After the fish out of water finally sputtered themselves clear, the scene in front of them came right of a post card. At first glance, a beautiful crimson bridge strode that over the bay with the confidence of the young and the competence of the wise. The bay welcomed sea and sky, the bluest of brothers, together a covenant of everlasting beauty. Green hills rose as if to blow kisses to the sky. Even Alcatraz added to the distinctive beauty of the San Francisco Bay. It was a marvelous sight to behold. Or it should be if the world wasn't at stake.
"Moo." The low grunt of the Ophiotaurus shook most of the heroes out of there stupor. Or as it apparently preferred to called; Bessie. How Percy managed to swing that is well beyond Triton's care. The other's looked at the 'monster' with an odd sense of dismay. And here it was casually swimming at the bay's edges without a single care.
"Shit." Triton muttered, minding his tongue. Of course this just so happens to be the case. This was complete BS by their terms.
"Shit is right. He should not even be here." Zoe damn near hissed accusingly at ole kelp breath.
"You think I don't know that? Too many coincidences are adding up and it is not painting a pretty picture." Triton actually hissed. He was getting way too tired over the constant accusingatory tone. With a huff the sea prince glanced over at Thalia, shaking his head prior to running a hand through his hair. Finally settling his palm on his neck. They know exactly what they have to do and this monster is making things difficult.
Minding the fact that it helped get them this far, if only slightly. This was what Artemis was after. Meaning that, they know of it's whereabouts. Zoe and Triton shared a quick look before shifting their gazes to the sun. They still had a few hours till the fireball set beyond the horizon. Thank the heavens they are ahead of schedule. Triton sighed before taking the chance to sit down and think. He needed to take this moment to himself. Sitting on the ground was a fair bet, as was interlocking his fingers under his chin.
The sudden change in demeanor earned curious eyes from the party. They remember his stoicism, despite his laughing episode in the canyon. This was something else entirely. He isn't brooding. "Uhm are you okay?" Grover shifted uneasy. How do you ask a god if he is alright? Should someone even be asking? Even Zoe felt out of her element. Scratch they, they all felt that way.
"No." Triton declared, settling his eyes on the ground beneath his feet. This close a strange feeling bestowed him. A nagging sense of being to late... That can't be right, can it?
"...Wa-wanna talk about it?" Grover requested awkwardly swinging his arms at his sides, not knowing what to do with them. Triton made no move to acknowledge such a question. Instead he opted to stay silent.
Well mute was more like it, keeping his thoughts to himself. The very idea that saving someone may kill them has stuck with Triton the moment he said it. Being so close to getting his brother has got him thinking. What if they do get to him and he is already lost? Or the moment he is safe, that's when Death finally gets a hold of him. Percy swore. He swore that he is gonna make a change. So how was he supposed to that when he is dead? Dying? Percy went so far as to declare the prophecy his own. It's too soon, he's too young. Maybe all the rushing was for naught... A bit dramatic? Absolutely, when have deities ever chose a different path?
"We need a plan. A real plan." Bianca started seeing that Triton was not leaving the confines of his mind. In a way she can understand. Hell, what if it were Nico in that position? She may have been selfish in her choices recently, but that doesn't mean Nico isn't her brother anymore.
"Y-yea." Annabeth shook her head pulling her hair into a simply ponytail, "Our best bet would be to split up." The situation called for some argument, but no one answered. "We-"
"Or we don't." Grover cut her off, stealing his nerves. Man, he wished he could be there to see the look on Percy's face when the cavalry finally arrives. It almost made him chuckle a little, "I'll take Bessie back to camp." Grover proceeded before anyone could pipe up. His sun laden brown eyes echoed with determination. "Let's be honest, I haven't been all that helpful to begin with."
"That's not true and you know it. You were the one who tracked Artemis to Washington, that led us getting some vital intel." Thalia reminded taking a couple steps closer to her favorite Satyr. Grover only smiled sadly.
