𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟔: PERCY AND...PERSEUS?

"The Ungodly Hour shall decide his days..."

     PRESENT

     FOR ONCE ERIS LEWIS WASN'T SCARED OF GOING ON A QUEST.

    Was it risky? Yes. But now Eris knew her fate, she knew what to expect. Was she nervous? Yeah, but she wasn't scared. Or at least not as scared as she used to be.

    "You seem content," Hippolyta observed out loud, swinging her axe in Eris's direction only for Eris to practically bend her body in half to dodge. "I expected you to be more...panicked about being asked on another quest. You are not one for violence."

Eris frowned her spear clashed against Hippolyta's axe. "I guess it's because I know what to expect now...the daughter of dead shall feel pain worst than death...I...I'm not calm but...I think I'm ready...you've been training me and...plus...Annabeth is my friend...I..I don't think I would feel right not helping her. Besides it's not like I have a choice, I'm mentioned in the prophecy I have to go. Actually—"

    For some reason what Apollo said arrived into her mind.

"Oh and when you get the chance ask one of your spirits about a technique called 'The Ungodly Hour' it's painful as hell but it's pretty—"

     "What's is the Ungodly Hour?" Eris blurted out just as Hippolyta aimed a kick in her direction.

    Hippolyta froze, "Excuse me?" She lowered her leg and axe, allowing her arm to fall to her side as she stared at Eris wide-eyed almost as if she was scared. It was weird, Hippolyta wasn't scared of anything but for some reason just Eris mentioning The Ungodly Hour made Hippolyta look like she was about to piss her pants.

    Eris frowned, "Um...the Ungodly Hour," Hippolyta flinched, "it...Apollo mentioned it when I met him...what is that?"

    "I-I'm afraid I cannot say," Hippolyta said nervously.

     "You can't say or you won't say?" Eris asked. "Is...Is it bad? I don't understand why can't you just tell me."

    "I-I...I am afraid I must leave," Hippolyta said quickly, attaching her sword to her back.

    "What? But Hippolyta—"

    In an instant Hippolyta was gone and Eris stood there stunned and wide-eyed.

   What the hell was the Ungodly Hour and why was Hippolyta so scared?

   "ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?" Nico asked for what seemed like the thousandth time as he watched Eris pack her clothes.

"I'll be fine," she replied softly, shoving her sketchbook in her backpack before zipping it up. "You shouldn't worry so much." She told him as she put on her backpack.

Nico frowned, "But what if a monster tries to eat you or something? I won't be there to protect you," he pouted.

Eris smiled a bit. "I really appreciate that you want to protect me," she said, squatting a bit to be at Nico's height level, "But you can trust me. This isn't the first time I've been on a quest...I'll be okay plus Zoë, Bianca and Thalia will be there. I won't be alone."

"But I wanna go!"

Eris frowned, "I...I know but you don't have any experience yet and—"

"Neither does Bianca."

...he wasn't wrong. But truthfully, Eris didn't think Bianca should be going on the quest either. Demigods with not even two weeks of training shouldn't be going on a quest, it was just risky. At least when Eris and her friends went on a quest they had basic training, Bianca was trained but she still lacked the experience that other hunters had.

"You're right and honestly...I don't think Bianca should be going either," Eris said hesitantly, "but tell you what, I'll go on a quest with you when you're older, okay?"

Suddenly the door opened and Chiron stood there with a cell phone in hand. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Eris quickly shook her head, "Um...no. What's up?" She asked.

"I thought you may want to give a call to your foster parents before your leave. Though I don't allow phones on campus I'm aware they're mortals so this one time I will allow you to use a phone," Chiron told her.

Eris hesitantly took the phone from his hands and thanked him before stepping out of the Art Cabin and dialing Lena's number.

It didn't even take two rings for Lena to pick up the phone, "Lena Robinson speaking!"

Eris cleared her throat, "Um...hi," she said quietly, "it's..Eris."

"Hi, honey!" Lena said cheerfully, "how's your camping trip? You're okay right? I don't need to come down there and—"

"No! No!" Eris said quickly because she knew that Lena actually would drive out into the middle of the woods. "I'm okay...really...I just wanted to say hi. How's Katherine?"

"She's good! More stressed than usual, I think she misses you but you know how she is. Too stubborn to admit that she's a person with feelings. But how have you been?"

"I-I'm okay...I'm having a lot of fun. I met some people too, they're nice."

"That's good I—" Suddenly there was a loud scream and the sound of something loud crashing in the background, "Dammit Jackie I told you to unplug the flat iron I— Eris, honey, I'm sorry an emergency just came up. I'll have to call you later okay? I love you!"

Lena hung up and Eris stared at the phone with wide eyes.

