As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over Camp Half-Blood, the chosen group prepared to embark on their perilous quest. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement, nerves, and the ever-present undercurrent of impending doom that seemed to accompany every quest. Percy, for once, was content to hang back, watching as the others made their final preparations.
Nico stood off to the side, his expression a mix of pride and worry as he watched Bianca and Reyna get ready. It wasn't easy for him to let them go—especially Bianca. They hadn't been reunited for that long, and now she was heading off into the unknown. But Nico knew better than anyone that when the Gods called, you didn't get to say no. Not if you wanted to survive.
As Bianca and Reyna approached him, Nico tried to keep his composure, but the tightness in his chest betrayed how hard this was for him. Bianca, sensing her brother's unease, gave him a soft smile. "Hey, don't look so worried. We'll be fine."
Nico managed a small, lopsided grin. "You better be. I'd hate to have to track down the Underworld's worst just to bring you back."
Reyna smirked, crossing her arms. "Relax, Nico. I went on a quest with one di Angelo, and I survived that. Now I'm going with the other one. This should be a piece of cake."
Bianca and Nico chuckled at Reyna's joke, the tension easing slightly. It was typical Reyna—tough, confident, and surprisingly good at lightening the mood with a quip. But beneath the humor, there was a seriousness in her eyes that Nico didn't miss. She understood the dangers they were about to face as much as he did.
The three of them exchanged tearful hugs, the reality of the situation hitting them all at once. Bianca held onto Nico a little longer than usual, her voice barely above a whisper as she said, "Take care of yourself, Nico. I'll be back before you know it."
"You better," Nico replied, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled back, giving her a firm nod. "And make sure you watch out for Reyna."
Reyna chuckled, but there was a warmth in her eyes as she placed a hand on Nico's shoulder. "We've got each other's backs. Don't worry."
With one last look, Bianca and Reyna turned and joined Thalia, Annabeth, and Zoe, who were waiting by the camp's entrance. Thalia looked impatient, her foot tapping against the ground as she checked her gear for the hundredth time. Annabeth was going over the map, her brow furrowed in concentration, while Zoe stood off to the side, her arms crossed and her expression as unreadable as ever.
As the group set off, Nico watched them go, his heart heavy. It wasn't easy to let Bianca go, but he knew she was strong—stronger than most people gave her credit for. And with Reyna by her side, he had to trust that they would come back in one piece. Percy, who had been lingering nearby, gave Nico a reassuring pat on the back.
"They'll be okay," Percy said, his voice confident. "They've got each other, and they're tough. Plus, Annabeth's with them. She'll keep things together… or at least, she will be able to keep Thalia in check."
Nico nodded, though he couldn't shake the gnawing worry in the pit of his stomach. "Yeah, I know. I just… I wish I could've gone with them."
Percy shot him a sympathetic look. "I get it. But sometimes, sitting out is the hardest thing to do. Trust me, I'm about to find that out myself." He gave a wry smile, the reality of not being on the quest finally sinking in.
Nico smirked, albeit weakly. "Maybe you'll get to relax for once. Take a break from saving the world."
"Don't jinx it," Percy muttered, glancing around as if the Fates themselves were listening in, ready to throw him into another life-or-death situation.
Meanwhile, the questing group hadn't made it far before the inevitable bickering began. They'd barely crossed the border of Camp Half-Blood when Zoe and Thalia started in on each other, their voices carrying through the trees.
"This way will take us directly to the first checkpoint," Zoe said, pointing to a less-traveled path that wound through the dense forest. "We need to move quickly and efficiently. No unnecessary detours."
Thalia rolled her eyes, her impatience already simmering just beneath the surface. "Or we could take the main road, which is faster and doesn't involve us getting lost in the middle of nowhere. But sure, let's do it your way, Zoe. Because that's always worked out so well."
Zoe's eyes flashed with annoyance. "This isn't a democracy, Thalia. I'm leading this quest, and we're taking the path I've chosen. Or do you want to waste time arguing until it's too late to save Lady Artemis?"
"I'm not just following orders blindly. We need to think strategically, not just do whatever you say because you think you're always right." Thalia shot back, her voice rising.
Annabeth, who had been trying to focus on the map, let out a long-suffering sigh. "Please, can we not do this right now? We have a quest to complete, in case you forgot."
Bianca and Reyna exchanged a weary glance, both of them silently praying for some kind of divine intervention to keep the peace. This was only day one, and already it felt like they were on the verge of tearing each other apart.
