Thin Lines Between Liars and Traitors
Percy's breath halted to a stop too slowly.
To his horrifying realization, he was brought back to the memory of drowning. Not by any forms of liquid, no, but by the hushed whispers that was bouncing off the walls effortlessly.
Even as he spoke, he couldn't hear himself precisely. All he knew was that his voice failed him the next few seconds.
"What are we going to do, Percy?" said Annabeth again once he didn't respond, her eyes turning glassy. Percy froze.
"Stop it," said Faith shortly. "You're making him uncomfortable. Don't you remember? We only speak of the prophecy, and no other."
She diverted her sharp blissful eyes from the campers to Chiron, her facial features tightening grimly. "Am I not right?"
Percy's cheeks coloured—he was not sure if it was from flattery or embarrassment.
"Faith, I'm fine," insisted Percy, tugging the soft fabric of her checkered jacket with a plastered look of plead on his face. "Everything's okay."
That whole sentence that escaped his lips was a web of lies.
On another matter, Percy would be certainly lying if he said he wasn't glad that Faith had took everyone's attention from him. There was something else -something else that he felt, but couldn't identify. It was like clawing for something invisible in the dark.
Faith scowled—even Percy didn't want to look at her straight in the eyes—but eventually, she backed off.
"I'm afraid Kataramenos is right, Annabeth," huffed Chiron, stomping his hooves against the creaking floor. No one dared speak. Annabeth had opened her mouth, but closed it when she saw the look of slight annoyance written all over Chiron's face.
Thalia had gone still beside him, her face impassive. She vaguely looked like she was having a fight with herself, with her arms crossed and her eyebrows furrowed intently.
Much to Percy's distaste, someone else spoke. "Why did you run from camp?" queried Hazel, her head tilted to the side in wonder towards him. "I don't remember why—"
"That's for another matter, Hazel, and we'll deal with that amnesia of yours and everyone else's in another meeting," interrupted Annabeth, her eyes narrowing to slits. She waved a hand as if to say, go on.
"Fyrmarcs are undoubtedly involved in this war and as Percy have informed us,"—he winced at the sound of his name on Chiron's lips—"the ancient book of Fyrmarcs which the gods had hid in the very hearth of this camp is stolen by our enemies.
"Years it would have taken indeed for one to learn and be a wielder of Fyrmarcs, yet as stated in the last stanza of the great prophecy—"
"Find the crowned creature, for it will know the fate of the destined wielder," whispered Reyna, the tiny imprinted letters on the scroll slightly crooked, making it harder to read.
Percy's head perked up. Creature? Which creature? he pondered.
Leo, who stood across him, seemed to voice out his exact thoughts. "Tell me if I'm wrong, but this creature we're talking about here knows who will be the one to wield the Fyrmarcs?" he exclaimed incredulously. "Why wait, then—?"
The shrieking sound of glass collapsing echoed from the thin walls of the Big House. Everyone turned their heads in slight alarm to where the noise had come from and saw it.
Sprawled papers everywhere, different various sizes and colors of pens and pencils rolling on both the table and the dark oak floors. The biggest main attraction to add to the chaotic mess was the flickering lampshade broken into small pieces on the ground, with Aegeus clawing at the glass.
Percy couldn't help but release a soundless chuckle as he watched the wolf in amusement.
The others simply ignored Aegeus. Leo coughed and dramatically continued, "And how, exactly, does the creature tell the destined wielder that they are what they are? Last time I checked, animals don't speak."
Thalia's lightning blue eyes glittered. "Artemis can talk to animals." She leaned further onto the wall.
Piper clicked her tongue. "Are you implying the goddess knows who is the creature we speak of?"
Thalia had her hands now placed firmly on the table, clenched tightly. She said quietly, "Yes, I do believe Lady Artemis knows, but spilling such information may be our doom, that is why she had not spoken of it until now."
Dangerous words she spoke in the common tongue. Her words were careful, efficient - the right words to avoid any negative conclusions.
They were all simply playing a game. Percy and the hunters knew such valuable information from Artemis herself about the Fyrmarcs, and just the thought of telling the campers about it . . . was too dangerous. No one could be trusted nowadays.
It would really be a pity if someone from the hunt would play the role as the traitor.
Percy didn't particularly know if the campers knew information as well and just purely refused to say. What Percy knew though was the obvious - Annabeth knew something.
She had spoken of Fyrmarcs so nonchalantly, it was almost terrifying in a way. Another evidence was how she knew particular information about the symbols.
