed at him.

My backpack weighed a ton now.

Lyssa's suspicion returned and slapped her right in the face. Then tapped a couple more times to ensure Lyssa caught it and flew right into her mind. Why was this damned backpack mentioned? A lot. She must admit, she had heard it at least three times in this short passage only and they had not gotten there yet! They had not encountered Hades! And Percy couldn't shut up about a bag. It had to mean something. In this book everything Percy says, holds a great meaning to either a particular period or future. So what's the deal?

I wanted to open it…but this wasn't the time.

“Do it," Mike urged Percy-from-the-book. Just like Lyssa, he took notice of Percy's persistence in returning to it. Not disturbed by exterior perils or weird scenery, Percy focused on himself and realized inaccuracy in his current state.

Real Percy only sent him a perplexed look.

"I suppose we should… knock?"

“Don't tell me you knocked."

He didn't, to their relief. However, realization that Hades had heard him unnerved even the bravest.

So did Percy's description. Apparently, he had dreamed of the palace and had met Ares. However, no one dared to inquire about this one, seeing Percy's dark look. Whatever had gone between the two, they sure as hell did not need to know that. Then there was Hades himself.

“He's Hitler's father?"

Annabeth blinked at sudden noise and turned her attention at the intruders. “Many prominent figures in history were demigods. It's not unheard of."

Jason nodded in assent, still eyeing her with thinly-veiled concern. Annabeth shook her head, forcing him and Leo to turn around.

“How's so?"

Only to turn back to Annabeth in search of support. In response, she tipped her chin toward the class, silently asking him to take it from there, for she was obviously not in in the right state of mind for that.

“We're more prone to expressing, um–" Jason frowned, veering back to the others. A couple dozens of eyes on him now, Jason wrinkled his nose and gave Annabeth a side-glance.

He certainly was on his own.

“We're more, uh," he scratched his nose. Accident prone would fit just fine, but it felt degrading to him. He hadn't deliberately sought out trouble and chaos; those always found him and his friends without their effort. “Uh, audacious. We always take risks and we're more... determined to prove ourselves and durable."

That felt nice. A ghost of a smile on Annabeth's face proved that he'd done a good job.

(How hard it was to speak so openly about himself!)

“So you're more likely to reach heights," Lyssa concluded after a short consideration.

Jason considered her words for less than a second before nodding. “Sort of. We're also our parents' children; we inherit their qualities, their talents,” a quick glance at Percy, who huffed half-heartedly at that but didn't offer any other response, “some more than others. The more powerful your parent is, the more likely you'll seek means to establish yourself. Like Hercules; he has such an inflated ego, you know he's Zeus' son."

The thunder rumbled, displeased with the comment. Three demigods glanced out the window. Jason shuddered.

“We inherit a lot, including flaws. The Big Three's kids tend to be more—” he faltered, unable to attach an appropriate definition to the image. What kind of person was he? Or his brothers? Even Percy. They had battled for leadership, after all. “—power-hungry." The word appeared unexpectedly but described them perfectly. Both he and Percy had been pretty power-hungry; Jason more so. Both needed to feel control. Both found themselves more fitting for the position. “Yeah, power-hungry would do."

Lyssa examined him for a few moments and nodded. “Alright… So, it was inevitable? The war?"

Jason pressed his lips together, sending a helpless look Annabeth's way. Thanks the gods she was listening!

“Well... there was the reason why they made that pact," Annabeth said carefully, peering at the ceiling

Lyssa didn't respond. She whirled back to her desk and stared at the whiteboard. There were things to mull over.

"Or perhaps you are simply very foolish."

“What've you done?" Lora groaned, receiving no response.

Percy from the book was more eager to engage in any form of a conversation. Even with Hades. Only one thing was worse than talking to Hades: seeing his underwear. Why would Percy even concentrate on it? Why?! No one–no one–wanted to know there was a minuscule prospect of you being woven into his underwear after your passing.

“Why do you keep thinking of it?” someone grumbled, completely baffled at the new information. Jackson and his weird mind…

"Only two requests?" Hades said. "Arrogant child.

“I'd say 'reckless'," Cassandra corrected. “Percy is the last person I would call 'arrogant'."

“Brave."

“Confident."

“Has no self-preservation,” eyes found Jenna who shrugged. What could she say to refute the truthful claim?

No one even bothered to check if Percy heard them. They say the same to his face if it ever came to it, because he did seem like a reckless, brave, and confident person. And patient. Had it been anyone else in their place, they would've burned the book a long time ago.

As if you have not already taken enough.

“What is he on about?” Levi groaned.

Speak, then. It amuses me not to strike you dead yet."

“He's so generous," Sarah said sarcastically.

Percy-from-the-book was extremely nervous. In his distress, he focused too much on the surroundings and his lament about Persephone's absence.

Then there was Annabeth, the second most supportive person on this planet.

Her finger prodded me in the back.

“You want him dead that much?" Sarah's question was left unanswered, for Annabeth still couldn't care less about any of the drama.

Annabeth's silence increased the level of anxiety others carried. Coupled with the incredibly delightful conversation skills all of them possessed, it was a miracle no one had had a heart attack yet. What normal person would go and demand of Hades, the GOD, to return an especially dangerous weapon that might not only turn you to dust but also cause a full-blown war? The class learned the name of one. Thanks the gods, Hades was either too interested in Percy or really needed him to hand whatever he meant back. There was no apparent reason for him to spare Percy.

At least, Percy finally gathered there was something extremely wrong (they were so relieved that missed Percy calling Hades 'uncle').

"What exactly have I done?"

Their exhilaration was beaten by Percy. Again. He just had to describe an imminent earthquake courtesy of Hades and his inability to keep it cool. Apparently, his reasoning justified all the destruction. Or he did not care.

"Do you think I want war, godling?"

“Does he not?” Levi wondered. A quite menacing-sounding thunder shook the sky, indicating that no, he would not want to start a war. Levi raised his hands in defense. “Okay, okay, I got it. Touchy subject. No one wants a war!"

The sky remained silent, effectively calming him down and increasing amusement of some kids.

...how many subdivisions I've had to open?...Traffic problems... Double overtime for the staff…

You got the idea. There was a lot to complain about. Too much to cover, actually. And Percy unconsciously added to them.

"Charon wants a pay raise," I blurted

Half he class slapped their foreheads. Even Jason shook his head in amazement. He'd done it. Percy had actually aggravated a god. Again. At twelve. How exactly had he survived till this moment?

“You didn't!" Sarah exclaimed.

“He did,” Mike stated, equally perplexed by the idiocy Percy exhibited. “Deal with it."

“But it's a god!"

“We know, Sarah. We know."

“A god!" she moaned, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

“It never stopped him."

“So reckless!"

“Guys, I'm still here!" Percy called in indignation. He'd first gotten jostled out of his lamenting by the loud voices but then he heard them. Why was this one pushed onto him when that had been a total accident after a very scarring incident that still haunted him and why was he still thinking of all that?!

Percy expelled a breath and leaned back on the desk. Annabeth's eyes flickered toward him, but she returned to watching the clock, not really worried about him that much anymore. Jason pressed his lips together, fighting an urge to talk back at them, as Leo continued motioned to Paul to continue; Paul didn't even see him, which sucked.

“We know," kids yelled in unison, making Leo twitch and curse under his breath. This stupid school was taking the last of his patience, and they hadn't even been through half of the day.

“So reckless," Sarah added mournfully as if she was already choosing the flower she would put on his grave.

Paul finally snapped out of it and started reading.

Thanks the gods for distraction! Hearing about a millennia old mythical creature's obsession with Italian suits was entertaining. It even lured the class to believe the disaster might be averted. Ha! They thought!

"But you took Zeus's master bolt."

“PERCY!” rang around the classroom.

Their apprehension was understandable for a sole reason of his interlocutor being Hades. A god. An enraged god that might or might not want to murder Percy just for the sake of it.

Hades made sense. A lot. If they didn't know Percy could not be the thief as he held no clue of the bolt even being a thing, they would have believed the god. Without having all the details, everyone still could say gods hated each other and would not miss an opportunity to push the blame on their brother. They could understand Hades' behavior.

Almost.

…and I will have my helm back!"

“Helm?" Cassandra frowned and looked around to see whether she was the only one lost. She wasn't. Even Lyssa appeared quite confused by the statement.

“Where has the helm gotten from?"

To get a proper explanation of a very confounding issue, every single person stared at the demigods. Half of the group, followed them and turned to Percy and Annabeth, once again, proving that they didn't hold as much information as others thought them to.

“Read?" Annabeth suggested feebly.

Her words induced a round of groans.

At least, Annabeth from the book aided them by asking the only question that mattered.

“Lord Hades, your helm of darkness is missing, too?"

He offered the response everyone kind of expected. After all, Hades alluded to it for the whole of their conversation.

No one uttered a word as Hades threw accusations at Percy and his father. Some would shot a cautious side-look toward the window, afraid one of them might get riled up and attempt a murder. Luckily, the sky wad as clear as before, slightly placating students.

However, Hades' speech was the main focus, for he managed to spill some quite interesting questions that made the nosiest ones wonder what exactly it meant. Hades hadn't created any obstacles? He'd allowed them to enter his realm? He'd been expecting them? Then what was–

The thought evaporated before it could form properly. Who cared about such trivial things when Hades turned into a crybaby and began threatening to stop death because Percy did not cooperate? A god! An old man went the 'give me that or else those innocent people would suffer' route out of sheer anger! What the heck was happening?

It was only natural that Percy's fear subsided, fueled by irritation. Everyone would feel as offended as he if they got blamed for things that had never done and got guilt-tripped along the way.

"You're as bad as Zeus," I said.

Thunder echoed in the distance, making several people roll their eyes.

…That's why you sent the Furies after me?"

“Furies?" Mike veered on the spot to hve a better look at Percy.

Percy hadn't gotten up from the desk yet, while Annabeth exuded so much apathy he felt bad even about thinking to disturb her.

“Guess we won't hear this story," Lora concluded, watching them as well.

“When we ever?” Jenna asked absent-mindedly, picking on her nails; she had more sense than to expect them to be open anymore.

“True," Lora nodded, feeling resigned.

Maybe they just had to move through this class and be done with it.

"I had nothing to do with them.

“Oh, he's so generous," Sarah's sarcasm basically emanated from her. It was so thick that anyone could touch it.

…enter my kingdom so easily?"

“Easily?"

"Easily?"

“My sentiments exactly!"

"Return my property!"

Hades was not about to back down. In fact, Percy's, as he definitely believed, feigned obliviousness only fueled to the blazing fire of his paranoia and erased any bit of politeness he might have possessed before (which is doubtful if we remember his history). Hades began demanding Percy to return something he did not carry.

And then he asked Percy to open the damned backpack. At those words Lyssa perked up, glad she would finally be able to hear an explanation for this.

…humming with energy.

“What?!" most of the students, including Jason and Leo, stared at Percy in horror.

Percy raised his head, alarmed at the noise. Everyone stated at him in silent marvel, making him groan. Whatever had happened in that book again, he did not want to know it. His head dropped back, indicating that the hearing had come to an end.

“You were right," Riley sneered almost immediately. “We know who stole the thing. Good job, Jackson!"

His words sank into the void, for Percy offered him no response. Not even a twitch. However, he received needed attention from the other side.

“Oh, ph-lease, Riley, don't be stupid," Lyssa objected. She, for one, would never believe Percy had stolen the bolt–or anything at this. “When would he do it if he learned it had been stolen before he even knew about its existence?"

“But the chunk of the story is missed, how can you know there's nothing in there?"

Valid. But not an argument.

“Anything that happened before this is clearly non-important to the story or it would've been in the book," Lyssa shrugged. “I don't find it weird."

Her words were taken into consideration. The class went quiet and Paul took it as an opportunity to continue.

Of course, the three were beside themselves with confusion. And Hades seemed to have fallen into delirium, deeming himself right. Of course, all the heroes were the same. They would not respect those who deserved that (as though, gods actually were on this list). They would be damn fools.

At least, they listened to other people.

Percy's attempt to reason with him was dismissed. Instead, Hades, thinking it was the right move, revealed that his mother was alive… Paul's tension got so thick and tangible that no one dared to interrupt him. They entertained the same thought: that was despicable. Atrocious. No one–god or not–was allowed to force you to do something through threatening of your loved ones. It never painted you in a good light.

A tiny piece of respects for Hades vanquished by his own statements. In fact, the book Percy took it better than his class. He simply endeavored to escape by showing… pearls?

“What?"

“Are those pearls? Where did you get pearls from?"

A muffled groan was the best answer they had received.

…Or give me the backpack and accept my terms."

“He's so pushy..." Cassandra noted.

“He's livid." Sarah stated. “I'd be too,” her head spun toward Percy, who was laying on the desk with no sign of life in sight. Sarah sighed and turned back to Cassandra, who, too, stared at Percy with an unreadable expression on her face. “Sorry but if I found out that a person I suspected to have something I needed, actually had the thing and played stupid… I'd be mad too."

“It doesn't excuse his behavior," Jenna objected from the side.

Sarah and Cassandra peered at her, to which she raised an eyebrow and returned to picking her nails.

“These are gods."

Sarah's quite careless statement didn't sit well with the gods, for she evoked an extremely strong reaction from them. The lightning was immense; it stretched from the farthest of corners right up to the horizon, accompanied by the loudest rumble any of them ever heard.

“Guess you offended them," Mike announced, throwing cautious looks toward the window, wondering just how much they'd heard and whether they were really eavesdropping.

Offended or not, Hades had been pushy-pushy. Impatient. He ordered Percy to make a tough decision without a hint of remorse. And it was difficult to select the person to leave in the Underworld.

To their biggest surprise, everyone seemed eager to play a hero and sacrifice themselves. Everyone.

…I plan to go down fighting."

Silence enveloped them like a blanket. Slowly all the eyes found Annabeth, who was leaning against her seat, blinking slowly; her expression blank, which emphasized just how exhausted she looked. She did not take notice of their looks. Nothing. But she'd certainly earned their respect.

Only to make them roll their eyes when a quite an admirable sacrifice transformed into a bicker that forced Percy to step in—they really didn't know him; Percy would not need someone being annoying to make a life-altering decision and risk his life.

"Stop it, both of you!"

“Oh, not you too!"

Luckily to Mike, Lyssa and basically everyone else, Percy did not try to sacrifice himself (that time would come later). Percy distributed the pearls and turned to his mother. Paul's grip tightened, indicating his tension.

The smug look on Hades's face faded.

“Oh, wow, he sooo not expected you to do this!"

All Leo received in response was a round of astounded looks. Well, he did seem too quiet. But in Leo's defense, he couldn't wait for this class to end as soon as possible and was too busy peeking at the clock and catching every single movement from Percy and Annabeth's desk. (Same as Jason, really.)

…Remember about Charon's pay raise."

“PERCY!"

“Dude, you wanna be dead sooo much!"

To their horror, book-Percy did defy Hades. Then tried to escape. With difficulty. As Paul stumbled through words, filled with worry, everyone tensed even more. They could feel blood rushing through their veins and their pounding hearts. Pulsation in their temples, tightened grips, shortage of breath; all of that remained up until Percy and Co. crashed into water.

A collective inhale accompanied their trip to the ocean, darkness, and general disorientation.

Then they saw the light. And sharks. A sharp inhale almost ripped some throats. Stress prevailed in the classroom… and they were away from the Underworld.

Then Percy saved the day.

I said, "Beat it."

Hearing such a comment toward a shark was a relief. Some even found it entertaining. Unlike Percy-from-the-book who seemed more pissed than ever. Even that poor shark realized that.

…June 21, the day of the summer solstice.

“Wait, what?” Levi stared at Percy. “Didn't you have like a week?"

To their utter shock, Annabeth regained consciousness and leveled Levi with a look.

“We made a detour,” she said hoarsely.

Stares intensified.

“Alright–"

…army of the dead after me right now.

“Wow, you hurt-hurt him."

But Percy-from-the-book did not care. He had other problems like returning the bolt in time. Or–

…with the god who'd tricked me.

“Who?" Steven wondered immediately. Did he hear it right and there was the god who'd tricked Percy. A god! A real god!

“This we'll find out tomorrow," Sarah said, instantly dampening his mood.

“Damn, why is this book so stupid?"

Four people at the back of the class were in complete agreement with him. Although, Steven would never know that.

**

Leo could not rid of a thought that the world had gone to hell. He'd seen weird. He'd sailed on a flying warship through Europe to Athens and fought literal earth, but that felt like your normal Tuesday compared to the chaos the school had descended into.

Gods? Weird but cool.

Percy taking it in stride? Probably normal for him, but they could never be certain.

The school being fine with the book? That was the biggest mystery of all times.

Why were they fine with the book?!

That was the question that nagged at Leo's mind ever since he'd caught a glimpse of a dejected Annabeth over the MI. What it was, she refused to tell. Jason knew even less than he, and none dared to ask Percy. Annabeth hadn't asked him either. She looked exhausted, so Leo didn't have a heart to disturb her more.

The camp was in shambles too. Which was saying a lot. They'd just come off a life-changing war, and everyone for once, naively, believed they might get a break before another world disaster would fall on their heads. With the way they headed, it didn't feel that far-fetched anymore. After all, Leo had seen dryads weep in the forest after another failed attempt at a camp activity. (Damn you, Harley!)

So, dryads wept now, which stunned Chiron into silence for good two days. (They'd never showed their distress in public.) Grover had mentioned some stirring somewhere in Arizona, but no one felt any urge to go and check it just yet—the school topic had prevailed over the rest. Will had been caught glaring heatedly at Nico, which creeped everyone out so much that they refused to ever mention it to anyone. (And unanimously voted for leaving the two to their own means… Whatever they were up to these days.) The camp was still practically in ruins even with Romans on their team—you couldn't possibly build a single thing without an architect's approval, and Annabeth seemed too busy to spare their blueprints a glance. (They'd started the building; he knew they had. Harley couldn't shut up about The New Cool Stuff they'd cooked up for Hermes' cabin that had gotten picked up by… whoever had taken Annabeth's place. No one cared anymore.)

They'd been restoring life as they knew it… before gods had screwed it up.

That's a wonder Percy hadn't blown up yet. Annabeth believed they had a month at most before he devised the most devilish plan ever and brought hell. Leo knew he'd be on board. And Jason. And, gods forbid, Piper would ever be left out; she'd been rehearsing her Super Important Lecture in front of the mirror all the times he'd seen her.

Fun times.

Just as fun as being hunted by monsters.

Speaking of...

A hellhound?

There had been a hellhound at school when Percy had a detention?! And no one ever talked about it?!

The idea of ignoring a hellhound seemed wild to Leo, but Percy stared into space too much for it to be normal and Annabeth looked ashen and sick—not the best people to ask. Jason would shrug at his occasional inquiry, mystified at all the talks around them.

But... a hellhound?!

A monster so close to them that no one cared?! The first monster since they'd started the book!

Wait–

Leo looked up from his lunch.

As always, the place was bubbling with excitement. Clamoring intermixed with voices and laughter, turning into hubbub. Leo's overstimulated brain had clicked out a few times just this one lunch. He didn't know how much he could last before making a run for it and escaping to Ogygia. He missed the sun, the calming crashing of waves, and birds chirping.

He missed the quiet.

But Calypso would never agree to move back to that 'gods-forsaken confinement' and Leo wasn't about to test his luck and ask her. He'd rather face a pissed off gorgon.

Oh, gorgons.

“Uh, guys, did you notice," he faltered, watching each and every one of them intently—almost glaring—until they'd had their full attention on him. Annabeth watched him blearily, Percy sat with a blank expression, and Jason, having dived into the safest activity he knew of, didn't react to him. Leo's nervousness had shot high up; he had barely noticed that he'd been whirling a fork in his hands. “Did you notice they've been no monsters recently?"

Jason's head snapped toward him. Even Percy and Annabeth regained some kind cognizance. Leo dropped the fork and leaned on the seat, waiting for their reactions.

Those weren't long in coming.

“It's not–” Jason began with a frown and closed his mouth. He dropped his gaze on the papers then peered at Percy, who remained indifferent to the conversation, and Annabeth, who grimaced slightly. “I mean... No, right?"

Leo leaned forward, clasping his hands together at a sudden spike of anxiety. It was a jarring image, seeing Jason so unsure of his words. To see Jason unsure of anything.

“No, no; Leo's right," Annabeth spoke up, slumping on her seat, permeated by concern. Whatever that troubled her, she put it aside for now. “Four demigods in one place; it screams 'come and get me'. Why haven't there been any attacks?"

Of course, none wanted to be attacked mid-quiz, but her bafflement about that having not happened yet was the exact thought everyone had.

“Gods," Percy... asked? Whispered? Whined? Growled? Who ever knows with him anymore.

Annabeth cast a glance his way. “Percy–"

“It's all them, you know it!"

Whoops, totally growled.

Percy took in a shaky breath and hit his fist on the table. The thudding reverberated in the air. A lot. Leo glanced down, surprised to see his plate shaking.

Annabeth followed suit, frowning at seeing the table tremble beneath her. It didn't take much time to put two and two together, and before long she was leaning toward Percy with her hand placed firmly on his shoulder.

Until Percy pushed her away, of course, which might have shocked everyone had it been any other time.

“Don't you see?!" he all but bellowed.

Oh, thanks Olympus for the lunch break! It was so noisy in here that Percy's words had sunk into the void of other voices, screaming, and clattering.

Momentary silence enveloped them all until someone yelled in the background, pushing them out of their stupefaction.

“Percy," Jason pushed his glasses up his nose, frowning prominently and exuding 'I'm the leader, listen to me' aura, “if they knew how to keep up disguise–"

“They would've done nothing!" Percy threw his hands up, barely avoiding Annabeth's head. Annabeth recoiled, obviously startled by his behavior. She stared at Leo in mute shock, to which Leo shrugged. They must have the talk eventually; but it did not seem like the time would ever be right for it. Not with Percy fighting every step of the way. “Jason, think of it. They. Don't. Care. Whatever is happening here, it doesn't matter to them. We still don't matter to them. I bet they found a way to cover our scent so we can read this stupid book in peace... DIDN'T YOU?! I KNOW YOU DID!"

Clattering and chatter stopped, as everyone peered at Percy. He was glaring at the ceiling and trembling feebly. None of the four did anything to calm him down, however. They shared a dark look and collectively decided to sit back and watch. Gods knew what they were getting into when they'd opened this can of worms with this book. They should've known by now who Percy was. They should've done the right thing and just ask him; if they weren't doing it just for the kicks, Percy would've understood.

Not now. He couldn't care less. He was mad angry and paranoid. He was slowly losing his composure over the book that he'd never wanted to exist, and gods still did not care much unless he insulted them loud and proud. He'd gone so far beyond what any of them expected of him (except Annabeth. Probably. Who knows? Annabeth would be right beside him holding Zeus while Percy shoved the book up his ass.); something had been brewing in his mind too long now.

He was bound to blow up.

Gods would learn to care for their kids eventually. One way or another.

Percy would make them.

**

This book must be the worst invention in this world.

“I swear," Florence repeated for the fifteenth time. “I swear there was a huge dog."

“Flo," Levi all but whispered mournfully, “we know. We believe you."

“It attacked Jackson!?"

“Noah said it'd licked him," Lora objected.

Noah raised his arms in defense as though asking them to not involve him in this mess.

Lora's sentiment exactly. The more they delved into the Percy Jackson issue, the more she felt like she was losing both her sanity and brain cells.

The chaos the school had dissolved into, was affecting everyone. No exceptions. Even when they pretended there was nothing (teachers) and when they openly had a bottle of bourbon placed on the table (Mr. Rowel), no one batted an eyelid anymore.

“Who cares?" Levi asked. “Why the hell was there a hellhound? Are we sure it's that?"

Everyone stared at him like he was a big idiot, to which Levi rolled his eyes. Whatever.

“I've searched Google up right, left, and center,” Florence said gingerly, her eye twitched at their attention. “It's a hellhound. They usually stay in the Underworld, though."

“A what?"

Florence leveled Levi with the look, making both him and Noah who stood beside him shudder. “Hades' realm… Have you read the source material?"

The question hang in the air, turning them all more uncomfortable with each passing second, which meant… nope, he'd never picked up a damn book in his life. Florence threw he hands up in resignation and shared a look with mournful Lora.

Levi sucked in a deep breath, breaking the silence. “To make it clear, we had a mythological monster from a mythological dead land jump on Jackson and lick him?!"

Noah nodded enthusiastically, happy someone was agreeing with him.

“And we all would just collectively drop it?" Levi asked in a strained voice.

This time Florence and Lora joined Noah, who wore the biggest grin on his face, exposing a row of colorful braces (that he found way too damn cool).

“Levi, have you seen them today?" Florence asked tentatively. “Percy's pissed."

Everyone looked in the direction of the gym where Percy had made a scene earlier today and gotten kicked out of the class altogether. What exactly had happened was a mystery. They knew one thing: Percy had yelled at Mr. Rowel and threatened(???) him when he'd heard of another detention—whatever that one was about; their voices had been muffled and both stormed out of the coach's office fuming and glaring at everyone, so kids assumed the worst. It was not a secret that Mr. Rowel detested the book and refused to pick it up, even when kids begged him to do it for good three days. It would not surprise anyone if he'd confronted Percy as well.

“Plus, if anyone ever dares to pry this story outta him, it's Lyssa–and I'd never go to Lyssa for anything," Florence pushed a strand of brown hair off her face and sighed.

Silence descended on them once again until Noah hiccupped. “Yeah, not gonna happen."

“Terrible idea."

“I'd rather jump in a volcano."

“Yeah, I'm right behind you."

They started walking toward the exit, a motley crew that they were. A hyper-social menace that Noah was should have never ended up on the same team as an overly strict and demanding Florence, but they had and they loved every second of it. How and when they'd added Levi who was closer to Noah than Florence, was still a mystery to them all, but he'd brought a quite inquisitive Lora to the band, balancing them all out. They were so different, yet there was one thing that united them: avoidance of Lyssa. A vow they'd made in the first year of high school had landed them in a lot of trouble but spared from a far more detrimental fate.

And none were ready to lose that.

Chapter Text

“This is so counterproductive!” all the eyes rested on Sarah who snorted. “Do any of you really believe it is a good idea?”

So far none of the ideas in this school had been good. Not one. The closest they'd gotten to winning was Jason asking Percy directly about the book and receiving a succinct 'You'll see' in response.

Percy must know something. Of course, he knew something. He knew everything. Even what had made Mr. Rowel practically breathe fire. Yet, he didn't budge, walking silently across halls and being gloomier than a pitch black night in a horror movie forest.

So why exactly they believed that was a good idea?!

Sarah pinched the bridge of her nose and mentally counted to ten, then forty-seven then to ten again and exhaled heavily. Who was she kidding? They would drag her in the lion's den if it meant they would get explanations!

“I hate you so much!"

The target was found near her locker. She took notice of an approaching company in an instant. It couldn't be any other way, for they were producing too much noise to stay undetected. She frowned when it had become clear she was the destination of a spectacle these three were a part of. (What else would you call Cassandra towing Sarah forward and Lora pushing her from behind?)

She glanced at Mike. “What are they–"

“Hello!” Cassandra's shriek rang through the hallway, immediately drawing all the attention to the new gathering. After all, hardly anyone in here would do the same thing. Who in their right mind–besides Mike, but it was doubtful–would willingly tolerate Lyssa?

They now knew two and half more people. But they had to do it. If there were one person in this school who knew how to solve mysteries, it was her. She was the epitome of The Mystery Inc. She was bound to unveil the secrets. She, however, had no clue what they wanted from her.

They had rarely talked outside of class at all.

Lyssa blinked and stared at the company. “Yes."

After everything they'd been through these past few weeks, this was what might leave her damaged. Her first urge was to run away screaming and hide in some cave on the other side of the world so no one–no one–could find her. The urge she couldn't act on, because he body had just shut down.

All she could do was press against the locker, watching these evil creatures approach her.

Seven feet.

Five.

Three.

Zero.

It's done.

“We wanted–"

“We expected–"

Cassandra and Lora faltered then stared at each other. Sarah heaved a sigh; her expression was clearly something along the why-the-hell-am-I-here? lines.

Silence was a natural consequence, as no one knew what to make of it, equally quite attentive to the scene before their eyes.

Lyssa was mentally humming the whole way, too. There were a few things she could pick up on starting with Lora's disheveled self and ending with absolutely dead-looking Sarah. There was a range of emotions they covered, and Lyssa could not tell which one seemed more terrifying. Lora's hazel eyes had a manic gleam in them as she was trying to push the strands of her hair back. Cassandra appeared red-faced and heavy-breathing, though expressing the same amount of enthusiasm as Lora. Only Sarah exhibited no sign of life, instead staring off into space with her big green eyes. It was clear who the initiator was.

“Did you want somethin'?" Lyssa asked Cassandra who looked less busy than Lora but more excited than Sarah.

She was mistaken. Lora sure had her priorities in order because she straightened up the second Lyssa opened her mouth. With one last blow of air, Lora offered Lyssa a huge smile which made Lyssa take a step back.

“I want you to help us get answers out of Percy!"

An informative proclamation; so staggering that not one soul in the hallway uttered a single word for good thirty seconds. Everyone was too busy stomaching the statement. Lora was looking at Lyssa proudly; Cassandra contented; Sarah slightly curious.

“Err..." Lyssa broke the silence and sent a glance toward Mike who appeared equally struck. Even if he noticed Lyssa's plea for help, he showed no sign. Lyssa was on her own. “May I–May I know the details of your… plan?”

They had to have a plan, didn't they?

Ha! They had no plan. They didn't even have an idea of a plan. Blank. So what was she supposed to do? Lyssa was not going to do all the dirty work for this ardent bunch that happened to have completely forgotten that in order to put a plan in action you need to have one.

Lyssa massaged her temples for the umpteenth time in the last five minutes. They had moved to the inconspicuous corner of the hallway, for the attention they had been drawing, was making Lyssa twitch. Apparently, the Percy Jackson Mystery had driven practically everyone in this school crazy. Especially, her classmates who were spewing a theory after theory, plotting violently, not once stopping to think that, maybe, Lyssa did not want to be a part of this discussion. 

Although barely active in the conversation, Lyssa did listen closely. She did want to avoid the further disaster that might take place if they got through with the plan. Plus, some of the discourse sounded… promising. More than once she glanced at Mike who was listening to the girls attentively, nodding and humming when it felt appropriate. He, too, found it fascinating.

She had gotten into the trap.

“We can't just–" Sarah tried to reject an insane idea of Lyssa's. She had been telling she was crazy! She had told them it would not end well.

“But we can,” Lyssa protested instantly.

Someone groaned softly but none registered the sound, too immersed in their sort-of-a-quarrel that might or might not have begun.

“Lyssa," Sarah uttered, “I know you don't value your life but, please, for the love of all holy, spare our lives. Percy is on good terms with a huge shimmering dog; how much you wanna bet he'd get annoyed and unleash it on us?"

Cassandra and Lora nodded; Mike stayed behind but internally was fully agreed with the girls. The concern was clear, wasn't it? Percy seemed so out of it all that something as heinous as a release of a hellish, definitely mythical creature that wasn't supposed to exist on them didn’t seem a far-fetched prospect.

“There's Annabeth," Lyssa said simply.

“She's scarier than a bunch of hellhounds."

“Jason and Leo?"

“They seem to know as much as we do.'

“But we need to–"

“Lyssa, if you wanna die so much, go ahead,” Cassandra interrupted, having gotten enough of this talk which was leading them nowhere (and taking up all the time of their deserved break). Why had Lora thought it a good idea? “But without us."

Lyssa huffed. A moment later, her eyes found Mike who developed a strong urge to run as fast as he could and never come back to New York. It was one thing to listen to Lyssa and discuss theories with her; even library sounded fun with her. But this? Percy was already on the verge of a huge breakdown, he was jittery, he would glare at them as if it were them who had tricked him. So why did she believe it might be safe to go and confront him on the evidently sore topic? Mike would rather stay behind and let the book explain it all to them.

But who would listen to him?

No one. But they would.

“Girls," he called right in the second Lora and Lyssa were arguing about the relevance of the chain Lyssa was ready to use. It goes without saying, the only people who took notice of him were Cassandra and Sarah, but even they paid him no mind, intrigued by the direction the altercation was going in. Mike rubbed his forehead and raised his voice to match their screeching. “Girls! Stop it, stop!” it came out louder than he intended it to, almost in line with the thunder that they we having a misfortune of hearing during the lessons. At least, it worked and everyone's attention was fully on him. “I thought we realized a long time ago that Percy would not cooperate even if his life depended on it."

It did the trick and made them quiet. At last! Finally, Mike could enjoy the silence that he had been longing for so long. Twenty-five minutes of constant buzzing in his ears had almost driven him over the edge. It indeed had made him want to move to some island in the Arctic. He would welcome polar bears as good friends because they–and he was certain of it–would not say a word in his presence.

Unlike this bunch. A momentary hesitation transformed into an emotional exchange which boiled down to a simple conclusion: Mike was right. And they did not find the fact all their plans might crumble under the weight of logic amusing.

“I hate you so much right now!"

**

Percy hated the fact he had to go to school. He hated the fact no one allowed him to skip classes under the excuse of a severe psychological distress he was going through thanks to school. He hated the fact no one seemed to care.

His eyes rested on a very contradictory group of people. Before they would have a chance to detect his presence, Percy accelerated and practically ran toward his class.

He needn't have worried, for the aforementioned group was busy with their own affairs to pay attention to others. They would so regret not having noticed Percy later when it would finally have dawned on them what an opportunity had slipped through their fingers.

That would be later. For now they were engrossed in a very enthralling discussion of Percy's escapades of the past. Namely, the Getaway Arch which made them all very curious. What might have happened that Percy would remember the name of the landmark but refuse to elaborate on the subject?

“Wait… wait,” Mike rubbed his chin; his look off as he tried his best to recall the incident. “I'm pretty sure I've heard of it! Wasn't there the news about a crazy boy jumping off the Arch? No one ever found him, though."

Four pairs of eyes rested on him as the girls contemplated his suggestion.

“You wanna tell me Percy made the news and we never knew?" Cassandra inquired after a while.

“Sounds like Percy, doesn't it?"

They turned to the greatest invention humanity had to offer, the biggest storage in the Universe, the place where you can find kittens' pictures and an instruction for a nuclear bomb: Internet the Omnipotent. They were bound to find it. It took only five minutes, four of which they were arguing over who'd have the honor of opening Google and waiting for the school internet to load the page. The rest...

Percy was found outside the IT class, right around the corner. A perfect opportunity to seize.

So they seized.

Although Percy's reflexes were impressive, his bad luck worked better. He hadn't noticed them. He hadn't even heard them until it was all too late and they'd encircled him like a bunch of bullies that they were. Percy made a feeble attempt at fleeing but failed miserably when Lora raised an eyebrow–a clear sign she did not believe a single word he said. (In other news, most of his class knew his schedule by heart by now.)

“What?" resignation was practically emanating from him, which others took as a signal to proceed.

“We were having a short debate here," Mike began then sent Lyssa a glance, silently asking her to stop him in case he was doing something wrong. She nodded softly, prompting him to continue. “About you and… your adventures–"

“What–Do–You–Want–From–Me?"

Mike faltered, now uncertain of what to do next.

“We read about the Getaway Arch," Lyssa said, seeing that if they wanted to get answers they needed to be bold. So she was bold.

“And?"

Did she imagine it or he twitched? No, she didn't. He definitely grimaced at the mention of the damned place. Lyssa smile brightly at this revelation.

“We read about that one strange incident that involved some boy jumping off it."

Either Percy did not understand where she was leading or he simply did not want to talk to them, but he provided no reaction to the claim. He stood motionlessly, awaiting an explanation of their… what exactly Lyssa wanted from him; Percy couldn't tell. However, it did not prevent him from playing dumb, just in case.

Lyssa almost groaned. Percy took pleasure in his games; she knew he did. Otherwise, how else would you explain this?

Having heaved a deep breath, she proceeded.

“You jumped off the Arch–"

“I fell," Percy corrected her.

There was a momentary hesitation as Lyssa didn't know where to move from this point on. Had she heard him right? Apparently, yes.

“Okaaay, you fell off the Arch. You're alive… how?"

Percy stared at Lyssa as though she had grown an additional pair of heads, both of which had not taken even an ounce of Lyssa's intelligence.

“There was water,” he responded, a slight emphasis of 'water'. She would get it, wouldn't she?

She did.

Unlike Cassandra, who, upon Lyssa's nod, decided to take matters in her hands and made Percy elaborate.

“Is it supposed to save you?"

Silence was her answer.

Percy offered them his best I'm-so-annoyed-with-you look then whirled on the spot and rushed to his next class, inwardly hoping they would not try to follow him. It was bad enough without their constant involvement.

“What did I say?" Cassandra wondered.

“You're sooo hopeless," came in voice from behind them, making all five turn in search of the source. Lyssa was doing it with less enthusiasm than the rest, for she knew exactly who this voice belonged to, and this person was of no help to them.

“Myers, go where you were going, please," Lyssa grumbled under her breath. Ha, since when was Kylie listening to her?

Kylie tore away from the wall. Her pace was excruciatingly slow. Like three inches a minute slow. No wonder, none of her audience managed to last till her last step. They weren't the most patient people in this school.

“Either you tell us or leave!" Lyssa's voice thundered, catching everyone around off guard. Cassandra twitched and clutched her chest; Lora bumped into the wall, staring at Lyssa as though not grasping where she was and who this loud person might be. Sarah recoiled and practically crushed into Mike who automatically caught her, his eyes on Lyssa. Did she really need to be that loud?

Kylie, too, lost orientation for a moment but recovered pretty fast. One shake of the head later, she peered at Lyssa and said, not forgetting to articulate every single word as if she were in elementary school English class, “I can help."

Now all attention shifted to Kylie who regarded them with a mixture of pensiveness and disdain on her face. (They never figured out which one prevailed: confusion at Lyssa's lack of demeanor or revulsion.)

“Um, what?” Sarah finally managed to utter.

Kylie rolled her eyes then did something none of them would have expected even in the worst nightmares: having snapped her fingers twice in front of Lyssa to ensure she was still alive, Kylie… put a hand on her shoulder in a friendly manner.

“What the hell is going on?" Lora whispered to Cassandra who was blinking rapidly, too busy processing the images before her to care.

Cassandra pinched herself and recoiled with a loud shriek that might or might not have drawn attention of all the dogs in a mile radius (let alone Mrs. O'Leary who was hanging around, waiting when Percy would be returning home to play with her). Instead of a placation, she received three angry hisses that could not be produced by anyone but a bunch of highly disturbed poisonous snakes.

“Hey!"

Her exclamation got drowned in the depth of hell together with her belief in humanity.

Still, no one cared.

Why would they if there was a much more intriguing scene taking place before their eyes? How much had Kylie drunk and where could they get some? It must be one hell of a drink if she willingly approached Lyssa and were yet to yell at her. An enthralling but terrifying image that they all had a privilege to witness.

At last, Kylie stopped mimicking Casper the Friendly Ghost and retrieved some of her venom.

“Losers, he-llo!" she waved her hand, almost breaking Lyssa's nose and poking her eye out. “I wanna help."

Lyssa who was yet to recover, stiffened and stared at her. Nope, she wasn't lying. It might be the first time ever when Lyssa had seen Kylie being so… serious. She must have taken something before the break and now wasn't controlling herself!

Kylie raised her eyebrows, a silent order to hurry up because she didn't have much time and generally had wasted more precious seconds of her life on these losers than she would like to in any other circumstance.

That was what had broken them. Not literally, though. It certainly influenced their decision none of them knew they'd made.

“Um... okay," Lyssa breathed out at last, still peering at Kylie as though she were some peculiar, totally unidentified by science beast that might be dangerous but not so much.

“With one condition," Cassandra interfered. “Stop calling us losers."

**

The class was in shambles. Of all the craziest things they'd been learning and experiencing here, it was the most astounding one. Kylie. They saw Kylie talking amicably to Lyssa.  If this weren't terrifying, nothing was. They could live with knowledge of mythological world being real. They had almost processed Percy having a giant dog (A hellhound?! The rumors going around the school were insane.) and were slowly growing accustomed to Percy himself, for all the faults and flaws he had.

But Kylie? Not so much.

Their impromptu alliance the other day was the news of the day. The rumors spread like a wildfire and soon all but the people specifically responsible for it knew something weird was going on. Kylie and Lyssa refused to sit in one room unless forced to do so. Them talking peacefully was a novel and inconceivable idea.

