Crystal opened the door. Standing in the doorway was Leo. He looked very concerned.

"Are you okay?" He repeated. "I heard you yelling."

Crystal nodded and put on a fake smile. "Never better."

________________

Piper managed to get a taxi to take the group up the hill. Sadly, it was kind of cramped in the car. Crystal was squished against Leo and Piper. Leo started to crack a joke about the seating arrangement, but Crystal smacked his knee before he got the chance.

"Ow," Leo whined. "I didn't even say anything!"

"You didn't need to," Crystal frowned. "I already knew."

Crystal had hoped the car ride would go smooth, but the car bumped and bounced along the road. She usually never got carsick, but the lurching made her sick to her stomach. At one point, the car jerked forward to fast, Crystal thought she had whiplash. And soon, thank the gods, the driver stopped. They had only made it about halfway up the mountain, but Crystal was just thankful the ride was over.

"I have to leave you here. It's a long walk back, I'm sorry. My car is acting up, I can't wait for you."

Jason nodded and paid the driver while everyone else piled out of the car. Not even a minute after Crystal stepped out of the car, her combat boots started to sink into the ground, as if it was quicksand.

"Gaea's messing with us," Leo said.

"Do you have to be like this all the time?" Crystal growled under her breath.

It's my job.

"Of course it is."

The cab driver sped away, leaving the group and a dust trail behind.

"So, where is the giant?" Crystal asked.

Jason pointed to the top of the mountain. "Fire. We need to hurry."

They immediately began their hike up the mountainside. Luckily, Crystal was in shape and often hiked through the Camp Half-Blood woods. She had even made friends with a dryad named Marie, whom she always spoke to whenever she hiked. However, with the ground continuing to sink everyone's feet, Crystal quickly became exhausted.

"How the hell can anyone walk in this crap?" Crystal huffed.

Piper looked behind her shoulder. "Do they not train you for this in Camp Half-Blood?"

"Ha," Crystal sarcastically laughed.

By the time she reached the top, Crystal was very hot and very sweaty.

"That is a lot of sweat," Leo joked at her appearance.

"Please," Crystal heaved. "I don't sweat. I sparkle."

"No, no. I think you're sweating."

Crystal chuckled. She wished she had a hair tie to tie up her hair, to at least cool her neck. While the group of demigods and satyr trekked, Crystal noticed Leo was tinkering with something in his hands. Before she could ask what it was, he had placed it into his magical belt. Speaking of magic, Crystal touched her knife holster attached to her thigh. It was quite miraculous that the dagger had stayed with her, considering everything she had been through on this quest.

Jason suddenly crouched behind a boulder. The group dropped down too. Straight ahead was a huge bonfire, burning the color of purple amethyst. Standing right next to it was the giant they had been searching for. Enceladus. He was much worse than Crystal had ever imagined. Across from the fire was Piper's unconscious father, strapped to a tall, wooden post.

"Alright! There's four of us and one giant." Hedge said.

Crystal looked at him incredulously. "You're not going to charge out there without a plan."

"Speaking of plan," Crystal nudged Jason's shoulder. "What is it, leader?"

Jason looked confused. "Since when was I the leader?"

Everyone shrugged, "It just went unsaid."

The blonde sighed. "I guess a distraction is the best way to go."

Leo lifted up the trinket he made. "Let's do it."