Chapter XXXI

"Ow, buddy, please." I complained, desperately padding his back as Tyson hugged me. "Please, big guy, I am suffocating, let me down."

Finally the cyclops relented and let me down and I bent forward, hugging my ribs as I tried to catch my breath. Percy could not fully stifle his laughs, and I shot him glare.

"And you still dare ask why I usually wear armor," I muttered as I straightened myself and coughed.

Of course, I could have easily slipped out of his grasp by turning to mist. But truth be told, I simply couldn't bear doing that to the young Cyclops, it would cause far greater pain to watch his disappointment than to endure his hugs ever could. Still, Percy laughing was a different matter.

Firmly I pulled him into a hug, now it was my turn to do the crushing, startling him. Percy didn't seem to have had such a blissful sleep as myself, and even less of it. I smirked as I pulled back, but as I looked at him, an ominous feeling overcame me, the worries of yesterday returning, though quickly I forced them into the back of mind.

"So, any special wishes for your shroud?" I joked, a sardonic grin accompanying it.

"As long as you make sure it's blue," Percy joked in turn and I snorted, though my mirth quickly faded again.

"Seriously, Perce. Don't die on me," I told him, clasping his shoulder hard enough to make him wince slightly. "and come back. Mom... I… I couldn't bear to tell her."

Percy turned serious at that as well and for a few moments I just met his eyes, before he gave a grim nod.

"I promise, I'll try my best." He finally said and I let go of him and returned a wordless nod.

I scanned the clearing, dawn had risen but an hour ago, not too many campers were gathered to see the questers off in the faint morning twilight.

Not far off I spotted Malcolm and Clarisse in conversation with Chiron, though my eyes did not linger long on them. It was someone else I was looking for, and not long after I found her. Bianca was standing together with Lou and Annabeth, in the shadow of Zeus' fist near the entrance to Labyrinth.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I'll head over there." I told Percy, jutting my head towards them, smirking. "From what I've heard being whispered, you and Ann already did your talking, ah, looking at maps, I mean, of course."

Percy looked incredibly flustered as I turned and walked away chuckling, without waiting for a response, it seemed Malcolm had indeed been telling the truth. Truly it was nothing to make a big deal out of normally, he and Annabeth hugged, if not more, what of it?

It wouldn't have even been worth the mention, if I hadn't known very well that Percy would react just this way, and I never missed a chance to tease him about Annabeth, call it cruel, it was fun.

The three girls seemed to be engaged in rather serious talk, Annabeth's eyes showed she had stayed up late, clearly trying to cram as much information as possible into her mind. Yet they were filled with focused attention as Lou spoke in hushed tones, only really audible, or at least intelligible, when I was but a few feet away.

"I really am sorry Annabeth," Lou said, sounding rather tired. "but the magic of the Labyrinth is too ancient, even for me, it's strange and unimaginably complex. I do not properly comprehend it, I must admit that, perhaps if I went into it, experienced it first hand, but like this..."

That instantly caught my attention. I hadn't done the same amount of research on the topic as Annabeth had, but it was hardly a secret the Labyrinth was more than a stone maze filled with traps. There was something living, magical to it.

"It's alright, Lou, it was only a thought after all, I suppose I must let it rest for now," Annabeth said, and looked like she very much was not willing to do just that. "still, thank you."

Bianca was the first to notice me, and greeted me with a smile, Annabeth and Lou soon followed her eyes and turned to me.

"Theseus," Annabeth acknowledged me. "Are you just here for the farewells, or something more?"

"The first, originally." I answered and gave a curious look. "though, I must admit, you've now got my interest, what were you and Lou just discussing?"

"I've found some texts, ancient writings, buried deep in the library." She told me and shook her head. "I had read them before, but didn't pay them much heed, not that I could make much sense of them anyways."

That was quite the statement coming from Annabeth, it would take quite the text for the proud daughter of Athena to not merely give up on it, but to ask someone else for help.

"What was the problem with it?" I asked and she sighed. "Written in something strange or…?"

"The language was not the problem," She answered frustrated. "sure, strange wordings as you might expect from the thirteenth century, but nothing bothersome. They just refer to such strange contexts..."

"And from what I heard I am assuming Lou wasn't much help either?" I asked and the girl nodded.

"Not as much as I'd like to," The daughter of Hecate said unhappily. "It's as I said, there's something strange and ancient about the magic interwoven with it."

"That is to be expected, I suppose." I agreed and cocked my head. "Though may I ask, what exactly did you intend to do with such information?"