Well, no they had seen it all.

“We could convince the coach," Kylie whispered, casting a glance around the class. A few people instantly averted their gazes, blushing profusely at having been caught. Kylie exchanged a look with an equally amused Lyssa and bit her lip. That was too damn ridiculous!

“Have you seen the coach?" Lyssa replied, barely concealing her laughter. “He needs three bottles of whiskey to listen to us!"

Kylie hissed when Lyssa's voice reached unbearable levels of volume.

“It's worth a shot," she noted, glowering at Lyssa, who rolled her eyes. “I've seen what he does to them. He'll be too tired to argue with you."

“How's it better than what Lora proposed?" Lyssa's voice was drenched with irritation as she crossed her arms. “Tying him up is as bad–"

“Wasn't it you who offered it?"

“–ly thought-out plan as yours," Lyssa finished. “I thought you had a plan!"

“I do," Kylie responded simply. “But I'll keep it to myself until you're ready to cooperate."

That was the last thing Lyssa heard from her till the very last minute of the last lesson when, having eaten herself out with curiosity and worry, she gave in and sent Kylie a text, agreeing with everything she would be suggesting.

But that would be later. At the moment, Lyssa was too outraged and offended to be objective. She got pulled back into reality only when Paul entered the classroom, seeming even less eager to begin the reading than Percy.

But who would ask him?

I SETTLE MY TAB, Paul's voice was tired and devoid of any emotion, which made a few people share a couple of confused glances.

But what could they do now when they were reading this marvelous book?

Filled to the brim with curiosity, they stared at Percy expectantly, having completely forgotten that he was never a good source of information.

But they'd get there, eventually.

…into their version of reality.

All right, Percy might not be a good source of anything, but they certainly had mastered the art of switching from one idea to another without losing the plot. Whatever the hell had happened now, they would be going along with it, trying their best to make the most of it while they were at it.

When they didn't take offense at the book, of course.

“Hey, we don't!” one of the students exclaimed the second the meaning behind this sentence dawned on them. They might be not the most insightful when it came to supernatural, but they never fit the reality to their own needs.

“But we do," Mike responded to him, having finally torn the eyes away from Percy and his group of friends.

“We don't!" he heard a faint outcry from the side.

Mike gave him his best iteration of 'why-the-heck-are-you-bothering-me-with-your-nonsense' that he'd picked up from Lyssa before returning his attention back to Leo and a screwdriver in his mouth. It was hard to see what exactly Leo was doing, but determination on his face was mesmerizing.

…a crazy kidnapper fired a shotgun at a poli–

“Stop, stop, stop!" Steven yelled with such force people in Alaska might have started looking around, waiting when the poor dying bear would come out. “What? What explosion? Did we skip a part of it again?"

As one, dozens of heads spun toward the demigods, all of whom suddenly became very much aware of the attention they were receiving. Leo dropped the screwdriver from his mouth (though, the loud clang that followed it was left ignored); Jason looked up from the draft of the plan Annabeth had drawn for him, almost dislocating every single vertebra between his head and back, so vigorous the movement was; Annabeth, having conquered a newly developed urge to strangle someone and come to terms with a snapped in a half pencil, was glaring at Steven.

(She would love to be left doodling in peace.)

And only Percy gave a feeble start, not realizing what had caused a disturbance to his fine dream of Ogygya a.k.a. the only place on this damn planet where he could live in peace. (How and when he remembered about the island, was a completely different story.)

“What. Do. You. Want. From. Us?"

If there were any ounce of sense left, Steven would squirm under Annabeth's look, begging her to take pity on him and leave. But the last brain cell had left him a week ago when he had learned about the existence of a whole new hidden world within his own.

“Did we skip something in this book again?" he reiterated.

Annabeth's hard look melted into a confused one as she was examining him intensely. What book they were talking about? Why would they ask her? Now. She had to finish the design of an Aphrodite shrine, three of Zeus' statues for Olympus, one theater for Apollo. Her temple pinched at that. No. She was doodling. Doodling was good. Doodling was calming. It had moved her through every single class this week. She should keep doodling.

Annabeth sucked in a shaky breath before addressing Steven. “What book?"

This time even Paul lowered the book and gaped at Annabeth. If Artemis suddenly burst into the classroom and performed a tap dance simultaneously kissing Ares, they would be less astonished. Crazy gods were something they expected. Forgetful Annabeth was not.

“The book about your boyfriend," Steven responded in a 'duh' tone.

A crease appeared between Annabeth eyebrows as she peered at him. A book about Percy? There was a book about Percy? A–Oh, the book.

“Mhm, where exactly are we?" if Annabeth believed they would not take notice of her uncertainty, she was wrong. They did notice. They even double-checked to ensure they saw what they saw and it was not some god-forsaken illusion put by a wicked goddess solely for shits and giggles.

All but Steven.

“You've met a crazy kidnapper who fired a gun and cause an explosion.”

Who caused what?

That required additional investigation.

Annabeth elbowed Percy who, with a loud yelp, jumped on his seat and began looking around in search of an evil beast that had made it their task to torment him. Although Percy considered Annabeth capable of that, he was highly surprised to learn she had woken him up.

“Yes?"

“Who caused an explosion after kidnapping us and firing a gun?"

Now the whole class was watching them, curious to see what Percy might offer as an explanation. Leo and Jason, for the umpteenth time these past few months, shared the sentiment.

“Explosion? Which one?"

“The first."

“In Cali?"

“Guess so."

“Did someone fire a gun there?"

“I dunno. I don't remember any guns."

“Me either."

“What explosion you're talking about?" they chorused, staring at Steven.

Steven, absolutely having not expected the couple to shift their attention on him, jerked and pressed against his desk. The lower part of his back responded with a feeble ache.

“I don't know!" he yelled. “You tell me!?

All three turned to Paul—Steven's back will forever hate him, for now the pain grew stronger and reminded pounding. Keeping composure, Paul re-read the line.

“Ah!” was all Percy said before falling pensive.

His classmates came to an unanimous conclusion that they must know what it meant.

“Could we have skipped something, perhaps?? this time it was Lyssa who had taken the lead in this bizarre conversation. Percy nodded. “May we know what it was??

“Who cares?” Lora butted in. “I'd rather know about the explosion! What happened there? How'd you survive? Was anyone hurt?”

“Except someone's ego–" Percy grumbled under his breath, catching the last part. The only in this stream of consciousness. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a menacing-looking lightning broke the sky. Percy rolled his eyes. Of course, he would keep a close eye on him! Percy couldn't say he was surprised; simmering with incensement more likely. “What are you gonna do about that?!” he shouted. “We both know I won fair and square!”

Thunder shook the building so violently, some could swear they actually trembled. Percy huffed. He could imagine how unhappy Ares felt right now.

(Not that Ares cared about that. He didn't. All he wanted was to zip the annoying punk off the Earth and down in the deepest pits of hell. That's such a pity Poseidon had forbidden him to interfere with the boy's life, even if they did have time for that.)

No one uttered a word after that, realizing that was the best they would receive.

Paul was finally able to continue.

…during the earthquake.

“Accidentally?" Annabeth repeated, earning some confused looks. “Sometimes humans amaze me."

No one dared to confront her on the statement.

This crazy kidnapper (a.k.a. Ares)

Thunder rumbled louder than before, immaculately transmitting the message Ares wanted Percy to receive. You. Me. After school. Gonna kill.

Percy heaved a sigh and slid down on his seat. Silence that followed the thunder was defeating. Apparently, Ares had not thought it through when he snatched the Bolt from his father (Zeus must have been extremely pissed) and put it to use. If Ares were smarter and had a habit of weighing all sides of the argument, including consequences, he would have never pushed himself in the void called 'I just exposed myself to a bunch of mortals, ha-ha, stop laughing'. After all, there mortals were not dumb. Not when they had a whole Lyssa leading the pack. She was the power Ares could not match.

Lyssa instantly caught on the problem and turned to Percy.

“You were kidnapped by Ares?"

Her words sank into the silence as everyone contemplated her comment. Could it be? It made sense. After all, of all the gods they knew—which were not many to begin with—who could be capable of fighting just for the sake of fighting? Right, Ares. On the other hand, why would a god waste their time on Percy? He was a kid. A mere kid. Yes, a demigod, but still no one important to the immortal almighty beings they presented themselves to be. What common ground would an omnipresent divine being have with a mortal, poorly performing kid from New York? See, they had all the reasons to doubt the admission.

When Percy did not offer any response, Lyssa's eyes narrowed. With a loud huff she turned to her new-found team in search of support. They did want to assist, didn't they? Well, she gave them the wheel. Assist, people!

They did not disappoint.

Cassandra's face melted into a grimace as she was mulling over the proclamation. What might have provoked Ares to go and contact Percy? Aside from an obvious fact Percy had stolen the bolt. Apart from that… what else could it be? What if...

“He stole the bolt!"

A new-found revelation struck harder than the thunder. Dozens of eyes rested on Cassandra waiting for some sort of explanation. Preferably an exclamation in the vein of, 'ha, I'm kidding!'. 'It was just a thought' would do as well. Even 'let's see how far I am from the truth' could pass up as an excuse.

Cassandra stayed silent. Her eyes never left the demigods, two of whom seemed like they were confirming her presumption, two simply lost but not surprised. If anyone was hesitant before, they weren't now.

It did not mean they were willing to accept the answer.

“Ares stole the bolt?" Lora uttered, completely stunned. “Ares?!"

“Why're you so shocked?" Kylie snorted softly (though, no one reacted to her, being too engrossed in the disaster in the name of Ares to dedicate themselves to another one).

“Why would a god steal from another god?" lightning shot through the sky, showing the owner's support on the matter. Lora pointed to the window. “See, they agree."

“It would be strange, if Ares didn't agree with you," Mike chuckled. “May we continue, please? We're running out of time here."

…on a ten-day odyssey of terror.

“Abducted?"

Thunder's response did anything but reassure them. Who knew that a natural phenomenon could sound so… offended? Hurt even? Was it truly a god and not some wicked, elaborate stunt these kids were pulling? Because no one–no one–would believe a millennia-old Greek god would be acting like a toddler. (They obviously didn't know gods, or cared to keep their voices down so these particular gods would not listen in.)

…international criminal after all.

Several people snickered with Annabeth being the loudest one. To Percy's glare she offered the sweetest smile she could muster.

…to get away from his captor

“So you did blow up something!" Leo exclaimed, momentarily leaving the piece of steel unsupervised. Sharing his sentiment seemed more important. “Dude, this so cool, can you––” whatever proposal Leo wanted to make, was sunk into void courtesy of Jason's hand and a noticeable kick in the shin from Percy.

…the explosion in the St. Louis Arch.

All eyes rested on Percy who slid down on the seat and covered his head, effectively confirming a supposed explosion that had taken place several years before and which had never been his fault, despite the rumors.

After all, no kid could've done that.

A collective snort from demigods made several people wince.

…brave Percy Jackson (I was beginning to like this kid)

Giggles and snickers were heard all around the room now.

…shotgun-to-rifle on the beach.

Silence descended on them as everyone tried their best to process the words. What did the book Percy mean by 'battled him shotgun-to-rifle on the beach'? Did the reporters—Percy—reporters mean Percy fought the man? What the hell was going on in that crazy world of theirs?

“You… fought him?” Peter asked; his voice went five octaves higher than it was supposed to, making him sound both awfully stunned and overly dedicated to a fine art of operetta.

“Err..."

Could they announce they did not enjoy a new fact in their 'this dude is batshit crazy' book? Percy was so off his rocker than they would all have died of heart attacks before learning anything of importance.

The news report sounded so bizarre that some kids had begun to believe it was not as outlandish in reality. Demigods, on the other hand, though that the Mist malfunctioned somewhere in the middle of the story and led the whole of California news agency chain astray.

At least, Percy had enough sense to follow them.

"is to see my loving stepfather again.

Several people blinked. They did not expect such turn of events. Why would Percy remembered Mr. Blofis all of a sudden?

All head gradually turned toward Percy, who was hovering above a piece of paper he had stolen from Annabeth minutes prior, right between the fantasies of local reporters and young Percy's admission. Annabeth didn't seem to mind, watching her with thinly-veiled adoration; the softest expression anyone had ever seen on her.

As cute as it looked, it didn't explain a single thing.

“Um… what?” someone said into the void, for it was quite obvious no one would answer them.

“You missed Mr. Blofis so much?" Mike wondered loudly in hope to get Percy's attention, maybe even catch him off guard and received some answers before he would realize they were interrogating him.

The first part of the plan went great. Percy started, dropped the pencil and looked up. Clear confusion on his face practically screamed at Mike that the prey might have been gotten in the trap, now was his turn to seize the opportunity.

So he did.

“Why'd you talk about Mr. Blofis?"

“Where?" Percy blinked then goggled at Paul who shrugged. Percy stayed watching him for a couple more seconds until he'd finally exercised all ideas that would pop up in his head, and returned to the paper. The question long forgotten.

…calling me a delinquent punk,

“Mr. Blofis!" Sarah exclaimed in outrage. His own stepson!

Paul raised eyebrows, thoroughly confused as to why she would chide him for something he had never done. Not in the worst nightmares would Paul consider addressing Percy as a 'delinquent punk'.

Sarah's nostrils flared while she was taking one deep breath after another in a futile attempt to calm herself; a clear sign to keep away in case her silent fury would morph into a full-blown hysterics.

“Ms. Wilson, I assure you at that time I had not met Percy yet."

“But you called him a delinquent punk!” she screamed again, forcing several people to retreat to safer corners of the classroom to avoid deafness.

It took everyone an unjustifiable amount of time to mull over her proclamation. Just a couple of moment later, the classroom was filled with loud groans.

“Sarah, he's already said they didn't know each other back then!” Cassandra practically shouted at her. “It was some other man! Mr. Blofis?"

Whether Cassandra asked him to comment of the incident or to read, no one ever learned because Paul interpreted it in his own way and held up the book in front of him.

Percy’s propositions regarding the free TV-sets did not induce as many reaction as it could have, had they recalled Percy mentioning another persona filling the place of a stepfather before Paul. They didn't.

Neither did they say a word at reporters raising money. Other than, 'that's so cool!' that came from Steven.

They were crawling toward the excerpt that would undeniably arise several questions and a whole lot of discussing.

After all, Percy the Drama Queen had not dissolved into a puff of smoke for them to not find his worry superfluous.

…was scarier than a Greek monster.

“You're so overdramatic."

“Try to fly when you're constantly in danger of being zipped off the sky with the whole plane being on your consciousness.”

Needless to say, it shut the commenter up.

Quite taken aback by Percy's retort, hardly anyone felt the heart to interrupt, which allowed Paul to finally get through a huge chunk of text in peace.

It was excruciatingly hard, almost impossible for the students to render silence when book-Percy presented countless of reasons to interfere. Annabeth's trick? Genius. His certainly exaggerated claim he might not survive the meeting? Cue eye-rolls. Percy's trip through the city? At least, this one took a sentence and not a full-on declaration of pain and misery.

And then they couldn't shut up. Reason? Six hundredth floor.

"No such floor, kiddo."

“See?" Peter motioned toward Paul, addressing no one and everyone at the same time. “I told you there's no such floor!"

“But what if there is?" Jenna expressed uncertainty for the hundredth time during this short discussion. Several people stared at her as though she were the said six hundredth floor that did not exist but existed and was giving them a splitting headache. Her neighbor's one hurt the most.

“He-lloow," Peter drawled, fighting the urge to slap his forehead. “You've seen Empire State Building countless of times; tell me, have you see it go up in the sky? I didn't."

“But it's the Olympus kind of six hundredth floor!” she argued. Her voice was so full of confidence that some student began to alter their a opinion on the improbability of it. Maybe she was right and some freakishly awesome magic trick kept it concealed from the eyes of those who weren't supposed to be aware of this sort of natural phenomenon. “Tell them!”

The last part was addressed specifically to Percy. He, of course, did not pay much attention to the dispute, absorbed in the fine art of origami. How come he had not had a perfectly crafted paper plane on his hands? Percy had all the reason to question the equity of the world.

“C'mon it's not fair!" Lora groaned when she realized no one was going to confirm her presumption. “Screw you all, I'm done!"

On this happy note, Paul continued reading.

And they had plenty of uncover. For example, what sort of guard these gods hired for the job? Was he authorized to hold any kind of conversation with strangers? Had he been specifically instructed to call the ambulance in case of someone sending a careless request to converse with Zeus? Was he allowed to permit anyone to set their foot on the holy grounds? So many questions and so little understanding of the situation!

Hell, was he trained for this job in general?! He'd lost his composure the second Percy let a glimpse of the bolt be seen! What sort of guard it is?

Despite it all, Percy managed to sneak into the holy ground.

Speaking of Percy...

“Why're you alone?" someone marveled loudly. The echoes of his voice spread around the classroom, ensuring even the darkest, most inconspicuous corners of the place would not escape it.

They didn't. Leo was the first one who took notice of a disturbance outside of his happy bubble. Well, 'notice' was a strong word. More like 'slipped my hand and almost poked my eye out' notice.

“Hey!" he added to the cacophony. “Can you keep it down a little? Thank you."

Jason turned a confused, slightly dazed look at him, silently asking what the heck was going on and why he would be so damn loud about it. Leo waved him off but continued glaring at the person that had dared to discombobulate him. Did they know how difficult it was to concentrate on those tiny details when you constantly hear buzzing above your head? They had just disrupted three days of work!

“I wanted to know why Percy's alone,” the same person whined, having gathered how much his comment had distressed him.

“You could've asked him!” Leo retorted. In a second, he whirled toward Percy (which was quite a feat in itself, for a desk and Jason were a significant obstacle to him). “Dude! What've you done?"

Percy looked up, obviously disturbed and displeased. Annabeth next to him let out a soft, pain-filled snort, which she covered with a cough, before glancing back at her backpack apprehensively and a little longingly. All that was done under Percy's not-quite-so-watchful eye, for he honestly tried his best to alternate between sending Annabeth quizzical looks and staring at Leo in complete bafflement.

At last, he settled on Leo and dropped the paper plane. “Sorry, what?"

“They," Leo tipped his chin at Jason, who became even more perplexed as the exchange progressed. “Are asking why you're alone."

“But I'm not!"

“Ask them."

Leo's head lowered as he dedicated all of him to the piece that, thanks the gods, was not damaged. Percy shifted his attention to his classmates.

“Yes?"

“Why'd you go to Olympus alone?"

Percy fell pensive, trying to restore the memories of that day. What day was it exactly? When was the last time he'd been up there by himself? Apart from that eventful week during the battle. It had been somewhere in his first year as a demigod–Right.

“You mean when I was carrying the bolt to Olympus?" a nod. “Oh, er, I guess I didn't want to lose any more people… yeah?” he faltered, his look turned slightly defocused. “Yeah, I'd been worried 'bout that and…What was the question?"

The student shook their head and returned their eyes on Paul. Percy shrugged and peered at the still half-ready paper plane.

…my brain just could not accept what I saw.

Neither were the mortals' ears. They struggled to listen. None bothered to surmise what might happen if they to ever saw the place. One word: magnificent.

Look again, my brain said.

So he looked. The place was truly breathtaking. Fantastic. Splendid. It was a whole world within a world. Mansions, gardens, terraces… You name it all. They even had a market! Truly a city within a city.

No wonder, Percy did not believe his eyes at first. Who would? Especially when you receive valid arguments such as 'a billion-ton asteroid hanging over New York' and 'too big to stay unnoticed by humans'. They could see where Percy was coming from. They shared the sentiment.

But here it was. And here I was.

Well, most of it. Unfortunately, as plenty of kids around the school would state later, they were not there.

Students listened to the description attentively; they soaked up each and every word that would come at them. Did he say wood nymphs? A replica of the Golden Fleece (at the half the class began wondering a) why demigods would look as though they'd caught the Principal running through the hallways naked and b) what the hell was the Golden Fleece?). Oh, they had TV as well because, obviously, all self-respecting gods would have their own TV channel!

Speaking of gods. Teenagers? A perfectly acceptable concept that it was. Gods would absolutely nail the whole teenager disguise. And who cares if they stare at you!

In short, they felt exhilarated. So engrossed in the book that they snapped back to reality only when Percy recalled the Underworld Palace.

…Past that, the throne room.

He description of the 'room' received a round of dropped jaws, for it was anything but a room. A stadium. A five-mile field. The Atlantic. Basically anything but a normal-in-your-perception room.

“Holy shit," someone muttered too loud to not be heard in the dead silence of the classroom.

…his eyes rainy gray.

Thunder was suspiciously silent. Maybe Zeus had taken the description of his appearance flattering. (Or he was busy murdering Ares for taking his bolt against all rules and reason; that was a wonder neither Ares nor his children had been erased from the face of the world yet, maybe they needed to warn Clarisse.)

The god sitting next to him was his brother,

Everyone drew nearer, eager to hear about Poseidon (who else would it be, really?).

…had always gotten me branded a rebel.

Someone snorted. All eyes momentarily flickered to Percy to detect the aforementioned 'brooding look'. If glaring intensely at the desk meant exactly that, then they had a good definition of a 'brooding look'.

…as if they'd just finished an argument.

Thunder a.k.a. the main way of communicating with children, rumbled again. This time, however, it sounded almost nice. Like a greeting or an acknowledgement in the sense of 'yo, dude, that's me, yeah!'.

They listened to Percy's first ever encounter with gods silently, almost not breathing. Even Jason and Leo put everything aside for a second to fully plunge into a rare tale of Percy being nice to gods.

…This is only right."

“Why're they so pompous?"

Well, listening attentively did not in any case mean respectfully.

Thunder echoed through the city, being the loudest right at the edge of the building.

“Sarah, these are gods."

“Oh, right."

"You still claim him then?" Zeus asked, menacingly.

“What's the deal with him?” Jenna asked. “Why's he mad again?"

The question was addressed directly to Percy, whose head snapped up so abruptly that one might believe he managed to break a couple of bones there. But no, Percy was alive and well. Just confused.

“Um, what?"

“Why's Zeus mad at you?"

Contrarily to her expectations, Percy fell pensive, actually mulling over her question. He held up his head simultaneously leaning on the seat. Lora did not take her eyes off him, waiting until he'd speak.

“When he isn't mad at me?” Percy finally wondered out loud. Chair returned in its usual place while Percy nudged Annabeth in attempt to divert her attention from  whatever she'd been busying herself with.

Apparently, she was very busy, just never direct about it.

“What now?!" she all but spat out, absolutely furious and slightly dejected. Her eyes bored into Percy's, whose befuddlement had melted into a frown. “If they're reading about you being kidnapped, lost, dead, or turned into a hamster again, let them! I have no time for that!”

Percy grimaced at that. Yep, there was something wrong with her too; he hadn't imaged her twitchiness. He hadn't imagined her being skittish. She'd been shifty and nervous the whole class—totally not his imagination messing with him.

But it was not the time to delve into this one.

“It's not 'bout that!" he exclaimed, putting his hand right on what looked like a bunch of circles, clouds, and snowmen from hell.

“Turned into a hamster?" someone whispered.

Annabeth's eye twitched. “Percy!"

“Annabeth!"

The couple peered at each other, none ready to surrender.

Jason and Leo exchanged a look and leaped to their feet, trying to be as far from their friends as possible. Just in case. These two had had enough of stress and life-threatening situations to last a lifetime, and at some point it was bound to catch up with them (as Will had said shortly after examining them all right after the last battle); the issue was, no one could tell what the breaking point would be. The problem was that no one wanted to intervene. Chiron didn't know what to do. Gods were silent. The book still existed. And the most balanced people they knew, were gradually sinking into madness.

They would like to watch it from the distance. Leo tipped his chin toward the front of the class. Jason nodded. In three seconds, both were already sitting near Paul, right in front of the first desk, which belonged to Lyssa.

“Aren't you gonna stop them?" she asked, looking at the piece of steel in Leo's hands.

“Nah, they'll get it eventually. May I use this corner of your desk? Thanks."

Paul reading now was accompanied with the clank of metal, as Leo was sorting out details that he had with him.

 "You claim this child whom you sired against our sacred oath?"

Thunder boomed loudly, managing to startle everyone within a mile radius of the school. And no, Zeus did not care someone might have gotten a heart attack. It is entirely their problem!

"Now I would hear him speak."

Paul faltered, staring at the line. Well, he had heard quite a few things about gods and Poseidon in particular. He was certain they had met before. Although Sally would reiterate the same sentiment that gods were not... kind and it was acceptable for them to ignore their children, Paul believed Poseidon loved his son. He certainly had expressed care (the way an immortal almighty divine being could). Hearing this was crushing.

Paul sent a quick glance at Percy, who was in the middle of a staring contest with Annabeth, and heaved a breath. Perhaps, it was better not to draw his attention to this part. God knows, he had suffered enough.

So he continued, not giving anyone a chance to articulate how much Poseidon sucked and where exactly he could shove his head.

Who would have thought they would grow so protective of Percy?

The result of a god's mistake?

They could share the sentiment. Some more than others. Just how many times had they wondered the same? Had this treacherous thought worm itself into their heads and not leave them for days? Cause so many tumults and breakdowns. Every time their parent would be exhibiting a tiny bit of frustration, telling things they, perhaps, never meant. Some could recall every single second that would happen. They truly could sympathize.

…for his impudence."

The wave of indignation that arose after Zeus' statement, broke Percy and Annabeth out of their staring competition and allowed them to assess the situation.

That was one hell of a confusion fest. What had prompted twenty-three children to glare at Paul?

“What's going on?" Percy whispered to Annabeth.

“No clue. Where're Jason and Leo?"

They peered at the empty desk before them.

"And risk destroying your own master bolt?"

Percy's look shifted toward Paul, a crease appeared between his eyebrows.

“I guess I know why they're mad,” he told Annabeth, who immediately turned to him. “I'm in the throne room now."

Annabeth shot a glance at Paul then her classmates and back at Percy. His eyes widened as though he was trying to transmit her some important message that she still could not get a hold of; his head inclined to the side–an evident order to keep an eye on Paul and this stupid book. Annabeth looked at her doodling, back at Percy, and again at the drawings.

The decision was painfully easy to make.

"Let us hear him out, brother."

So they did. With difficulty, but they managed. Book-Percy was messing them all up with his constant what ifs and 'he loves, he loves me not' ideas. At some point even Riley caught himself feeling sorry for the guy before shaking his head and scolding himself for allowing pity cloud his judgment. Absolutely not the time to transform into an empathetic crybaby!

Percy's tale soon grew into a demonstration which, in turn, sent the kids spiraling. They so wanted to see this old bastard's reaction to his stupid bolt being retrieved and safe! Some hoped he would choke on his stupid possession.

Nothing of that sort happened, unfortunately. However, other incidents had taken place, all of which seemed to have been accepted by the gods, even if hesitantly. Something was not right in this whole situation.

And the gods agreed wholeheartedly.

… it is most unlike him."

“Wait, Ares?” someone broke the silence with the most pointless of comments. Several people instantly hissed at him as though they were trying out for the role of Medusa.

“I thought we've been through this!" Cassandra said loudly, so no one–no one–would dare interfere again. “Yes, Ares."

“Ares?"

Paul decided to prevent an impending carnage from occurring by raising his voice.

"It runs in the family."

Apparently, not every person in this family agreed with the comment, for the lightning pierced through the sky, a direct response from the only person who was proud and impulsive.

Children, to Ares' dismay, paid his complaints no mind, fully determined to complete the chapter before the lesson ended. How much time left?

…came up with the idea."

For the first time in a while Annabeth looked up and frowned. Why did Percy make so much sense and how come she had missed this undoubtedly fascinating moment? Her look shifted toward Percy, who was hypnotizing the piece of paper he had nicked from her. As tensed as before but not stressed out. Annabeth's conclusion was quick: the book Percy must be revealing something they had known for a long time by now; otherwise, he would be unbearable.

If only the rest of the class–or school–was as certain as her! Hordes of questions were running through their heads, but none included the actual problem past Percy and his friends had faced. No wonder, not a single soul dared to poke at this thin veil of silence that, at last, had spread around the classroom.

Percy's story was a lot to unpack. The dream? Yeah, they had absolutely heard it before! The voice that guided him to the Underworld? That one had been omitted from the book but, apparently, held a great significance to them. Ares, too, suffered from some sort of dreams? Perhaps, a Greek gods' thing?

Only once did they speak up when Zeus, definitely following his own prejudice, wondered whether Percy was accusing Hades of the crimes all, even mortals, knew he was not guilty of. Thanks the heavens Percy was smarter than that!

… something even older than the gods."

This piece of information seemed important. Extremely relevant to the theft. Several people frowned then stared at each other, endeavoring to communicate a silent message: to investigate the issue if they did not resolve it during the reading.

I only caught one word. Father.

That was interesting for sure. All eyes rested on Lyssa who, perhaps, sensing the looks, shifted on her seat and heaved a deep breath. Her whole attention now vacillating between three things: a strange invention of Leo's, Percy's life story, and an uncomfortable itch on her neck. Which one to choose?

The book had made a decision for her by allowing the book Poseidon and Zeus to have a discussion regarding the matter. Apparently, it was vital! So important that Zeus ignored Percy informing him of Annabeth and Grover's involvement in the quest. It must be the most crucial moment of their whole lives if Zeus spared Percy's life!

Granted, the last point bothered only the demigods, for mortals could not know the extent of Zeus hatred for Percy. For the rest he appeared an overly dramatic, old being that needed to be brought back into conversation only when it was necessary. So... not now.

Percy believed the same.

"Kronos," I said. "The king of the Titans."

Although they did want to share their views on the subject, not a single soul was able to voice their concerns. Their throats now dry, their vocal cords incapable of producing sounds. Their breaths held. That was serious. Dangerous. It could lead to countless of complications, some of which might be fatal.

Poseidon's tale did not make as much impression as it should have. Partially, the relevance of the events was questionable and therefore did not impose as much fret; partially, the major part of that would, to this day, appeared a huge fairytale, a series of stories conceived by a sick mind. No reason to fear.

"He's coming back."

Scratch that, Percy managed the feat. Though, Poseidon's calmness placated them. A little. In fact, the only reason none of the children left the classroom, screaming at the top of their lungs how they all were fucked, was realization that all the events they were reading about, had happened years ago. Kronos was no threat to them.

If only Percy stopped making so much sense!

That's what he said."

At this point everyone, including demigods, was listening intently. Leo sat still, a piece of wire dangling from his mouth. Jason had his whole attention on the whiteboard in front of him, his hands in fists. Annabeth's eyes were traveling from one person to another as she was replaying the bits she'd heard in her head. How come Percy had been the first to connect the dots? Why had no one bothered to check the facts before Artemis had gotten trapped? Oh, right, Zeus. It's all his fault.

No wonder, this discussion transformed into a conversation about Percy's mother. And it was hard to tell who felt the most embarrassment: Percy or Paul. It was one thing to know an omnipotent divine being had been in love with your wife at some point. It must be excruciating to hear your personal thoughts and private interactions being broadcast to people who had no connection to those matters.

…your mother has returned."

A nice bombshell, they must admit. Paul stumbled on the last word, which forced him to falter and let children process the piece of information. What did they mean by 'returned'? She was alive? And well? Not dead?

“I told you!” rang through the class right in the second Paul had finally recovered returned to the book.

No one dared to interrupt him.

"My mother?"

“My sentiments exactly," someone whispered, instantly receiving a round of hisses–their idea of asking to shut up.

…Even the Lord of Death pays his debts."

Thunder's roared outside, expressing the extent of Zeus' discontent with the whole situation. Not one person paid it mind, too engrossed in the story to care about the opinion of an angry cloud.

There was a lot to unpack in Sally's miraculous return to the Earth, and, of course, book-Percy was bound to spoil the moment.

“Who the hell is Smelly Gabe?" Peter wondered, breaking the blissful silence. Instantly twenty-four pairs of eyes rested on him, some exhibited the indignation their owners felt, some curiosity. Percy refused to stare at him, selecting the piece of papers as his main victim; Annabeth also paid him no attention, too busy patting Percy on the shoulder to dedicate her limited amount of energy to something else.

Silence was threatening to linger. Steven, having recalled that one atrocious day they had not had a chance to finish the chapter, let out a loud hiccup that instantly shifted the student's attention to him.

“Let's continue!" he exclaimed.

"A package?"

Annabeth choked on air and began to cough, forcing Percy to take on the role of the support. Now he was patting her on the back, waiting when Annabeth's fit would cease.

Peter felt a surge of gratitude because Annabeth drew all the attention to her, freeing him from the burden of responding. Peter heaved a breath of relief and leaned on his seat.

No one saw it, for their eyes were glued to the pair.

At last, Annabeth found her voice.

“Y-you–you–he means–her?" she pointed at the book then at Percy, and back at the book. One quick unclear gesture later, she lowered her arms and took another deep breath. “Why haven't I heard of it?"

“Heard of what?" Lyssa asked at once.

“It never really came up in any conversation," Percy shrugged.

“It never–" Annabeth blinked. “You're telling me you didn't feel it fitting to inform me of… what exactly did you do with her?"

“Her?" someone repeated. Now the class' attention dispersed as half of children were now peering at Leo and Jason, both of whom looked so lost that it was impossible to accuse them of any crime. They obviously held no knowledge of the incident.

“Where do you think my mom got the money from?"

There was a moment of silence as Annabeth stomached his words.

“You–she–I'll be grey before my time with you!"

Accompanied by Percy's chuckle, Paul opened the book.

…You must decide."

“I can't believe that's the oath you chose!"

“That was my mom's decision actually."

Annabeth loud groan got drowned out by Paul.

I nodded, though I didn't know what he meant.

Annabeth's muttering became louder but not enough for anyone but Percy to decode the message. However, his amused expression altered his classmates' desire to learn.

…It is never anything but tragic."

Lora and Cassandra exchanged looks, coming to a silent agreement to interrogate Lyssa on the subject. She must know this one, mustn't she?

"I don't mind, Father."

“Percy, that's not what he meant!"

Annabeth's disgruntlement now shifted to more relevant ground, namely, Percy's inability to gather the fact that Poseidon loved him the most.

“I know now, all right!"

…But it was an unforgivable mistake on my part."

Annabeth began massaging her temples to the amusement of those who were watching her. Her behavior appeared comic, almost absurd. Annabeth didn't care. The issue of the incapability to communicate must be running in their blood; it sure was giving her a serious headache.

"I–I won't bother you again."

'Awkward'. That was the only appropriate for this whole fiasco adjective. Their conversation was awkward. Percy's attempts at addressing his father were awkward. Poseidon's comments were awkward. Why was it so unbearable?

You are a true son of the Sea God."

Annabeth exhaled loudly the moment Paul closed the book.

Their lesson had come to an end.

Chapter Text

The morning came sooner than he would have liked. But he was all–grumpy, tired, and unhappy, but not present. How could it be any other way when Paul had quite literally pulled him out of his bed? Percy had woken up right when his head had hit on the floor.

“Why're we still doing this?” Percy muttered irritated.

Annabeth patted him on the shoulder but didn't say a word, fairly figuring it might exacerbate it. Jason and Leo wisely pretended they hadn't heard anything. The rest of the class, too, was doing their best to overlook such an inconsequential detail of Percy being mad in the ungodly hour of seven in the morning. He had every reason for that, of course he did.

Although everyone would offer their condolences, not one soul thought of abandoning the book. They would rather take a chemistry test with Mr. Rowel and rakes. Heck, they would clean the chemistry classroom with their own toothbrushes if it meant they would continue reading the book!

(Those rare sparks of clarity were frequently shoved in the back of their minds out of convenience.)

Paul was aware of that. He, just like every single teacher in this school, including Mr. Rowel who had not read anything but a manual for health class in about ten years, was wasting their precious academic time on a book about his stepson—some more begrudgingly than others, but Frederick had lost the debate with the Principal, and ignoring the decrees would land him more extra work than he had now. Children simply refused to cooperate and do anything but reading first thing in the morning. That was the reason why they had to scrape the chemistry classroom clean now.

Paul, for the twentieth time this week alone, entered the classroom accompanied by a chorus of 'let's start reading!'

(Thanks the heavens, it was one class only. Although, he would love to test the claim that the book would not open in any other hour after it, he had enough sense to realize gods might have tweaked with them to accommodate... something. As curious as Paul was, he was not ready to open that can of worms.)

The only people who were yet to greet him this way were Percy and his friends. But those were a special case and Paul would genuinely worry if they suddenly became avid book readers.

They might as well appreciate the effort Paul put in his daily task of delaying the reading, even if those attempts never worked.

Like, right now.

“Ahem, how are you—a-all feeling?" he asked, blinking at least seven times in this short time.

It was futile. Everything he was doing nowadays could be characterized with this word, including placating Sally. He had even less luck with reassuring Percy. Now he was having trouble with diverting attention from the book, which was the source of the chaos that was his life.

And no one seemed to care.

All the kids did was stare at him as though Paul were tap-dancing and offering them a free subscription to the Life Is a Rainbow magazine their Biology teacher might or might not have been spreading around. And Paul hated this magazine.

In other words, kids were perplexed. And despondent. They didn't have any inclination to talk. They wanted the book! Paul with his sudden love for small talks didn't fit this new reality. Plus, he had made them believe he might need medical assistance. Just in case.

“Mr. Blofis, are you all right?" Lyssa wondered from the desk in front of him.

Paul flinched and nodded. “Y-yeah–Um, the weather–ahem–is so w-won—?" he faltered the second he took notice of a strange activity in the first rows: three kids ducked, the rest leaned away from him as far as possible; all were staring at him with vivid horror on their faces.

On the one hand, that was quite an overreaction to a simple question. On the other, the first thing Paul did upon arriving to the class was hide the book behind his back and standing in front of it as though he believed it might make people forget its existence. They couldn't. Besides, Paul's endeavor at a small talk had gone south immediately, all because of the occasional nervous laugh that he would let out. All while he was blinking so fast he might as well have been trying out for the role of a windmill; clasping his hands as though he were trying to produce a thunderclap wasn't helping much.

They did have a reason to worry about their English teacher.

Steven was the one breaking the heavy silence. He leaped to his feet and with a loud, 'Mr. Blofis!' rushed toward Paul. He crashed into desks, stumbled on the feet of his classmates and his own, and pushed Sarah's books on the floor.

“Steven!" she gasped, but Steven ignored her. He strode forward until he was stopped by an unexpected obstacle in the face of Lyssa, who put her foot forward just to slow him down. Instead, Steven fell... right into Paul's arms.

“Ms. McKeenley!"

Lyssa stared in front of her, pretending it was not her.

“I'mma fine! I'mma fine!" Steven held out his arms, almost poking Paul's eye out, and began blinking excessively, trying his best to recollect himself. It didn't take him long. “What I wanted…” he sucked in a deep breath. “Mr. Blofis, why don't you sit there and relax? We'll read it for you!"

Apparently, Steven's initiative was news to others, for no one backed him up. Actually, if you'd peek in the classroom at the moment, you would find two dozens of children gaping at Steven. Even the most composed ones submitted to the craze and were peering at Steven with those 'what-the-heck-are-you-on-about' questions in their eyes.

Steven seemed to miss it. He was too busy mulling over his own idea, details of which he had not thought through. He hadn't had the time before!

“How 'bout…” he snapped his fingers effectively making half the class wince and the other half lean on their seats; all to avoid him.

Leo looked up from the cylinder he was holding and looked at Jason, who shrugged, his eyes on his own project. A moment later, Leo returned to the project, fairly figuring that this issue was not theirs to deal with.

Steven didn't stop humming under his breath and fidgeting.

“Um... hmm... yeah…” he froze. His eyes lit up. “Yes!"

Now the other half of that class that had not yet attempted to run away; ducked. Just in case, of course.

Steven turned toward Paul, who visibly winced.

“Lyssa!"

Lyssa grimaced and glared at Steven. “What are you–"

At the same time, Steven picked the book and practically dropped in on Lyssa's hands.

“STEVEN!"

“Lyssa will read!" he announced. “Will you?" he threw a glance at her. “She will."

The swapping went fast. They couldn't ever react properly to the events because those had ended much before they settled in their heads. The last thing they heard was Steven ordering Lyssa to start reading.

So she did.

And for any inconvenience she would blame Steven.

Tyson plays with fire, Lyssa read loudly.

Very loudly. Several people grimaced; some recoiled, afraid the disease Steven carried, was contagious. Some believed Lyssa would suddenly grow a pair of fangs and bite them all to death.

