Sorry about the wait for the update. I've been busy... Working on a new story. Once this one is complete, I'll start posting it.
Calla
It's been less than an hour since I left camp. I squinted at my surroundings. Water stretched out as far as the eye could see, its soft dark blue waves rolling restlessly. I nudged Wind Dancer closer to the water, her hooves lightly brushing its waves. She whinnied, anxiously, her blue eyes fixated on one point. We were less than a few meters away when the water rippled. Wind Dancer reared, whinnying in protest, when slowly, a figure rose up out of the waves. I stared in horror as the moon shone its silvery light on it, revealing its gruesome features.
The first thing I realized is that it resembled a python, except this one was dark green and 50 feet tall. Its scales glimmered in the light, a coat of water trickled down its body. My eyes examined it, finally fixating on its face. Its tongue slithered out from behind its mouth, its glittering white fangs speckled with red. Blood, I guessed. Its yellow eyes danced, happily, expecting this to be an easy meal. I narrowed my eyes.
"I refuse to die this way. Eaten by an ugly overgrown garden snake," I snarled at it, digging my hands into Wind Dancer's soft mane.
The sea serpent's eyes narrowed into slits, its tongue swishing vigorously back and forth as it hissed. It was definitely not pleased with my comment. But it was kinda true. It reared its head back, ready to strike when I squeezed Wind Dancer's waist. She zipped out of the way as the snake striked, its head slamming into the water. It hissed, venomously, its slits they call eyes fixated on me. I shrugged.
"You can't expect to kill us that easily," my voice was casual, but I had an arrogant smirk on my face.
The snake seemed to smile deviously as it stared at me, its yellow eyes calculating. Oh, crap. I thought as my eyes widened. The serpent sank back into the dark water, its waves rippling. Wind Dancer whinnied anxiously, her blue eyes wild with fear. I nudged her with my thighs, implying to go head back to the sky. Just as we were about to ascend, the water splashed furiously. The serpent rose out the water with two figures flanking its sides. Both were serpents except one was an aqua blue while the other was a pale yellow. I nearly screamed as they lunged at us.
Wind Dancer reared, taking me completely by surprise. I was tossed off her back, plunging into the lake. I screamed but it was swept up by the wind. I collided with the water, my body screaming in agony. The cold seeped into my clothes, stinging every inch of my body. I swam to the surface. Gods, I'm so glad Percy had given me swimming lessons. I sucked in a deep breath, catching a glimpse of Wind Dancer avoiding the sea serpents' attacks. One of the serpent, the dark green to be specific, was missing, which meant only one thing. It was after me. Before I dove back in the water, Wind Dancer noticed me, her eyes focused on me and not on the serpents' next attack. I screamed as a serpent struck her wing, leaving a huge gash in the joint that connected her wings to her body. She whinnied in agony as her body plunged into the water.
I waited for her head to emerge, but it didn't. Not even a single ripple. I screamed again, but not in agony or misery, but in anger. She was not dead! I won't allow it. The waves reacted around me, listening to my every move. I dove into the water and forced myself to breathe. At first, I couldn't. I could feel my lungs filling up with the dark water, my organs slowly ceasing when suddenly the feeling just stopped. I could breathe again.
I dove in deeper, the cold still stinging my skin. I could see everything clearly, but it was still dark. Like staring into a dim lighted room. I squinted around, trying to make out any shape. Maybe, I could spot a glimpse of Wind Dancer. I pushed the hopeful thought away. I shouldn't raise my hopes just yet. After a few moments, I noticed a few dark shapes looming ahead me. I narrowed my eyes before swimming after the shapes.
As I neared, I noticed that the shapes were two of the serpents, the pale yellow one and the aqua blue one, but not the leader. I narrowed my eyes again, suspicion digging deep into the pit of my stomach. This didn't feel right. I ignored it before swimming closer to them. They looked like they were having a very heated agreement, because they hissed, furiously, at each other. This was the perfect opportunity to strike. Little did I know there was a pair of eyes, fixated on me.
I concentrated on the waves, willing them to form a funnel. Maybe if I could trap them inside, the water could spit them into the air, where I'd focus on the wind to carry them as far east as I could. Slowly, the water obeyed, circling the serpents. The serpents didn't even realize what was happening until it was too late to react. The water had already ensnared them in its watery trap. The water gained enough potential energy to spit them upwards and into the sky. There, I simply forced the wind, which I could feel even though I was deep in the water, to carry the serpents east. I won't be seeing them for a while.
