Chapter 3
In the small period of time during which Harry actually slept that night he experienced another dream vision of Daedalus' workshop. Daedalus' son was older and the workshop appeared more cluttered with various inventions. A forge burned hotly in the corner with the smoke and heat being channeled through a pipe in the floor. Part of the workshop was open to the sky via magical means. Daedalus himself was bent over one of his inventions and not looking too healthy.
"I'm done," Daedalus announced a few moments later.
The old man's creation was a set of metal wings with thousands of interlocking bronze feathers.
"I knew you could do it father," Icarus declared. "You're brilliant!"
"I know that already son. Now hurry, the wings will take an hour to properly adhere to us," the inventor explained while nodding to a second set of wings.
"Your wings can go on first. Since you created these wonders then you should have the honor of wearing them first," insisted the young man while helping his father don a leather harness and picking up what looked like a hot glue gun.
"The wax compound should last for several hours but first it must set properly," the old inventor explained nervously. "We also shouldn't fly too high or low lest the sun's heat melts the seals or the sea…," Daedalus continued.
"Wets the wax seals," Icarus finished. "Yes father you've told me this many times! I have complete faith in your inventions."
Daedalus had an obviously loving expression for his son on his wrinkled features as he instructed, "Now we'll secure your wings."
Daedalus' greater age showed as he struggled to get the wings in place while his own bronze outfit bore down on him.
"I'm moving too slowly," the inventor whispered as he worked.
"Don't worry father. The guards aren't due until," Icarus began before being cut off by a loud crash as the guards beat against the door which Daedalus had barred from the inside.
The inventor sped up his movements even as the door began to crack. The old man finished his task just as a battering ram splintered through the door. The father and son pair moved a bronze manhole out of its setting on the floor right before two guards followed by the cruel King Minos entered the chamber.
"Were you planning on going somewhere Daedalus?" The evil king queried.
"Yes, we'll be leaving now Minos," replied the inventor.
"I found myself curious to see how far along you would manage to get on this little wing project of yours. So I decided to wait before dashing your hopes for escape. Again you've impressed me with your brilliance. You let my daughter escape and drove my wife to insanity. I'm the laughing stock of the Mediterranean after you killed my monster. Never will I allow you to escape me," Minos declared.
"You don't have a choice," Daedalus announced just before he and his son jumped into the column of hot air that was shooting out of the exposed vent in the floor which had previously been covered by a bronze plate.
"Shoot them down," bellowed Minos to guards who had no bows.
The father and son took flight high above the maze and palace before shooting out over the city of Knossos and over the shores of Crete. Icarus laughed before expanding his wings to their limit and soaring away with his father calling after in caution. Icarus ignored all warnings his father had previously given and soared high in the air before diving low and skimming the waves of the sea. Soon the first metal feather flew off the boy's wings. A shower of feathers followed while Daedalus shouted instructions to glide. The boy ignored the advice and flapped the wings instead. At the point where one wing ripped free and Icarus fell, Harry awoke from the dream vision.
The green eyed sorcerer cooked breakfast for his friends after everyone awoke from a restful sleep. With the wards protecting the tent there was no need to worry about being attacked in the Labyrinth and therefore no need for a watch shift. Almost as soon as the group started off again the Labyrinth walls shifted to dirt and cedar beams, proving the travelers' suspicions that the maze was just toying with them. When the group entered a section of the maze which looked like a cave the phoenix animagus picked up a familiar aura in the air.
"I'm sensing Nico has been here," the mage informed his companions.
"Why would Nico be in the Labyrinth?" Grover questioned.
"You did say he wanted to come along Percy," Annabeth pointed out. "He might have followed us in."
"Follow me," ordered the perceptive magician as he used his enhanced physical and magical senses to trace Nico's scent and aura.
Soon the group reached a point in the tunnel where light shown down from above where a metal grate composed of pipes was fixed into the ceiling. A moment later a cow was looking down into the Labyrinth from the other side of the grate. The cow was red.
"That's a cattle guard," the satyr pointed out, recognizing the device meant to keep cattle or anything with hooves from passing over a point.
Tyson hit the grate and caused it to pop out of the ground with quite a bit of force. The group climbed out of the Labyrinth to be met with bright sunlight. The scene that greeted the campers was that of a ranch surrounded by rolling hills and forest. A barbed wire fence enclosed a heard of red cows.
"The cattle of the sun," observed Annabeth.
"Apollo's sacred bovines," agreed the sorcerer.
"Do you hear that?" Grover questioned.
"A dog," the phoenix animagus declared just before the underbrush rustled and a two headed canine burst into the open.
"Bad Janus dog," Tyson shouted.
Grover attempted to speak to the dog unsuccessfully. Moments later a large white haired male dressed like a cowboy lumbered into the open. Harry could sense the new arrival was a demigod and judging from the large spiked club the white haired male was sporting then the cowboy was a son of Ares.
"Heel, Orthus," commanded the cowboy. "Are you cattle rustlers?"
"Do we look like cattle rustlers to you son of Ares?" The green eyed immortal demanded.
"No, you look like half bloods on a quest who just stumbled out of the maze," the cowboy declared.
"You're more observant than your appearance would first let on," commented the water wizard before introducing himself and his friends.
"I'm Eurytion. As you guessed I'm a son of Ares. I'm a cowherd on this ranch," Eurytion explained. "We get a lot of visitors from the Labyrinth."
"Did you by chance recently find a black haired boy about this tall?" Annabeth queried as she indicated Nico's height with her raised hand.
"As a matter of fact we did," Eurytion agreed. "But you should get back in the maze now before it's too late," the cowherd warned in a whisper.
"I'm afraid we can't leave without Nico," Harry answered.
"Then you'd better see the boss," replied Eurytion before leading the group along a dirt path that ran between fences of mythical creatures which included fire breathing horses and red cows.
Once the group left the woods they caught sight of a large ranch house located on a hill.
"That structure looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright," suggested the grey eyed young woman.
Harry merely nodded his agreement of his mate's assessment, recognizing the design of the structure from some of the architecture books Annabeth had convinced him to read.
"The rules are simple so don't break them. There will be no fighting, no drawing weapons, and no saying anything about the boss' appearance," Eurytion explained as the campers trudged up the hill.
The four friends didn't have enough time to say anything in response before a new voice announced, "Welcome to the Triple G Ranch."
The four traveling companions turned and gazed upon a man sporting three torsos connected at the shoulder. Above the neck and below the waist were normal if not extremely large.
"You must be Geryon. My father has mentioned you," the son of the sea god greeted just before Nico stepped out of the ranch house to investigate the noise.
"Percy Jackson, it's nice to hear my reputation precedes me," the ranch owner declared.
"Percy," a happy and relieved Nico greeted in a subdued manor as he walked up and approached the older male who he considered something of an older brother.
"I'm glad you're safe Nico," the warlock greeted without reprimand as he pulled the younger boy into a one armed hug.
"Well now that everyone has become reacquainted I'll give you a tour of the ranch," Geryon informed the new arrivals before leading the way to a trolley decorated by a longhorn bovine. "Our operation is quite large. The majority of our stock is comprised of horses and cattle but with many exotic varieties."
As the trolley topped the next hill Annabeth cried, "Hippalektryons! I was under the impression they were all extinct."
Harry's gaze swept over a pen at the bottom of the hill containing creatures with the back half of a rooster and the front half of a horse.
"Rooster ponies," Tyson was quick to declare. "Do Rooster ponies lay eggs?"
"They lay eggs once a year which are very much coveted for omelettes," answered the ranch owner.
Annabeth was silent while projecting at her telepathic lover, "You can't let that stand Percy. These are an endangered species."
"I don't plan on letting this greedy bastard line his pockets at the expense of endangered creatures," the mage reassured his girlfriend.
Geryon continued the tour, pointing out the fiery war horses and the red cows of Apollo's sacred herd. Beyond the cow pasture was a barbed wire enclosure which held giant scorpions like those that had been used recently in the Camp games.
"Here are my prized stables," Geryon announced as a horrible stench hit the travelers.
Roughly one hundred flesh eating horses were virtually swimming in their own manure.
