A/N: As promised, a more action packed chapter! And early, if you can believe it.
Chapter 3: The Eagle and The Fountain
I beckon my Nine forwards, point out which passages are theirs and let them read. Each one mentions different people and places, scattered across the globe. As we start to assemble a list of locations, Flynn writes them down, making a face. "I don't think you guys can get to all these places. Not quickly at least." He looks towards Jenkins and the other Librarians, who smile back. "But I think we can give you guys a lift."
We look quizzically at them. Flynn smirks and crosses to another door in the Annex, one that hasn't been opened since we've arrived. Sitting next to is an old globe on a dark wood stand, and a pile of different colored wires and spinning gizmos. I'd seen Leo poking around it on occasion, but he always seemed a little confused as to its purpose. Flynn spins the globe and the door shudders and glows. He looks back at us with a wink before pulling open the frosted glass french doors.
Beyond the Annex is an alley, nothing too special save for the skyline rising in the distance. "New York?" Annabeth questions, stepping up to the doorway.
"We call it The Backdoor. Instant travel, anywhere in the world." The doors close, the glow subsides, and Flynn smiles goofily at us. "We could lend it to you."
"I think that would be to our advantage," Reyna says. "We shouldn't waste time on tracking down these keys. Most of our attention should be on whatever the Masters left us to fight You-Know-What."
After hearing each of the Nine agree, I turn to the Librarians. "We accept. And thank you."
"Well kiddos, where to first?" Jake stands at the globe, ready to set it to a destination.
"The prophecies were in a certain order, we may have to follow it." I flip the chalkboard again and reread the sections. "Jason, yours is first."
Without turning around, I know Jason has stepped up behind me to read the prophecy. It's no surprise when his voice comes from over my shoulder.
"To find the bolt, weapon of the king
You must first seek the eternal spring
In the new world the prince must fly
Else lightning's legacy is sure to die
Take the key from the water
For a soul given to barter"
"Well that could be a lot of things." Leo rolls his eyes. "I hate vague prophecies."
"Then you must hate all prophecies, because they're all vague." I snipe back at him. I step to the side and let Jason stand in front of the board alone. "This is your prophecy. What is it saying?" A few of the others snicker and I wave them into silence. "Block them out. Just think."
"New World, that's the Americas." Jason adjusts his glasses, turning suddenly to the Librarians. "What do you know about the Fountain of Youth?"
There's a scramble to locate the right books, but in a moment, the Librarians have gathered everything they have on the Fountain. Flynn lectures about the lore, Jake chimes in with the different explorers and expeditions that searched for it, a maelstrom of information. Jason absorbs it better than any of the other demigods, eventually stopping Jake mid sentence. "Say that again."
"Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer who wanted to find the Fountain to regain his youth. He shipwrecked off the coast of Florida in 1513." Jake repeats.
"He was a Descendant of Zues. The Fountain was his quest. If he found it, he would have been made a full demigod." Jason turns back to the group. "Lightning's legacy is sure to die. He's guarding the Fountain and the key, but he doesn't have long."
Jake and Flynn start consulting maps and discussing the best place to put the door, while Jason is faced with the most important question: who to take with him. We stand across from Jason, spread out a bit, like children waiting to be picked for teams during gym. Jason pushes his glasses up to his forehead to rub his eyes. "I don't know…"
"Trust your intuition. This prophecy is about you. We won't hold it against you." I say, completely ignoring the half-hearted noises from Leo and Piper.
Jason keeps his eyes closed, and blurts out: "Percy and Piper." Choice made, he looks up at us. "I just… I think I need them." He offers a half smile to Leo, a silent apology.
Annabeth steps up and gets the more logistical things in order: supplies, money, travel documents. Meanwhile, the questing trio settle in for a briefing on the myths behind the Fountain of Youth with Jake and Flynn sets the Back Door.
