When he came back Esdeath pushed Percy against a wall. She was his age, but he felt she could crush his chest with a push if she wanted. Her eyes began to glow icy blue and Percy felt like she could turn him into a popsicle.

“What did the thing say exactly?” Percy’s ears were still tingling from the reptilian voice and now he felt he might die. He stuttered to answer, but he tried to keep it secret.

“She…she said I would go west and face a god who had turned. I would retrieve what was stolen and see it safely returned.”

Grover jumped in joy, but Esdeath had been learning interrogation as every group needed one. She stopped smiling and looked right at him. “Anything else?”

She look terrifying and the temperature began to drop and Percy felt the chill on his chest. Percy didn’t want to say.. That a friend would betray him? Kurayami looked at him and smirked.

“Just say it, was there anything else? Trust me, she can be VERY persuasive.” Percy shook his head.

“No,” He said. “That’s about it.” Esdeath smiled and grabbed his wrist and twisted it with a terrifying crack. Percy screamed in pain, and Chiron and Grover were going to stop her, but Kurayami spoke up. “I would say the truth, or Esdeath will break your hand.” He struggled, but relented as the pain was to much.

“IT SAID I WILL BETRAYED BY ONE I CONSIDER FRIEND. LET ME GO. Please.”

She let go and now Chiron frowned. “And you kept that to yourself. While I don’t approve of the method it is good that is out. What you need to know is oracles shave double meaning, so don’t think to deep into them.”

Percy rubbed his nearly broken wrist and felt like crying. Kurayami spoke up. “Well, I can’t be that friend as I never thought of you as a friend. I’m only doing this until I get my paycheck”. Percy felt a little sad and looked at the rest. Raynare shrugged while Akeno could care less.

He sighed. “Who is the god in the west?” Chiron pointed to his head. “Think Percy, If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to gain?”

Kurayami looked up and sighed. “Their are only two gods who would be fine with this. Hades and Ares. A god of the dead and war would love such a fight breaking out.” Chiron shoo his head.

“No, I do not think Ares would go so far. Let’s see what we know, Fury came after him ,and watched him until she was sure and then tried to kill him. Furies obey only one lord: Hades. also the hellhound got into the forest,” Chiron continued. “Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone within the camp. He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name.”

Chiron continued. “If Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt he must have hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. However Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth.”

Akeno and Raynare broke out laughing and even Kurayami and Esdetah were trying to keep their laugh at bay. Kurayami pointed at Percy. “Him? He can’t even defend himelf and is weaker than even a low class Grim Reaper.” Percy was bright red and Esdeath nodded.

“No training, only some control over water, lacks mental fortitude, rash and dumb. Not only did he try to keep important info hidden, Chion you seriously think he can make Hades do anything? Hades is in the top ten and stronger than Zeus.”

Percy was getting made fun off, but when they heard that Hades was stronger than Zeus that was a shock. Except the sky did not get angry, it was all true. Kurayami looked around

. “So we retrieve the Masterbolt. Return it to Zeus. I get my paycheck and I no longer baby sit the kid, So where do we go? The Oracle just said to go west. I want our paycheck and go back home.” Chiron explained.

“The entrance to the Underworld is always in the west. It moves from age to age, just like Olympus. Right now, of course, it’s in America. As for Hades being stronger we keep that secret.”

Akeno looked annoyed. “Stop speaking in riddles and just tell us where?” Chiron a little salty. “It’s tradition any way. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles.” Kurayami smiled. “Sure. This is easy I just teleport us their and we are done.” Chiron slammed his hand down. “And mess with destiny. You shouldn’t even be involved.”

Esdeath smiled with a mocking tone. “Fate and destiny is a load of shit. Our goal is to become the strongest and obeying Fate is a fools errand.” Chiron looked at her and didn’t know what to say. Kurayami thought about stuff and sighed. “I will drive us their. Magic is good for many things.”

Percy remembered the S.U.V from earlier. “We driving in the truck you made?” Kurayami shook his head. “Yes and no. That was a basic spell. I can put many spells on it and we will get to Los Angels in a day or two at most.”

Chiron spoke “Two companions may accompany you. Grover is one. The other has already volunteered, if you will accept her help.” However Kurayami snapped his fingers. “Denied. Grover won’t be helpful as anything he can do Titus can do better and my team is going too. ” Grover was going to complain, but Kurayami whistled and came running the hellhound.

It was bigger as Kurayami had been feeding it great food. “This is Titus. He is our tracker if need be. Hey. Shrink.” He became a big Cane Corso which Kurayami picked up. “They just need a firm hand and a fee treats.” Percy was not happy. “Grover has to come. He can help and besides who else would be stupid enough to volunteer for a quest like this?”

The air shimmered behind Chiron and Annabeth became visible, stuffing her Yankees cap into her back pocket. “I’ve been waiting a long time for a quest and I got one.” She continued “While Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you’re going to save the world, I will be a good asset.” Chrion relented. “Fine. Go if you must.”