Lyssa could. That was the reason why no one objected—their lives meant to them more than their ears. All but one.

“Who's Tyson?" Peter asked.

Instantly, students turned to Percy, who twitched under the stares and grumbled, “Tyson is Tyson."

He was sooo not going to explain anything.

Two things happened at once: Lyssa hissed at them and someone let out a giggle. They never figured out who it was because Lyssa returned to the book.

…worse than trios of old ladies, it's bulls.

“What do you have against old ladies?"

“What do you have against bulls?"

Steven and Cassandra looked at each other. Three long seconds later, both turned toward Percy, who looked like he had eaten a big and sour lemon and was still struggling with the aftertaste. Although Percy was evidently in a bad mood (when was he not with this stupid book in sight?), no one could tell what had caused it: the question or Jason and Leo, who were openly watching him. For that, they'd abandoned their previous occupations. Leo was still holding the cylinder, a screwdriver in his mouth while Jason gaped at them, not bothered in the slightest by the image he presented.

“What?" Percy grumbled, shooting him a dirty look, which Jason pressed his lips together at.

A moment later, all three returned to whatever they'd been busy with before. Lyssa hummed.

“All right!" she announced. “Let's get back to reading!"

…on top of Half-Blood Hill.

“The story we all would like to hear about," Mike chimed in.

Silence was his answer, which Mike took calmly. Same couldn't be said for his reaction to Lyssa, who hissed at him. After that Mike did not dare interrupt her.

…two bulls.

Jason and Leo perked up and gave Percy confused looks.

…bronze ones the size of elephants.

“Size of an—When did you meet the bulls?" Leo bellowed, too astonished to contain his surprise.

Disturbed, Annabeth looked up blearily from the binder that she'd been hypnotizing the past few minutes. “Hm?"

“Why'd you have my–I mean when did you meet the bulls?"

For a split second, confusion prevailed, but it was quickly replaced by indignation when Annabeth realized his question had nothing to do with her struggle. (Her struggle? What struggle? She didn't struggle! It was an unfortunate setback that she'd deal with quickly, later.) Instead of straight answer, she pointed at Percy. So Leo, just like every single person in this classroom, including Paul, looked at Percy. All of them were ignoring Lyssa who had grown red in the face and was breathing heavily, almost fuming as if she were a chimney.

So Percy silently motioned toward her.

They had to concede.

Naturally they had to breathe fire, too.

Leo heaved a breath and put the cylinder aside. He was going to learn why his father's creations had been in the camp. As far as he was concerned, those were not supposed to roam near people, let alone demigods.

…where life was safer.

“Who are–" Sarah's question coincided with Lyssa's hissing. “Lyssa!"

“I'm reading!"

“And I'd like to know who these people are!"

They stared at each other for good ten seconds before Peter cleared his throat and asked them both to get back to the point. Loudly.

…extra three-drachma payment.

“You have your own taxis?"

This time Lyssa's hiss was ignored, for everyone was more interested in hearing about this detail than listening to Lyssa. Needless to say, she did not enjoy the fact. She, however, also wanted to hear that story.

As well as Leo, who had heard of the magic special demigod taxis, and therefore made it his mission to get this one out of his friends.

First, he simply waved at Percy and Annabeth, who looked abnormally pained for someone who hadn't even opened the binder. As if on cue, she snapped it open and stared intently at, as Leo figured from the images, a fully-developed shrine blueprint. She didn't move after that—only soft drumming on the desk reminded him she was still here.

But she didn't react, so he clapped then exhaled and put his hand inside his toolbelt. There he had an awesome distraction bottle that contained so much red pepper that even rocks would cough their lungs out. Percy and Annabeth stood no chance.

“I'd suggest you move to the side," he told Jason, who did just that and now was standing safe five feet from the epicenter of the future battlefield, watching Leo work.

With a piece of cloth over his mouth, Leo opened the bottle and poured a tiny bit of it on the couples' desk. Neither took notice of his movements which was saying a lot about their state: Annabeth was all but incinerating the blueprint with her look (Leo saw no flaws with it, but he was no architect to spot those small imperfections that seemed to be ruining her mood these past few days) and Percy appeared too busy merging with the desk to see anything around him. Having counted to three, Leo blew the pepper right into their faces.

A moment of silence…

A round of loud coughs rang through the air. Annabeth and Percy leaped to their feet, still sneezing and coughing. Whatever they were trying to achieve, clearly was not working, for Percy stumbled on the foot of the table and almost crashed head-first into his neighbor. Annabeth had more luck because her only obstacle was the wall, which she promptly bumped into and stiffened.

Quickly, Leo pushed the bottle inside his toolbelt, disposed of the evidence that might lead him to a punishment worthy of Olympus and bit his lower lip. If nobody knew he was the mastermind behind this undoubtedly silly plan, they would figure it out without a problem.

Finally, the sneezing ceased, allowing the couple to regain their senses and assess the situation. That it was pepper, both realized quite quickly. The person behind it was found equally as fast.

“LEO!"

Leo twitched from the noise and closed his eyes. He was ready to die like a hero again. He had already written his own obituary, which he wanted his friends to paint on the walls of the armory. Or Athena's cabin. Or Poseidon's, for he believed the Sea God would be more lax about the disrespect than the Wisdom Goddess. In fact, he would tolerate either. He had gained his well-deserved spot in Elysium.

It took him ten excruciatingly long seconds to start wondering about the lack of action. Where were they? Why had they not slapped him yet? They hadn't even yelled at him! It was sooo wrong!

Leo opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed, were two of his friends watching him grimly.

“Oh, hi! What's up?!"

Annabeth held up her draft in front of her, subsequently hiding her from Leo, while Percy began whirling his pen with his fingers, not looking at anyone.

Well, it could have been worse.

With a heavy–heavy and loud–sigh, he turned back to his cylinder.

“Um, Lyssa, you may continue. I don't wanna know anymore," Levi all but stuttered, watching them with open eyes.

…tie-dyed gym clothes.

Steven opened his mouth to ask but closed it immediately when he saw Lyssa glaring at him. Who needs to know the details of this clearly amazing story? Obviously, not him!

…battle raging on the hill.

“Battle?" Jason muttered and whirled toward Lyssa. His whole attention now on the book, which was disclosing events no one had bothered to share with him before.

…But the metal bulls were doing it anyway.

“They did what?" Jason yelled despite himself.

Lyssa instantly faltered but, to everyone's surprise, did not hiss at him.

Jason wouldn’t care either way. He was more concerned with the fact that at some point monsters had an opportunity to roam around the camp. They had managed to break through the boundary which, as Jason had been assured a long time ago, could not be broken. It was a safe space. Their safe harbor. The place where they could be sure not one monster got through. (Let's forget all those times the rule didn't work; Jason hadn't been there in those times.)

So what the hell was going on?

“Percy, what happened?"

Percy blinked. His eyebrows knit together while he was trying to make sense of Jason's question. Judging by his expression, Percy didn't have much luck in that department. At last, he gave up and looked at Jason.

“What do you mean?"

“Why the monsters roam around the camp?"

“They didn't tell you this story?" Percy turned to Annabeth, who was watching them both with rapt attention. “You didn't tell him?"

Annabeth shook her head. “We were more worried about you, then about the gods and everything. Didn't really get a chance to sit and talk."

Percy nodded slowly then glanced at Jason, who was still waiting for an explanation.

“I guess this book will tell you."

The collective groan that echoed around the classroom, drowned Leo's disgruntled, 'Hey, why does he talk to you?!'

…The camp didn't have a border patrol.

Leo, too, looked up from the scraps and frowned. Jason was right: it should not be happening. Camp Half-Blood had no border patrol. Ever. So what had happened to them?

The next sequence went in silence. For once, everyone was in an agreement. They wanted to know what was happening in this god-forsaken chapter and why people who knew the camp inside and out were so bothered by it.

And there was a lot to be concerned about; starting with Percy admitting there was a huge trouble to children being chased by bulls. Oh, and burned grass! Not one person in this room wanted to learn more about this one. Seriously, between statements like, 'One hero screamed and waved his arms as he ran in circles' and 'She was fighting with a broken spear shaft', it could hardly be called a light chapter.

The more Lyssa read, the more tensed Jason became. It was so wrong. It should not have happened. The bulls should not have traversed the invisible boundary, the boundary that his sister had given her life for. He should not be reading about his friends getting hurt. He shouldn't hear about their pain.

Thanks the heavens, Percy couldn't stand still either.

…I don't want you taking any more chances."

And he didn't want his brother's help.

Jason blinked.

“Err, Perce, why don't you–" Jason shook his head then focused on Percy who was watching him with question in his eyes. “Why didn't you want Tyson to help you?"

Annabeth snorted softly, compelling everyone around her to look at her. “He doesn't know."

“Doesn't know what?" Cassandra asked at the same time as Jason expressed his amusement at the revelation.

“Apparently, it's something embarrassing," Sarah noted. “See how red he is."

That was true. Percy did not offer Jason any verbal response, but red spots crawled onto his cheeks and forehead, which was all the explanation Jason would need.

“Why am I not surprised?" Jason chuckled, suddenly feeling calm about the whole 'camp's on fire' situation this book had dumped on his head. At least, he knew it had gone better than he feared. “Um, you may continue."

Lyssa twitched then stared back at the book. Five seconds later, which she'd spent searching for the part she had stopped at, she began to read.

"No!" Annabeth said. "We need him."

“I see," Jason said quietly.

Thanks the gods, Annabeth was there as well!

…He got lucky with the dodge balls but he can't–"

“Dodge balls?" Peter cut in. He ignored Lyssa's loud hiss, instead concentrating on Percy who shrugged.

“That was a weird day," he said simply.

Annabeth giggled. Jason and Leo exchanged a look at that, but she didn't see either. “If you count five Laestrygonians as 'weird', then it was definitely weird."

“Leastry-who?"

Lyssa roared softly in indignation at the stupidity of her classmates, but did not dare resume the reading, for she realized she would have to read the same part twice. Might as well skim through the text to see how bad it all was going to get.

“Laes-try-go-ni-ans," Annabeth repeated cheerfully.

This time Percy cast her a quizzical look too before staring at Jason and Leo in question. They could only shrug, absolutely lost as to what had gotten over her.

(There were no gods that presided over bad trips, right?!)

“And who are they?" Jenna asked meanwhile, hanging on Annabeth's every word. Those two asshole were assholes; they didn't even realize how surreal this whole experience was and how unabashedly human these four were.

“Man-eating monsters," Annabeth shrugged.

There was a short pause as everyone mulled over her response.

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. Of course, if there were any sort of cannibal within a mile radius, it would inevitably find Percy. Of. Course.

“So not only cyclops eat people," Leo muttered absent-mindedly, examining Annabeth and her pristine clean desk bar a blueprint that she had not moved on from just yet. He tilted his head to have a better look but that didn't help. Whatever the issue she was having with her mother's shrine, it must be too insignificant to catch anyone's eye but hers.

“Man-eating–How'd you survive?" Lora asked, staring at Percy as though she had never seen him before.

“With difficulty," he admitted, scratching his head. “I'd rather not see them again."

“With your luck you'd meet them on your way home," Annabeth called from his side.

Percy snorted. “True."

They fell silent again, which was an obvious sign to continue, which they did by turning to Lyssa, who didn't even look up, as she leaned on the desk with a book tightly in her grip, too engrossed to care. Her lips were moving as she was reading the chapter to herself.

“Um, Lyssa," Cassandra called. Lyssa didn't twitch. “Does she even hear us?"

“Nope," Mike responded to her. Cassandra whirled toward him as though silently asking him to elaborate. Mike only shrugged and looked at Paul. “Mr. Blofis, could you, please, take the book from her? She'll get back to us when she's done with the whole thing."

Surprised, Paul reached Lyssa, snatched the book out of her hands, and hid it behind his back, closing it tightly.

Lyssa stood motionless for the next couple of moments, her lips still moving. Then, having tried to turn the page, she blinked. Her hand froze in the air, her eyes drilling the hole in the space in front of her. Lyssa clearly could not understand what had just happened and why there was no book anymore.

“Ms. McKeenley," Paul said softly. “Take your seat, please."

He pushed her toward her desk. Still dazed, Lyssa followed the order. Just as she took her place, Paul opened the book and found the spot she had stopped at.

…without Medea's Sunscreen SPF 50,000…

“Medea's what?" Cassandra frowned.

Paul chuckled.

"Medea's what?"

Several people giggled but otherwise no one uttered a word.

There were more pressing matters to take care of, like destroying the Hephaestus' bronze bulls, which you could deal with only when you had a Medea's Sunscreen SPF 50,000 (what was that?). Judging by Annabeth's reaction, it was important. Heeding the expressions Jason and Leo wore, it was vital.

Although Percy did not understand a single thing that was going on, he still strove to ensure that Tyson guy would be safe.

Despite Tyson's evident disagreement with Percy.

…their spears bristling over the top like porcupine quills.

Jason nodded to himself. That would do. At least, it might buy them some time to reinforce or, which seemed a more likely outcome, conjure up a new plan.

Unfortunately, Clarisse could only muster six campers.

Jason's sigh turned out louder than he expected. It did cause curious looks, but those did not extend further than they probably should, for which Jason was thankful.

The reason of his sigh was quite easy to guess: the plan. Whatever this Clarisse girl was planning to do, it did not work out the way he would like it to. Or, perhaps, he did not enjoy Annabeth's part. Why she was trying to confuse monsters, no one could tell. She did. Period.

After that, there was not much to comment on apart from an occasional gasp, hiccup, and 'oh my God!'. In short, the fight seemed to go as smoothly as Jason envisioned it to go. For one, those were bulls, creatures of Hephaestus; they were a much intimidating enemy than he would like to admit. Then, they were breathing fire. Plus, Percy was diverting from the main point by talking about Clarisse more than the fight itself. Jason did agree that she was brave. Insufferable but brave. The problem was that Jason didn't care about that. He wanted to see how the fight would progress.

And it was going worse that he expected.

…behind Clarisse on her unprotected side.

“Damn it!" Jason muttered, balling up his fists. That was not fun, he could say.

Several people, the ones who heard his words, were now staring at him curiously. To be honest, they were constantly forgetting the fact that he was a demigod too. He had been in the same situations as Percy. He had fought the same fights. Granted, they were yet to hear about him specifically, but his stance was a dead giveaway: Jason had been through a lot of pain.

And he certainly did not like the direction this fight was going in.

"Behind you!" I yelled. "Look out!"

“Percy, why?!" Jason groaned as he whirled on the spot to face Percy.

Percy sat straight, a pen in his hand.

“W-what?" he stuttered, still looking around wildly, striving to see who was so unkind that they felt it fit to scare him.

There was no tangible threat as of now. The sky clear, the classroom silent, Annabeth immersed in her project at last. Everything was fine.

Then his eyes found Jason, who was staring at him intensely.

“What?"

“Why did you distract Clarisse?" Jason exclaimed.

There was silence for a split second. Percy blinked. “Err..."

“The book. Bulls. You distracted Clarisse."

Percy got him. Jason could see it in his eyes. Unfortunately, Percy seemed too eager to pretend he was blind and dumb, so Jason received nothing he could work with.

Jason heaved a sigh and motioned Paul to continue. Who could have thought that Percy's disinclination to talk would extend to his friends who were supposed to know things like this.

…because all I did was startle her.

Jason exhaled loudly and rubbed his forehead. At least, he realized!

Apparently, that was not enough in Percy's universe, for everything went downhill almost instantly. Firstly, the bulls almost killed Clarisse. Then, maimed other campers. Lastly, melted their only weapons.

…by the straps of her armor.

“She wouldn't like it," Leo said, not looking away from the cylinder in his hands. At the moment, it had several wires around it but not one was connected to the base—Leo still did not know what exactly he wanted to get. Blindly fiddling with the cylinder would never get him anywhere.

But it was fun and he would make something useful of it, eventually. Even if for the process itself.

Too engrossed in the project of his, for it was the only class where he could dedicate himself fully to the job, Leo missed curious looks and whispers that spread around the classroom as everyone endeavored to learn what he meant by that.

As always, no one provided answers, reducing them to making wild guesses about the statement.

…could feel the heat of its metal skin…

And other not-so-flattering descriptions of the fight Percy had found himself in the middle of. It was one of those rare times when children did not have any strength to complain or talk. All of them wanted to know one thing: what had happened. Oh, and when this particular scene would end, so they could return to moaning about how cruel Percy was and how much they did not enjoy his evasiveness.

Other than that… What else except, 'Oh my God, Percy, run!' could you think of when the main protagonist was describing just how dangerous the bulls were? They breathed fire! They were bronze! They were not easy to kill! The only thing that stopped them seemed to be magic that none believed in. Such a wonder when you remember the fact they were reading about Ancient Greek Gods' children and equally ancient monsters that had come from the pages of their Greek Mythology book that they all had read–or skimmed though–in middle school.

In any case, they showed signs of life only when Percy mentioned a weird reaction the bull was providing to the camp boundaries.

…but then it broke through and kept coming.

Lyssa raised her hand, silently asking Paul to stop. So he did.

“Guys!" Lyssa called, whirling on the spot to face demigods.

Jason turned his head to her, Percy straightened up and shook his head violently as though he were trying to dispose of auditory hallucinations that he believed he was having right now. Leo yelped and dropped the god-forsaken cylinder, which landed on the floor with a loud thud and broke in a half. Annabeth didn't as much as glance at them, too busy doodling. As she'd figured out a few classes ago, doodling helped her battle a burning urge to take all the blueprints and rip them to pieces, which was losing against her pride that was telling her that she had to finish the project before Gods had gotten fed up with her stalling and taken the project away. The faint, practically invisible part of her did not care about any of it, so she returned to trace the outlines of something that looked suspiciously like that one shrine she'd seen in the pictures, just less opulent than she remembered it to be. But that thought died buried beneath the avalanche of unbridled rage she felt simmer inside of her every time she allowed her mind go loose and wild.

The truth was, no other project would be as satisfying to her ego. What was there that could rival Olympus?

Her pencil cracked, forcing her to halt and take a shaky breath.

She couldn't afford to lose Olympus. She'd been given a chance to design a whole city. Her dream of leaving a mark was here, solid and tangible. A real chance to show them just how good she was; how right they'd been in selecting her as the architect.

The last thought did her in, and Annabeth turned the pages until she'd found the latest project: Her mother's shrine.

Not one person took notice of her internal debate, for everyone's attention was focused solely on Leo.

“Hostia!" Leo cried out. He mesmerized the remnants of the cylinder for ten seconds then rubbed his neck and left the cracked piece on the floor. “That's the easy way to dispose of 'em."

With that, he pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil and scribbled something down. He paid no attention to any of his classmates, fairly thinking they could solve the problem without him (as always).

As two of the four potential sources of information did not appear conscious, Lyssa turned to the other two, both of whom seemed quite apprehensive but showed glimpses of life in their eyes.

“What's about that boundary line?"

“What's with that?" Jason and Percy asked in unison.

“If I remember correctly, there was some kind of a border around the camp, the one that was protecting you, right?" both nodded. “What's happened to it?"

To her surprise, Jason turned to Percy with the same very question she had just voiced. As she had expected, Percy shrugged and mumbled something that vaguely sounded similar to both, 'The book will tell' and a 'Go to hell'.

Lyssa gestured Paul to read, realizing the book would provide answers faster than Percy ever could.

…how out of practice I was.

Jason covered his forehead in disbelief and several people let out feeble laughs.

…My ankle was sprained, maybe broken.

“How did he survive?" Jason asked himself. Truly, he would not have lasted a day in Camp Jupiter. If monsters didn't kill him, then other campers would.

…No way could I crawl out of its path.

“So much for having optimistic mindset," Sarah groaned.

“Who told you Percy has any kind of optimism in him?" came from the place where Annabeth was sitting. She was yet to look up from the paper and generally did not show that she was listening, so her comment came out as a huge surprise for everyone involved.

Sarah blinked. “Umm..."

Annabeth instantly looked up; a grimace that no one could be sure had ever been there, melted into compassion as she leaned forward, crossing her arms on top of the papers.

“When it comes to tough situations, Percy tends to get pessimistic. So much that only a miracle can save him,” Annabeth faltered then added as an afterthought. “Usually that's what happens."

“And what miracle saved him here?"

In response, Annabeth motioned somewhere in the area of Paul, provoking every single student to look at him

Paul cleared his throat.

Annabeth shouted: "Tyson, help him!" he read.

Instantly, everyone turned to Annabeth, who was smiling reassuringly at an apprehensive Percy. He was eyeing her incredulously, receiving more and more supportive smiles in response.

“Well,” Mike uttered after a couple of seconds, sensing that there would be no explanations anymore. “This does look like a miracle. What can this Tyson guy do? Breathe fire?”

For the first time in a long while Percy cracked up. (And shocking everyone.)

“Oh, he can do a lot, but breathing fire? No," he said. Then fell into a short deliberation. “Actually, this one would be cool. And it would save us a lot of trouble."

“Which would've been very bad," Annabeth cut it. “That year wasn't fun."

Percy nodded seriously. His mirth dissolved, allowing room for worry as he leaned closer to Annabeth and whispered something in her ear. She shook her head, evoking a heavy, pained sigh from him.

…"Can't—get—through!"

Jason frowned. What was wrong with the border if Tyson couldn't get in while the bulls could?

…as it unleashed a nuclear firestorm.

“Will he be all right?" someone asked. When they received no response, everyone got even more tensed.

…my friend had just been turned into a column of ashes.

“NO!” the whole of the class screamed.

Tension grew rapidly and now had reached the levels of the top level of the Empire State Building.

Paul continued reading fast, realizing that to them Tyson was some stranger that they knew nothing about. They did not know his fate and they did not want him to die in the fire.

…completely unharmed.

Some people gasped. Others, less smart ones, widened their eyes, too astonished to make a good analysis of the situation.

Not even his grungy clothes were scorched.

Lyssa frowned. How?

The bull must've been as surprised as I was,

“He's not the only one," Lora muttered under her breath.

…"BAD COW!"

Sighs of relief and giggles were heard through the classroom. Even Jason released the breath he was holding. That was definitely nerve-wracking.

…looked like a sock puppet pulled inside out.

The class dissolved into giggles. The students truly took every opportunity that they could to calm down.

…"You–ruin–everything!" she yelled at me. "I had it under control!"

“Thanks the gods!" Jason declared and covered his faces with his hands. That was one heck of a ride right here! Even for him, and he knew that all four were perfectly fine!

Jason sucked in a deep breath and opened his eyes. The rest of the kids seemed equally as relieved, evidently enjoying the fact that everything had ended on a good note.

…"Good to see you too, Clarisse."

“Who's that?" Cassandra asked.

She didn't expect any answer. She truly didn't. In fact, Cassandra had acclimatized to the fact that all their questions would soon fade in the sea of indifference, so she asked them just to ask.

She jumped on her seat when Percy spoke up.

“She's the daughter of Ares," he said simply. Thunder rumbled right next to the window. “Oh, shove it!"

Whatever Ares wanted to tell him, would forever remain a mystery, for it was right in that moment when Percy got distracted and tuned out from the entertainment.

…"Don't ever, EVER try saving me again!"

“She's very… nice,” Cassandra said.

“That's her good side, actually."

Cassandra frowned. It did not sound like a joke.

…then trudged off to assess the damage.

While Clarisse was busy with examining other campers, Percy went to discuss a more important issue: Tyson.

I stared at Tyson. "You didn't die."

“Would you rather he died?" Sarah wondered almost absent-mindedly. She, just like every single one of her classmates, did not expect any answer.

“Of course I wouldn't want him to die!” Percy objected then took a deep and calming breath. “But he did go under the fire—quite literally—I was surprised to see him unscathed."

Cassandra raised her hands in the defeat, her expression somewhere between disbelief and resignation.

Whatever she gathered from Percy's comment, no one knew, but it certainly was not close to what Tyson did.

…"I am sorry. Came to help. Disobeyed you."

“How old is he?" Jenna asked. She, unlike her classmates who seemed to have made a habit of turning to Percy every two minutes to seek out answers, did not even twitch. She kept stubbornly staring in front of her, which might or might not have scarred some of her classmates for life.

Although Jenna's conviction was explicable, even she would not be able to stay nonchalant for more than a minute when waiting for a response. She broke on thirty-two. When Jenna looked back, her confusion grew significantly because she saw something she had never thought she would: puzzlement. Percy sat there, his expression blank. Jenna would not think much of it if it weren't for Annabeth who seemed to be in a similar state.

Jenna did not take her eyes off the couple until she was offered a satisfying answer. Well, just an answer. Okay, it was a statement that did not clear anything up but did tell her everything about Percy that she didn't need to know.

“I—I don't know."

Students, who had not been staring at him before, were doing it now, to which he did not react at all.

As the silence had been dragging for far too long and there was no sign of it being broken anytime soon, Paul decided he might as well continue and spare everyone an embarrassment.

Who knew it would only complicate everything?

…Ignore the Mist, and really look at him."

“Why do you need to look at him closely?"

“What's 'the mist'?"

Peter managed to duck before Lyssa glared at him. For one, he wanted to live to hear the story.

On the other hand, they shouldn't have bothered asking because Percy wouldn't provide any sort of explanation either way.

Unlike Paul, who made a strange sound and instantly began reading to cover it.

The Mist makes humans see only what their brains can process…

“Wait, wait, wait, what?" Steven shouted, startling everyone around him and making Leo drop his pencil (at least, this time he didn't squeal).

“Dude!" he expressed his disgruntlement nonetheless.

No one heard him.

They were too busy watching Percy.

He didn't disappoint.

Percy's sigh was so loud it might have woken Clovis up and caused several gods a migraine.

“What is this mist thing?" Peter made another try to get answers he deserved.

“The thing that's supposed to keep you in the dark," Percy grumbled, hitting the desk.

Instantly, his head began to ache, prompting Percy to slide down on his seat and close his eyes. He'd had too much for today.

“Percy wanted to say that it's a veil between the realities," Annabeth supplied with a bit too much eagerness to everyone's liking.

“A what?"

“A wall," Lyssa said.

Annabeth nodded. “In normal language it's a wall between the worlds that keeps us hidden from you, it replaces things you’re not supposed to know about with the ones that are normal to you. Say, you see some mythical creature, but you don't see it, you don't even know it's a supernatural beast. You'd see something more usual, like–"

“A tank instead of a dog?" Mike cut in.

Annabeth snapped her fingers and pushed the binder to the side. “Exactly! If you see a tank, you'll think it's a tank and not an enormous dog from the Underworld."

“So it was a hellhound," someone whispered.

“Does the Mist always work?" Lyssa inquired.

“Usually, yes," Annabeth confirmed, having regained a serious tone. “Unless you're clear-sighted, of course. Then not any magic in the world would make you see a tank instead of a dog."

“Clear-sighted?" Sarah repeated.

Annabeth stiffened then looked at Percy and sighed. He was still half-lying on the seat, pretending he was a piece of furniture and not a human. No way would she convince him to help! Percy was too boneheaded sometimes.

“Yeah, clear-sighted," she said, leaning forward and lacing her fingers together. Grating crunching of papers made her internally wince, but she refused to budge for now. Five minutes would not make any difference. “Usually only children can see through the Mist. But some adults can, too. We call them clear-sighted."

“And how many people are clear-sighted?"

“I know two. Paul?"

I knew it could fool demigods too, but…

“Really?" Sarah raised her eyebrows. “How—?"

Annabeth had her chin tip toward Percy, making Sarah falter. Of course! She shouldn't have asked!

…I'd never quite understood why.

Jason shook his head. For some reason, this admission did not surprise him.

"Cyclops," Annabeth offered.

“They exist?" most of the class turned to Levi to give him a ‘are-you-dumb-or-just-pretend’ look.

They were reading a book about Greek Gods! Cyclops was the least of their worries.

Well, they tried making it sound like a minor issue. At least, up until the moment Annabeth began discussing the Cyclops heritage.

…We should take him to Chiron, let him decide what to do."

“What god?"

Steven should take offense at the thunder taking offense, because contrarily to whatever the grumpy cloud thought, Steven did not ask to mock, he was genuinely curious!

On the other hand, Lyssa was free to get mad at him all she wanted. After all, she knew what god it was and could confidently state that if Steven opened the book once in his life, he would have known it too.

She said nothing, though.

"But the fire. How—"

Lyssa slapped her forehead.

“How do you cope with it?"

“With difficulty."

If Percy heard them, he would argue. But he didn't. He was too deep into his own head to care.

…How had I never realized what Tyson was?

Three out of four demigods let out a collective snort. No one deprecated that.

…let Tantalus know what's happened."

Lyssa blinked, went over the sentence in her head and sucked in a deep breath.

“Is it the Tantalus?" she inquired loudly.

Her question did nothing to most of her classmates (seriously, one day she would disown them all), but Jason and Leo perked up. Both had heard of the guy, of course they had. What neither had heard, though, were details. Hardly any camper mentioned things that had been going on long before their arrival; everyone had been too concentrated on Percy's disappearance to pay attention to such minute details as problems camp had faced before. No one bothered, really.

Percy heaved a sigh and Annabeth nodded; her expression grim.

“Should we–no? All right."

She motioned Paul to read, not letting other people to throw in their own questions. Those would wait.

"Tantalus?" I asked.

"The activities director," Clarisse said impatiently.

“Wasn't it Chiron?" Lora marveled.

No one said anything, but Jason, who for, some unknown reason, was still standing, nodded.

…Things are changing."

“I don't like the sound of it."

No one knew who exactly made a comment, but everyone was agreeing with them.

She pointed to Thalia's tree.

Jason tensed. What had happened to his sister? Why did Clarisse mention her?

…oozing green sap.

Jason had lived through the admission that his sister had been a tree for several years. He had taken that one calmly. He was fine with knowing their mother was dead. He could even live with the fact his mother had given him to Hera all those years ago as an appeasement… But he did not like what he was hearing now.

…Thalia's tree was dying.

Someone had poisoned it.

“What?!" Jason shouted, trying to jump to his feet only to come to a realization that he'd been standing all along. But his anger didn't abate. “Who did it?! Why no one did anything about it? Why no one told me?!"

His voice definitely had a magic effect (or it was simply too loud to ignore), because Leo dropped his pencil again, Annabeth jolted, and Percy snapped out of his trance.

“What? What happened? Who's hurt?" Percy pulled himself up to his feet, looking around wildly, a pen in his hand.

“My sister!" Jason yelled. “Who did this?"

Percy twitched and looked at him.

“Bro, what?"

Jason opened his mouth to tell what and where they all could shove but choked on air and started to cough. Percy crossed the space between them in three leaps and began patting him on the back.

Not that it really worked, but deep down a rational part of Jason was thankful to him for trying.

Still, the more he struggled, the more his anger subsided. Whoever had done that to his sister was not here at the moment. Jason being furious with them would do him nothing good. At best, he would strain himself and end up in Will's care. Jason did not want to spend the night in the infirmary. He needed to relax and look at the book as a piece of fiction, even if he knew it was not the case. He must calm down.

“I'm—I'm fine!” he announced several seconds later and straightened up. Then turned to the class. “Erm, I'm sorry you had to see it. It won't happen again!”

Leo exhaled loudly and picked up his pen again, his worry for his best friend perished. Annabeth glanced down at the shrine and frowned; a moment later, she picked up her pencil and drew a big cross on it before tossing the paper to the side, opening herself to the blueprint. Neither paid attention to the outside world anymore.

Percy patted him on the shoulder and made his way to his seat. Unfortunately, the class had not ended yet, which meant he would have to suffer some more.

What exactly he had? A nuisance. That's what it was. This book was a nuisance that was messing up his life big time. Why book? Why not something more tangible? A marathon in the name of Zeus the Bestest? A play? A song? Apollo was so bad at poetry that it would instantly secure #1 on all the charts possible and stay there for a year straight. Why this book? They didn't want to experience all the bad, the good, and the ugly first-hand? Ha! Percy didn't either, but here he was, sitting in this particular class and wondering where he had managed to mess up so much that the Gods created a new spectacular way to destroy the remnants of his life.

And this stupid Mist! Here, in the very chapter that had just read, he, Percy, couldn't see past Tyson's chin because the Mist didn't let him. The Mist, the magic veil that was separating the mortal world from a mythological one, was malfunctioning big time right now. Wasn't it meant to divide the worlds? To keep one blind to another? Percy was certain that none of his classmates were clear-sighted or he would have known it by now.

So why, in the name of all holy and Gaia's dirty face, wasn't it doing its job properly? Why did these kids remember everything the book had revealed so far? Why had they seen Mrs. O'Leary? Why newspapers had been writing non-stop about aliens? Why did not the Mist work?

His eyes opened. Percy straightened up.

“That's what's going on!" he exclaimed, interrupting Paul who was in the middle of a debate with Lyssa about the book and the next chapter.

Perhaps, he should have toned it down. Leo, who dropped his pencil again, and Annabeth, who ripped the paper with the pencil, would be very grateful.

“Percy can you be—?" Annabeth made an attempt to reprimand him but did not have much success, for Percy didn't hear her.

“The Mist! That's what's going on!" Percy repeated.

Annabeth frowned then sent a glance at Jason, whose expression mirrored hers. Neither could really understand what he was talking about.

“Err, Percy, what–"

“They're trying to work around it!" Percy yelled. “That's what they're doing! I–I gotta go!"

“Percy, we don't—Where are you going?!" Percy leaped to his feet and sprinted toward the door. The question was ignored. “Stop!"

For a second there was nothing but dead silence then Annabeth and Jason rushed after him.

When the door behind them shut, everyone turned to Leo, who was still looking at the door melancholically.

“Did they get the hall pass?"

Chapter Text

Silence had started to cause discomfort.

Mostly because kids were unable to conjure up anything more coherent than 'ugh, ok!'. Yes, they may have gotten accustomed to Percy and his friends, but they hadn't really gotten accustomed to Percy and his friends. Moreover, there were plenty of questions hanging in the air, starting with Jason's unsettling reaction to the tree poisoning, which added to the confusion. How could you feel at ease next to the person—people—who seemed to behave in the weirdest of ways and were fine with it? Of course, they wanted answers! The more, the better.

Unfortunately, Percy wasn't here to clear the air. Fortunately, they had Leo.

Everyone turned to Leo, who suddenly became aware of his surroundings. How could you not when a couple dozens of eyes were drilling a hole in your forehead? Leo, too, couldn't ignore it.

“What's up?" he asked.

His attempt at feigning indifference failed miserably when he let out a nervous chuckle and rubbed the back of his head. In a good case scenario, these people would let him leave. In real life, however, they made him talk.

“Leo," Lyssa said. Leo twitched and stiffened. “May we know what prompted them all to leave?"

Leo wisely rendered silence.

“He's a psycho," came in a voice from the other side of the classroom. As one, everyone turned to the source of it only to see Riley standing with his arms crossed. “They all are."

Leo winced at these hurtful words. As much as he'd like to pretend he didn't hear them, he did. They all did, and it hurt the most every single time. Why would he believe that mortals would understand something so outlandish? He wouldn't either, had he not lived his life. He still struggled with a lot of the world; being reminded just how abnormal and unnatural he was… It hurt him deeply. Like it did Jason and Percy and Annabeth, even if they'd never show it. Being mad at the book was as visible and loud as being miserable was quiet and eclipsed by all the troubles of their lives.

“Mr. Keyes..." Paul began in a deceivingly calm voice but was cut off by Riley, who seemed unable to assess the situation properly and kept on dragging himself toward another detention.

“But he is!"

“Man, whatcha–" Mike faltered the moment he took in Riley's posture. Nah, he'd rather not know. (Lyssa was shushed with a very, very dirty look Mike knew she would never ignore.) “Never mind."

Riley huffed but, to everyone's infinite (really, there was no end in sight for them) amusement and surprise, continued. “You had to see what he did yesterday! No sane person would be that—that—unstable!”

Stares intensified as kids grew more curious. What else had Percy done? It must have been something spectacular that even Riley of all people realized Percy might be a threat. That was telling, actually. Riley had been so quiet recently that most of his classmates tended to forget he was in the same room with them. That must mean something, no?

“What was it?" Mike asked in his best I-don't-care voice.

“There's this kid... ugh, what's his name again?" Riley scratched the back of his head. “Err, anyways, Jackson accused him of being evil, fell into hysterics, screamed a lot, and ran out of the class. The Coach's detention class."

The class gasped. No one--no fucking one--left the Coach's detention class on their own accord, ever. Percy must have lost the remains of his sanity if he'd set himself up so badly.

In fact, how they had not heard of the detention yet? 

Did they even want to know?

“You... sure?' Cassandra asked tentatively, sharing a look with Lora.

“Ask Coach."

No one uttered a word. No one really wanted to go ask Coach. It was a death trip, which would certainly lead to consequences far more grave than a simple detention. You might just as well enroll in the army on Mars and stay there, for there would be no freaking way you'd ever graduate. Or live long enough to know what graduation even was.

The Coach was a menace they all had to deal with and were terrified of; that was the only reason no one brought up any other questionable things Rylie had revealed.

(Or the fact Percy had been arguing with Coach just a few days prior.)

“So, Leo, what's the deal with Jason?" Lyssa asked again, having figured they had wasted enough minutes gaping at another of Percy's antics.

Leo hiccupped. Kids stared at him. Leo stared back. None wanted to back down.

It would have been much worse if Leo hadn't favored his own mental health over a minute of uncomfortable conversation.

“Listen, he's just learned his sister was almost killed for the second time,” Leo sighed. “Give him a break."

“He's a Zeus' son? Lyssa asked instantly, effectively covering another kid's 'the second time?'.

Leo looked up, confusion clear on his face. “Mhm, what?"

“Where'd you get it from?" Lora marveled at the same time, her eyes on Lyssa.

“We know Thalia's Zeus' daughter, it was in the book. He," she pointed at Leo. “He said that Thalia's Jason's sister, so Jason's Zeus' son."

Did she imagine it or the thunder had just cursed?

Whatever. Her classmates' states were a bigger problem to her. They were gradually reaching that point of astound where you could do nothing but blink. Lyssa had lots of issues with her classmates, but she didn't want them broken for life.

“Mr. Blofis!" she yelled, whirling on the spot. Paul flinched. “How about we continue? There's plenty of time left!"

All troubles forgotten, student scattered around the classroom, each eager to take their seat and continue with the book.

Paul sighed. That was going to be a long hour.

**

He was correct. It was a painfully long hour. Especially, now when the narrator couldn't provide any explanations (as if Percy had ever been that useful), Paul found himself struggling to read. For one, it didn't seem fair to Percy; furthermore, children seemed lost because there was no one to guide them through a very confusing narration of Percy the Optimist. Paul had enough experience with Percy to pick up a few tricks and consider himself being fairly good at all things Percy; but even he found himself wondering what Percy might have meant in some parts.

All they knew was that they started exactly at the point they had left at in the last chapter. Still, Percy the Optimist sounded oddly pessimistic when he was describing all the devastating changes that had occurred in the camp while he was away—though, the clean room analogy was more relatable than anyone would like to admit.

So what were the devastating changes? Oh, nothing big, just overall atmosphere, this sense of doom you only ever get when you have an important exam but haven't studied for it. And an air of danger. Of course. There always had to be an air of danger in this type of stories. (Perhaps, to make you weep and hate the narrator.) In any case, Percy was nailing it.

…stood out like ugly scars.

“Whoa, how bad was that?"

Was Leo annoyed by all the attention he had on him? Absolutely. Was he planning on kicking someone's ass for that? They should expect that.

At the moment, unfortunately, all he could do was shrug and mumble that he hadn't been there to assess the state of the camp. He had a nagging feeling that they didn't believe him, but preferred not to concentrate on it.

…and carried on with their duties...

“Why're they so unwelcoming?"

“Cyclops are not exactly nice," Lyssa said to no one's surprise. “Cyclops are considered violent creatures, who prefer to live in insulation rather than mingling with humans. Historically speaking, they were deemed lesser creatures by Ancient Greeks because they had no real community."

They swiveled to the side to have a better look at everyone from Mike to Leo, who preferred scowling at his desk and muttering something under his breath; something not one of them was able to catch. Still, he seemed to be listening with as much rapt attention as others. (Not everyone, though, but when had she ever cared about Kylie's feelings?)

Lyssa gave the class a look over before continuing. “I personally believe they were singled out because they tended to distance themselves from others, including their own kind. No one really knew what they could do, which, in turn, made others wary of them. Although quite intimidating in appearance, they seemed less of a trouble for the rest. Still dangerous, though.”