Briefing finished, Flynn gathers the trio near the door. "Okay, this," Flynn passes a small black phone to Jason. "This is a standard issue Library Adventure Phone. Service anywhere, water-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof, etcetera. It's been programmed with the Annex's number and the 'Library Hotline' which is basically just Jenkins. Any questions?"
Percy raises a tentative hand. "But is it demigod proof?"
Cassandra pips up form behind the long table, "Annabeth mentioned that already. I spent most of yesterday creating a chip that blocks outgoing magical signatures."
Jason takes the phone and tucks in into his pocket cautiously, like he's been handed a live grenade. He still manages a smile during our goodbyes. There are a few good natured ribs ("Don't get knocked out", "Try not to die", "No detours to Ogygia"), and hugs all around. Flynn opens the Back Door and the trio sprint through.
"Well now what are we going to do?"
Jason
The Back Door spits us out on a road in Florida. All three of us gag as the heat and humidity hits, and have to take a second to get our bearings after running though the Librarian's magic portal. I shake myself slightly and take in our surroundings. The plan was to contact an old legionnaire and borrow his boat. The marina should be just down the road, if the Door is to be trusted.
The walk to the marina is hot and we are dripping sweat by the time we reach it. Waiting for us at the guardhouse is a greasy looking man, Juan, in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. He speaks quickly with the guard and lets us in. At his slip sits a very sad fishing boat.
"Well at least it's not the Pax." Percy says looking the ship over.
"This is the Santa Maria. I've already stocked the cabin for ya'. Here are the keys." Juan moves to give them to me, but pulls his hand back last minute. "Take good care of my baby. Not a single scratch? Got that?"
I assure Juan that nothing will happen and the three of us board the ship. Piper ducks below to check our supplies, while Percy starts the engine and I unmoor us from the dock.
"Did that guy give you the creeps, or what?" Percy says when we're out of earshot.
"Kind of. But he can't be that bad. He was a legionnaire." I respond.
"So was Octavian."
Piper comes back on deck, looking a little green. "I wouldn't spend too much time down there. It smells like 200 year old fish." She makes a face.
"It can't be that bad." Percy says. He sticks his head inside the cabin for a moment and then reels back gagging. "Ok, yea. It's bad. I am sleeping on the deck." Piper and I quickly agree.
Percy takes full control of the ship once we're out of sight of the marina and other boats. The blue waters go by quickly and the smell of salt water cuts the smell of fish enough to make it bearable. He warns us that we are very near the Sea of Monsters. "We could get some increased monster activity."
"I think I'll take the first watch." I say.
"Are you watching for monsters or avoiding the toxic smell of the cabin?" Percy teases.
The next two days at sea pass without much incident. We call the Library a few times, to get headings and to check in. Each time there is a pit of dread in my stomach when handling a phone, but we don't seem to attract any monsters. Cassandra's chip will be in very high demand if the rest of the demigods ever find out.
The island is within our sight by nightfall of the second day and the next morning we are docked and ready to look for the fountain. We know from our briefing with Jake that the fountain is said to lay behind a rock face with a glyph of a Mayan snake eating its own tail. We pick a path and start walking. After searching most of the island, we find a small waterfall and decide to take a break. The water is cold and feels good in the heat of midday.
"Jason! Look at this!" Piper shouts from the other side of the fall.
Percy is next to her gaping at something on the rock. "We found the snake." He mutters.
I wade through the water and reach the other side. There is the glyph, plain as day.
"Does that mean this," Percy gestures to the waterfall. "Is the Fountain of Youth?"
I don't respond. My eyes are transfixed by the snake and something in my stomach jerks towards the wall. "We have to go beyond the wall." I mutter, trance like.
"How are we going to do that? It's solid stone," Percy slaps the rock for emphasis. "And we left Hazel at the Library."
I start to walk forward. Unflinching I walk right into the wall . . . and keep walking into the hidden tunnel beyond it. It's a s bright as day in here, the walls are glowing blue.
