Modern Myths

Book 1 - The Lightning Thief: Chapter 7: The Underworld

6/13/06, Tuesday

Train Station, Santa Monica, California, 5:30am

Percy POV

We woke up after getting another nap in because Grover insisted on keeping watch.

We made our way to the beach to meet my sister.

Annabeth: "You're not going in there, are you? It is filthy!"

Me: "You should've seen it before. Me & my divine siblings have been using our powers to clean the waters of Western civilization, including Canada, for a while now. Since the north & west share a home, my siblings & cousins got the 9 daughters of Aegir to help as well. Due to not being allowed to meet my father, I can't go to Atlantis, nor can my cousins go to the underworld, but we help each other's domains to the best of our ability."

Kym: "True. Hazel, Bianca & Nico have come to inter-sea meetings to learn about politics firsthand, like how you attended the afterlife meeting to sort the dead."

I ran up to hug her.

Annabeth POV

So, this is Lady Kymopoleia. I better be on my best behavior. This is my pen pal's, turn crush's, sister.

She shot me a death glare, while hugging Percy.

She takes her hand off his back & gives me the 'I'm watching you' motion.

She lets go of Percy.: "I believe you're looking for these."

She gives Percy 3 Poseidon Pearls, pearls that will teleport you to the water source they were last in.

Me: "Won't his parents need 2?"

Both siblings: "They aren't leaving until Zeus is calm."

Grover: "How do they eat then?"

We turned to him as if he's stupid.

Me: "So long as they don't eat pomegranates, they can eat there."

Percy: "Exactly!" turns toward his sister "Any signs of getting in our way? Ares map is leading us to 'Crusty's Water Bed Palace', Procrustes's den."

Lady Kymopoleia: "There was a group of North & Souths, specifically Gauls, that Triumvirate gave eternal youth to, similar to Artemis's hunters, located around the store ready to ambush you."

I whispered to Grover: "The Southern flame is Celtic tribes' mythology & West African mythology, currently located in Brazil."

Lady Kymopoleia: "Our team of Cyclopes, furies, Empousa & others that were sent to make sure you were not followed & made it on time took care of them, Procrustes included. They apparently ran in Mr. Chase in D.C. & he insisted on coming along to do right by his daughter."

Me: "Now he cares?!" I said exasperated. I was in emotional turmoil.

Sure, he treated me like a nuisance for most of my childhood, and only now he's trying to make things, right?! Unbelievable!

Lady Kymopoleia: "If it helps, he posed as a customer to serve as bait for everyone else. He got slightly crunched due to being over six feet tall."

She walks over to me. "If you hurt him, I'll break every bone in your body & feed you to sharks." She whispers in my ear.

Percy POV

I wonder what they're talking about. It reminds me of when she, Rhode, Despoina & Kelli talked to Styx.

Kym: "Given how early it is, Uncle H is willing to let you all take a nap in his realm, so you're at your best when you fight War, because he's probably going to try something."