12 || Tᴀʟᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ sᴇᴇʀ

"At least give us a boat?" I asked.

"The son of Perseus asks for a boat, Ha-ha." Octavian laughed.

"Shut up, Octavian." Octavian shut up due to an animalistic glare from Reyna.

You will get a boat, nothing else."

We nodded.

"Questors, get going."

We walked outside the building, and walked towards the border of the area.

"A quest, after so long." Terminus spoke.

"Take your weapons, kids. You will need it." We nodded.

We stepped out of the border, and New Rome vanished from sight, it became a wall.

The quest begins now. We are not safe now, anything can happen.

-OO-

Perseus just took a subway to the docks, and was talking to Hazel about Roman history.

"Hey Hazel, can you tell me how the ancient Romans came to be, and why the Titans are ruling right now?"

"Sure." She said sweetly.

"Originally, one of the strongest countries was Greece. There was peace and prosperity when the Titans ruled the Earth. The gods got greedy, except for the younger Olympians, Hades and Hestia. They both were blackmailed. The war lasted for ten years. But almost all the Titans were killed, except for your dad. He was the strongest enemy the gods had faced. But with the help of Metis, they imprisoned him. When the second Titanomachy came into place, your father was freed. He killed the gods alone. He asked us to not participate in the war, as he would have to kill us, and the legacy of Rome would be finished. So once the war was over, we started to worship the Titans."

"Oh. So, the Titans were good?"

"Yes, Percy." She sighed.

The computer in the trains announced that we had reached the station. As the doors opened with a hiss, we got out.

We walked towards the docks, and we couldn't see many ships.

As we walked further, we found a small boat covered with a shade, and the sign SPQR written on it.

As Frank took out the cover, we were shocked.

"You have got to be kidding me." Frank murmured.

It was just a small boat, and it could barely fit all of us.

"It's okay. I can ask for a favour."

I touched the cold water, and asked. "Uncle Oceanus, we have a quest to free Thanatos. Could you help with our sea travel?"

We waited for a moment, but nothing happened. As we almost lost hope, the water started to turn clearer.

Then the boat seemingly enlarged. And it started to repair and clean itself.

The engine started automatically, as if it was just waiting for my command. I had an idea, so I thought of untying the rope.

The rope unravelled itself from the pier, and looped itself on the floor of the ship.

"Nice." I commented, and sent a thanks to Lord Oceanus.

"Come on guys." I told them, before jumping in the boat.

As both of them sat down, I started thinking about moving the boat.

We raced into the international waters at 15 nautical miles per second. I noticed Hazel looking a little sick, and for the first time I noticed a strange aura coming out from her.

I should ask her about it after Frank sleeps.

"Hazel, why are you looking sick?" I asked her.

"Oh, I am. Well... I have sea sickness."

"Why didn't you tell me this during the meeting?" I was exasperated.

"I didn't want to stop you. This was the only amenity they gave us. If I said no, how would we travel?"

"Fine. But anything we do, and you have some problem, just tell us."

She nodded.

-OO-

It had been a few hours, and it was around 10 in the night.

"I am going to sleep guys, good night." Frank said while yawning.

"Good night, Frank." Hazel replied sweetly.

Now was the moment to pop the question.

"Hey Hazel." I asked her.

"Yes Percy." She replied.

"Have you been to the underworld recently?" I asked innocently.

Her eyes widened, and she looked around frantically, before she asked me.

"How did you know?"

"My father is the Titan of Death. And I sense death inside you. Would you mind enlightening me?"

"Fine, I will tell you from the start. So... I was born on December 17th, 1928." I looked surprised, but I kept my composure.

"I was born out of a wish. Pluto met my mother due to a spell. But they fell in love, and I was born. But then he disappeared. I was the definition of bad luck. With my mere presence, any diamond present nearby would just pop out. If somebody other than me touched it, they would have some serious bad luck on them. My mother was a fortune-teller. I was bullied because of this, due to bad luck. But Gaia influenced my mother's thoughts. Even though Pluto tried to stop her, she went through with it. We settled in Alaska, the land beyond the gods. Gaia was trying to rise during that time. In Alaska, she blackmailed me to come to a cave. Whenever any diamond, or any minerals popped up due to me, she used it to respawn Alcyoneus. I destroyed the cave, drowning all us in the oil present. After staying in the fields of asphodel, I was resurrected by Nico."

"Who is Nico?"

"He is the son of Pluto. He is my half-brother."

"Oh. Why wasn't he at camp?"

"He is in the underworld; he is helping dad."

"Oh." Was my brilliant reply.

"So... is there a Greek camp?" I asked stupidly.

"Maybe, maybe not. Though there are rumours that there is one. When Rome fell, one part was left. The east, which was Greek territory. It was called Byzantine. Though it always held more Greek than Rome. Hence, we always settle in the west."

"Hmm. When did you join the legion?"

"About a few months ago. But then our second praetor vanished."

