Chapter 19

Thalia's POV

We stormed into the cave. Literally, the dragons were storming the place. All of us, burning in rage. In Leo's case, he was really on fire. I couldn't believe that bi*ch was low enough to capture Annabeth and Merope behind our backs. The cave was surprisingly wet. Water droplets occasionally broke the silence, and as we got deeper nothing could be seen except for the small amount of light Leo was shedding off.

I heard a sudden thunk.

" Owww…." Percy groaned. I could sense him clutching his face.

" What happened?" Will said, tensing.

" I think I found the end of the cave." His voice sounded weird, as if she was holding his nose.

The dragons growled, a low, soft, growl that indicated they were afraid.

" Guys," I said.

" Yeah."

Leo shone a little brighter. The cave has been closed off. I heard Will gulp.

Suddenly, lights filled the room. Multiple torches were being magically lit due unanimously. The earth itself opened it's mouth and Gaea emerged. My blood stilled at the sight of her. Her face was passive, and her eyes were closed. As if she was sleeping. She wore a dress made from pure white swan feathers, that was buckled with an leaf green belt just below her breast. Ives spired from the back of her hand all the way to her humerous on both arms.

None of the demigods made a sound, move or breath for than matter while Gaea slowly emerged from the ground. The ground brought her like an elevator would, but with the worst music. The sound of abnormal growling. The process was deadly and aggravating, but we were too afraid to even move. Once a 'thud' indicated that Gaea was done escalating. I took in one shaky breath.

Gaea opened her eyes. The blood red color shocked everyone. Gaea's eyes were once stunningly green, now they were a terrifying blood red.

" Gaea," Percy finally spoke, maybe not for her, but as a reminder to himself that Gaea was actually here.

Gaea's peaceful features were gone. Her face upturned maliciously."Why hello my dear Percy Jackson."

Her voice sent tremors down my soul. Nico flinched as well.

" W-where i-s A-Anna-beth-" I stuttered, then cursed myself for showing weakness.

Gaea smiled," on a time limit. Let's just say she'll die soon."

Percy stood shocked for a moment…processing the words Gaea just spoke. Gaea must've predicted this because she used the earth to bound where Percy stood, enveloping his feet as he tried to charge at Gaea.

" Kelp head! Calm down!" I yelled.

But Percy wasn't listening.

" WHERE IS SHE?!" Percy roared.

Gaea sighed, although her sigh rumbled the earth.

" That is completely beyond the point right now. You're here for the gifts…are you not?" Gaea smirked." if you don't, I'm pretty sure it was along the lines of dooming gods and people."

Percy seethed, but calmed down.

" How about a deal Percy Jackson, Thalia Grace, and Nico di Angelo? If you can complete my trials within 24 hours, I'll set Annabeth and Merope free. If you don't, your friends die."

" Why should we agree if you said Annabeth and Merope are already dying?" Nico asked, his voice testy.

" Because I'll prevent them from dying within the next 24 hours. Or else they're not going to last the next hour. What say you Three?"

The sky, sea, and underworld looked at each other. Conversing through our eyes.

' If there's a chance Annabeth and Merope can survive, we have to take it.' Percy seemed to be saying.

' But what if it's a trap? What is Gaea already killed them and we're only endangering our friends?' Nico argued by staring daggers at Percy.

' Ultimately, it's Percy's choice. He's the leader.' I was so glad I wasn't chosen as leader.

Pressured, Percy nodded. He turned the Gaea." We accept."

" Good," Gaea said nonchalantly, as if she knew Percy would give in.

Suddenly, three passageways opened from the back of the cave. One had a skull, one had a trident and one had a thunder bolt. We got the message immediately.

I walked through the tunnel, which had progressively become a medieval corridor. I felt a breeze from the place where I was walking to, which meant it led to the outside. Soon enough, I saw a blinding light. Frantic to finally get out of the darkness, I sprinted towards the light.

Big mistake.

When the light blinded me, I was no longer in a corridor, instead, I was in the sky…Standing on nothing. I screamed. Horrible thoughts rushed towards my mind. I couldn't see the ground. Would I fall? Would I feel that awful sensation in my stomach as I drop for Zeus knows how long?

" Thalia!" I recognized that voice.

" Jason!" I yelled in recognition.

My brother was flying towards me. A big grin was on his face.

" What are you doing here?" I asked, bewildered.

" What do you think? To kill you duh," Jason said as if he pointed out the obvious.

I stilled for a moment, not believing my brother." You what?"

" To kill you." He was smiling, but I knew he was dead serious.

This is not my brother, I thought, It's most likely a trick. Jason pulled out a golden gladius, my heart quickened. I instinctively pulled out my two hunting knives. Jason flew at me. I ducked and just barley dodged what could've been a deadly thrust to the chest. I accidentally looked down. The endless sky churned at my stomach. I couldn't focus when I was up here. I couldn't fight knowing I might fall any moment. My dinner came back throughout the way it came in.

