Percy's POV:
Now Triton and I lay spread eagle across the couple seats on the part of the life raft that remains because someone thought it would be a good idea to forcibly ask for directions... It was me, I don't know why I thought it would work.
So here's what happened.
The thought process was that since we're sons of Poseidon, the monsters here would be a little more laxed with us. It was a fair to think that, I mean every animal associated with the sea that I ran into generally wanted to help me. Granted, they weren't actually monsters so perhaps that is on me. Anyway, when I saw a giant Sea Serpent I took the chance and jumped into the water. I know, great idea and what could possible go wrong?
Everything. Everything went wrong all at once. The first thing was that Triton kept trying to warn me before I did the stupid. And by the time I jumped into the water he had given up on reasoning with me. He just laid back and watched me screw up royally. But, once I hit the water; that's when everything blew up in my face. Did you know that certain species of Sea Serpents like to move in pods and decimate ships together? Me neither. So as I gracefully dived in, I was shocked to find about six ginormous snake fish baring their teeth. They had long fins running down their backs and glistened blue and green. And boy did they look hungry.
I couldn't even get a word out before they turned and snapped their massive jaws at me. Of course most of them missed but, one nicked my arm and I felt the affects right away. Even in the water. I felt nauseous, hot, and my insides were screaming like the alarms from the forge. Poison, man do I hate poison. It was strong but, good thing I was in the water and the affects didn't last long.
There was no way in Hades for me to win against all of them by myself. So I did the logical thing and brought my brother into it by swimming back to the boat. I broke the surface and flew out of the water and hollered at my relaxed brother, "INCOMING!" He shot right up an looked around. Triton didn't notice anything and for a moment I believed that they didn't follow me. Only a moment.
The water began boiling, not really, all around the little wooden craft almost throwing Triton off balance. I floated in the water close to the raft and sensed constant moving below my feet. That's never a good sign. The sea exploded ferociously and I lost sight of my dear brother. How sad. My vision was blocked by a mass of coiling sea serpents. I couldn't do much except dodge and prick the monsters while I avoided their nasty teeth. At some point I ran up a spine to one of their mouths and impaled it's tongue vaporizing it instantly. Next thing I know, I'm sliding down one of their backs and crash into the sorry excuse of a boat.
Once Triton noticed I was on board he raised his arms and sent a tidal wave at the remaining monsters. It only dazed them but, it gave us plenty of time to ride our way to safety. Or so I thought. The danger noodles kept chasing us and once I realized we weren't making any head way I helped guide the boat and we shot off leaving them in our mist. I should not have provoked them.
Truth be told, I only realized we were sailing half a raft after a hundred or so miles... Would it even be called a raft? If anything, we might just be on some drift wood.
Anyway, that's where we are at the moment. We are exhausted and are just letting the current take us wherever it takes us. So currently, that's why we're dozing off watching the clear blue sky. Just until we get our strength back. I swear the those long faced legless lizards drained me more than I care to share.
"Go on say it." I sighed. It was bound to happen soon so might as well get it over with.
"Say what?" Triton responded without even moving.
"The 'I told you so' part." I didn't even have the energy to add air quotes.
"Alright... I... think I see an island." He dragged his words out.
"See? That wasn't so hard.- Wait what?" I sat up a little sore.
"An island numb-nut." Triton answered back without missing a beat.
"That was uncalled for." I said while crossing my arms in front of my chest.
"Dude just look in front of you." He lazily mentioned while waving in the direction I should look. I glanced at it with squinted eyes; first thing I noticed was the flock of birds. Not just gulls but, I'm talking about birds of paradise. It looked like they were thriving on this... Spa plaza? Right in the center was a mountain. The buildings were made out of white marble that glistened in the sun. Windows gave peeks inside the stunning architecture. In contrast was the blue water that took over nearly everything. Terraces climb up the side of the mountain, with swimming pools on every level, connected by waterslides and waterfalls and underwater tubes you could swim through. Fountains sprayed water into air, forming impossible shapes, like flying eagles and galloping horses. There are all kinds of tame animals like a sea turtle napping on a stack of beach towels and a leopard stretched out asleep on a diving board. Seals and other marine animals that enjoyed a good sunbath sprawled across the milky sand beaches. The shores were dotted with palm trees and coconuts.
From our stranded position I could make out the liveliness of citizens and couldn't see a single male among them. Girls and women alike took in the summer sun on expensive looking white furniture while dozing off to the background noise of the television. The harbor was filled with ships from nearly every century dating back hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. Plus a place to hold airplanes and helicopters. What's it with gods and goddesses collecting things? I don't honestly get it all that much.
Triton and I didn't even bother trying to redirect our drift wood away from the chick filled plaza... It's not because we're perverted but, because we think we found where we're supposed to go on this wild quest. So, we slowly drifted our way via the paradise island.
Once the wood slapped itself against the sand, Triton and I rolled off of the broken raft and faceplanted into the water. With a sudden emergence of energy we stood up and walked to the lady holding a clipboard at the top of the beach. We didn't rush and basically half-dragged ourselves not caring all that much. "Welcome to C.C.'s Spa and Resort!" The lady pleasantly greeted us. Out of all the outfits I'd suspect in this place, a flight attendant wasn't one of them. But she did pull off the business suit very well. It worked perfectly with her makeup and her hair pulled into a ponytail. Even her smile was pretty.