“What do you want to tell us, McKeenley?" Kylie asked, irritated. That speech made no sense, and Kylie would definitely go without this pointless input on world history.

Lyssa grimaced.

“What I wanted to say, Lewis," she replied with the same tint of venom, “is that their life choices were abnormal for Greeks, so they were painted as the monsters that you need to steer clear of. Quite unjustly, if you ask me."

“They also eat people," Leo butted in.

There was silence for a moment, as everyone processed his response.

“That is what made people wary of them," Peter pointed at Leo.

All he got in response was an eye-roll from Lyssa.

The camp felt like a military school.

“Those are the worst."

I've been kicked out of a couple.

“How did he do it?"

“Dunno, man, he's not here to tell you."

None of that mattered to Tyson.

“Speaking of Tyson,” Steven made a 'time-out' gesture with his hands to draw attention to an undoubtedly important topic. When he ensured that everyone was watching him, he continued, “He is a Cyclops, right?"

As Leo was the only one with answers, he'd become their chosen speaker.

“Hmm?" the chosen speaker' looked up from a pretty amazing stack of papers that he had in front of him (Annabeth was going to murder him when she found out. He'd need to consult Will, though.) and stared at his classmates. “What?"

“Tyson is the Cyclops, right?" Steven repeated.

“Well, yeah. What's with that?"

Steven's eyes gleamed. “Does he eat humans?"

A wave of groaning went through the class as his words had sunk in.

“Steven!" Cassandra complained, massaging her temples.

“What? I wanna know!"

“Mr. Blofis?'

He was absolutely fascinated by everything he saw.

So were the kids, for Tyson turned out very cute. And definitely not a human-eating monster as Leo had made him out to be. His 'whatsthat!' made the major part of the class coo. His evidently child-like tendency to find everything fascinating was the best antidepressant one could ever find. In short, Tyson was adorable.

However, there should always be a fly in the ointment. Always. In this chapter it was Percy who would start with, 'you know why I'm the only kid in this cabin? Because I'm not supposed to be alive!' then proceed to explain the back-story of Thalia the Tree's unfortunate demise and finishing with an expression of hope that he wouldn't end up being a patch of kelp.

They would rather gush over Tyson.

"Pony!" he cried in total rapture.

The class erupted in a round of loud laughs. Tyson was very cute, despite him being a Cyclops, who, as they'd learned from Lyssa's short lecture, were not cute at all. He was ten times better than Percy and his long and boring recounting of history. Really, they already knew Chiron was a centaur!

"I beg your pardon?"

“Why?" someone asked through fits of laughter.

“A better question is: Why's he leaving?" Lyssa commented.

Her observation did nothing but shut her classmates up because it, indeed, was a good question that required a proper non-Percy answer.

Thanks the heavens for Annabeth!

…Mr. D had to punish someone."

“When are Gods ever fair?" Leo muttered absent-mindedly.

In any case, everyone fully agreed with Percy's sentiments. They didn't know the God's so well, but they could sympathize with his resentment. If only Chiron admitted there had been mistreatment involved.

…"some in Olympus do not trust me now, under the circumstances."

“What circumstances?" rang through the class.

If they were less astounded, they would have noticed Lyssa keeping quiet on the issue; in fact, she was siding with them, though for completely different reasons.

"What circumstances?" I asked.

“Yeah, that's what I'd like to know."

Unfortunately, Percy and, subsequently, his classmates didn't receive any explanations because Chiron preferred to continue packing to helping Percy out of the darkness.

Oh, and there was also Tyson a.k.a. the cutest kid they had seen in this book interfering and fueling to the dejection everyone was feeling.

“Is he always so adorable?" someone asked.

As Leo was their only source of the information and he was clearly too engrossed in the story to pay attention to anything else, the question was left hanging in the air with no response.

However, Percy was difficult to divert from the point.

…"What about the tree? What happened?"

That was a one million dollars question everyone wanted to hear an answer to. It was almost impossible to restrain themselves from cheering that went across the class when Chiron finally complied and offered some explanations.

In short, it was bad. Poison from Tartarus sounded like an awful thing. A possibility of it being Kronos seemed even more horrifying to them—a sentiment that they didn't hesitate to express, of course. Time limit was such a wonderful concept! It truly kept particular individual reined in! Even if those individuals would argue the accusations. No one cared either way as they had a whole mystery to unveil.

…and it was lost centuries ago."

Lyssa's eyes widened. As well as Leo's when he realized what Chiron might be referring to. That was quite a famous quest and popular story amongst the campers--the one they'd been told.

Unfortunately for Lyssa, hardly any other person in the room had any clue what it might be. In fact, barely any of them came remotely close to the idea of it—concept even.

“What are they on about?" Levi wondered.

Several people turned to him then to Lyssa, who rolled her eyes.

“You'll see."

Well, turned out, it did feel good to say those words. The best thing? Her classmates had to wait a little bit longer because Chiron gave no explanations! Apparently, instructing Percy was a much more important task to fulfill.

…stay here. Train hard. Learn to fight. But do not leave."

“Why?" Steven asked.

Once again, the whole class had their eyes on Leo, who shrugged. “I dunno. It's Percy; you can expect anything of him."

Several students nodded and returned their attention on Paul. It did seem like an appropriate response.

Especially, when Percy confirmed Chiron's concern by questioning his advice. And as though a reminder of the previous summer wasn't enough, Chiron demanded Annabeth to promise she would keep Percy safe. (Cue a slap on the forehead from Leo; Chiron should have known to articulate his instructions properly!)

“There's a prophecy?" Jenna scowled as she dug into her memory to retrieve any mention of this prophecy. All she got was one tiny sentence uttered in passing; no reaction. Nothing. They'd moved on as though that was what they were supposed to do. Her eyes flickered toward the window before she settled on staring at Lyssa.

Lyssa didn't look much better. Her brows knit together while she muttered some muted words under her breath. She had not once glanced at Leo. Contrarily to the rest.

Mike shot a look at Leo then back at Lyssa and Leo again. Leo was… befuddled? Lost? It was hard to tell, but he didn't grimace as much as he had when he did know what the story was about.

“I—What's it about?" Lyssa jolted out of her contemplation, landing her eyes on Leo.

Leo? He stayed silent. Mostly.

“Something that was a bitch to deal with," he grumbled.

Then he remained quiet for sure, not once reacting to his name being called out or Casper snapping his fingers in front of his face. He seemed dead-set on not sharing anything of use, instead examining a screwdriver in his hand.

“All riiight," Lora drawled out, turning back to Mr. Blofis. “I think--Yeah. If you could?"

“But we heard nothing!" Levi shouted in outrage; his face was shadowed by grimace as though it hurt him.

“There was nothing, smartass," Lyssa sniped back, clapping her hands together to the horror of those who sat closest to her. Levi opened his mouth but wisely kept quiet, just watching her intensely. Lyssa rolled her eyes. “We could spend the whole day wondering what prophecy it is and nagging Leo, but we can be smarter and just listen to the book. They'll tell us sooner or later."

She turned back to Mr. Blofis, who snapped out of his stupor and cleared his throat.

No one confronted her on the statement. Lyssa not being too curious to save her life was even more terrifying than her scouring the library, the internet and every single book in the world to find an answer to the simplest of questions.

Lora sent Mike a quizzical look, but he was just as lost as others.

Might as well listen.

"Right," I muttered. "Just checking."

“Oh, Percy's being optimistic!"

Apparently, everyone had made the same decision and settled on acting the usual. They'd die before allowing Lyssa get to them.

“I'd be too if a potentially deadly prophecy was hanging over my head."

Of course, no one listened to Percy. All because Chiron was too busy making Annabeth swear to take care of Percy.

"I–I swear it upon the River Styx," Annabeth said.

“He didn't!" Leo yelled despite himself, instantly drawing attention of others.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, indicating that Chiron, indeed, had made Annabeth swear upon river Styx that she would keep Percy safe.

How hadn't she died yet?

“Care to fill us in?" Mike wondered absent-mindedly, figuring that no, no one was going to let them in on that big secret of theirs. It was simply a reflex kicking in.

Cue the strongest surprise one could ever experience in this class, for Leo not only acknowledged Mike's existence; he also gave a detailed answer!

“It's a very dangerous promise to give," Leo clarified, swinging the screwdriver in the air. “Percy's prone to… um, accidents. Promising to keep him alive is as impossible as holding the weight of the world." I bet they've done that, too.

Well, as detailed as Leo could offer as he knew next to nothing about the old quest of theirs.

“How many accidents have they had so far?" Lora inquired, not ready to give in.

“Percy?" Leo raised his eyebrows. “If we count getting missing... he faltered and stared at the screwdriver in his hands.

Was there a megaphone somewhere in his toolbelt? Leo was certain he'd put it in this morning—or was it yesterday? Anyways, if he adjusted this tiny part and changed the control, they would be able to use it for the games—Chiron would waste less time searching for them and simply called them from the house. Well, that was worth the effort.

Leo dug into the toolbelt and pulled out the said megaphone. His hand reached the screwdriver as he looked up.

“What?" Leo asked in worry. “Am I on fire?"

Leo's hand flew towards his head. Thanks the gods, it didn't seem to burn nor was it hot. He wasn't burning! That would be so unfortunate if he exposed his secret abilities to a bunch of mortals.

“What?" he repeated when it became evident these kids were watching him not because he was on fire. What did they want?

“What's Percy gotten himself into so far?" Levi repeated.

“When?"

“Were you even listening?"

“To what?"

Mike was the first one to give up. He was too young to deal with so much stress!

“Mr. Blofis!"

This time Leo listened with less attention, for there was nothing he didn't know. He even knew not to question Percy's ignorance regarding Tantalus… unlike Lyssa, who all but slapped her forehead in disgruntlement. He was so hopeless!

Needless to say, no one gave Percy a straight answer, leaving him figure it out on his own. Precisely, through a long, hard, and painful trial and error experience.

Not to mention things Percy had forgotten to share.

…about my dream of Grover.

“What dream?" Cassandra frowned, but knew better than stare at Leo. Something was telling her he wouldn't be able to help her.

Just as she expected, Leo started and looked at her groggily; lost and disturbed by the outside sounds, he cast a glance around the class until he found Cassandra. She appeared as bemused as he felt. What had she said? A dream? Something about a dream?

“A dream? I dunno, sorry."

That was a wonder he was still listening. On the other hand, this particular group of people would always drag him out into the real world when they needed.

…The best teacher I'd ever had was gone, maybe for good.

“He really is a pessimist," Lora sighed. “How did he survive, again?"

Honestly, with how much they were learning about Percy, it was such a wonder he'd gotten out of all the potentially fatal situations unscathed.

Tyson started bawling almost as bad as Annabeth.

Coos went through the class, being interrupted by a muffled snort—Leo imagined a bawling Annabeth and couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of such an occasion.

On this happy note, they all moved to the dining pavilion. And, turned out, Percy wasn't the only one apprehensive of another of the gods' incomprehensibly ridiculous decisions. Well, at least, children hoped they were as disgruntled as Percy. These people sure were. However they didn't get a real chance to learn the facts right away, all because Percy saw it fit to introduce the campers. Again. Heeding the dead look on Leo's face, he either didn't listen or was mourning these people—not very reassuring.

Although most of Percy's commentary could have been cut out completely (Lyssa and other extremely nosy kids would be arguing, but the prevailing number of their classmates agreed whole-heartedly that it was excessive), there was a part that was destined to catch your attention.

…the guy who'd fought with Thalia and Annabeth on top of Half-Blood Hill.

“He's not here anymore?" someone asked. “Why?"

Leo rendered silence, looking as dead, exhausted, and nonchalant as he possibly could.

“…Thanks."

…and then he'd tried to kill me.

Silence wrapped them like a heavy and unbearably itchy blanket. So many of them had too much to say but didn't know how to articulate those comments correctly.

This boy had tried what?

“He... huh, he tried… what?" Lora all but sputtered.

“Luke has tried to kill him?" Jenna inquired almost nonchalantly, which might have put her neighbors out.

As if on cue, everyone stared at Leo. Leo let out a hiccup, visibly ashen and disturbed as well, but most likely for a different reason completely that none of them would love to delve into right now.

“Leo?"

Leo blinked and shrugged his shoulder as though it explained anything.

Someone groaned.

“Dude, c'mon!" Levi complained. “It's not the time to be skittish."

Leo raised his hands in defeat; his expression turned sour, almost mournful. “Listen, I'd love to help. Whatever this is,” he made a circle with his hand, indicating the class, “it's been worse than I've seen either of them react, and they've been—” he close his mouth and gulped. Had they imagined the pain on his face? No one was eager to find out. “I don't know much except that Luke was working for Kronos. They did—”

“He was doing what?!"

Leo jolted at such an unexpected vociferous noise. His eyes landed on that overzealous chick—Lyssa? She didn't look excited anymore like she'd been these past few weeks. She had her eyes firmly trained on him, evoking Leo's usual twitchiness out of the depth of his self-control. He hated being stared at so intensely; it made his brain overanalyze and signal danger where there was none.

He rubbed his neck and waved at her. Lyssa blinked in response, having not taken her eyes off him. Come to think of it, none had.

Leo's mind now reeling at all the attention he was receiving. It never mean anything good or positive. Usually it meant big trouble.

“Uh... what?"

His question seemed to have snapped them out of the trance. Lyssa was the first one showing signs of life, but it was some other boy asking questions.

“Luke was working for Kronos?" Mike asked an obviously distraught Leo.

Leo shrugged. “That's all I know."

“How dared he?" Sarah exploded; her body tensed as though she were ready to jump to her feet or to Luke and yell the same right into his face. “What ever Percy has done to him?"

Leo could only shrug helplessly. The truth is, he had never really asked. The camp had been in the state of constant panic from the war, then losing Percy, gods being silent and dismissive again, and Jason. No one had ever outright stated it, but Jason's presence unnerved them more than Percy's absence. Hera's stint meant that yet another war was imminent and inevitable, and they had barely recovered from the last one. They'd been low on campers, supplies, and spirits. Hephaestus' cabin's curse had kicked them down more than anyone was willing to let on.

It had been one hit after another for months on end, and Leo quickly learned to focus on present, fairly believing they would have time to share tragic stories later. There might have been a few times on Argo II where those pieces of nightmare would have fit the conversation, but Percy and Annabeth had been stranded in Tartarus for far too long to speak on anything that would even remotely remind of it.

Weeks and months had passed, and Leo still hadn't asked a single question about the previous war. Seeing his siblings' grim expressions and pained smiles was enough for him.

But Leo would have never guessed this information might be useful to him.

He hadn't met these people. (He would love to rewind back to the moment Chiron first voiced the idea and lock up in Bunker 9 until left alone.)

“I can't believe it!" Sarah bristled, massaging her temples a tad bit too dramatically.

“I can," Mike countered, ever-so-serious; nothing in his posture nor his expression suggested he was messing with them. Lyssa scowled deeply, sending him a quizzical look. “There's a better question, Why'd he work for Kronos."

“Why'd anyone work for Kronos?" Lyssa echoed in a dead voice.

Leo coughed upon seeing a few curious glances sent his way. “I don't know. All," he gestured toward the book, “that is the reason. I wasn't there yet."

In his head, it might have been a sufficient explanation, but others didn't share the sentiment, eyeing each other apprehensively as though wondering who'd be the one confronting Percy on that one.

(It was easy. Lyssa would be unleashed on him and his friends in no time.)

“So we'll just skip that part where he tried to murder Percy?" Sarah recurred to the old topic. “Anyone?"

She was met with grim expressions. Sarah groaned softly and dropped onto her desk, wishing for this day to be over.

(Everyone wished so if they were being honest.)

It goes without saying that Paul had plenty of time on his hands to dedicate to reading now, when children were too aghast to interrupt him every other sentence. Not that there was anything remarkable to discuss anyway.

Almost. Tyson remained the #1 priority to all of them, so when some unfortunate Kamikaze showed disdain toward the Cyclops, several people hissed; three more promised themselves they would hold a serious talk on the subject of respecting others, even if those weren't human.

If Tyson were here, he'd gain a lot more of new friends. If Percy heard it, he'd shed a tear of rejoice.

…My millennium is complete."

“And who is that?" Lora grumbled, feeling like life was slowly sipping out of her.

Somehow, they still have strength to move forward and react to the story.

…"Yes. Well, as you young people say these days: Whatever."

“Mr. D?"

Levi shrugged when his classmates gave him incredulous looks. Well, he didn't see any point in keeping names of random characters in mind.

“Man, that's the god you're talking 'bout," Mike reminded him. Levi shrugged again and turned to Paul, who all but gaped at his students.

What mess had he willingly gotten himself into?

...Angry and frustrated and hungry all at the same time.

Students blinked. What the hell would they have a prisoner in the camp? What?

“Why's there a prisoner in the camp?" Steven marveled.

To his horror, Leo shrugged. It meant Leo's guess was as good as Steven's.

“Tantalus," Kylie said, instantly drawing attention to herself. At mystified looks she rolled her eyes. “Yes, I still read!"

“Tantalus?" several people repeated, all eyes rested on Lyssa.

“He was the man who cooked his kids and fed them to the gods."

To say they were aghast, would be an understatement. The whole concept of cooking people didn't want to settle in their heads. Feeding the said people to others? Nah, it's better not to think of it. Ever.

“Why there's so much cannibalism in those stories?" Sarah whined, as he neighbor patted her on the shoulder.

“How did Dionysus allow that?" Cassandra asked at the same time, equally terrified and disgusted at the idea.

All Leo could do was shrug. Was there really any need to delve into that part of their world?

What was worse, Dionysus seemed to be on good terms with the man. Just why?

…Thirteen-Year-Old Lunatic Torches Gymnasium.

Several people groaned. Here goes another story they would never hear. Asking Leo was pointless: not only had he paid little to no attention to the book, he also looked confounded every time another fact from Percy's life came up. Soo not helping!

…had almost gotten into a civil war?

The rumble of the thunder and a lightning did show that, yes, Zeus believed exactly that. (And was glad he'd caught Dionysus stare off into the distance.) Of course, it didn't sit well with students, which led to quite a shouting match between them, the essence of which could be said in one sentence: Zeus could shove his bolt up his ass and choke on it.

In any case, the suggestion was ignored—what a bummer; Zeus with a stick up his ass would fit perfectly with his character and bearing—and children were, once again, immersed in the story.

Unfortunately, the chapter was boring. There wasn't much going on--if you don't count Tantalus' obsession with chasing food, the said food's dedication to killing itself off before he could get his hands on it (cue the nervous laughs), and overall defiance of Percy's.

…I'm sure your old curse will fade eventually."

“He soo loves you!" Lora said sarcastically.

“It's Mr. D," Leo chimed in, causing a round of loud gasps throughout the classroom. “He doesn't like anyone. Wonder why."

He joined the wire to the base, evoking a strong wave if electricity and yelping in the process. (No, they would not ask.)

…how dry one's throat gets after three thousand years?"

“Say that again!"

Lyssa rolled her eyes upon hearing Steven's exclamation. Why--why--hadn't any of them picked up a book yet? There honestly wouldn't be any more silly questions asked!

…but you can't eat or drink."

“That's harsh," Cassandra frowned.

“Cass, he cooked his children," Lora said from the other side of the class.

Cassandra fell pensive for a spilt moment then school her head. “Never mind, he can rot all he wants."

'Rot' was the advice students had. Mostly because of the ugly person this particular man was.

No--one--picks--on--Tyson!

Unless you are a dead cannibal from Ancient Greece, that's it.

…We must decide what to do with it."

“It?" Steven repeated in disbelief. “It?"

“Yeah, who he thinks he is?" Levi added, equally appalled.

“Tyson seems so far from a monster..." Sarah noted.

“Unlike this man!" Lora finished in all but a screech.

Paul cleared his throat and quickly--quickly--read through the excerpt, afraid if he didn't finish now, they would riot.

Thanks the Olympians for Percy and his defense! Otherwise, his classmates would've gone ballistic—even angrier than from a thought that Luke had tried to kill Percy.

…I knew I couldn't disobey a direct order from the camp directors. Not openly, anyway.

“Aww, he's such a toddler!" Sarah said. “How could anyone he so... cruel?"

“These are gods for you," Leo stated calmly.

…We'll find you a good place to sleep tonight."

The more the chapter progressed, the more respect they had for Percy. He tried. He really did. Tyson being Cyclops clearly had been a nasty revelation to him, but Percy had brushed it off and endeavored to offer Tyson as much support as he could!

If only Tantalus could have shut up! At least, they had funnily acting food to make up for the distress.

…interact with each and every one of you children.

“Torture?" Cassandra squealed. “He said 'torture'?"

“Yes, Accardi, he meant torture," Kylie answered from her place, wishing for this class to end already.

“Torture!" Cassandra moaned again. “Who in their right mind would--"”

Her went muffled as her neighbor put a hand over her mouth, to the biggest gratitude of all involved in this mess of a class.

Could they back out just as Percy had done?

You all look good enough to eat."

Cassandra's face reddened as she struggled to voice everything she would like gods to know, but a second pair of hands prevented her from achieving her goal—the girl behind her wasn't feeling it.

…"We are reinstituting the chariot races!"

A thud sound broke the silence. Cassandra twitched and stopped fidgeting, which allowed her neighbors to let go of her while others stared at Leo. He was sitting with his mouth wide open, watching the book—or space—apprehensively. Struck. Astonished. Disgruntled.

That man wanted what?

“Did he—did he say they'd be reinstating the chariot races?!"

Several people blinked.

“Err, yeah..." Mike faltered, having noticed the flinch. “Is it... bad?"

Leo heaved a breath and grasped the screwdriver again. “So I've heard."

“How bad is it?" Sarah wondered.

“They had to cancel it… again."

Leo's commentary didn't reassure anyone. Nor did Paul when he read other campers' objections.

“How many mutilations?”" Lyssa gaped.

“Twenty-six, McKeenley," Kylie snorted.

It got worse. Mostly because Tantalus was pushing the concept of perilous and fatal games and enjoying potential outcomes. Just how many kids had died that year?

…will go to the winning charioteers each month.

“Each month?” Leo yelled, startling good three-fourth of the class. “He wanted them happening each month? What was Mr. D thinking?"

…The first race will be held in three days time.

“Three days! He wants them dead in three days!"

…to prepare your chariots and choose your horses.

Leo groaned. Loudly. Then rubbed his forehead, pretty annoyed by the events he hadn't been a part of. Thanks the gods for that! Leo would always take life on the run over a day in this man's presence.

…no chores for the month in which they win?"

Leo slapped his forehead and slid down on the seat. Dionysus would be soo dead!

Then the last person I expected to object did so.

Leo perked up. Who in this gods-forsaken place had a modicum of sense?

It was Clarisse. A very worried Clarisse, which made Leo pay excessive attention to the book. If Clarisse was against the activity, then it was surely a trip to Hades—the hard way.

Unfortunately, Tantalus had chosen to ignore the voice of reason by being obnoxious. Seriously, no one cared that Clarisse had slain the bulls; Clarisse didn't care she had slain the bulls! She, however, was very much concerned about the tree dying, which Tantalus just had to overlook in favor of being obnoxious and evil.

“He's such an asshole,” someone grumbled.

No one complained, for they agreed with him wholeheartedly. Even more so when that soon-to-be-dead-again excuse of a ghost crossed the line.

No one had the right to attack Tyson if they could help it!

 …to bring this  here." Tantalus waved a hand toward Tyson.

Angry murmurs broke through the classroom as children were making up plans to go down in the Underworld and teach this ghost a lesson or two on how to be a decent human being. This bastard truly deserved a good punch for every time he badmouthed Tyson.

…Hermes's cabin, possibly?"

“He's mocking him on purpose!" Cassandra exclaimed in outrage. “How despicable do you have to be to hurt an innocent creature like--"

“Cass, he cooked his children!" Lora reminded her. “I don't expect anything good of him."

Cassandra heaved a breath in attempt to calm down and closed her eyes. It was terrible to vent her anger out on her classmates. They weren't that man. They didn't deliberately degrade another human—Cyclops, whatever. They were as disgruntled as she.

“I'm fine!” Cassandra announced.

But it got worse. For one, campers seemed to share the sentiment and were uncomfortable near Tyson. No one wanted him as a buddy. No one even wanted to look at him, terrified, disgusted, and apprehensive of him. Poor Tyson didn't even realize just how cruel they were being!

(Which wouldn't have surprised anyone if they'd remembered how these same people treated Percy after his claiming. For someone who'd been outcasts their whole lives, these people seemed eerily comfortable with excluding others for their differences without as much as knowing them first.)

Suddenly everybody gasped.

“What else?” Sarah groaned. “They have a dragon as a pet? Tantalus decided to send him to Olympus?"

Paul chuckled, which made several people perk up.

…image that had appeared above Tyson's head.

“Err, what?"

Outrage was replaced by confusion fairly quickly, as everyone wanted to see what other terrible occurrence had taken place in that damned camp of theirs.

…Well, one god in particular, usually …

Lora gasped as it dawned on her.

“No way!” she turned to Leo, who flinched and stared at her. “Is it--"

“Yeah..."

A huge smile appeared on Lora's face. That was all confirmation she needed. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lyssa smirk and rolled her eyes. Of course, Lyssa would have figured it out ages ago!

“What?" Levi asked, but no one answered him. Those who'd realized, preferred to keep quiet until the book revealed the fact; those who didn't, were equally as lost and simply waited for the book to tell them.

Thanks the gods, Paul didn't possess an ounce of maliciousness and read the part right away.

…Poseidon had claimed me as his son.

“What?” rang through the class as Lora, Lyssa, and several other kids were smiling brightly.

This was so damn cool! Yes, Tyson was a Cyclops, but he appeared the most kind-hearted and tender creature they'd witnessed so far. It was an honor to have him as a brother.

“Percy has a Cyclops for a brother?"

Leo nodded.

“Cool!" Steven yelled.

The excitement was short-lived, however, because Tantalus was still there humiliating Percy and hating on Tyson.

…By the gods, I can see the family resemblance!"

“He's such an asshole," someone muttered again. Kids nodded in agreement.

…how cruel people were.

Several people sighed in adoration. He was such a cute kid!

…I had a monster for a half-brother.

“Percy!"

Somewhere still on the school grounds Percy jerked and began looking around, wondering what was going on and why he was having auditory hallucinations.

Chapter Text

Even without Percy or any of his friends nearby, lunch was a noisy affair. All because children couldn't shut up. If any person were to peek into the cafeteria, they would never regain an ability to hear, so loud the kids were.

The most astonishing fact, however, would be that most students could understand each other. All but one.

Alexander had a hard time accustoming to the new environment. He had arrived in New York only three weeks ago and hadn't had a chance to fully mingle in with people. How could have he done it if his day had been–and still was–packed? Documents, three bus rides, countless of queues, and a sleepless week later, he was sitting in a new school next to lots of new people, most of whom were speaking too fast for him to follow them. And if lessons weren't as hard, for he had books to compensate with, people were a much more challenging task. Not only they were talking like their lives depended on squeezing as many words in ten seconds as they possibly could, they were also discussing some pretty confusing things.

Furies? Zeus? Ares? Kronos?

Alexander knew these names and monsters; he'd lived around them his whole life because of his father teaching History. Unfortunately, experience did not mean Alexander was able to understand what was happening around him. Were they all rehearsing for some sort of competition? Was it a special school? He knew there were such schools, the ones that dedicated time to teaching specific subjects and sports. But what would a Greek-esque kind of school give them? Ancient kind of Greek.

If Alexander would ever tell any of his friends they had a special school dedicated to mythology of his country, they would call him a liar. Such things didn't exist.

But why were all these kids talking about Cyclops? Was that book a kind of their constitution? Was it normal to spend most of the first month studying constitutions?

"Tyson is such a cute kid," a girl with brown hair cooed, staring blankly in front of herself.

Alexander, as well as others, looked at her quizzically. The girl shrugged.

"And the bulls? Did you hear what he did to them?" a boy asked.

"Ha! Did you hear him?!" a boy–Steven as far as Alexander could recall–on the left exclaimed, instantly drawing attention of the rest to him. There was no other way, for he was moving his arms so violently that he managed to hit his neighbors on the shoulders and almost poked their eyes out. "I'd never thought that 'Pony' could be–"

"Wait, what pony?" a redheaded girl frowned.

Stares intensified, as everyone deemed it their job to check she wasn't lying. She wasn't. A crease between her brows was a good enough inkling of that.

"Tyson called Chiron a pony," Steven explained, slightly confused at her question. "It was in the chapter."

Everyone but that girl and Alexander nodded.

"No, it wasn't!" she objected.

The fork that she'd stabbed into the plate went to the side with a loud screech, taking some of the salad with it. The girl dropped the fork and pushed the plate away from her.

"But it was!" another girl (Sarah, Alexander's mind supplied. She was kind and offered to help with History) pressed. "When they were showing him the camp and–"

"The chapter ended with Percy saying that someone had poisoned Thalia's tree!"

Silence dawned on them, for there was virtually nothing anyone could say. They were looking at her in mute shock, unmoving and silent.

"Guess you haven't read that part yet," said the girl with glasses in front of Alexander.

"No, we haven't," the redhead girl repeated, ignoring the huff the girl with glasses let out. "For some reason we can't open farther than the chapter we're reading at the moment."

Irritation in the girl's features got replaced as she heard the comment. She fell thoughtful while her friends glanced at her to, as Alexander thought, demand answers. He'd heard that this girl was the most smartest in the school–or all the classes she was in.

"That's... an interesting way to ensure no one will peek further," she finally commented, blinking hard.

"Why don't we have this problem?" Sarah asked instantly.

"We have Percy!" Steven said in a 'duh' tone.

"By the way, why were we able to read the chapter?" silence dawned on them again.

Silence that made Alexander's mind work fast. Why were they talking about Percy Jackson?

Alexander didn't know him but he knew of him. It was hard to miss when everyone would go quiet the moment he entered into the hallway. It was impossible to ignore when Percy blamed him, Alexander, for something Alexander couldn't understand. How this person had a book with his name, Alexander couldn't tell. He did. It must be some joke or a tradition, because the whole school was discussing it seriously. So what–

Something hit Alexander on the shoulder. He jerked and stared at the disturber. It was the girl–Lora–who was watching him expectantly.

"Um, what's ze matter?"

"He's alive!" Steven exclaimed, receiving a dirty look from Lora.

"Yeah, wha' happen' 'tween you an' Percy?"

Alexander blinked. "What?"

For him it did sound like gibberish. Percy's name was the icing on the cake of his confusion.

"You and Percy."

"I and Percy?"

"Yeah, what happened between you?"

Alexander stared harder, but Lora began looking more determined, still waiting for his answer. There was something between him and Percy? What was between him and Percy? Why were they asking him about Percy?

"Sorry, I don't understand you."

So girls elaborated. All of them. Synchronically. Alexander opened his mouth then closed it and looked at the other girl–the one he knew had all the answers.

Thanks the heavens she caught on fast! And explained the issue these girls wanted to know the details of–slowly and using precise and simple language too. (For which Alexander would forever be grateful to her.) That was a pity, Alexander couldn't offer them anything more than what he knew: nothing. He didn't know and understand nothing. All he knew from Percy's outbursts of aggression was his conviction Alexander wanted to hurt him.

"It's a big zoke, isn't it?" he asked at last because kids had realized he would not help them and returned to their favorite topic of today: Tyson.

Oh, and the book, Alexander's personal headache.

"What d'you mean?" Lora marveled.

"Zis book, it's a zoke, right?" Alexander repeated. "Zere's no Greek gods. They don't exist."

Everyone stared at him. Which was pretty uncomfortable in Alexander's opinion.

"Don't they–No, scratch that," the girl with glasses shook her head. "Of course, they do. The book is real."

Alex blinked. "Gods are real?"

Was it a joke? This girl must be joking, right?

Apparently, Alexander asked for too much, as grim expressions confirmed his thoughts: They were dead serious.

Silence would have dragged for far longer if it weren't for Steven.

"Didn't your people worship them two thousand years ago?" he wondered, immediately getting a nudge in the ribs from Sarah. "Ouch!"

"Steven!"

"I don't know, I wasn't zere."

Alexander wasn't the only one confused here. There was also Leo. Confused. Lost. Mad. Leo was mad. Extremely mad. Furious. Why? His friends hadn't even thought of waiting for him and run off to the camp, leaving Leo fend for himself. That was a good thing Leo had experience with surviving; otherwise, there was no way he would have gotten to the camp safe and sound.

Oh, they would he so damn sorry!

How he'd gotten to the camp was a story deserving of its own book. So many twists! So much pain! And dirt. Why was there dirt everywhere?

Dirt was that detail that convinced Leo there would be murder happening tonight. He was so riled up that he didn't go to the showers, instead heading straight to the Big House to remind these very bad friends that they'd forgotten something very important at school: him.

That trip was quite short, but eventful nonetheless. Campers backed away the moment Leo appeared in their sights. A camper from Apollo's cabin yelped and ducked to the ground when Leo passed him by, almost knocking the said boy off his feet. The rest didn't try talking to him, fairly figuring there was something urgent he had to do. If they only knew!

Naiads and satyrs were much smarter. They had disappeared from the view when Leo stepped his foot onto the camp grounds. Apparently, Calypso had less sense, for she did make an attempt to talk to Leo, but halted when he snapped a quick, 'Later, Sunshine' and continued walking toward the Big House.

Who cared, really?

Leo stormed into the house and instantly slowed down, taking in the scene before his eyes. They were there. All were staring at something on the ping pong table, their eyes wide and faces white. They hadn't even noticed him arrive! Well, it was a good thing.

"YOU'RE SO DAMN MUERTOS!"

"'It's like someone is nagging me on the head!'" Percy quoted in an annoyed voice. The water was splashing everywhere while the counter next to the sink was looking more like a muddy pool after a flood than a counter. Percy didn't care. He kept on hitting the water, splashing it everywhere more than was humanly possible. "What's that supposed to mean?" he spun backward and scowled. "Mom, it's not funny!"

Sally schooled her features and nodded, though glimpses of mirth were leaking through, sharpening the lines on her face.

"I know, dear," she said softly, putting the cup to the side.

Not a moment later, she leaned against the chair and started stroking her stomach. As calming this image was, Percy did not budge. He stomped his foot like an exceptionally affronted five-year-old and turned back to the dishes. Just for a few seconds nothing but running water and clanking was heard, then Sally heaved a sigh.

"Don't be harsh on Paul, you know he means well."

"I know that!" Percy snapped. A splash of water hit him on the forehead, making him blink. Sally clicked her tongue.

"I see," she said solemnly.

"Mom!" Percy complained, grabbing the towel. Whatever the hell had taken over his powers, it made them turn on him. "I just--You know how unconvincing his excuse is? The teachers' board has decided to read a book they know nothing about because it made them do so!"

Sally pursed her lips–to show her disgruntlement or to laugh, Percy couldn't tell.

"It's magic, Percy," she uttered softly.

"I know!" he snarled, throwing the towel on the counter then swirled on the spot and raised his arms. "But why is it always me?"

That was the most important question of his life. Why always him? Why was it him who always ended up injured, maimed, or threatened? Why was this book from his point of view? As if he hadn't been humiliated enough!

"Dear, it'll be all right."

Percy nodded. He hoped so too.

And he sent that belief to Hades first thing in the morning upon seeing bright faces of Lora and Sarah.

Whatever had possessed them, they had been terrifying these past few weeks. Percy could barely recall interacting with them before, yet he was more than certain they'd never harp on anyone for answers. Before this school year, it is. Before the first day of school his main fear had been school itself. He had missed a huge chunk of it and was still enrolled on the good word from Paul and promise to make it up before the winter break–which was fast-coming. He had much less time than he'd need to study a fraction of it all, but he also had not even started it yet. If he failed, he'd be held back at best.

Maybe it's not a bad idea, a deceptively sweet part of his mind mused. He'd have to recuperate and finish everything in his own time instead of rushing it like he always seemed to do. Percy desperately needed some long-term goal to cling to, to feel better about himself. He was fine. He was moving somewhere. He hadn't yet given up.

Percy was ready to give up when he saw Lyssa slowly move toward them all with Mike in tow. The back of his head pinched as he felt shivers surge through his body. She was about to question him on something. She was surely going to question him on something. She always asked something. She was going to ask something.

He had to ask something first!

As this genuinely genius thought occurred to him, Mike greeted them all, looking as smug as Lyssa must be feeling at seeing Percy in her proximity.

No! He'd strike first! What'd they say? Offense is the best defense? He'd strike at them with the best offense imaginable!

"Hi, P–"

"Wanna be my tutor?"

Chapter Text

One newspaper was jarring. Another one felt like a whole world might be blowing into their faces.

Here it was, in full front, glaring at him. The truth. The truth that the Mist had been malfunctioning, probably a lot longer than any of them had let on. There was no way around it... Maybe. They hadn't gotten up to that point yet, but Chiron looked too mournful for them to draw any other conclusions.

"Mortals make up all sorts of funny excuses," Lou Ellen said darkly, pointing at some prints no one really knew where she had procured from.

“But it's a question of how long they'll keep on doing that," Annabeth countered thoughtfully.

"They'll get it eventually. What are we gonna do?"

They had no ideas.

Whatever had caused the change, it was determined to finish with it.

“I have to confer with the gods," Chiron said after an unbearably prolonged beat of uncomfortable silence.

The looks everyone had given him still sent shivers down Leo's spine, the whole twelve hours and countless of explanations later.

If Chiron was unsure, it certainly was something even above his level of normal.

Maybe that was the reason of his hesitation, a belated thought visited him after a short deliberation. Chiron could not explain the things written in the newspaper; much less could he explain the sources of the things written in the newspaper. Three unsuspecting citizens meeting what looked like 'an ugly baby dragon' might be too much even for Florida. Florida, as Leo had been informed, was used to weird stuff popping out of the Sea of Monsters, so them being concerned with baby dragons and flesh-eating humans on steroids was enough to cause commotion elsewhere.

“It could have been a coincidence," Annabeth objected, a flimsy argument at best but it was clear no one had anything better to offer.

“Mrs. O'Leary," Percy coughed into his fist, his expression more sour than a few moments before.

“A coincidence," Annabeth confirmed with a nod.

“Five instances of empousai ransacking Target," Piper added as an afterthought, holding her own copy of the said newspaper.

The news. All they could report on were things like weird ladies with metal legs robbing a dairy aisle.

Leo would say it was weird even by his merits.

Annabeth gave Piper the stink eye to which she shrugged, further diving into the world of current news.

Silence descended on them, as everyone eyed the other in an attempt to dig out the best argument to support her theory, but the truth was they couldn't. If there were anything everyone in this room had learned the hard way, it would be that.

It could never be a friendly banter, Leo realized, having taken in their pained expressions and fidgeting, some kind of nervous tick reaction in the movements.

At last, Piper tooted apprehensively, rolling the paper, which Annabeth accepted with a sigh, leaning on the ping pong table that creaked under her weight. Everyone instantly winced, alerted and defiant.

“It can't be," Jason shook his head, a little exasperated. He was hiding behind Piper, sinking into his seat--something that struck Leo a bit too much since Jason wasn't really the one to shy away from the problems. Perhaps, everyone was slowly getting worn out by practically every problem they had to face. And English homework was not even on that list. “It wouldn't make sense to let Trivia fiddle with the Mist after everything that's happened--"

“Or ever," Lou Ellen butted in then shrugged at their quizzical looks. Leo's attention shifted on her. Lou Ellen responded with pressed lips. “It's not Mom!"

Her own voice betrayed her, exposing the hurt she was feeling at a silent accusation. Piper coiled to the side, wincing like the admission pained her.

Just like he and Jason, Piper had heard about all those treacherous gods and goddesses that sided with Kronos. Just like he and Jason, she felt like she had no right to comment on any of them or their children remaining at the camp. They could not possibly be sure what had transpired to lead them here, could they?

Contrarily to Percy, Annabeth, and Chiron.

Leo felt the air grow thick and heavy, just as his panic had become more severe. Piper tensed up, shifting just enough to not yet fully cover Lou Ellen from others but enough to show her intention, as Jason leaned forward on the seat, watching them sternly.

(Was it just as awkward for them all too?)

“Your mom had no problem siding with Kronos before," Annabeth noted with an edge in her voice.

Percy's eyes went wide, but he didn't have much time to react. A shadow crossed Lou Ellen's face as she hopped off the ping pong table and made a move at Annabeth, who raised an eyebrow at her as though urging her to land that hit.

Chiron drew forward, raising his arms; at the same time Percy tugged Annabeth by the elbow as though pleading her to move to a safe space.