"I thought I might find a way to navigate it, you know, beyond the string." Annabet explained. "If not that much, at least allow us to fathom something more about it."

"Can't blame you for that," I muttered, before quoting. "the strongest and oldest fear is fear of the unknown. I would have offered to come with you, you know, but it's that and..."

"I know, the prophecy," Annabeth said and I nodded. "I wouldn't have asked, but I'd have understood. It's alright."

I gave another thankful nod, and took a deep breath, enough of the distractions.

Finally I turned to Bianca, letting my eyes rest for a moment, here in the shadows she seemed taller and her dark eyes displayed as much pride and confidence as her smile. I almost felt a twinge of shame for my previous doubts.

"I guess that means it's time for farewells now," I said begrudgingly, causing her to raise a brow.

"You act like this is my funeral already," Bianca chuckled and I frowned. "and stop looking so serious. I told you already, I'll be fine and I'll have no opposition from you in that matter."

"I seriously hope so as well, Bi, but-" My protest was cut short as she stepped up and kissed me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me in.

Sighing in defeat, I embraced her, deep down I knew she was right. But despite that, I felt the calm and resolve I had gathered in the night before crumbling now, though it was too late anyways. The best I could do was pretend to be calm, at least till they were gone, my worries would do them no good now, so I managed a weak smile as she pulled back.

"Understood?" She asked and I nodded, carefully grasping her hands.

"I suppose I shouldn't draw this out unnecessarily." I said and leaned in, pressing another, much more brief kiss on her lips. "Good luck."

"You too," Bianca said and grew somewhat serious. "Gods know you might need more than us."

I hummed and glanced at the command tent the Athena cabin had set up earlier. Chiron had called all the counselors for a war council in the morning, a proper one, not held around a ping-pong table with cheese puffs. A little more dignity would however hardly be enough to hide our dire situation.

"I feel like you are terribly right," I muttered and stepped back.

Looking at Annabeth I gave her a curt nod and turned to leave. When I arrived where the small see-off crowd was gathering I fell in line next to Malcolm.

At least I'd be working with him, not Annabeth, nothing against her, but he was much more cooperative in my experience. Plus, I liked the son of Athena and would easily call him a friend, though I certainly did not like him as Percy liked Annabeth. But with both of us being year-rounders we still spend a lot of time together, most of it arguing.

These next minutes were hard and passed grudgingly slow, as we stood watching as the questers gathered together. It was made no easier by the reassuring smiles Bianca kept flashing me whenever she met my eyes. But finally, Percy slipped down as the last of them, and I let out a taxed breath as I went to leave.

"I am afraid we still need that map," Malcolm remarked and I looked up from my position, leaning over the table.

"What?" I asked, crankier than I intended.

"That's what I am talking about," He told me and scowled. "if you keep staring daggers at it, you'll start tearing holes, it's not in the best state anyways."

I snorted, unamused, and let myself drop back in the armchair with frustration. It was almost ten now, four hours since Bianca and Percy had left, and I was not taking it well. I knew that, but I really did not want to talk about it right now, there was nothing I could do about it anyways.

"It's nothing," I insisted, and let my eyes sink to the map again. "I just am tired of waiting, we're wasting time, we need to decide a course of action."

"Agreed," Malcolm said, his voice calm, yet annoyed. "and we'll do that soon enough, but if you think I am stupid enough to believe that's why you are so cranky, than I'll have to disappoint you."

I remained silent and started checking the straps of my vambraces and cuirass. Even if there was no reason to expect battle so soon, the familiar weight of my armor and the routine of it still brought a certain calm, at least usually, but it did pitifully little to calm my anxious mind in that moment.

The son of Athena let out a tired sigh and took a deep breath.

"Look, we are all worried, all right?" He asked and I glanced up. "Hades, I've known Annabeth for years now, longer than you've known Percy. She's been my councilor for most of that time and we've both been year-rounders for longer than that. The latter might no longer be the case, but there are few people I am closer to, if any. She might only be my half-sister, but the prophecy gives me just as much, if not more reason to worry."

I looked away, unwilling to face him, knowing full well he was right. A sudden flash of anger overcame me, I clenched my teeth and swallowed, pushing it back down. What was wrong with me? This was not the time to listen to emotions, least of all my temper.

"So please, we have a lot of work to do, a battle to prepare for," He continued. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't spend the entire time sulking."

