The Heroes of Olympus: The Complete Series

by Rick Riordan

  Finally the kelp forest opened up. Leo gasped. They were standing (swimming, whatever) at the summit of a high underwater hill. Below them stretched an entire town of Greek-style buildings on the seafloor.

  The roofs were tiled with mother-of-pearl. The gardens were filled with coral and sea anemones. Hippocampi grazed in a field of seaweed. A team of Cyclopes was placing the domed roof on a new temple, using a blue whale as a crane. And swimming through the streets, hanging out in the courtyards, practising combat with tridents and swords in the arena, were dozens of mermen and mermaids – honest-to-goodness fish-people.

  Leo had seen a lot of crazy stuff, but he had always thought merpeople were silly fictional creatures, like Smurfs or Muppets.

  There was nothing silly or cute about these merpeople, though. Even from a distance, they looked fierce and not at all human. Their eyes glowed yellow. They had sharklike teeth and leathery skin in colours ranging from coral red to ink black.

  ‘It’s a training camp,’ Leo realized. He looked at Aphros in awe. ‘You train heroes, the same way Chiron does?’

  Aphros nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes. ‘We have trained all the famous mer-heroes! Name a mer-hero, and we have trained him or her!’

  ‘Oh, sure,’ Leo said. ‘Like … um, the Little Mermaid?’

  Aphros frowned. ‘Who? No! Like Triton, Glaucus, Weissmuller and Bill!’

  ‘Oh.’ Leo had no idea who any of those people were. ‘You trained Bill? Impressive.’

  ‘Indeed!’ Aphros pounded his chest. ‘I trained Bill myself. A great merman.’

  ‘You teach combat, I guess.’

  Aphros threw up his hands in exasperation. ‘Why does everyone assume that?’

  Leo glanced at the massive sword on the fish-guy’s back. ‘Uh, I don’t know.’

  ‘I teach music and poetry!’ Aphros said. ‘Life skills! Homemaking! These are important for heroes.’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Leo tried to keep a straight face. ‘Sewing? Cookie baking?’

  ‘Yes. I’m glad you understand. Perhaps later, if I don’t have to kill you, I will share my brownie recipe.’ Aphros gestured behind him contemptuously. ‘My brother Bythos – he teaches combat.’

  Leo wasn’t sure whether he felt relieved or insulted that the combat trainer was interrogating Frank, while Leo got the home economics teacher. ‘So, great. This is Camp … what do you call it? Camp Fish-Blood?’

  Aphros frowned. ‘I hope that was a joke. This is Camp __________.’ He made a sound that was a series of sonar pings and hisses.

  ‘Silly me,’ Leo said. ‘And, you know, I could really go for some of those brownies! So what do we have to do to get to the not killing me stage?’

  ‘Tell me your story,’ Aphros said.

  Leo hesitated, but not for long. Somehow he sensed that he should tell the truth. He started at the beginning – how Hera had been his babysitter and placed him in the flames; how his mother had died because of Gaia, who had identified Leo as a future enemy. He talked about how he had spent his childhood bouncing around in foster homes, until he and Jason and Piper had been taken to Camp Half-Blood. He explained the Prophecy of Seven, the building of the Argo II and their quest to reach Greece and defeat the giants before Gaia woke.

  As he talked, Aphros drew some wicked-looking metal spikes from his belt. Leo was afraid he had said something wrong, but Aphros pulled some seaweed yarn from his pouch and started knitting. ‘Go on,’ he urged. ‘Don’t stop.’

  By the time Leo had explained the eidolons, the problem with the Romans and all the troubles the Argo II had encountered crossing the United States and embarking from Charleston, Aphros had knitted a complete baby bonnet.

  Leo waited while the fish centaur put away his supplies. Aphros’s lobster-claw horns kept swimming around in his thick hair, and Leo had to resist the urge to try to rescue them.

  ‘Very well,’ Aphros said. ‘I believe you.’

  ‘As simple as that?’

  ‘I am quite good at discerning lies. I hear none from you. Your story also fits with what Hazel Levesque told us.’

  ‘Is she –?’

  ‘Of course,’ Aphros said. ‘She’s fine.’ He put his fingers to his mouth and whistled, which sounded strange underwater – like a dolphin screaming. ‘My people will bring her here shortly. You must understand … our location is a carefully guarded secret. You and your friends showed up in a warship, pursued by one of Keto’s sea monsters. We did not know whose side you were on.’