"Anyone could have done that. I... I'm just a Satyr in way over his head. I mean, look at the members," Grover gestured to all of them, "A god; who fought, can cook! and got us to travel vast distances that would have taken us at least another day. A beautiful huntress with unparalleled skills with a bow. Bianca who is quick to her feet no matter the situation. A genius. A powerful daughter of Zeus... And me, a Satyr with a couple of acorns to my name." Grover knew the truth. At least with this he'd have done more than just give directions. Even at the damn, all he managed to do was run, run from the two gods, run from the monsters.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. Every single time we ran into a monster, you were right there just as fearless doing your best." Again, Thalia tried to reassure him. She stood right in front of him and placed her hand on his shoulder. As much as Grover appreciated it, he shrugged her off.
"I-I can't face a Titan, I could hardly breathe when we got the blessing from the wild. I-I panicked. But I can do this. Percy sent him our way. To save it. And that's what I'll do." Grover took a gander at his arms, wondering why he was shaking slightly. "It's our best bet."
"You don't-"
"I do. I really do." Grover affirmed, shifting his body to face Bessie, "I really want to be there to kick some Titan hinny, and save Percy, but I can't turn away from a helpless animal. I... think this is something I have to do. So please just let me do this." It wasn't a plea. Being in a group these many powerful entities made Grover feel useless. Anything he could think of, they could do better. Much like Blackjack, Grover fumbled with the idea that he was along for the ride.
All the estranged feelings copied from Percy solely reinforced that feeling. Imagine it; waking up, walking, talking, training, fighting whilst an ache pounded itself in your skull. Knowing you can't do anything about it. Knowing that what you're feeling is a tiny fraction. Knowing that you're not alone, but he is. It felt like a dull knife shoving itself deep within the crevices of his cranium. Feeling scared. Tired. Heavy. Adrenaline pumping with no outlet. To the notion of hysterics. Grover hated himself for it, nevertheless he blocked it. He couldn't bare it... No more than a couple days. The wild swing from one end of the spectrum to the other.
Underwood needs to do something. If he can accomplish this, that will make the world the difference. Literally and metaphorically. "Okay. It makes sense... Grover are sure? You were very adamant on being to to save Percy." Annabeth spoke in a low voice. She brought a hand up to her chest in a soft fist. She knew how much he cared.
"I'm sure. Besides I'm the only one who can talk to it... I'll ask Chiron to help. He'll know what to do." Grover jumped into the frigid water, swimming over to Bessie and whispered something in it's ear. A second passed and Bessie let out a soft rumble of approval. "A blessing. Hopefully it will be enough to get us back to Long Island." His teeth chattered as he tried to grab hold of the half seal, half cow thing. He didn't bother waiting to see if they approved, he'll do it either way.
"I'll pray for your safe passage, Grover." Thalia smiled softly kneeling close to the water. She admired his bravery. She muttered something underneath her breath.
A thought popped into Annabeth's head, "Wait! Do you know what Percy's feeling?" Since they were parting ways for the time being, knowing his condition should help formulate a plan.
One more, he can look at it once more. Come on. Grover concentrated and concentrated thinking he missed something, "Nothing." He gasped. Grover looked nervous, scared, anxious, you name it. Bessie saw this as a chance to lurch forward and dive. A small dash of panic set in once Grover realized he can't breath underwater.
Triton's eyes widened in realization, "We're too late. Shit! We're too late!" Triton clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms, trying desperately to calm down and be ration. Biting his lip didn't calm his nerves. 'Calm down damn it! It's not certain. Nothing is. Just breathe. Relax.' The pounding in his ears grew like the beat of a drum. He's begun to spiral. 'Underwood doesn't have a clue as to what's happening... I promised. I swore I'd get him back. Damn it! Shit!' Triton's entire body started to quiver.
