BuildBotsBetterChapter 10. We play the game show of death. We did our summons after Dark at a 20 foot long pit in front of the septic tank. The tank was bright yellow, with a smiley face and red words painted on the side. Happy flush disposal company. It didn't quite go with the mood of summoning the dead. The moon was full, silver clouds drifted across the sky. Manus should be here by now, Nico said, frowning. It's full dark. Maybe he got lost, I said hopefully. Nico poured root beer and tossed barbecue into the pit and began chanting in ancient Greek. Immediately the bugs in the wood stopped chirping.
In my pocket the stidgy and ice dog whistle started to grow colder, freezing against the side of my leg. Make him stomp, Tyson whispered to me. Part of me agreed. This was unnatural. The night air felt cold and menacing. But before I could say anything, the first spirits appeared. Self-risk myths seeped out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human forms. One blue shade drifted to the edge of the pit and knelt to drink. Stop him. Nico said momentarily breaking his chant. Only Bianca may drink. I drew riptide. The ghost retreated with a collective hiss at the sight of my celestial bronze blade.
But it was too late to stop the first spirit. He had already solidified into the shape of a bearded man in white robes. A circlet of gold reaped his head. And even in death his eyes were alive with malice. Manus. Nico said, what are you doing? My apologies master. The ghost said, though he didn't sound very sorry. The sacrifice smelled so good. I couldn't resist. He examined his own hands and smiled. It is good to see myself again, almost in solid form. You're disrupting the ritual. Nico protested. Get! The spirits of the dead began shimmering dangerously bright.
And Nico had to take up the chant again to keep them at bay. Yes. Quite right master. Manus said with amusement. You keep chanting. I've only come to protect you from these liars who would deceive you. It turned to me as if I were some kind of cockroach. Percy Jackson. I'm I. The sons of Poseidon haven't improved over the centuries have they? I wanted to punch him, but I figured my fist would go right through his face. We're looking for Bianca the Angelo. I said, get lost. The ghost chuckled. I understand you once killed my Minotaur with your bare hands.
But worse things await you in the maze. Do you really believe datallus will help you? The other spirits stirred an agitation, Annabeth threw her knife and helped me keep them away from the pit. Grover got so nervous he clung to Tyson's shoulder. Dailus cares nothing for you half-bloods. Minus warned. You can't trust him. He is old beyond counting and crafty. He's bitter from the guilt of murder and is cursed by the gods. The guilt of murder? I asked. Who did he kill? Do not change the subject. The ghost growled. You are hindering Nico. You try to persuade him to give up his goal.
I would make him a lord. Enough, Minus. Nico commanded. The ghost sneered. Master, these are your enemies. You must not listen to them. Let me protect you. I will turn their minds to madness as I did the others. The others? Annabeth gasped. You mean Chris Rodriguez? That was you? The maze is my property, the ghost said. Not datalluses. Those who intrude deserve madness. Be gone, Minus. Nico demanded. I want to see my sister. The ghost bit back his rage. As you wish, Master. But I warn you. You cannot trust these heroes. With dat he faded into mist.
Other spirits rushed forward, but Annabeth and I kept them back. Bianca, up here. Nico entoned. He started chanting faster, and his spirits shifted restlessly. Anytime now. Grover muttered. Then a silvery-like flicker'd in the trees. A spirit that seemed brighter and stronger than the others. It came closer. And something told me to let it pass. It knelt to drink at the pit. When it arose, it was the ghostly form of Bianca DiAngelo. Nico's chanting faltered. I lured my sword. The other spirits started to crowd forward, but Bianca raised her arms and they retreated into the woods.
Hello, Percy. She said. She looked the same as she had in life. A green cap set sideways on her thick black hair. Dark eyes and olive skin like her brother. She wore jeans and a silvery jacket. The outfit of a hunter of Artemis. A bow was slung over her shoulder. She smiled faintly and her whole form flickered. Bianca, I said. My voice was thick. I felt guilty about her death for a long time, but seeing her in front of me was five times as bad like her death was fresh and new. I remembered searching through the wreckage of the giant bronze warrior she'd sacrificed her life to defeat and not finding any sign of her.
