A / N: Hello! This chapter is a bit longer, and I hope you like it!
Disclaimer: Rick Riordan owns PJO, not me. Life is sad.
10
"Seriously! Stop butting in to all my battles! I'm can handle this!" I hissed as I saw the familiar messy head of brown hair.
"Well, the first time I 'butted in', you had a cut running the length of your leg trying to face off a ten foot tall mutation. Now, you've shattered all the bones in your ankle, and the cut has reopened," Leo retorted dodging and slashing next to me.
I glared at him. "Go away."
"No."
I gritted my teeth and kept fighting. By now Nagrata had now got frustrated with his magic as he tired, and had retired to using a sword. That left it two against one, although he did have a shield. Fighting two handed with a sword, gives you more accuracy and power, but fighting one handed with a shield gives you more options and better defence. The rocking of the boat made it hard to stand, which in my case was already difficult. The water was churning instead of the usual calm blue of the harbour. Waves crashed on the side of the boat, sending water cascading down the deck. I stumbled.
"You can't keep this up for long, little girl," Nagrata taunted.
"You're one to talk. You haven't hit us with your swirly fog balls at least once!" I snapped.
I sparred fiercely against Nagrata's sword sending sparks flying. Leo's eyes lit up, like he had an idea. He looked at me and mouthed Charmspeak.
"It doesn't work on him," I told him over the noise of the crashing waves.
He swallowed and gave a small nod. We were both thinking, just how strong is this guy?
"Where's Jack?" I asked Leo.
He hadn't made an appearance in the battle yet, and I was thinking we could use some help.
Leo pointed to the other side of boat, behind Nagrata, where Jack seemed to be setting up something. A bronze cannon, looking vaguely familiar from cabin 9's canoe. Another stolen good courtesy of Leo. I stared in disbelief. The Hephaestus cabin would not be happy. Jack caught my eye and grinning, twisting a piece of wire. If Leo had carried that in his backpack the whole time, it confirmed he was crazy. I seriously doubted that a canon would do anything but aggravate Nagrata, but I kept on fighting anyway, hoping Jack would just hurry up and finish.
My hair whipped around my face in the sea wind, stinging my face. I caught my reflection in a random outside mirror. My eyes were a deep blue, and my jaw was set in a stubborn line. My features looking hard and unforgiving, and I realised that I was scared of myself.
Nagrata pulled a second sword from a strap on his back and dropped his shield. Dropping his shield was a pretty stupid move. Leo and I pressed forward, slashing and stabbing with our blades. I glanced over at Jack and he mouthed, It's ready. Nagrata turned to see what I saw staring at and I quickly yelled "Oh my gods!" pointing in the opposite direction. Completely falling for it, Nagrata looked.
At the signal from Jack, Leo and I dived to the side, sliding on the polished deck. Jack fired the canon in a glowing ball of bronze power.
"What the –" said Nagrata in wonder as the giant celestial bronze canon ball inserted it's self into his stomach. Right as the canon ball made contact with him, Nagrata dissolved. Like, literally dissolved into Mist. Now it was our turn to look stunned. I had thought only monster dissolved when they died, but Nagrata wasn't a monster. Well, not physically anyway.
"What that dissolving thing meantto happen?" I asked Jack.
He looked worried. "No. I think he managed to teleport himself before he died."
I resisted the urge to stamp my foot. Nagrata was still out there.
Then there was a sudden scream as a girl with small, pointed features ran out of the main section of the cruise ship and on to the deck. She was wearing a white knitted jumper and pale jeans. She had shoulder length dark brown hair and her eyes were a pale ice blue. The girl looked from the canon, to us, and then to the spot where Nagrata had vanished.
"Non," she said softly, with a lilting accent.
Jack and I exchanged bewildered expressions.
"Who are you?" I asked hesitantly.
The girl paused, as if trying to decide if we were trust worthy. "Je m'appelle Krystal, fille de Khione. Où est Nagrata?"
The boys looked even more confused, but I understood her perfectly. Wait, how did I understand?
"Je ne sais pas," I admitted.
I stopped, my hand flying to my mouth. Jack and Leo stared at me.
"Did you just speak in French? Is she speaking in French?" asked Jack.
I nodded numbly.
"Well, keep on going," said Jack.
I turned back to Krystal. "Savez-vous où il aurait pu aller?
Krystal shook her head. "Non. Je dois le trouver; il a besoin de moi."
She turned away.
"Wait!" I cried.
Krystal turned around and shot me a scathing look.
"You did this. It was you who did this to him," she spat with a heavy French accent.
And with that, she fled the boat. I watched her go, a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"Since when did you speak French?" asked Leo.
"I've spoken French before in my life," I told him. "Trust me, I am just as confused as you are."
Jack out his hand up as if in a classroom. "I'm not confused. French is the language of love. You are a daughter of the love goddess, so you can speak French."
"Oh, right," I said.
I couldn't say I didn't hope it some special uncommon trait I had inherited from Aphrodite.
"What was she saying?" asked Leo. "Who is she?"
