Percy Jackson: Night In The Land Beyond The Gods

"For Olympus!"

Leo's POV

As I lowered the ship closer to to the ground, a long rope ladder was thrown over the side, skimming against the grass below. A few metres away, the group heading into the North mountains shouldered their rucksacks, a few final-second weapons being hastily showered into holsters and pockets. Amongst them, I could see Percy staring at the mountains with a look of possible longing, though how he could feel that way about a monster nest was beyond understanding. The very idea went against everything demigods were taught and everything we knew.

"You alright, Leo?" Hazel asked. She had been one of the few who had volunteered to stay back on the ship with me, which I kinda felt grateful for. Frank had agreed with her staying, being as overprotective as he was.

She gazed at Frank from beside me, sharing occasional looks of love with each other. I paused to wonder why their expressions seemed so familiar. Then I realised that was the same way I looked at Calypso. And the way she looked at me. I held back my nostalgia, simply answering, "Yeah, I'm good. You?"

"I'm worried," the wind sent her dark hair flying in front of her face as she looked at me. "Think about it, we haven't seen Percy in five years and as soon as we tell him this new prophecy he seems to know what to do – doesn't that seem at all peculiar to you?"

I shrugged, "Isn't that part in the prophecy? 'Not the person you once flew' and all?"

"Still... something's wrong, this can't simply be a coincidence, it's too unlikely."

"I know. But we need to keep what we know to ourselves, at least, we can't let Percy know that we're onto him – or are doubting him, if nothing else." I looked away, focusing on the ship's landing.

We weren't actually landing the ship, not today (at least), we were dropping off the expedition group and then flying the ship around the Mountains for a bit, so there would be less suspicion raised – and so we wouldn't be sitting targets against any monsters.

At the head of the group, Nico was talking to Percy, watching over the rails as they pulled to a stop. He seemed a little green, I noted. Suddenly he raised he hands and the noise on deck quietened. He sent a pointed look in my direction before addressing the group, "We're about to head down to their... nest, so I've been reminded – by Hazel – to warn you about what's in there.

"So last night, we looked at what defences they have and how we can counter them effectively – should the need arrive. If you're coming with us, that means you need to be on full alert and keeping your head in the game."

I snorted, earning me a few looks.

Nico sent me a quick glare, causing a shiver to run down my spine, "But we need to try and avoid a fight today, we're here to negotiate and gather what information we can, we need to avoid confrontation."

"Come on, then!" Piper shouted, a hand on her dagger's hilt, "For Olympus!"

"For Olympus!" a deafening roar-like shout filled the air.

But in the corner of my eyes, I noticed Percy mutter something under his breath, not joining in with the war cry. I knew he wasn't the only one who noticed, Frank was looking at him oddly too but didn't comment

The facts were starting to add up in my head, but time was running out. I needed to figure out what was happening. Fast.