Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 76: Family Reunions

"How much time do we've left, Zoe?"

"Not long, Aileen. We need to cut through the traffic more rapidly," she says as she looks at the sun. I sighed as I switch lanes to get to the emergency lane. Better break one rule in order to save the world. I hope Dr. Chase doesn't get a fine.

"Why does this car feel so cramped?" Percy says irritated, trying to get a better sitting position. I roll my eyes as I see it happen in the rearview mirror. Percy sat next to Zoe, but the shadows were thick due to Bianca and Nico. Perhaps they should show themselves.

"Bianca, Nico, you can show yourselves," I say and within barely a second the siblings appear next to Percy. His eyes bulge as he sees it, his mouth opening and closing as he tries to find the words.

"Hey everyone!" Nico says as he smiles, waving a bit to the others. Bianca chuckles as she sees Percy staring at them in shock. Zoe didn't seem faced as she knew of them already, she did look amused at her reaction of Percy. Thalia raises an eyebrow and she turns in her seat.

"Where did you come from?" She asks curiously as she eyes the siblings. Bianca shrugs a bit.

"We were on vacation, but Aileen wants us along. Guess we are pretty useful," she says with a lopsided smile. "Hades' cabin to the rescue!" Nico joins in with enthusiasm.

"Vacation, eh. Well, we will need one ourselves after this," Percy says and Thalia definitely nods in agreement.

"I agree with you on that. There's something I need to think about..." Thalia says. The last part was more softly and more contemplative. Something seems to bother her as it gives her pause to think about it. I do have to say that she has been acting a bit differently compared to the time before her tree transformation. Her time as a tree has affected her in a way it seems.

"In any case, I welcome the siblings. The extra support should come in handy," Zoe says. I can only agree with her.

"So, uhm, directions?" I ask, glancing at Zoe. "Yes! Uhm, turn left here...!"

Zoe directs me over the entire fast-paced race against time. Roads become narrow, more secluded, and surrounded by forest. She was constantly urging me to go faster as she eyed the setting sun. The others do too which is becoming frustratingly annoying.

"Why does it smell like cough drops?" Percy asks as he sniffs the air. Zoe points to the trees that surround us.

"Eucalyptus trees," she simply answers. "The stuff koala bears eat?"

"Yes, and by monsters. Dragons especially like the taste and smell."

Thalia leans a bit forward to get a better view of what is coming closer to us. A mountain or as close to one, I suppose. It does not looks inviting at all. Dark clouds swirl above, and a heavy dark maelstrom worms its way towards the earth. The sky that longs to touch the earth. I am uncertain what would happen if they ever do touch, but I guess that it does not end well. A mental note is made to make sure I take my bag with me. There's stuff inside I need and should come in handy.

"So, that is the lovely Mountain of Despair? A fitting name by the looks of it," Thalia says.

"Yes, that is the mountain," Zoe says with a tight voice and hardened looks as she looks towards it. She is not happy to confront her father. It doesn't matter what she has said, but facing death is not easy. Zoe is brave and fearless. I wouldn't want her to die.

"Why is it called that? Sure it doesn't look inviting, but that doesn't mean it deserves the name, right?"

Zoe does not answer right away as her jaw clenched a bit while she thinks about what to say. Two minutes fly by before she eventually answers.