"The ability to hide a demigod's scent in all the ways possible. It would efficiently make a demigod a mortal in terms of scent, meaning we could hide in plain sight."
"What?!" Percy shouted.
"I know, I checked out the product just this morning. Percy....it's real."
"B-but....this could change everything," Percy realised the implications of this immediately. The only reason demigods didn't have more of an impact in the world was because the moment one steps outside camp there was a high chance of them getting killed by a monster. But if they had this....it would essentially make camp a thing of the past. Demigods could protect themselves.
Edward nodded, "right. I am planning on mass producing them, but that's not all they were selling. It seems that somehow these people managed to get hold of a pair of my dad's sneakers and were now sealing them. There is also a ton of other items up for sale, dangerous items. I needed a way in, and so I approached Don Fanico to introduce me to one of his Abyss contacts to find out more about the items being sold. He did, and now he's dead."
"Does the people of Abyss think you killed him?"
Edward shook his head, "no, they know it's not my style. But that's not why I called Percy. You see the Don was assassinated by someone, someone who is trying to kill the people who are interested in the scent destroyers."
"Ed, is someone trying to kill you?"
The son of Hermes nodded, "his codename is 'The Agent,' he's-"
"-The best assassin in the world," Percy said with narrowed eyes.
"Yes, how did you know that?"
"I have a friend named Elsa, she told me about him," Percy recalled that time they were in Argo's base. Elsa was telling him how ruthless he was, she mentioned that the only other person she saw being that ruthless was 'the Agent.'
Edward nodded, "right, well yeah. So the world's best assassin is now trying to kill me."
"Okay, I got it. You are in danger and need my help. Where are you? I'll bring you back to camp, you can hide here until this all blows over."
Edward shock his head, "no Percy. I need to do this. I need to be in that auction, I need to obtain my dad's shoes and those scent destroyers. There is also another item I need which I would rather not talk about, but it's important Percy, and unavoidable."
Percy sighed, "God's you are stubborn. Fine, so I assume you want me to come and be your bodyguard for the evening?"
Ed nodded, "yes, please. You managed to fight off a demon from hell when you were 12, you are the strongest demigod I know. I need your help. Help me Percy Jackson, you are my only hope."
Percy chuckled, "don't' go all Star Wars on me Ed, you know I can't resist that. Fine I'll be there. Where are you?"
"The Plaza hotel in Manhattan. Do you know where it is?"
Percy raised a questioning eyebrow, "dude....I'm a New Yorker, of course I know where it is. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Ed nodded, "right. Please hurry."
Ping!
Quest Alert!
Saving Edward Neak. Don't let him die.
Reward,
?
10 points
Abyss card
Failure,
Edward's death
Destruction of scent destroyers
Mayhem
YES/NO?
Percy pressed yes and cleared the rainbow. Just then the door was thrown open by John and Leo.
"Great timing," Percy said as he got up turning to his brother, "I have to go for a few hours John, think you can take care of Leo for me?"
John nodded, "no problem Percy. Where are you going?"
"A friend of mine in New York is in trouble. An assassin is trying to kill him. I'm not going to let that happen," Percy turned to Leo, "sorry boy, but I don't think they allow dogs."
Leo whined, "fine.....but you are feeding me bacon when you get back!"
Perch chuckled, "deal."
"Percy maybe you shouldn't go alone," John said, "this is an assassin we are talking about."
Percy rolled his eyes, "dude, we literally fought a 30 foot tall zombie an hour ago. I think I got this John."
The soldier nodded, "pride is the death of most great soldiers Percy. I have seen plenty of people die because of their hubris, and I will not let you go down the same path."
Percy turned serious, "look John, I promise I will be fine. I have been training myself to face Titans, I doubt a human could harm me."
"That's not the point Percy," John repeated himself, "look just talk to Chiron, if he thinks it's okay for you to alone, then fine. But just promise me that either way you will be carefull."
Percy nodded, "I promise John, I'll be carefull."
The soldier nodded and Percy quickly left after saying goodbye to Leo as well. Percy walked out of the cabin and towards the Big House, he actually just wanted to leave right away, but he did promise John he would talk to Chiron.
Percy walked into the Big House and walked inside. He found the centaur in question sitting down by the fireplace while reading a book.
"Chiron, I need to talk to you," Percy said as he walked up to his teacher.