"Look," Reyna said, stepping between Zoe and Thalia, her voice calm but firm. "We all want the same thing here—to rescue Lady Artemis and Silena. Let's just focus on that and leave the power struggles for later, okay?"
Zoe huffed, but she didn't argue, though it was clear she was still seething. Thalia muttered something under her breath but also backed down, though she kept her glare fixed on Zoe's back as they continued on the path.
As the group trudged through the forest, the atmosphere remained tense, the silence heavy with unspoken grievances. Annabeth kept her eyes on the map, doing her best to ignore the simmering hostility, while Bianca and Reyna stayed close together, offering each other quiet support.
Despite the rocky start, they all knew the stakes were too high for petty arguments. But knowing that didn't make the journey any easier. Back at camp, Percy and Nico watched the horizon, the setting sun casting a golden hue over the trees. Percy couldn't help but feel a strange mix of relief and guilt. This time, it wasn't him out there facing the dangers of a quest. But others were out there, dealing with Gods, monsters, and their own demons… it wasn't exactly easy to sit back and do nothing.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Nico asked, his voice quiet, almost as if he didn't want to hear the answer.
Percy was silent for a moment, then he nodded. "Yeah. They're strong. They'll get through it."
But as they both stood there, watching the fading light of day, neither of them could shake the feeling that this quest was going to test them all in ways they hadn't yet imagined.
The following day dawned with a heavy sense of foreboding, the air thick with the knowledge that their quest was only just beginning. The group trudged forward in tense silence, the events of the previous day still hanging over them like a dark cloud. No one was eager to revisit the argument, but it was clear that the friction between Zoe and Thalia was far from resolved. It simmered just beneath the surface, a ticking time bomb waiting for the right—or rather, wrong—moment to explode.
As they made their way through a dense forest, the trees closed in around them, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. Annabeth led the way, her eyes scanning the map she held in her hands, though she kept glancing up at the path ahead with growing unease. The forest felt... wrong. Too quiet. Too still. The kind of stillness that usually meant something terrible was about to happen.
"Anyone else getting a bad feeling about this place?" Reyna asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she scanned the surroundings.
"You mean worse than the usual 'monsters are about to eat us' bad feeling?" Bianca replied, her voice dry but tense.
Reyna nodded. "Yeah. Worse."
Thalia scoffed, though it lacked her usual bravado. "You're all just being paranoid. We've dealt with worse."
Zoe shot Thalia a sharp look, her patience clearly wearing thin. "Perhaps it's time you took this seriously, Thalia. Overconfidence has killed more demigods than monsters ever could."
Thalia's eyes flashed with irritation, but before she could snap back, Annabeth suddenly froze, her eyes widening in horror as she stared at something up ahead.
"Guys," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We've got company."
Out of the shadows emerged two figures that sent a chill down everyone's spine. The Gorgon sisters, Stheno and Euryale, slithered into view, their monstrous forms twisted with rage. Their eyes, glowing with an eerie light, locked onto Annabeth with a hatred that was palpable.
"Well, well, well," Stheno hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Look who we have here. A daughter of Athena. How fitting."
Euryale's laughter echoed through the forest, sharp and cruel. "Athena's spawn. We've been waiting for this."
Annabeth's heart pounded in her chest, a cold sweat breaking out on her skin. She knew who they were—how could she not? These were the sisters of Medusa, cursed by her mother, Athena. And now, they were out for blood. Specifically, hers.
Before Annabeth could react, Zoe stepped forward, her bow drawn, an arrow already notched. "You'll have to go through me first," she declared, her voice steady and unwavering.
Thalia's eyes narrowed as she watched Zoe take charge. Jealousy flared in her chest, a bitter taste in her mouth. She was the daughter of Zeus, a leader, not someone who stood in the background. And here was Zoe, swooping in to play the hero again. She couldn't stand it. Without thinking, Thalia moved forward, positioning herself between Zoe and the Gorgons.
"Like hell you're doing this alone," Thalia growled, electricity crackling around her as her spear materialized in her hand. "I can take them."
But Thalia's impulsive move threw everything into chaos. Zoe's plan had been to take out the Gorgons from a distance, using her archery skills to keep them at bay. But Thalia's sudden intervention forced her to adjust on the fly, disrupting their formation and leaving them vulnerable.
The Gorgon sisters wasted no time. Stheno lunged at Annabeth, her claws outstretched, aiming to tear the daughter of Athena apart. Annabeth tried to dodge, but Thalia's interference had thrown her out of balance. She stumbled, falling directly into Stheno's path.