"Jason! Man, where'd you go?" Percy's voice is clear, even though there is at least a foot of stone between us.
"I'm here. You need to walk slowly through the stone." I call back. There is a moment of silence before the rock warps and Piper comes into view. Another moment and Percy appears, flinching and holding his breath.
"So I guess we follow this tunnel?" Piper says, glancing down the blue tunnel. Percy grunts and there is a thud. I turn to see what is going on, when something hard hits the back of my head. As blackness seeps into my vision I think: Not again.
Soundlessness. White Noise. Words from under water, then finally someone shouting is ringing loudly in my ears. "Come on dude. Wake Up!" A foot is jammed into my ribs.
"Ow." I sit up and try to rub the sore spot, but find my hands bound. Percy and Piper are also tied up. Our bags and weapons lay across the tunnel, against the opposite wall.
"I see you are all wake." A voice says.
"Who are you? What do you want with us?" I shout, struggling against the thick ropes.
"I am well and truly shocked that you haven't figured it out yet. You can possibly be the One." The voice rambles. "But I suppose I should humor you." The figure appears from further down the tunnel.
"Juan! What the hell? You're supposed to be on our side." Percy shouts.
"Silence!" Juan sneers at Percy and then turns to me. "So younger brother, tell me. Do you not recognize me? I would have thought it would have been obvious." His face comes closer to mine and his rotten teeth are revealed in a grotesque smile. A memory sparks.
"Juan Ponce de Leon." I say. "How are you still alive?"
The centuries old Spanish sailor clicks his tongue. "The fountain, of course. That was an easy one. As the Guardian of the key, I am allowed to drink of it."
"Guardian?" Percy looks confused. "Alana didn't mention anything about a guardian."
"The key is too powerful to be left unattended. So I am guarding it. From you." Juan's attention swerves back to me, lips pulled back to reveal the rotting teeth once more. "You are not the One of Sky, you can't be. Zues would not choose someone so weak to be his representative on The Council of Ten. Even he is not that stupid! So now you and your companions will die, and I will keep the key. It is obvious now that I am to be the One. With your sacrifice I will take my rightful place as the Leader of the Greco-Romans!" He stands there, basking in delusion.
"You're crazy." Piper says.
"SILENCE!" Juan screams. He pulls a spanish rapier and orders us to our feet. He holds the blade to Piper's neck. "You boys first. No funny business." He punctuates the command with a press of the rapier against her throat. Percy and I move down the tunnel silently.
Piper's voice echoes in the halls, lower and sweeter than normal. Her charmspeaking voice. "Juan, you have done your job. You have guarded the key. But we need it. It is time to let it go."
I sneak a glance back at Juan and Piper, hoping to see the dreamy look in Juan's eyes that always accompanies Piper's magic. Instead, his eyes narrow and he presses the rapier closer to her throat, a line of blood welling up. "You're a tricky one, aren't you?" Juan has our procession stop and makes Percy tie a gag around Piper's mouth. "Now, keep walking."
Percy meets my eyes as we walk, his gaze asks: Got any ideas? I answer back with the slightest shake of my head. No.
Several hundred feet later Juan orders us to stop. "The next few feet are booby trapped. So you boys will go first and clear the way for the lady and me."
Knowing how unhinged Juan is, Percy and I advance down the tunnel. We take tentative steps, careful and calculating. Percy brushes the wall and several blades pop out. We dodge them, barely. Another few steps and I hit a loose stone that sends a flurry of darts at us. Surprisingly, they are easy to dodge as well. We keep walking and hear a scuffling sound from behind us. I turn just in time to see Juan lifting a large stone and throwing it at the floor directly under my feet. I jump back and avoid the stone, but wince as I hear what our captor says next.
"I've just realized! I only need one sacrifice, so the rest of you are superfluous." The floor cracks and shatters. Piper screams through her gag. With a yell Percy and I fall down, down, down.