“Girls, that--"

“I'd propose--"

“You were better when you were consumed by your need to find Percy," Lou Ellen interrupted both coldly, sending a wave of frosty shivers down Leo's spine.

Time stopped. Like in some kind of a sci-fi movie about freezing time, everything around them just ceased moving. Everyone just peered at another, afraid to breathe and speak up, waiting for Annabeth to respond.

Annabeth remained in place, though, glaring at Lou Ellen with no visible heat but with the exhaustion of the whole world. Perhaps, Lou Ellen realized the same thing, for she looked around in search of… something. Leo's mind kept telling him she was looking for support, but he refused to entertain this idea. They could not be dividing now, could they?

They wouldn't. At least, everyone here was on Annabeth's side, for they didn't meet Lou Ellen's gaze. Lou Ellen hummed, nodded to herself, and stared back at Annabeth.

“It upsetting we're not past that point yet."

With that she stomped toward the exit, her every step echoing in thunderous thuds in Leo's ears before he heard a creak and a slamming door.

Instantly, everyone turned their gazes to a pale-looking Annabeth; though she didn't look ashamed of her words, just alarmed and irritated.

“I'm sorry," she snapped at them, extricating herself from Percy's grip.

Percy, having absolutely zero clue of what was going on, didn't fight her. He didn't move an inch when the door slammed shut once more.

They were left alone in silence, lost and not sure how to proceed from there.

Leo sent Chiron a look, but he appeared deep in thought, peering off at the wall and unmoving. Jason seemed simply perplexed and Piper…

“I'll talk to her," Piper decided with a sigh. “And Lou Ellen. And you all, get through to Hazel, please. Maybe she has good news."

Hazel had even less news than they, let alone anything good. She gasped and covered her mouth and expressed her biggest concern at all the new information they were gradually burying her beneath, but that was all she was able to contribute to the issue at hand. For now. (Not like the Romans knew more than they.)

“I'll look into it," she promised, half-drowned out by the faraway hubbub and clanking. Her eyes caught something outside of the image. “No, Dakota! Not there. On the lef--Frank, tell him to go left!" her eyes flickered toward the screen momentary. “I'll try to get through to Trivia if possible--Not on the right, please! Could you--I have to go, I'm sorry."

She disconnected even before they were able to process her promise.

“That was... helpful," Leo commented, as serious as ever. “Speaking of helpful--"

None of them seemed enthused by Leo having blabbed out both about Luke and Jason, but they had left him fending for himself, surrounded by overzealous kids and with little to no information to fight off with.

“That's the least of our issues," Jason replied with no hint of dejection.

That's how they rolled into the next day. Slightly perplexed, plenty defiant, a little upset but hanging in there still, probably not ready to face the world but willing to try.

And try they would.

That was the consensus. At least, before they stepped into the school to be engulfed in the bright lights, havoc, and chattering so loud, the aircraft turbines would be jealous.

The best kind of chaos, Leo decided. The chaos he could easily merge with and stay undetected for most of the day.

He sent a glance at the rest, waiting for the green light to move. After the previous day's mishap none wanted to divide anymore, even if for moral support no one could really feel.

“All right, we are going--" Annabeth began.

“Mr. Jackson, Ms. Chase, Mr. Grace," a voice from the side called them, effectively cutting her off.

Annabeth grimaced as though she'd just swallowed her own tongue and looked at the newcomer. The Principal was watching them sternly, his arms crossed. He stood a few feet from them, but it felt closer—much closer than any of them would be comfortable with.

All three exchanged quizzical looks before turning back to him. Leo shifted just a tad bit to the side, hoping he hadn't been forgotten but just spared because he was the best well-behaved boy out there.

“Um, sir, good morning."

If anyone picked up on the strain in Percy's voice, they didn't comment.

“Could I have a minute with you three?"

A little lost, all three followed him, sending looks at Leo who couldn't help but waved happily at them and gave an encouraging thumb-up. Well, at least, he was spared.

Leo took a deep breath, still elated by the outcome of their stint. Serves them right for leaving him like that.

(He wouldn't even tell them he might have been left off the hook. Sappy stories were the best ones.)

Now all he had to do was move through the day unscathed.

(There must be a glitch in the godly program.)

Sometimes he wondered if it were the price for the fortune cookie, because this whole ordeal had put some serious strain on his sanity. Death, vindictive spirits, Frank's underwear, and insane Mr. D's fans were at the bottom of his list of weird and uncanny. School would always win no matter what. School was school. It must have been created by Hades as punishment for some outrageous crime a kid had committed. Because, duh, school. Leo had been less terrified in Rome and Greece combined.

He hoped this book would never extend into his life's recounting. He could not understand how Percy was coping with his thoughts being read out loud all the time.

He couldn't even tell if he were ready for that. He was bullet-proof but only until the next disaster, and he would like it to be something mythological rather than mundane school-related.

Leo had never allowed whispers and side-looks get under his skin. Safety Measures 101 number one rule was to not ever react if you were not planning to get in trouble, both with big guys and their sidekicks. In this school, however, it was practically impossible to tune out of all the conversations that persisted all throughout days and weeks.

It was always the most vulnerable place they'd hit at. Before--before the gods and crazy talking goats and danger and vengeful earth--Leo's worst enemies were bullies. Bullies that he could always outsmart and outwit. Who ever would want to deal with a guy who lived off self-deprecation and could not take a single thing seriously? This trick had carried him through hard times; through pain and fear of every new 'home' he could never get used to. Every single new challenge, he could take on with a smile--as long as it ensured safety in return. From the most outrageous comments to light punches, Leo evaded them like a pro.

That was before he'd found his home, family, and identity. Being a new weak orphan kid was easier than being a new weak freakish and unnatural scum. They hurt his loved ones and it cut through him every time.

His eyes locked with one of the boys, a short one with sandy-blond hair and the one he'd been calling 'Dylan Reincarnate' in his head ever since he'd noticed him; the similarities were uncanny and he'd been itching to poke him to ensure it wasn't another venti ruining his school experience. He was sure they had PE together, but the names never came to him and Leo allowed that.

“Don't look. Maybe he won't notice," the Blond whispered loudly. “These freaks unnerve me."

Leo couldn't help but notice a few people peer at them intensely, but no one had said a word yet. Dylan Reincarnate turned to the locker, steeling himself and looking like he had beams in his limbs.

“Be quite," he hissed back. “He may hear."

Leo heard them loud and clear, thank you very much.

That was the usual thing he had been long used to. Seems like not just he if anything he'd learned from the book was at least partially true. He trudged past them, intended not to engage and get to his locker just a few ones away from them, but his plan was disrupted by one of the boys catching him by the elbow and tugging him backwards.

Another thing about bullies: they could never help themselves to not pick on you. Trying to knock you down must be written in their bully manual.

“Hey, weirdo, look where you're going!" Dylan Reincarnate yelled, stepping right in front of them and startling Leo a little.

“Aah!" he yelped, recoiling; a shudder went through his body as he tried to make sense of his own body. Sometimes being on constant alert sucked. “Don't do that ever again!"

Did this random boy apologize? Nope. He's smile turned gleeful.

“The little freak is a wimp," he turned to the Blond. “How nice. They're the funniest when they weep."

Leo felt heat hit his cheeks. They always thought he was weak. Of course, he wasn't Jason or Frank; he would never win on sheer strength. Leo was well-aware of that.

Why do all bullies feel the need to always remind him of his unimpressive appearance?

But it didn't matter now. Maybe not strong, he was still fast and smart. He was a pro at laughing off insults. Bullet-proof to bullying. The best man to handle it. He was Leo Valdez, after all. How much time would it take for them to lose interest?

“Oh, sorry, my mistake," he said with a faint smile pulled at his lips. He would bet he looked a little dazzled, too. “I'm Leo Valdez, Commander Supreme of Weird and Disastrous."

He was talking nonsense. Absolute indefensible nonsense. But it seemed to work since the two stared at him like he was an idiot.

The more nonsense he'd say the better. Of course. Dumbfound. Convince you're absolutely bonkers. Ensure the reputation stays.

Though, Cal breaking into this place and kidnapping him just about right now would be totally acceptable. His fingers twitched, as he fought the urge to turn around and check if she were nearby.

They exchanged a look and stared back him. Leo's more… self-caring side flared up in alarm, urging him to hit or kick and run. It was still not too late to try once more. He'd be long gone before any of them would realize what was happening. Pick Calypso up near the forest--tree nymphs wouldn't tattle on him---and be gone.

Leo took a step back, ready as ever to hit it off right here, right now. They instantly shifted closer, having sensed his movement.

“What's the weirdo talkin'?" the Blond muttered, looking at Dylan Reincarnate.

Leo offered them the biggest smile he could offer. He hoped it didn't look pained. “At your service."

He made a slight bow.

The Blond frowned. “Are you daft?"

Leo gasped in feigned outrage. The boy's smile slightly grew.

“C'mon man, I invented daft," Leo exclaimed, out stretching his arms as though ready to squeeze them both in his embrace. “Must've hit my head too hard. I'm amazing like that."

Dylan Reincarnate's face contorted.

“Shouldn't you whacos be invincible?"

“So you remember!" Leo snapped his fingers right into their faces and moved slightly backwards again.

Both grimaced liked they'd eaten an especially sour lemon. Well, Leo would lie if he said he'd enjoy reading about anyone's life, let alone someone he knew personally. Percy wasn't the worst deal; they could have read about, say, Octavian. But Leo couldn't deny it was a little unsettling to hear the thoughts of the guy he'd shared a ship and randomly scattered throughout Europe death traps with most of his summer. His friend. If it were possible, he would have aided in destruction of the book again, but the gods were killjoys in the worst sense of the word.

“Nah, it's usually gods,” he waved them off, ensuring to sound as cheerful as he could master and offering them the widest, most dazzling grin possible. “We're too cool for that. But thanks for the faith! I'm speaking on the behalf of the whole team when I say we appreciate your concern!”

As expected, no god had made an appearance; not even his father bothered with him. Typical.

The Blond's eye twitched.

“Gods," the left one sneered. Leo's eyes went wide and he raised his head. Nope, still nothing. Just his own hopes and dreams being crashed in slow-mo. “Where are they now?"

Good question. Probably, as Nico had suggested in his best unhappy puppy way, scrambling for the best way to blame it on them. Because Tartarus would stop letting monsters out before the gods accepted they might be at fault.

“They aren't here, obviously," the Blond said in feigned concern. “Guess they're too freaky even for the parent freaks."

Leo tilted his head at that, suddenly curious how they would react to that.

Nope, nothing yet.

Five seconds later, still nothing. Probably too busy doing… what were gods doing nowadays? Hoping they might be reflecting on their past behavior and fixing their shit would be a dream too unattainable.

Fingers snapped right in front of him, making Leo jolt in terror.

“What are you--Don't do this!" he yelled, pushing one of the boys away a little too hard.

After what felt like an eternity of pregnant, tensed silence, the Blond growled and advanced at him.

Things Leo was still good at: running as fast as he could when his life was on the line.

Unfortunately, he hadn't moved as far as he would have hoped for, because the corner jumped at him (or him, he couldn't be sure anymore) in an unexpectedly hilarious manner and ruined his beautiful plan. Now, a little perplexed with an aching shoulder and buzzing in his ears, Leo couldn't help but groan.

“You little fucker!" someone bellowed from a few feet from him.

Leo's head snapped in that direction. The Blond was all but fuming, stumping toward him like an enraged bear and yelling things Leo would love to write down to use at the next Capture the Flag to taunt the Ares kids. (He half-wished Clarisse would visit more often; she could keep up with the conversation.)

“I think you mixed me up with the bozo here," he pointed at Dylan Reincarnate once the new insult reached his ears. “And wash your mouth with the soap. Your mother would be appalled she's raised you."

The lightheadedness had passed at last, but Leo didn't get craved peace. Instead, he was being jumped by these two, both of whom looked a little too much like those Cyclops from Chicago in disguise it was unsettling.

His eyes went wide at that. Oh... Why had he... What was...

He was overthinking things.

“Listen, guys,” he raised his hands, which made the two screech to a halt even if for a brief moment “I'd love to stay up and chat with ya but I have a dreadful class to attend, so ciao; see ya... never!"

Three things happened at once, which his brain surprisingly picked up on.

First, he almost dashed for the classroom door.

Second, the wannabe Ma Gasket and her merry pair of idiot kids didn't want to let him go, leaving him to scramble for the way out.

Third, and the most egregious one as Annabeth said later when she'd heard the story, not a single person moved. It was the moment Leo realized no one had tried helping him or calling the teacher or just about anything he would have done in their place. Great. More reasons to hate school.

But now the two towered over him ready to do whatever and his brain in overdrive to find a good enough solution and everything was happening too fast too soon.

His eyes landed on the faraway exit door, beaconing him to come closer. He could just make a break for it and be done with school for good. This place wasn't worth the effort and trouble he had to go through every day because Chiron had said so. Cal did not mind a prolonged vacation. She might enjoy a little break somewhere in... he'd figure it out later.

He tensed up, readying himself for a short race when a weird shadow caught his eye.

“You really are assholes,” a feminine voice startled them all. Leo halted and looked up to see a short dark-haired girl from his class. Julia? Jessica? He could never tell their names.

“Jenny--"

A crack that followed got sunk into the deafening silence as everyone took in the scene.

“Jenna," she snapped, nursing her fist. “You should remember by now." Her eyes landed on Leo. “I hope they weren't--fuck that, they were. I hope they didn't get to you."

Involuntarily, Leo's face split into the biggest grin that he could ever manage. “That was the most awesome thing I've seen in this school!"

Chapter Text

“—it went KA BOOM!" Leo outstretched his arms. Jenna let out a short laugh and shook her head, disbelieving.

“What did they do?"

“After putting out the fire?" Leo asked back. “Chased them around the camp for violating safety rules."

Jenna bit her lower lip to not burst out laughing in the middle of the hallway, but the mental image of a few trees—tree nymphs more likely—chasing five startled, dusty kids around the forest was the funniest thing she had ever envisioned.

“Tree nymphs?" she asked in a strained voice.

“I wouldn't underestimate them," Leo opened the door to the class, allowing Jenna to enter. “They can put up a fight, trust me."

Jenna halted at the doorjamb and peered at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“How many times have you burned down their forest?"

Leo hoped his face was a mask of nonchalance, but judging by Jenna's expression, he was failing miserably. “Uh..."

Jenna chuckled and resumed walking.

Leo followed her only to stop dead on his tracks upon seeing sour faces of his friends.

“Hey, what's up? What's the Principal told you?" he called from the front, instantly drawing attention of those few people who were in the class.

Jenna sent a curious look at the back and hummed before widening her eyes at Leo. Kylie and Lyssa, who had been arguing in hushed whispers, perked up and were listening in intently. The others, they just watched patiently for any breadcrumbs to clutch onto.

All Leo got were the most unimpressed looks all three could muster.

He rolled his eyes and strolled toward his desk.

“Uncle Leo's listening," he plopped on the seat and smiled widely at them.

Percy was twirling the pen impatiently, perhaps, to cool off. Jason couldn't stop scowling but otherwise showed no reaction. Annabeth was staring at her binder with agony. (Leo started to suspect it was not about detention.)

“Three days of detention for skipping," Percy grumbled, halting for a moment before dropping the pen and crossing his arms. He did appear slightly pained, sort of shrinking into himself and trying to turn as small as he could.

Leo pushed the worry aside, allowing his smile to grow. “Serves you right for leaving me behind!"

“We said we were sorry!"

“Sorry won't cut it."

“What do you want us to do?" Percy groaned, though there was a tinge of urgency as though he genuinely wanted to know how to fix it with Leo. “Write you an apology note?"

Leo hummed pensively as he leaned closer. From this angle neither Percy nor Annabeth looked ghoulish pale anymore. “Yeah, I'd like that. And photos from detention!" at Percy's bemused look he chuckled. “For the history. How many times has Annabeth wound up in detention?"

Annabeth huffed loudly but offered no other reaction to his comment.

“Fair," Percy nodded, relaxing just a bit. His eyes rested on Leo; so big and pleading, Leo knew where it was leading. “Are we good?'

“If you promise not to do it again," Leo said solemnly.

“Deal."

Nothing could ruin Leo's mood from that point on. Jenna's selfless act of defense awakened that deeply buried sense of gratitude Leo hadn't had for anyone but the camps in a long while. Maybe not everyone in this school was as horrific as he'd been led to believe. Horrific and nosy and constantly demanding, they had exacerbated that itch at the back of Leo's mind; the itch he had not acknowledged since… since last year before he'd ended up in Wilderness School and met Piper and Jason. The itch to drop everything and set off, somewhere. Somewhere where he couldn't be reached but would be able to start over. It would be easier now when he was sixteen and had skills to actually survive.

He'd almost bolted the other way just last night, having noticed a bus station on his way to camp. His hurt side had flared up and been nagging him to stop and change the route, to grab Festus and run. To travel as he'd promised Calypso before they settled on visiting the camp just in time for being shoved into this school.

He should have stayed in the Atlantic a little longer—now Leo was more than certain. Cal didn't mind one bit, having missed thousands of years and world. They could have sunbathed on some faraway island, drinking cocktails and having no worry in the world.

Cal might like school, came to Leo, making him sit straight up.

“Leo?" Jason frowned at him. Leo waved him off and stared at the clock above the teacher's desk.

Cal might like school! This school. She might enjoy mingling in with people and being a mortal! That was everything she'd ever wanted but got stuck in camp instead.

How come he had never thought of it before?

They were hostile.

They were not anymore. Leo's eye flickered toward Jenna who was scrolling through her phone, nodding along to something her neighbors argued about. There was Jenna. And Mike. And their friends. And Lyssa—as terrifying as she appeared. They would not be hostile to her. Overzealous, curious, and annoying maybe, but Leo had a feeling Cal would take anything after centuries of downtime.

His day might have just gotten better.

The feeling wouldn't last, however. That Leo realized once he saw a dejected Paul in the front of the class. At a quizzical look, Percy shrugged, equally as perplexed.

“Uh, I would like... ahem," Paul faltered. It did not seem possible, but his expression grew ever darker and more waxy than before. Something flickered on his face when he glanced at Percy. “Be ready for next week, everyone. I'll start the reading in a moment."

Both Leo and Jason turned to Percy, who shrugged again, this time more feebly; his face a mask of pain.

“I don't know," he whispered in a strained voice, clearly lying through his teeth.

Soft groans could be heard all around them; others were not willing to question Paul much, on anything it seemed.

Paul might be enjoying the lack of vigor, though, for he didn't hesitate to start reading even before they were able to return their eyes on him.

“We meet the sheep of doom," he scowled upon reading the title.

He was the only one, for it did not spark up much interest from anyone. Contrarily to the place described in the very first sentence. A few people blinked, suddenly having scrambled that still fragile flame of curiosity inside of them.

“Where. Are. You?" Jenna inquired, looking straight at them now.

That was a good question, which was left unanswered.

Because, really, only Leo was still in the mood to interact with the world. And Leo was blinking slowly, mouthing the words from the book over and over again like a broken record.

A plethora of questions instantly popped up in the minds of everyone, but they wisely remained silent.

…like the island of the Sirens.

“What island?" Peter frowned. His bemusement deepened after a quick look around and realization that he was not the only one who didn't quite follow the books.

“Yeah, what island?" Levi said.

As one, they turned toward Percy, who shrank into himself and huffed under his breath. Annabeth seemed to have blanched, her eyes definitely had grown bigger; though, she rendered silence, too. That left Jason and Leo, but no one had a heart to disturb them, so confused both appeared.

“All right," Lora clapped her hand, scaring off the person sitting next to her. “Where are you?"

“You did get there?" Lyssa marveled at the same time.

She was watching the book with an unreadable expression, seemingly frozen in time and unable to move. What. Were. Their. Lives? How could something of that sort exist and not once been exposed to the world? Was that mist thing truly that strong?

Steven rubbed his chin and glanced at Mike in search of assistance. But Mike wasn't looking at any of them, staring at the desk. Riley, who remained as silent as he possible could, eyed him wearily and even shrugged almost amicably at Cassandra's concerned glance.

Talking of inexplicable.

“What's the island of Sirens?" Lora asked at the same time, effectively keeping the major part of class engaged.

She was also pretty bummed when no response followed. The only reaction they did get was Jason furrow his brows and a curious glance at Percy.

His fault.

“Where are they?" Steven asked loud and clear, staring at the four unabashedly.

Jason grimaced but said nothing. Leo started and dropped the pen but also remained quiet. Percy and Annabeth... they were harder to crack.

“The place they were supposed to get to, duh!” Mike responded in the same tone. He caught Lyssa's look and shuddered, instantly turning away only to see Riley eyeing him incredulously.

“Mike?"

Mike waved him off, which, to his biggest surprise, worked quite well since Riley could get incredibly clingy for no reason at all and it was always pain to get rid of him.

“They were supposed to get somewhere?" Peter asked meanwhile, watching the clock above the whiteboard.

It must have snapped something somewhere, for everyone turned to the four, now peering at them intensely as though expecting them to combust.

Annabeth was the first to give up and barked: “The Golden Fleece!"

Percy instantly leaned away from her, eyeing her sternly.

Annabeth didn't react, instead returning to the papers in front of her. She itched to take a pen and fix the small imperfections she'd pointed out just with once glance. The angle of the shrine was a little weird; she had to move it to the left by an inch then it would allow her to—

She snapped out of it and crossed her arms, hunching on the seat. Her mom's shrine kept on jumping up at her at the worst time. She wished Daedalus' laptop had still been in her possession, so she would occupy herself with something less grueling.

“The golden what?" Sarah cried.

“Why are you still getting surprised?" Peter asked, sounding a little too apathetic.

Sarah opened her mouth to retort but closed it and froze up. No; no, she was not.

They descended into awkward silence in vain hope to fish out more information from Percy, but all they got was a withering glare and some incoherent mumbling that might have been helpful, had it been, well, louder.

“Percy?" Leo spoke up, eyeing him with something akin to concern.

“Why this part?" Percy added some volume to his voice. Leo's scowl deepened, and he shot a glance at Annabeth who appeared a little too engrossed in her doodling or whatever she had been busying herself with nowadays, so he turned to Jason. Jason shrugged, just as lost.

“Percy," he uttered slowly and distinctly, ensuring Percy had no real way of dodging the question. Percy instantly stiffened. Well… it was certainly something that was actively making him unhappy then. “What part are you talking about?"

Leo nodded vigorously; his eyes trained on Percy's face.

Percy's face scrunched up in disgust? Apprehension? Aversion? No one but the closest to him would be able to tell. But… they appeared as clueless as the rest. All they could do was sit and wait.

“Why'd they decide to include only parts of the quests in this book?" he asked... whined. Complained. Percy was totally complaining.

At his question even Annabeth looked up and gave him a glance over before diving back into her work. Both Leo and Jason stilled themselves which was unnerving on its own since none of them truly sat still, ever. Not in any of their classes could they not move, and here they were, doing something not one person would have predicted.

“Huh?"

Jason stared at Leo who stared back; both puzzled.

“How—How is it a bad thing?" Jason marveled.

Whatever they did expect from Percy, it was probably not what they got. Percy leaned forward with such speed, Jason recoiled and crashed into the desk, then grinned at them. A pain-filled grin nonetheless. “It makes no sense!” his eyes went comically wide. “What's the goal? Why'd gods take random parts and throw them in one book without explanations? If they want people to understand us, why not include something, I don't know, more useful? You know how dangerous the Sea of Monsters is?"

“The Sea of what?" Sarah muttered, exchanging a glance with Cassandra, who could do nothing but shrug in response.

Jason's eyebrows knit together. He seemed to be trying to see Percy's dilemma but kept on hitting the wall.

“Where'd you get the 'want to understand us' part from?" he asked, but to no avail since Percy had gotten on the roll and fully focused on his… rant? What was it even? And why had Annabeth not reacted yet?

“If you want to show people what it's like, wouldn't it be sensible to squeeze in as much as you could?” Percy wondered, his gaze gradually getting glazed over. “I lost the count of times we almost died that summer! All the drama has been skipped too!”

“Wait, you're mad the book hasn't revealed more of your secrets?" Leo asked, dumbfounded.

Percy's face contorted as though he wanted to ask, what secrets.

“What's the point then?!" he all but yelled instead, forcing Jason to lean away from him. “Why aren't they answering the questions?"

All he received in response–and no one could blame Jason and Leo—was more silence. Percy rolled his eyes and slumped on the chair, heaving a sigh.

“Uh, can I–" everyone turned to Steven, who gave a faint shudder at all the attention. Especially, a glare from Percy. At least, others were more bemused than angry, so he didn't feel fully terrified. “Maybe it's a sneak peak? Maybe it's designed like that to make us read the whole thing when it's out?"

Stares intensified. Steven shifted under their gazes and let out a strained laugh.

Peter snorted. It set off some sort of chain reaction because soon everyone was laughing hard at his admittedly preposterous suggestion with no plan to stop anytime soon. Steven gave a couple weak laughs like he agreed with it being ridiculous, but all he could see was a dark expression on Percy's face. He couldn't see others, but something was telling him they weren't amused either.

At last, after excruciatingly long few minutes everyone quietened down and Percy seemed to had gone down from his high, they were ready to continue.

“Mr. Blofis?"

Paul jerked up and returned to the book.

The Cyclops's island was nothing like that.

Jason momentarily looked up from his own drafts, repeated the sentence in his mind and put the blueprints aside.

“There's an island for Cyclops?" Leo muttered under his breath.

…SOMETHING EVIL LIVES HERE.

“How much evil are we talking about?" Lora narrowed her eyes.

“On a scale from one to ten?" Steven asked.

Lora's eyes widened. And not just hers. Every person around her swiveled toward Steven, eyeing him defiantly as though afraid he had gone completely nuts. He raised his eyebrows.

“Whole eleven!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands to the sides. His neighbor yelped and pushed him away, which did nothing to Steven's mood. “Yes!"

The last word brought everyone out of their slumber. Cassandra scowled and cast a brief glance at Lyssa. Lyssa being quiet was unnerving on its own. Lyssa not arguing was appalling.

In fact, she paid them no attention, staring pensively at her desk, oblivious to the outside world.

She was of no use to them. Neither were any of the four.

All right, they could as well just listen. That wouldn't hurt either.

Percy's description allowed them to draw pictures in their heads. A luxurious resort on some faraway tropical island. It was beautiful. But why would the Fleece be so desperately needed?

Thalia's tree. That's why.

Annabeth shook her head. "It'll fade. Go back to what it would be normally, whatever that is."

Jason scowled, taking in the new information regarding the… poisoning of his sister. The Fleece's story did ring a bell to him, but it was buried beneath more significant pieces that always demanded his attention first, so he'd never actually sat down and read up on that. They had no use of it in Camp Jupiter.

And if they did… No, he mentally scoffed. Why would there be any need for it? Their magic was more complex and less dependent on a random blessing from a god, so it wouldn't… no, they wouldn't. Who would want to poison the only thing that kept them safe? Not even Octavian would venture there as far and Jason was concerned.

But what if. A faint possible if. What would they do then? A traitor working from the inside was something generations of praetors had been trying to eradicate; with no comprehensible reason for any of them. (Now he felt like the invisible traitor was supposed to be a hypothetical graecus, but back before that he and Reyna had had too many discussions that seemed quite pointless to both but were highly encouraged by the old senate.)

It was insanity. The Greeks were insanity for him, and he loved them for it. Romans would have never issued a quest to the sea; they most likely would have up and moved to a different place. The sheer complexity of the move was the only thing that kept them from committing. The city could not protect itself as much as they would love it to; the city would be their biggest concern if they truly ever faced same troubles.

Still, they would most likely build a new city if there were nothing to salvage anymore. But would they search for something as outlandish as the Fleece?

Questions this book made him ask himself! As if he hadn't suffered enough with indecision and uncertainty regarding himself and his footing with both camps! Leo might have been angered by Chiron's proposition, but Jason was secretly glad to take a break from both and get away for the time being, just for a few hours a day. If he had a chance–

Something hit him on the shoulder. Jason started and leaped to his feet, instantly taking a defensive position. Leo, still clutching a screwdriver tightly in his hand, blinked then put his hand down as though determined to hide it from others. Jason caught a faint laugh from behind but remained focused on his friends.

“Yes?" he asked tentatively, almost hesitantly.

“Dude, you were out for good five minutes," Percy told him bluntly. Jason's eyes widened as he searched for Annabeth's help. All he got was a mournful nod and a screwdriver salute.

“What?"

All three exchanged looks.

“You were mumbling under your breath," Leo explained, his brows knit together. The screwdriver was now lying a few inches from him while Leo fiddled with the toolbelt's zipper; his eyes trained on him, Jason.

Mumbling?

“I did what?"

He turned more somber if possible.

“You were mumbling something about the fleece and R–er, the camp and kept on saying 'impossible'..." Percy told him, his eyes boring into Jason's face. Jason hoped no emotions reflected on him, for he had no answers for them.

Jason scratched the back of his head. “I'm good?"

Their looks hardened.

“Jay..."

“I'm good! I was distracted… a little."

They had not turned away just yet, which was making Jason anxious. He hadn't noticed the foot tapping until someone from behind him asked him to stop.

“Okay,” Annabeth broke the silence; her eyes flickered toward the grey binder before she glanced at Percy then Leo. Jason knew what it meant. We're dropping it for now, but this conversation isn't over!

Jason was glad she didn't want to share more than was already being shared. It allowed them to avoid all painful topics. Sometimes Jason wished he didn't have to return to the camp at all. He would not mind staying the night in this school.

Maybe he should find a school that had sleeping accommodations in them?

“Jay,"  Leo called him in a hysterical whisper, snapping Jason back out into the reality. Jason raised his eyebrows as he examined Leo's somewhat terrified expression. “Now you remind me of Aeolus, and that's a mental image I'd love to go without. Good?"

Jason blinked as the words were sinking in.

“Wait, I look like Aeolus?" he repeated, a little perplexed by the admission.

Leo's mournful expression was all the explanation he needed.

Still a little dazed, Jason turned to Paul. And to the class by extension. They were lost and confused and a couple petrified ones—they were scared but too scared to confront them; Jason would not mistake the look for anything else.

Then there was that loud boy. Steven? He was sure it was Steven. He was pouting, his eyes burning with fire.

“Man," he snapped, evoking a yelp from the girl not far away from him. “If we don't have time for reading again, I'll gag you."

A few people gasped. Everyone stared at him in disbelief and horror. Paul cleared his throat, and Steven instantly shrunk into himself.

They descended into heavy silence. The kids were staring at Steven, who had lost color and kept on muttering something under his breath, his eyes darting wildly around the classroom.

Jason mulled his words over and over, but the meaning didn't really want to sink in. He turned to his friends. “He said he'd gag me?" he inquired just to make sure he hadn't misheard it.

Percy nodded profusely then cracked up. Annabeth soon followed, a little more enthused and louder than him. Leo inched away together with his chair, having not taken his eyes off them, genuinely horrified by their outburst.

“They've lost it," he stated. “Will Athena smite us on the spot?"

Jason shrugged, a little lost. He slowly turned to Paul. Bless him, Paul understood him perfectly fine and picked up the book, clearing his voice again.

Jason motioned Leo to get Annabeth as he himself was pulling Percy off his seat.

It might be a long day.

Just as the door slammed shut behind him, followed by the vociferous ringing of two voices laughing, Paul pressed his lips together and shook his head at Jenna's questioning look.

“I think we should continue."

Thing went a little bit more smoothly from there. At least, the book opened.

They couldn't tell what should be working anymore.

…Camp Half-Blood was in trouble.

“Right..." Cassandra muttered under her breath. Something had happened at camp, and until this very moment she had not even thought about it.

And Tyson… Tyson would still be with us if it wasn't for this quest.

This statement brought everyone out of the daze. Kids stared at the book with varying degrees of horror and stupefaction, unable to comprehend the words it said.

“Sorry, what?" Steven yelled, momentarily disorienting his neighbors. “Where'd he go?!"

“A better question, was he with them in the first place?" Sarah countered.

As one, everyone reflectively turned to the desks at the back only to remember those were empty. The echoes of now muffled laughing could still be heard somewhere in the background, but for them the four might both be at the end of the hallway and in the gym on the other side of the school.

“Right..." Cassandra sighed again, rubbing her cheeks. “Any guesses what went down wherever they'd come from or we can continue and learn from the book?"

The decision was unanimous.

But also they would like to have Percy to explain them his thought process since the adorable enormous sheep sounded too cute to their ears. Them and the peaceful, gorgeous green field that they were grazing on. And the book Percy did agree with them!

"This is too easy," I said. "We could just hike up there and take it?"

Lyssa involuntarily snorted and shook her head at Sarah's questioning look.

Annabeth's eyes narrowed. "There's supposed be a guardian. A dragon or…"

“Of course, there are dragons too," Peter groaned, clutching to his temples.

Somehow, with each passing sentences the whole thing would go even more ridiculous than before.

That's when a deer emerged from the bushes.

The class blinked.

“A deer?" Lyssa repeated incredulously. “What's a deer doing there?"

“It's living there, McKeenley," Kylie snapped from behind you.

As expected, Lyssa whirled toward her.

“But it's not their natural habitat,” she complained in what could only be described as a whiny child's voice. A few people glanced at Mike, who's expression now was a mask of defiance. Not that Lyssa had noticed, seemingly having gotten on a roll as she took a terrifyingly deep breath and continued. “Not to mention–'

“Mr. Blofis!" at least five people chorused. Lyssa scowled at them but couldn't deny stalling the reading would not be beneficial to anyone.

It got even more ridiculous. Or was it terrifying? Levi would be certain he felt his heart throb in his chest once those words had been pronounced out loud.

A pile of clean white bones.

That was what those sheep had left of a deer.

“I'm s—Did I hear it right?' Jenna all but demanded, though her voice trembled.

Out of all the things they had learned—all the things Leo had told her in the short five minutes—somehow flesh-eating sheep had never come up in the conversation.

Perhaps, next time she should be asking him a top ten of the most murderous monsters. Provided, he even had a list. It didn't seem like he was taking many of those seriously.

“The sheep are carnivore; what else is new?" Sarah leaned on her seat and covered her face with a hand. Whatever. She had no strength to worry about any of this.

They couldn't tell how much time they sat in silence. It could have been hours or just a couple minutes, but by the time everyone began stirring, most of them seemed to have forgotten what was being discussed anyway.

They had more relevant parts to worry about.

“No way!" Levi all but yelled, spreading his arms wide as though it would help him win an argument against Lyssa. Who did even win against her anyway?

Lyssa rolled her eyes. “Last time I checked Google was free."

It was inexplicably satisfying watching most of her classmates pick up their phones and diving into the world of greater knowledge. Just one word had set them brimming with curiosity and Lyssa could finally feel like they were not a hopeless case. Probably knowing that now definitely real ancients Greek beasts and villains could eat you was a good stimulus to learn everything you could about them.

She exchanged a look with Mr. Blofis, whose expression had been slowly transforming into bemused all this time. Mr. Blofis offered her a soft smile, receiving one of Lyssa's in response. He had always been one of her favorite teachers. He'd been the most understanding one by far and now she knew why; with Percy Jackson in his life there was nothing else he could be.

“I wish they were as excited about classics," Mr. Blofis joked.

“Give 'em time, sir," Lyssa sighed. “Maybe if a Shakespeare ghost crashes our class, they'll be interested too."

Both suppressed snorts and glanced back at others. That was the most engaged either had seen them since, well, ever. Most of the time, and classes that Lyssa shared with Steven, he'd been dying of boredom. She was sure he still was dying of boredom most of the time, though. But not now.

“C'mon!" Steven shouted, glaring at his phone as though it personally offended him. “How can you–" he surprised everyone by inhaling deeply and closing his eyes.

His neighbor raised their eyebrows and scooted away in case it backfired at them all.

Steven opened his eyes again and took a few more breaths before turning to Levi. “Man, will Percy answer me if I ask him about the girl who cooked her own kid and tried to feed the meat to her husband?"

A beat of silence, a nervous giggle, and a few side-looks later, they settled back into their research.

“Maybe I should borrow a few tests from Mr. Galaher," Mr. Blofis mused, watching them sternly.

“They'll fail, sir."

“I'll make sure to include myths Percy has mentioned."

So, he, too, was certain they'd been spending an unhealthy amount of time reading up on things that had been just a fairytale mere months ago.

Lyssa heard creaking behind. She and Mr. Blofis swiveled toward the door right on time to see Leo's butt sticking right in the middle. He was slowly moving backwards, cursing under his breath (she hoped; it was some weird mixture of Spanish and… was it Greek?!), and pulling a dead-looking Percy after him.

Lyssa cast a glance at Mr. Blofis, who had gone ashen at seeing them. Whatever had gone down in the last few years, it was enough to scar them all forever, including her favorite teacher.

“Aquaman," Leo hissed, “if you step on my foot again–Hey”!"

He halted. Percy automatically crashed into him but was saved on time by Jason, who yanked him back. Both disappeared in the hallway for a few moments before reappearing. If Percy looked a little dead, Jason seemed to reflect a confused dejection, for he kept on glaring somewhere to the side and frowning.

The second most stunning fact hit her. Lyssa peeked at her classmates. As she expected, not a single person looked up even if they had heard noises. They appeared so engrossed in whatever information they were absorbing now, she half-wished to pick up her phone and follow them. Instead, she returned to watching Leo and Jason leading Percy into the classroom. His face was devoid of emotion, his look glazed over as though he was not in this room right now—or this school. His lips were moving, but no sound was produced.

Lyssa stared at Jason who jolted as though having felt her glare and gave her a curt shake before motioning Leo to move Percy to the back of the class. A second later, he disappeared back into the hallway.

Mr. Blofis let out a strained yelp, his eyes trained on Percy and Leo. Lyssa could see why. If it were her family or Mike, she'd be sick worried.

Speaking of Mike. He didn't move an inch when Leo pushed Percy past him, both crashed into the backpack Mike had a tendency to leave on the floor next to him. His eyes, however dead to the world at the moment, rose as he intended to check the source of noise. For a full long second Lyssa believed he'd get it, but all he did was scowl and huff then return to his phone.

Another loud bang came from the hallway. Jason walked a dazed-looking Annabeth into the classroom and, whispering something into her ear, moved them both to her desk, sitting her down gently. Lyssa's eyes flickered back to Mike who, at last, was staring at the four with an unreadable expression on his face.

Jason rubbed the back of his head as he made a few weird gestures. Leo shook his head and tipped his chin at Mr. Blofis. Both remained silent for a few more seconds.

Jason heaved a sigh and jogged toward them, looking as pained as was humanly feasible.

“Uh, they had," his eyebrows knit together, “I–I'm not sure actually, but Will said to keep an eye on them for the time being or, better, get them to the camp so he could keep an eye on them. He thinks, uh, he thinks they might be breaking."

Lyssa didn't mean to eavesdrop. It was obviously a private matter. Mr. Blofis played the role of a parent, not a teacher. But they were standing right in front of her and Jason wasn't as quiet as he might have been led to believe.

“What's–How–" if it were possible, the color drained from Mr. Blofis' face, leaving him looking sickly grey. He pressed his lips into a thin line and exhaled loudly. “Is someone coming?"

Jason nodded. “It'll take another half an hour at least; probably more. Will's been adamant and refused to wait any longer."

“How bad is it?"

“We barely managed to make them stop laughing then," Jason faltered for a brief moment and cast a look at his friends. “I don't know what happened. Like it was a switch. They went quiet and refused to move. When I... Percy was ready to attack and I had to tackle him before–I think we'll have more hours of detention after today."

The last part was so unexpected, Mr. Blofis blinked.

“Will will know what to do," Jason said quickly as though it was supposed to fix the situation. “He's the best healer in the camp, bo—He's the best. He'll figure it out."

Now it sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anything. Mr. Blofis hummed in assent, but it was obvious he didn't believe him much. Was he really a son of Zeus? He looked so... unsure? Nothing like Heracles and other gazillion kids. He mostly looked pained and sheepish and Lyssa had not yet had a chance to see him be arrogant or prideful.

“We haven't finished reading yet," Mr. Blofis informed Jason after a long beat of silence.

As though having hit by a whip, Jason straightened up; his eyes swept through the classroom; his expression had gone from concerned to bemused within moments. He reminded of a soldier examining the battlefield.

“What are they–"

“Reading up on all the ancient Greek cannibals," Mr. Blofis responded nonchalantly.