  ‘Is the ship all right?’

  ‘Damaged,’ Aphros said, ‘but not terribly. The skolopendra withdrew after it got a mouthful of fire. Nice touch.’

  ‘Thank you. Skolopendra? Never heard of it.’

  ‘Consider yourself lucky. They are nasty creatures. Keto must really hate you. At any rate, we rescued you and the other two from the creature’s tentacles as it retreated into the deep. Your friends are still above, searching for you, but we have obscured their vision. We had to be sure you were not a threat. Otherwise, we would have had to … take measures.’

  Leo gulped. He was pretty sure taking measures did not mean baking extra brownies. And if these guys were so powerful that they could keep their camp hidden from Percy, who had all those Poseidonish water powers, they were not fish dudes to mess with. ‘So … we can go?’

  ‘Soon,’ Aphros promised. ‘I must check with Bythos. When he is done talking with your friend Gank –’

  ‘Frank.’

  ‘Frank. When they are done, we will send you back to your ship. And we may have some warnings for you.’

  ‘Warnings?’

  ‘Ah.’ Aphros pointed. Hazel emerged from the kelp forest, escorted by two vicious-looking mermaids, who were baring their fangs and hissing. Leo thought Hazel might be in danger. Then he saw she was completely at ease, grinning and talking with her escorts, and Leo realized that the mermaids were laughing.

  ‘Leo!’ Hazel paddled towards him. ‘Isn’t this place amazing?’

  They were left alone at the ridge, which must have meant Aphros really did trust them. While the centaur and the mermaids went off to fetch Frank, Leo and Hazel floated above the hill and gazed down at the underwater camp.

  Hazel told him how the mermaids had warmed up to her right away. Aphros and Bythos had been fascinated by her story, as they had never met a child of Pluto before. On top of that, they had heard many legends about the horse Arion, and they were amazed that Hazel had befriended him.

  Hazel had promised to visit again with Arion. The mermaids had written their phone numbers in waterproof ink on Hazel’s arm so that she could keep in touch. Leo didn’t even want to ask how mermaids got cell-phone coverage in the middle of the Atlantic.

  As Hazel talked, her hair floated around her face in a cloud – like brown earth and gold dust in a miner’s pan. She looked very sure of herself and very beautiful – not at all like the shy, nervous girl in that New Orleans schoolyard with her smashed canvas lunch bag at her feet.

  ‘We didn’t get to talk,’ Leo said. He was reluctant to bring up the subject, but he knew this might be their only chance to be alone. ‘I mean about Sammy.’

  Her smile faded. ‘I know … I just need some time to let it sink in. It’s strange to think that you and he …’

  She didn’t need to finish the thought. Leo knew exactly how strange it was.

  ‘I’m not sure I can explain this to Frank,’ she added. ‘About you and me holding hands.’

  She wouldn’t meet Leo’s eyes. Down in the valley, the Cyclopes work crew cheered as the temple roof was set in place.

  ‘I talked to him,’ Leo said. ‘I told him I wasn’t trying to … you know. Make trouble between you two.’

  ‘Oh. Good.’

  Did she sound disappointed? Leo wasn’t sure, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

  ‘Frank, um, seemed pretty freaked out when I summoned fire.’ Leo explained what had happened in the cave.

  Hazel looked stunned. ‘Oh
, no. That would terrify him.’

  Her hand went to her denim jacket, like she was checking for something in the inside pocket. She always wore that jacket, or some sort of overshirt, even when it was hot outside. Leo had assumed that she did it out of modesty, or because it was better for horseback riding, like a motorcycle jacket. Now he began to wonder.

  His brain shifted into high gear. He remembered what Frank had said about his weakness … a piece of firewood. He thought about why this kid would have a fear of fire, and why Hazel would be so attuned to those feelings. Leo thought about some of the stories he’d heard at Camp Half-Blood. For obvious reasons, he tended to pay attention to legends about fire. Now he remembered one he hadn’t thought about in months.

  ‘There was an old legend about a hero,’ he recalled. ‘His lifeline was tied to a stick in a fireplace, and when that piece of wood burned up …’

  Hazel’s expression turned dark. Leo knew he’d struck on the truth.