"Her name is Krystal. I think she works for Nagrata. She said she was going to find him, and that it was our fault the he is … gone," I said.
"That last bit is true," said Jack pointedly, running a hand through his shaggy blonde hair.
I nodded. Then I remembered the reason I had come on this journey.
"We need to get Dad," I told the boys, my voice quavering a little for some random reason. "This way."
I led them around the back of the pristine white cruise ship and down the stairs into the chamber. I hobbled slightly from my leg injury and ankle, but at least I had three other working limbs. Jack noticed this and tried to help me down the stairs, but the charmspeak was still preventing him from coming too close. At least someone here is a real gentleman, I thought sourly as Leo trailed behind us in silence. The chamber was looking slightly lighter, as if when Nagrata left, some of the gloominess did too.
I ran towards Dad, kneeling on the floor next to his limp body. His body was heavily bruised, but the small cut around his body weren't oozing blood anymore, which was good. I cradled his head in my arms, a single tear rolling down my cheek.
"Dad?" I said quietly.
There was no answer. He was unconscious, his head lolling on his shoulder. His hand and feet where chained to the ground with chains made of what looked like Stygian Iron. I put my hand on where the chains met the wall. Instead of the chains being in a socket, which we could've pulled off the wall, the chains seemed to go into the wall. I took out my knife and slashed at the chains with no luck. I tried again and again until I picked up a segment of a metal pole and hurled it at the chains, frustrated tears streaming down my cheeks.
The boys watched. Jack couldn't get near enough to help, and Leo didn't seem to want to.
I grabbed my sword off from the ground, despite the fact it was tied in a knot, and got ready to swing it at the chains.
Mum, if you really do care about Dad, please let this work, I prayed silently, before swinging the sword at the chains.
At the exact moment the sword touched the chains, the room was filled with blinding white light, obliterating my vision. I blinked, regained my vision and gasped. The first thing I noticed when I regained my vision, was that my dirty clothes were gone. I was dressed in a sweet, short, white flowing strapless dress, with simple black heels and my hair was braided with gold, but still down and brushed. I hadn't before realised just how long my hair was, a mere three inches above my waist, because I had kept it braided all the time. I had make-up on; I could feel the mascara on my long lashes, but the make-up was kept minimal. A silver necklace was around my neck, a large diamond cut sapphire that matched my eyes resting on my collar bone.
I wasn't the only one dressed up though. Jack looked like he was at a country model shoot, looking handsome in a red tartan shirt and jeans. Leo wasn't dressed up much. He was dressed in a close fitting white t-shirt that showed off the muscles he'd earned at training, dark blue jeans and grey sneakers. I thought it was perfect. Leo didn't need that much improving anyway. Maybe just his attitude.
The second this I noticed, was the woman standing in the middle of the room. She was exactly my image of a perfect girl. She had long mahogany brown locks of hair lying in perfect waves in the way that my hair could probably never achieve. Her eyes were green, no dark gold, nno brown. I watched as they flickered between colours, each colour as beautiful as before. She wore minimal make-up, just enough to enhance her natural features, which I likes. No one wanted to look like a cake-face. She was also wearing a white Greek robe. Realisation struck me.
"Mum?" I said hesitantly, not sure how to act in front of a goddess like this.
"Maia," said Aphrodite, a kind smile plastered on her lineless face.
I stared. I knew it was rude, but I couldn't help it. I was finally meeting my Mum. A year ago, I wouldn't have expected it to go like this at all.
Aphrodite bent down and picked up my knotted sword.
"My dear," she tutted. "This is no way for a blade like this!"
The sword untwisted itself, and the hilt nestled into her hand. She stroked the blade.
"Oh, it really is nice to see this sword again," crooned Aphrodite.
I frowned. "Again? This sword is from camp. Chiron gave it to me."
Aphrodite shook her head, her chocolate curls bouncing on her shoulders. "Oh, no. This sword was mine. A birthday gift from Ares. I don't fight, so I never had any use for it. I gave this to Chiron to give to you."
"Um, thanks," I said awkwardly. "Is that why you knew to come then?"
"Of course!"
I stayed silent. I was never good with words, especially not in front of a god. I could see Leo staring at me, taking in my appearance, while Jack stared at Aphrodite with longing.
"Boys," Aphrodite sighed. "The make such good toys, but are sometimes so irritating."
She swished her hand and Jack and Leo froze in place. I opened my mouth but Aphrodite cut me off.
"Don't worry, they're just frozen in time. When we are done they'll be fine, and they'll think it was just the blink of an eye," she assured me.
I nodded to show that I understood.
"That one," said Aphrodite, pointing at Leo. "Has fallen for you completely. He is just not very good at showing it yet."
"You got that right," I muttered under my breath, but I blushed all the same. I've fallen for him, too, I felt like saying.
"You two will make such a good story. I mean, couple," said Aphrodite wistfully, appearing not to have heard.
"Um, Mum?" I said, looking over at Dad's limp body.
"Yes, dear?" she said, reapplying her mascara with the aid of a pocket mirror.
"Could you, um, help Dad?" I asked.
"Could you, um," I said, slipping over my words.