Chiron gave them hundred dollars in mortal money and twenty golden drachmas. These coins were as big as Girl Scout cookies and had images of various Greek gods stamped on one side and the Empire State Building on the other. He also gave Annabeth and Percy each a canteen of nectar and a Ziploc bag full of ambrosia squares, to be used only in emergencies, if Percy and Annabeth were seriously hurt.

Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap, which was a present from her mom. and a long bronze knife, hidden in her shirt sleeve. Kurayami had not allowed Grover to come as he offered no benefit. No matter what Percy said, he was adamant.

Kurayami and his group got the truck read by placing a few more talismans and spells on it. When they got in it was bigger in the inside than they thought. Their were 6 people in and their was plenty of room. Chiron by the driver seat talking to Kurayami. “Boy. You are sure you can drive?”

Kurayami smiled. “Of course. Who do you think brought this in here?” He looked at Grover who still wanted to go. Percy finally spoke up. “No. If he does not come I am not going.” He should have stayed quite because Esdeath knocked him out. Raynare looked at him and sneered.

. “Your lucky we are getting paid to help you. If not I would have burned your soul to ash.” Her hands lit up in black fire and it freaked everyone out. Chiron saw that and even he felt fear. “Viritra, that’s why I felt a dragon from you.” Luke walked up to Kurayami.

“Kurayami I am going to want a rematch with a normal sword. It was unfair.” Kurayami looked back. “Then it will be unfair to you. I am a greatsword wielder. Anyway If you mind.” He started the engine and it roared to life. “Also Luke, I could care less as you are just not good.

Titus the hellhound was sticking his head out the window, but his droll was burning hot and some might see him for what he really was. Kurayami drove out of the camp while he turned on the radio and played Eye of the Beholder by Metallica. He and the girls liked it. Annabeth didn’t mind and the knocked out Percy was drooling.

Kurayami drove out of the countryside and into western Long Island. Annabeth looked around and it felt weird to be on a highway again. After 6 years at Half-Blood Hill, the real world seemed like a fantasy. She stared at every McDonald’s, every kid in the back of his parents’ car, every billboard and shopping mall.

Kurayami moved the rearview mirror and spoke up. “Don’t crave to be normal. It be worse. I am glad I was born in this magical world as their is more tot he world than just science.” Annabeth slumped down and the trip was normal as the truck had wards on it. Traffic slowed us down in Queens. By the time they got into Manhattan it was sunset and starting to rain.

He kept driving towards Los Angeles and moved at a speed of about 70 miles and hour and he somehow knew where the streets with little to no traffic were on. However a few hours in the trip Raynare as she sat next to Kurayami rested her head on his lap.

“Hey. Do you miss Shuri? I miss her cooking.” He drove with one hand and stroked her hair. “Yeah. I miss mom, but she has dad with her.” Percy was still out as a little magic to keep him quite. Annabeth spoke up. “Hey. Kurayami. How is your father? You said he was a fallen angel right.” He nodded. “Baraqiel. The Lightning of God was one great Cadre of God. His abilities to use lightning and holy energy together was nearly one of kind.”

Akeno was smiling thinking of her dad. “Well he fell from grace long ago, but 13 years ago. He was wounded in battle mine and Akeno’s mother found her. Her name is Shuri Himejima one of the 5 principle clans in Japan. She treated his wounds and they fell in love. Me and Akeno were the result.” Annabeth felt a little jealous as he and Akeno had their parents with them.

“He didn’t leave or have to stay away?” He shook his head. “Only gods do that. Most races even dragons stay with their children. Gods are a race that is full of rules and divine bullshit, so while I am not mortal per say. I am not bound by the rules of the gods.”

He suddenly moved the rear view mirror and saw they were being tailed by a a car with three old ladies. “Hey wake up Percy.” Esdeath woke him up and he held his head in pain. “Hey. Look in the rearview mirror and tell me what you see.” Percy looked in it and saw Ms. Dodds and women who looked like her. “It’s her. A Fur-” Before he finished Esdeath slapped him. “I swear you were better when you shut up.”

Kurayami lowered his window and he stuck his hand out and made ten spears of light that all burned in holy fire while coursing in white lightning. They rushed to the car and *BOOOOM* The three of them were dead and the fire of holy fire began to burn their unholy existence, They can’t be killed, but until their curse runs it’s course they might as well be. Titus howled in joy, but the howl of a hellhound sent chills up peoples spines.

Percy and Annabeth looked at the explosion and were shocked. “HOW?” Kurayami smiled. “You think I can’t make weapons of light. I showed you.” He kept driving all the while whistling a happy toon. Percy saw that Grover was not with them and felt bad for his friend. Kurayami pushed a button on the console and smiled. “Well let’s do this.”

Suddenly a magic circle opened under the truck and they suddenly appeared a few miles out of L.A. “Like hell I was going to drive the full distance. I was just seeing if my words worked and for the most part yes. However this is the last time I guard anyone. I would have been better off at Grigori than with you. I thought we would be full of fights, but what do we get. Titus and a weak Minator. Disappointing.”

Esdeath and his group were slack jawed. That was the most he talked in a single moment. “Brother. You really are bored.” He nodded. “I want to fight a god at least.” He would get his wish soon.