I... I'm so sorry. I said. You have nothing to apologize for, Percy. I made my own choice. I don't regret it. Bianca! Nico stumbled forward like he was just coming out of a daze. She turned toward her brother. Her expression was sad, as if she'd been dreading this moment. Hello, Nico. You've gotten so tall. Why didn't you answer me sooner? He cried. I've been trying for months. I was hoping you would give up. Give up? He sounded heartbroken. How can you say that? I'm trying to save you. You can't, Nico. Don't do this. Percy's right. No! He let you die.
He's not your friend. Bianca stretched out a hand as if to touch her brother's face, but she was made of mist. Her hand evaporated as it got close to living skin. You must listen to me, she said. Holding grudges is dangerous for a child of Hades. It is our fatal flaw. You have to forgive. You have to promise me this. I can't. Never. Percy has been worried about you, Nico. He can help. I let him see what you were up to, hoping you would find you. So it was you, I said. You sent those iris messages. Bianca nodded. Why are you helping him and not me?
Nico screamed. It's not fair. You are close to the truth, no. Bianca told him. It's not Percy you're mad at, Nico. It's me. No. You're mad because I left you to become a hunter of Artemis. You're mad because I died and left you alone. I'm sorry for that, Nico. I truly am. But you must overcome the anger. And stop blaming Percy for my choices. It will be your doom. She's right. Animeth broke in. Chronos is rising, Nico. He'll twist anyone he can to his cause. I don't care about Chronos, Nico said. I just want my sister back. You can't have that, Nico.
Bianca told him gently. I'm the son of Hades. I can. Don't try, she said. If you love me, don't. Her voice trailed off. Spirits had started to gather around us again. And they seemed agitated. Their shadows shifted. Their voice is whispered. Danger! Tartarus stirs. Bianca said. Your power draws the attention of Chronos. The dead must return to the underworld. It's not safe for us to remain. Wait! Nico said. Please. Goodbye, Nico. Bianca said. I love you. Remember what I said. Her former shivered and the ghost disappeared, leaving us alone with a pit.
A happy flush septic tank. And a cold full moon. None of us were anxious to travel that night. So I thought I'd never be alone. I thought I'd never be alone. I thought I'd never be alone. I thought I'd never be alone. I thought I'd never be alone. I thought I'd never be alone. I thought I'd never be alone. None of us were anxious to travel that night. So we decided to wait until morning. Grover and I crashed on the leather couches in Garyan's living room, which was a lot more comfortable than a better old in the maze, but it didn't make my nightmares any better.
I dreamed I was with Luke, walking through the dark palace on top of Mount Tam. It was a real building now. Not some half-finished illusion like I'd seen last winter. Green fires burned in braziers along the walls. The floor was polished black marble. A cold wind blew down the hallway and above us, through the open ceiling. The sky swirled with grey storm clouds. Luke was dressed for battle. He wore camouflage pants, a white t-shirt, and a bronze breastplate. But his sword back-biter wasn't at his side, only an empty scabbard. We walked into a large courtyard where dozens of warriors and dracening were preparing for war.
When they saw him, the demigods rose to attention. They beat their swords against their shields. Is it time, my lord? Adricana asked. Soon, Luke promised, continue your work. My lord. A voice said behind him. Kelly the Impusa was smiling at him. She wore a blue dress tonight and looked wickedly beautiful. Her eyes flickered, sometimes dark brown, sometimes pure red. Her hair was braided down her back and seemed to catch the light of the torches. Is it it were anxious to turn back into pure flame? My heart was pounding. I waited for Kelly to see me, to chase me out of the dream as she did before, but this time she didn't seem to notice me.
You have a visitor, she told Luke. She stepped aside and even Luke seemed stunned by what he saw. The monster, Compet, towered above him. Her snakes hissed around her legs. Animal heads growled at her waist. Her swords were drawn, shimmering with poison. And with her bat wings extended, she took up the entire corridor. You, Luke's voice sounded a little shaky. I told you to stay on Alcatraz. Compet's eyes blinked sideways like a reptile. She spoke in that weird rumbling language, but this time I understood it. Somewhere in the back of my mind.
I come to serve, give me revenge. You're a jailer, Luke said. Your job, I will have them dead. No one escapes me." Luke hesitated, a line of sweat trickled down the side of his face. "'Very well,' he said. "'You will go with us. You may carry Ariana Stringa. It's a position of great honor,' Compet histed the stars. She sheathed her swords and turned, pounding down the hallway on her enormous dragon legs. "'We should have left that one in Tartarus,' Luke mumbled. "'She's too chaotic. Too powerful,' Kelly laughed softly. "'You should not fear power, Luke.
