Chapter.7
As the skeletons prepared to navigate through the entrance, Annabeth mulled over their options, weighing safety against efficiency.
"Charybdis would be the easier route because we just have to fight through her whirlpool," she suggested.
Percy shook his head in disagreement. "We go through Scylla. She grabs people off the deck, right? The ship will keep repopulating with skeletons, so we should be fine as long as you guys stay below deck."
Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows, puzzlement evident in her expression. "What about you?" she asked, seeking clarification.
Percy chuckled and shook his head. "Scylla won't bother me. I can put a barrier around myself, so she wouldn't even know I was there."
Accepting his explanation, Annabeth nodded. Before she could voice any further concerns, Theo interjected, "Why don't you do that for the entire ship?"
Percy turned to him with a smile before replying, "Because part of the test to enter the triangle is making it through Scylla or Charybdis. If I hide us, then we would sail right through back to normal ocean water until we tried again."
Theo's eyes widened in understanding before he nodded. "Alright then, set a course for Scylla," Percy stated firmly to a skeleton, who nodded before darting off.
"Theo, Annabeth, stay below deck and do not let Tyson go up top. I'll let you guys know when it's safe," Percy instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. The demigods nodded in agreement as Percy made his way back to the top deck.
As the ship approached the cliffside, Percy could sense Scylla's looming presence above. Reacting swiftly, he erected a shield around himself and stood ready, anticipation coursing through him.
Moments later, he heard Scylla's piercing screech reverberating through the air. Looking up, he watched as her monstrous tentacles descended from the cliffside, snatching up skeletons one by one. Yet, her efforts proved futile as the ship's deck seemed to replenish with more skeletons as quickly as they were taken.
After about five intense minutes, Scylla's attacks began to slow until they eventually ceased altogether. Satisfied that they had safely navigated past the cliffside, Percy descended below deck.
When he found the demigods, they were huddled in the farthest corner of the ship they could find. "We've cleared the cliffside. It's safe to come up," Percy announced, a reassuring smile spreading across his face.
He ascended back up to the deck, the demigods and Tyson following closely behind. "Yeah, we definitely made it through. I can feel the change in the water," Theo remarked observantly. Annabeth cheered, her excitement evident, much to Percy's amusement.
"That's the first challenge. The next is making it through the rest of the triangle. But for now, let's focus on that island," Percy directed their attention to the approaching landmass.
"What's on that island?" Annabeth inquired with curiosity. Percy shook his head in response. "Not somewhere for Theo or Tyson. Annabeth, you're coming with me."
Annabeth nodded, her expression a mix of surprise and determination. As the ship came to a halt as close to the island as possible, Percy took hold of Annabeth before shadow traveling them onto the shore.
Arriving on the beach, Percy surveyed their surroundings before spotting a path leading inland. Moving swiftly, they followed the path until they reached what appeared to be a resort.
Upon entering through the front door, they were greeted by a young girl seated behind the reception desk. Startled, she jumped up and hurried over to them.
"Welcome to C.C.'s Spa and Resort!" The attendant greeted warmly. Turning to the attendant, Percy asked, "My friend needs a makeover. Think you guys can help her out?"
Annabeth shot Percy a puzzled look, while the attendant beamed at Annabeth. "We'd love to! C.C. will meet you here, boy," she replied before whisking Annabeth away.
Percy chuckled to himself as he watched them go, admiring the beauty of the resort through the window. After a few minutes, a door opened behind him, prompting Percy to turn around.
"Hello, boy. What are you doing here?" the girl, presumably C.C., asked as she approached.
"Hello, Circe. I know who you are. Nice place you've got here," Percy replied casually, still gazing out the window.
"How do you know me?" Circe asked, clearly puzzled, as she joined him by the window.
"My name is Percy. My mother is Nyx, and my father is Erebus. I tend to know things," Percy explained with a smile.
As Percy turned to look at her, he noticed a mixture of shock and fear on her face. "You're... You're a primordial?" she asked, her voice laced with fear.
"Demi-primordial, but yes," Percy confirmed. "I know what this place is and the company you keep as animals. Tell me, why shouldn't I release them from their curses and let them destroy the resort?" His tone was cold and uncompromising.
Circe's expression twisted with terror as she quickly responded, "Please don't. I don't want anything to happen to the girls here. They haven't done anything to deserve that, and they don't have anywhere else to go."
Percy turned to meet her pleading eyes before nodding. "Good. I'm glad that was your first priority. Besides, I don't like those animals anyway. My friend Annabeth is getting a makeover right now. I'll make sure to cover the expenses for her treatment."
Circe nodded, her smile filled with gratitude. "Thank you for not destroying my home. Those men are animals, and I don't want them to harm the girls here if they get loose."
"On that topic, we agree," Percy replied, returning her smile warmly. He turned as a door opened behind them, revealing Annabeth stepping out with her hair done, radiating beauty.
"This place is awesome. The girls are amazing, C.C.," Annabeth gushed happily.
Circe smiled at the compliments, appreciative of Annabeth's words. Percy waved his hand, conjuring a pile of drachma on the desk as payment.
