"Well, this camp is utter garbage!" Alabaster declared dramatically, barging into Cabin 3 with all the flair of a storm. Percy and Ethan, already lounging on the bunk beds, burst into laughter at his entrance. "I mean, can they get any more condescending?"
"They definitely think highly of themselves," Ethan chimed in, his smirk dripping with sarcasm. "Especially those snooty first twelve cabins. Although, I must admit, I've found some decent folks in cabins seven, eleven, and twelve."
Ethan extended the Krispy Kreme donuts box towards Alabaster as he settled in beside them. Inside were the mouthwatering delights of the Sesame Street special donuts, a treat smuggled into Camp Half-Blood by the mischievous children of Hermes from Elysium Prep. Alabaster's eyes lit up with anticipation as he reached for a Big Bird donut, with a satisfied moan, he sank his teeth into the sweet treat, savoring the explosion of taste as the pudding center beak and yellow sprinkles danced on his taste buds.
Glancing at the plates held by his friends, Alabaster couldn't help but chuckle at their predictable choices. Percy, true to his nature, had selected the Cookie Monster donut, its vibrant blue hue immediately drawing him in. Topped with a generous swirl of cream frosting and studded with cookie bits, with a miniature chocolate chip cookie perched atop, it perfectly suited Percy's tastes.
Meanwhile, Ethan had opted for the Elmo donut, its cheerful red exterior adorned with a custard-flavored frosting and a jelly-filled center. As Alabaster observed his friends indulging in their chosen treats, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. After all, what better way to enjoy the company of friends than with a box of delicious donuts and a shared moment of blissful indulgence?
After a moment of delightful silence, Percy picked up their conversation again. "Really? Because from what I've seen all week, you two have been getting cozy with Luke and Clarisse. Luke, I get, he's a stand-up guy. But Clarisse? She's like an A-grade bully," Percy observed, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. His smile faltered when he noticed the exchanged glances of concern between Alabaster and Ethan. "I sense I'm missing something here."
Alabaster and Ethan engaged in their silent communication, a dance of eyebrows and glances, before Ethan finally took the lead. "You see, Percy, we didn't exactly cozy up to them out of the blue."
"We've had our suspicions about your quest to find the lightning bolt, ever since Nico warned us," Alabaster added, his tone grave. "And there's no way we were letting you embark on that mission solo. So, we got down to business as soon as we set foot in camp."
Their admission hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths and shared concern. Percy's gaze softened, realizing the depth of their loyalty and friendship. Despite the levity of their banter, the underlying seriousness of their bond was palpable.
"Thanks, guys," Percy said sincerely, a warmth spreading in his chest. "I couldn't ask for better friends."
Alabaster and Ethan exchanged a nod, their expressions reflecting a shared determination. "Anytime, Percy. We've got your back, always," Ethan replied, his voice firm with conviction.
"What did you find out?" Percy asked curiously.
"Luke and Clarisse are filled with hateful feelings, Luke especially desired retribution like no one I've ever met before," Ethan recounted, his expression clouded with discomfort. "When I confided in Alabaster, it hit us like a lightning bolt—pun intended. Who else could have the audacity to steal two of the Big Three's symbols of power? Only Hermes would have the cunning to pull it off, but he's too wrapped up in his messenger duties. Plus, Nico assured us that while Hermes might be mischievous, he's not about to spark a war of epic proportions."
"However, there's one deity who thrives on chaos and conflict," Alabaster interjected, leaning in with a grave expression. "Luke harbors a deep resentment towards his father and likely sees this as a chance to settle the score. He could have slipped into the Underworld, snatched the Helm of Darkness, and used it to steal the Lightning Bolt, all while framing you for the deed. Blaming the son of Poseidon would inevitably lead to accusations against Hades, given their strained relationship. It's all too easy to cast Hades as the villain, isn't it? After all, people assume he'd want more souls in his domain. Especially if he thought you'd stolen his helm."
"But something went awry..." Percy mused, the pieces of the puzzle finally clicking into place. The realization hung heavy in the air, the implications sinking in as the trio exchanged meaningful glances.
