NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Favor for a God
Chapter 10: Favor for a god
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June 14 – Seven Days Before the Solstice
As the train pulled into Denver, Percy leaned back against the window, the dry heat outside starkly contrasting the muggy humidity they had left behind in St. Louis. His stomach growled, a reminder that their last proper meal had been nearly a day ago. The trio's disheveled appearance turned heads, but Percy didn't care; his thoughts were elsewhere.
The encounter with Echidna and the Chimera replayed in his mind. He couldn't stop thinking about how time had seemed to slow during the fight—how he'd been able to predict every move, as if the seconds had stretched just for him. He hadn't mentioned it to Grover or Annabeth, and he wasn't planning to. The strange connotations unsettled him. Was it just adrenaline, or was there something more?
"I'm starving," Grover muttered as they stepped off the train, his hooves clopping faintly against the platform.
"Join the club," Percy replied.
Annabeth scanned the city skyline, her gray eyes narrowing. "First, we need to contact Chiron. We need answers about that river spirit and the solstice."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "How exactly are we going to do that? Pay phones are off-limits, right?"
Annabeth smirked. "We're not using phones. Trust me."
The trio wandered through downtown Denver, avoiding the gaze of passing police cars. Percy felt the weight of his sword-pen in his pocket, his hand instinctively brushing against it. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Finally, Annabeth's eyes lit up. "There."
Percy followed her gaze to a do-it-yourself car wash tucked between two office buildings. "A car wash? Really?"
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "You'll see. Come on."
Inside the car wash, Annabeth directed them to the farthest stall from the street. Grover fumbled with the spray gun, inserting a few quarters he'd scrounged from his pockets.
"This is how we're contacting Chiron?" Percy asked sceptically.
"It's called Iris Messaging," Annabeth explained. "The goddess Iris delivers messages via rainbows. All we need is water, sunlight, and an offering."
Grover adjusted the nozzle to emit a fine mist, and sunlight filtered through, creating a shimmering rainbow. Annabeth held out her hand to Percy expectantly.
"Drachma," she said.
With a sigh, Percy handed over his last gold coin. Annabeth tossed it into the rainbow. "O goddess, accept our offering. Show us Camp Half-Blood."
The air shimmered, and Percy felt his pulse quicken. Through the mist, an image began to form—the familiar strawberry fields of Camp Half-Blood, the Big House standing proudly in the background. A figure leaned against the porch railing, his bronze sword glinting in the sunlight.
"Luke," Annabeth called, her voice softer than usual.
The figure turned, his scarred face breaking into a grin. "Annabeth! Percy! You made it!"
Luke's gaze shifted to Percy, his expression tinged with relief. "What's your status? Everything okay?"
Percy hesitated, the weight of their journey settling on his shoulders. "We're alive, but things are … complicated."
As Percy recounted their encounters, including the river spirit's warning, Luke's face grew grim. "That's troubling. Things aren't great here either. Word's spread about the Zeus-Poseidon standoff. Camp's divided—like the Trojan War all over again."
Percy frowned as Luke listed the factions forming within the camp. "Ares and Aphrodite's cabins are backing Poseidon. Athena's siding with Zeus, of course. Apollo's split down the middle."
Annabeth's jaw tightened. "This is bad. If the gods' rivalry spills over to the campers…"
"It'll be chaos," Percy finished, a chill running down his spine.
Luke nodded. "Chiron's trying to keep things under control, but whoever summoned that hellhound stirred up more than they realized. And we still don't know who it was."
Percy clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. His mind raced, replaying every detail of the encounter at Camp Half-Blood. He couldn't shake the suspicion that someone was playing a much larger game, and he hated feeling like a pawn.
Before he could voice his thoughts, a deafening bassline shook the car wash. A black Lincoln Continental pulled into the neighboring stall, its stereo blaring.
Annabeth groaned. "Grover, handle this."
"What? Why me?"
"Just do it!"
Grumbling, Grover handed Percy the spray gun and approached the car. Annabeth followed, leaving Percy alone with Luke's shimmering image.
"Listen, Percy," Luke said, his tone serious. "Be careful. Hades is the prime suspect, but that doesn't mean he's the only one involved. And keep an eye on Annabeth. She's smart, but she's … impulsive."