SLAP*
The sea prince's face twisted to the side, his cheek stung. "Snap out of it. Thou doesn't see my losing it." Who's talking? "I didn't come to baby sit you as well." Zoe? The only male party member blinked away his fogged mind. Twitching his eyes side to side, it was, in fact, Zoe who smacked him. Behind her, the water crashed on the shore, soaking the ground. He's supposed to be a god, he can't lose his cool, especially not now.
"Did you just slap me?" This has never happened before. The closest was that one time his politeness was mistaken for flirting. And she didn't want, what she thought, were his advancements.
"Thou were spiraling." Zoe deadpanned, "I swear, first those two, now you. I know I didn't sign up to mother hen this group." Zoe muttered stepping away, "Care to explain your episode?" She rose her eyebrow.
No, of course he doesn't. "I fear we may be to late... For Percy's sake, I do hope I'm wrong." Triton stood counting how much time they have left. Not much time has passed.
"And by that you mean?" Bianca didn't trust the others to be as civil with their questioning abilities.
"Have you forgotten what I've said after the little scuffle with wise girl?" That was still fresh in their minds. Yet, the only thing that really stood out was the fight itself. Everything else seemingly drifted away, "It seems you have." Triton took a deep breath before continuing, "If we are late or our timing is off then saving my brother will be futile." And just like that it came back. Preceding their volley of questions, Triton raised his hands asking them to wait, "Please let me explain... The Titan's curse is a trap for immortals, which my brother isn't, meaning his mortal body and mind won't last. He won't die, but that isn't a gift. It's a miracle he's even surviving now. Hopefully. I can't say the true nature behind it. However, since the time has passed, the constant stress, Grover's connection, I doubt things are looking good... We must hurry. If we're too late, he'll go catatonic... Grover said he felt nothing. Nothing isn't good... I can't lose him. I won't. Not now." Triton tried to keep it simple. Giving the truth, the whole truth, did just that.
"You're already too late for that." A voice called out behind them in a thick French accent. The five members jumped at the ready. The last time they heard that voice, well, it didn't really turn out all that good. They were so focused on themselves, they let the enemy get the jump on them. An ambush. "Oops. Did I startle you?" Dr. Thorn, the manticore challenged. He was wearing a ratty black trench coat over a plain black T-shirt, which was torn and stained. His military haircut no longer was to regulation. He hadn't shaved recently, so his face was covered in silver stubble. Disgusting, really.
Stalking behind him was a few of the mortal mercenaries, a few cyclopes, a hellhound, and a couple skeletons perched on a boat. As if they would try fleeing that way. "I'm going to be honest here with you. I'd rather be somewhere else, tormenting some other soul. Alas, I've been ordered here to finish the job I was meant to." He sneered. In response Thalia raised her shield, pushing back everyone back, except for the freakish bone guards.
"Don't think this will end the same way as the last." Thalia threatened, resting her spear on her shield. Zoe and Bianca notched a couple arrows, Annabeth drew her dagger, and Triton didn't even bother. The guards, monsters, whatever, countered in full.
"I wouldn't dream of it. I doubt any of you would come willingly." Thorn chuckled.
"So you're the bastard." Triton leered clenching his fists.
"Ah, and you must be the brother. Not impressed." Thorn glanced him over then turned his attention over to Thalia once more, "Now you dearie, you, you are special." Thorn wiggled his finger.
"The hell are you talking about." She crouched waiting for the chance to strike.
"Surely you realized that your sixteenth birthday is coming up. The Great Prophecy. Victory. Power. Unlimited Power. All you have to do-"
"You're too late. The Ophiotaurus is gone." Annabeth interrupted taking slow steps to get behind Thalia. The daughter of Zeus, for a split second, grew hungry. Nope, now is not the time.
"Gone? Hmm, not destroyed however." The Dr., doubt he is actually a doctor, waved her intrusion off. "All you have to do is call it. It will answer your call much like it did Percy's," The quest members' eyes widen at that, "Sacrifice it. Bring it's entrails to the mountain and dump it in the fire. Think about it. Unlimited power. Overthrow the gods that did nothing for your sake. Rule them, with dearest Luke by your side... Maybe even then the sea brat will acknowledge you. That's why Kronos brought you back in the first place!" The sweetness of his words were all to tempting for Thalia.