"Of course! That's why I came!" she said, strutting over to his slumped figure.
Her eyes softened as she looked at him, and she lost a bit of the plastic glamour queen expression.
"He was always such a sweetheart," said Aphrodite softly.
She ran her fingers over the chains, and they crumbled to grey silt, powdering the floor. Dad coughed, his eye lids fluttering, probably sensing the presence of the goddess.
"I must go," Aphrodite said abruptly.
"You won't stay? Not even for him?" I protested.
"No dear. Zeus does not like us gods returning to our mortal lovers. He says it endangers our existence. Don't worry, child. He will be teleported to camp in two minutes," Aphrodite told me, her eyes filling with sorrow. "I expect great things from you Maia. Make your mother proud."
I closed my eyes as a blinding golden flash filled the room. I somehow knew that if I had looked, I would have disintegrated. Leo and Jack unfroze, and looked at the spot where the goddess had vanished curiously.
"Where did she go?" asked Jack.
"She left," was all I told them.
Dad spluttered, and I ran to his side, cradling his head once more.
"Dad," I whispered.
"Maia?" he said hoarsely, his eye lids fluttering open weakly.
"I'm here," I said, forcing a weak smile.
He smiled back. "I'm so proud of you."
I hugged him closer to my body. "I love you Dad."
"Me too, Maia. Me too."
My dad's image began to fade; the teleportation was starting.
"I'll see you soon," I said, blinked back and stray tears.
Dad smiled once more until all I could see was a damp concrete wall, my arms left empty.
I sniffled, and the tears came. Why did I have to get emotional? Dad was safe now. It was so embarrassing, and my eyes were probably red and puffy too.
"Maia," Jack said, gently.
"Sorry," I mumbled, getting up and wiping my cheek on my bare shoulder.
I breathed in, and mumbled a few more "sorry"s. Maybe it was just a girl thing. Getting emotional, I mean.
"Let's go," I said quietly.
We tramped back through the ship, Leo avoiding my gaze as I stumbled my way up the stairs. None of us had any nectar or ambrosia, so I just had to tough it out.
The thin metal ramp creaked and wobbled under the weight of three people, so we tried to get down quickly, before exiting the harbour and entering the city.
We found another hotel in silence, paying with the game machine money. This hotel wasn't quite as plush as the last, but the big squashy red armchairs where comfortable and the TV was quite big. I had my own separate bedroom this time, and Leo and Jack shared another. I wasn't complaining. Each bedroom came with its own separate bathroom, which I immediately made a beeline for.
I quickly got out of the pretty white dress that Aphrodite had given me, and I kicked off the heels. However beautiful they made me look, it was getting extremely uncomfortable to be around Jack and Leo in those clothes.
I tried to wash all the blood and dirty off my body in the shower, and the bottom of the shower was beginning to look like the scene of a massacre. I let the hot water consume me, though it couldn't wash away my thought. My head hurt from the thoughts racing around the race track of my brain. Three names kept flying across my mind. Dad, Leo, Aphrodite.
Out of the shower, I got redress into jeans and a jumper again, leaving my feet bare. The cut on my leg had scabbed over, so it wasn't bleeding but I applied new bandages anyway, throwing my makeshift splint in the bin. I took some mortal pain killers and flopped down on my bed, my body aching all over.
There was a knock on the door.
"Maia?"
It was Jack. He opened the door, looking bedraggled and worn, and stopped half a meter away from me.
"Are you ever going to take that charmspeak off?" he said exasperatedly.
"Probably not," I said indifferently.
He hung his head dejectedly. "Anyway, dinner's ready."
"I'm not hungry."
"The last time you ate was a day ago, and even then it was only one slice of pizza," said Jack sternly. "You have to eat, Maia. I won't let you starve yourself."
"I'm not starving myself," I said huffily. "I just don't feel like eating."
"I'll bring something in then, if you get hungry later," he said, and left the room.
I knew that I should feel hungry, but I felt that if I so much as opened my mouth I would puke. I needed to calm down, but I couldn't. For Audrey, shopping would be therapy, except that wasn't really an option. I turned over my sword in my hands. Aphrodite's sword. Engraved in the base of the hilt was a flying dove. Aphrodite's animal. I traced the pattern with my fingers and a power flowing through me, not unlike the power I felt when I charmspoke. I smiled slightly.
Another knock came on the door.
"I brought you some food," said Jack, opening the door.
He held a plate in his hand, and then put the plate on the table next to the door. The plate had a pile of mini drumstick on it, with a pile of peas on the side. I wondered idly if Jack had actually managed to make it himself.
He glanced at me and I nodded mutely so he left, closing the door behind him. I had no intention of eating. Then I stiffened. I could hear arguing coming from the kitchen; Jack and Leo were fighting. I didn't know exactly what about, but I heard my name come up multiple times. As I heard Leo's voice, a wave of pain hit me. Only a few days ago I was kissing him in the forest, but now we could barely look at each other. I couldn't bring myself to open the door, so I took some more pain meds.
Then drowsiness kicked in, and I sunk into my bed, letting sleep take over.
A / N: Please review!