Percy smirked. "I've noticed."
Luke's image flickered. "One more thing—are you using the flying shoes?"
Percy hesitated. "Uh, yeah. They've been helpful."
Luke grinned. "Good. Stay safe, okay? And tell Grover not to worry. It'll be different this time."
The mist dissolved, leaving Percy staring at an empty car wash stall.
As Annabeth and Grover returned, Percy's thoughts churned. Luke's warning replayed in his mind, but his focus drifted to the fight with Echidna and the Chimera. For a split second, he had wielded time like a weapon, bending reality to his will without even realizing it.
It wasn't normal. Not for a son of Poseidon.
He then thought about the Kronos, the Titan of Time. He could control time. Could he possibly be … Percy shook his head. Poseidon was his father. The god of the sea. That was all there was to it.
"Percy?" Annabeth's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He forced a smile. "Let's find some dinner. I'm starving."
The gleaming chrome diner buzzed with the chatter of families enjoying their meals. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover sat at a booth, their moods strained by hunger and exhaustion. The waitress, a sharp-eyed woman with a sceptical glare, stopped at their table.
"Well?" she asked, hands on her hips.
Percy leaned forward, trying to think up a plausible excuse. "We, um, want to order dinner."
"You kids have money to pay for it?"
Grover fidgeted nervously, his lower lip trembling. Annabeth, pale and quiet, looked as though she might pass out from hunger. Percy opened his mouth to weave a story, but the ground trembled beneath them before he could speak.
A low rumble reverberated through the diner as a monstrous motorcycle pulled up to the curb. It was massive, with a gleaming black frame and flaming designs across its gas tank. The headlight glared red, and its seat, disturbingly, seemed to be made of pale leather that looked suspiciously human.
The man dismounting the bike towered over the gawking patrons inside. Dressed in a red muscle shirt and black jeans, he exuded menace. His leather duster swirled in the hot breeze that seemed to follow him, and a hunting knife was strapped to his thigh. His face was sharp, scarred, and undeniably handsome in a way that radiated cruelty. Percy felt a strange familiarity, though he couldn't place where he'd seen this man before.
As the man entered the diner, conversations halted, and the waitress froze mid-step. But with a casual wave of his hand, the man released them all from their trance, and the buzz of chatter resumed as though nothing had happened.
Sliding into the booth, he forced Annabeth against the window. Percy tensed, his fists clenching under the table as the man removed his red wraparound shades, revealing eyes that blazed with fire.
"Well, well," the man drawled, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You're old Seaweed's kid, huh?"
Percy's jaw tightened at the insult, but he held his tongue. This man radiated power, and something about him made Percy's emotions churn—resentment, anger, and defiance bubbled within him.
"You know who I am, don't you, little cousin?" the man continued, his tone mocking.
The pieces clicked. The sneer, the fiery eyes, the overwhelming presence—it all pointed to one god. "Ares," Percy said, his voice flat.
The war god grinned, pleased by the recognition. "Smart kid. Heard you broke my daughter's spear. She'll probably hold a grudge for a century or two."
"She was asking for it," Percy replied, his tone even.
Ares laughed, the sound echoing through the diner. "I like you, punk. Got some fire in you. Let's see if you've got the guts to back it up."
The waitress returned, her hands trembling as she placed trays of food on the table. Ares handed her a few gold drachmas, and when she hesitated, eyeing the strange coins, he slid his knife free with a flourish.
"Problem?"
She shook her head quickly and scurried away.
Annabeth glared at Ares, her gray eyes flashing. "You can't just intimidate mortals like that."
"Can't I?" Ares leaned back, smirking. "That's the thing about being a god, sweetheart. I do what I want."
Percy, fed up with the posturing, asked, "What do you want from us?"
Ares leaned forward, his fiery gaze locking onto Percy's. "A favor. Something a god like me doesn't have time to handle. Think of it as a test,kid."
Percy's instincts screamed to reject whatever task Ares had in mind, but the war god's presence made resistance almost impossible.