No one spoke. It made sense, too much sense. She wanted to tell him to f off- but she's hesitating. She can end it all here. Now. A couple more days and she'll be sixteen. The ripe age for the prophecy, "Don't do it." Triton hissed. Though it sounded muffled in her head.
It was all too tempting. She can end it... That terrifies her. She can put the whole ordeal to rest. Alone, she can make the decision that will doom or save the world. 'I don't want to be the one to make that choice. It isn't fair! I-I don't wanna do it.' Her head screamed. On the one hand she can have everything she ever wanted... On the other, she doesn't want to be controlled. She knows it is wrong. She really does. However, it sounds sooo easy. That is a massive responsibility. 'I don't want it. Why would any one want this?' She was brought back for one sole purpose? She thought it was because of someone else. Maybe he's right. 'I-I don't-'
"I-uh-"
"Listen here daughter of Zeus. I don't know what's going on in that head of yours, but I can see your apprehension. It doesn't have to be you. Thalia, choose for yourself what you want right now and stick to it. You chose to be selfless to save your friends, that was back then. Now is no different. I know you'll choose right... because Percy trusts you. We trust you." Triton grinded his teeth together. Not because he didn't believe his own words, but because Thorn knew just how to push his buttons at the moment. Even though, he himself was spiraling, he knows that during a battle all other thoughts have to drift away. Otherwise you not only risk yourself, but your friends beside you as well. This can all be dealt with once in the clear. It's why he is so proficient at fighting.
"R-right." She nodded her head. Doubt still creeped up on her, but she just shoved it down. That can be dealed with later. Trust doesn't come lightly. Not in this world. Thalia doesn't want to betray that. After believing that Percy loathed her, that her friends eyed her differently, she doesn't want to take those steps backwards. Thalia worked hard to be gain back what she considered she lost.
The manticore tsked. It was getting to the point of becoming far too much trouble for what it's worth. Perhaps if the beast was still there, then maybe. But as it were, the chance of conversation dropped the moment, they lost leverage. "Get them." He ordered dropping his trench coat. If he can't take out his anger on the brat upstairs, these substitutes will have to do.
Zoe and Bianca quickly shot a couple arrows at the mercenaries feet by Thorn. The tips exploded in a puff of disgusting gas, dragging the two mortals to their feet. As they gasp for a breath that isn't so vile. The last mercenary, the furthest back, brought his sidearm up only to get a fist to the face, not before he got a hot off. It veered far right. A trick arrow, though that didn't help when his nose popped, propelling a torrent of blood down his face. The mercenary instantly brought his hands up to stop the bleeding, but a second fist-arrow nailed him right in his temple forcing his conscious to fade away. Now they turned their attention to calcium phosphate abominations, perched on a wave clattering boat.
The hellhound charged Annabeth like a bat out of hell, while the cyclops veered towards Thalia. Triton took the chance to run straight at Thorn, bar any weapons. The sea god was going to relish pummeling this aberration to a bloody pulp.
Annabeth has dealt with hellhounds before, so it shouldn't be a problem. Except, they were relatively normal in size. Now, this one was even bulkier than one of those creepy white vans, completely dwarfing other specimens she has ran into. Annabeth grounded herself, crouching, and tensing her muscles for the right moment. Every step the mastiff looking hound took, pebbles quake and the ground vibrated, barring it's teeth for the inevitable moment they dug into flesh.
The cyclopes roared with laughter, jogging at a steady pace, licking their lips in anticipation. They were about eight feet tall waving a stop sign pole, a massive branch, and a thick metal pipe. Oh, Thalia was going to enjoy this very much. She waited, keeping her composure as they tried to deviate from her shield. Slowing down in the process, but it wasn't going to last forever. But enough.
