Chapter 22: The Revelation and the Ritual

Deno stepped back into Catalina's house, his heart pounding with the weight of his quest. The house felt different now, charged with a palpable energy that seemed to resonate with his own.

Catalina was seated in the center of the room, surrounded by ancient tomes and mystical artifacts. Her red eyes met his with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

"Welcome back, Deno," she said, her voice calm but filled with an undercurrent of urgency.

"You have the items?"Deno nodded, producing the Cup of Hydra Poison and the golden-lettered scroll. Catalina's eyes glinted with approval as she took them from him. "Good. We have no time to lose. The ritual is complex and demands absolute precision."

She began arranging the items on a large, circular table inscribed with intricate runes. The air grew heavy with the scent of incense and the soft hum of ancient magic. Catalina moved with practiced grace, her hands tracing patterns in the air, drawing unseen lines of power that crackled with energy.

"Sit here," she instructed, pointing to a chair at the center of the circle.

Deno obeyed, his nerves tingling as he settled into the seat. Catalina placed the Cup of Hydra Poison in front of him and handed him the scroll.

"Read the words aloud," she commanded. "Let the magic flow through you."

Deno unrolled the scroll and began to read. The words, written in a shimmering gold script, seemed to pulse with life. As he spoke them, he felt a surge of energy course through his body, mingling with the power emanating from the runes.Catalina added ingredients to the cup—a drop of his blood, a strand of her hair, and a pinch of dust from a long-extinct flower.

The mixture bubbled and hissed, emitting a faint glow. She then placed her hands on the cup and began to chant, her voice low and melodic.The air around them grew thick with magic, and the room seemed to blur at the edges.

Deno's vision narrowed until all he could see was the cup and the scroll. He felt a pull, like an invisible hand drawing him deeper into the ritual.

"Place your hand on the ritual ball," Catalina instructed.

Deno did as he was told, placing his hand on the smooth, cool surface of the ball. Instantly, his consciousness was whisked away, transported to a realm that felt both familiar and alien.

He found himself standing on a vast, ethereal plane, bathed in a soft, golden light. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant sound of chimes.

A voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the realm. "I have been waiting, son."Deno's heart skipped a beat. "Who are you?"

he asked, his voice trembling."Don't waste your question," the voice admonished gently. "I know what you seek, and I will give you the answers you need."

The figure of Silvius, Deno's father, materialized before him, his presence radiating power and wisdom. He was tall and imposing, with eyes that seemed to see through to Deno's very soul.

"Your mother was Emily," Silvius began, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Lambert and his gang killed her. You were spared, but a spell was cast to erase your memories. Some of what you remember comes from a parallel universe. Lambert is old—1,420 years to be exact. He learned the art of creating chimeras from Hades himself."

Deno's mind reeled with the influx of information.

Silvius continued, "A thousand years ago, your older brother Marcus thwarted Lambert's plans for world domination. He destroyed Lambert's army of chimeras, soldiers, giants, and monsters. In his rage, Lambert sought revenge against me by using you as a source for new chimeras."

Silvius's eyes softened as he looked at Deno. "I govern this ritual, so its power belongs to me. Be safe, my son. Learn, grow, and become strong enough to stand among the gods. The ring of Alaric will respond to your emotions and grant you mental and physical strength when you need it."

Deno felt a wave of warmth and strength wash over him as Silvius spoke. "Ethan is in the Andes Mountains, in Lambert's castle. I will transmit his exact location to you."

Before Deno could respond, he felt himself being pulled back to the physical world. The ethereal plane faded, and he found himself once again seated in Catalina's house, her concerned eyes watching him closely.

"Did it work?" she asked, her voice gentle but urgent.

Deno nodded, his mind racing with the revelations he had received. "Yes. Thank you, Catalina. Your help has been invaluable."

Catalina smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. "Remember, Deno, the path ahead will not be easy. But you have the strength and wisdom to overcome any challenge. Trust in yourself."

Deno stood, feeling a newfound sense of purpose and determination. "I will. Thank you."

He teleported back to his home, the familiar surroundings grounding him after the surreal experience. He called his friends—Percy, Annabeth, Amy, and Grover—gathering them in the living room.As they sat down, Deno recounted his encounter with Silvius, the information about Lambert, and the location of Ethan. The room was silent, each of them absorbing the gravity of the situation.

Percy was the first to speak. "So, Lambert is behind all of this. And he's taken Ethan to his castle in the Andes. We need a plan."

Annabeth nodded, her mind already working through the logistics. "We'll need to be prepared for anything. Lambert is not to be underestimated."

Amy looked at Deno, her eyes filled with determination. "We're with you, Deno. Whatever it takes, we'll get Ethan back."

Grover added, "And we'll make sure Lambert can't harm anyone else ever again."

Deno felt a surge of gratitude for his friends. "Thank you. I couldn't do this without you."

They spent the next few hours strategizing, drawing up plans, and preparing for the journey ahead. The room buzzed with energy, a mix of anticipation and resolve. Deno felt a renewed sense of hope, knowing that he was not alone in this fight.As the night wore on, they finally called it a day, each of them retreating to their rooms to rest.

Deno lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of the challenges ahead. But for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace. He was ready to face whatever came next, confident in his strength and the support of his friends.