Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Divided Soul
Chapter 23: Diros Cave
On board the Argo II
Twenty-four hours had passed since the fight with the Leviathon. The Argo II hadn't been attacked by anymore monsters. Leo was at the wheel of the ship, while Gwen and Alex practiced their swordsmanship.
Scipio sat at the bow of the ship near the head of the metal dragon. He turned and watched the son of Hephaestus. He knew Leo was a lot smarter than he seemed. This boat was a prime reminder of that. Scipio had to laugh at Leo's antics though. The kid sure knew how to get into trouble. He knew that Leo was a fire user and he was well aware of how rare that was. The major fault that Scipio could find with Leo was his lack of discipline. He smiled at the idea of how powerful a demigod Leo could be if Scipio could only have him as a student for say, six months, but unfortunately they didn't have that long. Scipio sighed.
"What're you doing?" Piper said from behind Scipio. Piper noticed that he didn't even jump when she spoke. She had been very quiet, but it was clear that she failed to sneak up on the son of Neptune.
"Just thinking and no, you didn't startle me," Scipio said with a smile.
Piper huffed before she sat down beside him. She looked at Scipio carefully; she could understand why Annabeth felt so drawn to him. He was very handsome and his eyes showed how smart he was. She didn't know Percy, but she felt that Annabeth had told her enough to picture how he looked or acted. For Piper, Scipio seemed much more grown up than the stories Annabeth had told her about the son of Poseidon.
"What are you doing out here?" Piper asked.
Scipio smiled. "Well, I'm keeping an eye out for monsters and I'm kind of the navigator," Scipio said.
"Kind of?" Piper questioned.
Scipio laughed. "Leo said he was kinda the captain and that I was kinda the navigator."
Piper smiled as she looked back toward the son of Hephaestus. "I'm sorry about the way he acts. He's actually a really good guy. He just acts so childish sometimes."
Scipio nodded. "No problem. I like the kid. He just needs more discipline."
Scipio watched the daughter of Aphrodite. He knew she was beautiful, but she was very different from her siblings. She didn't really try to be beautiful and she didn't act stuck up. He understood why Jason liked her. "So, why aren't you with our fearless leader?" Scipio wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Piper just stared at him for a moment. Here was the Consul of Rome acting like just another teenager. Jason was right. He's a lot different since he's not in charge. "What happened with you and Annabeth?"
Scipio coughed. Piper smiled that she finally rattled Scipio's calm reserve. "Nothing happened." Piper rolled her eyes at his obvious lie. Scipio sighed. "Well, right before the Leviathon attacked. We kinda... almost... kissed" Scipio had a sheepish look on his face, Piper's surprised face made the Consul of Rome smile.
"Almost?" Piper gave Scipio a curious expression.
"She was knocked off her feet and I caught her. Our faces were less than a foot apart and we kinda got lost in each other's eyes." Scipio's face was red now.
Piper's smile widened. "What's wrong with that?"
Scipio looked down at the deck of the ship. "She has a boyfriend."
Piper's smile disappeared. It was replaced with a shocked expression. "She told you?"
"Yeah, she said I had a Greek half brother, a son of Poseidon. His name is Percy, right?"
Piper nodded. She didn't know how to respond to the idea that Annabeth told him about Percy.
"So, you feel guilty?"
Scipio nodded. "A little, I'm not one to steal someone's girlfriend." Scipio looked out over the water. "I guess she feels guilty too. I don't blame her."
Piper smiled. "You like her?"
A small smile replaced Scipio's frown. "That obvious, huh?"
Piper chuckled softly. "Somewhat, but its pretty easy for the daughter of the love goddess to figure out."
A wry smile spread across Scipio's face. Piper looked at him warily. "So, what about you and Jason?"
Piper's smile disappeared. She tried not to show emotion, but Scipio could tell that his question got to her.
"Yes, I like Jason a lot."
Scipio smiled. "I'm sure this isn't a secret, but he like you too."
