The Demigod Files(29)

‘I’ll watch him,’ Nico said. ‘He’s harmless now. Maybe… I don’t know. Maybe we can retrain him to do something good.’

‘Are you sure you want to stay here?’ I asked. ‘Persephone will make your life miserable.’

‘I have to,’ he insisted. ‘I have to get close to my dad. He needs a better adviser.’

I couldn’t argue with that. ‘Well, if you need anything –’

‘I’ll call,’ he promised. He shook hands with Thalia and me. He turned to leave, but he looked at me one more time. ‘Percy, you haven’t forgotten my offer?’

A shiver went down my spine. ‘I’m still thinking about it.’

Nico nodded. ‘Well, whenever you’re ready.’

After he was gone, Thalia said, ‘What offer?’

‘Something he told me last summer,’ I said. ‘A possible way to fight Kronos. It’s dangerous. And I’ve had enough danger for one day.’

Thalia nodded. ‘In that case, still up for dinner?’

I couldn’t help but smile. ‘After all that, you’re hungry?’

‘Hey,’ she said, ‘even immortals have to eat. I’m thinking cheeseburgers at McHale’s.’

And together we crushed the roses that would return us to the world.



WEAPONS GUIDE

When you’re up against immortal enemies you need more than a sharp stick to get you out of harm’s way. These are the weapons and gadgets that any self-respecting half-blood needs to make sure they see their sixteenth birthday…

Name:RIPTIDE (ANAKLUSMOS)

Owner: Percy Jackson

Origins: Forged by the Cyclopes, tempered in the heart of Mount Etna, cooled in the River Lethe. Famous past owners include Hercules himself. This weapon has seen some serious action in its time.

Features: Looks like your standard ballpoint pen, until you take off the cap and it becomes a celestial bronze sword. Has a handy trick of always returning to its owner, making it impossible to lose.

Best against: Most immortal creatures of the Underworld.

Not so good for: Hydras – it cuts through the necks well, but watch out for the extra eight heads that grow back on each neck.

Name: AEGIS

Owner: Thalia

Origins: Modelled on Zeus’s own shield, given to Thalia by Athena.

Features: Made of bronze and super-strong, the shield also has the image of Medusa moulded into its side. The mere sight of it terrifies most enemies. Especially effective when used in battle with Thalia’s huge, retractable spear.

Best against: Any immortal weapon and most people with eyes.

Not so good for: Yet to find an enemy who hasn’t trembled in its presence. Well, if it’s good enough for the King of the Gods…

Name: BACKBITER

Owner: Luke

Origins: Invented by Luke himself to be the ultimate killing machine.

Features: Half steel, half celestial bronze, this deadly sword can kill both mortals and immortals. Especially dangerous when wielded by the best swordsman Camp Half-Blood has seen in millennia.

Best against: Pretty much anyone you want to decapitate.

Not so good for: Defending the user when up against Aegis – even deadly swords have their limits.

Name: YANKEES BASEBALL CAP

Owner: Annabeth Chase

Origins: A gift from her mom, Athena, goddess of wisdom.

Features: Navy blue, NYC Yankees logo… oh yeah, and makes the wearer invisible.

Best for: Making speedy (and invisible) getaways.

Name: TYSON’S SHIELD

Owner: Percy Jackson

Origins: Made by Percy’s half-brother, Tyson, and has all the added extras only a Cyclops could engineer.

Features: Cleverly disguised as an average-looking wristwatch to the untrained eye, but punch the stopwatch button and you’re instantly armed with a metre-wide, lightweight war shield. Neat.

Best against: Celestial swords.

Not so good for: Shielding against manticore attacks.

OLYMPIAN CROSSWORD PUZZLE




Test your knowledge of Percy Jackson and the Olympians!






ACROSS

2. Lord of the Dead 5. The ____ Fates 6. Percy’s best friend 7. Percy’s half-brother Tyson is a ___ 11. This monster wears Fruit of the Loom underwear 13. Percy’s cousin, daughter of Zeus 14. Percy is entering this year at school 16. Percy has the ability to control this element 17. God of the Sea 18. Hot-tempered female bully, daughter of Ares 20. Another name for a half-blood 25. Also known as ‘The Kindly Ones’ 26. Percy’s mom loves food that is this colour 28. Percy’s magical sword 29. Annabeth’s hat makes her turn this 30. Luke is the son of this god  DOWN

1. Percy’s birthday month 2. Wife of Zeus 3. Titan Lord 4. Lord of the Sky 5. Dr _______ (evil manticore in The Titan’s Curse )8. Activities Director at the camp 9. Medusa’s hair is made of these 10. Camp visited by Percy and friends 12. Annabeth is deathly afraid of these creatures 15. Nike is the goddess of _____ 19. Zeus’s mother 21. Name of the link Percy and Grover share 22. Zeus, Poseidon and Hades are all ____. 23. Hydras have multiple ____ 24. Thalia had once been turned into a ____ 27. Aphrodite is the goddess of _____.  (Solution on page 158)