Okay, I hope I've upped the action in this story for you. We've reached the climax or rising action. It might be slightly slow, but I hope I've made it more intense for you guys.
SyphonyNod333
Go with your gut. If you like the name Soren than stick with it. As long as you address that Soren is a girl, and establish it right away, I see no problem with using the name. Remember it's your story, you are the author, you decide every aspect of your characters. I actually do like the name for a girl any way and from your description I can see it as a possibility. Also, people give their kids names for the opposite gender all of the time and they also use unisex names too.
Shelby can be a boy's name. Alex- boy's or girl's. Tony and Danny are used as a boy's or Girl's.
Okay I forgot the disclaimer on the last chapter and as you know I don't own Percy Jackson all rights go to Rick Riordan.
Leo didn't know how to feel when Annabeth gave the suggestion that they all split up. They had left Argo II anchored down three miles off shore and rowed all the way to the beach. His arms still ached from the constant movement. The others were just as exhausted despite everyone taking turns. All of them rubbed their sore limbs.
"Are you sure splitting up is the best idea?" Jason asked. His eyes looked slightly concerned as he watched the exhausted group.
The daughter of Athena was hardly listening as she scanned the horizon, "Yes, we can cover more ground in groups of three."
Being back on the island was kind of weird for Leo. He didn't really know how to feel about seeing Calypso again. The throbbing pain in his chest nagged at him, reminding him how painful it was to see the sea nymph kiss another boy. Leo kicked up some sand and tried to think of reasons why splitting up was not good. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to argue with a child of wisdom.
"So how are we going to do the groups?" Hazel asked as she began running her and through her curls.
"I was thinking Piper, Frank, and Leo in one group." Annabeth pointed at each demigod in turn. "And me with Jason and Hazel."
Leo looked at Piper and suddenly thought back to his dream. Her arms wrapping around him possessively as if she really did love him. He knew it was just a dream, but he had to look away from her because seeing her made him blush. It was kind of awkward to think that he dreamt that. Granted it was Gaea trying to get into his head, but he still felt self conscious.
"Okay, let's get this show on the road." Leo called and clapped his hand. "You guys take that way and we'll take this way."
Thankfully the other demigods didn't seem to question his sudden eagerness to trudge on. He could hear Frank and Piper following behind him. Their feet crunched softly in the sand.
"So do you think Percy will be okay when we find him." Frank asked nervously. "I mean, we know about the spell, but what else do you think they've done to him."
"I don't know." Piper admitted. "I hope not too much. The guy needs a brake."
"What about Calypso?" Leo asked suddenly. "She's a victim too you know."
"Leo..." Piper started. He cut her off, not wanting to hear her bash the latest girl who stole his heart.
"I know she's allowing Gaea to hurt Percy and drag herself down too, but she's been alone on the island for years, and she is just confused, and-"
Frank grabbed Leo's shoulders and dragged him into a bush. Piper also crouched down into the bush with the two boys. The smaller boy wrenched himself out of the other's grasp. Leo glared at Frank until he saw a clawed foot stop right in front of the bush. Leo's heart stopped.
"Guards." Piper hissed silently in his ear. The son of Hephaestus shuddered.
"What issss it Sssstan?" A voice rasped. Leo fought a giggle at the idea of a monster having such a plain name as Stan.
'Stan' turned around and faced the other monster. "I thought I saw...I could swear I smelled demigod."
"It's the son of Poseidon you dolt." The second person growled. "We've been following him around enough for the last few days. Your nose is probably clogged with his sent."
"I really believed that there was."
There was the sound of someone being hit and a grunt of pain. "It'sssss all in your head sssstupid, let'sssss get back to watching the area. The wedding is going to start sssssoon. Gaea dossssen't wan't any interuptionssss."
As soon as the two monsters were gone the three teens tumbled out of the bush and into the sand. Piper was running her hand through her hair nervously.
"We don't have much time." She whispered. "We have to hurry."
Frank helped her to her feet. "Yeah."
"We've got a wedding to crash." Leo agreed. "Let's get going before more monsters show up."
