Chapter XI: Frank

Frank is feeling useless.

Nearly all the seven except him has been outside the ship or are going to. All he gets to do is take guard. He could have defeated the kobaloi. He could have accompanied Hazel to Chariclo. But he didn't.

He feels like a coward. Being the Praetor of the Twelfth Legion doesn't really boost his self esteem. For the first few days , he was so excited. Now, it feels like another burden. Not to mention, even Hazel has grown distant.

Frank walks out on deck. Leo surprisingly isn't at the helm. Standing at his pace is Percy. His face is strained and wistful. Frank walks up to him and rests his hand of Percy's shoulder.

" Hey man," Percy greets him.

"You okay there?" Frank says. "Where's Leo? The way I figured it out was he would rather pour Greek fire in the ship before he gave his place up."

" ...Yeah, I thought so too but I figured the guy needed some rest so...here I am! Anyways, the water calms my nerves."

"Very funny!" Leo's voice pops out of nowhere. "Am I really that bad?"

"Nah...but maybe just a bit possessive,"Percy says.

"Of course, you're that bad!" Frank counters with a mock disbelief expression on his face.

"Take it easy on him," Jason walks out, "What would we do without our repair boy?"

"Your girlfriend is influencing you a teeny tiny bit too much, Superman." Leo replies.

"What?" Jason says "You wait till I tell Pipes!"

"I dont know about you, Leo but I wouldn't dare!" Frank says.

This is by far, is one of the best dinners they had had. Hazel looks stressed out , her eyebrows crinkling together. Leo, Jason and Piper are in deep conversation. Percy gobbles up his pizza while Annabeth looks down at the table. Annabeth opens her mouth to say something but the ship rumbles to a stop.

"Not again," Frank mutters irritably.

Another big, low, rumble shakes the ship uncontrollably. Piper gets up at once, her hand flying to her knife. She looks around alarmed. "I'll go take a look."

Jason stands up. "I'll come with you," he nods at Piper.

They slip out out of the hall. Everyone stays silent for a few seconds, until-

The ship gives one big shudder, and tilts sideways. A high-pitched scream, unmistakenly Piper's, fills the hall. Everyone gets up immediately and they pour out the hall, waiting for the next monster they'd have to face.

Frank stumbles out of his seat and rushes out on deck. The ships turns sideways, completely. Frank slips and falls down the side , heading face first towards the sea. He grabs the rail and hangs on for his dear life. He wants to yell at the others to stay down down but no voice come out.

He spots Jason up in the air, his expression near to horrified. "They're going to turn the ship over! " he yells.

Who?

Jason's reply is lost in the wind. Leo climbs up and runs over to his control board. He pulls out his Wii controller and slowly lifts the ship into the air. Frank closes his eyes , but he can still feel the ship being righted into its normal position.

The rest climb out . Most of them are fine but Hazel's face is green. She runs over to the sides and throws up over the edge. After wiping her mouth, she asks, "Who were those?"

Jason replies, "I'm not sure. They looked really odd, but they were in herds and they were trying to tilt the ship over."

Annabeth peers over the ship. "I think they're Panes"

Percy looks dumbfounded. "Pants?"

Frank stands next to Annabeth. Leo veers the ship slightly closer , so they all can take a clear look. They looks like normal men up to their torsos, but had goat legs, tails and horns.

Annabeth sighs. "Panes. They're nature spirits, Followers of Pan."

"Aren't nature spirits supposed to be good?" Percy asks.

"Is there anyone who's supposed to be good anymore?"

"Good point."

Annabeth turns back to her point. "Anyways, they don't look as harmful, but you know what Chiron always said-"

"Never underestimate the power of monsters," Leo completes for her, grinning.

"If they decide to attack the ship again, we'll fight them. If they don't, we'll leave them alone," Piper analyzes.

"Besides, we're almost at Sparta. We'll reach there in less than an hour," Percy adds. "They'll probably leave by then."

"When Leo and I set off for Chariclo, the rest of you guys are going to rest. None of you have had more than a wink of sleep," Hazel says firmly, mainly on Annabeth, who was the only one to hadn't rested since they had set out for Sparta.

Annabeth sighs. "Fine, then. But some of us will have to guard the ship."

Frank watches Hazel, her golden eyes deep in thought, analyzing every fact before she says it. Her hair is blowing on her face, and she has to push it away every few seconds. She is biting her lip nervously, probably scared about going to Sparta with Leo without him getting themselves killed.

Frank can't blame her.

As much as he had improved his trust for Leo, he is still uneasy around him. He doesn't take things seriously, and has a bad habit of joking around when its really unnecessary. It can be annoying quite often.

"Okay, I think I can fly us till Sparta and avoid the Panes but there's no telling in what they'll do. Me and Hazel leave for Sparta while Percy takes care of the ship for a while. The rest of you sleep or guard. If the Panes attack, you can show them who's boss!" Leo exclaims.

"We got that," Frank mutters under his breath.