Panic surged through Annabeth as she realized she couldn't escape in time. But just as Stheno's claws were about to connect, Bianca acted on instinct. Grabbing Annabeth's arm, she shadowtraveled the two of them out of harm's way, reappearing several feet away, both of them gasping for breath.
"That was too close," Annabeth muttered, her heart racing.
Bianca gave her a tense nod. "Tell me about it. Thalia's going to get us killed at this rate."
Meanwhile, Thalia was locked in a fierce battle with Euryale, the two of them exchanging blows with deadly precision. But Thalia's recklessness was showing. She was fighting with anger clouding her judgment, her strikes wild and unfocused.
"Thalia, focus!" Zoe shouted, trying to get through to her, but it was no use. Thalia was too deep in her own head, too consumed by the need to prove herself, to listen.
Zoe cursed under her breath, her frustration mounting. If Thalia didn't get her act together, they were all going to end up as Gorgon chow. She nocked another arrow and aimed for Stheno, who was now circling back toward Annabeth and Bianca, her eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
But before Zoe could release her arrow, Reyna charged in, her sword flashing as she struck at Stheno, forcing the Gorgon to focus on her instead. "I've got this one!" Reyna shouted, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.
Stheno snarled, trying to swipe at Reyna, but Reyna was too quick. She danced around the Gorgon, her movements precise and calculated, wearing her down with every strike.
With Stheno occupied, Annabeth and Bianca regrouped, their eyes meeting with a silent understanding. They needed to work together if they were going to survive this. Annabeth grabbed her dagger, while Bianca readied her bow, and the two of them moved as one toward Euryale, who was still battling Thalia.
Thalia was struggling, her frustration growing with every missed strike. Euryale, sensing her advantage, cackled as she taunted Thalia. "You think you can defeat me, little girl? You're nothing, you're weak."
Thalia's eyes blazed with fury, but her anger was her undoing. Euryale lashed out with a tail swipe that sent Thalia crashing into a tree, knocking the wind out of her. She slumped to the ground, dazed and gasping for breath.
Annabeth and Bianca saw their opening. They sprang into action, Annabeth going high while Bianca went low. Bianca's arrows flashed as she stabbed Euryale's legs, causing the Gorgon to screech in pain and stumble. Annabeth followed up with a powerful swing of her dagger, stabbing Euryale in the neck, making her choke on her own blood.
The Gorgon's body crumpled to the ground, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. The group stood there, panting and bloodied, but victorious.
Across the clearing, Reyna finally managed to land the killing blow on Stheno, her sword piercing the Gorgon's heart. Stheno let out a final, gurgling hiss before collapsing, her body dissolving into dust.
As the adrenaline began to fade, the reality of what had just happened sank in. Annabeth helped Thalia to her feet, the daughter of Zeus looking both defeated and angry, though mostly at herself. She glared at the ground, her pride clearly wounded.
Zoe approached, her expression unreadable. "Next time, listen," she said coldly, her tone making it clear that she wasn't in the mood for excuses.
Thalia shot her a withering look, but said nothing. She knew she'd messed up, but admitting it was another thing entirely.
Reyna and Bianca exchanged a relieved glance, though the weight of what they'd just faced was still heavy on their shoulders. "Well, that was fun," Reyna said dryly, wiping the blood from her sword.
"Yeah, let's not do that again," Bianca agreed, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.
The adrenaline from the battle had barely faded when Annabeth's frustration finally boiled over. She had been holding it in for too long, biting her tongue every time Thalia's reckless behavior put them all in danger. But after what had just happened, Annabeth couldn't stay silent any longer. Her hands were still trembling from the fight with the Gorgons, but it was nothing compared to the anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Annabeth couldn't take it anymore. She quickened her pace until she was right behind Thalia, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Thalia," she called, her voice sharp.
Thalia stopped but didn't turn around. "What?"
That one word, delivered with such casual indifference, was the final straw for Annabeth. "What?" Annabeth repeated, her voice rising in disbelief. "Is that all you have to say? 'What?' After you nearly got me killed back there because you couldn't handle someone else taking charge?"
Thalia finally turned to face her, her eyes narrowing. "I was just trying to help," she snapped, defensive as always. "I'm not going to stand around and let Zoe act like she's the only one who knows what she's doing."
"You call that helping?" Annabeth shot back, her voice shaking with anger. "Thalia, you're supposed to be a leader, but all you've done since we started this quest is pick fights and act like a spoiled child! This isn't about you or your pride. It's about saving Artemis and Silena. But you—you're too busy trying to prove yourself to even care about that!"