For a few moments I let my fingers drum on the table, whirling up dust from the yellowed map, as I considered. But I felt Malcolm's hard, unbroken stare resting on me, and eventually I relented to it and reason. I let out a sigh. He was right, I should keep my worries to myself, it was no better to trouble the others with them, than the questers.

Though he was right about another thing. We had a battle to prepare for, a fiery sense of determination filled me. Even if I could not help Bianca or Percy, what I could do was make sure that Kronos and Luke would pay dearly for coming here if they did.

"Fine," I said, straightening. "I do suppose it would be bad for morale."

He grinned at me and someone pushed open a tent flap. It seems Clarrise had a similar train of thought as me, judging by the fact the daughter of Ares was also fully armored, only her helmet off and pinned to her side by her arm.

"Morale?" She asked. "It seems you two are already on the right topic."

"That we are," Malcolm said, a faint hint of triumph in his voice. "though might I ask, why are you both already wearing armor? If Kronos comes out of there now, we aren't fighting him. That'll only slow you when running away."

Obviously he wasn't serious, but I still decided to humor him.

"So? Most monsters prefer not dying for a snack," I responded and smirked. "while they eat unprepared fools like you, I can easily get away."

"Besides," Clarisse said as she pulled back the chair next to mine. "with that mindset, Malcolm, it is really no wonder we are unprepared."

"Well, that'll change soon enough," He said and looked at the map again. "but all in due time, we still need the others."

Thankfully, they didn't make us wait long, at least relatively speaking.

The Stolls were atypically early, at least Travis was, or maybe it was Connor, I always had trouble telling by eye, at least if I could not compare their height. But from the fact how Clarisse glared at him, my assessment seemed to be correct, clearly she had not forgotten his mocking yesterday.

He took a seat next to Malcolm, as far from Clarisse as he could. But where Travis was, his brother was never far, and to no surprise Connor soon followed, accompanied by Lee. The rest came rather quickly, Silena followed shortly after, with Katie, Castor and Pollux in tow.

Just as atypical as the Stolls being early, Beckendorf and Chiron arrived last, but finally all were gathered. I did not have to bother with counting to know we were eleven, one less than usual, to my left, where Beckendorf had taken a seat, Percy usually sat. I shook my head in an unsuccessful attempt to clear my mind, there was no point in dwelling on it.

Letting my eyes wander across the gathered counselors,I felt that there was a palpable tension in the air and the unease of most was impossible to overlook.

"So," I let out an anxious breath. "who wants to make the start?"

Clearly no one really was eager to do so in face of the situation. I couldn't blame them, it was dire and admittedly, somewhat overwhelming.

This was most likely the largest battle planned by the Camp since nineteen-forty-five. Really it was even the only battle planned since then, and back then that were only demigods at each other's throats. This time we had to contend with demigods, monsters and perhaps some angry immortals in the worst case.

"I think it is best if we start with reports." Chiron said, his tone reassuringly calm. "Perhaps the stock of our armory."

Beckendorf nodded and cleared his throat. What followed was, to my pleasant surprise, the first good news of the day, though I had the feeling they would be the last as well.

We were well-supplied, over-supplied one might say, if that was even possible. We could easily equip the entire Camp and more in heavy hoplite fashion, there were greaves, breastplates and helmets a-plenty and swords and spears enough for everyone to have one, a sidearm and then some.

We had enough bows for far more than twice our numbers, even more if we included training bows, either way, far too many to put them all to use. Of course the state of all those arms and armor was varying, but celestial bronze took ages to even tarnish, and that is if not properly cared for.

Yet the sheer number of them clearly illustrated a problem far greater than a blunted sword edge, even before Chiron gave his own report on it.

Our numbers were dwindling, they had been for decades. The big three not having demigods, happy mistakes like myself aside, had already shrunk the Camp's population since world war two quite a bit in light of my father and uncle's… let's call it eagerness. But with monsters active in ever grander numbers causing losses, not to mention turn-cloaks and Luke stealing part of our recruits, we were just over eighty now, a dreadfully small number.

"Well," I said and managed a smirk. "At the very least we'll leave no lack of plunder if defeated."

"I am not sure that is something we should be happy about," Malcolm said and I rolled my eyes.

"Why don't we do something about it then?" I asked him and glanced at the map. "Say, plan our defense?"

"It is rather straightforward is it not?" Clarisse asked, frowning beside me. "We do not have the numbers to face them in the open field, so we'll have to force them to fight us in a chokepoint."