Use it. "'The sooner we leave the better,' Luke said. "'I want this over with.' "'Aww,' Kelly sympathized, running a finger down his arm. "'You find it unpleasant to destroy your old camp. "'I didn't say that. "'You're not having second thoughts about your own special part,' Luke's face turned stony. "'I know my duty.' "'That is good,' the demon said. "'Is our strike force sufficient, do you think? "'Or will I need to call a mother he can't for help? "'We have more than enough,' Luke said grimly. "'The deal is almost complete. "'All I need now is to negotiate safe passage through the arena.'
"'Hmm,' Kelly said. "'That should be interesting. "'I would hate to see your handsome head on a spike if you fail.' "'I will not fail. "'And you, demon, don't you have other matters to attend to?' "'Oh yes,' Kelly smiled. "'I am bringing despair to our eavesdropping enemies. "'I'm doing that right now.' "'She turned her eyes directly on me, exposed her talons and ripped through my dream. "'Suddenly, I was in a different place. "'I stood at the top of a stone tower overlooking rocky cliffs in the ocean below. "'The old man Daedalus was hunched over a work table, wrestling with some kind of navigational instrument like a huge compass.
"'He looked years older than when I saw him last. "'He was stooped and his hands were gnarled. "'He cursed an ancient Greek and squinted as if he could see his work, even though it was a sunny day. "'Uncle,' a voice called. "'A smiling boy about Nico's age came bounding up the steps, carrying a wooden box. "'Hello, Pertix,' the old man said. "'Those tones sound cold. "'Done with your projects already.' "'Yes, uncle, they were easy,' Daedalus scowled. "'Easy. "'The problem of moving water uphill without a pump was easy.' "'Oh yes, look,' the boy dumped his box and rummaged through the junk.
"'He came up with a strip of papyrus and showed the old adventuresome diagram and notes. "'They didn't make any sense to me, but Daedalus nodded grudgingly. "'I see. "'Not bad.' "'The king loved it,' Pertix said. "'He said I might be even smarter than you.' "'Daeddy now.' "'But I don't believe that. "'I'm so glad mother sent me to study with you. "'I want to know everything you do.' "'Yes,' Daedalus muttered. "'So when I die, you can take my place, eh?' "'The boy's eyes widened. "'Oh, no uncle, but I've been thinking, why does a man have to die anyway?'
"'The inventor scowled. "'It is the way of things lad. "'Everything dies but the gods.' "'But, why?' "'The boy insisted. "'If you could capture the animus, this soul in another form, well, "'You've told me about your automaton's uncle, bowls, eagles, dragons, "'horses of bronze, "'why not a bronze form for a man?' "'No, my boy,' Daedalus said sharply. "'You are naive. "'Such a thing is impossible. "'I don't think so,' Pertix insisted. "'With the use of a little magic. "'Magic, blah. "'Yes, uncle, magic and mechanics together, "'with a little work, one could make a body "'that would look exactly human.
"'Only better, I've made some notes.' "'He handed the old man a thick scroll. "'Daedalus unfurled it. "'He read for a long time. "'His eyes narrowed. "'He glanced at the boy, then closed the scroll "'and cleared his throat. "'It would never work, my boy. "'When you're older, you'll see. "'Can I fix that astrolabe then, uncle? "'Are your joints swelling up again?' "'The old man's jaw clenched. "'No, thank you. "'Now, why don't you run along?' "'Pertix didn't seem to notice the old man's anger. "'He snatched a bronze beetle from his mound of stuff "'and ran to the edge of the tower.
"'A low still ringed the rim, "'coming just up at the boy's knees. "'The wind was strong. "'Move back,' I wanted to tell him, "'but my voice didn't work. "'Pertix wound up the beetle and tossed it into the sky. "'It spread its wings and hummed away. "'Pertix laughed with the light. "'Smarter than me,' Daedalus mumbled. "'Too soft for the boy to hear. "'Is it true your son died flying, uncle? "'I heard you made him enormous wings, but they failed.' "'Daedalus' hands clenched. "'Take my place,' he muttered. "'The wind whipped around the boy, tugging at his clothes, "'making his hair ripple.
