The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 31--We Sneak into a Horse Race

A/N--Okay so I thought I hit publish yesterday, but I guess not. Still, enjoy the chapter!

(Also, thanks for everyone's concern for me after my last AN--everything's fine now!)

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Sure enough, the moment Aridne tossed the horseshoe to Paul, he disappeared. 

Fortunately, he was waiting outside in the darkness, a few houses over, tapping his foot impatiently. 

"I told you," Aridne said in a pointed tone.

"I still don't trust him," Liam muttered, looking down.

"It's not about trust when he's the only choice we have. We follow him, even if he leads us into a trap."

That sounds great, I thought sarcastically. Just what I needed instead of sleep.

"Whatever," Liam said. "Let's just do it quick—I don't need the mayor to think we're a couple of ghosts if we return to Helmmount."

With that grim thought, we set on behind Paul. Only, his idea of "fast" was triple whatever Liam was thinking. He kept a three-block distance from us and would periodically check on us. When he saw how far we'd lagged behind, he would mutter in dissatisfaction—and then promptly disappear.

It was safe to say that this wasn't the most efficient way of leading. Fortunately, we did have someone who could deal with this.

Go left, End said. No, you moron—your other left. And run as fast as you can. The sun won't wait for you to finish your mission before rising—we have no Apollo here.

Yeah, that's right. With the help of End of all people, I led us through the ruined town. I didn't have that much hope in her, but surprisingly, we saw Paul more frequently, and he didn't look as annoyed. We were catching up.

"How are you so good at this?" Aridne asked suspiciously after the twentieth Paul sighting without a wrong turn.

"I've always been great at wandering through forests—I was a dear friend of Artemis' old lieutenant," I said innocently. 

Aridne didn't look convinced, but she didn't press me any further.

Thanks for giving me the credit, End grumbled, but I guess that works, too. Artemis is my prodigy, after all.

I thought Zeus taught her everything she knew.

Who do you think gave Zeus his powers?

Er, I said, the Fates.

And who gave them their power?

Ananke, I guess.

And who taught Ananke? 

I was about to admit that I didn't know. But then my thoughts traveled back to when End had taken control of my body in Ananke's castle. The primordial hadn't just been overpowered; she had been shaken. 

What exactly did you 'teach' her? I asked.

Everything she needed to survive, End said cryptically. It's a tough world out there for immortals. 

You don't want to know, Order answered me. The things she made Ananke do . . . I don't know how she's human anymore.

She's unkillable, that's what she is, End snorted. In fact, maybe I could send you through the same regimen, Percy.

I think I'll pass, I said, and Order nodded in approval.

End wasn't convinced, though. I'll dumb it down to a mortal level. It'll only require a few broken bones . . .