"Y-You what?" She muttered.

    Never had she ever heard Lena or Katherine say the loved her. It has only been two months since she moved in with them. She knew they cared about her but...to love her. That was something else.

    "Essence."

    She turned to see Chiron appearing beside her. She handed him the phone. "Thanks," she muttered.

   Chiron eyed her, "Is something the matter?" He asked.

Eris bit her lip, "No...I...actually...Apollo mentioned something to me and I was wondering if you could tell me what it is because Hippolyta won't. Do you know what The Ungodly Hour is because—"

"Oh would you look at the time," Chiron interrupted her looking a bit pale. "It's almost time for your departure. Come along."

"But—"

"Come along," Chiron said this time firmly and Eris didn't hesitate to follow him.

THE VAN WAS FILLED WITH AWKWARD SILENCE.

Well...the drive to Manhattan wasn't that awkward. Zoë and Bianca were having a quiet conversation in the front seat while Thalia and Eris sat in the back with Grover in the middle. Thalia hadn't said a word since yesterday's kiss and avoided Eris like the plague.

Eris didn't know exactly what to say. She wanted to talk to Thalia about the kiss because though she didn't have feelings for Thalia she felt like Thalia deserved to know her honest feelings. The last thing Eris would ever want to do is lead someone on.

At the request of Bianca for a bathroom break Zoë reluctantly pulled over to a gas station.

For some reason as Eris wondered around the store with at least a years worth of candy in her arms she couldn't help but feel like someone was watching her.

"That'll be 39.50," The cashier said.

Only Eris Lewis would spend over thirty bucks on candy.

Eris blushed and fished around in her wallet for anything but found it empty, "Sorry, I'll just put them ba—" but then her pocket felt a bit heavy. She frowned and pulled out two twenties that most certainly were not there before.

Weird.

She gathered her candy and gave the rest of the money as a tip before hurting after the others who were already leave.

"I did a tracking spell with a couple of across," Grover said. "We should be able to find her.

"Grover, are you sure?" Thalia asked.

"Well...pretty sure. Ninety-nine percent. Okay, eighty-five percent."

"And you did this with acorns?" Bianca asked, like she couldn't believe it.

Grover looked offended. "It's a time-honored tracking spell. I mean, I'm pretty sure I did it right."

"D.C. is about sixty miles from here," Bianca said. "Nico and I..." She frowned. "We used to live there. That's...that's strange. I'd forgotten."

At the mention of Nico's name Eris couldn't help but miss him a bit. She'd take him to McDonald's again when she got back to camp.

"I dislike this," Zoë said. "We should go straight west. The prophecy said west."

"Oh, like your tracking skills are better?" Thalia growled.

Zoë stepped toward her. "You challenge my skills, you scullion? You know nothing of being a Hunter!"

Here we go. Eris didn't know exactly what their deal was but both of them had been at each other's throats for what seemed like forever and it was seriously annoying.

"Oh, scullion? You're calling me a scullion? What the fuck is a scullion?"

Eris sighed, "Please guys," she said a bit firmly, stepping between them. "I...I understand you don't get along but we need to get along to finish this quest. You don't have to like each other but you need to respect each other."

Thalia pointedly looked away and Eris immediately felt guilty. She just wished Thalia would talk to her.

"Eris's right," Bianca said. "Plus D.C. is our best bet."

Zoë didn't look convinced, but she nodded reluctantly. "Very well. Let us keep moving."

"You're going to get us arrested, driving," Thalia grumbled. "I look closer to sixteen than you do."

"Perhaps," Zoë snapped. "But I have been driving since automobiles were invented. Let us go."

The next place Zoë took them to was the Washington Monument. She parked the van
at the curb.

Grover looked around before finally spotting it, "There," he pointed to   one of the big buildings lining the Mall. Thalia nodded, and the five of them trudged off into the cold wind. They were here to try to follow Artemis's trail.

They stopped at a big building that said NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM.

Thalia checked the door. It was open, but there weren't many people going in. Too cold, and school was out of session. They slipped inside.

    But Eris couldn't help but feel...something was off.

    THE MAIN PART OF THE MUSEUM WAS HUGE.Three levels of balconies curled around, so you could look at the exhibits from all different heights. The place wasn't crowded, just a few families and a couple of tour groups of kids, probably doing one of those holiday school trips.

    Nothing happened until—

Eris yelped as something ran into her back, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule.

"Eris!" Thalia called worriedly.

Grover yelped in surprise.

Eris pushed herself up, "I'm good," someone's hand was suddenly in front of her face and without looking she took their hand. "Um thanks—" her throat suddenly felt dry and her face felt hot when she looked up only to see Percy Jackson. "U-Uh, H-Hi. Nice seeing you around..."

