The Sea Tyrant's Obsession (PJO x ROR) 18+ WTM/WTS Book 1

*We Hitch A Ride With Dead Confederates

"Indeed," Buddha agreed with a quiet chuckle. "The chaos always adds an extra thrill."

Hermes shook his head with a smile. "Those kids sure know how to make an escape."

"Too close for comfort," Thor muttered. "But they made it out. That's what matters."

"I can't believe they got away from those Laistrygonians like that," Heracles remarked, nodding in approval. "Impressive moves."

"I hope they don't have to deal with another fight anytime soon," Hades muttered, his tone laced with concern.

New title on the screen:

We Hitch A Ride With Dead Confederates

Zeus and many gods around him looked confused at the new title. "What are Confederates?" he asked.

The god who spoke up was Tawa, the Sun God and supreme deity of the Hopi pantheon. His presence was radiant, like the first light of dawn, and his voice carried the weight of ancient wisdom as he addressed Zeus. "Confederates were mortal soldiers who fought for the southern states during the American Civil War, which took place more than a century ago," he began, his tone calm and steady, his eyes reflecting the knowledge of countless generations. "This war was not merely about territory or power, but about the right to preserve a way of life built upon the institution of slavery—specifically the enslavement of African Americans. The southern states, seeking to protect their economy and social order, fought to keep enslaved African people as property, while the northern states opposed them, striving to end the practice. The war marked a turning point in the history of that land, forever altering the course of their nation and reshaping the lives of millions. Yet, the scars of that conflict remain. The effects of slavery and racial inequality endured long after the war's end, reverberating through generations and continuing to affect their society to this day. It is a struggle whose legacy still echoes across time, influencing the world in ways many cannot fully comprehend."

Zeus nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowing as he processed the new information. "Hmm, interesting," he muttered, his voice tinged with curiosity. "A conflict of that nature, still rippling through time. Seems mortals are always fighting for their own version of the world. Thank you for the history lesson, Tawa."

The scene began to play.

"Thermos!" I screamed as we hurtled toward the water.

"What?" Anthony must've thought I'd lost my mind. He was holding on to the boat straps for dear life, his hair flying straight up like a torch.

"Heh, that actually looks pretty funny," Zeus remarked with a chuckle at the sight of the demigod's hair.

But Tyson understood. He managed to open my duffel bag and take out Hermes's magical thermos without losing his grip on it or the boat.

Arrows and javelins whistled past us.

I grabbed the thermos and hoped I was doing the right thing. "Hang on!"

"I am hanging on!" Anthony yelled.

"Tighter!"

"I doubt he can hold on any tighter than that," Apollo quipped.

I hooked my feet under the boat's inflatable bench, and as Tyson grabbed Anthony and me by the backs of our shirts, I gave the thermos cap a quarter turn.

Instantly, a white sheet of wind jetted out of the thermos and propelled us sideways, turning our downward plummet into a forty-five-degree crash landing.

The wind seemed to laugh as it shot from the thermos, like it was glad to be free. As we hit the ocean, we bumped once, twice, skipping like a stone, then we were whizzing along like a speed boat, salt spray in our faces and nothing but sea ahead.