The Messenger of the Sea easily out maneuvered the volley of spikes by zigzagging his way towards Thorn. Though he had to be a little more careful because his armor wasn't being worn. It was not negligence. No, Triton wants to humiliate the ever living blazes out of him. He wants Thorn to realize just how outmatched he his. How he never stood a chance. Yet, Thorn isn't going to make it easy himself. He never let's Triton get too close, choosing to use his speed and agility to hop skip away, continuing his assault.
Annabeth held her breath, ignoring her instinctual response of running. She dug in her heels and held her hands close to her sides, careful of their position. The ground pounded in front of her steadily increasing. At least in her mind it did. The battlefield slowed down to a drag. Enough where she can make out the sharps claws, the salivating mouth, the crimson glow of it's eyes, and the way it's muscle thumped with every step. Annabeth squinted her storm baring eyes, counting down the seconds before it gnashed out it's teeth... Three... Two... One...*BOOM* Annabeth rolled left, extending her dagger out far enough to slice a bit of the monsters lower leg. The hellhound slid to a stop twisting it's body to go at it again. The scratch did nothing except let loose suppressed rage.
She hated being called Zeus's daughter, but in truth that was she is. Daughter of the King of the gods. Lightning barer. Thunder boomer. Thus, she'll let some of that power show. The cyclopes circled her like a caged animal. Always one ready to charge her back, but one twist and they got a full view of her shield. It's a dirty game of cat an mouse. And they can't figure out who's who. Well, Thalia is about to change that. Thalia roared rearing her spear towards the sky. Pleading for dark clouds to head her call. They answered promptly, as they always do. A cry of thunder boomed when lightning snaked her way down from the heavens. Grasping the metal pipe, channeling it's way down towards the beholder. A desperate cry of agony rung shortly after... Thalia charged.
It wasn't the damage she was hoping, but it was still something. All she has to do is better this time around. The clasp of thunder threw her timing off a millisecond. Annabeth jumped back to her feet. Instead of going for the same trick, wise girl ran. The beast was hot on her tail, that is to be expected. Though she won't let it get to close. Tress were dotted all around her, so she took the chance and stole something from Percy's playbook. She hopped up on on a rock jumping even higher to reach a semi-low branch. All of those drills on the climbing wall did her good, as she swung once, twice, before pulling her entire body up. She couldn't risk glancing down, up was her only chance. The tree rattled signifying it was hit. But Annabeth scaled out of reach. Down below, the hellhound tore and scratched, growling in displeasure. Annabeth snaked her way around the branches, perching herself with a clear view of her target. A plan already made.
Zoe, along with her newest recruit, shot shot after shot aiming at the poor excuse of a boat. It was a mortal patrol boat, but looked more like a pin cushion at this point. Every shot they took was returned by a whizzing bullet. The bullets close enough, they whistled. Much like listening to a siren's song because once heard, death usually wasn't far behind. Their shots landed with perfection. The thing was, they had no affect on the skeletal crew. It was aggravating. All they can do is keep them away. Or wait till the boat drifts exposing the engine.
It was far from over. A coward on the run. That's all he was. A coward. One that was only prolonging the inevitable. Triton chased, dodged, slid, hopped over every spike thrown at him. A strike of Lightning, a pure coincidence, was the opening he was waiting for. Thorn shifted his attention to where it struck for a split moment. Enough for Triton to close the gap. The manticore was experienced however, jabbing straight at where Triton should have gone. He expected a frontal charge, a fist fight. How naïve. Triton slid on his back, past the jab, past Thorn's front legs, right where his exposed belly was. He kicked up with both of his legs, knocking the wind right out the outdated monster. And lifting his body a few feet above the ground. Triton pushed off the ground with his hands landing in a low crouch, sending a spiral kick aimed towards Thorn's side. Flinging him down the path like a ragdoll. Yet, Triton won't relent. He sprinted after him before the Dr. could get his bearings. He must get him closer to the sea.