I smirked before ascending to the surface. I should probably start my search for Wind Dancer. Just as my head broke the surface, something bit my leg, driving me back under. The pain in my leg was agonizing even when the creature released its death grip. It must have been poison. I stared at my surroundings, trying to pinpoint what attacked me. I swam in a small circle before catching a glimpse of a dark green shape. The other serpent.
"Shit," I muttered before diving after it.
I could've spent hours searching for it, but the serpent wasn't patient. It wanted me dead, immediately. It was cunning, but relied more of brute strength. I narrowed my eyes when I noticed its dark green body gliding less than a few feet ahead me. I got you now. I lunged at it, digging my fingernails into the chinks in its scales. I could hear a furious hiss from ahead of me. I smirked, but it immediately faded away. I didn't have any weapons. Dammit.
The serpent's eyes appeared, glaring at me with its slitted yellow eyes. I narrowed my eyes, calculating its every move. It hissed at me, its split tongue slithering out from behind its lips. It eyed me, carefully, planning its next move. Little did it know, the water circling around it. It was slowly forming a fist, mimicking the movements of my right hand. Its eyes stared at me, warily searching for signs of an attack. I just smiled before clenching my fists. The water mimicked me, except with a translucent large hand.
I flung my hand out towards the serpent. The watery hand copied my movements as I made a grasping gesture, the hand wrapping its watery fingers around the serpent's neck. I squeezed my hand and raised my hand before flinging my hand forward, releasing my grip, like a throwing motion. The hand mimicked mine exactly, tossing the serpent out of the water and through the air. There, it was carried by the wind to join its friends east. Soon it was just a small angry dot in the distance. I waved goodbye before ascending to the surface.
The moment my head broke it, the pain returned, tenfold. I nearly screamed in agony, but I bit my lip to the point where my teeth broke the skin. Blood trickled down my chin. If there were other creatures out there, I couldn't attract their attention. I concentrated on the water. I could feel and see everything in the lake, every creature, every plant, everything. I focused on, trying to find Wind Dancer. Soon I spotted a glimpse of a head breaking the surface. Immediately, I realized it was her. I swam in that direction, forcing the waves to carry me. It was agonizing even to try to swim.
"Wind Dancer!" I yelled as the waves gently carried me toward her.
Wind Dancer turned her head, whinnying anxiously. I smiled as I neared her. The moment that I was less than a few feet away, I swam towards her, ignoring the biting pain. I wrapped my arms around her neck, kissing her soaking wet mane. She nickered, softly, before nuzzling my face. I chuckled, but it formed into a gasp as pain stung my stomach. Wind Dancer's blue eyes eyed me, warily. She leaned forward until her back was in front of me. I climbed onto her back, leaning against my mane.
Wind Dancer kicked her legs forward, swimming toward a nearby island's sandy shore. Black dots speckled my vision. The poison was spreading. Fast. Once her hooves touched the green grass of the shore, she collapsed onto the ground in a heap. I slid off her back and onto the soft grass. I groaned, every part of my body burning. Never ever again will I attack a serpent without a weapon.
"Gods, I'm stupid," I muttered, gagging slightly when my throat burned.
"Yeah, yeah you are," a deep voice stated from above me.
My unfocused eyes gazed up at a dark-haired boy. He smiled, his white teeth nearly matching his pale skin.
"Hi, Nico," I managed to say without choking.
I could feel the poison slowly filling my lungs. Damn serpent. I'm gonna punch it in the face next time I run into it. Nico's smile faded as his eyes fixated on my leg. His dark brown eyes widened.
"What happened? Wait never mind. Don't answer," Nico said, worriedly, as he searched his jacket pockets.
He yanked a baggie out of his pocket. The contents of the baggie were some sort of squished lemon meringue squares speckled with powdered sugar. Nico pulled one out, gesturing me to open my mouth. I narrowed my eyes before doing as he asked. Gently, he placed it in my mouth. I chewed it hesitantly, my mouth exploding with flavor. It tasted exactly like my 8th birthday cake my dad had made for me. Tears stung the back of my eyes. I remembered the day perfectly.
10 Years Ago…
I threw my arms around my dad, wrapping my slim arms around his thick waist. He chuckled lightly, tousling my messy chocolate brown hair. I giggled, pressing my face into his stomach. He encircled his arms around my waist, lifting me into the air. He spun around, swinging me along with him. I giggled again as everything blurred. Setting me down, he clasped his calloused hand in my small hand and headed toward the kitchen. I skipped the entire way, my little body buzzing with excitement.
"Okay, Cals. You have to cover your eyes," dad claimed, gazing down at me.