" Come on sister," Jason said, that lifeless grin was still on his face," That was just plain pathetic."

I ignored with what sanity I had left and lunged, surging a lightning blast in Jason's direction. He dodged it easily. I cursed. The odds were stacked against me.

" Come on, are you not my older sister?"

I had enough of his taunts. I bit back my fears and ran towards him. I was no expert in long range attacking like Jason was, so I had to get closer.

Wrong move.

Jason sneered and dove strait at me. In last minuet thinking, I pulled out Aeigis, my deadly faced shield. Jason didn't flinch one bit. I planted my feet, wiring to feel the sudden force, but instead, I heard glass shattering.

" Wha-" I looked at the ground, it glimmered like a million glass shards. Scratch that. They were glass shards. I screamed. I plummeted to the earth they might not have been there, I didn't know how long I was falling for, but I couldn't stand it. I could hear Jason laughing as I blacked out.

When I opened my eyes, I was in a beautiful garden. On the ground. I sighed in relief, at least now I can battle Jason fairly. Hold on. I glanced around. I couldn't see Jason anywhere. Instead I saw the face of the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her eyelashes were vibrant. Her lips puffed out with perfect medium. She had short hair, surprisingly, in a bobbed cut. Her eyes were emerald green, I had once expected more pink from the goddess of love, but her appearance was almost how she had once wanted to envision herself. Tall, beautiful, but not too obsessive.

" Oh, actually I'm quite obsessive," Aphrodite chuckled.

My mouth hung open." What are you doing in my trial?"

Aphrodite frowned." When I heard there was a new prophecy, and you, my dear Thalia, would be a part of it, I thought it would be a great time for you to break your shackles of that barbarian Artemis and finally fall in love with a boy!"

I didn't want to roll my eyes, but I almost couldn't help it." Is that all?"

" Well, I also don't want Percy to loose his Annabeth, after all, they make such a great couple."

" Then why are you in my dream? Why not Percy's?" I said, my admiration for her beauty went up as cake." I kinda need to focus."

" Listen to me Thalia," Aphrodite said, now serious." If you can't pass this test, then Annabeth can't be saved."

I shuddered," I know. Thanks for pointing out the obvious."

Aphrodite nodded as if she thought I was serious,"I know, so as I watched your battle, I couldn't help but notice the distance in both mental and physical strength you and Jason have."

" Here to be my cheerleader?"

Aphrodite smiled, a dazzling smile." I'm here to help you unlock your true power."

I raised an eyebrow, slightly interested."Go on."

" YOUR BEAUTY!" Aphrodite squealed.

My body shagged.

" I realized something. With your vivid eyes and fair skin, I could turn you into a target for all boys!"

" Is that really why you're here?" I said, strained. This was getting annoying.

Aphrodite nodded.

" How is that going to help me defeat Jason?"

Aphrodite's face suddenly turned solemn," Thalia, the only reason you can't beat him is because of your fears. You're afraid of something you were born to do."

" And that is-?"

I thought she was going to say something silly like 'love.' But I got a different response.

" You were born to fly."

I stared at her, bewildered." What?"

" You heard me my dear, you were born to fly and embrace the clouds. Not hide from them."

I think my heart melted as Aphrodite, a goddess, just told me I could fly. I felt a slight breeze behind me. Before I could turn around, I felt Aphrodite grab me by the arm.

" Remember Thalia, don't be afraid of the sky. It's your domain. Please look cute as you fight!" I felt my right eye twitch in annoyance at the last part, but either way, I now felt so much better. But there still seemed to be something making my head heavier. I turned around and entered back into the sky.

I jolted my eyes open, I was still falling. Jason was catching up to me, smiling like a maniac. I didn't know how to fly. Aphrodite left that one little part out, so I just did what seemed right at the moment.

" LIFT ME!" I shouted. I immediately stopped falling and instead started floating uncontrollably in one place.

Jason zoomed past me, shocked, because his smile faded.

Up, I thought and I slowly floated up more, faster!

Jason raced towards me.

The sky is your domain…

I pondered on Aphrodite's words. An idea struck me. I pressured all the air around me and spun them together. I never used this skill, but now was better than never. My arms and mind strained. The air gathered, it was wobbly at first but I got the hang of it.

Now twist!

The air slowly rotated, but the slow breeze quickly escalated into a large cyclone. Jason, who was about to grab me, was sucked into the tornado. Despite his efforts, the cyclone pulled him in, inch by inch. Jason screamed when the tornado slowly tore him to shreds. I ordered the air to stop.

The grey weather turned back to normal. I heaved in a huge breath of relief. I ran my hand through my hair, noticing something different about it. It usually took me one second to run my hand through my hair, but it just kept going and going until it reached my back. I pulled on my hair. Scrambled it. Tested it until I realized what had happened.

Aphrodite, that bi*ch.

I heard Gaea rumble. A doorway appeared in the middle of the sky. Without hesitation, I opened the door. My newfound long black hair followed me.

Chapter 19 end.