chapter six,
welcome to the hotel! (where you don't age!)

THE TRUCK CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP, WAKING VICTOR UP from his sleep. Annabeth was sleeping on his shoulder, causing the boy not to move.  It would be rude to wake her, especially after what she'd gone through yesterday.  Unfortunately, that wasn't accomplished since the animals in the truck were very noisy.  Annabeth yawned, rubbing her eyes.  "Are we in Las Vegas yet?" she asked.  "I don't really know.  But you can go back to sleep if you want."

"I think I've gotten enough sleep.  Thank you though." Liliana was trying to calm the animals down while Grover was on the lookout. Percy and Victor sat on opposite sides of Annabeth as she tried to send an Iris Message. The reflection showed Luke as the boy noticed the three kids.  "Annabeth? Percy! Hi, Victor.  Are you okay?"

"Yeah, w - we're fine. Where's Chiron?" she stated, glancing at Victor. "Chiron's holding camp together with both hands. Everyone thinks we're going to war, so the cabins are taking sides. Please tell me you're calling with good news."

"We know who stole the bolt." Percy stated. "How do you know?" Luke questioned, making Victor raise an eyebrow. Why would he ask that? "We ran into Ares, and Grover got him talking and realized Ares knew who the thief was but was covering for them. So who would Ares cover for other than..."

"His favorite daughter. Clarisse is the lightning thief. Victor furrowed his eyebrows at Luke's statement, deep in thought.  Why would Clarisse steal the lightning bolt? Yes, she disliked the Gods as well but she still wanted to prove herself to Ares.  She wouldn't want to cause war but fight in it. "Chiron's gotta arrest her, find out what she knows. There's more to this than just the bolt, something bigger. Don't ask me how I know, you just gotta trust me."

"Why would my sister steal the bolt? She obviously doesn't want to put her life at risk more than it already is. Let's... let's not jump to conclusions." Victor spoke up, glancing at Luke. "Okay, I'm on it. So, Ares, huh? What was that like?" His question struck a nerve for the boy, making him walk away from the duo.

Clarisse wasn't the lightning thief... right?

THE KIDS HAD GOTTEN OUT THE trailer as the animals caused havoc in the streets.  Victor was walking on the sidewalk, a little behind the four.  Annabeth noticed, stopping for a moment.  "Are you okay? You've been pretty quiet since we got off."

"I'm okay, Annabeth.  I'm just... tired, that's all." Victor stated.  "Are you sure?" she questioned, looking at him. "I'm sure.  Really, I'm fine."  Annabeth wanted to push him further to see what was really wrong but Percy broke her out of her thoughts.  "So, how do we know which hotel is the Lotus?"

"I'm guessing the one with the giant lotus blossom on it." Annabeth answered, causing the blonde boy to scoff.  "You were like two seconds ahead of me.  Seriously."  Victor patted the boy's shoulder, laughing.  "She's not wrong.  Plus, she's the daughter of Athena.  She's got a gift."  Annabeth heard his words, feeling butterflies in her stomach.  What was going on? She'd have to ask Lily about that later.

The five of them entered the casino, noticing all the games and attractions they had.  "I know we're supposed to be saving the world, but would it be unprofessional if we hung out here for a bit?" Percy asked, only to be stopped by Annabeth.  "We find Hermes, we get him to hook us up with a ride to Los Angeles and a plan to get into the Underworld, and we are out of here ten seconds later."

"I was kidding." the blonde boy said.  "Sure you were, dude." Victor stated, earning a glare from Percy.  The blonde was about to move when Grover stopped him.  "Wait, hang on."

"What?"

"Your mom told you all the stories.  Did she read you the Odyssey?"

"The graphic novel."  Annabeth gave him a look while Lily smiled.  "Those are fun to read."