"That's cruelty to animals," Grover pointed out.
"Nonsense, flesh eating horses like these conditions," Geryon protested.
"And you're just too cheap to have them cleaned out," Eurytion announced.
"You'll do just about anything for gold won't you," Harry observed.
Geryon pulled the trolley over and turned to face the son of Poseidon.
"Why yes I will. Luke Castellan is offering a lot of gold for powerful half bloods. Your younger friend Nico there will fetch a nice price. His safe passage hasn't been paid for like yours has," Geryon declared.
Nico made to draw his sword but the two headed hound jumped towards the boy and growled. Suddenly a cage of ice appeared from the air and surrounded the canine.
"You obviously aren't very intelligent Geryon. You know who I am yet you still threaten my friends and I," the sorcerer calmly stated.
"Oh he's going to get it now," Nico announced.
"Big time," Grover agreed.
Eurytion didn't make a move, having heard of Percy Jackson and some of the powers the demigod wielded. Plus Eurytion didn't much care for his boss.
"You don't intimidate me Jackson," Geryon declared although sweat started to bead on his forehead.
"Too bad," the phoenix animagus replied just before a spire of ice sprouted through Geryon's heart in his center chest.
Laughing Geryon declared, "I'm not so easy to kill."
As Geryon struggled to slide up off the ice spear Eurytion helpfully announced, "You have to penetrate all three of his hearts simultaneously."
"Traitor," Geryon cried.
"I have a better way to dispose of this trash," the warlock suggested before the ice spire began to grow towards the flesh eating horse pen.
"No, no you can't do this to me," Geryon screamed as he realized his fate.
The ice spire soon had the struggling monster rancher over the pen with the equines below looking up hungrily. Suddenly the ice spire turned back to water and caused Geryon to plunge into the filth filled pen. The horses quickly devoured Geryon.
"Poetic justice," Grover announced.
"And good riddance," Eurytion agreed.
"Why were you against Geryon?" Annabeth inquired curiously.
"I've been working for Geryon for thousands of years. I was originally a regular old mortal half blood but when my dad offered me immortality I stupidly jumped at the chance. I can't leave this ranch. Geryon and I are sort of tied together," Eurytion explained.
"Yeah I can see how that would get old really quickly. I have a proposal for you," suggested the sorcerer as he examined the magic surrounding the son of Ares via mage sight. "Let's step over here."
"So what did you have in mind?" Eurytion questioned as he and the son of Poseidon walked a short distance from the other campers.
"I can modify the magic on you so that you are no longer tied to Eurytion or this ranch," announced the mage.
"What's the catch?" Eurytion queried wearily, knowing nothing was ever free.
"You come work for me at a nature preserve of sorts. The animals won't be used for food but instead will be bred to increase their populations and ensure the continued survival of these endangered and rare species. You'll get vacations of course where you can travel wherever you like. You'd also earn a salary so you can enjoy your time off," proposed the phoenix animagus.
"That sounds like a good offer. I'll take it. Anything to get away from Geryon," Eurytion agreed.
The warrior mage hashed out some details with Eurytion before taking a jaunt back in time to get the proper facilities to house the animals set up on Mars. The wizard then arrived back with Eurytion as soon as the two had concluded their dealings and handed the son of Ares a portkey to the Mars magical animal preserve. After the elder immortal departed in a magical whirlwind the demigod went around transporting the animals to their preserve habitats which were much nicer accommodations than anything Geryon had provided the creatures.
"Is everything settled, love?" Annabeth queried when her boyfriend returned from his talk.
"Yes, it's all handled. We can get back to the quest now. Eurytion has had some run ins with Hephaestus before and gave us a way to navigate through the Labyrinth to the god's forges. But I'll warn you now…it's a mechanical spider," cautioned the warlock.
Eurytion had mentioned the enchanted object in his dealings with the reality traveler and Harry had managed to magically duplicate the tracker without taking the son of Ares' original.
Annabeth shivered as she processed this information. As a daughter of Athena the grey eyed young woman hated arachnids. Arachne, the mother of all spiders, and Athena were old enemies so spiders tended to harass Athena's children.
"I'll manage to live," Annabeth announced. "You make sure you stick close to us Nico. We don't need you getting lost in the Labyrinth again."
"Yes ma'am," Nico agreed with a cheeky grin.
"It's getting kind of late Percy," Grover announced. "Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow to continue our journey and reenter the Labyrinth."
Harry knew his satyr friend wasn't eager to reenter the maze so agreed to the satyr's suggestion. The group slept inside the wizard's magical tent located in the ranch house's living room. As soon as he went to sleep that night the green eyed demigod experienced several vision dreams. The first revealed that Luke's campaign was moving along rapidly. The second vision was of Daedalus years after his son had perished. The old inventor was working with his nephew Perdix.
"Are you finished with your projects already Perdix?" Daedalus inquired.
"Yes Uncle, those problems were simple," Perdix answered.
"You found the task of moving water uphill without a pump simple?" Daedalus clarified with a growl that Perdix didn't pick up on.
Perdix revealed his plans for the solution and the old inventor examined the diagrams before announcing, "This will suffice."
"Oh the King loved it. He said I might even be smarter than you," declared the youth, proving how oblivious he was to his Uncle's mood. "But I don't agree with the King. I want to learn as much as I can from you."
"So that when I perish you can take my place," suggested Daedalus.
"No, no Uncle, that's not it at all. But why would a man have to die at all? If you could capture the animus, the soul in another container like one of your automatons but with the form of a man instead of an animal then one would never die," Perdix suggested.
"You're being naïve boy. Capturing the animus in such a way is impossible," Daedalus censured.
"I've been doing some research. Magic and mechanics together should be able to accomplish it," the boy insisted as he brought out a thick scroll and passed it to the old inventor.
Daedalus analyzed the scroll's contents and it was obvious from his expression that he was surprised and angered. The observing Harry suspected that Daedalus had just realized Perdix was right.
"It wouldn't work and you won't be able to see why until you are older," Daedalus declared. "Why don't you run along now," the aged engineer suggested.
Perdix snatched up a bronze beetle and hurried over to the edge of the tower the pair was in. The sill surrounding the tower's edge only came up to Perdix's knees while a strong wind blew.
"Smarter than I am," Daedalus whispered with a growl.
"Is it true that your son died flying on large wings that you made him which failed?" Perdix stupidly inquired. "I would love to fly. I'd build my own wings that wouldn't fail."
Harry noticed Janus appear beside Daedalus smiling wickedly.
"Choose old man," Janus whispered but without the inventor noticing.
Picking up one of Perdix's metal beetles Daedalus tossed the device and yelled, "Catch Perdix."
Perdix overreached. The youth's fall was hastened by the strong wind. Perdix managed to clutch the tower's sill.
"Help me Uncle Daedalus, help me," cried the boy.
"You can make your own wings Perdix. You have little time," Daedalus muttered, having made his choice.
Moments later Perdix was gone, lost in the sea below. Janus vanished and the sky erupted with thunder.
A familiar female voice declared in anger, "You will regret that decision Daedalus."
With a scowl at the sky Daedalus replied to Athena, "I have always honored you mother."
"The boy had my blessing as well as you. You murdered him and you will pay the penalty," Athena's angry tones answered.
"Yes, yes…I will suffer eternally in the Underworld. I've already had everything I hold dear taken from me. But for now," Daedalus muttered as he picked up Perdix's notes and slipped it into his robe.
"You shall pay now murderer," Athena asserted just before a searing pain burned around Daedalus' neck like a hot collar.
Harry felt the pain as well and immediately forced himself out of the vision.
Early the next morning the group set off to head back into the Labyrinth with Nico joining the quartet. As soon as the magician activated the mechanical spider the automaton took off quickly. The sextet followed. The skilled warlock used his telekinesis to slow the spider down somewhat so that it remained in sight. Hephaestus' creation was constantly trying to speed ahead out of sight but Harry wouldn't let it.
One of the tunnels the spider led the group through had no floor, just a series of metal monkey bars in the ceiling for a hundred feet. The spider was traversing the distance with metal web filaments like a real spider's organic web. The son of Poseidon concentrated and formed an ice walkway complete with railings over the abyss that separated the two complete sections of tunnel.
