invisible string | f. zhang

xix. topeka

"The plant war," Percy says, "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny assault rifles?"

"Have we met?"

"At Camp Half-Blood," Percy answers, "I know you as Mr. D — Dionysus."

"Agh!" Bacchus winces and presses his hands to his temples. "Stop that! Stop thinking about me in Greek!"

"Uh, but — "

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay focused? Splitting headaches all the time! I never know what I'm doing or where I'm going! Constantly grumpy!"

"That sounds pretty normal for you," Percy says.

The god's nostrils flares. One of the grape leaves on his hat burst into flame. "If we know each other from that other camp, it's a wonder I haven't already turned you into a dolphin."

"It was discussed," Percy assures, "I think you were just too lazy to do it."

Maribelle pinches his side, he really needed to learn when to stop talking. And that was coming from her.

"Lord Bacchus!" Piper interrupts, sliding off of Tempest.

"Piper, careful," Jason says.

"Sorry to trouble you, my lord, but actually we came here to get your advice. Please, we need your wisdom."

"You're well-spoken, girl. Advice, eh? Very well. I would avoid karaoke. Really, theme parties in general are out. In these austere times, people are looking for a simple, low-key affair, with locally produced organic snacks and—"

"Not about parties," Piper interrupts, "Although that's incredibly useful advice, Lord Bacchus. We were hoping you'd help us on our quest."

She explains about the Argo II and their voyage to stop the giants from awakening Gaea. She tells him what Nemesis had said: that in six days, Rome would be destroyed. She describes the vision reflected in her knife, where Bacchus offered her a silver goblet.

"Silver goblet?" He grabs a Diet Pepsi from nowhere and pops the top of the can.

"You drink Diet Coke," Percy says.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bacchus snaps, "As to this vision of the goblet, young lady, I have nothing for you to drink unless you want a Pepsi. Jupiter has put me under strict orders to avoid giving wine to minors. Bothersome, but there you have it. As for the giants, I know them well. I fought in the first Giant War, you know."

"You can fight?" Percy asks.

Suddenly, his Diet Pepsi transforms into a five-foot staff wreathed in ivy, topped with a pinecone.

"A thyrsus?" Piper says.

"Oh, what a mighty weapon!" Maribelle quickly says.

"Indeed," Bacchus agrees, "I'm glad someone in your group is smart. The pinecone is a fearsome tool of destruction! I was a demigod myself in the first Giant War, you know. The son of Jupiter!"

"Of course that was long before I invented wine and became an immortal. I fought side by side with the gods and some other demigod . . . Harry Cleese, I think."

"Heracles?" Piper suggests politely.

"Whatever," Bacchus says, "Anyway, I killed the giant Ephialtes and his brother Otis. Horrible boors, those two. Pinecone in the face for both of them!"

"Lord Bacchus, those two giants, Ephialtes and Otis . . . would they happen to be twins?"

"Hmm? Yes, twins. That's right."

"That's why we're here," Piper tells the god, "You're part of our quest!"

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

"But giants can only be killed by heroes and gods working together," Maribelle insists, "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 for your help. You have to help us kill the giants!" Piper says.

"My girl," He says coldly, "I don't have to do anything. Besides, I only help those who give me proper tribute, which no one has managed to do in many, many centuries."

"What kind of tribute?" Percy asks.

Bacchus waves his hand dismissively, "Nothing you could handle, insolent Greek. But I will give you some free advice, since this 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 him in the city they named after that heroine — Atalanta."

Maribelle corrects him, "You mean Atlanta?"

"That's the one."

"But this Phorcys," Jason says, "Is he a giant? A Titan?"

Bacchus laughs, "Neither. Seek out the salt water."

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

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

"What do you mean?" Jason asks.

The god glances at the sun, which had climbed almost to high noon, "It's unlike Ceres to be late, unless she sensed something dangerous in this area. Or . . . or a trap. Well, I must be going! And if I were you, I'd do the same!"

"Lord Bacchus, wait!" Jason protests.

The god shimmers and disappears with a sound like a soda-can top being popped. The wind rustles through the sunflowers. The horses pace in agitation. Maribelle can't stop the shiver running down her spine. Something was definitely off.

"Bacchus is right," She begins, "We need to leave—"

Too late, said a sleepy voice, humming through the fields all around them.

Percy and Jason draw their swords. Maribelle holds two of her knives, watching Piper who stood on the road between them, frozen with fear. She quickly slides off of Blackjack to stand by Piper, ready to protect her if needed.

The power of Gaea was suddenly everywhere. The sunflowers turn to look at them. The wheat bends towards them.

Welcome to my party, Gaea murmurs.

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

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

"You're insane!" Piper shouts, "I'm not choosing anything for you!"

Suddenly Jason gasps. He sat up straight in his saddle.

"Jason!" Piper cries, "What's wrong—?"

He looks down at her, his expression deadly calm. His eyes were no longer blue. They glowed solid gold.

"Percy, help!" The two girls stumble back from Tempest.

But Percy gallops away from them. He stops thirty feet down the road and wheels his pegasus around. He raises his sword and points the tip toward Jason.

"One will die," Percy says, but the voice wasn't his.

"I will choose," Jason answers, in the same voice.

"No!" Piper yells.

Maribelle's heart was pounding in her ears. She didn't know what to do or how to even stop the boys. She glances at Piper who appears to be just as lost.

—