Percy cleared his throat, "Nice to see you too, Sweets."

Sweets. Normally the nickname didn't have a massive affect on her but now Eris felt like she was going to pass out. Something about Percy Jackson made Eris Lewis tongue-tied.

Zoë on the other hand did not seem happy about his appearance at all nor did she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow. "You! How dare you show thy face here?"

"Percy!" Grover said. "Thank goodness."

Zoë glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You're not supposed to be here!"

"Luke," Percy replied. "He's here."

    Eris swore under her breath. She knew something was wrong. She just didn't know what it was. But why would Luke be here of all places?

The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet. "Where?"

Percy told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General.

"The General is here?" Zoë looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

"Why would I lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors—"

"What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?"

"Twelve," Percy said. "And that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster."

"We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent...She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet."

"Zoë," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General—"

"It cannot be!" Zoë snapped. "Percy must have seen an Iris-message or some other illusion."

"Illusions don't crack marble floors," Percy told her.

Zoë took a deep breath, "If Percy is telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible...We must leave now."

"Good idea," Percy said.

"I was not including thee, boy," Zoë said. "You are not part of this quest."

"Hey, I'm trying to save your lives!"

"You shouldn't have come, Percy," Thalia said grimly. "But you're here now. Come on. Let's get back to the van."

"That is not thy decision!" Zoë snapped.

Thalia scowled at her. "You're not the boss here, Zoë. I don't care how old you are! You're still a conceited little brat!"

Eris groaned, "Guys, stop please," She said a bit loudly and both of them turned their attention to her. "We don't have time to argue...I understand you hate each other but if what Percy said is true we need to go now."

Then everyone froze. And there was a growl so someone would havethought one of the rocket engines was starting up.

Below them, a few adults screamed. A little kid's voice screeched with delight: "Kitty!"

Something enormous bounded up the ramp. It was the size of a pick-up truck, with silver claws and golden glittering fur.

Eris swallowed and took a step back but Thalia put a hand on her shoulder. "The Nemean Lion," Thalia said. "Don't move."

"Separate on my mark," Zoë said. "Try to keep it distracted."

"Until when?" Grover asked.

"Until I think of a way to kill it. Go!"

Eris didn't miss a beat. She yanked of her necklace and moved towards the side lines already in the process of summoning a spirit.

The lion swiped the capsule and tipped it on its side, spilling the Hunters off the back. Grover played a frantic, horrible tune, and the lion turned toward him, but Thalia stepped into its path, holding up Aegis, and the lion recoiled. "ROOOAAAR!"

"Hi-yah!" Thalia said. "Back!"

The lion growled and clawed the air, but it retreated as if the shield were a blazing fire.

"Hey!" Percy charged the beast. He slashed with Riptide, a good strike to the flank that should've cut the monster into Meow Mix, but the blade just clanged against its fur in a burst of sparks.

Eris swallowed and then—

Someone grabbed Percy and yanked him off the lion with the back of his shirt. Hippolyta sat him down a couple feet away, "You must be more careful, boy." She told him before taking off her axe and she lunged.

Hippolyta never lost, at least that was what Eris thought but as she watched the fight she couldn't help but think Hippolyta was losing. Badly.

No matter how many swipes Hippolyta made at it or as many times she stabbed him nothing would slow down that beast.

"Mistress!" Hippolyta screamed as she dodged a hit from the lion. "My attacks are not doing proficient damage, you may have to retreat!"

"I—"

Then Eris could only watch with wide eyes as the lion swiped at Hippolyta stomach, cutting it open and causing it to bleed. The wound must have been deep because Hippolyta fell to the ground like she had just been shot. And she wasn't getting up.

Logically, in the back of her head Eris knew that Hippolyta couldn't die. But she knew her spirits could feel pain. Hippolyta was tough so that wound must have been deep.

And she also felt guilt because Hippolyta wouldn't be hurt right now if Eris hadn't relied on her so much.

Hippolyta was some how able to manage to her feet, "I am alright!" She announced readying her axe. She lunged again but Eris knew it was hopeless.

The lion was just two strong for her there was no way for one sprit to win unless—

Unless I summon two spirits.

Eris had never tried this before. She didn't even know if it was possible but if she could summon a second spirit to help Hippolyta they'd win for sure.

"Distract him!" Eris yelled after a moment, "I have an idea!"

"We're on it!"

Eris bit her lip and concentrated. She took a deep breath and allowed only the name of the spirit she was summoning to enter her mind. Her body trembled slightly and sweat poured down her body it she wasn't in pain.

Hippolyta seemed to take notice of her glowing hair and eyes because she shouted, "Mistress, you mustn't! Summon two is impossible you are better off simply—"

Something exploded and smoke covered the room making every cough and try to wave their hands to remove the thick smoke.