Thalia bristled, her hands clenching into fists. "You think I don't care?" she hissed. "You think I don't know what's at stake here? I'm not just going to let everyone walk all over me—"
"It's not about letting anyone walk all over you!" Annabeth cut her off, her frustration boiling over. "It's about being a team. It's about trusting the people around you. But all you're doing is making everything harder because you can't stand not being the center of attention!"
Thalia opened her mouth to argue, but Annabeth wasn't done. "No, Thalia, you need to listen," Annabeth snapped, her voice sharper than she intended, but she was too fed up to care. "I get it. I get that you feel betrayed by Luke. Believe me, I understand better than anyone how much that hurts. And I'm happy you're not a tree anymore, I really am. But you need to stop acting like this—like a child throwing tantrums and picking fights with everyone just because you're angry."
Thalia's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and defensiveness flashing across her face. "I'm not—"
"Yes, you are!" Annabeth cut her off, her voice rising. "You've been doing this since you got back—pushing everyone away, trying to prove something by being reckless and impulsive. But this isn't about you, Thalia. It's about all of us. And today, your childishness nearly got me killed. It nearly got all of us killed!"
Thalia opened her mouth to argue, but the words seemed to die in her throat. Guilt flickered in her eyes, but Annabeth wasn't finished.
"You're supposed to be a leader," Annabeth continued, her tone hard. "But how can you lead if you can't even control yourself? We're supposed to be a team, Thalia. We're supposed to have each other's backs. But right now, it feels like you're more interested in proving you're better than everyone else than actually getting us through this quest alive."
The silence that followed was heavy, filled with the weight of Annabeth's words. Thalia's guilt deepened, but Annabeth wasn't interested in hearing any excuses. She had reached her limit, and she wasn't going to sugarcoat things just to spare Thalia's feelings.
"You need to grow up," Annabeth said, her voice softening just a fraction, but still firm. "Because if you don't, the next time you pull a stunt like that, it won't just be me who gets hurt. It'll be all of us. And I can't—I won't let that happen."
Thalia stood there, stunned and silent, as if the full force of Annabeth's words had knocked the wind out of her. For a moment, it looked like she might say something—maybe apologize, maybe defend herself—but in the end, she just nodded, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
Seeing Thalia like this, looking so lost and unsure of herself, tugged at something in Annabeth's chest, but she didn't let it show. She couldn't afford to let her guard down now, not after everything that had just happened.
Without another word, Annabeth turned on her heel and started walking again, this time moving to join Bianca and Reyna. The two girls had been watching the confrontation in tense silence, but as Annabeth approached, they exchanged a quick glance before falling into step beside her.
Bianca offered Annabeth a small, supportive smile. "You, okay?"
Annabeth sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. Just… tired."
Reyna gave a curt nod, her expression serious. "You did what needed to be done. She had to hear it."
Annabeth appreciated the support, but there was still a heavy weight in her chest. She didn't enjoy calling Thalia out like that, but it had been necessary. They couldn't afford to have any more close calls like today.
As they continued on their way, Zoe and Thalia trailed behind, both of them too chastised to say anything. Zoe kept her eyes on the path ahead, her expression unreadable, but it was clear that Annabeth's words had made an impact. Thalia, on the other hand, was uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze focused on the ground as she walked.
The silence between them stretched on for the remainder of the day, each step heavy with unspoken thoughts. By the time they made camp that evening, the atmosphere was still thick with the aftershocks of the argument. No one said much as they set up their tents and gathered around the fire, the crackling flames doing little to warm the chill that had settled over the group.
Annabeth, Bianca, and Reyna sat together, the comfort of their quiet camaraderie easing some of the tension. They talked in low voices, making plans for the next leg of the journey and discussing potential strategies for what lay ahead.
Thalia sat a little ways off, staring into the fire with a troubled expression, her earlier bravado completely gone. Zoe kept to herself, sharpening her arrows with a focused intensity, but she occasionally glanced over at Thalia, as if gauging whether or not to say something. In the end, she stayed silent, leaving Thalia to wrestle with her thoughts alone.
As the night wore on, the group gradually settled down to sleep, the crackling of the fire the only sound breaking the stillness. But even as she closed her eyes, Annabeth couldn't shake the lingering unease in her chest. She had said what needed to be said, but that didn't make it any easier to deal with.
Thalia was her friend—her oldest friend—and Annabeth didn't want to lose her. But this quest was too important for personal feelings to get in the way. They had to stay focused, stay strong, if they were going to succeed. And that meant facing hard truths, even if it hurt.