Piper's smile returned, but this time it was bigger and brighter than ever. Scipio marveled at how beautiful she was when she smiled. However, anytime Scipio thought of beautiful girls his mind always returned to the grey eyed daughter of Athena. "Thinking of Annabeth?"
Scipio's face turned red. Piper laughed. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you feel bad. You might want to talk to her about it. Annabeth is my friend. Percy might not return and I want her to be happy."
Scipio nodded. "I guess talking couldn't hurt. I don't want her to feel guilty about liking me. I don't want to feel like a thief, either."
Piper smiled. "You're not a thief. She needs someone. I worry that she's too distracted to be of much help on this quest."
Scipio stood and offered his hand to Piper. She took it gratefully as he carefully pulled her up to her feet. "Go tell Jason what you feel. Its always good for the leader to not be distracted." Piper smiled. "I think he needs you. He's under a lot of pressure, but with your help I know he can handle it."
Piper nodded. She was happy that Scipio had such faith in the son of Jupiter. "I will. It was good talking with you."
Scipio gave her his crooked grin. "I feel the same. Good luck Piper."
"Same to you," Piper said before walking back toward Leo.
Scipio turned back toward the sea. A sudden feeling washed over him. He looked at the horizon and his senses tingled with realization. They were near the Peloponnese. They were close to the doors of death. Scipio could see the heavily indented coast with the three prominent peninsulas that made the coast unique from other parts of Greece. Beaches and then green fields made their way inland until reaching the rocky mountains.
Scipio moved quickly passed Alex and Gwen. The two Romans watched as he ran to Leo. The son of Hephastus eyed Scipio curiously.
"We're here," Scipio said. Leo's eyes widened.
"Where?" Leo asked.
"The second peninsula; its called the Mani peninsula. The Diros cave is there," Scipio said. Gwen and Alex stood beside him as Leo peered through his binoculars. He steered the ship toward the Mani peninsular. Scipio pulled out several rolled up maps. "Sail here and we should anchor off the coast at this point." Scipio pointed at the map and Leo nodded.
Scipio turned toward Alex and Gwen. "Go tell the others where we are. We need Jason up here now," Scipio said. Gwen and Alex slid down the ladder to below decks as they raced to gather the others.
"We need to put up sails. I can move us in with the engines," Leo said. Scipio nodded.
Scipio raised his hands towards the sails. The ropes and pulleys moved effortlessly at the son of Neptune's commands. Leo couldn't help but marvel at Scipio's powers. The sails rolled up and collected themselves in their celestial bronze housing. The ropes, pulleys and masts all retracted into the hull. Scipio sighed.
"Good work," Jason said as he arrived on the scene.
"We're going to anchor here," Scipio said as he pointed toward the map.
"Good idea. Where is Diros cave?" Jason asked. Scipio pointed at the place on the map.
Jason smiled. "Its only two miles inland. You two finish anchoring the ship and setup the zodiac. We'll use that to go inland. I'll get the others ready," Jason said.
"Yes sir," Leo said as he saluted. Scipio smiled as Jason rolled his eyes before sliding down the ladder to the decks below.
A few minutes later Leo had positioned the ship expertly at the right depth to anchor. Scipio had used his powers to anchor the ship off the coast. Scipio worked to inflate the zodiac while Leo fitted a small outboard motor on the back of the boat. Eventually they had completed their task and the ten passenger zodiac floated in the blue-green waters off the coast of Greece. Jason and the others appeared with their armor on and weapons at the ready. Jason gave Leo and Scipio a pack to carry. Leo had his tool belt on, so he was ready. While Scipio's weapons and amor were concealed by magic.
Gwen and Alex were the first down the rope ladder to the zodiac below. Piper and Annabeth followed closely behind them. Annabeth avoided any eye contact with Scipio. The son of Neptune sighed.
Jason and Leo stepped up beside him. "Is Annabeth mad at you?" Jason asked.
Scipio smiled. "I don't know," Scipio said. "We better get going." Jason nodded.