"'I would like to fly,' Pertix said. "'I'd make my own wings that wouldn't fail. "'Do you think I could?' "'Maybe it was a dream within my dream, "'but suddenly I imagined the two-headed god of Janus "'chimmering in the air next to Daedalus, "'smiling as he tossed a silver key from hand to hand. "'Chuse,' he whispered to the old inventor. "'Chuse,' Daedalus picked up another one "'of the boy's metal bugs. "'The inventor's old eyes were red with anger. "'Pertix,' he called. "'Catch,' he tossed the bronze beetle toward the boy, "'delighted,' Pertix tried to catch it, "'but the throw was too long.
"'The beetle sailed into open sky "'and Pertix reached a little too far. "'The wind caught him. "'Somehow he managed to grab the ring of the tower "'with his fingers as he fell. "'Uncle,' he screamed. "'Help me!' "'The old man's face was a mask. "'He did not move from his spot. "'Go on, Pertix,' Daedalus said softly. "'Make your own wings. "'Be quick about it. "'Uncle,' the boy cried as he lost his grip. "'He tumbled for the sea. "'There was a moment of deadly silence. "'The god Janus flickered and disappeared. "'Then thunder shook the sky. "'A woman's stern voice spoke from above.
"'You will pay the price for that Daedalus.' "'I'd heard that voice before. "'It was Annabas' mother, Athena. "'Daedalus scowled up at the heavens. "'I have always honored you, mother. "'I have sacrificed everything to follow your way. "'Yet the boy had my blessing as well, "'and you have killed him. "'For that you must pay. "'I've paid and paid,' Daedalus growled. "'I've lost everything. "'I'll suffer in the underworld, no doubt. "'But in the meantime, he picked up the boy's scroll, "'studied it for a moment and slipped it into his sleeve. "'You do not understand,' Athena said coldly.
"'You will pay now and forever.' "'Suddenly Daedalus collapsed in agony. "'I felt what he felt. "'A searing pain closed around my neck "'like a molten hot collar, cutting off my breath, "'making everything go black. "'I woken the dark, my hands clutching at my throat. "'Percy!' "'Gorver called from the other sofa. "'Are you okay?' "'I steadied my breathing. "'I wasn't sure how to answer. "'I just watched the guy we were looking for, "'Daedalus murder his own nephew. "'How could I be okay?' "'The television was going. "'Blue light flicker through the room.
"'What, what time is it?' "'I croaked. "'Two in the morning,' Gorver said. "'I couldn't sleep. "'I was watching the nature channel,' he sniffled. "'I miss Juniper. "'I rub the sleep out of my eyes. "'Yeah, well, you'll see her soon.' "'Gorver shook his head sadly. "'Do you know what day it is, Percy? "'I just saw it on TV. "'It's June 13th, seven days since we left camp. "'What?' "'I said. "'That can't be right. "'Time is faster in the labyrinth,' Gorver reminded me. "'The first time you and Annabeth went down here, "'you thought you were only gone a few minutes, right?'
"'But it was an hour. "'Oh,' I said, "'Right.' "'Then it dawned on me what he was saying, "'and my throat felt searing hot again. "'You're deadline with the Council of Cloven elders. "'Gorver put the TV remote in his mouth "'and crunched the end off of it. "'I'm out of time,' he said, with a mouthful plastic. "'As soon as I go back, they'll take away my searchers' license. "'He'll never be allowed to go out again. "'We'll talk to them,' I promised. "'Make them give you more time,' Gorver swallowed. "'They'll never go for it. "'The world is dying, Percy.
"'Every day it gets worse. "'The wild, I can just feel it fading. "'I have to find Pan. "'You will, man. "'No doubt.' "'Gorver looked at me with sad goat eyes. "'You've always been a good friend, Percy. "'What you did today, saving the ranch animals from Garyan. "'That's amazing. "'I wish I could be more like you. "'Hey,' I said, "'Don't say that. "'You're just as much a hero. "'No, I'm not. "'I keep trying, but,' he sighed. "'Percy, I can't go back to camp without finding Pan. "'I just can't. "'You understand that, don't you? "'I can't face Juniper if I fail.