  ‘Frank has that problem,’ he guessed. ‘And the piece of firewood …’ He pointed at Hazel’s jacket. ‘He gave it to you for safekeeping?’

  ‘Leo, please don’t … I can’t talk about it.’

  Leo’s instincts as a mechanic kicked in. He started thinking about the properties of wood and the corrosiveness of salt water. ‘Is the firewood okay in the ocean like this? Does the layer of air around you protect it?’

  ‘It’s fine,’ Hazel said. ‘The wood didn’t even get wet. Besides, it’s wrapped up in several layers of cloth and plastic and –’ She bit her lip in frustration. ‘And I’m not supposed to talk about it! Leo, the point is if Frank seems afraid of you, or uneasy, you’ve got to understand …’

  Leo was glad he was floating, because he probably would’ve been too dizzy to stand. He imagined being in Frank’s position, his life so fragile it literally could burn up at any time. He imagined how much trust it would take to give his lifeline – his entire fate – to another person.

  Frank had chosen Hazel, obviously. So when he had seen Leo – a guy who could summon fire at will – moving in on his girl …

  Leo shuddered. No wonder Frank didn’t like him. And suddenly Frank’s ability to turn into a bunch of different animals didn’t seem so awesome – not if it came with a big catch like that.

  Leo thought about his least favourite line in the Prophecy of Seven: To storm or fire the world must fall. For a long time, he’d figured that Jason or Percy stood for storm – maybe both of them together. Leo was the fire guy. Nobody said that, but it was pretty clear. Leo was one of the wild cards. If he did the wrong thing, the world could fall. No … it must fall. Leo wondered if Frank and his firewood had something to do with that line. Leo had already made some epic mistakes. It would be so easy for him to accidentally send Frank Zhang up in flames.

  ‘There you are!’ Bythos’s voice made Leo flinch.

  Bythos and Aphros floated over with Frank between them, looking pale but okay. Frank studied Hazel and Leo carefully, as if trying to read what they’d been talking about.

  ‘You are free to go,’ Bythos said. He opened his saddlebags and returned their confiscated supplies. Leo had never been so glad to fit his tool belt around his waist.

  ‘Tell Percy Jackson not to worry,’ Aphros said. ‘We have understood your story about the imprisoned sea creatures in Atlanta. Keto and Phorcys must be stopped. We will send a quest of mer-heroes to defeat them and free their captives. Perhaps Cyrus?’

  ‘Or Bill,’ Bythos offered.

  ‘Yes! Bill would be perfect,’ Aphros agreed. ‘At any rate, we are grateful that Percy brought this to our attention.’

  ‘You should talk to him in person,’ Leo suggested. ‘I mean, son of Poseidon, and all.’

  Both fish-centaurs shook their heads solemnly. ‘Sometimes it is best not to interact with Poseidon’s brood,’ Aphros said. ‘We are friendly with the sea god, of course, but the politics of undersea deities is … complicated. And we value our independence. Nevertheless, tell Percy thank you. We will do what we can to speed you safely across the Atlantic without further interference from Keto’s monsters, but be warned: in the ancient sea, the Mare Nostrum, more dangers await.’

  Frank sighed. ‘Naturally.’

  Bythos clapped the big guy on the shoulder. ‘You will be fine, Frank Zhang. Keep practising those sealife transformations. The koi fish is good, but try for a Portuguese man-of-war. Remember what I showed you. It’s all in the breathing.’

  Frank looked mortally embarrassed. Leo bit his lip, determined not to smile.

  ‘And you, Hazel,’ Aphros said, ‘come visit again, and bring that horse of yours! I know you are concerned about the time you lost, spending the night in our realm. You are worried about your brother, Nico …’

  Hazel gripped her cavalry sword. ‘Is he – do you know where he is?’

  Aphros shook his head. ‘Not exactly. But when you get closer you should be able to sense his presence. Never fear! You must reach Rome the day after tomorrow if you are to save him, but there is still time. And you must save him.’

  ‘Yes,’ Bythos agreed. ‘He will be essential for your journey. I am not sure how, but I sense it is true.’

  Aphros planted his hand on Leo’s shoulder. ‘As for you, Leo Valdez, stay close to Hazel and Frank when you reach Rome. I sense they will face … ah, mechanical difficulties that only you can overcome.’