They rushed in the direction of the monsters were going. Leo and the others figured that the monster was leading them strait to Percy. It was going to be a relief when they finally sprung their friend from his prison. The only problem Leo could foresee was the simple fact that there could be more monsters waiting just ahead. Leo was startled by a particularly loud wave that had hit the shore.
"GAH!" Frank cried out.
Piper and Leo turned to see the poor demigod ensnared in a fishing net. The man with the net could have won the ugliest guy in the world contest. His eyes were blue but uneven as if they were looking at him through a fractured mirror. He held his hands up above his head along with the rope connected to the net. Leo could see he was standing with bowed legs like a crab's.
Oddly enough he was dressed in a suit and tie. On his back he had a bag which seemed to be stuffed with fishing equipment. He had a headset on his greasy head of hair. Leo shuddered at how repulsive the man was. He did seem like a human crab.
"Well, well, well looks like I will have my exhibit after all." Crab man smiled. It was an ugly horrible smile as if his lips were being forcibly peeled back. "It would have been more glamorous having the only demigod child of Poseidon, but you will do just as well Frank."
"Phorcys!" the shape shifter snarled as he tugged at the net.
"Dude change into a turtle." Leo ordered just before he sent a fire ball at the rope. It lit up instantly and turned into ash around the turtle (Frank).
Phorcys glared at the son of Hephaestus with both interest and disgust. "A fire starter, that's rare. Maybe I can create a special exhibit for you too."
Frank managed to change back into a human and scrambled away from the mad man. Suddenly Leo remembered what Percy and Frank had said about their visit to the aquarium. He didn't hesitate to dig through his tool belt for something to fight with. Piper made a disgusted sound at the back of her throat.
"He's a person." She snarled. "You can't just lock him up for the amusement of your 'public'."
"I can do as I wish." He told her and reached for another net that he had. Phorcys swung it expertly. "I would be more satisfied with someone as rare as Percy Jackson, but you all have your qualities that will be just as sufficient."
With more speed than Leo thought possible the god threw a net at Piper. She rolled away in time to avoid being trapped. Phorcys tried to swing the net around and get her, but Frank jumped up and snatched it in his hands. Phorcys growled and tried to free it. Frank looked equally as fierce as he held the net with all of his strength.
The fire that seemed to be in Frank's eyes assured Leo that he was definitely the son of war.
"Release it." the sea god demanded. Frank gave it a tug and pulled Phorcys forward. "Now!"
Frank smile, "As you wish."
Phorcys hadn't been prepared for the demigod to release the net so abruptly. He stumbled backwards and onto the ground. The net continued to fly through the air and landed on it's unfortunate owner. Leo and Frank jumped into action to make sure he couldn't escape. Phorcys tried to stand but Frank put his foot onto the god's chest.
"Ah, ah." Frank hissed. "Tell us, why are you here? How many are guarding the wedding? Where is our friend!?"
"Do you think I'd tell you anything?" Phorcys hissed.
Leo finally managed to find something useful in his belt. It was a large black smith's hammer. A smile came to his face, it was the perfect weapon. With a purposeful stride he came to Franks left.
"Well it's either that or..." Leo paused and flipped the hammer in his hand. "I see how much like a crab you really are. Maybe your legs will regenerate themselves."
Piper came to his side. He thought that she would have been disgusted by his suggestion, but she seemed to be hoping he'd let her break the guys legs herself. Note to self he thought NEVER really tick her off. Phorcys face paled, but he almost seemed to be refraining from allowing himself to be detoured from his silence.
"He's not going to talk Leo." Frank growled. "Start with the right leg."
Leo came to his knees and raised the hammer above his head. He glared at Phorcys, "Last chance to save this leg dude."
It wasn't until Leo was in mid swing that Phorcys squealed, "Wait, wait! I'll tell you, just don't please!"
The hammer's decent was stopped. Leo refrained from smiling victoriously as he leaned backwards. "Tell us then."
"Gaea, she didn't think you'd show up. She's got some security, but she figured you all wouldn't be able to find the island. There are only guards paroling the circumference of the reception, but they aren't at all bright." Phorcys told them. "She wanted me her incase the son of Poseidon got unmanageable again."