"'I can't even face myself.' "'His voice was so unhappy I heard to hear. "'We'd been through a lot together, "'but I'd never heard of him sound this down. "'We'll figure something out,' I said. "'You haven't failed. "'You're the champion goat boy, all right? "'Juniper knows that. "'So do I. "'Goverclose his eyes. "'Champion goat boy,' he muttered dejectedly. "'A long time after he dozed off, I was still awake, "'watching the blue light of the Nature Channel "'wash over the stuffed trophy heads on Garyan's walls. "'The next morning we walked down to the cattle garden "'and said our goodbyes.
"'Nico, you could come with us.' "'I blurted out. "'I guess I was thinking about my dream "'and how much the young boy Purdex reminded me of Nico. "'He shook his head. "'I don't think any of us had slept well "'in the demon ranch house, "'but Nico looked worse "'than anybody else. "'His eyes were red and his face chalky. "'He was wrapped in a black robe "'that must have belonged to Garyan "'because it was three sizes too big, "'even for a grown man. "'I need time to think. "'His eyes wouldn't meet mine, "'but I could tell from his tone when he was still angry.
"'The fact that his sister had come out of the underworld "'for me and not for him didn't seem to sit well with him. "'Nico, Annabest said, "'Bianca just wants you to be okay. "'She put her hand on his shoulder, "'but he pulled away and trudged up the road "'toward the ranch house. "'Maybe it was my imagination, "'but the morning mist seemed to cling to him as he walked. "'I'm worried about him,' Annabest told me. "'If he starts talking to my nusses ghost again, "'he'll be all right,' Eurition promised. "'The cow heard it clean up nicely. "'He was wearing new jeans and a clean western shirt, "'and he'd even trimmed his beard.
"'He put on Garyan's boots. "'The boy can stay here and gather his thoughts "'as long as he wants. "'He'll be safe, I promise. "'What about you?' I asked. "'Eurition scratched Orthis behind one chin "'than the other. "'Things are gonna be to run a little different "'around this ranch from now on. "'No more scared cattle meat. "'Linking about soybean patties. "'And I'm gonna befriend those flesh-eaten horses. "'I might just sign up for the next rodeo.' "'The idea made me shudder. "'Well, good luck. "'Yep,' Eurition spit into the grass. "'I reckon you'll be looking for Daedalus' workshop now.
"'Annabeth his eyes lit up. "'Can you help us?' "'Eurition studied the cattle garden. "'I got the feeling the subject of Daedalus' workshop "'made him uncomfortable. "'Don't know where it is, but if Estus probably would, "'that's what Harris said,' Annabeth agreed. "'But how do we find Hephaestus? "'Eurition pulled something from under the collar "'of his shirt as a necklace, a smooth silver disc "'on a silver chain. "'The disc had a depression on the middle, "'like a thumbprint. "'He handed it to Annabeth. "'If Estus comes here from time to time,' Eurition said, "'studies, the animals and such "'so he can make bronze automaton copies.
"'Last time I did him a favor. "'A little trick you wanted to play on my dad, "'Eurries and Aphrodite, "'he gave me that chain in gratitude. "'Sid if I ever needed to find him, "'the disc would lead me to his forges, but only once. "'And you're giving it to me?' "'Annabeth asked. "'Eurition blushed. "'I don't need to see a forges, Miss. "'Got enough to do here, just press the button "'and you'll be on your way. "'Annabeth pressed the button in the disc sprang to life. "'It grew eight metallic legs. "'Annabeth shrieked and dropped it, "'much to Eurition's confusion.
"'Spider!' she screamed. "'She's um, a little scared of spiders,' "'Grower explained. "'That old grudge between Athena and Arachne. "'Oh, Eurition looked embarrassed. "'Sorry, Miss. "'The spiders scrambled to the cattle garden "'disappeared between the bars. "'Hurry!' I said. "'That thing's not going to wait for us. "'Annabeth wasn't anxious to follow, "'but we didn't have much choice. "'We set our goodbyes to Eurition. "'Tyson pulled the cattle guard off the hole "'and we dropped back into the maze. "'I wish I could have put the mechanical spider on a leash.
"'It scuttled along the tunnel so fast. "'Most of the time I couldn't even see it. "'If it hadn't been for Tyson's "'and Grover's excellent, "'I couldn't hear it. "'We never would have known which way it was going. "'We ran down a marble tunnel, "'the dash to the left, and almost fell into an abyss. "'Tyson grabbed me and hauled me back before I could fall. "'The tunnel continued in front of us, "'but there was no floor for about 100 feet. "'Just gaping darkness, "'and a series of iron rungs in the ceiling. "'The mechanical spider was about halfway across, "'swinging from bar to bar by shooting out middle web fiber.