"Thanks Percy. I wasn't eager to try those bars," Grover announced.
Not long after the monkey bar obstacle the group came upon piles of hundreds of pencils littering the tunnel. Harry smelled the monster before he laid eyes on her.
"A Sphinx," Tyson whimpered, having a large fear of this particular monster after having been attacked by one as a child.
Harry barely registered the skeletons littering the large chamber the monster was in or the way the monster wore makeup and a ribbon. Instead the immortal warlock summoned his Gryffindor blade from its pocket dimensional storage and charged the beast. The sphinx roared and bore its fangs while bars snapped down on both sides of the tunnel. The sphinx slashed with her talons as the water wizard closed but the phoenix animagus was more agile than the monster and avoided the slash. With barely any effort the green eyed demigod had made it within the sphinx's guard and drove his blade straight into his opponent's heart.
The sphinx had wide startled eyes just before she burst into dust.
"Wow," Grover whispered.
"Yeah…he has that effect on everyone," Annabeth quipped, slightly surprised at the speed with which her mate had reacted to the potential threat.
The bars blocking the tunnel proved no trouble given the strength the sons of Poseidon present possessed. The campers quickly caught up with the spider thanks to the superb hearing of the phoenix animagus as he picked up the sound of the spider banging against a metal door. The metal door had a Greek Eta inscribed into it. Tyson eagerly opened the door, excited to meet the god of the forges.
Hephaestus' workshop was laid out like a mechanic's garage. Hydraulic lifts held partially assembled bronze Hippalektryons, a bronze lion being charged with magic, a Greek war chariot composed of flames, and even cars. Tools and smaller projects cluttered the work benches around the shop. A pair of legs stuck out from under a nearby lift holding a 1998 Toyota Corolla. The huge male under the car was wearing grubby pants and a metal brace on one leg.
The spider moved under the car, causing the sounds of working coming from the man to cease.
"Well what do we have here," a deep voice called as the god of the forges rolled out from under the car on his mechanic's dolly.
It was obvious that Hephaestus had been cleaned up the last time the group had come across the deity on Olympus. The grimy god disassembled the spider in a few seconds and reassembled it reset and improved.
As the spider swung away on a cable line the deity questioned, "I didn't make any of you did I?"
"I suppose you meet a lot of half bloods so you probably don't remember us from Olympus. You know…the demigod of prophecy?" The green eyed warlock pointed out.
"Oh yes, yes now I recall. Poseidon's son," agreed Hephaestus. "And you get points for traveling with a Cyclops. Now why are you disturbing my alterations on this Corolla's suspension?"
Tyson apparently chose this moment to speak up, "We met Briares, a Hundred Handed One. Kampe was holding him prisoner. We rescued him and Percy sent him to live with daddy. Briares was too scared to fight."
"I used to admire their kind," Hephaestus said. "But over time even we immortals can change our ways. You can't trust gods, monsters, and people. Look at my loving mother…she talks about one big happy family but she tossed me off of Olympus because of how I look. I don't fit in with her idea of a perfect family."
"I take it she was the one that started the myth that Zeus was the one who threw you out," said Harry.
"Indeed she did," Hephaestus agreed as he assembled a metal falcon out of some spare parts that took flight and flew around the room, delighting Tyson.
"We need to find Daedalus in order to prevent him from aiding Kronos' armies in navigating the Labyrinth and invading Camp," Annabeth stated, hoping to bring things back on point.
"You're wasting your time there. Daedalus wouldn't help you," the deity answered.
"Never-the-less we need to try," pointed out the reality traveler.
"Fair enough but it's an expensive favor and will cost you," the grimy god announced.
"Name your price," Harry instructed.
Hephaestus pressed a button on his work bench, causing a section of the wall to slide open revealing a scrying portal showing a gray mountain surrounded by thick forest.
"The mortals call this place Mount St. Helens but it used to be one of my favorite forges. I had to give up using it after the Titan Typhon became trapped under my forge when the heart of the west shifted. Typhon is restless with the Titan rebellion going on and there is always the chance that he could break free. Recently I've detected intruders in my forge but when I get close they scatter and hide. My automatons never come back after I send them to investigate. I want to learn what this ancient evil is, what it is doing in my old forge, and if it means to free Typhon. If you find out what is happening I will tell you the information you seek," Hephaestus explained.
Hephaestus realized that Jackson was powerful enough that logically the evil in his forge should detect the demigod coming but none of the gods had ever been able to sense Jackson's true power when they tried. The Olympians just assumed Poseidon had taught his offspring techniques to mask power. The sea god had always been next to impossible to read unless he wanted others to feel his might.
"We'll do it," Annabeth agreed.
"My creation will guide you through the Labyrinth," Hephaestus announced as the spider automaton returned.
As the group made their way through the Labyrinth once more they reached a point where the tunnel branched into a section with raw Earth with tree roots lining the opening. The spider went the other way but Harry held it back with his telekinesis.
Grover froze and sniffed the air. The phoenix animagus smelled the distinct scent of the wild god Pan as well.
"I have to follow this tunnel. A door like this won't stay open for long," Grover insisted.
"Ok…I know you have to do what you have to do. You have the tent and mirror I gave you. If anything really bad happens just seal yourself in the tent and you'll be protected," instructed the enchanter.
Harry had gifted Grover with a wizard's tent and communication mirror when the satyr had started going on quests searching for Pan.
"I will go with goat boy," Tyson announced. "Keep him safe I will."
"I'll keep these two jokers out of trouble," Nico also volunteered.
All three males were wearing body armor their magician friend had gifted them in the recent past.
"Stay safe you three," Annabeth cautioned.
"We will and thanks guys for understanding," Grover replied before leading the other two down the side tunnel.
The two lovers headed after the spider into an increasingly hotter tunnel. The tunnel was filled with the roar of rushing liquid as the pair of half bloods raced out into an open cavern of immense proportions. The cavern had a rocky ridge surrounding it with metal bridges networking through the lake of lava that comprised the lower half. The forge equipment was on a huge platform at the center of the chamber. Before Harry and Annabeth had even entered the chamber the couple had made themselves invisible; Annabeth with her magical Yankees cap and the magician via his Hallow cloak.
The linked couple slowly crept forward after the enchanter had spelled their feet silent and banished their scent. The couple stole towards the location where a group of strange creatures was working the forging equipment. The bubble head and cooling charms helped immensely to block out the stifling heat and smoke. The cautious pair stopped behind a cart filled with metal when they heard voices from up ahead.
"Bring it in now that the movie is almost done," one of the voices ordered.
"This thing weighs a ton," one of the sea demons the son of Poseidon recognized as a Telekhines declared with a grunt while pushing the cart with the help of another sea demon.
"What do you expect from celestial bronze?" The other cart pusher pointed out.
The sea demons were hybridized mixtures of dog and seal.
"Let's listen in on what they are saying," the telepath projected to his mate while sharpening his phoenix granted hearing and peering through the rock wall with his magical sight.
The telepath shared his senses with Annabeth so that they could both look and listen into what appeared to be a classroom for young sea Telekhines. The class was watching a film that appeared to be about the puberty period for young Telekhines.
"Now why are we here students?" The instructor questioned the class after the film ended.
"Because Zeus is evil for casting us into Tartarus simply for using magic," a young sea demon answered.
"Good, he betrayed us after we made so many of the god's finest weapons, like Poseidon's trident. We were pushed aside for those bumbling Cyclopes. Soon we will leave the forges of the usurper Hephaestus and reclaim our undersea furnaces, our ancestral home, with the help of Lord Kronos. Now we have some scraps for you to practice on making weapons for the Titan army," explained the instructor before the class retrieved the celestial bronze from the cart.
"This is not good Percy, not good at all," Annabeth sent to her man.
"You're right of course. I'm going to throw a wrench in their plans. When I tell you to I want you to take your portkey back to Camp. Things are going to get seriously hot in here," warned the magician.
"Ok but you'd better come back to me Jackson or I'll hunt you down with the help of my sisters," growled the fiery daughter of Athena as she passionately kissed her man.