Jason turned even more lost. His eyes landed on Lyssa, who nodded. “They've been out of it for good twenty minutes."

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “If we leave them like that, will we be able to avoid reading?"

Thunder outside rumbled aggressively. Jason's frown turned into a grimace.

“Of course, not,” he said mostly to himself. “When were we that lucky?"

He stepped away from Mr. Blofis, still muttering something under his breath and made his way toward his desk.

Lyssa refused to look at Mr. Blofis. It was none of her business anyway. (No matter what others said, she knew when to back off.)

Another long minute passed, when someone groaned loudly. Lyssa started and caught a glimpse of a bewildered Peter. She followed his line of gaze and snorted. Hooray, they'd finally noticed!

And Peter clearly planned to inform others.

“Dude!” he yelled, snapping everyone around him from their self-imposed slumber. A few people blinked bleary and sent him irritated looks that instantly transformed into alerted once they saw who he was talking to.

“When'd you get back?" Jenna asked, equally as stunned as the rest.

“Uh, listen," Leo looked straight at her. “Continue–Do what you've been doin'; or read. No importa. We're having–Don't mind us, okay. Continue exploring the awesome world of a postcard vacation resort and leave us alone."

There was an edge in his voice that no one had heard him use in all those weeks they'd seen him at school. He hadn't been as tensed even this morning while he'd been pushed around by two idiots.

(Coach needed to change his criteria. Three team members being assholes was a little too detrimental to good-natured rivalry Goode High practiced. Though, Riley had been present at school only physically these past few weeks; Mike had said he'd been withdrawn and unusually quiet and they'd hardly talked outside of school.)

Perhaps, urgency and dejection in his voice were not a trick, for no one had a heart to argue with him, instead looking at Mr. Blofis expectantly.

If he did not agree with the reading, he said nothing.

It was hard to get back into the story, however, so they had to re-read the last paragraph too.

“Carnivore sheep?" Levi repeated, exchanging a look with an equally pale Steven.

Complete silence and dead looks on all the four just reinforced the idea that demigod lives sucked. Even more so when even the said demigods agreed.

"They're like piranhas," she said.

“That's promising," someone said loudly with no hint of cheerfulness.

“Well, furry piranhas aren't the guys you'd feel excited about," Jenna noted, her eyes flickered toward the four. As usual, and it seemed a theme of this class, Leo and Jason were watching Percy; she simply couldn't tell what expressions they had.

Not that it mattered to anyone since Annabeth found a more pressing issue.

…the other lifeboat from the CSS Birmingham.

“Uh, what?" Levi furrowed his brows. His eyes flickered toward the four, but, of course, no answers were provided. All he saw were bemused looks and complete indifference.

Annabeth wanted to sneak up the path invisibly

A few people blinked, trying their best to both comprehend the announcement and recall any mention of it before. They failed, obviously; they were not planning to disturb the four, however. Whatever had befallen them in the hallways seemed serious enough to keep their spirits at the lowest. Nobody in the classroom was ready to tackle that issue.

and grab the Fleece, but in the end I convinced her that something would go wrong.

“Something always goes wrong," Leo muttered, eyeing the bunch of wires he had pulled out of toolbelt. Might have been too worried to notice.

…And if that happened, I'd be too far away to help.

They turned to the four as though internally wishing to confirm or deny the probability but saw only the dead looks and a wince. And Leo, who kept on vacillating between listening to the book and doing whatever he was doing with the wires. (Where had they come from?)

Besides, our first job was to find Grover and whoever had come ashore in that lifeboat–

Lyssa instantly whirled on her seat. If there indeed had been a whoosh of wind, no one would admit. Lyssa's eyes focused on Percy, though deep down she would be glad to hear any response from any of these people.

“What happened to Grover?"

Percy grimaced but remained silent. Contrarily to Leo and Jason both of whom had momentarily forgotten where they were and demanded answers. In whispers and hisses, of course, but those were enough to realize something extremely terrible had gone down on that island.

Percy's expression of pure pain could not mean something else, right?

assuming they'd gotten past the sheep.

Leo and Jason raised their eyebrows. Percy offered them a curt nod, which might have been the most detailed and explicit answer anyone ever received in this class.

I was too nervous to say what I was secretly hoping… that Tyson might still be alive.

The reactions were instant. The class blew up in the firework of colorful words, exclamations, and screams; all of them revolved around Tyson having possibly passed and them not being informed on that beforehand.

Jason furrowed his brows and turned to Percy. As expected, their eyes met.

“Scylla and Charybdis," was all he said, maybe confusing Jason a little bit more.

Annabeth chuckled darkly, her eyes still glued to the pencil in her hands that she'd been twirling mindlessly all this time. “I'm surprised it's stuck with you."

“It tried to eat us," Percy said simply, having the audacity to shrug like it didn't matter. “These things tend to stick with you."

“I would hope so."

“Would you?"

Both winced and fell silent and still.

Jason traded a look with Leo and both stared at Paul pleadingly, hoping the book would distracts the kids enough to give them some space.

Paul was definitely one of the coolest mortals they'd met.

…where the cliffs rose straight up a good two hundred feet…

“They had a ship?" Peter marveled, a little stunned and perhaps a tad bit appreciative of this tidbit.

“What they don't have in these stories?" Lora shot back.

“Self-preservation," Kylie stated.

They descended into awkward silence which was broken by an amused chortle.

“That's the most accurate thing I've heard," Percy said, having regained a little of his previous humor.

“Seaweed Brain, I wouldn't laugh if I were you," Annabeth's voice carried that level of threat and indignation that you couldn't ignore even if you wanted. “You've caused enough trouble as it is."

Percy grimaced. “It was Hera mostly," the thunder rumbled in the background but with less... vigor? A few kids stares out of the window, wondering what had happened now and why they had to see it while Percy let out a derisive snort.

Paul instantly returned to the book; just in case some enraged goddess tried to smite them all.

…At least it was free of sheep.

“That's obviously for the best,” Cassandra muttered under her breath.

I hoped that Polyphemus did not also keep carnivorous mountain goats.

The class stared.

“A who?" Levi asked into the void. As one, all students looked at Lyssa, expecting her to blow up at him, but all she did was stiffen.

Kylie arched an inquisitive eyebrow at Mike, who could only shrug. The whole Percy Jackson wild life adventure had clearly been affecting not just Percy himself. Her eyes flickered toward Riley who'd yet to even say a word to Mike or her or anyone, let alone pretend he was listening.

The rest of the class dissolved into an argument on who Polyphemus was which ended as abruptly as it had started.

Especially, since Percy himself wasn't as concerned with the monster.

We only came close to dying six or seven times,

A few people started.

“Only?" Levi all but squeaked, his eyes as wide as saucers.

Jason and Leo perked up at the exclamation then stared at the book.

“Only?" Leo blinked, taken aback by the revelation. “What kind of luck serum were you taking back then?"

Of course, all Percy did was grimace. Annabeth did bother to react at all.

Contrarily to others.

“Luck?" Sarah repeated incredulously. “That's luck?"

To her horror, Jason nodded.

“That's pretty mild," Leo confirmed with a slight flinch. “It's not a quest if you didn't almost die at least a gazillion times."

No one had a heart to ask for more.

which I thought was pretty good.

“Good?" Peter was sure his eye twitched.

“They're insane," Levi commented, in full agreement with him.

With a great difficulty and not without humor which was extremely impressive but alarming they eventually climbed up the mountain.

…we hauled ourselves over the top of the cliff and collapsed.

“That's pretty impressive," Mike pointed out, swiveling toward Percy. “Ever thought of joining the team?"

All he got was silence.

"Ugh," I said.

"Ouch," moaned Annabeth.

"Garrr!" bellowed another voice.

Kids scowled at the book. What now?

Leo, however, nodded, taken aback by the long break that they had.

The prolonged break it seems because Annabeth did the smart thing and not allowed Percy to make any noise. For a confusing conversation that it was, of course.

"You're a feisty one!" the deep voice bellowed.

"Challenge me!" Clarisse's voice, no doubt about it.

Several people knit the brows, striving and definitely struggling to understand what was going on.

Perhaps, it really was just a sneak peek as Steven had put it. God–or gods in case of those who had been eerily unperturbed by the new world–knows they'd pay any money and sacrifice their firstborns to get their hands on the rest of the draft—if it ever existed.

Same way Jason and Leo would absolutely join them in this honorable undertaking, had they learned of it of course, for both blinked and peered at the book intensely, silently urging Paul to disclose even more information they could work with. What was Clarisse even doing there? could be a good start.

"Give me back my sword and I'll fight you!"

“Is she... what's she doing?" Jason and Leo asked in unison.

“Something that'll get you murdered if she ever hears a word of it," Annabeth answered in a little dazed voice.

At least, she seemed to be coming to her senses, which was fine by them.

Same couldn't be said about mortals, but neither bothered to check in with them to begin with.

The monster roared with laughter.

Jason rubbed his face down, leaning on the seat. A groan caught in his throat.

“Is it even worth asking?" he wondered absent-mindedly into the void.

A loud chorus of disjointed voices was drowned out by a short but firm, 'no' from Leo.

…Below us stood Polyphemus and Grover, still in his wedding dress.

“In his what?"

Judging by Mr. Blofis' furrowed brows, he was not aware of the fact either.

Slowly, as those they were trying out for some sci-fi movie about turtles, everyone turned to the four. Two of the four instantly stared at the other two, but those remained stoic under the intense looks.

“We're not getting answers, are we?" Peter asked.

“I bet we'd know by now if it were a full book," Steven announced, raising his arms. His neighbors ducked, cursing him under their breaths, and shifting farther away just to avoid another hit in the eye.

Others, however, provided no reaction, watching him in mute astonishment. Steven shrugged and offered them a more dazzling smile as though it would explain everything.

Percy groaned–a muffled sound that reminded a howl of a dying bison, yet could resonate with every person in this room. They glanced at him but saw nothing out of ordinary except Jason sizing him up with an unreadable expression on his face and turned back to Steven.

“Something tells me Percy doesn't agree with you," Mike commented with sarcasm all but dropping from every word.

It seemed to have not deterred Steven at all.

“Not my problem," he shrugged, turning his eyes back to Mr. Blofis, whose own expression was a mask of pure pain and agony as though he was burning in the blazing fire and feeling every moment of it.

“Mr. Blofis?"

If anyone noticed his jolt–and they did, so violent it was–, no one drew attention to it. They could understand. Maybe. They might understand his feelings regarding his stepson's secrets being disclosed so shamelessly.

They simply didn't care.

The book-Percy seemed equally unperturbed by Clarisse tied up over a pot of boiling water. If that evoked a few nervous chuckles and side-looks, no one bothered or dared to confront them either. Percy was more preoccupied with looking for Tyson; wherever he was, of course.

“It's confirmed he's alive,” Levi broke the silence, drawing attention of the others to himself. Even Leo and Jason shot him curious glances, internally marveling where he'd gotten this idea from.

(Percy didn't even jerk at his brother's name. But it was Will's problem for now.)

“Why so?" Cassandra inquired with a slight frown.

“Percy's been mentioning him too much for that matter.”

Everyone stared at Levi with something akin to bemusement. Levi rubbed the back of his head and let out a strained chuckle.

There were more pressing issues to take care of.

…"Eat loudmouth girl now or wait for wedding feast? What does my bride think?"

“Bride?"

The short question was largely supported by a round of loud hums.

And no one paid much attention to Leo and Jason eyeing Percy and Annabeth with barely concealed confusion. Just how much had they not been told?

All right, Leo had been too busy in the bunker, but Jason had been mingling in and bonding! Had they not shared?

Judging by wide eyes, no. They had not shared anything of substance.

He turned to Grover, who backed up and almost tripped over his completed bridal train.

Their heads whipped toward Mr. Blofis. For the first time in this class today, a huge smile spread across Leo's face.

“Grover?" he asked in a fake-surprised voice, leaning to the side to have a better look at Percy. Percy's eyebrows slightly rose, but it was the most he did. Leo's smile grew bigger as he plopped his elbows on the desk. “Percy, my man; tell us everything!”

Feigned exhilaration. That's how Lyssa dabbed it upon seeing over-exaggerated interest with which Leo was nodding along to Percy's curt responses and less than stellar comments. In fact, from those few words that Percy had said only Leo and Jason were able to draw any conclusions.

“So unfair!" Steven complained. His neighbor patted him on the back in soothing.

"Oh, um, I'm not hungry right now, dear. Perhaps–"

"Did you say bride?" Clarisse demanded.

Someone groaned. Loudly. They might be lost roughly ninety-nine percent of the time, but even the dimmest people in this class had realized it was not the right thing to do. Not at all.

“Clarisse did not get the memo, did she?"

Percy let out a strangled snort. (Which might have not even been a snort to begin with. Who the hell knew?)

Clarisse obviously had not been let in on the plan, for she kept on digging a deeper grave for the both of them—and, by extension, Percy and Annabeth if they'd ever be found.

“She's so damn stupid!" someone exclaimed after Clarisse had divulged the fact Grover was a satyr.

Thunder rumbled, but they couldn't care less, still standing firmly by their point.

That was until they faced grim faces of the four. “C'mon! You know I'm right!"

Silence was the ultimate winner in this battle, for no one bothered to come to the defense or argue with actual people who knew Clarisse in any way. In fact, even Riley let out a derisive snort which sort of sealed the deal for the rest. If he agreed, then it was huge.

“Please, refrain from insulting Clarisse or any of our friends," Leo said in an unsettling tone. What was more eerie, Jason hummed in agreement, leaning against his seat as though ready to pounce on anyone who'd dare to come up to him. Percy's scowl deepened, but he was yet to snap at his friends, which meant he was in full agreement with them. Annabeth was barely visible behind them and it was clearly the intention.

“He would've done worse under pressure," Percy spat out in un uncharacteristically hostile way. Annabeth instinctively put a hand on his shoulder in a calming gesture and muttered something under her breath; something neither Jason nor Leo were willing to eavesdrop.

Despite having been unanimously elected and dabbed as the luckiest bastards of the whole school, none of the kids felt like they were lucky. Neither did they feel safe anymore if they were honest with themselves.

Mike fidgeted on his seat, sending a dirty look at the person who'd ruined it for them. There was no remorse either, which meant more work-out today; just to ensure whatever it was would not interfere with the games… of course. Riley sent him a confused look; he did not react any other way, however.

But it was not the time to open this can of worms. Not now.

Almost everyone was eyeing the four cautiously, still and frozen up on their seats, waiting for the outcome of the… what was it even? A dumb insult, born out of stress and emotional turmoil? No one even cared anymore. They didn't want to know how they'd react in a similar situation.

Leo nodded to himself. “I see you got the message. Continue, please. And try not to make fun of our friends, thank you."

He dissolved back into his own world a moment later, leaving a bitter aftertaste in everyone's mouth and a faint sense of dread that would occasionally tap at the back of their minds.

At least, Grover tried to save himself, even if not really successfully. Even if he was against an almost blind cyclops. Who really cared when they'd rather never meet the guy in their lives, blind or not? He was still ugly, exuding rancid smell and dressed in a wedding outfit. Whatever Percy had seen in his dreams, they did not envy him.

“Blech, dude," Leo scrunched up his nose. “I'm not jealous. Cyclops are the worst."

“The ones in Chicago were stupid," Jason argued so unexpectedly, Leo froze up with a screwdriver aimed at him and bulged his eyes.

Of course, everyone had to listen in.

If only there were something to listen in since they objectively knew just about zero about Jason except the fact he was Thalia's brother and Zeus' son.

“Jay, you were out cold the whole time. How would you know?" Leo asked incredulously.

Jason grimaced at that as though the sole memory was giving him a headache. “Not my proudest moment."

“It was a bad day for everyone," Leo placated him with a serene smile.

“A bad week."

“A bad year."

Both flinched slightly at that but offered no further comments.

“They're still doing it on purpose, aren't they?" Steven complained in a loud whisper.

Maybe they were. Most likely, they tried to derail the reading since Percy seemed in no condition to react. He might not want to sit through the day at all if his empty look was anything to go by.

He might not even listen. He sure would have reacted to Clarisse declaring that Grover was a satyr, were he in a better shape, right? Because the book-Percy was ready to kill. (Not the sentence any of them would have thought about their classmates before this book.)

…Polyphemus turned and ripped off Grover's wedding veil…

Someone hiccupped at the reveal, probably having not really expected things to turn so ugly so fast.

“Speaks volumes of his intelligence," Leo noted. Jason raised his eyebrows at him. “Grover spent however long there playing the bride and he didn't even notice. He's lucky the dude's dumb as a brick."

…But YOU'RE–NO–LADY–CYCLOPS!"

Leo shook his head, still exasperated.

The rest were just terrified, for the cyclops didn't even hesitate to attack Grover.

"Stop!" Grover pleaded. "Don't eat me raw! I–I have a good recipe!"

“Is that–Is it supposed to help him?" Jenna asked, pretty horrified by the story.

It was not a story anymore but a memory. A memory of her classmate who was sitting in the same room as her right in this moment.

Perhaps, others had the same kind of revelation, for no one interrupted for the next few paragraphs. Unheard of in this class.

But they really wanted to know whether Grover would get out alive by the sheer power of a goat stew recipe. With mangos. Someone whimpered when they heard of mangos, hoping and praying it would work. Being witness of a goat murder was not really on anyone's bingo card this week—this life even.

And they entered a second phase of horror.

"You a satyr, too?"

Polyphemus remembered of Clarisse's existence.

“Please, don't fuck this up," someone whisper-chanted. “Please, please, don't fuck this up."

"No, you overgrown pile of dung!" she yelled.

The same person groaned.

"I'm a girl! The daughter of Ares! Now untie me so I can rip your arms off!"

Cassandra covered her face.

“What is she doing?" Jenna whispered, now vacillating between awe and terror that was slowly spreading across her body. These people–

“She's brave," Sarah noted; surprisingly, her voice carried none of the fear but all of the overwhelming curiosity that she struggled to contain. She shot a glance at the four, but none were really reacting much to the story—or they were that good at hiding it—reducing her to wild theorizing.

“She's foolish," Kylie shook her head.

Thunder rumbled.

“Look, Ares is eavesdropping," Leo commented nonchalantly, staring straight at his toolbelt before shaking it violently. Jason didn't hesitate to recoil; just in case.

“Kylie's right," Lyssa uttered, instantly sending half the class into the state of a bigger terror. Levi's eye twitched as he shifted away from her. Lyssa rolled her eyes. “She's too self-assured. It's bound to end badly."

This time thunder remained silent. Perhaps, Ares was agreeing.

If anything, Clarisse was too forthcoming in her threats which would end badly if she couldn't act on them right about now.

…"Have to graze sheep now. Wedding postponed until tonight. Then we'll eat satyr for the main course!"

“Wait, he's still getting married?!"

Mr. Blofis suppressed a chuckle as he continued. "But… you're still getting married?" Grover sounded hurt.

People chuckled as well. Leo blinked and stared at Percy for confirmation.

“He–" he faltered, frowning. “Is there something we didn't know about him?"

When Percy didn't answer, he turned to Jason for help. (Mostly to bully Percy into replying.) Jason shrugged. “Sorry, man. I wish I could help.”

Leo heaved a sigh and returned to his toolbelt.

"Who's the bride?"

Polyphemus looked toward the boiling pot.

Only to get snapped right back into the real world. His eyes widened. Jason's expression was a perfect reflection of his own, so he sure had not misheard that.

“You can't tease her for that, y'know," came in a calm, almost sinister voice from behind him. Leo yelped and dropped the toolbelt, whirling on the seat to have a better look at Annabeth. A muffled huff from Jason and some thudding were completely ignored.

Annabeth's face had no expression. There was literally nothing. Not even exhaustion. Her face was blank; her eyes glazed over his face then she looked down at the binder she'd been putting on this desk for far too much these past few days but never really doing anything about it.

“She's gonna pulverize me, I know," Leo nodded somberly. His eyes flickered toward the binder again. “You can take a day off today."

Annabeth started and stared at him with something… he couldn't find a proper word to describe the wild, absolutely mad flame in her eyes and her pursed lips. As though she was gritting her teeth or trying to bite her own tongue off. Something… was it what Will had meant?

He leaned closer, ignoring a gust of wind that was totally produced by Jason and whatever he was busy with, and looked Annabeth right into the eyes. He'd always had trouble with doing that. Just looking her in the eyes. There was always something in them. Determination. Anger. Calculation. They exposed all of her better than her face ever could; they were always filled with something. Now... they looked almost dead. Yet, Leo didn't budge. He bent forward, all but bumping into her head. “Will said you need to take it easy. Take it easy, please. They won't disappear tomorrow."

Something flashed in her eyes. Leo frowned. If he didn't know better, he'd say it was hope. Or regret. Like she hoped it would disappear to never be seen again and was regretful of the thought.

Annabeth nodded before he could drop himself further into this rabbit hole. Leo didn't even notice his smile growing bigger.

Of course, Clarisse was not happy with this new development. Neither was the grumpy cloud if the ear-piercing thundering was anything to go by.

“Just ignore it," Leo advised while Jason winced.

Reassuring? Not much.

Less reassuring were the next few lines.

…Polyphemus plucked her off the rope…"…I come back at sundown for big event!"

Leo halted for the umpteenth time this class and stared at the book. Was the monster really hellbent on following whatever line of action he'd selected? How come most of his weren't that committed?

A loud snap brought him out of contemplation. Leo blinked and focused on Jason impressively worried expression. (He would swear Jay's glasses had just gleamed deep blue, which was something he was not ready to unpack at the moment.)

“If you look even more concentrated right now, you'll combust," he informed Leo cautiously, fully aware of a couple dozen people hanging on his every word.

Leo offered him a huge smile and saluted Jenna and Lyssa, both of whom were watching him sternly.

…a mixed flock of goats and sheep…flooded out of the cave…Polyphemus patted some on the back and called them by name–Beltbuster, Tammany, Lockhart, etc.

“Should we–?" Peter asked—practically croaked out which was an admittedly hilarious reaction to something as mundane as monsters' absurd names. “No? No. We sure don't want to know."

“Good choice, my friend," Leo told him, offering another big smile.

Peter could do nothing but nod feebly at that.

It didn't get less weird after that if they all were honest with themselves. Which Leo was. He was determined to be honest with himself these days as per Will's professional prescription. (He still had the crumpled paper tucked somewhere in his toolbelt.) He was so honest with himself that he had to admit the chapter was gradually getting funny and he might as well enjoy it. If Jason was disturbed by sudden enthusiasm, he didn't say a word. Though, the amused glint definitely could be seen in his eyes.

There were a few things to unpack there. First, a boulder now guarded the cave entrance, which meant Percy and Annabeth would have a hard time to work around that. (A muffled groan further confirmed his presumption.) Secondly, Grover had managed to stall Polyphemus with his mango comment. (They gotta send him thank you, you rock postcards for that or something.) Thirdly, they indeed tried to move the boulder which was instantly declared as the sole dumbest and useless decision they'd made by now wheezing Leo.

“Don't look at me," Jason immediately said, raising his hands. “I have nothing to do with it."

“Is he gonna fall into hysterics too?" someone whisper-cried behind them.

At once, Percy and Annabeth glared at the source, looking scandalized and a tad bit hurt by the question.

“We're okay," Percy declared in a strained voice which just so efficiently cracked on the last syllable and sent him spiraling in the vicious cycle of what sounded like angered curses as he all but sprawled on his seat, glaring at the ceiling.

Leo's laughter grew in power, and soon he was lying face down on the desk, shaking and hollering into the tabletop.

Jason pressed his lips into a thin line and turned to Paul. “Uh, could you–Let's all pretend it isn't happening, okay?" Leo hiccupped loudly in the background; Jason's features sharpened as he himself glared at the floor.

As one, the whole class looked at Mr. Blofis who coughed and returned to the book.

Which wasn't sparse on hard choices and frustration

…Grover and Clarisse would die inside that sealed cave…A large rock is not the kind of enemy you can fight with a magic sword.

“I'm glad you've realized,” Mike commented quietly, refusing to look at Percy for confirmation. At any of them. In fact, only Jason seemed not on the verge of a breakdown but he was clearly hanging by the thread of irritation, which was also not the risk Mike would take.

Annabeth and I sat on the ridge in despair…The only way across was the rope bridge…

And other equally puzzling stuff combined with some of Percy's amusing thoughts. (And a rhythm provided by Leo's wheezing that no one seemed to care much about anymore.)

…since Circe turned me into a guinea pig—that maybe it was time I joined Grover and became a vegetarian.

Paul faltered and blinked, which was his biggest mistake to date.

Riley was the first to break. He let out a snort then in what felt like a pretty uncharacteristic bout of mirth, lay his head on his hands and burst out laughing. Mike scowled at him, not sure what to do about that before sending an obvious helpmewhatamidoing plea at Lyssa.

What contributed to the absurdity of it all was Annabeth(!) chortling and Percy gasping in offense.

It was as amusing as it was terrifying to be honest.

At least, Cassandra, thanks the heavens, he could hug her in gratitude right now, caught on and all but pleaded Mr. Blofis to continue.

Which he did, even if a little perplexed by the revelation.

Or maybe he was perplexed by their plan. It was hard to tell between the reminders of marrying Clarisse and eating Grover.

"How much do you like sheep?"

“Let me guess, you don't like sheep," Steven said in a loud voice hoping to attract attention but received nothing but a few chuckles in response.

Come to think of it, no one liked sheep. While not as hard as one would think, it still felt gross. Just gross. Wool in your nose. And the smell of dirty sweater that had been not cleaned for the longest. Forget it. They would not need to know any of it.

The only highlight of the whole passage would be a pensive look that Mike had. It meant he'd try to trick Percy on the team—whenever the opportunity arose.

The sun was going down. Paul continued, a little distraught by the fact kids had not interrupted him yet. That and Leo and everything that he was actively overlooking the past hour.

He had the urge to look at the clock. Jason had said half an hour. Percy and Annabeth would be taken to safety in less than an hour; but the time dragged on and he was slowly losing hope.

Then there was a knock on the door.

The class perked up while Paul all but ran to the door and forcibly opened it. There was a tall blond boy with such a warm, sunny, smile that it illuminated his whole face. When he stepped into the room, he brought the warmth with him. Like a small sun that kept you safe and hopeful.

His smile fell a little when he noticed a scowling Jason and his face darkened, transforming into a frown when he saw Leo sprawled on the desk, shaking so violently he might cause a mini-earthquake any moment now.

“What's with him?"

“We can move them out?"

They stared at each other for a few moments then Will heaved a breath. “I'll call Kayla. Gimme a second."

He disappeared behind the door just in time for Jason to nudge Leo.

An ear-piercing screech that Leo would later claim was just a yelp, cut through the deafening silence of the classroom. Instantly, Percy straightened up and leaned toward Annabeth as though it would keep her safe; his eyes darting from Leo to Jason wildly as he muttered something too low to understand.

Jason did not want to do it. He certainly would not want to leave Will and Kayla alone with them, but there was more harm in the two staying in school.

“Perce," he said as softly as he could manage, leveling with Percy. A jolt went through Jason when he saw the look on Percy's face. The last—and only—time he'd ever worn this dark look was when he had to get Annabeth out of his sights after Tartarus. “Will's here. You wanna come to camp?"

That seemed to have caught his attention–perhaps the notion of familiarity–and his expression soften ever so slightly. Jason offered him a tight-lipped smile and slowly got to his feet. He caught Leo move cautiously as well but drew no attention to that. It was hard to tell what might set him off at the moment.

“Will's brought Kayla," he continued just as soothingly. Leo stilled himself at the wall, hanging nearby but not hovering over Annabeth and her binders. “You can pack… Or we can do it for you?"

Percy shook his head and pushed Annabeth's binders toward himself, which snapped her out of whatever it was. Their gazes met.

Leo exhaled loudly and muttered something about averting the crisis.

They still needed Will.

Will barged into the classroom roughly forty-seven seconds later and instantly put his finger to his lips, indicating to keep quiet to otherwise enthused Kayla. If there was anything Jason admired about Apollo's bunch, it was their belief your health had to be taken seriously.

“How long?" Will asked.

“About an hour."

“Trigger."

“Gagging."

Will grimaced. (Same as Kayla who said a few choice words and moved to Leo.) “You take Annabeth; I take Percy." He turned to Leo. “A full recount by campfire."

With that he beaconed Percy toward him and soon they were out of the classroom, Kayla hot on their feet, muttering something to Annabeth that made her honest-to-gods smile.

That's where the peace was just bound to be shattered.

“Will we be able to finish the chapter?"

Jason had rarely seen anyone harp on another so... gingerly?

Peter seemed to have realized what a stupid question it was, for he shrunk into himself and made a weird noise which felt like him apologizing profusely for messing it up.

“Well, we did last time Leo was here alone," Lyssa reminded them.

Somehow, it made all the difference for them, as the mood ameliorated tremendously and kids were more than eager to hear the rest of the story. Had they sort of bullied Mr. Blofis into reading? No one would ever be able to prove that. (Apart from Leo and Jason, both of whom looked longingly at the door and might have not ever heard them.)

No sooner was I in position than the Cyclops roared, "Oy! Goaties! Sheepies!" Paul's voice carried much of the dejection that he was unwilling to hide behind a chipper tone anymore. It was like the hardest of withdrawals that brought nothing but remorse and pain.

And no one was ready to confront him on that, even if Leo and Jason exchanged quite a few quizzical looks.

The flock dutifully began trudging back up the slopes toward the cave. And Annabeth was ready to… whatever her plan was. It was good anyway. All her plans were usually good and did not require any correction. Even Percy was ready to admit she was a genius and the two seemed stuck in the weird inferno of not being nice to each other.

“I'm kind of happy we're reading it," Leo whispered to Jason, startling him a little.

“Wh-what?" Jason asked, bemused.

Leo shrugged as though he were not planning to explain himself but surprised Jason by replying, “we've learned so much about them, even if not everything. They wouldn't have told us otherwise.”

“What ever they told us?" Jason muttered under his breath. Annabeth had been succinct on details, and the campers didn't hold much information on most of the things the two had been doing for years. Even Annabeth's siblings couldn't tell much beyond what she'd told them and that was never anything of significance.

Leo chuckled in agreement.

My sheep taxi started plodding up the hill…But if I didn't hold on, I was sure I'd fall off right there in front of the monster.

“That would be unfortunate," Leo commented dryly, not giving enough to decide whether he was serious or just messing with them.

"Hasenpfeffer!"… "Einstein! Widget–eh there, Widget!"

“Where he'd gotten those names from?" Sarah blinked.

“He's one creative guy," Lora agreed.

Both had an urge to glance at Jason and Leo, but something was telling them it wouldn't help much.

The next few paragraphs? Pages? They couldn't tell, but the new sequence of event was read to a morbidly silent classroom. Such an unheard thing in this school—and it certainly made Paul's skin crawl—but somehow a little soothing. They were willing to just listen and absorb… even if it wouldn't do much for their future. Or life. Or anything.

At least, Percy made it into the cave without much trouble; a win on its own indeed.

And then Annabeth's plan was set into motion.

…"Hello, ugly!"

Absolutely everyone frown. Paul tilted his head to the side as if it would help him to see some hidden text then stared at Jason. Jason shrugged, equally mystified by whatever Annabeth had set out to do.

“C'mon, it's Annabeth. The plan is already brilliant," Leo said dismissively, which instantly released the hold the tensed atmosphere had on all of them.

“You're right," Jason nodded, leaning on the seat and crossing his arms.

Polyphemus stiffened. "Who said that?"

"Nobody!" Annabeth yelled.

Jason's face brightened. Of course! What was a better plan than the one already used!

“Uh, what's up with that?" Peter inquired, his brows knit together.

To his horror, quite a few classmates rolled their eyes at him in what he interpreted as derision.

But… the plan was simple. And famous. And absolutely genius. And Annabeth was moving through it smoothly like the boss that she is.

"You're too stupid to remember anybody," Annabeth taunted. "Much less Nobody!”

“That's one way to taunt," Cassandra let out a feeble laugh. Truth to be told, she did not really want to know how this plan would pan out. She had enough of stress as it is.

…because Polyphemus…grabbed the nearest boulder…and threw it toward the sound of Annabeth's voice.

Aaaand it doubled.

“Damn!" Mike winced.

“Poor Annabeth," Cassandra added with sympathy.

“Please, tell us it went OK!" Lora turned to Jason only to see a lost look on his face. Her mood all but dropped at that. “Oh, right."

…Then Annabeth shouted, "You haven't learned to throw any better, either!"

Kids released their breaths.

It couldn't get any worse, now could it?

It could if Polyphemus was as salty about Odysseus and the trick as Annabeth seemed to believe he was. At least, he was so angry, he'd forgotten to seal the door—the sole highlight of this trip for sure.

(Or the fact he might be not bright enough to realize the voice was different. But who cares when it helps?)

Still, the whole thing was a little nerve-wracking. Annabeth's plan did not look as good anymore now when they'd realized that actual boulders were used. And with Percy gone to look for Clarisse and Grover? They couldn't even begin to imagine what might pass down there without Percy narrating it in his overly-detailed, horror-packed story-telling.

Of course, absolutely no one was surprised when a loud bang disturbed the silence. A few people jolted and stared out of the window, a little confused by the noises and plenty grateful for the distraction.

Jason and Leo exchanged a glance and all but ran to the window, almost crashing into the glass.

Jason cursed loudly, as a crease between his eyebrows turned more prominent.

“Why is it always us?” Leo sounded more sardonic than appalled which threw the others off for a moment.

Jason turned to Leo. “If we run now–"

“We'll get more detention days," Leo shrugged, sort of enjoying a flinch that Jason did. “They've gotten rid of it though... Whatever it was."

He frowned and looked out of the window again, almost pressing himself to the glass. “I'shee sofin bvack."

Jason's scowl couldn't get even deeper but somehow he managed. When Leo tore himself away from the window, he sighed. “I saw something black, like a burning mark. And idea what we'll have to fight out way out through?”

Jason's face darkened.

They were most definitely done with this class.

Chapter Text

It was the first time Leo paid excessive attention to people he shared classes with outside the reading one. Which probably he should have done much earlier lest he wouldn't have been as surprised to see Jenna perched in the back. Not much away from him too.

“Hi again?" she asked with a wide smile.

Leo returned his own, plopping on his seat. “Oh, man, this day couldn't get any longer!"

“Are they okay?"

There was a real concern in her voice, which Leo couldn't help but feel fuzzy about. They didn't get cared about often; by mortals least of all.

“They'll manage," he sighed, hoping his dejection wouldn't be as obvious. Jenna's scowl only deepened, however. Well… he couldn't do much about it now, could he? “Will was adamant… I don't envy them. Might ask Paul to let me crash at his place for the night.”

There was momentary silence. Leo's attention instantly dispersed and he found himself whirling a pen in his fingers, feeling a little too heavy from all the pressing silence and waiting. Will had been very earnest and explicit in his threats and examinations, and neither were something Leo would like to get caught up in right now since he had been successfully evading the infirmary all thanks to Nico and Will's concern with his well-being. Leo still couldn't call Nico his friend—neither would Nico want it if their time together was anything to go by—but he was sure grateful for the distraction.

Nico totally rocked even when he sulked. How had he been weirded out by him before Leo would never be able to tell.

“It's that bad?" Jenna finally asked. Leo sent her a curious glance only to see an expression of worry. Jenna's brows were knit together; her eyes, almost as dark as Nico's (which was something Leo would rather not think about), filled with emotions he didn't have any energy to decipher.

“You haven't met Will," he snorted bitterly.

Jenna nodded hesitantly, turning back toward the teacher's desk. Leo took it as a cue to do the same and pay attention for once. Gods know how much he'd missed, having been too stressed out by the book.

Before the camp he had barely paid attention either, which was never a problem with any of his foster families… until it was and Leo bolted. He'd learned early on and the hard way that first-hand practice stuck with him more than any books; he had seen little importance in them when he knew there might be no brighter future for him. College? Gods forbid he'd ever go to one. He was a troublemaker and a target for bullying that couldn't quite keep his grades up or settle in one place—that was definitely the characteristics those families had left; he just knew.

Chiron being determined for him to have normal human experience had felt like an unfunny jokes from the Fates-or Nemesis; him enjoying some classes was appalling. But he was, only if few, and his resolution to bring Cal in was growing stronger as well. Maybe he could even consult Jenna on some girl experiences that Calypso might find entertaining. Gods know, he wasn't any good at living and breathing. Living and breathing had the tendency to mess him up.

But Percy knew how to attract good people into his life, didn't he? Goode High was the best deal Leo had ever gotten in the mortal world.

Not like he had to stay here forever. What had Chiron said? Try your best and you might be out of school by next term which worked nicely for Leo; so far. Perhaps, it was just the influence of the book, but only the Coach so far as much as expressed defiance… and Leo couldn't quite tell how to feel about it. He'd been too used to being the odd one. But this school was filled with odd ones even with your standard bullies sprinkled in. That one was normal as far as he could tell. Not the obsession with his friend's life. They were still weird without the said obsession, though. And a little chaotic. Noisy for sure. Plus, today had shown some of them were good guys, so he could just stick with them; it was still more than he'd ever had before the Wilderness School. So much more and on so many levels, including a nutty genius for a Physics teacher who might have dabbled into things Leo could get behind. It was too tempting to fumble on purpose.

The teacher was just his guy. Enthusiastic, he kept on going off topic more times than not and further luring Leo in his web. He. Was. Awesome. Not as awesome as magic inventions could get, but the mortal awesome. If he were a demigod, they might have been siblings. He certainly might have been blessed by Father dearest—of that Leo was getting more convinced with every passing word. He'd done what with what? Just with hydraulic hoses?

Leo's smile grew. He might have found a new hero. Maybe he could bring his siblings in? Or him to them? Would Paul and Sally mind hosting a game night for them all?

The last thought lit up a bulb in his mind, instantly infusing him with exhilaration. Bonding! Nyssa had complained their bonding had been far and between these past months, with the war and deaths and all that. What was the best way to apologize than to introduce them to a mad genius who, for some inexplicable reason, seemed to like children?!

“Dude, stop bouncing," he heard through the excited haze. “My desk is shaking."

Leo halted at once, his attention firmly on the whiteboard and countless of equations; a confusing part but he'd figure it out.

Soon the delight subdued, allowing space for exhaustion and mild brooding. The lecture was winding down as well, which most of others eagerly accepted. Unlike Leo. He felt a tight grip on his chest. It was the single most exciting class today and it was drawing to a close.

Then, before he was able to fully tap out, he and Jenna suddenly got paired up for a project.

“Uh, where'd you like to do it?" she asked awkwardly, standing a good foot away from him.

Leo scrunched up his face. Where did people usually do projects?

“Uh... here?" at her alarmed look, he shrugged. “Dunno. Haven't had the best chance to find out before-Yeah. Whatever works for you; I can adjust."

Jenna's face darkened as though she hadn't expected to be let down so early into the project. Well, Leo was used to letting people down. He was the embodiment of a Letdown.

As she hadn't spoken yet, he turned to his desk and pushed the copybook into the bag; his movements as slow as he could possibly withstand to give her more time to think it was the last class anyway and he didn't feel like getting to detention sooner than he had to.

But the desk was cleared out and she was still silent. Maybe she did-

Now stop that! He yelled at his inner self. She does not want to get rid of you. She helped you, you doofus. She doesn't hate you.

The back of his head ached, but Leo ignored the pain. (Just like he tried to ignore most of Will's advice.) He turned to Jenna, but she wasn't looking at him anymore.

“Let's settle it later," she said, eyeing something behind his back. “I have plans, and you-"

“Detention," Leo supplied happily. Apparently, the librarian was harder to fool than other adults. She had not even bat an eyelid at their faces and words; she straight up told them they were in detention now for wandering outside of class. Leo had no idea she had the authority to do that, but he planned to stay away from her from now on. She clearly was not as lenient or sympathetic to demigods and their mental breakdowns caused by the surge of memories, evoked by the book with their thoughts being read out loud. (She absolutely one hundred percent gave him a stink eye when he tried explaining.) “Gotta find Lightning Boy first."

Jenna stared at him, bemused but elected to not ask any more questions for which Leo was grateful. He'd had enough of those to last a lifetime.

“Tomorrow then?" Leo tried with a strained smile.

She wasn't gonna bail on him, right? She had explicitly displayed her disdain for bullying. She had supported him.

Jenna's expression softened, and suddenly Leo realized they were not that much different in height. Huh?

“Just give me your number and I'll send you open slots,"she said, already pulling out her phone.