"I left my shield at an abandoned water park nearby," Ares explained, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Let's just say my date was interrupted, and I didn't have time to go back for it. I want you to fetch it."
"Why not get it yourself?" Percy asked.
Ares's fiery eyes burned brighter. "Because I don't feel like it, that's why. Or maybe I just want to see if you're as tough as everyone says. Don't tell me you're scared."
Annabeth cut in before Percy could respond. "If this shield's so important, what interrupted you?"
Ares's grin faltered, just for a moment. "None of your business. All you need to know is, if you get it for me, I'll make sure your little quest gets back on track. Maybe even throw in a favor. You'll need all the help you can get."
Percy's gut told him this was a trap. Ares's confidence seemed forced, his bravado a mask. But the promise of help—however dubious—left him with little choice.
The diner felt oppressive as Percy considered his options. Annabeth and Grover exchanged wary glances, both silently urging caution.
"What's the catch?" Percy asked finally.
Ares laughed, a harsh, barking sound. "You're catching on. Let's just say the park's got a few surprises waiting for you. Nothing you can't handle, though. You're a big boy, right?"
The taunt hit its mark, and Percy's pride flared. He forced himself to stay calm, refusing to give Ares the satisfaction of a reaction. "Fine," he said. "Where is it?"
"The Tunnel of Love," Ares said, his grin returning. "A mile west on Delancey. Don't keep me waiting."
With that, the god rose and strode out of the diner, leaving behind an unnatural silence. The motorcycle roared to life, and then he was gone.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Percy stared at the uneaten burger in front of him, his appetite thoroughly ruined.
"We shouldn't do this," Grover said, breaking the silence. "Ares doesn't do favors. He's setting us up."
Annabeth sighed. "He's right, but ignoring a god is worse. We don't have a choice."
Percy pushed his plate away, his jaw clenched. Ares's smug face burned in his mind. Every interaction with the gods left him feeling like a pawn in their endless games.
Inside, a resolve began to form—a vow to grow stronger, more powerful, until he could stand on equal footing with the gods.
One day, he thought darkly, they won't be the ones giving orders. I will.
The sun was sinking behind the mountains, casting long, eerie shadows as Percy, Annabeth, and Grover arrived at the abandoned water park. The faded sign read "WAT R A D," remnants of its former glory scattered around. Dry water slides and cracked pools stretched into the growing darkness, creating a desolate scene. Percy smirked, unable to resist a jab.
"So, if Ares brings his girlfriend here for a date, what does that say about her taste?"
Annabeth shot him a sharp look, her cheeks tinting pink. "Be respectful, Seaweed Brain. Gods are petty, but that doesn't mean you have to antagonize them."
"Fine, fine. Still, who's this mystery woman? Echidna?" Percy teased.
Grover cleared his throat, his voice carrying a hint of nervous awe. "Aphrodite, goddess of love."
"Wait," Percy said, raising a brow. "Isn't she married to Hephaestus?"
Annabeth sighed, stepping closer to inspect the rusty gate. "Yes, but that's old gossip. Let's just focus on finding Ares' shield and getting out of here."
The main gate was padlocked and topped with barbed wire, but that didn't stop Grover. With a confident "Maia!" his shoes sprouted wings, and he awkwardly flitted over the fence. Annabeth and Percy exchanged a look before climbing over the old-fashioned way, Annabeth's movements swift and deliberate as Percy held the wire down for her.
The park seemed to hold its breath, its silence broken only by the faint rustle of wind. The trio moved cautiously, passing faded attractions like Ankle Biter Island and Head Over Wedgie.
"This place is giving me the creeps," Grover muttered.
Annabeth frowned. "Places like this often mask traps. Stay alert."
They stumbled upon a souvenir shop left unlocked, its shelves still stocked with merchandise. Annabeth's eyes lit up at the sight of fresh clothes. She grabbed a pile of items and disappeared into a changing room without hesitation.
When she reemerged in Waterland-themed attire, Percy stifled a grin. Annabeth caught his amused glance and quickly turned her attention to stuffing a backpack with supplies. Grover joined in, and soon they were all sporting a mismatched assortment of the park's gear.