"Even I'm not brave enough to incur the wrath of all of you gorgeous and powerful geniuses," agreed the sorcerer.
The couple crept on further into the volcano until they could easily see the center platform. On the platform four fully grown sea demons about eight feet tall apiece were working the forge to hammer out a long glowing piece of metal.
"The blade is almost finished. Another cooling in blood is required for fusion of the metals," one Telekhine announced.
The blade being worked was around six feet long with a crescent moon shape. The perceptive phoenix animagus could sense the black magic infusing the evil weapon. His course of action determined the sorcerer activated Annabeth's portkey, sending her back to Camp before channeling a powerful destructive curse right at the evil weapon the sea demons were crafting. The resulting explosion of energy caused the volcano to erupt violently. The pressure and heat wave propelled the son of Poseidon higher and higher all the while his phoenix core of power grew stronger under the volcanic onslaught.
As he was riding out the volcano's might Harry reflected that his destructive curse might have been a bit too powerful. At this time the green eyed warlock also sensed the influence of a familiar being on his path of flight. Aphrodite was directing her mate's path to a portal that had just opened up through the wards around a now visible floating island. The reality traveler shot through the gap in the barrier before the hole closed up. A lake caught the water wizard gently in its embrace as he splashed down, shooting up a cloud of steam that billowed off his superheated form.
As he swam towards the shore the enchanter realized that even his spelled clothes hadn't survived the volcano's might. Unconcerned Harry rose up out of the water onto the shore and was greeted with the sight of one of the most beautiful females he had ever laid eyes upon standing up from where she had obviously been tending to a garden until the warrior mage dropped into her lake. The sorcerer smiled at the youthful appearing beauty as he now realized what Aphrodite's plan was in bringing him to this floating island.
"Hello there…who might you be?" Harry inquired.
"I…I am Calypso," answered the beauty's musical voice.
Harry's mind immediately processed who Calypso was from his history lessons with his father. Calypso was a daughter of Atlas and had sided with the Titans in the last war. In punishment Calypso was confined to the floating isle of Ogygia. Periodically the more spiteful gods sent Calypso a hero that she could easily fall in love with yet the heroes always had pressing concerns in the outside world that called them away, breaking Calypso's heart over and over.
"Hello Calypso," the magician greeted warmly as he stepped forth and took the gorgeous female's hand, kissing it. "My name is Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. Am I to assume I've landed on Ogygia?"
"Yes…you know of me then?" Calypso inquired, finding the handsome naked male very charming and enjoyable to look at.
The beautiful immortal also found it amusing that the obvious demigod didn't find his nudity of any concern. Calypso certainly wasn't stupid enough to mention anything about her guest's state of dress.
"Oh yes, your beauty and intelligence is renowned even to this day," replied the phoenix animagus.
"Tell me Percy, what adventure has brought you to my prison?" The female with braided caramel hair inquired.
With the knowledge that his divine lovers and father were continuously keeping the Olympians from truly seeing what the reality traveler was up to Harry casually waved his hand and caused two comfortable love seats to materialize facing each other.
"Sit please, it is a long tale," suggested the sorcerer as a very surprised Titan took the second seat.
Harry then relayed the events of his current Quest to the entranced daughter of Atlas.
"You are very talented, brave one," Calypso commented after the story concluded with the eruption of the volcano. "I was struck by the feeling as you recounted your tale this isn't your first Quest in recent times."
"No it is not. Perhaps I can tell you about some of my other adventures, including my adventure last year where I met your sisters and father, over dinner. I've grown quite hungry. How would you like to sample some of the more appetizing foods of modern times?" Harry suggested.
Growing concerned over the mention of her father and intrigued at the powers this half blood was showing that no half blood Calypso had ever come across before wielded the Titan queried, "And how would we acquire these foods?"
Calypso tried not to get her hopes up that this handsome warrior could be her salvation but she felt a slowly growing sense of relief building in her belly as the entrancing enchanter displayed the power of a god with none of the usual arrogance that such a status entailed. The beautiful Titan also could not sense her guest's power level which was quite confusing.
"Like this of course," answered the magician as he permanently conjured a veritable buffet of Chinese food along with a table while the pair's chairs shifted into a more comfortable form for dining.
"It smells delicious," Calypso commented as the duo began to eat.
As Calypso sampled the delicious sweet and sour chicken her still quite nude dining companion entertained her with tales of his adventures. The Titan's optimism blossomed into full blown hope when she heard that her potential love had bested her powerful father in a physical engagement, something she hadn't thought possible by any single god let alone a demigod. It was quite obvious by this point to the intelligent female immortal that her guest was far more than he appeared.
"Hmm…even though my physiology doesn't require it I still feel like I need to work off that meal. Would you care to dance my beautiful Calypso?" The Potter male requested as he stood up after both immortals were finished eating.
"I would love to," the powerful woman agreed with a warm smile as she stood and stepped closer to the nude male.
The couple began to dance towards the lake and after a short time Calypso realized they were walking on water thanks to the abilities of the son of Poseidon. The draw the Titan felt towards all heroes that visited her on her island was stronger than it had ever been when the obviously powerful and well built Percy held her in his embrace. The quite often lonely female couldn't help herself and leaned up to capture her dance partner's lips in a sensual embrace.
"Would it be too soon after we met to ask you to take me to bed my brave one?" Calypso inquired after the pair had broken the kiss to catch their breath.
"Not at all," replied the highly aroused phoenix animagus male as he slid his right hand down below the hem of the white dress the Titan was wearing and up her smooth thigh to cup her uncovered rear. "I feel a powerful attraction to you and won't deny myself the pleasures you have to offer."
Moments later the couple vanished and reappeared silently on Calypso's bed.
Smut Scene Redacted (See hpfanficarchive or ficsite for erotic version)
Chapter 4
It was the night after the pair's marathon of love making that saw the duo out under the moonlight working Calypso's garden. The beautiful Titan handed her mate a plant with glowing flowers by the clump of dirt surrounding the roots.
"Moonlace," the sorcerer identified.
The magical flower could only be planted at night under a full moon.
"Do you like gardening? I simply love mine," the female immortal gushed.
"I've always enjoyed taking care of plants," the reality traveler replied, thinking back to the time spent tending his aunt's garden and the times spent in Herbology class at Hogwarts. "Your garden is almost as beautiful as you."
"Thank you Percy," Calypso said to her lover with a tender smile. "Please tell me of the outside world. Hermes visits from time to time but he never goes into much detail."
"I'll do something better," announced the enchanter as he summoned his pensieve from the pocket dimension contained within his wizard's trunk.
"What's that?" A fascinated Calypso queried as she watched her partner draw strands of silvery energy from his forehead and place them in the bowl shaped construct.
"Come with me and I'll show you," Harry promised as he took the beautiful woman's hand and touched the surface of the memories.
Several hours later the couple emerged from the memories and Calypso immediately gushed, "That was amazing." Kissing her favorite son of Poseidon tenderly the eternal gardener added, "Thank you for showing me that."
"I'll show you more tomorrow my enchanting one," the sorcerer declared, trying out a new pet name similar to the title Calypso often addressed him by.
"I would like that," agreed the daughter of Atlas.
Harry had trouble for a few days contacting the outside world because Ogygia was under time dilation so that time passed more slowly on the floating isle. Although he had spent some time under time dilation before while training those sessions were preplanned and the wizard had never had a reason to make contact with those in normal spacetime. When he finally did reestablish communication with his lovers through their bond he was relieved to hear they hadn't been too worried because Aphrodite had been kind enough to inform her female mates of where their favorite male was currently vacationing.
Unfortunately Thalia and Annabeth couldn't tell the rest of Camp the duo knew their best friend was alive without revealing more of his secrets so the two beauties simply asserted that they firmly believed Percy Jackson was still breathing. Harry was really unconcerned with what the rest of Camp thought as he enjoyed his vacation with Calypso. The couple grew closer as they got to know each other. The female Titan showed her guest her island oasis which was truly a paradise. The gods had been gracious enough to ensure their prisoner was well provided for because she had not actively fought in the war, simply having sided with her family in viewpoint.