"Hi and thank you." Triton and I greeted back evident that we were tired. The moment we were in reach she grabbed our hands and guided us towards the resort.
"Is this your first time with us?" The lady inquired while still maintaining her high spirited attitude. Gilbert and I decided to stay silent and play along for the time being. I love that we could basically read each other's minds and form an insane plan to go with it. It's fantastic. "Now, now. Don't be like that. We are here for you." She answered after a moment of our silence. It sounded super cliché. Before we moved any more she stopped and turned around asking the same question. This time we shook our heads indicating that it was. "I see..." She quickly jotted something on her clipboard. "In that case I think it would be appropriate for a complete makeover for you two gentlemen." Gilbert peeked over at me and I did the only thing I could do. I shrugged. The way the island and everything was formatted clearly screamed TRAP! But hey, we are here for a reason. "Seeing that we have two gentlemen here. I believe C.C. would like to have a word with you before the luau this evening." She said with a warm smile. Spinning on her heals she continued on her previous path.
A luau sounds pretty good right about now.
I left my hands at my sides while we were guided through the spa. The air smelled of fresh flowers and fruit. The more I thought about it the more I just wanted to lay down and let them take care of me. Too bad I kept my resolve all the way through. The terraces I spotted from the ocean were now heavily decorated and the fountains moved entirely on their own. Almost like they were alive themselves. "Do you think I could do that?" I whispered to my brother.
"Maybe if you had a brain." Triton picked on me. I knew he would say that.
"Dude... I would slap you across the face right now if we weren't the presence of ladies." I warned him while slightly glaring.
"I know. Which is why I said it now." Triton hushed back.
"I'll just slap you later." I promised back at him. We kept on moving past pools and like I noticed earlier, it was only women. All of them looked generally young as well. I could tell some of them drank grown up juice while others had herbal tea or even smoothies. Some read books or magazines and others lounged on chairs or flipped through channels on the plasma TV and not a single one looked bored. It was basically suited for anyone. Except men.
As we climbed the flawlessly crafted staircase in the direction of the main building, I heard singing. Not just any singing but, singing that reminded me of my family. Not the camp one. Well, them too however, this was more about my moms. It was super similar to the way Nasaea would sing. Like the lullaby she would sing to make me go to sleep. It was soft and carried itself across the island.
A minute passed and I just realized that I was humming along the tune. Still, I didn't stop. It reminded too much of my moms and I do miss them a lot. It's been a year since I myself spoke to them. A full year and I thought that by now I would get to see them and help those at camp personally. Khione always kept me updated and them likewise. It sucks but, I want to hear their voices and give them a hug. Maybe even have a family dinner. That really sounds swell right about now. I can even begin to somewhat taste it.
I couldn't make out every single word but, it was about the moonlit night, the colors of the sunset but, mostly about magic. Magic... It can be super annoying.
We waltzed right into a giant room where the whole back wall was mirrors. These mirrors, reflected the front of the room which was basically one window that overlooked the lush island and open seas. The furniture was nice and on a table in the corner was a cage. I squinted my eyes and noticed it was filled with rodents of some sort. I get it now. I glanced at my bro and he flicked his head towards the direction of the singing.
She seemed to be relaxing on one of the sofas next, to a fully finished tapestry that shimmered like I was watching it with my own eyes. Not just a picture, like I am physically there. It reminded me of that one waterfall I spotted when Khione tossed me into Hawaii because I needed a break. Well, that was her reasoning at least. I do have to admit that it was amazing and I can't wait to go back.
My eyes shifted over to the woman and she was even more beautiful than the tapestry. She had long black hair braided with threads of gold and peircing green eyes. She wore a silky black dress with shadow figures running through the seems. "I see that you two boys have finally arrived. Triton. Percy. My name is C.C." She introduced herself standing up.
"Were we expected?" Triton asked as she walked over to us, eyeing us carefully. She looked at Triton and his regal form and seemed to expect better from him. Once she did a one over on him she turned to me but, her expression was absolutely blank. I couldn't get a read on her.
"Well of course my dear! Your friends mentioned that you were here and were bound to show up at my doorstep." I began to grow worried because the only ones that I could think of that knew we were here were and that he was Triton was Luke. Did he beat us here? No... That shouldn't be possible. Maybe they are in league with each other? Then who's here?
"What friends?" I finally asked.
"Oh you don't know? Hmm, it doesn't matter at the moment... Hylla if you would be so kind as to get your sister and come back as soon as possible with their friends." She requested to the lady in the business suit. "It would seem that I've got my work cut out for me." The lady nodded her head and made her way out of the room. Once, Hylla was her name, left the room C.C. grabbed both of us and lightly guided us to the wall of mirrors.
"So what now?" Triton mulled.
"What else!?" C.C. chirped, "A full make over! And in order to that, one must realize that they aren't happy with the way they are." She finished saying by tapping our shoulders per word. Then she aligned us in front of the mirrors.