  ‘Mechanical difficulties?’ Leo asked.

  Aphros smiled as if that was great news. ‘And I have gifts for you, the brave navigator of the Argo II!’

  ‘I like to think of myself as captain,’ Leo said. ‘Or supreme commander.’

  ‘Brownies!’ Aphros said proudly, shoving an old-fashioned picnic basket into Leo’s arms. It was surrounded by a bubble of air, which Leo hoped would keep the brownies from turning into saltwater fudge sludge. ‘In this basket you will also find the recipe. Not too much butter! That’s the trick. And I’ve given you a letter of introduction to Tiberinus, the god of the Tiber River. Once you reach Rome, your friend the daughter of Athena will need this.’

  ‘Annabeth …’ Leo said. ‘Okay, but why?’

  Bythos laughed. ‘She follows the Mark of Athena, doesn’t she? Tiberinus can guide her in this quest. He’s an ancient, proud god who can be … difficult, but letters of introduction are everything to Roman spirits. This will convince Tiberinus to help her. Hopefully.’

  ‘Hopefully,’ Leo repeated.

  Bythos produced three small pink pearls from his saddlebags. ‘And now, off with you, demigods! Good sailing!’

  He threw a pearl at each of them in turn, and three shimmering pink bubbles of energy formed around them.

  They began to rise through the water. Leo just had time to think: A hamster ball elevator? Then he gained speed and rocketed towards the distant glow of the sun above.

  XXV

  Piper

  Piper had a new entry in her top-ten list of Times Piper Felt Useless.

  Fighting Shrimpzilla with a dagger and a pretty voice? Not so effective. Then the monster had sunk into the deep and disappeared along with three of her friends, and she’d been powerless to help them.

  Afterwards, Annabeth, Coach Hedge and Buford the table rushed around repairing things so that the ship wouldn’t sink. Percy, despite being exhausted, searched the ocean for their missing friends. Jason, also exhausted, flew around the rigging like a blond Peter Pan, putting out fires from the second green explosion that had lit up the sky just above the mainmast.

  As for Piper, all she could do was stare at her knife Katoptris, trying to locate Leo, Hazel and Frank. The only images that came to her were ones she didn’t want to see: three black SUVs driving north from Charleston, packed with Roman demigods, Reyna sitting at the wheel of the lead car. Giant eagles escorted them from above. Every so often, glowing purple spirits in ghostly chariots appeared out of the countryside and fell in behind them, thundering up I-95 towards New York and Camp Half-Blood.

  Piper co
ncentrated harder. She saw the nightmarish images she had seen before: the human-headed bull rising from the water, then the dark well-shaped room filling with black water as Jason, Percy and she struggled to stay afloat.

  She sheathed Katoptris, wondering how Helen of Troy had stayed sane during the Trojan War if this blade had been her only source of news. Then she remembered that everyone around Helen had been slaughtered by the invading Greek army. Maybe she hadn’t stayed sane.

  By the time the sun rose, none of them had slept. Percy had scoured the seafloor and found nothing. The Argo II was no longer in danger of sinking, though without Leo they couldn’t do full repairs. The ship was capable of sailing, but no one suggested leaving the area – not without their missing friends.

  Piper and Annabeth sent a dream vision to Camp Half-Blood, warning Chiron of what had happened with the Romans at Fort Sumter. Annabeth explained her exchange of words with Reyna. Piper relayed the vision from her knife about the SUVs racing north. The kindly centaur’s face seemed to age thirty years during the course of their conversation, but he assured them he would see to the defences of the camp. Tyson, Mrs O’Leary and Ella had arrived safely. If necessary, Tyson could summon an army of Cyclopes to the camp’s defence, and Ella and Rachel Dare were already comparing prophecies, trying to learn more about what the future held. The job of the seven demigods aboard the Argo II, Chiron reminded them, was to finish the quest and come back safely.

  After the Iris-message, the demigods paced the deck in silence, staring at the water and hoping for a miracle.

  When it finally came – three giant pink bubbles bursting at the surface off the starboard bow and ejecting Frank, Hazel and Leo – Piper went a little crazy. She cried out with relief and dived straight into the water.

  What was she thinking? She didn’t take a rope or a life vest or anything. But at the moment she was just so happy that she paddled over to Leo and kissed him on the cheek, which kind of surprised him.