The pair took long walks, shared memories of their lives, sampled delicious meals from all over the world and different cultures, and made love for hours and days without end. The gorgeous Titan's hope grew as the days progressed. The perceptive sorcerer couldn't help but pick up on his mate's mood and knew some of her history so decided to allay any of her fears.
"I'm going to take you with me when I finally decide to leave," announced the green eyed mage as he laid in the bed he and Calypso shared with the sweaty and nude Titaness wrapped around him after their most recent session of making love.
"But how…I am imprisoned here," pointed out the loving female not allowing her true feelings to ring in her musical voice.
"Aphrodite, Artemis, and Poseidon are on my side. They have currently taken over the duties of overseeing a number of the Titan prisons, including yours," explained the warlock.
"But Hermes visits me sometimes and he would notice my absence," pointed out the imprisoned gardener.
"That's what she is for," suggested the sorcerer as he pointed to the side of the cave his mate was facing away from. Calypso turned to see what appeared to be a duplicate of herself sitting in a chair as if asleep. "That is a carefully crafted enchanted golem that I've made to fool any visitors. Long before any visitors reach this cave the wards around Ogygia will alert us and give you time to possess this golem and control its actions with the techniques I'll instruct you on."
"But what if we can't respond in time?" The brown eyed female questioned.
"Time is not a problem for me, ever," answered the magician with a grin before explaining his time travel technology to an amazed Titan.
"You've opened up my heart again and given me true hope for the first time in many years. Thank you so much for being with me my brave one," a tearful Calypso whispered before she kissed her man. "Now let my actions show my immense gratitude," the nature lover added as she straddled her mate once more and proceeded to demonstrate the strength of her thanks and of her feminine form.
The next morning the couple had a visitor who arrived in a column of fire.
"This is a rare honor Lord Hephaestus," Calypso greeted with a short bow as the deity materialized.
"As beautiful as always Calypso," replied the forge master. "I need to speak with young Mr. Jackson if you'll excuse us for awhile."
The two male immortals took seats at a nearby picnic table and the grungy god ordered a Coke from one of the invisible servants that normally served Calypso before her magical mate's arrival. The servant accidentally spilled the drink on the deity and earned a cursing out that amused the green eyed reality traveler greatly.
"So what brings you here Hephaestus?" The water wizard queried.
"I wanted to get your side of the story after talking to Annabeth. I'd like to figure out exactly why Mount St. Helens erupted. The mortals are all in a tizzy with half a million of them being evacuated from the area. Luckily none have died. Typhon has stirred but we are unsure if he will wake. But what exactly happened after Annabeth left?" The disfigured immortal probed.
"After Annabeth left I destroyed the cursed blade the sea demons were crafting. I kind of underestimated the resulting release of energy," explained the demigod.
"And your own strength," Hephaestus concurred. "Oh, before I forget…just in case you do decide to leave this place I owe you an answer to your question. Navigating the labyrinth won't require Ariadne's String. Theseus used the Princess and she was a regular mortal that could see very well," the god hinted.
"A clear sighted mortal can see through the enchantments of the maze," concluded the reality traveler, wanting to kick himself for not seeing it sooner.
"You've got it in one kid," the elder immortal agreed. "Well now I need to get going. You did a great thing destroying that horrible weapon. I'll always remember you for that."
It sounded like Hephaestus didn't hold much faith that the son of Poseidon would be strong enough to leave Calypso. Luckily Harry didn't have to make such a choice. The deity disappeared in a column of fire.
"What did Hephaestus want?" Calypso questioned as her mate rejoined her at her garden.
"To find out what happened after Annabeth left," answered the water wizard. "Are you ready to leave this place behind?"
"I've been ready for millennia," replied the beautiful Titan.
Harry slipped a bracelet on his lover's wrist.
"What is this?" The brown eyed gardener questioned as she examined the piece of jewelry.
"This is a special cloak I've been working on for awhile now. I have an invisibility cloak that is quite effective in hiding my presence even from gods and Titans. I've been working on a way to duplicate my cloak's abilities. The technology in your arm band is the result. The band will take you out of phase with the dimension we normally occupy to an adjacent realm that allows you to observe everything that goes on but without actually physically interacting. Think of yourself like a ghost when this technology is active. The bracelet is mentally activated. Just will yourself to become invisible and you will be. You can only interact with other beings while invisible if they are mentally connected to me via telepathy. So basically you can communicate with myself or my mates," the genius reality traveler explained.
"This is brilliant," a beaming Calypso declared.
"Activate it and we'll be on our way," instructed the crafty magician.
Calypso did so as her lover summoned his ship the Trident. The yacht rose out of the lake via a water portal. The Titan's belongings were already stored in an enchanted trunk her favorite male had crafted for her. The couple climbed below decks as the Trident sank beneath the surface of the body of water and disappeared from the isle of Ogygia, the isle of Calypso's birth heading for Camp Half Blood.
When the warlock returned to Camp he made sure he wasn't noticed by any of the campers until he made it inside the Big House.
"Percy my boy…I do not believe I have ever been happier to see a camper return from a quest," Chiron declared with a smile as he noticed the son of Poseidon enter the living room of the Big House where the Centaur had been playing a game of chess against Annabeth.
The daughter of Athena simply came over and hugged her mate warmly while glancing off towards the cloaked Calypso, able to sense the Titan through the gray eyed demigoddess' connection with her lover.
"Come sit down and tell us what has happened since Annabeth left you in Hephaestus' old forge," encouraged Chiron.
So Harry recounted his story while leaving any mention of Calypso out for the time being; only mentioning having landed on an island. Annabeth knew the truth after having heard Aphrodite's plans for their mate.
"So a clear sighted mortal will guide you through the labyrinth safely. That must have been why Harriet Tubman, daughter of Hermes used quite a few mortal guides on her underground railroad," the Centaur instructor mused.
"We'll use Rachel," Annabeth declared. "We all already get along with her so well," the gray eyed beauty pointed out with a fond smile at the times she'd spent with the brown haired heiress.
"We'll drive into the city tomorrow and pick her up," agreed the sorcerer.
"You should know that Chris Rodriguez has grown worse Percy. I had to order Clarisse to leave his side after he lost the will to live. He is completely unresponsive. Also you should know that three nights ago Juniper spotted Quintus slipping into the maze and he hasn't been heard from since," Chiron informed the recently returned magician.
"What about Mrs. O'Leary?" The phoenix animagus queried.
"She's still in the sword training arena," Annabeth spoke up. "Mrs. O'Leary will only let Thalia and I get near her."
"I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of Quintus in the future," announced the water wizard as he stood and took Annabeth's hand before leading her out of the Big House to go find his other mates.
The recently returned couple found Thalia in the arena playing with Mrs. O'Leary. The hellhound barked happily and made to charge the warlock when she spotted him.
"Slow down there girl," cautioned the warrior mage as he slowed the giant canine's progress with his telekinesis.
"Did Chiron and Annabeth catch you up on the events happening at Camp during your absence?" Thalia queried her favorite male as she stepped up beside him as he rubbed down the hell hound.
"Yeah…I'm up to date," answered Harry as he glanced back at Annabeth who was getting to know Calypso better.
"Mrs. O'Leary here will only let those of us who are bonded to you near her, although Choria and Furusia don't come around her all that often. They don't want to get drooled on," Thalia pointed out with a grin.
Even though Thalia and Harry's other mates had slept with him every night via portkey they didn't often mention the day to day happenings back at Camp unless it was really important. They had also abstained from visiting him while he had been on Ogygia getting to know Calypso. The intelligent females the magician often surrounded himself with didn't want to bother him too much when he was on an important quest.
"Clarisse has been coming down here every day to spar but only when I'm here because Mrs. O'Leary doesn't get along too well with our favorite daughter of Ares," the daughter of Zeus explained.
"I'm not surprised," muttered the wizard.
"She's a little rough around the edges but I'm working on that. Give her time to grow up and she won't be so bitter and spiteful," pointed out the blue eyed demigoddess.
"I'll always take your advice into account," agreed Harry.
"Well then take my advice now and kiss me, honey," purred Thalia as she pulled her mate closer and captured his lips in a passionate embrace.
As the wizard put up a Notice-Me-Not charm targeted to the campers that weren't his lovers clothes were shed.