Leo shifted, which she instantly picked up on; her frown deepened.

“Uh, yeah; 'bout that,” he scratched the back of his head, his face unexpectedly hot. (He was not blushing, right? Right?!) “No phone. Bad for health. Literally. Monsters flock to them like fireflies to light."

Jenna stared at him with an unreadable expression.

“Oka... ay?" she nodded hesitantly. “Then... tomorrow. I guess. Before class.”

Leo nodded enthusiastically and saluted her in good-bye before disappearing behind the corner.

All he was left to do was find Jason.

**

Why did he even think it would be hard? Jason was standing right where Leo had expected him to: in front of the detention class, patiently waiting to be let in. Next to him were a few more people but Leo barely sent them a glance, more interested in hearing about Jason's day. They had devastatingly few classes together, which was dangerous if any other monster would decide to wander onto the school grounds.

What was it even?

When both he and Jason sprinted to the yard, there was noting but a disgusting black burning spot that reeked of suspiciously something like a pair of very dirty socks. Jason was grimacing the whole minute they stood there, and they still couldn't figure out what it might have been. For all they knew, the Fates wanted to have some fun and sent one of those killer sheep on the school grounds; practical jokes were an essential part of their otherwise sad lives, and killer sheep of doom would fit perfectly in there.

They had to return to class after that then power through school because Chiron—with the help Will and his withering glare no one ever expected to see on him—had state that he'd see them after classes.

Leo would rather skip classes. He'd skipped lunch, figuring without Percy and Annabeth nearby others would try to harp on them for answers. He'd skip detention too but Jason all but dragged him to his next class by the scruff, emphasizing how important it would be for them all to follow rules for once and do what they'd been assigned—or sanctioned—to do.

It took them another ten minutes to be allowed in. Leo immediately found a good inconspicuous seat at the back and dropped on it, all but sinking under the desk. Jason sat next to him and closed his eye. He must have never gotten himself in so much trouble before to be so stressed.

“It's fun," Leo said in what he hope an encouraging voice. Jason opened one eye and exhaled. “Man, I swear!"

Jason turned to him and raised his eyebrows. “It's worse than Senate meetings, isn't it?"

Leo had never been to a Senate meeting, but Percy's grimace and Jason's look of resignation hinted at how unbearable it might have been.

“Sure," he shrugged nonetheless. “Let's go with that."

Jason covered his face with his hands and sank lower on his seat. Yep, he was nailing it.

Leo chuckled; his eyes swept around the room. So, there were a dozen of them total today. Some Leo had seen in his classes, like that tall lanky ginger head, but didn't know their names of; some he'd never seen before in his life. One boy couldn't stop beaming at everyone he saw, exposing the most rainbow braces Leo had ever seen in his life. Overall it was… tame? He couldn't quite call the Coach whose bloodshot eyes burned everyone with hatred a good choice to handle the detention, but it seemed to be working so far. At least, apparently, Percy was the only one who had ever opposed him, so Leo could see why they kept silent.

Then he noticed two people glare at him with so much loathing and venom, Leo might try to milk it and sell to monsters. It would be a hit for sure! The Blond and Dylan Reincarnate, now with a huge bruise on his nose and a Band-Aid, had made a comeback!

“Uh, you got yourself in detention too?"

He tried to imbue his voice with as much cheerfulness and was humanly possible but, perhaps, that was not enough to melt these two. All he received in response was more glaring. “Muy bien, you do you."

Leo offered them another smile.

“Valdez!" the Coach roared from the teacher's desk. Well, not roared. Leo could swear he heard a squeal form by the end of his roar.

Leo saluted him happily. The Coach's eye twitched.

He was a nice guy, really. Maybe a little too abrasive like Coach Hedge but certainly a lot less violent and, perhaps, with a little better outlook on self-preservation—aside from evident alcohol issues. After all, Leo had yet to be addressed directly in the gym even when he messed up. (Which he did a lot since he was just bored. He hadn't yet burst into flames though, which he should totally count as his personal win.)

“Valdez!" there was more strain in his voice now, and everyone could see it. The Blond and Dylan Reincarnate exchanged a look and winced. Leo's smile grew. “Stop antagonizing them!"

He heard an indignation-filled gasp next to him. Jason must have found it infuriating that he'd been singled out. (Thank you. Leo would love to thank all of his friends for being so considerate when they were not abandoning him to deal with a full class of curious kids.)

“I didn't," Leo countered. “But I totally could if you-"

“Valdez!"

Leo chuckled at the expressions of all three—Cooper and Bailey as the Coach called them. It was the most entertaining detention he'd been in!

At least, it was... fun? Cleaning the territory with old rusty rakes wasn't much of anything but it was so far from just sitting and slowly sinking into madness from boredom. It also allowed him to eavesdrop without much effort.

“What would I tell him?" the voice of Dylan Reincarnate—he still couldn't tell who was who—rose a few octaves, bordering the hysterical squeak. “A guy in my school is a son of a Greek god and we're wasting time reading about him?!"

Leo would be lying it hadn't piqued his interest. He stilled himself, hunching over the rake like he actually cared about it.

“I did," the Blond shrugged. There was a beat of silence, which Leo interpreted as Dylan Reincarnate processing the revelation. He had guts, Leo must admit; hardly anyone would be so forthcoming with the truth.

“Huh?"

“It didn't go over well," the Blond admitted. “I think they've been plannin' to visit the Principal-"

“Damn," Dylan Reincarnate breathed out.

“Uh-huh."

They fell silent and soon Leo realized they'd moved on. So he did too, though now less engrossed in the work that he probably should be.

There might be a problem.

Chapter Text

That interaction with Jenna should be credited as a kickstart for his admittedly brilliant idea.

“Monster-proof phones?” Nyssa asked incredulously.

Leo could feel her hands on his shoulder. He could sense her desire to shake him and remind that there were no such things. Impossible. Simply impossible and unproductive to waste time on.

But he couldn't get the idea out anymore now that he realized how useful they could be. How many kids had to live in the outside world and face monsters every day without much help from others because they had no means to contact anyone? The sheer potential of their own phone!

Leo nodded vigorously, positively giddy. “Imagine how useful it could be?" his eyes widened.

Nessa's brows knit together as she crossed her arms, now all but leaning on the counter. The fire extinguisher behind her was gleaming menacingly in the dim lights, reminding him to set a fireproof area before allowing Shane to repeat that trick with the lighter. (He was the only one fireproof guy in this cabin, people!)

She didn't utter a single word, and Leo found himself drifting away and focusing on faraway noises in the background; Harley had been busy with that little project of his—something or the other he hadn't really listened to but patted Harley on the back for. His eyes landed on the metal scraps and blueprints scattered around the tiny table in the corner then back on Nyssa, whose expression hardened, her dark eyes now fully black, which never meant anything good for him–or anyone in her vicinity, for it was always a warranted reaction to their outrageous behavior. (Not that Leo participated much. He'd been too damn busy!)

“Uh-huh," she hummed, still unconvinced.

Leo heaved a sigh. “C'mon, woman. Back me up! It'll be a breakthrough in the demigod engineering!"

Her expression broke. “That..." Nyssa bit her lip, a crease between her eyebrows deepened as though she was in deep contemplation. It couldn't be uncertainty. Leo was sure none of his siblings would ever back out from a challenge like this. It must be nerves. The previous year had been hard on them specifically and taking on the project of such caliber must be terrifying. “It does sound incredible. But... is it possible?"

“I'll figure it out."

Figuring it out had to be put on the back-burner for the time being because after three days of Will-imposed quarantine to 'ensure you two have not been affected as well' Leo hardly had any time to sit, let alone focus on his own work. School sucked.

He had to hurry up and roll Cal in.

That as well might have eaten up a chunk of his time as well. And the first period. And lunch. And the second day of detention. All he could think of was all the reasons Calypso should be allowed to attend this particular school that already has an alarming number of demigods. Adding an ex-Titaness might… Leo wasn't sure whether it would attract more monsters and break through whatever protection layers Hecate might have been bullied into enforcing  (no, he had not talked to Lou Ellen; Will had) or deter them from coming near with her overwhelming super-Titaness power shtick. He hoped for the latter but bet on the former. Always choose the worst and then maybe you wouldn't be disappointed when the worst came to pass.

Anyway, the first day was a mess for a sole reason of them skipping Paul's class, all with Paul's blessing of course. One more day of detention didn't even seem like a big deal anymore; not even to Percy who was adamant to get into the university but kept on hitting obstacles and was so far behind, Leo and Jason's grades seemed outstanding in comparison.

Just for Percy's sake, Paul had stated. He skipped on the book just for a day for Percy to recuperate. Neither knew how much longer the generosity fest would last, so Percy was grateful for the crumbs he was getting.

That's why he and Lyssa were spending the lunch in Paul's classroom, going over everything he was expected to pass. With Annabeth's ability to take up on more than was healthy and still succeeding—that and forged papers from Chiron—she was off the hook and had more chances to get into the University of New Rome than Percy could ever dream of.

“He's trying," Annabeth had told Lyssa, who just nodded and accepted Percy's plea for help. It sort of sealed the deal for him until the exams.

And gave them all the break they longed for.

**

The little break from the book—to think it had been just a few hours!—had cleared their minds enough to start asking questions again. And the worst one came when they were huddled in the library, finally having the book to themselves. There were so many things they just wanted to know; so much they needed to explore. It was pretty obvious by now that no one would be answering their questions, so they would be procuring them in other ways.

They sat around it in a circle, caring like it was the most precious thing in the world. The tiny piece of all sacred practices this school was supposed to be well-versed in. The gem of the world. The book so precious they could barely breathe around it, afraid the puff of air would destroy it.

The book on Greek mythology from the lair of the evil librarian. (More reasons to be cautious and careful, of course.)

Anyway, the enchantment had dissipated just enough to start having thoughts. And they had plenty of those.

“Wait a minute!" Sarah exclaimed in a loud whisper. Mrs. Fierst shot her a glare then returned to examining something. Sarah hunched over the table, eyes wide and face ashen; she stared at the page before her, unblinking. “Isn't—Isn't Athena technically Poseidon's niece?"

There was a momentary silence as they processed the question.

Steven grabbed the book and leafed through it until he found Athena. Then he stilled himself which was freaky in itself, immersed in the content of the chapter; his expression was growing more weary with each passing sentence which made others lean forward in anticipation.

Finally, no more than a minute but an eternity later, he heaved a sigh.

“It says she came out of Zeus'... head?" his face scrunched up in confusion. He looked up to blank stares. “Uh, Greek gods stuff?"

“Let it be Greek gods stuff," Cassandra nodded, swallowing hard.

The more the reality was hitting her, the less she felt like actually venturing into the wild world her classmates seemed so comfortable in. There was a little too much of batshit insane to her liking. Her and her sanity and quickly depleting social and personal lives regretted all of it deeply.

The reality had not stopped adding to the growing pile of absurd.

“It still technically makes them relatives," she added mournfully.

She didn't say their names out loud, however. Throwing those words out into the world would mean she accepted them as undisputed truth and the two looked too comfortable together for her to disturb them.

“Maybe there are, uh, exceptions?" Lora offered weakly.

“What? They're adopted?" Steven asked flatly.

“Isn't the whole point of demigods... being half-godly?" Cassandra's voice died down by the end of her question. Was it an unblinking stare of Mrs. Fierst or her own refusal to entertain certain ideas was hard to tell. All Cassandra wanted was some good ol' simple of before. “They're making a big deal out of it."

Steven made a wheezing sound like he'd swallowed a big wasp. His eyes glued to the book.

“Uh, it gets worse," he informed them. “How come I remember nothing of this course?"

Sarah furrowed her brows.

“How bad is it?" she asked almost fearfully. There was no intention in imbuing her voice with so much… pure terror and defiance, but she couldn't help herself.

She hadn't crossed the line of impossible yet.

“Zeus is married to his sister," he stated bluntly. “And has a gazillion kids with all sorts of–no, I'm not reading all of that. How are they coping? Percy's father has a horse for a kid. And Athena shouldn't have kids at all. How is it possible? How is any of it possible?!"

He was gradually inching toward the land of hysterics. His questions had turned into incoherent mumbling and soon he was just making noncommittal sounds that reminded of sobs more than anything.

“How've they not gone insane with all this?” Peter asked, gesturing toward the book. He, for one, was getting all his information from Google, however unreliable it was since half of the articles didn't even make any sense. “Gods are sick. Having kids with your own sister? How have they turned out all right?"

“They have no DNA," came a stern voice from the bookshelves.

Kids yelped and jolted. Mrs. Fierst watched them attentively, almost calculatingly for a few moments until she hummed and nodded to herself.

A collective shudder went through all present. They wouldn't want to admit it, but Mrs. Fierst was their biggest nightmare. Her calculating, sort of judging look had been burned into everyone's minds. She evoked a desire to fidget and confess all of your wrongdoings; she reminded of all the teachers they'd ever had—their worst qualities included.

With dark shadows all over her face and sharp lines on her jaw, today she looked older and more sinister than they'd ever seen her. Ever since she'd come to this school a few years back, no one knew peace.

And they preferred to spend much less time in the library than they would have otherwise. (Was it her goal all along?!)

A tiny smile pulled at her lips as she regarded all them intently.

“Ensure the book is in its place when you leave."

**

The guinea pig talk was the last straw.

Ironically enough, Percy didn't care. He was mad. So, so damn mad. At the gods, at Paul, at his school; everyone had had a hand in his bad mood and he couldn't help but revel in his anger.

The last three days had passed in some sort of medical daze with Will hovering over him and a spoonful of something warm and salty. And thoughts. Percy had so, so many thoughts. They kept on brewing in his head until he couldn't take it anymore and all but pleaded Will to knock him out which he did with grim pleasure.

School couldn't come any sooner.

When they stepped into the school, it was eerily quiet. Then they were bombarded with questions, half of which perished in dead silence and deadly glares.

The morning was shaping up to be... nice? Probably. They'd get back to this one when they'd be better equipped to answer.

The back of Percy's head pinched when he saw them, the source of all his problems that somehow did not involve gods. His classmates. He didn't think. He simply grabbed Annabeth's hand and darted toward his class, hoping it was a clear enough message for others.

Perhaps, in some other universe when gods didn't exist to solely mess up his life, it would be the single worst moment of this school year–any of his years. Perhaps, he would have had decent grades and a real prospect of getting into university and zero chance to worry and disappoint his mom more than he'd already done. Perhaps, he would have still found his way to Annabeth, and Grover, and Jay, and everyone he loved so dearly. Perhaps, his life wouldn't have been filled with misery to the brim.

Real life was a fucking headache.

The Fates must be getting a kick out of his misery. Why would there be this book otherwise?! And why would anyone even bother with creating one? Why such unconventional methods anyway? What's up with that?

The more Percy thought of it, the less sense it made. All right, the Mist was falling which, yeah, it sucked pretty badly but he couldn't really do anything about it. It was a big deal and whatever. But why was it him dragged back into the mess? It was something Percy couldn't make any sense of no matter how much he tried.

Maybe that's when he decided to make no sense either. Yeah, Percy would blame his anger for the stupidest decision of his life.

But he never promised to be fine with the book. They had to have expected it.

 “Nobody gets the Fleece,” Paul read with a tinge of amusement.

As expected, everyone perked up, eager to hear the fallout of Annabeth's now definitely insane plan.

Annabeth winced, shifting closer to Percy, who sent her a soft smile in response.

"I got Nobody!" Polyphemus gloated.

Annabeth pressed her lips together. It hadn't been a good day; she could hardly recall anything after she'd been knocked out. Her eyes flickered toward the binder, an image of her mother's stern look jumping in front of her like some sort of a scarecrow.

She... she did not remember much after that, did she? Why not just... listen?

Annabeth felt tension leave her body. Of course. She could just listen. Percy had told her what had happened, but he was notoriously bad at recounting stories and adding important details to them. She was sure it had been worse than he'd presented it and she had every right to know.

With this new-found resolve, Annabeth focused on Paul. If Percy noticed the shifting, he didn't call her out on it.

… There was Annabeth, hanging upside down by her legs.

The class gasped. A few people sent her sympathetic looks. Annabeth just sighed and cuddled up to Percy, who instantly wrapped his arm around her. Yeah, she'd expected it to have gone as bad. Yet, she didn't really need mental images to accompany her life.

Her eyes flickered toward the binder. Nah, it was her life and she had to know how close she'd been to not making it.

"Hah!" the Cyclops said… Means you gotta be grilled with mango chutney!"

Annabeth struggled, but she looked dazed.

She had been. Annabeth clearly remembered that moment of complete disorientation when she couldn't tell where exactly she was and why everything seemed upside-down.

She might have expressed something that ticked Percy off, for his grip around her shoulders tightened. She could hear his heavy breathing–he must be overthinking it like he usually did nowadays.

“Hey," she whispered softly, instantly catching Percy's attention. He turned his somewhat dazed look on her, his expression relaxed. “I'm good. We're good, okay? We're good."

It sounded a little alien to her ears too, because they weren't as good as she was pretending, but there was something unsettling in the sharp features in Percy's face that was making her just as unsettled.

(It wasn't her best year, obviously.)

She had a nasty cut on her forehead. Her eyes were glassy.

Paul's voice caught in his throat and he faltered, unsure what to make of his own reaction.

“Uh," he frowned, casting a quick glance at Annabeth. All she did was nod at him, encouraging him to continue.

…"Our ship is around the back of the island. You and Grover—"

"No way," they said at the same time.

Someone groaned, but the sound came out muffled.

…"We'll take him together," Clarisse growled.

“Is it really a good plan?" Peter asked in concern.

Did they expect answers? No. It was a rhetorical question, but it still felt so damn good to throw those out into the world and know someone else supported you, even if it were never the ones that counted.

"Yeah," Grover said. Then he blinked, like he couldn't believe he'd just agreed with Clarisse about something.

“Same, dude. The horror!" Steven exclaimed.

Then he caught Leo's look and gulped. Right, no insulting his friends. Right. Who knew what this guy could do with this clearly magical toolbelt of his?

"All right," I said. "Attack plan Macedonia."

Paul tore his eyes from the book for a second to stare at Percy, but it was enough of lull for others to interfere.

“Uh, sorry, what?"

This time everyone turned to Lyssa, who could do nothing but shrug, equally as lost as the others.

“Macedonia?" Jason wondered out loud.

“Have better ideas?" Jason did, but he elected to keep them all to himself upon seeing Percy's dark look. Not the time. Will had been clear and succinct in his instructions. The first was to not encourage a fight. For Percy's own well-being.

He'd calm down eventually if no one antagonizes him for a period of time.

Percy had a short fuse but he came to his senses just as quickly. When his sore spot was constantly exacerbated, there was no way for him to recover. He needed the time to come to terms with everything.

Should be easy enough because Percy never really held grudges or could stay mad long enough unless it involved someone else he cared about.

Jason covered his eyes with his hands. It might be a pretty long semester for them.

…They knew what I was talking about.

“Lucky you," Levi deadpanned, not even bothering to keep his voice down.

…Probably what this meant was that we'd all die instead of just me, but I was grateful for the help.

Paul winced again. The book was gradually getting harder to read.

“Percy's optimism is unmatched,” Mike muttered under his breath.

…"Hey, Ugly!"…"Put down my friend. I'm the one who insulted you."

“Is he an idiot?" Lyssa scrunched up her face in confusion.

“Not my worst idea."

Lyssa stiffened upon hearing the voice. His voice. She slowly turned on her seat to see Percy glare at the wall, his arm around ashen Annabeth; no sign that he had spoken.

“Um, are you sure you want to talk 'bout it here?" Leo asked tentatively.

So they had not misheard!

The excitement, however, was short-lived, for Percy cracked a menacing-looking grin and said one word: Shrimpzilla.

Whatever it was, it seemed to have caused both Jason and Leo to shudder. And they were willing to let it go.

“Shrimpzilla?" Steven chipped in, a little perplexed; a lot amused. He was certainly not going to let it go. “Did he say Shrimpzilla?"

He was looking around in search of support, but all others could offer was bemusement.

Percy's eyes gleamed a darker shade, which took both Jason and Leo back so much, they remained mute for a few moments. When they snapped back into reality, they realized Percy was smiling mysteriously at the class; yet, nothing had been said just yet.

He leaned forward. Annabeth scowled and tilted her head to the side as though wondering what had gotten over him.

“It's a shrimp the size of Godzilla!" Percy responded in a chipper voice. Annabeth's eye twitched and she stared at both Jason and Leo like she expected them to tell her she'd misheard it. “Calo-Kepo-Help me, Wise Girl."

Annabeth yelped and sprung out from the chair, all but pressing herself into the wall; her eyes traveled the classroom as she tried to make sense of Percy's behavior. There was no fear, no dejection; he didn't seem hurt, just a little mental. Out of character. He was acting out of character so much, it hurt to think.

“What are you doing?" she hissed.

Percy's grin widened. “Teaching 'em about Salo-whatever-it-was, why?"

Annabeth's attention shifted on Paul who, bless him, understood her without a word and cleared his throat. A shade crossed Percy's face, but he hid it behind a mask of delight.

"You are Nobody?"

"That's right, you smelly bucket of nose drool!"

“This is awful."

“Disheartening."

“Never think of doing it again."

Percy just rolled his eyes at that. “Did I tell you I once antagonized Atlas?"

Annabeth stared at him, flabbergasted. “Jackson?!"

“I'm jus' saying," he raised his hands in surrender as if he genuinely felt regretful.

Annabeth shot a glance at Jason and Leo, but both seemed equally as stunned by Percy's... antics? Words? What was he playing at now anyway?

Neither noticed stunned looks from others. Had he said Atlas?!

“He's insane," Leo muttered to Jason, who nodded, his mind still reeling from the revelation.

What's next? He'd held the weight of the world as well? (Jason didn't want to place any bets on either. He knew Percy fairly well enough to know it could go both ways.)

…"I'm Nobody and I'm proud of it!

“Tell them!" Levi whispered under his breath.

He was the only one as others were still reeling from some sort of confessions Percy had made—or made up but the expressions the others wore were pretty damn telling. Percy wouldn't be making shit up just for the kicks.

…I want to stab your eye out again."

"RAAAR!" he bellowed. Either Mr. Blofis had lost his spark or didn't understand the burden of a good performer, but he pronounced the words with the straightest face anyone had ever seen and with a voice that could put you to sleep at any moment.

A few people furrowed their brows and peered at each other as though asking if it was the moment they should laugh.

“Good job, Paul!" Percy said, giving him a thumb-up. At a lost look, he shrugged like it didn't matter.

The good news: he dropped Annabeth. Mr. Blofis visibly winced and cleared his throat. The bad news: he dropped her headfirst onto the rocks, where she lay motionless as a rag doll.

The class stiffened.

“But... But she's alive, right?"

It was supposed to be a dumb question since she was obviously alive, but Percy's wince revealed the horrifying truth that it might have not been the case. Annabeth's white face did nothing but further confirmed the presumption.

There were more bad news because there was never enough bad news in Percy World. This time, it was Percy vs. Polyphemus using nothing but a tiny sword.

Someone groaned at the new facts but elected to not draw more attention to the unfortunate situation the book-Percy was stuck in.

“C'mon, it was a good fight!" Percy complained upon seeing their long faces.

At this even Leo and Jason stared at him like he'd just admitted to being an idiot.

Percy offered them a dazzlingly bright smile.

…Grover threw his sheep bone, which bounced harmlessly off the monster's forehead.

“At least, he tried," Sarah uttered into the dead silence of the classroom.

Clarisse had more success. She was amazing. The epitome of cool. A few people genuinely wished to see the fight—something Percy would pray to not be granted, for the book would become more unbearable. But at the moment, they were high on imagining Clarisse's badassery: causing an injury to Polyphemus, avoiding getting trampled, and generally being her coolest self.

“She's not so bad," Sarah admitted. After the chaos of Grover's reveal, she, like most of her classmates, had begun to believe Clarisse wasn't bright. She was definitely brave and she proved it once again.

“She'd appreciate the compliment," Percy said from behind them, still smiling at them a little too happy and brightly.

Even if there was not much to be so delighted about! Percy couldn't even kill the cyclops, for he was too big and strong. (A sentence no one expected to think up even in the worst nightmares.)

So he resolved in doing the next good thing: getting Annabeth out of the harm's way.

At that Annabeth smiled softly and shifted a little closer to Percy.

…Clarisse and I tried to keep Polyphemus distracted.

And Percy was able to give credit where it was due.

I have to admit, Clarisse was brave.

“She is," echoed through the classroom.

“Just slightly foolish," Kylie added as an afterthought.

Thunder rumbled again: Ares was not liking it when someone insulted his kids; that was his job.

Not to forget that Clarisse was doing great. With Percy's occasional stab in the toe, of course, but it seemed to minuscule and insignificant in comparison that Percy himself agreed he could have done more but he'd been too stressed to think of a better plan. Polyphemus had distracted him for too long.

But we couldn't keep this up forever… It would only take one hit to kill us.

Yeah, Percy still possessed that dramatic level of pessimism that he himself called 'realistic expectations', which might have startled Annabeth as well, for she grabbed him by the chin and forcibly turned his head toward her. They didn't move much after that, unnerving others in the ways they had not experienced yet.

…I saw Grover carrying Annabeth across the rope bridge…and it gave me an idea.

Someone sighed heavily. Judging by a struck but somewhat still pleased look on Percy's face, it was Annabeth who was conveniently secluded from others.

Cassandra caught Steven's look and shook her head. Steven instantly deflated and grumbled something under his breath.

The plan was simple: retreat. Something Polyphemus seemed especially defiant toward.

"Grind you into sheep chow!" he promised. "A thousand curses on Nobody!"

A smile faded from Percy's face, slowly replaced by a grimace. If it weren't enough, Annabeth sat straight up and paled significantly as she squeezed her eyes tightly and started mumbling something under her breath.

The reaction was fast, even if a little anti-climatic. Leo dropped on his knees next to Annabeth just as Jason did the same before Percy, both talking at the same time and drowning each other out.

Percy shook his head, and Jason instantly faltered. Leo followed closely behind, having realized Jason was quiet now. Both silently stared at them.

“A bad mem'ry," Percy mumbled.

“We could leave again if you–" Percy shook his head once again, cutting off Jason, who sighed in dejection. “All right, man, if you say so."

They resumed their seat and motioned Paul to continue, ignoring all the confused looks and outright questions.

Their concerned looks never ceased, however, as both now seemed rigid and on the edge as they kept on peering at each other.

Yeah, anti-climatic for sure.

“I think we should continue," Lyssa said loudly, instantly drawing attention away from them.

But it was getting harder to pay attention anymore, now that Percy's buoyant demeanor had crumbled, replaced by intense staring and heavy breathing that felt so loud it drowned out everything else.

“We have to continue," Lyssa reiterated, having noticed a few hungry looks. She might be nosy, but she knew when to back off. Now would be just about the right moment to forget about Percy. “Please."

It's the 'please' that startled Paul out of the daze. He cleared his throat and, sending worried looks at Percy, began to read in the most distracted and monotone voice anyone had ever heard him use.

Which, combined with the events in the book, did not make anyone feel happy. Mostly appalled and a little resentful. A lot on the edge, unable to contain their terror at the prospect of this cyclops catching up with them (which had already happened anyway) and them going down the hard way because they just didn't have enough time to cut the goddamn ropes of the bridge!

Percy's lack of interference and a somber look were the icing on the cake of this awful chapter.

…I made a wild slash with my sword and cut the remaining ropes.

Every single person released a breath they'd been holding. Apparently, when you not just read a book but also spend an unhealthy amount of time around the character of the said book, you find yourself peculiarly fond of them.

The bridge fell away into the chasm, and the Cyclops howled…

A round of sharp intakes went through the room as everyone leaned forward, eager to her about the defeat.

with delight, because he was standing right next to us. Mr. Blofis' voice went quieter by the end of the sentence, signifying his dissatisfaction with the events.

However, all he received was total stunned silence, as the kids stared at him with unreadable expressions and no thoughts in sight. It was the biggest letdown in the history of this school!

”Goddamn it, Jackson!" Sarah's dejected voice rang though the room, followed by heavy thud and some groaning.

Leo started out of his contemplation and turned a bleary gaze stared then glanced at Jason, who shrugged; he was equally as lost and a little off. Neither commented on any of it, though.

"Failed!" he yelled gleefully. "Nobody failed!"

Percy totally agreed, making it sounding even more depressing by stating he'd been stopped 'by a big stupid monster in a baby-blue tuxedo kilt'.

“When you put it like that, it does sound depressing," Levi stated, uncomfortable.

Percy snorted in response which was a little daunting. However, to his utmost disappointment, no one asked what he meant by that. He looked despondent as it is. At least, he was reacting to them; something none of them expected to see in this class today after whatever the heck that had been. (Annabeth was hardly visible, though, having fully hidden behind Percy.)

Nobody was going to swat down my friends like that! I mean… nobody, not Nobody. Ah, you know what I mean.

Whether Percy was unapologetically thick or just hopelessly reckless, but even fully realizing he was no match to a Cyclops, he still advanced at him.

“Is it a requirement for these people to have no self-preservation?" Mike asked under his breath.

“They'll fit in fine with the team," Riley responded to him in a chipper voice—something not only Mike but anyone who'd heard him had not expected. “What?"

Even Percy, who'd been staring at him like a weird animal, shook his head and turned to Jason, whispering to him something in a low voice. Jason scowled but nodded.

Whatever worries any of them had, however, dissipated once Polyphemus got... hurt?

…and I was standing above him, the tip of my sword hovering over his eye.

Stunned silence was not supposed to feel as heavy as it did, but here they all were, going into shock from hearing about a kid beating a giant cyclops from the horror myths.

The worst thing? Both Jason and Leo chuckled like they'd known it would happen.

“He'll ruin the team," Mike told Riley in a whisper.

Riley just rolled his eyes. “There's nothing to ruin."

"Uhhhhhhhh," Polyphemus moaned. Which sounded morbid with Mr. Blofis' monotone voice.

He really didn't put in any effort anymore, did he? Just how much was it affecting him as well? Only in this moment did Mike realize he'd barely seen Percy interact with his step-father inside the school. Granted, favoritism was not something condoned in here, but everyone knew they were a family. He frowned as his mind raced in attempt to gather those small pieces of history. God, had it been a year only? It felt like a lifetime since Percy had returned; let alone anything before his sudden disappearance right at the start of the winter break. They'd been… better? He could swear they'd been better, even if Percy looked both exhausted and unnerved almost all the time.

His eyes landed on Mr. Blofis, whose face appeared sullen and pale. No, he was not ready venture into that territory. Neither would anyone, he decided, having caught a few cryptic looks the girls shared.

"Please, noooo!" …."M-m-my sheepies need me. Only trying to protect my sheep!"

“W-what is going on?"

As it always was, they looked at the four. Percy was scowling now, no traces of previous humor or whatever he had been trying to achieve there. Annabeth still remained hidden from the eyes of most, so it was hard to tell how she felt. And the other two, they appeared puzzled but a little disturbed.

“That's a new one," Leo finally breathed out. Jason nodded, just as dumbfounded as though he'd never seen a cyclops do something of that sort.

“I hope you didn't trust him," Levi said loudly, ensuring he would be heard in every corner of the classroom. A few people yelped and gave him a death glare, though without any success.

“Why wouldn't he?" Everyone stares at Cassandra, who raised her eyebrows at that. “I mean, he does like these sheep. And Percy did sorta invade. And the sheep–"

“If you call these meat-eating monsters 'cute' or 'innocent', I'll scream," Steven interrupted, as serious as anyone had ever heard him.

Cassandra blushed.

“You really believe a cyclops?" Levi asked, aghast.

Cassandra's blush deepened, and he groaned.

“Tyson is a cyclops," Sarah reminded him.

“He hasn't tried to eat anyone." Levi trailed off, his brows drawn together. “Neither does he have meat-eating sheep.”

“So if he had meat-eating sheep, he'd be automatically bad?” Sarah challenged him, a menacing glimmer in her eyes.

Levi winced.

“I didn't say–What even–" Levi turned to Percy. “Man, back me up!"

Percy was not planning to back him up, clearly, for he grimaced and closed his eyes. Whatever message hidden in there, they got it without any issue.

“Leave me out of my family feuds, please," he said nonetheless, as though it explained everything.

It didn't. But it did. Sorta. They might have forgotten that cyclops could be Percy's relatives, which was such an outlandish idea that everyone in this school—and they asked—unanimously agreed to ignore the one-eye issue and pretend the Greek world made sense. (Excluding a few individuals that Mike had vowed to keep an eye on personally.) Even if it didn't. Even if half of those creatures weren't supposed to be related to humans. Percy obviously hadn't figured it out either.

He was bound to believe this charade, because for all his flaws, impulsive behavior, and weird outbursts, he was a kind boy with a heart larger than life.

The Cyclops sounded so heartbroken, just like… like Tyson.

Annabeth sucked in a breath.

“Only you, Seaweed Brain," she muttered into his shoulder, receiving a feeble shrug in response. It was such a Percy move. She wouldn't have him any other way.

Outside their little bubble, the world was bustling with completely different energy. Nothing remotely similar to the peaceful comfort they both were feeling. Nothing close to the puzzlement of Jason and Leo, both of whom were watching an admittedly unsettling match in the name of Tyson. (Had he been here at the moment, he might have burst out crying from joy.)

“We still can do what I suggested," Leo told Jason, whose nose scrunched up, though he appeared mildly curious at the proposition.

“See?" Cassandra gestured at the book meanwhile. “He's just like Tyson."

Her proclamation was met with outraged noises. Leo let out a strained smile and raised his eyebrows as though urging Jason to make a decision right now.

“Talk about it later," Jason replied curtly, his eyes on Paul, who watched the building argument with interest, as though he observed ants in their natural habitat.

“Don't you dare compare him to Tyson, woman!" Steven bellowed. Everyone around him winced and leaned away, covering their ears and wincing.

“He's evil!" Levi added from the other side. His eyebrows drawn together, his face slowly turning scarlet red as he was billowing.

“He is like Tyson," Cassandra shot back, waving her hands in the air, which was so unlike her, it felt a little unnerving to watch. “Is Tyson evil?"

“That's different!"

“How is it different?!"

“Do they realize they're fighting over a monster that was evil even in the old stories?” Jason turned to Leo. Leo craned his neck to have a better look at the two then shook his head, evoking a sigh of resignation from Jason.

Was it worth it? These debates would not change their lives for the better; they would do nothing but summon Polyphemus with the rate thing were going at and the four of them stationed here so nicely. Not hiding; not caring about drawing attention.

Why were they not caring about drawing attention?

Jason sat straight up, startling Leo just enough for him to drop a screwdriver and leave a few choice words.

“Guys," Jason peered at them.

Perhaps, something in his face caught their attention, for Percy lost a dreamy expression and frowned; Annabeth raised her head from his shoulder and peered at Jason, awaiting the explanations. Leo rubbed his knee, but even he seemed fully focused on whatever Jason was about to say.

“Remember we talked 'bout monsters?" all three nodded hesitantly. “Are we sure gods have no hand in it? Trivia can do only so much in warding them off, even if she's helping. Apart from that sheep that seemed to have followed Will to school, have there been any other monsters nearby recently?"

They stared at him. Jason stared back, determined to be done with at least one issue that had been nagging at him this whole time. That was what had made him distressed so much with those newspapers. How could monsters invade Florida of all places but ignore four demigods in one place? With Trivia's help or not, they should have encountered a couple already. Leo had hitchhiked to the camp on his own the other day! What more attractive than that could there be?

“I don't—I think not. No," Percy scratched the back of his head before sending Annabeth a silent question to which she seemingly had no answers. “Which is weird. Last time monsters didn't gang up on me was when Tyson went to school with me... we're not having a cyclops here, are we?"

A sudden question sent shivers down their spines.

“It's been nagging at me since Lou Ellen brought our attention to the news,” Jason admitted. “It's impossible to have all sorts of monsters haunt Florida but avoid New York. It's like they've gone extinct, except a couple strays–"

“That might have been summoned by the book," Annabeth finished, her face scrunched up in confusion. “It is weird."

“You don't think they're preparing for something?" Percy's voice was permeated with worry, and he himself shrunk into himself, now giving off energy of a kicked puppy.

“What exactly?" Leo wondered out loud. “What other externally evil immortal entity would like to take over the world?” his eyes widened and he sent a quick glance at Percy and Annabeth. “You don't think it's... you know."

Both didn't respond, but their jaws tightened.

“We closed them," Annabeth croaked out. “He... He seemed unconcerned by everything that was going on there, even with us–" she trailed off to take a few deep breaths. “I don't think he'd want to avenge her."

“If he's not naturally power-hungry," Percy stated flatly. “We did disturb him, though."

“Isn't it counterproductive to stop something that would benefit you otherwise?" Leo asked suddenly. At their blank stares he heaved a sigh. “Monsters are his whole being. Why would he stop them? Or shove them into Florida?"

It was a valid question, which took a bit of weight off their shoulders.

“They're always terrible at parenting," Percy smiled weakly to which Leo barked out a laugh. That did bring them out of their stupor a little, and soon all were cracking up at the others, unwilling to say anything else.

Until they had to face reality of course. A nasty, painful awakening they would rather skip on. But here they were, in this class, surrounded by mortals and with no understanding of all the weird ways monsters behaved.

“Who are you talkin' 'bout?" Peter asked them. “You're sure not talking about Polyphemus?"

Percy offered him a cryptic smile and all but begged Paul to continue.

It was another rude awakening because the book-Percy was seriously inclined to trust Polyphemus. Even if others did not agree. At all.

"He's a Cyclops!" Grover warned. "Don't trust him!"

I knew he was right. I knew Annabeth would've said the same thing.

“I am saying the same thing," Annabeth chuckled. “Don't trust a random monster that tried to kill you before, all right? Would save us a lot of trouble." The last part she added in an undertone, eliciting a snort from Percy.

“Ha!" Steven exclaimed, gesturing at Annabeth. “Annabeth agrees."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow at her name being mentioned but ultimately decided not to interfere.

“It doesn't mean I'm not right," Cassandra shrugged, her expression blank.

But Polyphemus sobbed… and for the first time it sank in that he was a son of Poseidon, too... How could I just kill him in cold blood?

“But he would kill you in cold blood without hesitation," Jason commented, a little puzzled at the strange conclusion Percy had come to. This book was a rollercoaster of everything he didn't need to know about his friend—especially, when it could kill them both. That's why he was listening closely now, for any and every future battle they'd have to fight.

Steven pointed at Jason as though giving another example of a competent person in this group. “See?"

“Oh, shut up!"

"We only want the Fleece," ... "Will you agree to let us take it?"

“He's trying to talk to him!" Steven threw his hands up. “What are you doing, man?"

Percy glanced at him and shrugged. “I told you, it's not my worst idea."

"No!" Clarisse shouted. "Kill him!"

“Listen to her!"

But Percy seemed to be mesmerized by the acting. When Polyohemus began offering Percy stuff, it should have been a red flag; the only red flag. It should have warned him of impending trouble that Percy was aware of.

He still hesitated.

…and as fast as a cobra, Polyphemus smacked me to the edge of the cliff.

Jason sucked in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. Had it happened in the Camp Jupiter, he and whoever vouched for him, would have already been punished severely for endangering absolutely everyone. He turned to Percy. “Sometimes I do wonder how you lived until your age.”

“Trust me, man, I'm asking the same all the damn time."

He proves his statement with the very next sequence that Paul was reading out.

Polyphemus trying to eat Percy didn't come as huge shock since most of them half-expected it. Percy's belief it would be his last minutes didn't faze them much either—he'd been overdramatic and depressing before.

Did they cheer when something disturbed them? Oh, for sure.

Then something went whoosh over my head and thump!

“Grover?" Sarah wondered, clutching to her desk, her eyes sparkling with relief and building excitement.

“Or Clarisse," Jenna noted, looking equally satisfied with the outcome. “I doubt Annabeth's recovered enough for that."

Her comment sobered them all up and reminded them it was far from over.

A rock the size of a basketball sailed into Polyphemus's throat…

Kids exchanged confused looks. It didn't sound like any of the four were strong enough for boulders.

“Magic?" Peter threw out into the world. “You have magic, right?"

They might be having magic, but it was clearly a different kind of it, for even Leo peered at Percy intensely, awaiting the answer.

It never came, but at least the book-Percy was relatively safe since Polyphemus—with the rock in his throat—was inching toward the edge of the cliff… until he fell headfirst into the chasm.