Yet . . . a glimmer of hope.
That was their only chance of winning this war.
To hope the certain creature of the prophecy had chosen the right and worthy master of Fyrmarcs.
To hope that the destined wielder of the prophecy sides with the Light, not the Dark.
But what pressured Percy most, what he despised and absolutely hated amongst all . . .
Her eyes would what he remember most. Soft and understanding in the times he needed them to look after him, yet sharp and glinting when others would provoke or so much as look at him weirdly.
Faith pressed her lips into a thin line, craning her neck slightly to fix her gaze towards his. The same eyes he'd spoken about.
They were locking eyes, as if satin over silk. Percy read the silent words embedded on the golden shine of Faith's eyes.
You know what happens, if things go wrong, she seemed to say at him. Percy's heartbeat raced as ice shot though his veins.
"No, you wouldn't," Percy did not reprimand her, instead his voice was a whispered plea beneath all the layers of masked words.
Faith scrunched her eyebrows in confusion with a light tang of agitation.
"You do not control what I decide to do in my life. I choose my own fate and what you should do is put your faith in me."
Percy would have laughed if it weren't for the situation he was it at the moment. He admired her courage. Yet, not really. He would not allow another life be taken just because they could not win a bloody war.
"Just . . . ," he began, suddenly beginning to acknowledge the existence of other people around them. Percy suddenly felt very stupid and awkward that he had completely forgotten what to say next.
"Just promise me you would not take your own life unless necessary," Percy breathed, his heart hammering in his chest.
Faith sighed dejectedly. "Then I shall, Jackson."
When he looked back at her, she did not return his stares—as if he had made the situation worse for her.
"Very well," said Reyna, breaking through the tension. "We have discussed what we can about the prophecy. The best we can do is prepare for the worst. The meeting is adjourned."
Campers filed out of the room in silence, as if still trying to comprehend what had happened. Chiron followed. Percy along with Faith and Thalia stepped out of the manor and onto the stony bricks, where the cold air hit them hard.
"Wait!" Annabeth flung her hands wildly at them. "We need to talk. It's important!"
Percy was almost surprised she had not mentioned his name again, begging for forgiveness. He scrunched up his eyebrows. "Why didn't you say this before the meeting ended?" he asked Annabeth.
Annabeth flushed. "Because they would never understand what we are about to say."
Faith spoke up first before Percy did. "Who is 'we'?" she asked, though the fierce look in her eyes never left.
Annabeth put her lips in a thin line, throwing a glance at Thalia. Then, as if they already had a conversation like this before, she nodded lightly. "Me and Thalia. Well, we were secretly meeting near Zeus' Fist yesterday, talking about Fyrmarcs and the . . . amnesia I had mentioned earlier."
She fumbled madly with the rim of her tee-shirt, making it all crumpled. "You may not believe what I am about to say, but I swear to the River Styx that I will only speak of the truth."
Faint thunder rumbled in a faraway distance, embracing the sky in shades of grey for a split second. Percy stared blankly at Thalia, a feeling of anger burning inside of him.
Thalia acted quickly. "Before you spout out swear words, let us explain why we hid this from you." She straightened her posture. "But first, you have to swear to River Styx you would not tell anyone of this information unless given the authority to do so."
Percy was hesitant, and he could tell Faith was too.
"Very well," murmured Faith. They both swore the unforgiving oath. She glanced at campers that passed by and said, "But, we should talk in a place that no one—"
"Zeus' Fist?" suggested Percy. "Like they did. No one ever goes there unless there is a war and it's necessary for a height advantage."
"No!" yelped Faith, staring at Percy with an expression that screamed: you stupid buffoon, isn't it obvious enough?
Apparently, he didn't seem to get the hint. She rolled her eyes at him.
"It's dangerous if we go to a place where they've gathered before - it'll cause suspicion," said Faith in a matter-of-factly tone. "Let's talk in the pegasus stables. Hardly anyone ever goes there."
The pegasus stables. Blackjack. My melodramatic pegasus that loves sugar cubes and donuts.
Percy agreed so quickly that the three girls had looked at him weirdly.
Annabeth and Thalia took the lead, talking and mumbling to each other. Percy caught a few words that made him wonder what could they possibly be talking about.
Percy side-glanced at Faith. He wanted to say, What if this is all a trap?
It was ridiculous of him to think of such a thought. This must be the side effects of betrayal—you have the desire to never trust anybody anymore.