From nearby a now visible Calypso turned to Annabeth and inquired, "Is it always like this around here?"
An amused daughter of Athena answered, "With so many attractive women around our favorite demigod hardly keeps his clothes on. Are you complaining?"
"No of course not," the Titaness replied. "What do you normally do when he's with one of his other lovers?"
With a shrug the intelligent Athena camper suggested, "Why we join them of course."
"I like your thinking Annabeth," Calypso agreed with a smile before carrying out her new friend's suggestion.
That night Harry experienced another vivid dream vision of Daedalus' life. The sorcerer learned of how King Minos hunted the inventor for ten years and eventually located the old demigod through another King, Cocalus. Daedalus served as the tutor for Cocalus' three daughters and had earned the young women's trust. Minos used a riddle that only someone of true genius could solve and a massive prize to set a trap for Daedalus but the crafty inventor reversed the deception. Daedalus solved the riddle and lured Minos to Cocalus' kingdom. After threatening Cocalus into giving up Daedalus, Minos was arrogant enough to accept a bath from Cocalus' daughters. The three young Princesses used one of Daedalus' inventions to painlessly kill the evil King Minos before the old inventor disappeared into the Labyrinth to hide from the pursuit his actions would bring about.
As sometimes happened the phoenix animagus' dream vision shifted to another scene, this one depicting the present with Luke and his minions attempting to navigate the Labyrinth. The Titan army discovered a single half blood wandering the maze. Just as Luke was going to see the half blood discovered the dream vision ended.
The next morning after making sure Thalia would keep looking after Mrs. O'Leary, Harry and Annabeth drove into the city in one of the many vehicles the incredibly wealthy wizard owned. Quite a few of the cars were stored in pocket dimensions accessible to the mage at all times. The mundane transportation wasn't really necessary given the powers of the son of Poseidon but he and his mates enjoyed riding in the attractive machines from time to time. The couple's enjoyment of riding in a car ended when they hit heavy Manhattan traffic.
"Screw this…let's just use the easy way to traverse the remaining distance," suggested Annabeth.
"Good idea," agreed the warlock as he grabbed his lover's hand and flamed from inside the vehicle.
As he left the car, the sorcerer activated an enchantment which banished the car back to its pocket dimension. The reality traveler's vehicles were all enchanted with many runes which included Notice-Me-Not charms so the mortals didn't notice the car vanishing. The two half bloods located Rachel in Times Square via the magician's link with his partner. Rachel was imitating a statue in front of the Marriot Marquis, painted in gold, with some of her friends. The other mortals were arrayed in different positions with different metallic colorings. A banner at Rachel's feet explained the demonstration was part of urban art for kids and that donations were appreciated.
Harry tossed a couple of hundred dollars in cash into a collection box while the couple waited for the heiress to finish her shift. Soon Rachel was replaced by another teen in silver at which point she joined her favorite half bloods.
"Let's go get some coffee. Doing that makes me thirsty," Rachel suggested.
The two campers followed their mate down to a coffee shop and got drinks. Rachel ordered an espresso while the other two ordered fruit smoothies.
"How is the funding drive coming?" Annabeth inquired.
Rachel's demonstration was part of an effort to provide funding for art in the local schools since funding for the arts was being cut.
"Well enough I suppose," Rachel answered. "So are you guys ready to get back on this Quest?"
Harry had filled Rachel in on the plan when she had joined him in bed the night before. The phoenix animagus could act as a guide through the Labyrinth due to his ability to see through the Mist but that would reveal another of his abilities to anyone observing. Using Rachel as a guide was the best alternative since it was known she could see through the Mist. Plus it would provide Rachel with some entertainment according to the gorgeous heiress.
"It would be nice to locate an entrance other than the one at Camp," Annabeth suggested. "We just left and I don't want to go straight back," the teen groused.
"Well I've come across an entrance like the one you described in the basement of the hotel Marriott where we store our costumes," Rachel declared. "We could use that."
"A great idea," a beaming Annabeth agreed. "Percy, please take us to the Marriott."
With an amused grin at his two partners the warlock took a hand from both females and flamed the pair to the requested destination.
"I once tried to open it out of curiosity but it wouldn't budge," Rachel explained as she showed her companions the large door half hidden behind a laundry bin.
"That's because it needs the touch of someone with some magic in them to release it. At the time you tried you weren't linked to Percy here. Half bloods or monsters leaving these doors open is how mortals sometimes wander inside," Annabeth informed her lovers.
Harry led the way down a dark staircase, lighting the way by throwing up glowing orbs of light. Rachel jumped in fright at the sight of the skeleton that greeted the trio at the bottom of the staircase. The skeleton was a Cyclopes strung up by chains in an X shape.
"I doubt he was as nice as Tyson," Rachel commented, having met her beau's half brother on several occasions.
"Still, no half brother of mine deserves to be left like that," the green eyed enchanter announced before charming the chains into a portkey and activating the magical device.
"Where did you send him?" Rachel inquired curiously.
"To the burial grounds my father showed me about in his domain," replied the warlock somberly.
Fifty feet into the tunnel a crossroads greeted the trio.
"Straight ahead is the correct way," the heiress declared while the warlock activated his magical sight and noticed a faint glow in a line going in the direction his brown haired mate had indicated.
Neither Harry nor Annabeth questioned their companion. As the threesome progressed the tunnel angled downwards, taking the travelers deeper underground. It wasn't long after the group heard the creaking of metal hinges up ahead followed by the approach of large footsteps.
"What is that?" Rachel questioned worriedly.
"Perhaps we should run," Annabeth suggested.
At that moment something large slammed into Harry and before he could right himself he heard the sound of Rachel gasping. The wizard stood and found three Laistrygonian giants facing him while Kelli the empousa flanked by several dracaenae held her claws to Rachel's throat.
"Hello Jackson. You wouldn't want to do anything rash and cause your little mortal pet to be harmed now would you," prompted the dark creature. "March that way or this mortal dies first," Kelli ordered while indicating the direction the group had been heading in the tunnel.
"Stay calm and don't resist," the magician encouraged his lovers telepathically.
The enchanted jewelry Rachel was wearing would protect her from Kelli if the empousa attempted to injure the heiress and the phoenix animagus was confident he could take out whatever else the dark creature had in store. Playing along might garner some information from the minions of Kronos. The perceptive magician could hear the roar of a crowd up ahead as the group marched through large bronze doors emblazoned with crossed swords.
"You will be very popular with our hosssst," hissed the serpent tailed female flanking the campers.
The trio of lovers didn't reply as one giant instructed Annabeth to wait outside. With a reassuring smile for the daughter of Athena and the attractive Miss Dare the reality traveler passed through the door. The arena on the other side was circular and dirt floored. In the arena's center a giant and a centaur were battling. The sword and shield wielding centaur was panicking as he tried to fend off the giant who was brandishing a massive javelin. The crowd was ecstatic about the mismatched fight.
As the green eyed mage scanned the crowd and observed demigods and monsters cheering together a welcome presence arrived at his side.
"How was your shopping trip with Aphrodite?" The sorcerer questioned Calypso.
"Never go on a shopping trip with the goddess of love," a mentally exhausted Titan replied. "Where are we?" The beautiful immortal questioned as she looked around before her vision zeroed in on two figures up in the stands.
Luke sat next to a tattooed giant who wore a loin cloth. The tattoos were in blue waves. Judging from the water power Harry could feel coming from the giant and the banners of Poseidon ringing the stadium along with skulls on pikes it was safe to assume the giant was a son of the sea god as well. Just then a cry from the arena floor interrupted any answer the warlock might have given his lover when the giant knocked the outmatched centaur down. The giant raised his javelin in a pose to strike before pausing. The crowd was calling for the centaur's death. The giant son of the sea god held up a fist with his thumb pointed down. That was the reality traveler's cue to act.
With a mighty leap the phoenix animagus cleared the distance between himself and the giant. The warlock's sword had appeared in his right hand mid flight which allowed the fast warrior to neatly sever the giant's head before he touched down. As the crowd booed Harry dropped a blue pearl on the injured centaur's chest and a dome like shield surrounded the fallen magical creature before Chiron's brethren disappeared. Poseidon had instructed his heir on how to create the shielded portkeys and the cautious magician had prepared quite a few of the pearl transportation devices.