I had no idea what she was going on about and by the looks of it, neither did Triton. I could see she was peering at us from behind and not a moment later she snapped her fingers. A sky-blue curtain rolled over the mirror and began shimmering in the light. "What do you see?" She whispered directly in my ear and I couldn't help but, feel awkward.
It started changing colors and it began rippling into a reflection... I chuckled slightly and couldn't stop. Soon it turned into full blown hysterics and I fell to the floor grabbing my stomach. Triton followed my lead and even began snorting. "Is-Is this some sort of j-joke? HahA!" I continued my laughing fit. "It's just a mirror!"
"What!?" C.C. shouted in dismay. She stared down the mirror and whispered, "I don't believe it." Instead of showing what she thought would be our perfect selves, there was a basic mirror that reflected us as is. Triton was dressed in Atlantean warrior clothes. Which consisted of long greenish pants and a plain blue shirt that would normally be worn under his fancy armor. His skin tone was perfect and he held perfect posture. I, on the other hand, wore ragged black shorts with a my pen and flute in my pockets. I was shirtless and shoeless and my hair was a mess. My sea-green eyes with that icy blue ring around the edge reflected perfectly.
Triton and I caught our breaths and stood up, "L-look, it's simple. We love the way we are and if we were to change it, then we would no longer be who you see before you." Triton told her while trying not to laugh again.
"B-but you can always do better!" C.C. tried to reason.
"Well that's a given. But, right now we are doing the best we can. Which is why we came to you." I told her.
"Oh?" We clearly got her attention.
"It's no mystery who you are and what you planned to do with us... That is why we came here to ask for your help." Triton chimed in.
"If you know who I am and what I'm planning to do, what's the point?" Circe reasoned getting slightly annoyed.
"The people we care for are dying and we need a cure. My friend came to this sea and says he found it. The thing is we don't know what it is. If it even is the cure. He's on the same journey that other Satyrs took but, somehow he managed to stay alive. Our best bet was to come here. So please, can you help us?" I tried to ask and reason with her.
"That still doesn't answer my question." She replied quickly.
"The tree guarding the camp of half-bloods was poisoned but, we don't know what the poison is or where we can even find a cure. Unless we find someone that dabbles in certain arts and has exclusive inventory because if it... You're a sorcerer and a powerful one at that. Our point is we don't know where else to go." Triton jumped saving me from blabbering.
"So you came all the way to the Sea of Monsters to see little ole me? Even though I can change you into a shrew with the snap of my fingers?" We nodded in response, "I've got to say you got some guts."
"So does that mean you help us?" I asked, with a hopeful tone.
"Why should I? What would get out of this?" This, this is why I don't like dealing with deities all that much.
Triton opened his mouth to say something but, I cut him off, "I'll owe you one favor. Anything you can think of that I'm capable of doing." Triton went wide eyed however, didn't say anything in response.
"Anything? You do realize the magnitude of your words do you?" I could tell she got hooked.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." I responded firmly.
"Make it two favors and you have a deal." She bargained. I can't say no. If I do then who knows when we'll get another chance or answer. I can risk it however, it won't be a guarantee and at the moment that is something we need for this quest.
"...Deal. On one condition, it doesn't go against my values in life." I finally answered. On the condition I set I wasn't going to budge.
"Swear it." She pushed.
"What?" I asked knowing full well where she was going with this.
"I want you to swear it on the Styx so that you don't back out." She stepped one step closer to me and the smell of her perfume was damn near overpowering.
"I swear on the Styx to owe Circe any two favors she asks of me as long as I'm capable of doing so and it is in within my morals."
"Percy!" Triton shouted into my ear, "Do you have any clue the type of deal you just made!?" I didn't answer. Instead, I opted to watch Circe.
"Good. Now for your first favor-" I cut her off before she could continue.
"No. First you help us then I help you. You got your way, now it is our turn." I just made a deal that could end very badly. I'm not just gonna let her push me around.
"Fine... Let me see it." I nodded towards my brother and he sighed in frustration. He wasn't happy and that is understandable.
Fishing out a vile from his back pocket he tossed it to the sorcerer, "Here." Circe caught it with ease and then walked over to a table and set down the vile carefully.
"Now let's take a looksie." I wondered what she was up to but, before I could walk over to Triton grabbed me by the shoulder and swung me around. I came face to face with him and he was steaming. Next thing I know, he punches me in the face and blood starts dripping down from my nose.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done? She can ask you to do anything and you'll have to comply. What were you even thinking?" Triton scolded and I couldn't but, feel that I let him down.
"I was thinking that we don't have much time. Who knows how bad it is with my friends? Or even if they're alive. So far on this entire quest we've got no guarantees and this is the only one we got. We can't let this chance slip through our fingers. What would have done if it was your home on the line?... I made a choice." I just had a feeling this was the right one.
Triton sighed in defeat and made his way back to Circe and I followed closely behind. "From what I can see, there is nothing I can do personally." Circe casually mentioned. My heart fell. "However... it isn't completely a lost cause. If you can make your way to the island of Polyphemus you might find what you're looking for."
"And that would be?" Triton asked impatiently.
"The Golden Fleece..."