Percy, deciding to ignore his major trust issues, thought about the prophecy and started. "About the—"
"Yeah," interrupted Faith. She looked at him apologetically. "Sorry. What happened back there . . . I am going to die someday. I'd rather die doing something for this world than die as an old crippled woman."
"But you're a hunter. You're immortal, right?"
Faith mumbled something he could not make out clearly. Percy cocked his head to the side, making Faith clench her jaw.
"I . . . I'm going to retire from being a hunter." Faith did not look like she regretted saying so. Percy nearly stumbled over a rock, not being able to comprehend what she had said.
"What? How? Why? When?" he burst into a million questions. Percy was now totally sure Annabeth and Thalia could hear them.
Faith bit her right inner cheek. "I will tell Lady Artemis of this when the time is right, when she is not prevented by Lord Zeus to remain with us."
Percy tried to think of qualified reasons as to why Faith would leave the Hunt. Maybe it had to do with Elijah, her brother? Maybe she despised one of the hunters and wanted to so desperately leave?
Faith took note of his expression. She clicked her tongue, attempting to walk in front of him, only for Percy to block her from doing so by walking faster.
Faith sighed. "Being a hunter has its rules. I don't like being held back, in case you have not noticed."
"Aren't you a healer? And, if I must, the only skilled healer in the Hunt?"
"Oh, please," scoffed Faith. "Phoebe and the others can do that pretty well, too."
"Okay, but in all seriousness—"
"Is that even a word?"
"—what really is the reason you decided to leave the Hunt?"
Faith was quiet. "I'll leave you to think about it."
Percy put his hands up, palms out. "Oh, come on! You always leave me with these questions that make me wonder where the Hades my sanity is."
To his surprise, Faith managed a breathy laugh. It sounded light and melancholic to the ears.
"Well, have you answered at least one of those questions, my human chamber pot?" she teased, earning a gentle smack from Percy.
"First of all, I am most definitely not a human chamber pot." He looked down, suddenly taking interest in his leather boots that crushed every little pebble that were in its way. "And second of all . . . yes, I think I might know the answer."
Their little moment was (rudely would be the way Percy would put it) interrupted by Thalia's chiding. He smiled softly, imagining Blackjack's whining and requests for donuts.
The pegasus stables was like a large shed made of weathered oak planks with a sloping corrugated iron roof that made even the average rainstorm sound like a hail of bullets, damp smell of ammonia, deep golden hue of old straw, half empty hay net hangs limply in the corner, almost empty black plastic bucket of water, stable door with top half pinned back by a rusted iron hook, door hinges creak, wind whips around the stable and reaches through the gaps in the planks like icy fingers.
Annabeth kept a firm grip on a dagger crafted from glistening celestial bronze. Percy had never seen the weapon before. He assumed it was new, since its hilt was newly polished.
"No worries, no one followed us," reassured Thalia, her uneven chops of black hair flying in front of her face. All four of them enter with held breaths, anxiously waiting for the horrid smell of the stables to kick in.
Surprisingly, it was quite the opposite. The stables reminded Percy of a freshly cut lawn, its gardening ornaments blooming and releasing their usual rosy scent.
Percy's excitement drastically increased when he caught a black wing flutter from a distance. In his mind, hoping it was Blackjack he was communicating telepathically to, he said, Hey.
Faith staggered backwards in shock when a black pegasus rushed towards Percy. Its wings were five feet long as he could tell when the pegasus spread it out, with some of its delicate feathers falling slowly to the floor.
Hi, boss! I missed you, whinnied Blackjack. Percy could not help but smile.
"Guess what? I missed my melodramatic pegasus too," said Percy.
Blackjack let out something between a growl and a huff—maybe a purr? The pegasus lowered his head, seeming to take in Percy's appearance.
What in Poseidon's fish are you wearing, boss? whinnied Blackjack.
"Hey!" complained Percy.
Faith coughed on her fist. "I suppose he's your pegasus?"
Percy replied without thinking. "Yes. He says you look pretty. I agree."
"I—erm, okay." Faith turned away, different shades of reds and pinks tinting her face. Percy couldn't tell, but he was sure he saw Annabeth make a face.
Thalia turned to Annabeth. The two seemed to have a silent conversation. It made Percy think that Thalia trusted Annabeth more than the hunters or him.
He mentally cursed himself for thinking like that.
Percy held out a hand, to which Blackjack nuzzled into. Percy murmured, "Sorry. This is private."
Blackjack only huffed in reply and trotted off of the stables, chasing off crows from the rusty iron roof.
"Okay," Percy breathed. Holy Poseidon . . . his voice was so raspy and deep, as if it were scratches from a cavern. "Start speaking."