The giant son of Poseidon rose, causing the crowd to silence, "What new entertainment is this Luke, son of Hermes?"
With a grimace at being called the son of Hermes Luke also rose and announced, "This is a brother of yours Lord Antaeus. Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, should provide sufficient entertainment for you to allow us to pass through your territory my Lord."
Harry remembered hearing about Antaeus from Artemis. Antaeus was a son of Poseidon and Gaia and quite an embarrassment to the sea god. Antaeus made sacrifices of demigods, mortals, and monsters to Poseidon which the sea god certainly didn't approve of. The crowd started booing and throwing rocks at the green eyed wizard. None of the rocks seemed to be aimed accurately as the projectiles all invariably missed the sorcerer thanks to his telekinetic deflections.
"Kronos must be weak indeed if he'd let this vermin keep him from his goal," Calypso observed. "In the old days Lord Kronos would have simply crushed this Antaeus."
"I'm sure he plans on it after he regains his full strength," pointed out Harry.
"A son of Poseidon should fight well or die well," Antaeus agreed with glee.
"If his death amuses you will you let us pass through your territory," Luke probed.
"We'll see," Antaeus replied, not making Luke too happy.
"Luke, don't do this," Annabeth shouted up at her old friend, hoping to influence him in some way.
Annabeth and Rachel had been brought into the arena at some point and were observing from a spot to the side of the stands.
"Annabeth," Luke called back in sudden realization at her presence.
"The females can fight later. Now it's time for Percy Jackson to fight," Antaeus declared. "Begin round one," the giant called, causing the gates to open and a dracaene with a weighted net and a trident to slither out.
The warlock actually felt insulted at such an easy opponent. With a negligent wave of his hand the snake woman erupted into dust as an ice spear shot up through her back and impaled her heart. The crowd grew silent at the display of power.
"That was too fast," the giant bellowed. "Only I can give the order to kill. Now it's time for round two but slower this time. If you don't wait for my order I'll kill your friends."
Harry wasn't worried about his mates. Not only could Annabeth take out the monsters guarding her and Rachel easily but Calypso was now standing nearby and could easily dispatch such weak beings. Before the Titan's intervention would even be required the enchantments protecting the two females would likely vaporize their guards. At that moment a sword wielding Asian demigod exited the open gate into the arena sporting an eye patch over one eye.
"This is pathetic," called Harry loud enough for everyone to hear.
The telepath quickly scanned his opponent's mind and learned that Ethan Nakamura was hopeful to join Kronos' army and hoped to prove himself by defeating the son of Poseidon. Ethan charged but was too slow compared to the phoenix animagus. The agile water wizard knocked Ethan's blade aside with enough force to cause the weapon to fly across the arena and stick into the wall before backhanding the demigod with just enough force to knock him unconscious.
"That was too fast," Antaeus roared.
As he sent the downed half blood to the surface with another pearl Harry pointed out, "It's not my fault if you keep sending me vastly weaker opponents. How about you come down here and fight me yourself and we'll show all these spectators who the more powerful son of Poseidon is!"
As the monsters in the stands made approving sounds the giant realized there was no choice lest he look weak to his followers.
"I shall crush you like a bug boy. I am the greatest wrestler in the world," Antaeus declared.
"If you're so confident then let's make a wager. If you win we die. If I win then your people won't let Luke and his forces pass through your territory," suggested the reality traveler. "Swear it upon the River Styx."
With a grin the giant replied, "Alright, I swear to your terms boy."
Antaeus leapt high into the arena and straight towards the smaller son of the sea god. The agile phoenix animagus dodged the giant and jabbed with his sword. Antaeus bellowed in pain but sand burst out of where blood should have poured. The Earth rose up like a cast around the injury and healed the damage before falling away to reveal unblemished hide. With a bellow Antaeus charged his father's heir once more. This time the warrior wizard dove between the giant's legs and struck upwards with his fist at his opponent's groin while channeling a blasting curse through his fist. The giant's screech was very satisfying as he flew into the opposite wall of the arena.
"I will crush you for this demigod," Antaeus cried with intermittent squeaks in his voice as he climbed to his feet while clutching his ruined manhood.
Dirt rose up and attempted to heal the cursed injury but the phoenix animagus had no intention of giving the giant the chance to heal.
"Hey Antaeus," called Harry while summoning a small device from his trunk dimension.
"What," the giant demanded.
"You talk too much," taunted the sorcerer.
As the giant opened his mouth to reply the reality traveler's aim was true. The small summoned object flew into Antaeus' mouth and immediately exploded. The enchanted grenade was actually a tiny wormhole generator contained within a pocket dimension. When the wielder of the weapon mentally triggered the device they also set a delay for how long the shield protecting the wormhole generator would last. The wormhole contained within the device was connected to the high pressure core of the sun and therefore as soon as the wormhole formed high pressure plasma which burned hotter than any fire on Earth shot forth and enveloped Antaeus and the surrounding area. By the time he had thrown the magical grenade Harry was already moving at immortal speeds to grab Rachel while a nearly as fast Calypso scooped up Annabeth and sped back out into the Labyrinth through the far exit which also happened to be the correct way to continue the group's journey.
It wasn't until the group cleared the arena that the shield protecting the wormhole generator gave out and the grenade shut off. Rachel and Harry led the group through the maze at a fast pace with the perceptive magician disabling any traps the quartet came across with accurate bursts of his abilities. When they reached a large chamber the foursome stopped to make camp for the night in the warlock's wizarding tent.
"Kronos' hold on Luke grows stronger with every day," Annabeth declared morosely.
Harry had long ago made his peace with the fact that Luke would always hold a special place in the hearts of Annabeth and Thalia. But the reality traveler knew that Luke was like a brother to the pair of beauties, having helped the duo out of much trouble in their childhood spent battling monsters.
"Never give up hope my love…we'll find a way to save him," asserted the green eyed warrior.
"Coming from you I think I believe that," Annabeth whispered before climbing into her favorite male's lap with all of her favorite females arrayed throughout the living room of the magical tent reading, surfing the internet, watching TV, or engaging in various hobbies as the group of lovers did most nights.
Harry silently swore to himself that he wouldn't let Annabeth and Thalia down.
That night the immortal son of Poseidon felt the wards on the wizarding tent he had given to Grover flare with power as they reacted to a threat. The skilled sorcerer checked the cause of the defense and was surprised to discover a giant snake had attempted to attack Grover, Tyson, and Nico. The wards had disintegrated the monster. When the warlock awoke shortly after checking on the other group the chamber his own group was camped in was rumbling as if an earthquake gripped that section of the Labyrinth. The wizard reacted quickly, jumping from the tent and banishing it back into his trunk dimension with his lovers all still inside.
Even though the wards would have protected the tents inhabitants from a cave-in Harry still didn't want to put the enchantments to the test. With the speed of his animagus form the mage ran from the chamber as marble columns and sections of the ceiling came crashing down around him. After clearing the chamber the water manipulator put up an energy shield to block the dust from filling the tunnel and let his mates out of the tent.
"I wonder what caused that," Rachel mused.
"Not sure…but look up ahead…there are lights," Annabeth pointed out.
Harry led the way into a stainless steel corridor with electric lights blazing overhead.
"We're close to the workshop," Rachel declared. "Follow me," urged the heiress as she led the way to a set of metal doors with a Delta inscribed into the surface.
Annabeth opened the doors by pressing on the symbol, causing the portal to slide open with a hiss. Again the most powerful of the group led the way into the room which had a bay of windows along the opposite wall with sunlight blazing through the glass. Polished stone floors, an impressive ceiling height, and workbenches were arrayed about the chamber. A loft was connected with the first floor by a spiral staircase. Laptops and easels were displayed in equal numbers, depicting design schematics. The crafty magician immediately interfaced with the computer system in his trunk using his abilities and was pleased to discover a wireless network permeating throughout the workshop. Straight away the sorcerer set his computer system to the task of downloading Daedalus' database.