"What was his name?"

"Jason. He was the only son of Jupiter present in the legion. He disappeared around October."

"God! So much information." I clutched my head playfully, while Hazel just chuckled.

"Now I need to get some sleep. Good night, Hazel. Try to take in some fresh air, you will feel better."

I went down to the ships' halls. There were 3 rooms, each for each of us.

I started to find mine, it was at the end of the row.

As I entered the room, it was blank. A note was pasted on a nearby wall, 'You can choose your decoration. It will be as good as your imagination.'

I went towards the post-it, and ripped it off the wall.

I thought about my powers, my feelings, and my memories. With a swish, the room changed to what I thought was the best.

The ceiling showed the universe, the revolving planets. The bed was white, with a black blanket covering it. It was not that big, barely a queen sized, but I do not require, or want such luxury. I like it simple.

The right-side walls showed pure darkness, while the left-side walls showed pure white.

With a sigh, I jumped onto the bed, and laid my head down. Though my head was buried in my comfortable, and unavoidably soft blanket, I started to think about my dream, the quest, and my future.

Would I survive to see my girlfriends? Would I impress my father? Would I be able to free Thanatos, and stop him from taking Hazel back to the world of the dead?

The water rustled around the ship, and gave off a soothing sound. Hearing that music, I fell off to the realm of Somnia.

I woke up with my two questers shaking me awake.

"Percy. Percy. Get up, we reached Portland."

Still not reacting, Frank 'accidentally' pushed me from the bed.

I fell on my nose, "FRANK ZHANG!" I screamed.

"Sorry. Still not used to this new found Atlas strength."

I huffed. "We reached Portland?"

They nodded. "Then let us find this Phineas guy."

I groggily stood up, before we all went to the upper deck.

As the fresh air hit us, our sinuses cleansed, and everything felt livider. Our boat stopped at the pier, and its rope tangled itself to a nearby stand.

I shadow travelled us down to the docks, and we walked up to a nearby café. We ordered our lunch, and when we were going to go sit on a table, we heard someone shouting.

"Just leave me alone you stupid harpies."

The word 'Harpies' caught our attention. We went around the restaurant to find a middle-aged guy, who looked kind of skinny, and was hitting the birds -which were roaming above him- with a weed wacker.

He wore a black robe, and had blind people's goggles on him.

"Hey." I called out to him.

He stopped, before he creepily turned his head towards me.

"Ahh. Perseus. Darkness itself. Gaia told me about you."

"Gaia?" I asked him, before looking towards Hazel, who was going pale.

"Yes, Perseus. Mother Earth is awakening. And she just goes on and on about you. How strong you are, how the Giants are ants compared to you. She wanted you to join her, but unfortunately, you are too loyal."

"Why is it unfortunate for me?" I asked.

"Because you will get destroyed with the Titans too."

"How do you know that?"

"I was given the gift of Time. I can see the past, the present and the future. Even though I am a little unsure right now, I am positive you will fade."

"If you know the past, present and the future, you would know where Alcyoneus is residing, right?" I questioned.

"I do know where the king is, but why would I tell you?"

"The Gorgon's blood. Blood from the right hand can heal anything, while blood from the left hand can kill anything." A male voice whispered in my brain.

I trusted my instinct, and went with it.

"Do you know the legends of Gorgon blood?"

"Ahh yes. The blood from the right hand can heal anything, and the blood from the left hand can kill anything."

"If you are a seer, you should know that I have two bottles of Gorgon blood. And that I do not know which is which. Do you like to gamble?" I smirked.

"Gamble? Why not? You can't cheat. Give me a napkin, I will write the location."

I handed him a napkin from a nearby table, and he wrote something down on it, then he put it inside a pocket in his robe.

"Put the two vials on the table, and let me feel them."

I pulled two vials out of the shadows, and put them on the table. Frank and Hazel looked panicked. I kept a calm face, which I think was to reassure them, or me. I don't really know.

I sent my thoughts into the ground, Gaia. You said you would kill me. And Phineas said I am important to you. You decide what is more important to you. Me, or this son of Neptune.

I felt the ground tremble a little, "This one. I choose this one." Phineas acclaimed.

He took out the lid, and drank it. While I did it at the same time.

I drank the other vial, and I felt immense pain. My world stopped for a minute; this was the last time I got to see this world. I opened my eyes, and was about to give up, but the pain stopped.

"I can feel it. I can feel it! My eyesight is returning, it is... AHHH!" he writhed in pain. I felt relief flood through my veins, and into my brain.

He started melting, and he was about to get the napkin, before his body fell as a pile of ash.

I was about to go to him, before I felt a hard slap on my left cheek. Hazel was on the verge of tears, "Are you fucking mad, Percy? How could you gamble like that? This was not money; this was your life. You could have died."

I felt regret and guilt seep into my soul. I got up, and hugged her. She cried into my chest, as she was much smaller than me.