It seemed rather straightforward, she was right. It was what any sensible commander would do when faced with superior numbers in a defensive battle.

Hopefully his horde of hell-hounds, dracaena and other vile creatures, monsters and enemy demigods alike, would break or be slaughtered in time. But even if we could stop them like that, it would cost us and demigods were far less replaceable than monsters.

"We can funnel them against a hard block of infantry, raise ramparts, lay traps and dig trenches." Malcolm argued in support. "We would not even need that many to hold the line, thirty perhaps, the rest can take up bows and take up position on the rocks as well as the ramparts. With high-ground the space in between will become a true killing field."

"And so will our flanks if a part of the enemy army breaks out, be it intentional or in panic." Lee said unhappily. "And once they've broken through there, the rest of our line will follow soon enough."

"If a part of the enemy army breaks through," Malcolm repeated before adding. "which they won't."

"We'll drive stakes into the ground and focus our traps on the flanks," He argued. "we won't allow them a properly coordinated push. Even if a few stragglers manage to get into our flanks they'd be surrounded and outnumbered."

"Why not face them in the Labyrinth?" Lee suggested and Clarrise turned to him, shocked, though I leaned in, intrigued.

"Are you mad?" She responded nearly instantly. "You wouldn't say that if you were down there before, the Labyrinth is ever-changing. To march an army through it is foolish enough, to fight a battle in it..."

Slowly a plan started taking shape in my mind as I glanced at the map. Perhaps no battle, but...

"Why not?" Lee asked, frustrated. "We have the numbers to face them down there, match their line, one for one."

"And I suppose you would be at the front yourself?" Clarrise asked angrily, though before Lee could argue any further Malcolm intervened.

"She is right, Lee," He firmly said. "we cannot properly prepare for a fight there, nor can we simply wait for them down there."

"Besides, we'd be giving Luke exactly what he wants, we could not even use archers down there, not without firing into our own ranks." He grimaced and continued. "He could simply throw his numbers against us till we fail to hold him, either by breaking us, or simply tiring us out. We'll lose a battle of attrition, no matter how valiantly we'll fight."

"You two are right." I agreed, and a faint smirk formed on my lips. "But Lee isn't entirely wrong either, we shouldn't wait for them to leave the Labyrinth."

"Didn't you just agree with us?" Malcolm raised a brow. "You know their numbers as well as me, if not better."

"That I do," I agreed. "but I never said anything about fighting them."

"If you intend to lay traps down there," Malcolm started with a skeptical tone. "I am afraid it would folly, we can't even know they'd remain in place."

"I do not plan on ever setting foot in there, neither for traps nor battle. As said, I know their numbers." I told the others and placed a finger on the map, where the creek flowed and my voice grew grim. "Water, however, does not, a dozen, a hundred, a thousand, monster or demigod, they drown all the same, with but a few exceptions."

Clearly, not all of the others were convinced, Beckendorf looked doubtful and worry was spelled out on Silena's face. Malcolm raised a skeptical brow and Clarisse merely leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, watching carefully.

"Armies are oh-so vulnerable in narrow passages, be it roads through forests, be it bridges or mountain passes." I stated, confidently. "Be it enemy armies waiting in ambush, or simply nature, treacherous swamps, avalanches, or perhaps a flood of water rushing through a narrow tunnel packed with marching troops. If willing enough, one could even have a layer of Greek fire in it, lit beforehand of course. A flood is bad enough, one of boiling water and lapping flames..."

I did not need to elaborate, it was clear what I was leading at.

"Is that really necessary?" Silena asked, uneasy. "Hundreds will die."

"Hundreds of monsters, too bad they won't stay that way" I told her and she shifted uncomfortably.

"There surely will be demigods among them as well, you said it yourself" She argued and I gave a hard stare.

"So what?" I asked her and shook my head. "They've made their choice, no one is forcing them to come here to try and kill us. It's merely the monsters' nature to try and devour us, maybe we should ask ourselves which is worse..."

"Still, there must be a better way," Silena insisted. "hold them, till we can force them to retreat, break their morale instead, send them running."

"True, fewer might die that way," I told her and scowled. "but perhaps that'll be only because we get ourselves slaughtered in the field instead."

"I mean, I prefer them over us as well," Malcolm muttered and shifted uncomfortably. "but is this feasible? The effort it will require, I appreciate a good usage of terrain in battle, but..."

He didn't need to speak to make his doubts clear. Perhaps my words had been a bit harsh before, I had to admit, it was not without risk, but I saw a better way of dealing with them.