"See? It counts."  Long story short, the group decided to split up.  Percy and Lily would be on the lookout for anything suspicious while Grover was conversing with another satyr.  Annabeth and Victor were currently with Hermes, sitting at a table.  "I remember you.  You were there.  Last time I saw Luke." the man stated, drinking his beverage.  "Yes.  I saw you argue.  I heard what he said.  That what happened to his mom was your fault.  That he hated you."  Victor fell quiet, for he never knew Luke had gone through that.  He hadn't spoken to the boy that often, yes, but he too resented his father.  That was definitely something they would bond over.

"Help us get to the Underworld.  Help us retrieve Zeus's master bolt from Hades, and he'll see that you care." Annabeth said, trying to get him to listen.  "There is a way into the Underworld.  A secret way.  I've helped others find it before.  And do you know what happens every time? I mean, every single time."

"They never return?" Victor questioned.  "You don't want my help.  Trust me."

Victor and Annabeth looked at each other, the girl's face full of worry.  Victor stared at Hermes, trying to persuade him.  "But we do need your help.  Look, we don't have a lot of time left so please just try.  Do it for Luke."

"I was warned to stay away from Luke and his mother.  Warned that no matter how much I tried to help, I would just make things worse.  And I went anyway.  And it wasn't just awful for Luke.  It was awful for all of us.  Do you know what it feels like? To be so close to someone you love, knowing neither of you has any choice but to keep hurting each other?"  Hermes leaned over the table, staring at Victor.  "I know you do." the man touched Victor's arm, causing him to have a flashback.

It was when he was leaving camp for the quest as he and Clarisse spoke. Clarisse had actually apologized, scared for his life. She cared for him despite the two not getting along. He wished he was there, he wished he was back in his cabin, seeing his sister again. Victor was brought back to reality, looking at the man. "Should I remind you, too?" Hermes questioned, causing Victor to glare at him. "I think she's good. Thanks for the help, sir." the boy stated in a harsh tone, softly leading Annabeth away from the table.

Apparently, it was Thursday and they had been in the casino for days.  Also... Grover wasn't with Percy and Lily, causing the kids to panic.  "He's... he's not here.  Where is he?"

"Where is who?" Lily asked, causing the three kids to furrow their eyebrows in confusion.  "I... I don't know.  Who were we talking about again?" Percy questioned.

"I don't know.  Grover... that name is familiar."  Annabeth stated as they walked around the casino.  They were able to find their furry legged friend, now leaving the building.  As they walked in the parking lot, Victor stayed back to walk with Annabeth.  "About what you said earlier... I do have a lot on my mind."

"What's wrong?"

"I - about what Luke asked earlier.  That was my first time ever meeting my dad and it wasn't exactly pleasant.  It just... made me feel-"

"Angry?"

"Yes.  And what he said about Clarisse being the lightning thief, do you think it's true?"

"I don't know.  I haven't gotten back to Luke yet."

"I don't think she'd do that."  Annabeth looked at him, raising an eyebrow.  "Well, who do you think did?" she asked.  "I don't know.  But I have a feeling it's not her.  Just... just trust me on this, okay?"

"Alright, Vic.  Come on, let's find Hermes' car and get out of here."  As the kids found the cab, they had agreed to let Percy drive it.  With the blonde boy in the driver's seat, Annabeth in the passenger seat, and Victor, Lily, and Grover in the back, it was a very difficult ride.  Percy kept bumping into the wall, they almost got hit by a car... yeah, he was lucky they were in a magic car.  They got transported on the beach which was a little weird.  Where in the world were they?

"Guys... I don't think we're in Vegas anymore." Lily stated as the salty scent of the sea filled their noses.  Night had fallen as the kids stayed in the car, sleeping.

For it was up to the young heroes to stop the war.

Maya Speaks 💫:

This episode was so funny 😭 I was just confused that Percy and Annabeth didn't lose their memories but Grover did (I wish they did because it would've made more sense for them to struggle to leave the casino)

More Victor and Annie moments let's go!! They are such cuties ☹️

But until next time my lovelies!