Jack puts the chemical thrower down just wherever on the sideboard, wipes a green stain off the nozzle with his sleeve.

"Good," he says. Of course there's reluctance to go back to Hephaestus and Ryan's domain, but honestly, he's willing to do it if it means they'll get out.

"And you can fight now," he adds more brightly. Although... "But I should do most of the fighting, still. I'm still stronger."

I might not even have to tell you by now that there isn't any boast in his voice. It's just facts.