On instinct I command the air to cushion me, slow my fall. A screaming blur passes me and I curse. Using the winds, I fly down to catch my cousin. A bubble of water rises from the darkness below, swallows Percy and lowers him down. Breathing a sigh of relief, I follow the water bubble. I land on a stone outcropping over an underground river. "Percy!" I call out, hearing the echo.
"Here!" The son of the sea pulls himself up out of the water.
"How'd you cut your bonds?" I ask once he is on solid ground.
Percy raises Riptide. "Gotta love magic pen-swords." He smiles and cuts my ropes.
I look up to the hole we fell through. "Juan and Piper probably think we're dead. They won't be expecting us."
"Oh, yeah! Sneak attack, Greek style!" Percy smiles wickedly.
I fly both of us up and out of the hole. As expected Juan and Piper are gone, but we can hear the shuffling of feet and muffled sobs coming from down the blue tunnels. Percy and I move soundlessly and quickly. The blue stone lightens as we continue on, until it's almost white. The tunnel widens and ends in a huge cavern. The space is covered with moss and plant life that glows faintly. In the middle is a stone basin, about six feet across, surrounded by crystals of the deepest purple.
Juan is dragging Piper towards the basin. His voice echos and we can hear every word he says to her. "You are incredibly lucky my dear." says Juan's echo. "And don't you worry. It will be painless, like going to sleep. You can go to Elysium knowing that you helped bring the world to balance, by helping me get my ring."
He continues to babble, but I am seeing red. "He's going to kill her." I growl.
"Jason, calm down. We are going to save her, but we need a plan before we go down there." Percy puts a hand on my shoulder.
A few whispers later, I shout at the top of my lungs. "Put her down, Juan!" Piper's eyes brighten and she shouts my name from behind her gag.
"Ah, so you survived the fall." Juan shoves Piper to the ground and tosses me my weapon. "Now we must battle. Let the Gods witness that I, Juan Ponce de Leon, The One of Sky . . ."
I charge and cut him off. "Shut UP!" I attack with ferocity, but Juan is no novice. I see Percy emerge from his hiding place and untie Piper.
She pulls off her gag and starts yelling. "Juan is old. He is weak. He can't fight!"
The Spaniard's arm droops, his sword too heavy to hold now. I knock it from his hand and he falls to his knees. Piper and Percy come to my side, Riptide finding a place near Juan's neck.
"Where is the key? No funny business." Percy says.
"The same place as the Waters Of Youth. In the Fountain." Juan says, eyes crossed to focus on the bronze blade.
Piper approaches the stone basin cautiously. "It's empty."
"Of course it is." Juan replies to Piper's finding.
"Explain." My voice is deadly clam.
"The Fountain doesn't have the power to give life, only to take. A life must be given for the Water and the key to appear. And it will be yours!" Juan roars and jumps at me. He forces me back, intending to push me inside the stone bowl. I free myself from his grasp and Juan falls forward. He lands in the Fountain, hitting his head on the bottom. Juan sits up and starts to scream. "NO, It was supposed to be him. Take his years!" A faint glow comes from the stone and Juan scrambles to escape it. Everytime he tries something pushes him back. The glow intensifies, becoming brighter and brighter. Juan is lost in the light and we have to look away.
The glow faded and Juan has disappeared. The sound of running water fills the mystic cavern. Blades drawn Percy and I approach the stone bowl. Clear water covers the bottom, only a few ounces at most. But beneath that lays a shimmering bit of silver.
Alana
"Do you normally pace this much when other demigods are on quests?" Ezekial questions, popping chips into his mouth.
"When those demigods said they'd check in every day, and then don't check in for nearly three days, yes, I tend to pace." I make another loop of the main Annex, staring at the old rotary style phone on Jenkins's desk every time it comes into view. Annabeth, Reyna, Frank, and I had been taking turns pacing since the questing trio failed to check in three days ago. Leo and Hazel try to break our obsessive mood with jokes and comfort food, which work about one time in a hundred.
