ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜰɪꜰᴛᴇᴇɴ : ɪᴍ ᴅᴏɴᴇ ʀᴜɴɴɪɴɢ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍᴏɴꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ

Damn, Maisia needs to catch up on the real world.

Maisia's eyes widen as I help up Percy. The two boys finally arrived. Now, Percy just needs to fight Ares. Then, we can go back to camp. The thing is, Maisia seems really dazed and confused. It's understandable since she's been in the Underworld for awhile. I watch as Ares slowly approaches the four of us.

"Oh, okay, forgot to introduce her. Maisia, this is Percy and Grover. They're my friends. Grover, Percy, this is Maisia. Aka Summer," I ramble, all of my words coming out as on jumbled mess.

"Nice to meet you," Grover says, shaking the daughter of Apollo's hand. Percy gives her a small wave.

"Nice to meet you, too," Maisia replies, smiling. She seems so bubbly. I can't tell if that's a good thing or bad thing, especially since I don't have the same personality. Ares stops walking and slyly smirks. Percy holds out his sword. It reminds me of when I was practicing fighting with Luke.

~~

"Wow, for your first time at sword fighting, you're really good," Luke compliments. I smile at the fellow Asian boy. For once, I feel like I see someone like me at camp.

"Thanks!" I exclaim, setting my sword down to take a sip of water. Luke sits on a rock.

"You know, you're pretty cool for a 12 year old," Luke says, patting my back gently.

"Thank you, if that's a good thing," I reply. My social skills aren't the best right now. I can't really comprehend if things are said sarcastically or not. Hopefully I work on that.

"I bet one day, you'll be so good that you'll be invited on a quest," Luke adds. "Or who knows, it might be your own quest."

"Yeah, that's funny," I respond. "Nope, never happening. Plus, why would I want to risk my life when I can be here eating marshmallows and practicing sword fighting with you?"

"What's the glory in that?"

~~

"Single combat!" Percy exclaims, pointing his sword at Ares. I snap out of my trance.

The god of war scoffs. "What?"

"What?" Grover, Maisia and I say in sync.

"That's probably the dumbest thing you've said this whole quest, and you've said so,e dumb shit," I remark.

"See, she gets it," Ares defends.

"One on one," Percy continues, "but I set the terms."

"If I draw first blood, I keep the bolt and you surrender the helm," Percy explains. Ares laughs extravagantly. "Do you accept?"

"I mean it's your funeral, kid. Although, just to be clear, no funeral," Ares clarifies. "Any trace of you leaves a trace of my plan, and we can't have that."

"So, I assume I've missed a lot since the Underworld," Maisia whispers to us.

"Yep, a whole lot," Grover answers, still looking at Ares and Percy.

"It wasn't your plan, though, was it? It was Kronos," Percy states. Maisia gasps quietly. She probably thinks this is insane. Wait till she hears about all of the stories of Greek gods and my mom.

Percy looks back at us. I nod at him, signaling for him to continue. "It was his idea to frame Poseidon's kid and steal Hades's helm and Zeus's bolt to start a war."

"What?" Maisia and I say. Maybe I'm the one that needs catching up on. "Is that where he got to you, too? Through your dreams?"

"Gods don't dream, little man," Ares states, slightly raising his voice in pure anger. He clenches his fists and perfects his intimidating glare at Percy. "And no one tells the god of war how to start a fight. And after you die-" his voice abruptly stops "-say hi to your mommy for me." Ares angrily stomps to Percy as the blond boy adjusts his stance. Ares swings for Percy, but misses as Percy moves out of the way before he could strike him. The two guy's sword's clash as the sea crashes on the shore. I pull out my sword just in case Percy needs backup. Ares knocks Percy down, and I have to fight the urge to go and save him.

Percy grunts as he clashes his sword against Ares's sword. He manages to push himself up. Man, he must be strong if he can do that. The battling continues as I turn to see Maisia covering her eyes. I guess she doesn't like seeing fighting. I turn back to see Ares flipping Percy over. Percy screams as he lands on the sand with a thud. Maisia and I start to run over to Percy when Grover holds us back. Percy lifts himself up, just to get kicked by Ares. He tumbles back into the mix of sand and water.

"I warned you, if you're not careful..." Percy starts, "...you'll find out..." waves starts rising behind him. They get higher each second, preparing to probably knock over the god of war. I can only assume Poseidon is helping the young demigod. It seems pretty rare for someone to be able to do...that at our age.

"Who I am!" Percy finishes. His face scrunches up as Ares looks up. The god's eyes widen as the waves engulf him. Ares yells as he is pushed down to the ground.

"Go Percy!" I exclaim. The blond boy looks back and gives me a genuine smile. I can feel my heart beating a little quicker. Meanwhile, Ares crawls to grab his sword and continue the battle. Percy turns back around to face him and charges towards Ares. Their swords clash and Percy slices Ares's leg. Maisia, Grover and I run up to Percy.

"That was phenomenal!" Maisia cheers, grinning widely. Percy smiles at her but turns to me.

"And you thought you were just a kid," I remark, smirking lightly. Percy's cheeks and nose flush as he grins like a little kid. It's kind of adorable. Grover sighs and we turn to face him. He points at Ares clapping slowly.

"Yay! That was so cool," Ares shouts sarcastically. "Wanna know what you really won today? An enemy for life. Congrats." The ground starts shaking as Ares starts transforming.