Thalia vaulted up, striking the cyclops directly in the abdomen. Before bashing it's face in with her shield. The cyclops fell in a dead heap, but Thalia knew better. She withdrew her weapon, corrected her aim, and struck the singular eye. Sending the nightmare back to Tartarus. Yet, she couldn't rest. With the fall of one of their brethren, any apprehension disappeared with him. They roared, well tried to, and charged. Thalia rolled out of the way of a branch striking the earth, stopping mere inches from a stop sign from almost impaling her face. She quickly shifted her body to stand on one leg and one knee, raising her shield in the nick of time to block the thick branch from connecting her to Gaia. Thalia didn't quite stiffen her arm fast enough and hit her face on the shield from the draw back. The hit was hard enough for her body to slide back a couple feet. Now with her jeans ripped, knee scraped, and bloody nose; she finally began feeling like her normal self again.
The air cackled with heat as a soaring ball of fire erupting from the water's edge. Flinging shrapnel soaring into the sky capable impaling trees. Zoe smiled, that was a nice shot Bianca made.
Thalia saw this and immediately thought back up was on the way. In that case she'll just have to finish this quickly.
Annabeth believed that that was enough moseying atop the branches above the hellhound. By now, it should be thoroughly confused. It will never see it coming.
Triton didn't bother, distractions were a part of battle. Thorn sent a small volley of spikes, but Triton sidestepped out of the way. He kicked off a tree and hammered Thorn's face into the ground. This was becoming too easy. Triton grabbed the scorpion tail, avoiding a flinch of poison, heaving onto his shoulder. One step and he threw the beast over his shoulder towards the exploding vessel. Not much the monster can do in the air when it's flopping like a baby chick. Yeah, Triton was doing an impeccable job at humiliating Thorn. Triton smiled.
It wasn't exactly how Percy did it on their first meeting, but she made it her own. Percy didn't have a cap of invisibility, she does. She needed it to see her climb a tree. The monster had to believe she was still there or it might cut it's losses and attack the others. She propelled down, careful to avoid making sound and snuck up as close as she dared to. Which was pretty damn close. Annabeth could reach out and touch it's fur. But she won't, Annabeth stalked close to the monster's face as it growled and bared it's teeth. The beast smelled musty and stale. It didn't sit right with her. The dog doesn't get this big without learning a great deal of things about hunting demigods. All she has to do is surprise it. Shouldn't be too hard considering it would probably expect her coming from above.
By now she could feel it's breath, all she has to do now is a quick strike to the head. The invisible demigod let out a quick whistle below the monsters jaw snapping the hellhounds attention. A quick strike right between the eyes sunk her dagger into the skull, piercing the brain. The thing turned to dust before it knew what hit him. Now that was a risky move. Good thing she didn't make a mistake. By being so close, her adrenaline coursed through her entire being. Her fingers now shook and her breathing was quaking a bit. Far too risky. Now was not the time to dwell. Annabeth picked up her dagger and ran to where Thalia should be.
Thalia swiped her spear to the side knocking away the metal sign. Then turned to her left and blocked the other cyclops from getting a hit on her. She was pleased with herself. They were easy to read, thus easy to block. The cyclops grew angrier, the one who got blocked kicked the shield tossing Thalia on her back. Zeus's daughter didn't expect that. That was smart. They weren't smart! She tried to shuffle back, but the other one stepped on her spear limiting her choices. One, hold on, which is beyond stupid. Or two, let go and block. Thalia went with the ladder, continuing to shuffle on her rear. The one eyed Neanderthals were enjoying this. They both reared they weapons up... Thalia can block it, easily. But, taking the hit laying down would still hurt the hell out of her back once pressure was applied. And there is no telling how long her arms could hold out from a constant beat down. Or just one smack... So, Thalia tucked her entire body behind it... One second passed followed by another. Nothing? She dared to peak past the rim.