I nodded, vigorously, covering my eyes with my hands. I tried peeking out from behind my small fingers, but dad scolded me, exclaiming that I can't peek. I giggled, standing in the hallway. Soon, I felt a hand on my hands, pulling them away from my face. Dad led me into the kitchen and I squealed in surprise. There in the middle of the table was a beautiful round cake. It was enshrouded in aqua blue frosting. Waves were etched into the frosting with all different types of blues. In the middle of the blue cake in big curly sea green letters was Happy 8th Birthday, my beautiful Calla.
"Did you make this?" I asked, my hands itching to touch the cake. But that would ruin the beautiful waves.
He nodded. "I thought you would like it more if I made it."
I grinned, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I love you, daddy."
"I love you, too, Calla," dad's voice was very sad.
I gazed up at him to see his brown eyes shining with salty tears. I frowned, furrowing my thin eyebrows. Why is crying? Did I do something wrong?
"Calla, it's okay. Sorry, daddy's just a little sad at seeing his baby girl growing up so fast," he murmured, reassuringly. He scooped me up in his arms, kissing my forehead.
"Then I'll stop growing," I answered, stubbornly. I crossed my arms, pouting.
"You can't stop growing, silly," he chuckled, his chest vibrating. His fingers tickled the stomach and a giggle rebelliously escaped my lips.
"Yes, I can. And I will. I want to stay young forever," my voice was very determined.
"Calla, growing up is a part of life. If you never grow up, you wouldn't be able to enjoy life. Someday, my lily, you will grow up to be a very beautiful and special woman," his eyes shone with pride when he said that. But I could still see the sadness etched into his eyes. "So are you ready for some cake. It's your favorite, red velvet."
I squealed again, nodding. He set me down in one of our spinning stools. Gingerly, he used one of our silver knives to cut into the smooth cake. He slipped one piece onto a small plate and set it down right in front of me. I dug into it, loving the delicious flavors exploding in my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed dad staring at me, sadly.
"Daddy, why do you look so sad?" I asked, wiping my face after I finished my piece of cake.
He smiled, but it was forced. I might be 8, but I know when he's forcing a smile.
"It's nothing, sweetheart," his voice was soothing, but I could hear the strain in it. He was lying.
"You always told me lying was bad," I scolded, pursuing my lips. He stared at me for a moment before smiling. A real smile.
"I know, but sometimes, daddy lies to protect you," he claimed, laying his hand on mine.
"How?" I asked, curiously. How can lying protect you?
He pursued his lips. "Sometimes people will lie to you to protect you, because they know you're not ready yet. But someday, sweetheart, I promise I'll tell you the truth." He kissed my forehead and I smiled.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Now
Calla
A tear slipped from my eyes, staining my cheek. He never got to tell me. He never will get to tell me. But I have a feeling that it had to do with what the gods had told me.
"Calla, are you okay?" A worried voice asked, snapping me back to reality.
Nico's blurry head appeared in my field of vision. He was leaning over me, his dark brown eyes searching mine.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I muttered, waving away his comment.
"Are you sure, because you passed out for a bit." He pursued his lips.
I then realized that I was in a small room. Light streamed in through the cracks of the wooden blinds. I panicked, leaping onto my feet. Pain surged up my leg, stinging my muscles. I hissed in slight agony before sinking back into the bed. Nico eyed me, warily.
"Please tell me we're not back at camp," I pleaded, my eyes wide. Nico stared at me before laughing.
"No, we're in Montauk. We were nearby and you needed some medical help so… I'm kinda borrowing the cabin," he rubbed his forearm, pursuing his lips.
I nodded my head before trying to stand up. I leaned against Nico for extra support. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist, leading me out the small cabin and outside. The beach was glorious with its golden sand and blue waves that encircled it. Behind the beaches was green rolling hills and giant pines that dotted them. In some places, bushes and flamboyant flowers bloomed, adding some color to the green. Near the edge of the grass stood Wind Dancer, happily munching on the shaggiest parts. Her wings must've healed, because the huge gash that nearly sliced her wing from its joint disappeared.
"Hey, girl," I yelled, wincing when pain stung my leg again.
I leaned into Nico, resting most of my weight against him. I snuck a glance at him. He was staring into the distance, his dark eyes hiding an unbearable sadness. I knew that look. It was the same look my dad had and I probably had when Percy disappeared. I shook my head, slightly, shifting my attention back on Wind Dancer, who was prancing towards me. Her tail swished back and forth in the wind. She reminded me of a very excited dog. When she reached me, she nudged my hand with her soft nose. Softly, I stroked her cheek, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose.
"She really likes you," Nico mentioned, staring at us, his lips curling slightly.
