RECLUSE ?Leo Valdez?

Boys are easily brianwashed... again

"Hmm?" The god seemed distracted with swinging his thyrsus, but he nodded. "Twins, that's right."

Twins snuff out the angels breath.

"That's why we're here," piper told the god. "You're part of our quest."

Bacchus frowned. "I'm sorry, my girl. I'm not a demigod anymore. "I don't do quests."

"But giants can only be killed by gods and demigods working together," she insisted. "You're a god now, and the two giants we have to fight are Ephialtes and Otis. I think... I think they're waiting for us in Rome. They're going to destroy the city somehow. The silver goblet I saw in my vision— maybe it's meant as a symbol of your help. You have to help us kill the giants!"

Bacchus glared at her. Piper had chosen her words poorly.

"My girl," he said coldly. "I don't have to do anything. Besides, I only help those who give me a proper tribute, which nobody has managed in many, many centuries."

Blackjack whined uneasily.

Percy voiced the question Piper was too scared to ask. "What kind of Tribute?"

Bacchus waved his hand, "noting you could handle, insolent Greek. But I will give you some free advice, since this is girl does have some manners. Seek out Gaea's son, Phorcys. He always hated his mother, not that I can blame him. He didn't have much use for his siblings, the twins, either. You'll find up in the city they name after that heroine— Atalanta."

Piper hesitated, "you mean Atlanta?"

"That's the one."

"But this Phorcys," Jason said. "Is he a giant? Or a titan?"

Bacchus laughed. "Neither. Seek out the salt water."

"Salt water..." Percy said. "In Atlanta?"

"Yes, are you hard of hearing?" Bacchus asked. "If anyone can give you insight on Gaea and the twins, it's Phorcys. Just watch out for him."

The god glanced at the sun, which had climbed to almost high noon. "It's unlike Ceres to be late, unless she sensed something dangerous in this area, or..."

The gods face suddenly went slack. "Or a trap! Well, I must be going. And if I were you, I'd do the same!"

"Lord Bacchus, wait!" Jason protested.

The god shimmered and dissipated, leaving only the sound of a soda can opening in his wake.

The wind tussled through the sunflowers. The horses paced in anticipation. Despite the dry, hot day, Maisie shivered. A cold feeling...

Piper seemed to sense it too, "Bacchus is right. We need to leave—"

Too late, A sleepy voice hummed through the fields.

Percy and Jason both drew their swords, causing Maisie to summon her own axe. They all stood back to back, holding their respective weapons towards the sunflowers, which had all turned to face them.

Welcome to my party, the voice mumbled. It was Gaea.

What did Bacchus say?, the voice mocked. A simple low-key affair with organic snacks? Yes. For my snacks, I need only two: the blood of a female and male demigods. Piper and Maisie, my dears, choose a hero to die with one of you.

"Gaea!" Jason shouted. "Stop hiding in the wheat! Show yourself!"

Such bravado, Gaea hissed. But the other one, Percy Jackson, also has appeal. Choose, Piper McLean and Maisie Elliot, or I will.