"I guess you're going to miss the wedding." Leo scowled and hit the god on the head with the handle of the hammer. Phorcys was knocked out cold. "So what are we going to do with him?"
"We could burry him." Piper offered darkly. "No one would find him and he wouldn't be able to warn anyone."
Leo blinked, "Good, anything else."
"Let's just shove him into a plant and go find Percy." Frank muttered and hefted the Phorcys up.
Once they had found a suitable bush and shoved Phorcys away the teens left the beach in favor of the woods continued to look for their missing friend. Leo kept a weary eye out for the 'guards' that the god had told them about. Frank had pulled his sword from his belt and Piper also had hers in hand. The son of Hephaestus held his hammer. If they were to run into any guards they'd be ready.
"I think I see something up ahead." Frank told them.
In deed there was a clearing of grass. Leo caught brief glimpses of white chairs and a white alter. With all of the eloquent features around the area, it could have been something Aphrodite had set up. Between the chairs was an isle of white fabric that led up to the alter which was elevated on some steps. It was kind of a bummer the whole wedding was a sham designed by Gaea.
Piper sighed sadly, "How can something so pretty be so evil."
Leo continued to soak up the whole scenery until he noticed a single person just standing in the center of the isle. He wore a tux and shiny new shoes. He had messy black hair that the wind seemed to play with delicately. Despite the guy's back being towards them Leo didn't need to see the boy's face to know that it was the son of Poseidon.
"Percy." Frank whispered as he lowered his weapon. Piper quickly sheathed hers and ran into the clearing,
"Oh my gosh you're okay!" She called while she neared him.
Leo and Frank gave each other weary glances before they ran after her, "Piper wait!"
Percy turned in time for Piper to capture him in a hug. From his distance, Leo could tell there was something wrong with the other demigod. Weren't Percy's eyes supposed to be green? The daughter of Aphrodite didn't seem to care as she showered Percy with continuous kisses on the cheek. Leo vaguely remembered when Piper had jumped off Argo II to do exactly the same thing to him.
The dark haired teen scowled in confusion, "Who are you?"
"It's me Piper," Leo could almost hear the disappointment in her voice. "That's Leo and Frank. We're here with the others to save you. Please Percy I know it must be hard, but try to remember."
The unusual red/pink tint in the son of Poseidon's eyes seemed to flicker like a light bulb that was burning out. Percy looked at each of them in turn. Leo hoped that it was because he was remembering them and not planning on who to stab first. A familiar green color slowly spread in his eyes.
Frank stepped forward, "Please man, we're your friends. Remember when you destroyed that glacier in Alaska? Or when you helped the fifth cohort win the war games. And who could forget hiding under a blue giant's butt."
"Yeah, and remember when you nearly killed me after I attacked Camp Jupiter." Leo decided to add helpfully. Piper rolled her eyes at him before looking at Percy again.
"So is it ringing any bells?" She inquired hopefully. When he said nothing Piper looked away.
Percy squinted at her, "I...I think...I."
All of their hopes literally soared, he wasn't completely gone. Leo and Frank came closer to the two. Percy backed away slightly as his eyes seemed to dart rapidly at all of them. The son of Hephaestus wondered if it was Piper's kiss on the cheek that was helping him.
"Please, Percy." Piper pleaded. "We can only help you so much, but you have to have your own strength as well."
"Piper, I..."
The poor teen's sentence was cut off when he was surrounded in a fiery red aurora. Percy fell to the ground gasping for breath. Tears of pain came rolling down his face, caressing his cheeks. Soundless screams seemed to want to escape his mouth. Leo felt himself go into a full flown panic. Both Frank and Piper through themselves on their knees trying to console the son of Poseidon.
"What's going on?" Frank asked frantically.
Leo shook his head, "I...I don't know."
They all stood helplessly as their friend was being tortured in front of them.
Poor Percy. Hey, I wonder what the others are doing. Oh and Jakomi thank you for choosing a group. Sorry I dint use your suggestion, but I created the groups in mind for specific reasons. But I do appreciate it and the other books you've suggested for me to read. Thank you:)