"Thank you, Percy, and thank you again," Circe said with a smile.
"Take care of the girls, alright? I'm sure my female friends would love to come here for appointments," Percy remarked.
Circe's smile widened. "Of course, Percy. I look forward to your next visit."
Percy nodded and smiled warmly before he and Annabeth made their way back to the ship.
Once they were on board and Theo and Tyson had a chance to admire Annabeth's new look, the group set off to find the island of Polyphemus.
As they sailed, Percy noticed a passage between two cliffs. "Annabeth, is that what I think it is?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.
Annabeth walked over, her gaze fixed on the cliffs until her eyes widened. "The Sirens. I've always wanted to hear their song," she remarked excitedly.
Percy smiled before responding, "Well, it's your lucky day. I have no intention of listening to them, so I'll tie you to the mast with shadows until we pass through."
Annabeth's grin widened as she eagerly made her way over to the mast. "Now remember, their song will try to get you to beg and plead to be released, so don't hold it against me when I refuse," Percy added jokingly.
Annabeth smiled before nodding, allowing Percy to envelop her in shadows until she was securely bound. Once she was immobilized, he went to find a pair of ear wax plugs.
"Theo, Tyson, put some ear wax plugs in and do not take them out until I come get you," Percy instructed the two boys. They nodded obediently before grabbing some plugs and settling down below deck.
Returning to Annabeth, Percy sat in front of her. He could tell the Sirens had begun to sing as Annabeth's expression shifted from curiosity to shock, then to desperation. Her eyes pleaded for release, but Percy remained resolute, knowing the danger of succumbing to their enchanting song.
He shook his head and kept his eye on her until she eventually nodded to indicate they had passed beyond the Sirens' influence. Percy removed his ear plugs and, once he was certain they were safe, released his hold on Annabeth.
"So, what did you see?" Percy inquired.
"I saw myself in a rebuilt Manhattan, designed by me, with my parents together, and Luke back as well," Annabeth replied, her voice tinged with longing and nostalgia.
Percy nodded thoughtfully. "Why didn't you want to listen to their song, Percy?" Annabeth asked, her curiosity evident.
Percy shrugged nonchalantly. "I have everything I could want. My family, my friends, the girl I like, so I didn't need them to show me what I already had."
Annabeth nodded, taking in his words. Then, suddenly, realization dawned on her. "Wait, you have a girlfriend?" she exclaimed, her surprise evident.
Percy looked at her incredulously, his expression conveying a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "Are you serious right now?"
"I'm a primordial, you thought I didn't have anyone?" Percy asked in disbelief. Annabeth raised her hands in a truce gesture. "I don't know, you just never mention her."
Percy laughed before responding, "Yeah, I guess that's fair. I went to visit her while you guys were asleep."
Annabeth nodded before glancing over Percy's shoulder, her eyes widening. "I think we're here," she exclaimed.
Percy turned around to see a beautiful tropical island in the distance. "Yeah, I would say so. Let's get the boys," he agreed.
Once the boys joined them on deck, Percy pointed to the island. "I can feel the power of the fleece there. If Grover was telling the truth, he's on that island."
"How are we gonna get the fleece though?" Theo asked, voicing the concern on everyone's mind.
"I'm going to distract the giant, you guys are gonna steal it from wherever it is and rescue Grover, and I'm gonna shadow travel back to the boat," Percy replied simply, shrugging his shoulders.
With the plan set in mind, the ship docked at the island. Once everyone had disembarked, they slowly made their way through the island until they reached a large cave.
"Wait here, I'll be right back," Percy instructed before slipping into the shadows. When he reappeared, he found himself inside the cave, gazing down at its interior.
The cave was spacious, with a pen in one corner filled with creatures that Percy knew couldn't be ordinary sheep. He scanned the area until he spotted Grover, wearing a dress and hiding in the corner.
Suppressing a laugh, Percy shadow traveled next to Grover, whose attention was fixed on the entrance.
"Grover," Percy hissed, causing Grover to jump and whirl around, only to relax upon seeing Percy.
"Percy, thank goodness. The fleece is here, and we need to get out of here asap," Grover urged urgently. Percy nodded before smirking.
"Why are you in a dress?" Percy teased, earning a grumble from Grover as he quickly shed the garment. "As a distraction so Polyphemus wouldn't eat me," Grover explained sheepishly.
Percy snickered before taking hold of Grover's arm and pulling him into a shadow. When they emerged, they were outside with the others. Annabeth quickly wrapped Grover in a hug upon seeing him.
"Okay, Grover is safe. You guys find the fleece and get it to the boat; I'm gonna distract the giant," Percy declared. The group nodded in agreement before they took off down the hill, and Percy shadow traveled back into the cave.
Percy didn't have to wait long before Polyphemus returned to the cave. Once the giant replaced the rock, blocking his exit, Percy used shadows to cloak the room in darkness. "Hello, Polyphemus," he said coldly, his voice echoing throughout the cave.
The giant looked around in surprise before glaring and responding, "Who are you?"
Percy smiled before replying, "I'm nobody."