"Ah Percy. Nice to see you again, you have been quite busy with the demigod training I hear. Why, you have basically taken over my role in camp."
"Yeah," Percy rubbed his head sheepishly, "sorry about that. I just kind of... you know."
Chiron chuckled, "it's quite alright Percy. It's warms my heart to see you find your place in this world."
"Yeah, I know. I just didn't want it seem like I stole your job or something."
"Relax Percy, I have had plenty to do to consume my time. Why just last week I was teaching little Decker how to use his powers."
Percy raised an eyebrow, "Decker?"
"The child of Pan, Percy Decker. I call him Decker so as to not confuse him with you."
Percy shrugged, "well if the kid's okay with it.....anyway I didn't just come here to chat Chiron."
The centaur nodded, "I figured that was the case. Sit, tell me what you need."
Percy nodded and sat down on the chair in front of Chiron, "you remember Edward Neak."
Chiron looked started, "h-how do you know that name?"
"Luke, Grover and I meet him when we went to save my mom last summer. Edward had stolen the chain of Hephaestus and along the way we kind of became friends."
"I see..." Chiron sighed, "Edward was... he was a rebellious child. Not unlike Luke in fact. He ran away due to the way the unclaimed were treated.... I tried to bring him back, but he refused."
Percy nodded, "well you will be pleased to know that he is safe. He made a company called Half-Blood Inc., don't ask why he named it that, he just did. He became super rich in Boston Chiron, he's a good man."
Chiron sighed, "that's good, I'm sad that he is no longer with us, but if he is safe then that's good enough for me. Now, what does Edward have to do with this meeting?"
"He's in trouble. An assassin is trying to kill him."
"What?!" Chiron yelled.
"Relax, that's why I'm going to help him," Percy said trying to calm the centaur down, "he called me a few minutes ago and said he needed my help."
"Where is he?"
"At the Plaza."
"Then go there and bring him back to camp. Now."
"But Chiron-"
"-I don't care Percy. He is in danger, bring him back to camp. I don't care even if you have to kidnap him, throw him into your inventory and bring him back."
"Chiron it's not that simple. Ed is trying to retrieve a pair of Herme's sneakers and a something else he believes can help all the demigods in camp."
"What can be so important that-"
"A device that hides the scent of a demigod," Percy cut off the centaur leaving Chiron stunned at the claim.
"W-What?"
Percy nodded, "I know, I had the same reaction. I didn't believe him at first, but Ed insisted it was real. He checked it out himself. He wants to mass produce them for the demigods in camp."
Chiron sighed, "that boy....even after all these years he still cares so much for the demigods in camp. Fine.....go. But take someone with you."
"Chiron no. anyone who comes with me will just hold me back."
"Percy it is too dangerous to go alone!"
"What's too dangerous to go alone?" a new third voice asked.
Percy turned around and saw Thalia standing there on the stairs.
"Thalia? What are you doing here?" Chiron asked as Percy shut his mouth afraid to ask anything.
"I had a very bad headache," Thalia said walking over to the two. 'Must have gone to the Meb bay for a hangover cure,' Percy realised.
"So what is too dangerous?" Thalia asked again.
Chiron sighed, "Percy here is going to go fight an assassin, alone."
"It's not like I haven't' done anything like this before. Hell my first day here was spent fighting of the minotaur Chiron." Percy replied back.
"That may be the case, but I do not want you going alone," Chiron turned to Thalia with a look of thinking on his face.
'Shit! Shit! Shit! Please don't tell me he's thinking what I think he's thinking!'
"Thalia why don't you-"
"-I'll do it," Thalia cut in, "it'll be fun."
"But-" Percy tried to object.
"Good, so it is decided, you two will go on this quest," Chiron said beaming, "hmm, maybe you should involve a third person, just to be safe."
Thalia nodded, "right, we'll take....Michael. He should be free right now."
Chiron nodded, "good. Alright then you two, go on. No need to keep Edward waiting."
Percy gawked as Chiron and Thalia essentially decided his mission for him. Percy sighed, 'looks like I can't avoid this forever.'
Percy got up, "I'll call Michael," he turned to Thalia, "get your weapons."
The daughter of Zeus nodded but before she could say anything Percy was gone in a blur of speed.
After explaining to Michael what was going on, Percy got the son of Apollo to agree to join up. He and Michael walked up to Thalia's tree and saw Thalia standing under it waiting for them.