And so they did.
Percy took a random note at how Annabeth avoided to look at him as she spoke. He did not exactly understand as to what terms they were in - were they friends? Enemies?
The information Thalia and Annabeth had told of them of were mostly things Percy had already known. But what took him off guard was when Thalia had mentioned how the ancient book of Fyrmarcs was in her possession at the moment.
"You're insane!" exclaimed Percy. "You basically hold a thing that can potentially wipe out universes and you keep it UNDER YOUR BED?"
"What would it take to make you shut up?" Faith hissed, pinching him in the arm. Percy yelped and muttered a few curses but eventually apologized afterwards.
He found himself glaring at Thalia, to which she stubbornly glared back. "It's a completely unpredictable place to hide the ancient book, okay? Plus, where else would I hide it?" said Thalia.
"Maybe if you told us we could've arranged a way safer and better spot-"
"I swore an oath," said Thalia flatly, her eyes digging in to his as if trying to say a message. Percy sighed dejectedly.
Annabeth's shoulders slumped forward as she kept sinking into the hay bale she leaned on. "You think that's surprising? The next one would make you think this one was completely normal."
Apparently, this time, what the daughter of Athena said was so ridiculous - even Faith bluntly refused to believe it. But what Percy feared was realizing that Annabeth's theory made perfect sense.
The moment Percy had entered the borders of this camp, he was expecting to see the asshole Lloyd was. Only to fail in realizing everyone seemed to . . . forget him.
Lloyd . . . what in Hades was his surname again? Dragon?
"How is that remotely possible?" Faith scrunched up her nose.
All Percy knew was that either the bastard was dead by now, held hostage by someone or something . . .
There was another possibility too.
Percy started shakily. "So, I know this is definitely not going to lift team spirits, but I have a good guess what Lloyd is up to."
Percy took a sharp intake of breath as the three girls looked at him. He knew that they already knew what he was about to say.
"It does not make sense!" burst Faith loudly. "We need a logical explanation. One cannot just disappear off of the face of the earth."
Percy looked down. It is possible. It had happened to him before, when Hera plucked him like a tiny figurine and dropped him off to Camp Jupiter. Percy was sure Hera did not have the power to take memories - he was certain that Hera had special help from someone to take his memories and give them to her, but . . .
After moments of drifting off from reality, his eyes widened. Though, Percy was not sure if it was wholly accurate.
He carefully began. "I remember a legend, a myth about a Greek goddess that-"
"Aren't all myths real in our world, though?" said Thalia bluntly. Percy shook his head, keeping his patience at a limit. His theory might be the answer to their problems.
"No. This one is different. It's a like a myth that has not been confirmed yet. It tells the story of the Greek goddess of memory." Percy did not clearly remember the name. But he had heard of it when he was only twelve - when Chiron was his 'mortal' teacher. It was something along the lines of four, or was it fade?
Annabeth scrunched up her nose, folding her hands neatly in front of her chest.
"There is no such Greek goddess of memory, only a Titaness named Mnemosyne, who faded long ago." She looked at him expectantly. "And, if what you're claiming is a fake myth, then why bother?"
Percy almost chuckled with amusement, if it were not suddenly realizing who he was talking to. He kept a neutral face which has ways saved him from falling again into that dark, empty pit. "You see, nothing comes and goes without proof."
This got Annabeth snorting. "Really? Where's the proof?"
"Why don't we visit him? I'm sure Hazel or Reyna knows where he is."
*.·:·. ✧ ✦ ✧ .·:·.*
A cold surface pressed against his palm; a coin. The velvet curtains covered all light from the outside, making the room all dark and wispy. His half-siblings were nowhere to be seen as they were attending their timely training sessions with the other children of the gods.
A pure marble fountain spouting fresh water stands in front of him, the statue's eyes seeming to take a closer look at him. He dropped the coin with a plop as he watched it sink slowly and reach the bottom.
He whispered his wishes to Iris.
In a few moments, it seems as if all air in the room was sucked into this forming black void that formed misshapen blobs. Soon enough, he saw a figure looking back at him.
A boy. Dark brown hair lay splattered on his forehead. The boy he was staring at the same boy who everyone forgot-
He wanted to curse himself for ever working with the brown-haired boy. But he knew it was necessary, to claim information for their good.
He just hoped it was all worth it.
The boy played with a little bracelet with a glinting charm of a silver scythe.
"How was it? Did you get it?" asked the boy, his voice low and shaky. It was almost like he was trying to sound tough but miserably failing.