I could feel the envious eye of Frank Zhang. Oh, I see. He has a crush on her.

"It's okay, Hazel. I am alive." I spoke.

"Do not do anything like that again. Am I understood?" she spoke, while sniffing.

"Yes ma'am." I saluted.

She let out a chuckle, while I gave a smirk.

"Now I think we should see where our friendly neighbourhood giant is resting."

I went near the ash of Phineas' body, and put my hand in the pocket of that black robe. I found the Napkin, and a place was named. 'Hubbard glacier.'

"Do you guys know about this 'Hubbard Glacier'?"

"Oh, yes. It is one big, famous glacier in Alaska. But it is close to the Canadian border."

"Good. But we will still have to travel through the sea, sorry Hazel."

"It is okay, Percy. It is not your fault."

"Guys. What is going on between you?" spoke Frank.

"Are you like... like girlfriend and boyfriend?" he asked while glaring at me.

"Frank! Why would you think that? He is like a big brother to me. He found out that I was sea sick, hence he is just trying to take care of me." Hazel roared.

"Oh. Sorry." He held his ears.

"Leave it, Hazel. It is not his fault, he didn't know. Let's just forgive and forget, okay?"

She nodded, while Frank mouthed a Thank you.

I winked at him, and when Hazel could not see, I made a Heart shape out of my hand, and pointed it towards Hazel. Frank blushed at that, and hid his head.

I let out a chuckle.

"Guys, we have to get going. Do we know where to go next?"

"Yes. We have to go to... hide!" he whispered in the last part.

"We have to go to hide?" I asked incredulously.

"Shut up dude. Do you see those monsters?" He whispered from inside the restaurant.

"That's a fucking army." I exclaimed, shocked.

"There is a giant leading them. We need to contact Reyna as soon as possible." He spoke.

I got an idea.

"We can ask the goddess Iris."

"Isn't she a Greek goddess?" asked Frank.

"So what? She is the main messenger of the Titans, and was the main messenger of the Gods."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't know. Since I drank that Gorgon blood, I can remember some things."

"Fine. But how do we do it?"

"Umm... umm... do you have a Drachma?"

"How would we have a Greek coin?"

"Oh, yes. Do you have any Denarii?"

"Yes."

"Then give it to me."

Frank put his hand inside his small carry bag, and searched it around, before he took out a Denarii. Denarii was the currency of ancient Rome.

I used the shadows to transport the falling water of some fountain here, "Oh lady Arcus, please show me Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano in Camp Jupiter, California. Accept this gracious Denarii as a sacrifice."

The rainbow made by the water, started to turn transparent in the middle, and it showed Reyna in the shower, naked.

"PERSEUS JACKSON!" she screamed.

Frank's mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Hazel turned us on our backs, while also turning. We waited for Reyna to get clothed, before we turned back again.

"What the heck was that, Percy?"

"It was called Iris messaging by the Greeks. As her Roman name is Arcus, we tried the same with her. It is an effective way to message, and only Arcus will know what we talk about. Also, you should know, she is a very introverted, and shy kind of goddess."

Dangerous lightning flashed in the sky. I just rolled my eyes at it.

"Okay... but why did you call me, when I was in the shower."

"Umm... sorry about that, Reyna. We don't exactly know your schedule. Anyway, a hoard of monsters is coming your way. Like hundreds. And Frank identified the leader as a giant. We don't know who that is, but he is very dangerous."

"Okay. I will identify the legion. But we may not survive, I want you to go to Seattle. You will find the Amazon's there. Ask for Hylla, she is my sister. Show her this... wait, how do I transport this ring to you?"

"Throw it in a nearby shadow."

I held out my hand, and she did what I told her to do. The ring instantly popped in my hands.

"This is mine. Show her this. Say that I sent you. Know they are not friendly with many boys. They are like the Hunter's of Diana, but they have boyfriends and all... but they are like captive and all... and, why am I explaining this to you?"

We all laughed at her innocence.

"Anyway, do this work, and ask her for- "

I cut her out.

"-Reinforcements."

"Correct. Now goodbye Percy. I hope you bring fortune to the legion."

"Thank you, Reyna. Bye."

I swiped at the mist, the rainbow fell, and the connection broke.

"Well... our turn takes us to Seattle."

"Yes. I think you should talk to whoever gave us that yacht." Hazel offered.

"Yep."

We entered the docks, and found our yacht still floating on the pier. We went towards it, but when Frank and Hazel started climbing, I bent down, and put my hand in the water.

"I hope you can hear me, uncle. So, there is a change of plans. We have to go to Seattle. A hoard of monsters is coming the camp's way, and they would kill them. We have to find and ask the Amazon's for help. Thank you for all your help in this journey. Just... help us, thank you."

I put my hand out of the water, and climbed up on the ship.

"Take out your crotch armour, Zhang. We are going to meet the Amazonians." I yelled at Frank.

He smiled, but had an uneasy look. I could feel him, our crotches were in danger here.

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