I am not going to lie, some part of me wants to rewrite this, I asked myself why and after introspection I realized it was because I never planned or thought I would get this far. This is such new territory to me I got nervous... that is all. I am not going to undo this, I will continue even if I am not entirely happy with some of it.
The group of questers were so exhausted they made camp right there in the huge room. Percy found some scrap wood and tey started a fire. Shadows danced off the columns rising around them like trees. Aaron stood up after twenty minutes and forced Rachel to do the same. He grabbed her hand and put it on his chest. "Aim here, if you are attacking, and you will never fail. All humanoid monsters will perish, no matter who they are."
Rachael nodded, smiling. "Thank for that."
"Do not feel bad about leading us into Anteus' realm, I have a feeling the maze is designed to protect it's heart by weaving the most dangerous parts around the path. Now... where to now?"
"We'll follow the path," she said. "The brightness on the floor." She pointed toward the other end of the room, into the darkness. "The workshop is that way. The heart of the maze. We're very close now."
Aaron nodded. "I can feel something, a pulsing in the air I couldn't feel before. I think being transposed by Gaia amped up my sensory powers a bit." He sighed. "I may have to commune with Gaia, figure out why she protected us. She cannot possess me in that state, I am aware of her attempt and I can protect myself. Focus is enough to ward off control from even a god, even a Primordial." Sitting down in a meditative stance, he pushed his thoughts towards the Mighty Earth, an easy prospect as he was already engulfed in it's presence. The Earth drank him in and his consciousness flowed down. His astral form, empowered by magic and wards and practice, was just flexible enough to form visibly before the Primal Goddess. He opened his eyes, seeing the stunning visage of the Goddess before him.
She was naked and had thick white dreadlocks around her perfectly shaped head. Her body was thicker, voluptuous came to mind, and the color of black soil. Her eyes were a rich verdant green, and she oozed power on a scale that he could barely process. He struggled to maintain himself, his essence being consumed by her immeasurably vast power. However, she took one look at him and laughed, a soft sweet sound like summer rain, and he felt the pressure ease up.
"You did well, coming to me. We have much to discuss." He nodded and the world shimmered, turning into a distant banquet hall with either of them at the opposite side of a table. The walls were shimmery earth and he saw vines and greenery peeking through, but it was stunning despite that or rather because of that. "So, Aaron Mathews, you have done well in healing my earth and the rivers and streams. Nature rejoices in your work, Nature is universal, Greek or Roman, and as the Earth, I rejoice in what Nature rejoices in."
He nodded. "I am glad to help, nature is in dire straights."
"Yes, it is. Rivers are polluted, forests choked, my earth riddled with plastic and garbage, the skies filled with light and smoke... it is too much to bear. My world, my precious body, is being tainted and it needs to be healed. I will stay dormant for one reason only, and that is if you continue to heal my world. The Rivers, the streams, the heavens, the Earth... the Ocean! All of it, that is your duty, your sacred calling. Do this and you will tread lightly on my Earth. Now awaken, my son, and follow the Clear-sighted child to your goal."
The connection shattered and he felt the world shaking around him.
"Percy, wake up!" He heard Annabeth saying.
"Tyson—Tyson's in trouble!" Percy groaned out. "We have to help him!"
"First things first," she said. "Earthquake!"
Sure enough, the room was rumbling. "Rachel!" Percy yelled.
Her eyes opened instantly. She grabbed her pack, and they all ran. They were almost to the far tunnel when a column next to them groaned and buckled. They kept going as a hundred tons of marble crashed down behind them. They made it to the corridor and turned just in time to see the other columns toppling. A cloud of white dust billowed over them, and they kept running.
"You know what?" Annabeth said. "I like this way after all."
It wasn't long before they saw light up ahead—like regular electric lighting.
"There," Rachel said.
They followed her into a stainless steel hallway. Fluorescent lights glowed from the ceiling. The floor was a metal grate.
"This way," Rachel said, beginning to run. "We're close!"
"This is so wrong!" Annabeth said. "The workshop should be in the oldest section of the maze. This can't—"
She faltered because they'd arrived at a set of metal double doors. Inscribed in the steel, at eye level, was a large blue Greek ∆.
"We're here," Rachel announced. "Daedalus's workshop."
Aaron pulled the girl into a warm hug, kissing her temple. "I knew you could do it."
Annabeth pressed the symbol on the doors and they hissed open.
"So much for ancient architecture," Percy said.
Annabeth scowled. Together they walked inside.
The workshop was like an artist's studio, with thirty-foot ceilings and industrial lighting, polished stone floors, and workbenches along with windows. A spiral staircase led up to a second-story loft. Half a dozen easels displayed hand-drawn diagrams for buildings and machines that looked like Leonardo da Vinci sketches. Several laptop computers were scattered around on the tables. Glass jars of green oil—Greek fire—lined one shelf. There were inventions, too—weird metal machines even Aaron couldn't make sense of. One was a bronze chair with a bunch of electrical wires attached to it, like some kind of torture device. In another corner stood a giant metal egg about the size of a man. There was a grandfather clock that appeared to be made entirely of glass, so you could see all the gears turning. And hanging on the wall were several sets of bronze and silver wings.
"Di immortals," Annabeth muttered. She ran to the nearest easel and looked at the sketch. "He's a genius. Look at the curves on this building!"
"And an artist," Rachel said in amazement. "These wings are amazing!"
The feathers were more tightly interwoven. Instead of wax seals, self adhesive strips ran down the sides.
"Where are we?" Percy wondered looking outside while Aaron breathed in the essence of creativity and light that so deeply filled the workshop. It was like being near Hepheastus' temple!
"Colorado Springs," A voice said behind them. "The Garden of the Gods."Standing on the spiral staircase above them, looking bruised and battered, was Dedalus. "You finally made it, my friends... I know it was hard, but I am here and so are you."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This is hard to write, but not bad, I am just figuring out what is the changes in the story so far.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.