Malcolm Pace shook his head, refusing to hide his astounding confidence. "No, I have not," he replied with enough casualty for the boy opposite him to become irate.
But Malcolm continued speaking, his own anger flaring inside him. "How dare you take control of my body, you—"
"It was necessary! To make sure you would do as instructed and to test if you are not to defy us!"
"I had a plan," said Malcolm coldly, "it just wasn't supposed to be executed at that time of the day."
The boy growled at him, making the blobs of the iris message flicker. "We have a time limit, Pace. I suppose you wish for death from the Dark Creator?"
Malcolm rolled his eyes at him. He wanted to say, I only joined forces with you so I can gather information and figure out a way to win this war. But he thought better and kept silent.
The boy flashed his teeth at him. "Why did you really side with us, Pace? Do you wish to acquire information from us?"
Hearing this, Malcolm visibly froze. He inhaled way too slowly, saying, "I have no desire to do that and cause trouble to our Dark Creator. I am smarter than this."
A smirk danced on the boy's lips. Malcolm would've considered him handsome if it were not the bitter and ugly personality within.
"Good," whispered the boy, suddenly unsheathing a silver gleaming sword with three blades curved at different lengths. The crystals embedded changed colors as light willed so. "Just know, Pace, whatever you do . . ."
Malcolm swallowed twice. Thrice.
The iris message started to flicker. The boy continued smirking, nonetheless.
"Our Dark Creator always knows."
*.·:·. ✧ ✦ ✧ .·:·.*
The melancholic wind entangled with her braid, making loose strands fly randomly in front of her face and resulting to cursing repeatedly.
Faith had no idea what Percy was up to; But she was entirely certain that he was one dramatic demigod after asking the praetor of Rome where Nico Di Angelo was.
She could sense it - sense the uncontrolled feeling roaring from Percy's aura when he talked to his old friends. Faith didn't want to admit it, but she strongly believed he was so broken in such a way that there was no possible cure.
Faith didn't want to admit it, but she secretly admired Percy for keeping his walls steady, even if she knew that if she went deep into the hearth, she'd only find shattered glass.
They stopped in front of a dark-themed cabin. Its fences that lay on the dusty grey porch were of unequal sizes. The slender windows on each side of the cabin had cracks, making it almost impossible to see from the outside. Faith wondered why there were bright yellow sunflowers near the threshold, though. The happy-go color certainly did not go well with black and grey.
Faith also recognized too late that it was the cabin of the children of Hades, god of the Underworld.
Percy hesitated, took a step back, and looked towards them. Well, to be more specific, towards Faith. He raised a perfectly arched brow. Will you do it?
Faith sent him a disbelieving look. Are you kidding? I don't even know who the Hades lives in this cabin!
Scared? Percy grinned slyly with a twinkle in those glittering eyes.
Faith snarled mutely. Fine. I'll do it.
She frowned for a split second when something cold and tingly ran down her spine. Faith squinted, seeing that the door had no lock what-so-ever. The edges of the wooden entrance had little tiny slits - making you hear of whatever spoke inside if you went close enough.
With absolute certainty, Faith kicked the door down.
What she saw first was a little odd. One boy had thick, messy black hair as dark as night. His face was thin and pale with pink scratches that had probably come from the last war, but his eyes told a different story - a happier story. The other boy had honey-golden curls with tanned skin, a big smile plastered on his face as he held a little wreath of leaves.
The two seemed to be in a rather amusing argument but had stopped immediately when they spotted her with a poker face. Shamelessly, she stepped over the splintered door then leaned on the rough wall with crossed arms.
"Annabeth?" hissed Nico standing up abruptly and crudely aware of their arrival. "What's going on?"
The blonde boy furrowed his eyebrows at them. He gasped softly, realizing who they were.
"Sorry about the door. It was so crappy, I just had put it out of its misery." Faith gestured mockingly to the ruins of wood. "I assume you agree?"
The raven did not like her use of tone, then. Faith spotted something gleam despite the unusual darkness that seemed to circle the pale boy. Stygian iron.
The blonde boy grabbed his friend's arm in alarm.
Before things could get any worse than it currently was, Annabeth stepped in between them, palms out. "Enough, Faith!"
Oh, she had certainly annoyed the little golden princess.
Annabeth clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Sorry, Nico. This is Faith, hunter of Artemis."