"It seems Nico inadvertently set off a chain reaction, hijacking yet another quest. Though, indirectly this time," Ethan chuckled softly. "He rescued us all from our abusive homes, bringing us to a safe haven where we could learn and grow. We discovered that Hades has little interest in meddling with the living realm. Why rush what's inevitable? We'll all end up in his kingdom eventually."
"And when Nico reported the Helm of Darkness missing, it threw a wrench in the plan to frame you," Alabaster added, his tone grave. "It not only exposed the scheme but also quelled Olympus's fears. Sure, you might have had access to the lightning in New York, but you wouldn't have been able to outmaneuver the Underworld."
"But Luke can?" Percy's voice was laced with disbelief. "That place is practically a fortress, from what Nico told us. It's supposed to be impenetrable!"
"Anywhere is accessible if you know how," Alabaster replied with a shake of his head. "And Luke, well, he's Hermes's golden boy. Wouldn't be surprised if the God shared some of his tricks with his son to win him over. Especially considering how much Luke seems to resent his father."
"So, Luke's in cahoots with..." Percy trailed off, catching the stern glares from his companions when he was about to utter Ares's name. It was an unspoken rule among demigods—mentioning a deity's name could attract unwanted attention. "I mean, he's working with a God to stir up trouble among the Olympians. And you think Clarisse is in on it too. But why? Luke's always been protective of demigods. And we all know that when the Gods clash, it's us and the mortals who pay the price."
"That's the million-drachma question," Alabaster sighed. "I don't have the answer to that. But I do have evidence of his involvement." With a meaningful glance, Alabaster produced a small box from his pocket, lifting the lid to reveal a pair of winged shoes nestled within. "These were a 'gift' from Luke when he caught wind of me joining you on the quest. They're cursed—ancient magic, potent stuff. If it weren't for my training with Harry at Elysium Prep, I might have fallen for it. Thankfully, all of us children of Hecate at Elysium Prep received our own grimoires from mother, so I knew better."
The shoes looked like your typical basketball kicks you'd snag from any sports store. But the minute Alabaster muttered "Maia," bam! It was like someone cast a spell on them or something. Those shoes did a complete 180. Suddenly, out popped these majestic wings, sleek and graceful, like they belonged to a mythical creature. But wait, there's more! Alabaster said "Maia" again, and just like that, the wings tucked back into the shoes like they were never there. In addition, the shoes bore another distinctive trait: the symbol of Hermes emblazoned proudly upon their surface. Where one might expect to find the iconic star of the Converse Chuck Taylors, there instead lay the letter "H," a symbol of the messenger god himself. It was a subtle yet unmistakable mark.
Percy's gaze darkened as he scrutinized the cursed footwear, his jaw clenched with a mix of anger and concern. It was a threat to his friends, and that was something Percy couldn't abide. "What does it do? The curse, I mean."
"I can't say for certain," Alabaster admitted, his frustration evident. "But what I do know is that it activates once we reach a specific predetermined location. As for its exact purpose... well, that's still a mystery. But it's clear they're meant to drag us… somewhere."
"That doesn't sound ominous at all," Ethan sneered, his sarcasm dripping like venom. He ignored the icy glare he received in return, his mind already racing with suspicions. "So, Luke's involved, and Clarisse might be too. Who else do you think could be in on this?"
"Maybe that Anny girl," Percy suggested, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Annabeth?" Ethan arched an incredulous eyebrow. "I know you find her irritating, but she practically worships the ground her mother walks on. All she ever talks about is making Athena proud."
"True," Percy admitted, though he wasn't ready to back down. "But think about it. Annabeth's desperate to join the quest, and Luke called her his 'little sister.' Plus, she lost her sister-figure to the Gods infight, who leter got turned into a tree."
Alabaster nodded in contemplation, his gaze drifting off into the distance. "He's got a point there."
"Finally, someone sees it!" Percy exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. A heavy silence settled over the trio, each lost in their own thoughts. "So, what's our next move?" Percy broke the silence, his frustration palpable.
"We wait," Ethan replied grimly, his tone heavy with resignation. "Until we have solid proof, we can't do a damn thing."
"Looks like we'll have to bide our time until you get your prophecy," Alabaster chimed in, his voice tinged with a hint of defeat. "And hope that we stumble upon something incriminating during the quest."
Percy slumped back onto his bed, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Just great. Just what we needed."