"'Monkey bars,' Annabeth said. "'I'm great at these.' "'She left out of the first rung "'and started swinging her way across. "'She was scared of tiny spiders, "'but not of plummeting to her death "'from a set of monkey bars. "'Go figure.' "'Annabeth got to the opposite side "'and ran after the spider,' I followed. "'When I got across, I looked back "'and saw Tyson giving Grover a piggyback ride. "'Was it a goadingback ride? "'The big guy made it across in three swings, "'which was a good thing since, "'just as he landed, "'the last iron bar rept free under his weight.
"'We kept moving and passed a skeleton crumpled "'in the tunnel. "'It wore the remains of a dress shirt, slacks, and a tie. "'The spider didn't slow down. "'I slipped on a pile of wood scraps, "'but when I shined a light on them, "'I realized they were pencils, "'hundreds of them all broken in half. "'The tunnel opened up into a large room. "'A blazing light hit us. "'Once my eyes adjusted, the first thing I noticed "'were the skeletons. "'Dozens littered the floor around us, "'some were old and bleached white. "'Others were more recent and a lot grosser.
"'They didn't smell quite as bad as Gary and Stables, "'but almost. "'Then I saw the monster. "'She stood on a glittery dais on the opposite side "'of the room. "'She had the body of a huge lion "'and the head of a woman. "'She would have been pretty, but her hair was tied back "'in a tight bun, and she wore too much makeup. "'So she kind of reminded me of my third-grade choir teacher. "'She had a blue ribbon badge pinned to her chest. "'That took me a moment to read. "'This monster has been rated exemplary.' "'Tyson whimpered. "'Sphinx. "'I knew exactly why he was scared.
"'When he was small, Tyson had been attacked "'by his sphinx in New York. "'He still had the scars on his back to prove it. "'Spotlights blazed on either side of the creature. "'The only exit was a tunnel right behind the dais. "'The mechanical spider scuttled between the sphinx's paws "'and disappeared. "'Anabas stared forward, but the sphinx roared "'showing fangs in her otherwise human face. "'Bars came down on both tunnel exits behind us and in front. "'Immediately the monster snarl turned into a brilliant smile. "'Welcome, lucky contestants!' she announced.
"'Get ready to play. "'Answer that riddle!' "'Can deplause blasted from the ceiling "'as if there were invisible loudspeakers. "'Spotlights swept across the room "'and reflected off the dais, "'throwing disco glitter over the skeletons on the floor. "'Fabulous prizes,' the sphinx said. "'Pass the test and you get to advance. "'Fail and I get to eat you. "'Who will be our contestant?' Anabeth grabbed my arm. "'I've got this,' she whispered. "'I know what she's going to ask. "'I didn't argue too hard. "'I didn't want Anabeth getting devoured by a monster, "'but I figured if the sphinx was going to ask riddles, "'Anabeth was the best one of us to try.'"
She stepped forward to the contestants podium, which had a skeleton in a school uniform hunched over it. She pushed the skeleton out of the way and it clattered to the floor. "'Sorry,' Anabeth told it. "'Welcome, Anabeth Chase,' the monster cried, "'though Anabeth hadn't said her name. "'Are you ready for your test?'" "'Yes,' she said. "'Ask your riddle.'" "'20 riddles, actually,' the sphinx said gleefully. "'What, but back in the old days, "'oh, we've raised our standards "'to pass you must show proficiency in all 20. "'Isn't that great?'" A pla switched on and off like somebody turning a faucet.
Anabeth glanced at me nervously. I gave her an encouraging nod. "'Okay,' she told the sphinx. "'I'm ready.'" A drum roll sounded from above. The sphinx's eyes glittered with excitement. "'What is the capital of Bulgaria?'" Anabeth frowned. "'For a terrible moment I thought she was stumped.'" "'Sophia,' she said. "'But, correct,' more canned applause. "'The sphinx smiled so wide her fangs showed. "'Please be sure to mark your answer clearly "'on your test sheet with a number two pencil.'" "'What?'" Anabeth looked mystified. Then a test book that appeared on the podium in front of her, along with a sharpened pencil.