"Nah, she just likes me 'cause I give her sugar cubes." It was very difficult to keep my voice steady when all I wanted to do was burst out laughing.
Wind Dancer snorted, probably saying something like Are you serious? She narrowed her blue eyes. I swear I saw her smile, a smile that reminded me of Leo's when he was planning a devious scheme. Wind Dancer leaned her head, probably to blow in my face. I sighed, but she actually surprised me. She started nibbling on my messy braid, slobber dripped onto my shirt. I pushed her head away, my eyes wide.
"Wind Dancer!" I shrieked before bursting out into a fit of giggles.
She just stared at me, her lips curling up. She started to prance in a circle, her body buzzing with excitement. I felt Nico laughing next to me. The vibration of his laughter tingled my skin. I gazed up at him, his features full of life. To be honest, this was the first time I've ever seen him this happy.
"Why don't you smile?" I asked, causing him to stop, his lips curled down in a frown.
"What do you mean?" His voice was strained and his eyes were guarded.
"I mean, why don't you look happy? You remind me of my dad. His eyes always held this unbearable sadness like yours. The only difference between you is that he smiled. He found ways to make his life better. By enjoying the little moments. You don't," my eyes searched his, slowly stripping away the barrier that blocked his true feelings.
Nico stiffened, his dark eyes blazing. The ground seemed to shake as a small crack started to appear. Shadows seemed to seep out, shaping skeleton like hands. My eyes widened as I stepped back away from the crack slowly forming a huge gash in the ground. It makes sense now. How the shadows always seemed to cling to him. He was a son of Hades. And I just pissed him off.
"Nico, calm down. There's no need to unleash the dead on me," I nearly shrieked when I said dead. I absolutely hated zombies and ghosts. Nasty creatures.
Nico glanced down, noticing the growing gash that was starting to reveal ghastly shadowy figures. He pursued his lips before closing his eyes. The moment his eyes opened, the gash and the shadowy figures inside it disappeared without a trace. He examined the ground before nodding his head in satisfaction. He gazed up at me, his dark eyes pleading.
"I'm sorry. Sometimes that happens when I'm upset," Nico muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"No, I'm sorry. I was being stupid again and asked a personal question. Sorry," I replied, glancing over at Wind Dancer. She was galloping around the meadow, chasing some sort of nymph. Maybe a tree nymph.
"It's fine. You're right, anyways. It's just everything isn't fair. The Fates come up with new ways to torture me and it's just so. so infuriating." Nico's eyes blazed like an internal black fire.
I clasped his hand, smiling. "Nico, life isn't fair. But it gives you opportunities to make it better. Even just the small things in life can instantly make you feel so much happier. Life offers us our greatest treasures in life, like friendship, love, etc. The reason why life is so special is because it ends," I exclaimed before pecking his cheek with a soft kiss. Nico smiled, his lips curved up.
"I know, but sometimes, I just feel so alone," he mumbled, grief revealing itself in his tone.
"You're never alone Nico. You'll always have the ones you love in your heart," I murmured, placing my hand on his heart.
"Thank you." Nico's eyes were shining, tears aching to be let out.
"You're welcome." I smiled, my eyes on the brink of tears, too. I gazed up at the sky, noticing the sun already dipping down into the horizon. "I have to go, but I'll see you soon, Nico."
He nodded before dropping his hand from mine and allowing it to droop at his sides. I whistled, signaling Wind Dancer that we're leaving. She snorted, dipping her head, before trotting over towards me. Once she reached me, she nuzzled my cheek, leaving specks of slobber. I wiped them away before stroking her cheek.
"We gotta go girl," I murmured, burying my face in her soft mane. She nickered, softly.
She turned her body until her side was facing me. Placing my hands on her back, I hauled myself onto her back, squeezing her waist with my thighs. She snorted before striding forward. Slowly, her pace quickened until she had enough momentum to take off. She launched herself into the air, the wind whipping at my face. The slight chill stung my bare skin, causing goose bumps to appear on my bare legs. Luckily, I brought my leather jacket. I pursued my lips in confusion. How am I not wet? I mean I took a dip into freezing cold water yet I'm not wet. I was only out for maybe an hour or two. Realization dawned on me. I can control water, which means I can control whether or not I get wet.
"That is so awesome!" I screamed, my thoughts escaping my lips. Wind Dancer glanced at me, eyeing me warily. I just smiled. "It's nothing girl. Just keep going west." She narrowed her eyes before focusing back on the sky.
I have no clue why, but I have a feeling that I have to go west. I feel like I have a surprise waiting for me, but the only problem is I don't know whether it's good or bad. All I'm going to have to do is wait. It's a good thing I'm patient.