Nico gritted his teeth, fists clenching and unclenching enough to make his knuckles various hues of pinks. He stared at each one of them - obviously skipping Faith as if she were never there. She swore she saw a face of surprise on Nico's face when he glanced in Percy's direction. There was a tense quiet.
"Why are you here?" he whispered quietly.
"Important matters," said Thalia. She threw a shrewd look at the confused blonde boy then back at Nico. "And your handsome friend is not welcome."
Nico shifted for a moment, his cheeks coloring. He tilted his head towards his handsome friend, murmuring softly, "You heard her. Doctor's orders can't get us around this one, Solace."
The boy, Solace, nodded thinly. As he moved to get around them, Faith got a closer look at him. Bright, blue eyes. Freckles. Obviously tanned. What was a guy like him doing with a son of Hades?
When he left, Nico leaned on the wall by one shoulder, arms crossed and daring. "Be quick, please."
Faith huffed and haughtily approached his bunker, making herself comfortable. Nico didn't seem to mind. She pursed her lips as a wreath of leaves lay graceful beside her.
The delicate creation was silly, and could have easily broke if she happened to sit on it.
Percy was confident enough to speak up first. After all, he was the one who led them here without saying a word. His face was neutral - but she knew, somehow, he was crumpling apart as he passed memory after memory. Yet, he remained as still and swift as a prince.
"Um—"
"Was it about our meeting today?" pressed Nico sharply cutting to the chase. "Because at the moment, I know nothing but the fact we have very low chances of winning this war. Both of us know that."
Percy bit his inner cheek. He remained at the doorstep of the poorly lit cabin, as if he wasn't ever going to let Nico out without information first.
"I knew you were alive," muttered Nico endlessly, giving no mercy as he threw dagger after dagger, "but I didn't tell anybody. I know the feeling of desire to just disappear completely from this world. I once felt it too."
Faith looked down, waiting for what is to come from the guardian of the Hunt. His face went terribly slack.
"I don't mix my confidential matters with my personal matters," snapped Percy hotly, his body going rigid.
It was mesmerizing in a way to see how someone laughs and makes jokes, then suddenly they may be the reason of your utter destruction.
Percy sauntered over to the son of Hades with such grace - he was death itself. "You hold valuable information, Di Angelo. And, we need your cooperation."
Nico looked bored as he stared at those dark storm of seas that formed beneath Percy's glinting eyes.
"I'm listening."
"Good." Percy fingered the black silken fabric of his cloak that slowly became one with the darkness. "May I ask if you are familiar with a goddess of memories?"
A pretended cough sounded behind him. Faith had almost forgotten about Annabeth and Thalia, who stood still near the doorway. Annabeth shrugged innocently, as if to say, what did I say? There is no goddess of memory.
"Yes, there is." Nico didn't seem to take note of their shock. "Lady Aphorei. Why do you ask?"
Faith was standing now, staring at the pale boy with disbelief. "As I recall, there is no goddess of memory. There never was. It's a truly terrible shame to admit, but I agree with the blonde on this one."
No one dared say a thing when Faith narrowed her eyes towards Percy. He looked as if he was thinking in deep thought.
Then abruptly, there was laughter.
Humorless laughter echoed from the son of Hades, baring his teeth as he howled.
"I'm sorry I forgot to mention." Nico was smirking in flair amusement, causing a sudden urge in the very depths of Faith's self control to punch the pale boy.
"Death and memory lie in different dimensions. Memory cannot interfere with the dead, unless wished for," he said.
A loud heaving sigh escaped Percy's throat, lightly bouncing off the thin walls. Faith almost forgot that Thalia existed. Her scanning eyes seemed to dart from here to there, aware if someone was eavesdropping.
Percy scratched his nape awkwardly. "Uh, what's the point of the useless info, Neeks?"
A slip of his tongue - Faith could clearly tell from the crimson of plain embarrassment that arose from their cheeks.
"What I am saying is—" Nico runs his tongue on his bottom lip, hesitating. His next words were nothing more but stutters. "Well, he—Hades, I swore—"
"You swore to never tell," murmured Annabeth, looking up, "didn't you?"
"Kind of."
Oh, this was not leading them to anything. They were wasting precious time. Percy lead them to nothing but a stuttering nitwit, and Faith was growing more impatient and impatient as seconds and minutes started passing by.
Her brother, Elijah - they had limited time to find him and - but what if he was dead?
No. He was being held somewhere; hurt but alive. Faith accepted no other alternative.
"I can't believe it's come to this. Unfortunately," Percy turned to them, his back on Nico with a firm grip on Riptide, "we have to pay Hades a visit."