"So how are we going to New York?" Michael asked.
"I'll take us," Percy turned to Thalia, "did Chiron tell you what the mission is about."
She nodded, "yeah. Son of Hermes, assassin, auction, something called the Abyss and danger. Is that it?"
Percy nodded, "that's it," he opened his inventory, "who wants to go first?"
"Me!" Michael shouted gleefully, "I haven't done it before!"
Percy nodded, "close your eyes," the son of Apollo did so and Percy picked him up and put him into the inventory. He turned to Thalia, "your next."
The daughter of Zeus nodded and closed her eyes. Percy lifted her up and the moment he did flashbacks to last night's played in his head. He resisted the feeling of want he had as he put her into the inventory.
'I really need to get things together. It's like I can't even be around her without acting like one of those hopeless romantic assholes in romcoms.'
Percy sighed as he put on his goggles and activated his helmet. He took of at speeds just below mach 1 and reached New York in minutes. He quickly entered Manhattan and found the Plaza hotel in seconds. After all a giant hotel near Central Park that looked like a castle wasn't exactly hard to find.
Percy stopped near an empty alley and quickly took off his goggles. He put them away and took out Michael and Thalia.
Thalia looked around in wonder while Michael blinked still not believing what had just happened.
"Waoh," he said, "it's like I was in camp one second and here the next. It's like teleporting."
"Yeah, except I am the one who teleports you," Percy said with a smile while avoiding eye contact with Thalia, "right....let's get to work."
The three came out of the alley and walked a block to reach the Plaza. They quickly entered the lobby and Percy was amazed at everything he saw. The inside was a mix of olden designs and modern technology. There were painting hang up on the wall and fancy golden lighting filling the lobby. The entire place screamed expensive and it gave off an aura of class.
"Which is his room?" Thalia asked.
"Ah...I don't know," Percy turned to the reception desk, "but maybe we could ask."
Percy walked up to the desk and standing behind greeting him with a smile was a woman who looked asian in origin. She smiled, "welcome to the Plaza sir, how may I help you?"
"Ah, we came to see a guest, one Mr. Edward Neak," Percy said flashing his best smile.
"Ah, I see, and what is your business with Mr. Neak?"
"He is expecting us."
"Well then just give me a moment and I will call him," the woman, Linda Parks, said with a smile. Percy nodded at her and walked back to his friends letting his fake smile drop.
"What did she say?" Thalia asked.
"She said she'll check," Percy looked around. He could feel something was different. He first thought it was just because he was at an expensive place, but now....
Suddenly in the corner of his eye Percy spotted a man walking into an elevator. He wore round rimmed glasses and looked very thin and frail, but one look at his level and Percy knew it was an act.
Dominique Franchise, Lv-32
Slave trader
Percy's eyes popped open at the tiles but before he could observe the man the elevator doors closed. Percy looked around frantically now, 'level 31, 21, 32, 24, 28, 19, every guest here is....is not a normal human.'
"Percy?" Michael asked, "what's wrong man? You look like you saw a ghost."
Percy turned to Thalia and Michael, "be carefull. From now on stay on alert."
"Why?" Thalia asked reaching for her can of mace, "is something wrong?"
"Every single person here is at least as strong as me," Percy said, "I might be just a little bit stronger, but they are definitely not someone you want to push around."
"Everyone?" Michael asked in fear, "even the reception lady?"
Percy shook his head, "no, the staff are human enough. But the guests....I think they are all part of Abyss."
Thalia and Michael looked scared but remained calm.
"Sir?" the receptionist called out.
Percy turned and put on his fake smile again, "right. Did you get a hold of Ed?"
The woman nodded, "yes sir. Please go to the 8th floor, he is in room 801."
Percy smiled at her again and the three questers were off. They reached the 8th floor quickly and now stood in front of room 801. Percy knocked on it and after a few seconds it flung open.
"Percy, thank the gods," Ed smiled, "damn dude, you have grown."
Percy smiled, a real one this time, "thanks Ed. Nice to see you again."
The two hug and Percy realised he was now a few inches shorter than Ed, guessed Goblin's growth really was good for something.
Ed broke the hug and turned to Michael and Thalia, "and who are these two?"
"Ed, I would like you to meet Thalia and Michael," Percy introduced, "guys, this is Edward Neak, son of Hermes."
"Hey man, Michael, son of Apollo," the archer shock the billionaires hand.