Leo walked toward the controls for the automatons. He touched the red button and deck opened as the ten robots appeared on the deck. Leo stepped forward. The blue eyes of the robots stared at him. "Sequence Vulcan's forge," Leo said. The eyes of the robots turned red. "Guard the ship, command sequence alpha." The robots nodded and took their positions at the different weapons systems of the ship.
Jason and Scipio just stared at the robots in awe. Leo stepped up to his friends. "They're awesome, right?" Leo said.
Scipio's smile widened and Jason put his hand on Leo's shoulder. "You did good repair boy," Jason said.
Leo grinned at his friend before lowering himself down the ladder.
Jason turned to Scipio. "Thanks for believing in me," Jason said.
Scipio nodded. "My pleasure, son of Jupiter," Scipio said before he slid down the rope ladder and landed in the zodiac flawlessly. Jason marveled at the skill of his friend and mentor. He looked over the Argo II and he hoped he and the others would see it again. Jason climbed over the side and down the ladder. He reached the zodiac and jumped on board. He sat next to Piper. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Jason's blue eyes lit up at the gesture.
Leo turned to Scipio, and then pointed toward Jason and Piper. Scipio nodded as he grinned at the couple. He looked back toward Leo.
"Its about time," Leo whispered. Scipio nodded. Leo started the engine and the zodiac motored toward the beach. After several minutes the zodiac came ashore. Scipio grabbed the rope on the front and jumped into the surf. He pulled the zodiac onto the shore. The others disembarked and looked to Jason for orders.
Jason pulled out the map and looked at the area Scipio had marked. They were about two miles away from the cave now. Jason pointed north and the others fell in behind him as he led the group forward.
After an hour of walking Scipio stepped up beside the son of Jupiter. Jason looked at his friend. Scipio's face looked troubled.
"What's wrong?" Jason asked.
"I have a strange feeling," Scipio answered.
A look of alarm flashed across Jason's face. "Monsters?"
Scipio shook his head. "No, I've never felt this way before."
Now Jason was really worried. What could spook the Consul of Rome, so easily. "Let's keep our eyes open for anything. We could be walking into a trap."
Scipio nodded. He couldn't figure out why his senses were going crazy, but they were. His head started to hurt from all the strange sensations flooding his body. He felt like they were getting closer to something important. At least important to the son of Neptune.
Two hours later the seven heroes of the prophecy came to a gravel road with a sign, "Diros Cave," Jason read.
Annabeth stepped forward. "I can't believe we're here. This place was very important in ancient times," Annabeth explained. "Even today it is an important tourist attraction." Annabeth turned and found herself standing between Jason and Scipio. Scipio's presence made her uneasy. It wasn't a secret that she was avoiding him. She felt like a cheater. She almost kissed him and she couldn't stop the feeling of guilt from flooding her thoughts.
Jason stepped forward. The others followed him as he led the group up the gravel road until they reached the opening to the cave. The opening wasn't much. It was just wide enough for three people to fit through, side by side. The opening was a little taller than six feet. Jason led the way to the entrance. He stopped and looked into the darkened cave.
"I don't get it," Annabeth said.
"Don't get what?" Leo questioned.
"Where are the tourists or the employees?" Annabeth asked. The group looked around, but the place looked deserted.
"Its weird, but we need to go inside. Maybe we'll find the answer there," Jason said. Annabeth nodded reluctantly.
Jason led the way as the group followed their leader. They walked into the cave until they saw a set of lights at the end of the first tunnel. They walked toward the lights until they stepped into a large open cavern. The ceiling was at least three stories tall and the rock was a light grey with tanned streaks running through the rock. Stalactites hung from the stone ceiling of the cavern. A dry river bed ran through the middle of the cavern.
Scipio stepped up to the river and looked down at the mud and muck. The water was gone, but he could sense the power of the water that once ran through this place. The others walked up to the son of Neptune.
"Are you okay?" Jason asked.
Scipio turned and his green eyes were dark, almost black in color. "The river Styx is gone. The water is gone," Scipio said in disbelief.
AN: I know a little cliffhanger. Stay tuned more to come.