All she saw was four well placed silver arrows imbedded in the eye of one of the cyclops. The one with the branch whaled bringing his arms up to pull the arrows out. He never got the chance. One arrow lodged itself in his mouth, jutting out his neck. His body cascaded in a flurry of gold dust before his knees even managed to touch the ground. Thank the heavens Thalia thought. The monster didn't think so, he growled and started stomping the ground like a kid throwing a tantrum. "Woah!" Thalia huffed rolled to the side before a foot could land on her. She kept on dodging for a couple seconds. Then she rolled back on her head, pushing off her hands and landed gracefully on the ground. She'd really like to have her spear right about now. A wild swing from the grotesque ogre forced Thalia to jump back. Away from her spear. She tsked. "Well come on! Come die like your brethren!" She taunted shifting her shield to her other arm.
Apparently the taunt worked a little too well. He charged swinging wildly from side to side. This was going to be easy. Thalia tensed her muscles, waiting. A silver arrow came from no where, stabbing it's knee. With that, it couldn't hold anymore weight and firmly accepting his new place lying on the ground. That's nice. Thalia was about to sprint to her spear, when Annabeth shimmered into existence already sprinting towards the bald head. With one strike to the nape of the neck, he bit the dust. Pun intended.
Zoe appeared in a wink from behind some brush, along with her colleague, looking no worse for wear. Annabeth huffed a breath, "Everyone okay?" She asked. But no one audibly responded. All she got was a few positive nods. It's been a long day. A very long day... So much has happened. Some could argue too much.
It was... nice to let lose at least some of their frustration. They took a deep breath sinking to the ground, finally they could actually breath, a real breath with no worry of a god or monster to drop in. Hopefully. They were battered and bruised and it didn't matter, it felt nice to just do. Together they would accomplish this quest, before time ran out, before another stressor popped up. For a couple sweet hours they'll be able to catch their breaths, to plan, to cope, to do whatever they needed to do. It was the release valve they all needed and though they bore different cases of stress and frustration... this is good. Let's leave it at that.
"Hold on. Where's Triton?" Annabeth asked glancing around though saw no sign of him.
"I wouldn't worry about it. He's having fun last I checked." Zoe smirked. It was a silent suggestion to leave him alone. And they obliged.
Triton was, indeed, having fun. Or as close as he could with the dear doctor. Triton casually spun to the left avoiding the jab of Thorn's tail. Toying with an enemy was never a part of his style, he'd much rather finish them off cleanly. But he just had to bring Percy into it. "I bet you thought you'd gain some glory from this mission you're on." Triton ducked a volley of spikes. "Get a big boost to your reputation even." He jumped back avoiding a swipe from Thorn's claws.
"Just shut up and fight!" Thorn jeered. The façade he waltzed up in was no where to be seen. It was long gone by now. This was a one side battle. It drove Thorn up the wall that this entire time he hadn't managed to get a single hit in. All of his composure dissipated, replaced by anger and desperation.
"I thought you had more in you. Alas I was wrong." Triton chuckled kicking doctor dearest in the face.
Thorn snapped, "...And I thought your brother had more in him. Not just a punching bag." Now that was the wrong thing to say. The sea god's face hardened. Triton reared back his fist before connecting to the only humanoid part of the monster. Again. And again. And again. And againandagainandagainandagainandagain. Again! Triton takes every pleasure in taking him down. Every. It's not just necessary. Thorn loves to hurt and Triton can't heal his family with him around. Giving mercy is good until it is proven to hurt the innocent, like my brother should have been. Then they see him come out fighting. With every swing if his fist, a simple punch, he see him quiver. How weak he is. This isn't mercy, this is cruelty and justice combined.
A fistfight happens when there is a failure of the brain. Well, this can hardly be considered such. More like a one sided brawl. In the me vs me battle, someone loses and this anger, this lack of self control, this deficit of empathy, this poverty of creative perspective taking... well... it leads to the solutions of the primitive brain. These solutions are... very primitive. Everything that makes humans good and clever lives in the prefrontal cortex and that, my dear, in these bloody confrontations, is exactly what gets switched off.