"Malcolm's right, Theseus," Beckendorf said. "If we manage to pull it off, we could end all this without actually fighting a battle. But it's a long way to the creek, over a mile, to divert it would take a lot of work. If we do not finish in time, or botch the execution, it might all be in vain, we'd waste a lot of time we could have spent preparing otherwise."

I was inclined to argue further, though I swallowed my words. I saw that it was to no avail, from Beckendorf and Malcolm's skepticism and Silena's concerns, it did only take a glance towards Katie to realize that I was outmatched in numbers. Clarisse didn't seem necessarily opposed, nor did Lee, but it was not enough.

"Fine then," I said begrudgingly and leaned back, crossing my arms.

"We should not decide too quickly," Chiron said and bid for someone else to continue. "there still is much to discuss."

It was long past twelve, the moon was already high in the sky. We had ended the council only six hours ago, when dinner was called, and by its end we were all weary and tired. Yet I found no rest, neither sleep nor did I manage to distract myself from my worries.

For most of today I had managed to keep myself busy, planning, strategizing, training, but now that I was alone, I could think of little else than the quest, despite my best efforts.

I glanced back down at the desk in front of me, my fingers turning the page on "Dracula", though my eyes had already wandered off again from my current piece of horror fiction, unable to concentrate any further.

My eyes wandered throughout the cabin and finally settled on the saltwater well. A curious thought went through my mind as I saw the glitter of drachmas on the bottom.

Pushing back the chair I stood up and walked over to it. Doubtfully, I reached into the warm, lightly steaming water of the well, the air filled with the smell of salt. Swiftly I fished one of the golden coins out, even in the faint moonlight it shone, wet and gleaming. The moon might be enough to make it shine but not for a rainbow.

Flipping the switch of a nearby lamp, soon enough the light broke into a rainbow. I rubbed the coin and flipped it in.

"Oh Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me Percy Jackson, the Labyrinth," I called out as the coin spun in the air.

The mist swirled for a moment and the coin disappeared. Though soon what I had expected was to be heard as the coin reappeared, falling into the water with a splash.

"Apologies," A pleasant female voice started. "the person you have called does not seem to be within our service area currently, please try again later."

I frowned, as said, I had expected as much. Though I wondered whether the reason for it was that it was simply not possible to send messages there, or simply the fact that there was no demand for it. Either way, at least I got a refund. Though perhaps I should send a different message?

For a moment I wondered if Percy had called mom, if so, I had not noticed and he had said nothing of it. Talking to her would probably do me some good, and she would want to know about the quest.

But if Percy hadn't told her I was not going to do it in his stead, she'd only worry, and hopefully not necessarily so, and I was already doing enough of that myself for both of us.

But now with the lights on, my eyes spotted something else. Over Percy's empty bunk, black and white and gleaming, hung the horn of Minotaur. Perhaps I really was worrying too much, I mean, my brother had already defeated the Labyrinth's most infamous monster, at age twelve and unarmed at that. What more could it offer that was a threat to him?

Without much thinking I moved closer, sitting down on Percy's bed, tracing the lines in the horn's surface. And only this close did I notice the empty spot next to it.

All winter and spring, Percy's damaged shield had hung there. Tyson, who had made it for him, had repaired it the day he returned and he now carried it with him. Of course, both were down there now, as Tyson's just as empty bunk reminded me.

Still... perhaps I should be more worried about the ribs of whatever was down there than those two. Because woe what got between those arms, especially when he's actively trying to harm you and not hugging you.

When I switched off the lights, however, something else caught my attention. Because the moon was not the only thing illuminating the cabin now. A faint, white light, even paler than the moons, shone out from on top of my nightstand, prompting me to walk over.

Tenderly I took the wreath of white, ghostly, underworld poplar into my hands, careful not to break any of its leaves as I sat back down on my bed and leaned back in thought.

It was a truly sweet gift, though I couldn't help but wonder whether Hades would not take offense to me wearing it. It seemed somewhat arrogant, Heracles had taken it as a symbol of victory over the underworld after all, when Hades had been much more an ally than an opponent for me.

Ah, yes, I know, I had more or less implied that this would be out last week, oh well.

Today I want to give a special thanks to everyone who read so far, we've passed a hundred follows, yes, it's a number on the internet, nonetheless its a source of happiness for me.

Still, as always, thanks for reading, I'd very much appreciate a follow, a favorite, or above all a review.