"He's a genius," Annabeth excitedly announced as she fluttered about the room examining the many experiments and drawings cluttering the place.
Rachel and Calypso both also looked around.
"These wings are works of art," Rachel added her thoughts while examining a more advanced version of the wings her mate had observed used in his vision of the past.
These wings were constructed of more modern materials and had likely been thoroughly tested. Meanwhile Harry was gazing out the window at the stunning view. The Rocky Mountains were easily recognizable in the distance.
"Where are we located?" Rachel questioned as she joined her partner at the window.
"You're in Colorado Springs overlooking the Garden of the Gods," a familiar male voice declared from behind.
"Hello Daedalus," Harry greeted the familiar form of Quintus as the warlock turned and faced the son of Athena.
"I'm impressed Mr. Jackson. How long have you know?" The sword wielding automaton inquired.
"Since shortly after we met I've suspected your true identity," the phoenix animagus replied while Daedalus held his sword cautiously at his side and walked over to look out the window.
"This view changes every day, usually to a highly elevated location," the inventor explained. "Always the view returns to the Garden of the Gods. I wouldn't be surprised if the Labyrinth likes this location."
"Quintus means the fifth in Latin. Can I assume that is the fifth version of your automaton form," probed the sorcerer casually.
"You are quite perceptive Mr. Jackson, a lot more than you let on to others," confirmed the inventor. "Despite my change in form I can never forget my past. Our mother Athena makes sure I can't forget," Daedalus declared as he pulled back the collar of his shirt and showed Annabeth the bird shaped mark.
"A murderer's brand," the grey eyed demigoddess observed.
"Yes, our mother turned Perdix into a partridge as he died and branded his form onto my neck," explained the automaton. "I am ashamed of my actions during that time in my life. The brand always appears on my new form because the curse is on my animus."
"So did you decide if Camp was worth the effort to save? I assume that was why you visited," the green eyed phoenix animagus prompted.
"Luke can be quite persuasive. He has promised me control of the underworld if I help him. My greatest enemy, the ghost king Minos, has pursued me throughout the ages without fail. I am tired of hiding," explained the son of Athena.
At that moment Mrs. O'Leary bounded into the workshop and happily began licking Harry and Daedalus.
"To answer your earlier question…Luke has the string. The eyes of your mortal friend here are far more accurate but Luke was obsessed with the concept of an enchanted item. I truly am sorry but I'm so tired of being hunted by Minos and there is no love lost between Athena and I," Daedalus explained. "Plus I will get to see Icarus again," the old man in a young form added in a whisper of longing.
Harry could sense how much her idol's words hurt Annabeth and so too could her other lovers. Calypso wrapped her arms around the distraught younger woman in a warm embrace as the daughter of Athena's face clouded over in anger.
"You're a fool if you think Kronos will honor his bargain," Annabeth informed her half sibling just as Mrs. O'Leary's ears perked up.
The phoenix animagus focused his powerful hearing and picked up on what the hell hound had noticed. A moment later, Kelli the empousa led two Laistrygonian giants into the chamber followed by an almost solid looking Minos. Harry hadn't figured the ancient empousa had been killed in the arena inferno because the elder of her race were creatures of fire and dark magic.
"I've found you at last my old friend," Minos declared nastily as his gaze focused on Daedalus.
"Luke sends his best and thought you'd enjoy a reunion with your old employer," Kelli added.
"It appears you were right my younger and wiser sister…I was a fool," Daedalus announced. "Mrs. O'Leary…take the giants."
As the hell hound leapt forward the son of Poseidon surged towards Kelli. Faster than the she-demon could perceive she was being gripped by the defeater of Atlas in a grip that could crush diamonds. Kelli burst into flames using her true form but the trick did no good as the Phoenix animagus welcomed the heat. The warrior mage's hands glowed green as he channeled killing curse energy into the empousa. A terrible screech filled the workshop as Kelli died a final death with an explosion of fire.
"Come to me spirits of the dead," Minos cried as he raised his hands.
"I don't think so," growled the wizard with a Hallow core.
"What are you doing? You have no power over the dead, boy," Minos spat out with a sneer.
"Yes you do…and so do I," Calypso informed her lovers as she brought her considerable power as a Titan of death to bear.
Minos simply exploded with ghostly energy under the might of the two immortals.
Daedalus had been pushed into the Labyrinth by the two giants and the quartet of mates could hear more reinforcements coming. A row of enchanted spears lined one wall. Harry grabbed two and hurled them into the giants' backs. As the monsters exploded into dust the warrior wizard peered through the wall and watched as Mrs. O'Leary used her shadow travel abilities as a hound of hell to carry Daedalus away through the shadow realm.
"It's time to go. Everyone grab on," the sorcerer instructed his three mates.
Rachel, Annabeth, and Calypso each took hold of their man and were whisked away in a flash of flame that blended in with the blazing workshop. When the group rematerialized they were once again in the Labyrinth.
"Why didn't you take us back to Camp?" Annabeth questioned.
"My senses tell me there is something someone powerful wants us to see," the second sight gifted mage answered.
"I too sense the influence of an outside force," Calypso agreed with her mate. "Perhaps you should lead the way Rachel," the Titan suggested while exchanging a look with her man.
If someone was trying to guide the group to a certain destination it would be a lot easier to influence the mind of a mortal than the Labyrinth itself. The heiress nodded her agreement and led her partners through the maze for some time until she stopped at a particular crossroads.
"Eucalyptus trees…I can smell them," declared the phoenix animagus.
"Mount Tamalpais," Annabeth whispered, catching on quickly to where the tunnel likely led. "Well Mount Othrys now…this must be where Luke entered the Labyrinth."
"I can sense something really powerful down there," Rachel added.
"Follow me," the warrior wizard commanded his mates. "And let's all activate our cloaking devices."
The females nodded their agreement. Annabeth and Rachel concentrated a moment and the wrist mount devices appeared out of the trunks their man had provided them into their hands. The pair slipped the cloaks on and became as untouchable as Calypso. The Potter male tapped into his Hallow core and felt himself shift out of sight and phase until he was like a ghost. The skill was a recent acquisition learned during one of the demigod's sparring sessions he regularly maintained with his father.
The perceptive animagus smelled Telekhines on the air when he reached the mouth of the tunnel. The cautious mage halted his movements and signaled his women to do the same through their link to him. Peering through the side of a black marble fortress that rested higher up the mountain Harry was able to discern the activity inside. The telepath projected what he was seeing to his three lovers. Ethan Nakamura, the demigod missing an eye that the water wizard had spared in the arena, was standing with a group of Telekhine in a room within the fortress which contained the glowing golden coffin of Kronos.
The warlock's enhanced hearing picked up Ethan declaring, "I renounce the gods and serve Lord Kronos."
The sorcerer could sense the magic in the air as Ethan spoke. A blue cloud of energy traveled from Ethan into the coffin and a few moments later the lid was thrown off as the Titan Lord in the form of Luke sat up.
"A well prepared body," Kronos declared as he ran his eyes over his new form and used his magical senses to probe his temporary shell. "Where is my weapon?" The Titan time lord demanded as he turned his gaze upon a cowering Ethan and the Telekhine.
"The second one isn't quite finished my Lord since Jackson destroyed the first one," one of the sea demons announced with a whimper.
"Yes, Percy Jackson…I shall deal with that fool soon enough," Kronos declared with a sneer.
"Alright…we've seen enough," the immortal mage informed his mates as he raised his hands towards the rocky fortress further up the mountain. "I let Nakamura live once before and that was a mistake. I won't do it again."
As he spoke the warlock's hands began to glow an angry red while energy built. This process continued for roughly half a minute before twin spheres of magic shot forth from the phoenix animagus' hands. The death dealer concentrated and opened up wormholes to transition the full force of the energy attack back into the lower dimension most mortals inhabited right before the red orbs impacted the fortress. The explosion was blinding with the intensity of the light being emitted. Calypso and her man ushered the other two females back up the tunnel as the angry bellow of Kronos was heard coming from outside the Labyrinth.
"I do believe you've pissed Uncle Kronos off, my love," Calypso declared with a grin.
"You think," Rachel spoke up with a grin that matched Calypso's expression.