Triton stared down at the bloody mess on the ground that had been his adversary. He was grotesque. Already his eyes were swollen over and bloody spit drooled from his slack jaws. He was now as revolting as he should be, finally the outside reflects the man within. This cockroach of a monster who prevented his brother from coming home, who tracked down Percy and gave him a choice where there was only one viable option, lies foul in his own fluids. Even in death, those scars will last forever.. With a wrinkled nose he knelt down and picked up Thorn, it was tempting to whisper something in his ear, that he was broken and Triton had won, but what was the point. He'd be lucky to remember his own name.
"What? No last words to finish me off?" The manticore coughed bloody muffling a laugh.
Triton didn't respond. That is exactly what he wanted and he won't give him the pleasure of having it. He wants to be known, remembered, feared. After everything, Thorn deserves to be forgotten. Another monster killed in the endless sea of corpses. No one special. Another number. Nothing.
...
Killing him was easy. Not a battle, nor death, worth mentioning.
Triton wiped the blood off his fists and walked away. "Bastard." His lips scrunched up. Was his death satisfying? Unquestionably. It would have been much more if he his death actually meant having his brother back. But it doesn't. All that's left is to get to Mount Othrys, before sunset. Or as it is now called Mount Tamalpais. It makes sense that's where the Titan is held up. The Garden of the Hesperides. Atlas's children. In a way it's ironic. It's even funnier when the Titan's are held up in the east during the Western Civilization age.
"Get up. We're heading out."
"What for? We have time." Bianca answered chilling in her back.
"Knowing our luck, I don't want to jinx it." Triton crossed his arms over his chest. An understanding silence shifted between them and with a heavy sigh the four of them stood up stretching their limbs. "How should we do this?"
"Well well well, you're actually asking? I'm genuinely surprised that you aren't currently whisking us away in a tidal wave." Thalia was actually stunned. They all were, but she so more than the others. It is not like he managed to convince her otherwise, with his attack, or mood swings. Popping up in random puddles all over the states, soaking wet, in the winter. But does he ever get wet? No!
"We could go see my father?" Annabeth wasn't sure why she even suggested that.
"Is that a question? Or an answer?" The only dude asked.
"Answer. He's close by and if things go from bad to worse, he has loads of transportation."
"That's not all, is it?"
"... I've been meaning to visit for awhile now."
"You do know that this won't be a social visit. We have pressing matters to attend to."
"Oh, cut her some slack fish breath. We still got time." Thalia cut in.
"Time is not the issue- You know what, forget it." Triton waved it off, "I don't even know why I bother. I'll meet you at the base of the mountain."
"You can't just-" Zoe grabbed Thalia shoulder before she can get another word in.
"It's fine. Don't go on ahead of us." In a way Zoe understands. She'd also usually like to go on ahead and scope things out... But she doesn't exactly trust how her sisters would react if they saw her. It would be nice to get a lay of the land before, well, everything.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Triton muttered. As he walked away, eight pairs of eyes followed. With every step his body dropped off wisps of fog, starting at his feet, until not a trace of him was left.
"Dramatic little..." Bianca's voice drifted off before her last words were heard.
...
...
...
Returning home was... hard, to say the least. Annabeth refused at first. The thing is, regardless of the pain, home is home. Her father tried to right by her. And her response? Complain and moan, to herself, to Percy, Grover, Thalia. The closest people. So when the door opened, she was half expected a reprimand or tears of joy.
She got none of that. She got silence, from a middle aged man with intense brown eyes and sandy blonde hair. From a man mindlessly wiping grease off his hands with a dirty rag, and a mouth open wide enough it echoed. No one spoke, nor uttered a word. Even breathing came in short bursts of quiet ins and outs
So how is one supposed to quench the awkward stir in the air? One smart daughter started off by saying, "Hi dad."