"'Make sure you bubble each answer clearly "'and stay inside the circle,',' the sphinx said. "'If you have to erase, erase completely, "'or the machine will not be able to read your answers.'" "'What machine?',' Anabeth asked. "'The sphinx pointed with her paw. "'Over by the spotlight was a bronze box "'with a bunch of gears and levers "'and a big Greek letter eta on the side, "'the mark of Hephaestus.'" "'Now,' said the sphinx. "'Next question.' "'Wait a second,' Anabeth protested. "'What about what walks on four legs in the morning? "'I beg your pardon?'
"'The sphinx said clearly annoyed now.'" "'The riddle about, man, he walks on four legs "'in the morning like a baby, two legs in the afternoon "'like an adult, and three legs in the evening "'like an old man with a cane.'" "'That's the riddle you used to ask.'" "'Exactly why we changed the test,',' "'The sphinx exclaimed. "'You already know the answer.'" "'Now,' second question. "'What is the square root of 16?' "'Four,' Anabeth said, but, "'Correct, which US president signed "'the Emancipation Proclamation? "'Abraham Lincoln, but, correct.'"
"'Riddle number four, how much hold up?' "'Anabeth shouted. "'I wanted to tell her to stop complaining. "'She was doing great. "'She should just answer the question so we can leave.'" "'These aren't riddles,' Anabeth said. "'What do you need?' this sphinx snapped. "'Of course they are. "'This test material is specially designed. "'It's just a bunch of dumb random facts,' Anabeth insisted. "'Riddles are supposed to make you think. "'Think,' this sphinx frowned. "'How am I supposed to test whether you can think? "'That's ridiculous. "'Now, how much force is required?
"'Stop,' Anabeth insisted. "'This is a stupid test.'" "'Anabeth?' "'Govercutted nervously. "'Maybe you should just, you know, "'finish first and complain later. "'I'm a child of Athena,' she insisted. "'And this is an insult to my intelligence. "'I won't answer these questions.'" Part of me was impressed with her for standing up like that. But part of me thought her pride was just gonna get us all killed. The spotlight's glared. "'This sphinx's eyes glittered pure black. "'Why then, my dear?' "'The monster said calmly. "'If you won't pass, "'you fail.
"'And since we can't allow any children to be held back, "'you'll be eaten.'" The sphinx bared her claws, which gleamed like a stainless steel. She pounced to the podium. "'No,' Tyson charged. "'He hates it when people threaten Anabeth, "'but I couldn't believe he was being so brave, "'especially since he'd had such a bad experience "'with the sphinx before. "'He tackled the sphinx midair "'and they crashed sideways into a pile of bones. "'This gave Anabeth just enough time to gather "'her wits and draw her knife. "'Tyson got up, his shirt clon to shreds.
"'This sphinx growled, looking for an opening. "'I drew riptide and stepped in front of Anabeth. "'Turn invisible,' I told her. "'I can fight. "'No,' I yelled. "'This sphinx is after you. "'Let us get it.'" As if to prove my point, the sphinx knocked Tyson aside and tried to charge past me. Grover poked her in the eye with somebody of leg bone. She screeched in pain. Anabeth put on her cap and vanished. The sphinx pounced right where she'd been standing, but came up with empty paws. "'No fair,' the sphinx wailed. "'Cheater." With Anabeth no longer in sight, the sphinx turned on me.
I raised my sword, but before I could strike Tyson ripped the monster's grating machine out of the floor and threw it at the sphinx's head, ruining her hair bun. It landed in pieces all around her. "'My grating machine,' she cried. "'I can't be exemplary without my test scores.'" The bars lifted from the exits. We all dashed for the far tunnel. I could only hope Anabeth was doing the same. The sphinx started to follow, but Grover raised his reed pipes and began to play. Suddenly the pencils remembered they used to be parts of trees. They collected around the sphinx paws, grew roots and branches and began wrapping around the monster's legs.
The sphinx ripped through them, but it bought us just enough time. Tyson pulled Grover into the tunnel and the bars slammed shut behind us. "'Anabeth,' I yelled. "'Here,' she said right next to me. "'Keep moving.'" We ran through the dark tunnels, listening to the roar of the sphinx behind us as she complained about all the tests she would have to grade by hand.