"Well this is fucking interesting," a deep voice came. Eris held her breath.

She had actually done it. Eris couldn't help but smile a bit, actually feeling proud of herself .

Standing there in the center was a tall Asian man with lit cigarette in his mouth. His black hair was slicked back effortlessly and he wore an expensive looking leather jacket with a white shirt underneath. His jeans were as dark as night and he wore thick looking boots. There was no mistaking he was handsome.

But what caught her attention was the long black rifle that was attached to his breath.

    Hippolyta seemed to lost her ability to speak properly, "Gods...Mistress you actually—"

    "Who are you?" Percy asked.

   The man eyed him disinterestedly and blew out some cigarette smoke, "Perseus," he said shortly, "Who the fuck are you?"

    Before Percy could answer the lion roared again and Perseus rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Hold you're fucking horses. Jesus," he took the rifle off of his back and they watched with wide eyes as the rifle turned into a larger gun. "Let's make this quick, 'ight. My wife's got dinner on the stove and I'm not in the mood to hear her mouth if I'm late. Kay'?"

    The lion roared again and a whirling sound came from Perseus's gun and then—

   BAM!

   A shot of black energy came out of his gun and landed right into the lion's mouth. The lion's eyes got wide and it gagged like a cat with a hairball. The lion's eyes bugged. It opened its mouth wide and reared up on its back paws. The lion thrashed wildly, turned, and fell backward. And then it was still.

   Alarms wailed throughout the museum. People were flocking to the exits. Security guards were running around in a panic with no idea what was going on.

     Grover knelt at Thalia's side and helped her up. She seemed okay, just a little dazed. Zoë and Bianca dropped from the balcony and landed next to Percy.

    Perseus sighed, " So fucking annoying," he muttered, pushing his hair back into place before turning his attention to Eris. "So you're famous Essence Lewis huh? Nice to meet ya'."

"Um...thanks."

"She summoned two spirits," Hippolyta muttered, "this has never happened before. She's progressing too quickly. We are supposed to have another year," She looked at Perseus, "we must leave now. There is much that all of us need to discuss," she turned to Eris, "We shall see you another time."

"What? But wait! What do you mean—"

Perseus winked at her and then they were both gone. Eris sighed as her body slumped against the wall, it felt like all of the energy in her body was drained.

"Nice work, Sweets," Percy said making Eris blush.

The lion seemed to be melting, the way dead monsters do sometimes, until there was nothing left but its glittering fur coat, and even that seemed to be shrinking to the size of a normal lion's pelt.

"Take it," Zoë told Eris.

Percy stared at her. "What, the lion's fur? Isn't that, like, an animal rights violation or something?"

"It is a spoil of war," she told him. "It is rightly thine."

Eris shook her head, "I don't want it," she said quietly as Grover helped her stand. "Percy can have it."

Percy lifted it up; it was surprisingly light. As  he watched, the pelt shifted and changed into a coat—a full- length golden-brown duster.

"Not exactly my style," He murmured.

"We have to get out of here," Grover said. "The security guards won't stay confused for long."

Suddenly Eris noticed how strange it was that the guards hadn't rushed forward to arrest us. They were scrambling in all directions except ours, like they were madly searching for something. A few were running into the walls or each other.

"You did that?" Percy asked Grover.

He nodded, looking a little embarrassed. "A minor confusion song. I played some Barry Manilow. It works every time. But it'll only last a few seconds."

"The security guards are not our biggest worry," Zoë said. "Look."

Through the glass walls of the museum, Eris could see a group of men walking across the lawn. Gray men in gray camouflage outfits.

"Go," Percy said. "They'll be hunting me. I'll distract them."

Eris frowned, "No way...Zoë we can't just leave him here."

"Eris Lewis is correct," Zoë said. "We go together."

Percy stared at her. "But, you said—"

"You are part of this quest now," Zoë said grudgingly. "I do not like it, but there is no changing fate. You are the fifth quest member. And we are not leaving anyone behind."

Thank you for reading!

Please comment it helps me update faster.

I hate this chapter with a boiling passion, I'm so sorry if you guys don't like it. If you don't like it please let me know and I will rewrite.

How do you guys feel about the story so far?

Also, I've mentioned this in chapter 3 but Eris randomly finds money when she needs it because Hades is also the god of wealth.

Also, I feel like some of you are gonna be a bit mad at me for what happens to Percy and Eris at the end but this part of the book is about Eris's feelings coming to realization and her learning to love herself.

Sorry it took me so long to update! I love you all!

Also if any of you are interested I have a My Hero Academi fanfic posted on my account!

I love you all!