As they continued their search for the Tunnel of Love, Percy tried to lighten the mood. "So, Ares and Aphrodite, huh? Three-thousand-year-old scandal?"
Annabeth shrugged. "It's complicated. Aphrodite has her reasons, I suppose. Hephaestus... well, he's not exactly her type."
Percy raised a brow, intrigued. "Her type being... bikers?"
"More or less," Annabeth replied, her voice tinged with amusement.
Their banter was cut short when they reached a massive empty pool. Statues of Cupid lined the rim, and at the far end, a gaudy tunnel marked with the sign "THRILL RIDE O' LOVE" loomed ominously. At the pool's center sat a pink, heart-covered boat with a polished bronze shield glinting under the fading light.
"This is too easy," Percy said, narrowing his eyes at the scene below.
Annabeth stepped closer, her sharp gaze scanning the area. "It's a trap," she declared, pointing to Greek letters etched into the base of a Cupid statue.
Grover sniffed the air. "No monsters," he reported hesitantly.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Like the Arch, where you didn't smell Echidna?"
"Let it go, man," Grover grumbled.
Percy volunteered to retrieve the shield, and Annabeth insisted on joining him, though her steps were tentative. Her cheeks flushed, and Percy noticed her usual confidence seemed to waver, a contrast to her sharp mind.
As they descended into the pool, Annabeth studied the boat, her brows knitting. "There's another Eta here. Definitely Hephaestus' handiwork."
When Percy grabbed the shield, his fingers snagged a nearly invisible filament—a trip wire. Grinding gears echoed, and the Cupids sprang to life, their bows firing golden cables that formed a shimmering net over the pool.
"Live to Olympus in sixty seconds!" boomed a mechanical voice.
Annabeth's face paled. "We're part of one of Hephaestus' traps—designed to humiliate Ares and Aphrodite!"
The pool erupted into chaos as bronze spiders poured from hidden compartments, their metallic legs clicking with terrifying precision. Annabeth froze, her face contorting in pure fear.
"Spiders!" she stammered, backing into Percy.
Percy grabbed her wrist, pulling her behind him as the mechanical swarm closed in. "Snap out of it, Wise Girl! We need to move!"
Grover hovered above, yanking at the net with his flying shoes, but the cables refused to budge. Percy's mind raced. The water pipes lining the pool caught his attention.
"Grover, get to the control booth!" Percy shouted.
"But—"
"Just do it!"
As Grover scrambled into action, Percy focused on Annabeth, her breaths shallow. "We're not dying here, Annabeth," he said firmly, his hand squeezing hers. "Trust me."
Grover reached the control booth, frantically pressing buttons to no avail. Below, the countdown continued. Percy closed his eyes, summoning his connection to water. A deep pull in his gut responded, and with a forceful burst, water gushed from the pipes, sweeping away the spiders and propelling the boat toward the tunnel.Then the boat's nose turned toward the tunnel and they rocketed through into the darkness
As they neared the exit, Percy realized the gates were chained shut. Two wrecked boats lay piled against the barricade, and there was no time to stop.
"Unfasten your seatbelt," Percy ordered Annabeth.
Her eyes widened, but she obeyed. "What's the plan?"
"We're jumping," Percy said.
Annabeth hesitated for a split second before nodding. "On my mark," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Percy couldn't help but admire her at that moment.
As the boat hurtled toward the gates, Annabeth shouted, "Now!"
They leapt, using the boat's momentum to propel them over the gates. Percy held onto Annabeth, shielding her with his body as they crashed onto the asphalt beyond.
Grover, who had been holding on for dear life, tumbled after them, landing face-first in a nearby photo board.
Annabeth let out a laugh, brushing herself off. "Well, that was... something."
Percy smirked, offering her a hand. "Not bad for a Seaweed Brain, huh?"
She took it, her touch lingering longer than before. "You're lucky you're good at this."
As the group regrouped, Percy turned his gaze back toward the darkened park. His mind was already spinning with plans for how to confront Ares—and how to further his growing influence over Annabeth.
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End of Chapter 10
Author's Note: Sorry for not posting earlier but I have been super busy this week and didn't really have a lot of time to work on the story before the weekend started. But anyways hope you enjoy this chapter.