Eve seemed to understand our worry and knew exactly how to help: rigorous training. That woman could have been a Roman centurion for all the hell she put us through during those interim days. It certainly got my mind off the worrying, at least for a little while. Flynn also tried to help, teaching me 'the language of the birds' which is what the scroll and my journal are both written in. Hearing Flynn speak the language out loud, I quickly realized it was the same language I'd slipped into on occasion, which made learning it all the more enticing. It didn't answer all of the questions I had, but it was enough to keep me from killing myself with worry.
Even with the Librarians providing distractions, I still found myself pacing around the Annex on the sixth morning after Jason, Percy, and Piper left. "This is getting ridiculous!" I pull my hands through my hair violently. "At what point do we say 'screw it' and go after them?"
Reyna and Annabeth were preparing the most logical arguements to keep me from doing something stupid when the phone, finally-FINALLY- rang. I slide my way over the center table in an effort to reach the phone first, only to be thwarted by Jenkins.
"Ah, Mr. Grace." All the tension rushes out of my shoulders. "I'll open the Door, right away."
When the Door opens, a warm breeze rushes through, along with our three sweat-soaked, fish-smelling friends. It is quickly decided that our welcoming hugs and the story of the quest would have to wait until after they'd showered.
About an hour later, a freshly-showered Jason sets a cloth wrapped package on the table and slowly unveils the object. We all lean in expectant and apprehensive. When the last bit of cloth is removed, Jason picks up the item.
"It's a . . . ring." I say. The silver toned signet ring gleams in the light of the room. Jason tilts it so we can see the engraving. A bolt of lightning and a storm cloud have been carved as a relief into the ring's top.
Leo chortles. "Anybody else having 'Lord of the Rings' flashbacks?" There are a few scattered laughs, but most of us are too curious to enjoy the joke.
"May I?" Flynn holds out his hand expectantly. As Jason places the ring in his hand, a spark of white electricity arcs out from the ring and into Flynn who is thrown back several feet. The Librarians rush around their leader, checking his hand, asking him if he's alright.
"What was that?" Jason asks, wearily putting the ring down on the table.
Ezekial approaches the ring, reaching a finger out and receives a similar, though less severe shock. "It's a magical security system. Kinda like a bioscanner. It's coded to Jason, so whoever else touches it gets zapped."
Assured, Jason picks up the ring again and slips it on the middle finger of his right hand. He inhales sharply and the ring starts to glow electric blue. His eyes also take on the same glow, but both fade after a moment. "Woah. That was…"
Piper and I both rush forwards and Jason begins to teeter. With our support, he steadies himself, looking down at the ring. "Are you alright? Jason?" I question, but get no response for several moments.
"It felt like getting struck by lightning." He finally says. "I can still feel it. The energy." Jason looks me dead in the eye. "I need to try something."
With all my medical training screaming NO, some other sixth sense tells me to let him. So I walk with him, providing steady hands, all the way to the training field. Everyone follows, curious. Jason pushes me away when we reach the field, walking to the center by himself. I keep everyone back at a safe distance, the same sense already predicting what was going to happen.
Alone in the middle of the field, Jason rolls his head towards the sky, letting out a long breath. Above him, dark storm clouds gather and thunder rolls, but there is no strain in his face, not like all the other times he's summoned Zues's power. Jason seems relaxed, in control, at peace, even as the storm picks up around him. With a single hand in the air Jason calls down, one, two, three, bolts of lightning in quick succession.
"He couldn't do that before," Piper says in a soft voice, almost in disbelief.
"I think that's the point." I say.
Jason drops his hand, the storm dissipates, but instead of collapsing into exhaustion as he had in previous battles, he remains standing. He walks back over the group, as casual as could be, smiling. "This thing is awesome."