Everyone breathed out in relief.

Halfway down the path to the beach... was an old friend.

Mr. Blofis faltered, staring at the book in defiance.

“Uh, Mr. Blofis?" Jenna called gingerly. He jerked up and glanced at her, a little bleary and not completely with them. “Are you all right?"

He nodded and continued reading as though nothing had happened.

"Bad Polyphemus," Tyson said. "Not all Cyclopes as nice as we look."

“Tyson agrees," Steven didn't hesitate to comment, evoking barely audible groans from a few people.

Tyson gave us the short version: Rainbow the hippocampus–

“Who's that?"

“Rainbow the hippocampus," Percy shrugged. They could not tell what was more astonishing: Percy answering or Percy mocking them. All of the above had happened to many times today already.

“Who's that?"

“A water pony," he said simply, evoking a chortle from Annabeth.

Leo stared at Jason in question, but Jason could only shrug. He had never heard of them. Romans seriously hated water and preferred to never acknowledge anything related to it.

“Where'd you meet it?"

Percy pointed at the book.

who'd…found Tyson sinking beneath the wreckage of the CSS Birmingham and pulled him to safety.

“Which we would love to hear about."

“I'm sorry that I can't help you," Percy shrugged. “I've lost the count of ships I've sunk."

At that even Annabeth raised an eyebrow but elected to remain silent.

He and Tyson had been searching the Sea of Monsters… until Tyson… found this island.

“Scent of sheep? Just how good is his sense of smell?"

Judging by the grimaces of not only Percy, but all four, very.

“We're not getting these stories outta them, are we?" Steven asked into the void.

... "Tyson, thank the gods. Annabeth is hurt!"

"You thank the gods she is hurt?" he asked, puzzled.

The class laughed, feeling the weight going off their shoulders now that the backup is here. Yeah, it was only Tyson and some water pony, but it was still better odds than most of what they'd heard so far.

“He's too adorable."

"No!" I knelt beside Annabeth ... Her skin was pale and clammy.

“How bad was it?"

Percy scowled while Annabeth tilted her head, clearly lost as if she couldn't recall a single moment of that day.

“Exceptionally," he said darkly, tightening his grip on her.

…"Tyson, the Fleece. Can you get it for me?"

The class breathed out in relief. Annabeth blinked at their reactions, not sure what to do about it. Admittedly, she was not really fully mentally in the school and she had barely talked to any of them outside of this class as well. She hadn't really had any urge, at least, that was the agenda when she'd entered the school on the first day. She'd planned to quietly finish her classes, get a diploma–preferably without a monster invasion–complete her Olym–whatever and drive off into the sunset of California to start anew. Mortals had never been part of the equation if she were honest with herself. She'd never accounted to them being nice and caring, having had little good experience with them in previous years.

Had they really grown fond of her so fast?! It was mind-boggling.

Tyson, being his adorable self, did not get it the first time around, but once he did, he sure got down to work.

“Sheep don't hunt him?" Levi marveled out loud.

“Probably smelling a cyclops," Mike shrugged.

It made sense. Somehow.

And it was a big blessing for them, for they were short of time. All Tyson had to do was throw this huge seventy pound Frisbee of precious gold wool to Percy, who instantly covered Annabeth with it.

It was strange to read about her almost… dying. Not being unconscious but genuinely on the verge of not making it.

How the hell did they cope with all of it? How did their hearts not skip a beat in fear? How could one get used to constant danger and knowing every day could be the last one? How could they stand any of it?

There were so many questions swirling in their heads as they listened to Annabeth's miraculous revival—because that's what it was. She wouldn't have made it far enough without the magic wool, if at all.

How could any of them sit here and be so nonchalant about it?!

Because they were. For better or worse, aside from a mournful expression, none of the four expressed much concern or terror at the excerpt. As though it were something they'd been long used to.

As if their lives weren't depressing enough.

Her eyelids fluttered open… She saw Grover and said weakly, "You're not... married?"

Tension broken, the class burst out laughing. Annabeth hid her face in Percy's shoulder, laughing together with them.

…In fact, she shimmered with health, as if someone had injected her with glitter.

Annabeth shuddered.

“Isn't it a little overkill?" Lyssa asked in concern.

“It is,” Annabeth nodded. “It didn't feel nice either." At her quizzical look she sighed. “Imagine being injected with caffeine, all sorts of medicine you can think of and our godly food to top it all. I was a little too aware of everything for a while, it was overwhelming and not helpful at all."

Which might have been a huge obstacle since the sheep changed the setting and were growing restless.

"We have to go," I said. "Our ship is…"

It was too far and the shortest route had been destroyed.

They'd ended up in another impossible situation.

“Why do you always end up involved into something dreadful?" Steven complained.

Percy could only shrug. It was the exact question he'd had for years, but not even gods were able to offer a good answer.

"Tyson," I called, "can you lead the flock as far away as possible?"

…"Come, sheepies! Um, people food this way!"

“He's caught on pretty fast."

“Tyson isn't an idiot," Annabeth said sternly, looking up for a moment. “He's extremely intelligent for his mental age, and he's growing smarter every time I see him.”

He had obviously been doing great even a few years back, for now they were free to move. Well, almost free to move. Annabeth wasn't much of a walker yet.

She tried, but her face turned pale again. "Ohh. Not fully healed."

Annabeth flinched at that. “It was an experience," she told Lyssa, who nodded.

It for sure had been an experience, for her ribs were broken and Clarisse seemed especially concerned.

“I haven't expected Clarisse to be so... gentle," Leo admitted, watching the book curiously. Granted 'a sack of flour' would not cut it as 'gentle' in any universe, but the most gentle Ares' kid that he knew was Frank—and that's pushing it. Leaving everything behind to take care of wounded was always something that would strike Leo as pretty unnatural for Ares' kids. Hearing Clarisse do just that still boggled his mind.

“She has her moments," Percy agreed.

As soon as we got to the edge of the water, I concentrated on the Queen Anne's Revenge. I willed it to raise anchor and come to me.

“You can do that, too?" Mike asked, shifting his gaze onto Percy, who suddenly went sheepish.

“I controlled a pirate ship before," he admitted, then his eyes widened as the realization hit him. “Wait, it's that ship, actually!"

Leo's unblinking stare was unnerving for sure, but Percy stubbornly pretended it didn't bother him just for the sake of his sanity.

“A pirate ship?" Mike repeated, a little perplexed.

“Is its origin relevant to us?" Jason inquired, suddenly watching him intently with these blue eyes of his.

Apparently, it was a touchy subject, for Percy rubbed the back of his head, now even more uncomfortable and downright embarrassed.

“Uh, a spa?"

“Spa?"

Percy nodded. “Spa. We sorta accidentally let a few very old, very bad pirates out–"

“Percy did," Annabeth interjected. “It wasn't a good thing to do."

Percy glared at her, though with no heat. “I know; Reyna was pretty open about her dislike of that part. And you poured the pills into the cage!"

Jason's eyes widened as he mouthed Percy's words until they had fully sunk in. “Reyna?!"

“You got yourself turned into a guinea pig," Annabeth reminded him.

Someone hiccupped at the admission. Now it was official: Percy indeed had been a rodent for however long. Not that it mattered to any of the four, for Leo was watching the unfolding mess with amusement and Jason was blinking rapidly while scowling as though trying to get rid of something in his eyes.

“Reyna?" he whispered--or gasped; it was hard to tell.

“You left me with Circe!" Percy all but yelled. Annabeth jolted but recovered quiet fast, huffing at his words.

“Wait, Circe?" Lyssa exclaimed, alarmed.

“Who's that?" Peter asked his neighbor in a whisper but got only an incredulous look in response.

“You met an evil witch?” Jason frowned, momentarily distracted from trying to decipher the comment about Reyna. But why was he surprised, really? Why was he still getting shocked by anything Percy had ever been up to? Or his ability to evade questioning.

(He'd just ask Reyna. Assuming he survived this class.)

“You too?" Leo asked at the same time. Both Percy and Annabeth stared at him. Leo stared at his toolbelt, suddenly self-conscious and too aware of all the discomforting noises and his own breathing. He shifted on the seat, picking on the zipper of the toolbelt. “Oh, yeah. Medea–"

“She's dead!" Annabeth interrupted, bemused and scowling at him in what he interpreted as disgruntlement.

“Medea?" Jenna repeated, exchanging a look with Lyssa who shook her head mournfully.

“She wasn't," Leo shrugged. He had opened the toolbelt and pulled out the first thing that popped up in his mind. “Got us enchanted and riled up against one another. We almost killed each other in her mall–"

“Medea had a mall?" Annabeth asked, now absolutely lost, which was both funny and a little terrifying because she kept on frowning and pursing her lips.

“Yep," Leo nodded, whirling the screwdriver. “Had some cool stuff–"

“Oh, yeah, I remember it now," Jason commented in a little faraway voice as though he was deep in the memory. Leo snapped his fingers in front of Jason's face, getting him back into the reality.

“Keep focused, Jay," Leo was as serious as ever. “It all blew up when Beauty Queen snapped us out of it and mixed some random potions--"

“Piper mixed potions?" Annabeth all but shrieked, now alarmed. She was ready to leap to her feet and rush to find Piper and check her. Just to ensure she hadn't gotten some long-lasting damage, that she was perfectly all right. Medea had some nasty stuff in her possession, who knew how it would affect them?

“We were all right!” Leo raised his hands, effectively dropping the screwdriver. “Ow!"

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. “We'll be talking about it today."

“C'mon, it's already happe–"

“Valdez."

Leo instantly closed his mouth and picked up the screwdriver.

“Should we really discuss everything they've said here?” Lora asked into the void, immediately receiving a round of clear and loud nos in response. “Thought so. Mr. Blofis?"

Alarmed, stunned, and a little confused, Paul jolted and hurried to return to the chapter.

In retrospect, he didn't have much left—to his biggest surprise.

After a few anxious minutes, I saw the ship rounding the tip of the island.

“A ship?"

A simple question made kids ask Paul to re-read the last paragraph which he did without an ounce of excitement.

It had been a long class. Too long. So long and eventful that they could barely comprehend most of what they heard anymore. There was some intricate description of them making their way to the ship. Almost.

“Almost?" Peter repeated, incredulously. After the smooth sail that they'd had too?!

We were just wading past the entrance to the ravine, when ... we saw Polyphemus… splashing toward us with a boulder in each hand.

“That's the end." Mr. Blofis shut the book with too much force and with no remorse.

The kids groaned. They were left at a cliffhanger, and they didn't like it at all.

Chapter Text

“You know, reading isn't so bad if you let go of the fact it's about you," Annabeth mused, drawing attention of absolutely everyone in the classroom.

Perhaps, speaking out loud in this place was not the best idea of hers, but she couldn't help but shrug off the excitement of uncovering things she had never been told. She knew how Percy was; she knew he'd downplay a lot of troubles and hurt just to not upset her (or Sally, or Grover… anyone, really).

She still should have thought before speaking out loud.

Leo was the first one to break the silence by letting out a laugh, looking confounded and dazed and maybe a little bit astounded at his own reaction.

“The betrayal!" Percy exclaimed dramatically, squeezing her shoulder a little too hard. Annabeth jolted but was planted back on her seat and reduced to smiling wearily.

It would be better for the bell to ring right now so she would be spared the embarrassment. Her eyes landed on the clock, and she groaned. Instantly the grip on her shoulder tightened; she could clearly hear Percy's heart pick up speed even if she didn't genuinely hear it; she knew it had.

“We have half a class left!" she complained, maybe with a touch of exaggeration. But what she would not do to placate Percy.

She could feel the grip relax, and Percy heaved a breath, slouching on his seat. “It's just that," he said, relieved and calm as ever.

They sat in silence for a few more moments, which Annabeth clung to as though her life depended on it. It might as well do, for she had little peace or time to herself the past few years.

Funny how life turned, she chuckled mutely. Here she was, the daughter of Athena, the intelligent one, not a naive little girl anymore, believing life would finally let her be. She should have known gods would never be so generous.

A strained laugh escaped her before she was able to catch herself. Instantly, all eyes were on her.

“Oh, c'mon!" she groaned, pushing the first thing--the binder--toward herself and opening it on a random page. An unfinished draft of Apollo's statue jumped in her face, making her recoil and blink.

“Wise Girl, you okay?" Percy's voice was filled with concern, and he was a step away from grabbing her and fleeing.

Annabeth leaned away, putting the binder between them. “It's fine. I gotta work. Do..." she whirled her finger, “do whatever."

It was easy to recognize the signs of Annabeth drifting away from the reality. Either way, Percy poked her on the shoulder; a low growl appeased him, and Percy turned back to the class, eager to share his delight with others.

(Maybe not.)

“How'd you feel 'bout, uh, what's the curriculum for our class?" he scowled then snapped his fingers as it came to him. “Right! Romeo & Juliette? Heard it's good."

“It's a play where both of them die, Seaweed Brain."

Percy's face lit up. “Soo, true to life then?" His grin faded as he caught Annabeth's dirty look. “But it is on the curriculum, right?"

It was, but none expressed the willingness to waste time on it, which should not really shock Percy. It didn't. Stupid magic! Stupid Hecate. Why was it always him?

“All right," he sighed. “Whatever. Do whatever you want."

He crossed his arms and slid down on the seat. Annabeth shot him a glance then reached out to him and gripped his hand. “We're almost done for today."

Percy grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath and huffed.

All eyes turned to Paul, who pressed his lips together but didn't budge. He leaned on the desk, his arms crossed; the book now laying a foot away, and it didn't seem like he wanted to pick it up again. His eyes trained on Percy and a filled with concern.

Percy snorted. “You against gods' joint forces? Just read. The faster we go through it, the sooner we can forget it ever happened."

Unless no one would be able to forget.

Still undecided and a little hesitant, Paul heaved a breath and reached out for the book.

“The Fleece works its magic too well,” his brows rose and he stared at Percy. Together with the rest of the class.

“It did," Percy shrugged, momentarily returning to his more upbeat self.

That afternoon was one of the happiest I'd ever spent at camp,

“CAMP?!" a bunch of disjointed voice chorused.

Percy winced and shook his head, earning a bitter chuckle from Annabeth.

“It's that day, isn't it?" she asked. At Percy's nod, she sighed and pushed away the binder, leaning back on Percy's shoulder.

“Should we be warned beforehand?" Leo pointed between Jason and himself, peering at Annabeth intently.

“It's a good one," she promised, involuntarily allowing others to perk up and forcing them to listen to the story even more intently than they'd been already.

…world is about to be rocked to pieces.

“Good?" Steven marveled in a tiny voice.

Annabeth's snort filled with derision did nothing to dissuade him.

Grover announced that he'd be … resuming his quest for Pan.

“His what?"

Percy only pursed his lips. He, for one, was not planning to share the details of his friends' lives.

Leo leaned closer to him, looking serious and stern. “This is the story you're telling us."

His bosses … granted him a two-month furlough and a new set of reed pipes.

“That's... a good thing?"

“Better than their usual behavior."

The sky stayed clear; even Mr. D was not willing to defend the bunch of old goats.

Which he, of course, intended to use, which might have not been all that great of an idea judging by Percy's pained smile.

His reassurance he'd gotten better did nothing to alleviate the mood.

Grover told me he could dissolve the empathy link between us,

“Err, what?"

Percy's smile didn't falter surprisingly, but he still didn't explain anything.

“It did come know handy, though," he shrugged, addressing no one.

…"But, if I get in trouble again … You could die!"

“So it's... bad?"

“It's handy," Percy repeated, this time with more edge in his voice.

No one dared to ask him for details, feeling it might be one of those sore topics that he avoided like a plague. (Which was saying a lot since he avoided most of the questions on most topics anyway.)

"If you get in trouble again, I want to know about it … I wouldn't have it any other way."

“That's a good trait," Jenna noted, sending a glance Percy's way.

Instead, she saw all the his friends everything their gazes as though whatever the book him had said was not really a positive thing.

“And very dangerous," Mike muttered, having noticed disturbed looks on Jason and Leo's faces. There was definitely some history in there. They simply might not be privy to it.

In the end he agreed not to break the link … Chiron … told me he'd fixed my problems with Meriwether Prep … The police were no longer looking for me.

Paul blinked at the text, his eyebrows knit together. Then he slowly looked up at Percy and back at the book and sighed. Maybe he didn't really need to know certain things, for his own peace of mind.

Others weren't feeling much better.

“I'm sorry, what?" Sarah asked what everyone in this class--maybe even school--was or would be feeling along the line.

This time Percy couldn't avoid the conversation even if he wanted to. He had only one option that he probably should use more from now on.

Percy cleared his throat and straightened up, forcing Annabeth to sit up as well. She didn't look impressed but rendered silence, instead watching him with curiosity. Percy glanced at her. “How much?"

“I'll tell you when I understand what game you're playing, Jackson."

“The gory details, got it!" accompanied by a disgruntled 'Jackson!', Percy turned to the class and took a deep breath. “I was almost dodgeballed to death by a bunch of Canadian cannibals!"

Annabeth slapped her forehead and that was the only sound, produced in the classroom. The rest just stared at him—open-mouthed in some cases—unblinking and disturbed. Someone yelled in the hallways, but not one person flinched, stubbornly staring at Percy and doing their best to process everything he'd said. Sometimes it was simply impossible to do; that was the general consensus.

“Dude," Mike breathed out after a while. “There's so much to unpack here."

“Dodgeballed to death?" Levi interfered before anyone had a chance to speak.

Everyone stared at him, a little unnerved and puzzled at his question. It wasn't the worst one to ask, obviously, but there was so much more to discuss before that point.

“Canadian cannibals don't bother you then," Lyssa commented dryly, which, apparently, allowed others to not hold it in anymore and led to an onslaught of questions.

“How can anyone be dodgeballed to death?" Peter frowned.

“Were you in the gym?" Levi stared at him, mystified and slightly alarmed.

Of course, it's not like he would remember that gym day! He'd been knocked out five minutes in and missed a whole week afterwards.

“Since when are we killing during dodgeball?" Sarah wondered at the same time.

“This is so not the point!" Peter objected instantly, throwing his hands up.

“Percy, what's you plan?" Annabeth asked in a whisper, startling Percy.

He yelped and peered at her, unblinking and a tad bit terrified. Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him, and his smile fully fell off his face. “Uh... nothing?"

“If I didn't know better, I'd say you're enjoying the distraction," she pressed her lips in a thin line, evoking a strained chuckle from Percy. “You're enjoying the distraction.”

“Am not!"

His outburst of denial came out much louder than he intended it to be, so it was no wonder every single person in the class was looking at him sternly now.

“You're not what?" Cassandra asked.

Percy crossed his arms and leaned on the seat, pouting. It was such a bizarre image, everyone immediately turned away just to ensure it wouldn't be ingrained in their minds forever.

…"I merely suggested that the mortals had seen … a furnace explosion that was not your fault."

“And no one questioned that?" Peter frowned. It sounded somewhat familiar—together with the school's name but neither were coming back to him now. He must have read about both in the news then.

“We don't question anything at all," Lyssa muttered.

“Jackson, what happened with the music room that year?"

All eyes on Kylie now, who watched Percy intently, like a hawk preparing to grab its prey. Percy honest-to-god hiccupped and mumbled something that elicited a startled laugh from Annabeth.

“You do realize it might be in the book, right?"

Percy rolled his eyes and slid further down on the seat.

… "I manipulated the Mist. Some day, when you're ready, I'll show how it's done."

“I'm still waiting," Percy grumbled loudly; there was a tinge of something in his voice that sounded suspiciously like hurt. No one really felt brave enough to ask directly. Not today anyway.

… they've still expelled you … Mr. Bonsai, said you had … un-groovy karma that disrupted the school's educational aura.

“That's... not a legitimate reason." Lyssa was baffled and scandalized. Plain and simple.

“Welcome to the demigod's life," Percy responded, sarcasm dripping off his tongue. Lyssa blinked and shot a glance at him, slightly perturbed by his, uh, outburst. He was glowering at the desk, seemingly as outraged as he was giving off the vibe of. “You'll get the best deal of being blamed for everything and having your life ruined repeatedly until your untimely death in some battle."

At that even Annabeth didn't reprimand him; instead, she looked like she was inclined to agree with him before telling him off for being so damn pessimistic.

(Percy barely reacting to her words or reassuring her like he appeared to have done in the past just added to the uncanniness of the whole experience.)

… Oh, and speaking of your mother … It's high time you called her."

“I guess it wasn't the best conversation?" Mike inquired.

“Mom's the best but she was panicking," Percy replied off-handedly, almost monotonous.

Mr. Blofis' snort just confirmed how frequent it might actually be. Percy not even being offended just... yeah, they were not going to like any of the answers.

The worst part was the beginning…

“Wait, wait, wait, you did what?" Cassandra all but pulled herself to her feet, a bit lightheaded at the revelation.

“Snuck out of camp as per Hermes' request after we had a nice talk with him and his phone snakes,” Percy repeated, gesturing somewhere in the general area of the window before closing his eyes tightly and leaning on Annabeth's shoulder.

It was hard to tell whether he was joking or not, so basically everyone silently elected to ignore him. It wasn't like he'd noticed. (He did and was highly disappointed they didn't dare ask for details.)

… "I'm sorry, Mom," I told her. "I won't scare you again."

“That's a dangerous promise to make."

Sally agreed wholeheartedly. In fact, the deep down the book-Percy could not deny that she was right: it would get much worse. Comforting, right? Especially, since Sally was adamant Percy got all the training he might need for the future trouble.

But it was the topic that no one had a heart to bring up, seeing Jason's grimace and Leo's haunted look. For all they knew, these four had seen ghosts or died or both. Not exactly a good subject to discuss during their English class on Monday.

As for Tyson, the campers treated him like a hero.

“They better be," Steven spat out, uncharacteristically dark and bitter.

Because Tyson was adorable even when he was breaking Percy's and, by extension, their hearts by announcing he'd be leaving. Now. His reasoning, though, was sound.

… I want to make things. ... You will need them."

“He is pretty smart," Peter noted under his breath.

… Luke was still out there, gathering an army aboard the Princess Andromeda.

And they were again in the land of the unknown.

A few looks were sent at Percy, but it did not seem to be the topic he'd want to discuss or joke about. He was staring at the desk, hunched and scowling while Annabeth rubbed his shoulder, equally as upset and a little faraway.

Whatever it was, they were not ready to reveal it.

Kronos was still re-forming in his golden coffin.

“Mr. Blofis, if you may," Cassandra raised her hand, cutting him off. Then, like it was the most natural thing in the world, she turned to Percy. “Spill, Jackson."

Her voice imbued with anger and something no one could pinpoint, something dark.

“What the book said."

“Jackson!"

Percy's nostrils flared up. Annabeth instantly recoiled—it was rare to see Percy get angry so fast--and sent a pleading look at Jason and Leo but a little too late. Percy was on his feet much before any of them could react, pouring years and years of pent up hurt.

“What do you want me to say!?" he yelled, startling most of the class from the daze of anticipation. Cassandra jerked up and winced. “That Luke didn't even have to do anything for the campers to leave?! That we were losing them thanks to gods' neglect?! That we were losing before the fight even started?! Because he was gaining power and followers all those goddamn years and no one lifted a finger to do anything about it?! I know all of that! I know, I know, I know. And I'm sick and tired of seeing them make same mistakes over and over again! Because they didn't care when we were dying! Because they don't care we might be exterminated next but by mortals! Because they have never changed! That's what you wanted me to say?!"

Percy took a deep breath and dropped on the seat, ignoring the pain that shot through his body as he hit his legs and elbows. He was tired. Just tired. He was exhausted and wanted no part of any of it.

“I'm going home," he announced, getting back to his feet.

No one had a heart to stop him. Not even Annabeth knew what to do about it. Her eyes kept on flickering toward the door but she made no move to follow Percy.

“He's gonna get himself expelled next," Leo stated into the silence. Annabeth’s eyes widened and she made a move to get to her feet but his hand landed right in front of her, momentarily dazzling her out of reality. “You've gotten yourself in enough trouble here. I'll go and get him. Make him stay in school no matter what, okay. Funnily enough, I have a better track record with the Principal than the three of you combined. We won't take long, promise."

The last part was said when Leo was already one foot out of the door.

It was in no way reassuring, to her or Jason if his frown was anything to go by. Annabeth found herself drumming lightly on the tabletop much after she'd started doing it—after what felt like a lifetime of deafening silence and tension so palatable, she could get stuck in it if she didn't start moving. She wanted to move. To dispose of the striking anxiety and nervousness. Her mind kept on throwing stuff at her that she could not quite catch and it was so sickening the felt like crying.

And now Percy again. Three days ago they'd been all but tied to their beds in the infirmary lest they might have flooded the camp in the blithering flames of pain and anguish as per an overworked and overdramatic Will's word. They'd been begrudging—Annabeth all but had been tranquilized for all her acting out (according to the terrified Apollo camper she had never seen before that day; a newbie)—but they'd been fine. Away from school and the book and an impending apocalypse if the omens were clear, they had had the best three days this whole year.

“I have to contact Will," she heard herself say to a dumbstruck Jason, who blinked at her words and scowled. “In for a race today?"

She had too much nervous energy. Annabeth could feel her skin crawl; her hands couldn't stop shaking and her heart in her ears had long drown out all other sounds. Maybe that's why Jason just nodded, tipping his chin at the door. He wanted out just as badly but couldn't cause Paul more trouble than they already had.

That was the problem they'd meant when Chiron had first come out with the genius idea of his. It was bound to crash and burn sooner or later, because normal life was the single unattainable thing Percy had.

“May I leave for the restroom?" she asked, already leaping to her feet and grabbing her backpack.

Jason jolted, ready to follow her, but she pulled out a coin and pushed the backpack back on the seat.

If anyone did wonder why she also grabbed that weird-looking fountain that stood in the corner and was off limits under the threat of consequences far worse than detention combined with the in-school suspension, they didn't utter a word.

When the door slammed shut once again, Jason heaved a breath. “I feel like I got stuck in a groundhog day.” He slumped on the seat and shot a glance at Paul. “Read. I'm not sure they'll be back by the end of it." If ever.

Paul, now grimacing, picked up the book and started leafing through it in search of the right page; he did it so slowly that there was no doubt in anyone's mind that he just stalled; simple as that.

But whether he wanted or not, there was no chance to avoid reading.

Eventually, we would have to fight them. He read in a defeated voice.

“Uh, what was it about again?"

“About Kronos re-forming."

If there was an echo of thunder somewhere in the far background, no one acknowledged it. They didn't know anymore how to act around anything, including grumpy clouds.

It was far easier to focus on Tyson. He was as adorable as they get, so seeing some genuine appreciation from Percy was heartwarming to almost everyone.

It was also the first time Percy called him a brother, unironically and without sarcasm.

“That's the most heartwarming moment we've seen in this book," Sarah commented, plopping her chin on her hand.

“I wonder if Percy would allow us to meet him," Steven wondered out loud.

They looked at expectantly at Jason, who jolted up and stared at them, his eyes a little wild. “Something happened?"

At least, they had decency to look away.

It was by far much more complicated to remain decent with the book. They would be the first ones to admit it had tendency to dig in too deep sometimes, divulging something Percy was obviously uncomfortable with acknowledging. For some reason, he got more flustered with the non-demigod stuff. Not that it made him open about that either.

Anyway, now would be a great time to explain Tyson's conviction that the shield would save Percy's life someday—or Percy believing that's exactly what would happen.

Jason's shrug did not clear it up, of course.

Whatever, the shield was pretty and it held everyone's attention long enough for Jason to recuperate.

Well, he thought. Because with every mention of the monster—Laistrygonians, what ever that Rainbow was, Charybdis, and the Hydra—more and more people turned toward him, expectant of the answers. Of anything.

“I wasn't there yet," he told them as though it explained everything.

… I'd miss everything about him… even him snoring like an earthquake in the next bunk all night.

“That's what's family about," Kylie commented, and this time not one soul shot her a puzzled look, not just fully agreeing but fully understanding where she might be coming from. Everyone knew she was the third in her family graduating from Goode High in just five years; she'd never shied away from encouraging them either.

Jason just sighed. It was a little more complicated than that, family.

At least, Annabeth and Grover were supportive.

… We walked back toward the dining pavilion together...

Whatever anyone said, whatever it was about, but the camp always sounded like the best place in the world with its calming appearance and eternal summer. And the Fleece now. (At that the majority of the class breathed out in relief.)

And, as always, Percy the Pessimist had to barge in and ruin the moment. This time, with his horrifying dreams of, they'd say it in whisper, Kronos taunting him like a big ancient bully that he was.

“What is he, five?" Steven threw his hands up, disgruntled at the behavior of the Titan. For all the horrors they'd read about, at the moment all immortal beings sounded like they'd jumped out of a bad coming-of-age Hallmark movie for teenagers.

Someone snorted at Steven's exasperation, but Jason only further scowled, balling his fists tighter.

“I wouldn't joke about the Titan God of Time so carelessly," he warned in a stern voice, perhaps, catching the others off guard.

Later Jason would mull over this very moment and curse the Fates and the gods for tempering with his will, because there was no believable reason for him to be so candid otherwise. Right now, however, he opened his big mouth and did everything to scare the mortals out of their wits and, most likely, scar them to death if their ashen faces and winces were any indication.

“He caused a lot of people die a gruesome, bloody death. I've lost count of reports I got about ripped apart and missing children; all because the monsters felt brave enough to go and wreck havoc, being patroned and guarded by this Titan and his power. The ruins of the Mount Tam were a recurring nightmare for weeks until I finally came to terms with them. The destruction, the bodies and debris that Typhon left were like nothing anyone had ever seen before and we witnessed them first-hand. All of that without Percy on their side. He would've doubled it by just siding with him. It's not a laughing matter; I understand you need a way of coping, but humor is not helpful when you have it watch everyone die over and over again for years on end. I've heard they had it worse, so I'd refrain from laughing at it."

Jason felt lightweight for roughly twenty-three seconds until the realization hit him right in the face like that stupid brick in the head. All he could do, however, was sigh in defeat and look at Lyssa. It was obviously she was the unofficial leader of this weird fan club of Percy's they'd created and she would be the one in charge of making important decisions.

“What do you want to know?"

Perhaps, he should have kept quiet, but he was too exhausted to fight off any of them. He still had a whole day to go through—and detention—and he wanted to get to them in one piece.

“Mount Tam?" Sarah inquired instantly.

Jason suppressed a heavy sigh. “Titans' residence. They had a palace there."

“A whole palace?" Jason nodded. “How come we've never heard of it?"

“You wouldn't. The Mist."

That ceased that line of interrogation but allowed space for other questions. Mostly about Typhon the 'You fought storm?' and a lot—too many explanations of what Typhon actually was and what it represented.

“No one knows why he awoke," Jason pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting an on-set of the nastiest headache he'd ever nursed. “He's too strong, so gods usually avoid disturbing him."

“But someone did."

Jason shrugged. “As I said, no one knows. No one is sure where he came from in the first place. His location is obscure and shrouded so no one could, well, awake him."

“But someone did."

Jason shrugged again and pressed his lips into a thin line. “Look, I wish I could help, but I know as much as you do. He… he was never our focus--"

“Who's 'we'?"

Jason flinched at the tone of Lyssa's voice. The sweetly deceptive, it covered her smugness. Jason had met enough people to be able to see those things.

“It... doesn't matter," he winced at the uncertainty in his own voice.

Gods, Grace, you've lost your touch. Only he could inadvertently trap himself by forgetting these people did not know about Romans. It was supposed to stay secret for a reason and he walked straight into that one.

“C'mon, man!" Steven whined. “You've been most helpful with these books. What's that that you don't wanna tell us?"

Jason felt his body go rigid, and he allowed that. That's where he should stop. No more revealing information! He had done enough to cause the whole of Camp Jupiter a collective heart attack.

He had to talk to them. Better today until this whole mess went out of control.

“Leave him be," he heard Lyssa order. Jason glanced at her. To his surprise, she appeared... sympathetic? He couldn't be sure, for it wasn't something she displayed often, if ever."

“Lyssa!" Steven whined.

“I said let him be!" her voice picked up in strength, now rivaling that of his own back when he'd been giving out orders on the daily basis. Gods, sometimes, just for a split moment, he missed those feelings; he missed the power and authority. But he wouldn't want to entrap himself back into the Legion if he could help himself. “He's told us enough. Mr. Blofis?"

Lyssa sent Jason a tiny, barely visible smile, which he returned, feeling immense relief surging through him.

  The titan's cold laughter filled the darkness.

Jason shuddered at the mental image; whatever relief long gone now.

How had Percy withstood it? How had he not gone insane from these dreams? The mere idea of standing in the same room as Saturn terrified him; it terrified the whole Legion, and the more he heard about him, them more Crius seemed like a better deal overall.

Then my dream changed.

Jason's eyes landed on the book. How many more dreams would they have to power through? He had never heard one demigod having as many as frequently.

They were fortunate he hadn't turned on them. They really were.

The second dream wasn't much better. It was more ominous in the twisted sense of finality and doom that drove their lives. Something especially sinister must have happened for Neptune to deliver the message directly.

… spoke two words: Brace yourself.

I woke with a start.

“That's unsettling," Sarah noted.

“Demigods' dreams are always a warning," Jason confirmed, just aggravating the discomfort everyone suddenly felt.

… Grover flew inside without waiting for permission.

"Percy!" he stammered. "Annabeth… on the hill… she…"

“What happened?"

Jason frowned, too, not sure what to prepare for. Saturn, then Neptune's warning. It must have been something big. Something… the Fleece. Of course. It would have been huge enough for a god to interfere regardless of the laws.

He cursed loudly and crossed his arms, ignoring curious looks of others.

She might have not told him what had exactly happened or how she'd gotten revived, but it was not too difficult a conclusion to make.

But Percy didn't know yet, so his mind naturally sprung to Annabeth being in trouble. All the reason to rush to help.

… "She's lying there… just lying there…"

“She's been hurt?" Jenna's voice was permeated with horror.

“It's something much worse," Sarah said darkly. Her eyes flickered to Jason, which just confirmed her theory. When you remembered the tree had once been Jason's sister, it was easy to put two and two together.

“Yeah, a zombie?" Levi's words were dripping with sarcasm, but he couldn't loosen his grip on the pen and barely moved. A tiny part of his mind might have believed that zombies were real as well, and that was the most unnerving thought in the world.

“Who could be a zombie?" Peter wondered.

“I dunno," Levi forced himself to chuckle, “that Thalia girl."

They all stared at Jason, who did not fidget; nor did he show any emotion.

“I guess we should read."

The panic book-Percy felt was all but palatable for them. They could feel his stress in every single word, and Percy hadn't yet learned what the problem was!

Whatever it was, other campers seemed to be in the same state. Even Chiron.

"Is it true?" he asked Grover.

Grover could only nod, his expression dazed.

Sarah slumped on her seat, overwhelmed by a sudden, not really typical for this book until it was too late confirmation. Perhaps, the Fleece was a myth for a reason.

The book did nothing but cause more stress. And all those struck and mournful campers? They could honestly stand behind Percy's belier the fleece might have been stolen. For all they knew, nothing in this book was out of possibility anymore.

…The storm had broken and the sky was bloodred.

Even gods being interested in the mayhem, apparently.

“He paid attention?" Jason blinked, astonished by the new tidbit.

Confused looks were ignored in favor of his own sanity. They assumed. In fact, he might have not even realized he was still surrounded by people.

…"He's tricked us again, given himself another chance to control the prophecy."

Lyssa's eyes went wide, as she'd reread her earlier entries. It was so easy! How come she'd never thought of this possibility? With the prophecy hanging over their heads, it was just natural for the enemy to throw in a wrench into everyone's plans!

"The Fleece," he said. "The Fleece did its work too well."

“How well is this 'too well'?"

Those few who did venture a glance at Jason, realized that it was too well.

…There at the base of the tree, a girl was lying unconscious.

“No way!"

Even Paul blinked at the words he'd read. Granted, he'd met Thalia, albeit once and not in the best of circumstance—nor had she stayed for long—, but he would have never guessed she might have been brought back to life by magic of Fleece.

He should have known better, honestly.

Percy's first thought was Annabeth. Obviously. Because there, in that precise moment, he didn't have the luxury of knowledge. He must have been high on adrenaline and fear as well.

They knew they'd act the same had they been in his place, questioning everything from the Fleece to the crowd and hoping his friend was all right. Despite the tree being obviously fine—which had been their goal.

“Poor Percy,” Cassandra muttered. Her neighbor nodded in agreement, their eyes trained on Paul and the book.

None of them knew how they'd react in front of Percy. It was hard enough with just Jason next to them.

"It healed the tree,"

“Some good news at last," Jenna grumbled under her breath.

…"And poison was not the only thing it purged."

A few people gasped. Others frowned, unsure of the implication. Some cast surreptitious glances at Jason, whose whole face was an image of mute astonishment.

Then I realized Annabeth wasn't the one lying on the ground.

Those who'd been watching Jason, turned back to the front and scowled.

… "It… she… just suddenly there…"

“I cannot imagine just how much of a shock it was for them."

Neither could Jason. He couldn't name his own emotions if he were being honest with himself. They kept on swirling in the wild kaleidoscope, merging with each other and leaving him no chance to just live through them. Like he should have lived through his life at Camp, and his losing memory, and the Ancient Lands, and the wars; his whole life.

He heard his bones cracking but couldn't force himself to relax the fists.

The descriptions in the book didn't make it any better. Annabeth was crying. Chiron was suspiciously uncooperative. And Percy was Percy, always rushing to help.

“How the hell is he the only one doing something?" Levi threw his hands up in exasperation. “Why are they like this?"

His whiny question was aimed at Jason, who jolted and glared at him, although with no heat.

… I had the strangest feeling I'd seen her before…

At that, Jason's frown deepened as he racked his brain for memories. Nothing came to him. No one had ever said they had known each other before this moment. It means... His eyes went wide as a wave of pure anger washed over him.

…Nobody else came close to the girl.

“They probably couldn't make sense of what they were seeing," Sarah noted, still a little perplexed at the sheer chaos of everything.

“I honestly could sympathize," Cassandra sighed.

“I seriously can't tell what I'm feeling right now," Peter added.

Jason gritted his teeth, unable to understand why he was reeling with anger.

Oh, gods, he knew exactly why he was enraged. Why had it been just Percy having any sense to help her? Why had it been only him not staring at her like a zoo animal? Why had not one person been willing to first help and then ask questions?! The Fleece or not, she'd been murdered then poisoned! She could have died right then if they stood still for longer.

A bang that echoed suspiciously like crack flew through the classroom, reverberating right back to Jason, who had has hand planted firmly to the tabletop, stiff and frozen up, glaring St the book like it were his personal enemy.

“M-Mr. Blofis?"

Paul caught on and hurried to read, praying the chapter would end soon.

… I didn't understand why everyone was acting so scared.

Jason screw his eyes shut. Percy's here. Percy's here and helping. She's okay now. She's doing fine. She's alive and well.

He needed to see her, the sooner the better. He needed to ensure she was alive and well. He needed to know she hadn't been a figment of his imagination.

… Let's get her to the Big House."

“Thank you, man," Jason all but growled out, still not moving an inch.

Because there was nothing to be glad about. Because Percy was still the only one helping. He was the one doing something and trying to make sure she'd be okay!

The back of Jason's head pinched. He needed to move. He needed to move now to ensure she was all right. He needed to see her being fine. Because she wasn't fine. She couldn't even remember her time as a tree!

“Her last memory is her... dying?" Lyssa's eyes widened for a split moment before she schooled her expression. That was horrifying.

Muffle thud in the back of the class was simply a big confirmation of that. Jason must be livid.

"No," I assured her. "You're okay. What's your name?"

In didn't come out as a surprise that Percy knew already. Somehow everything about it made sense despite them having less that nothing to draw conclusions from. Somehow Kronos having Plan B was the most natural thing in the world.

–another chance to control the prophecy.

He was always one step ahead it seemed.

Someone hiccupped loudly, momentarily breaking the tense silence of the room, which allowed Paul to recuperate and continue reading.

... And I was holding someone who was destined to be my best friend, or possibly my worst enemy.

Jason blinked, having been pulled out of his anger. Just for a moment, but it was enough to remind him it might be the end of the chapter and he'd be allowed to leave soon.

Which he was fully ready to do.

"I am Thalia," the girl said. "Daughter of Zeus."

Paul snapped the book shut just in time for Jason to leap to his feet.

Without a single word, not wasting any time, he rushed to the door and disappeared into the hallway.