"Don't look at his true form!" Grover exclaims, the four of us turning away. A piece of metallic falls to the ground. I'm the first one to turn around. It's a helm. Hades's helm. Why did Ares have Hades's helm?

"Hades helm," Maisia mutters, walking up to it. She picks it up. Percy turns around and spots a house in the distance. I think it might be important for him.

~

Maisia, Grover and I walk into the little house by the beach. We find Percy standing there with Alecto. Not again! How did she come back? Maisia hands Percy the helm and slams it on the table.

"What are you doing?" I question.

"Living up to my end of the bargain." Percy takes a breath. "Tell Hades I expect him to do the same." He pauses again. "Please." Alecto grabs the helm and puts it in between her arms.

"Good luck on Olympus," Alecto says, walking out of the house. "Perhaps there will still be a world left for your mother to return to." Maisia, Grover and I slowly turn our heads to Percy.

"What does that mean, 'Good luck on...'" Grover's eyes widen. "Dude."

"No," Maisia interjects.

"I have to," Percy remarks.

"What for? The quest is over. We missed the deadline due to Hermes," I remind, biting a corner of my nail.

"This is bigger than the quest," Percy expresses. "Before we set off, Chiron told me the last war on Olympus kicked off World War II down here. We have to get Zeus to call it off. Returning the bolt is the only way I can get his attention."

"Percy, you don't want Zeus's attention," Maisia states.

"I gotta tell him about Kronos," Percy replies. "Grover, didn't you see how frightened Hades was about the idea of Kronos coming back?"

"Zeus has to know. Bringing him the bolt might be enough to get him to listen. You three gotta go to camp. Now that we know who Ares and Clarisse were working for, someone has to warn Chiron." I don't think the blondie understands the consequences of visiting Zeus.

"He'll kill you," I say. "You understand and know that, right? Rather because he still thinks you stole the bolt, which is stupid, or because you're a forbidden child. Zeus won't ever let you leave Olympus alive. He's a bitch."

"I'm done running from monsters," Percy responds. "This is too important. I have to try." I look down at my ring and take it off of my middle finger. I walk up to Percy and hold his hand. His eyes follow me as I slide it onto his right ring finger. I put his hand down and look him in the eyes. Then, I kiss his forehead. It's a sign of friendship and good luck in my family. It might be awkward, but it's just a tradition, right?

"You're gonna need all this luck," I express. "Even if it means I'll never get this back." Percy lightly smiles.

"Just for clarity, how sure are we you couldn't just explain everything in an email?" Grover wonders.

"Or a text message? Even a letter?" Maisia inquires.

"Where's the glory in that?"

~

I wave to Grover as he approaches the woods. Maisia and I walk to the Aphrodite cabin. My home, well, basically. I knock on the door, my bag in my hand.

"You think they'll remember me?" Maisia questions.

"Of course they will. Don't worry, we'll go back to your cabin after," I remind, squeezing the blond girl's hand. She smiles as the door opens. One of the girl's eyes widen and run screaming Savanna's name. I gesture that Maisia goes in first. She walks in the cabin, her eyes shimmering as she watches me place my bag on my bed. I really need a shower. Finally, I see the girl from earlier, Izzy and Savanna. Savanna stops as soon as she sees Maisia and runs up to her, forcing her into a hug. Savanna starts sobbing as she tightly embraces her step sister. Maisia grins.

"What, how are you-where were-I can't believe you're alive!" Savanna exclaims, still hugging her.

"I can explain if you stop choking me," Maisia says, gasping for air. Savanna lets go and Maisia points to me. "She got me outta the Underworld." Savanna's eyes widen, tears still spilling from her eyes.

"Thank you so much, Serena!" Savanna expresses, hugging me. She is choking me, but it's okay. She lets go and steps out of the way, Izzy standing right behind her.

"I mean, I guess saving someone from the Underworld is cool," Izzy mutters, folding her arms. I smirk.

"Just cool?" I ask.

"Okay, fine, impressive," Izzy groans. "But that's all you're getting out of me." I chuckle.

"Alright, well, I'm gonna say hi to Clarisse. See ya," I exclaim, quickly adding a little lipgloss to my lips. Maisia and Savanna wave to me while Izzy huffs and climbs on her bed. When I walk out, most of the camp is clapping for me. They cheer for me, even though it was technically Percy's quest. I see Clarisse and run up to her and embrace. She looks surprised.

"Serena!" Clarisse exclaims. We let go. The weird thing is that Clarisse is still here. I'm glad she is, but if she is the lightning thief, wouldn't Chiron have kicked her out? I turn around and see Annabeth approaching me. I forgot that I have her hat. Annabeth and I don't get along very well, mainly because of our moms. She seems super cool and is definitely extremely smart.

"Here, from Grover," I say, handing it to her.

"Thanks," Annabeth replies. I think she's gonna walk away, but she ends up staying.

"I'm sorry you couldn't go on the quest," I express.

"No, it's fine. You obviously did a great job if you are still alive," Annabeth remarks. I grin. The applause gets louder, kids starting to cheer again. I turn around and notice Percy coming around the corner. My face lights up and I run up to him, embracing him tightly. He's sent aback and eventually melts into the hug. We stay like that until Annabeth clears her throat.

"Percy, I need to talk to you," Annabeth states.

"Wait, but why-"

"Don't say anything." Annabeth frowns at me. I guess it's something about me if they don't want me there. That's great! Well, not at all. Gotta love sarcasm.

𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔨𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤 🫶