AN: Sorry for the delay in updates. Life got busy, but I'll be attempting to post once a week from now on. For those curious, Umberlee is a character from DND lore. While I don't have extensive knowledge of DND, I thought incorporating its rich lore into this story would create a fantastic plot. This story is labeled as AU for a reason—expect some dimension-crossing adventures soon. I'm super excited, especially for the upcoming action scenes!

Ch 3: Mr. Sandman Bring Me a Dream

It was a 15-minute walk back to the main campgrounds, and Annabeth used every minute to detail the situation with Percy. She started with his trip to the underwater kingdom to see his father, Poseidon - Dasha was absolutely flabbergasted at the idea of a demigod being invited to one of the Big Three's domains- Annabeth then explained Percy's extended absence and lack of communication, and lastly, the disappearance of Grover, who they found passed out under a tree with only a vague memory of his dream about Percy. Annabeth was convinced something was wrong, but it was clear Dasha had doubts.

"You know, Annabeth, it's quite possible that Percy is just indulging in the time he's spending with his father. You, I, and every demigod here knows that time with our parents is a privilege not readily given to us," Dasha said, raising an eyebrow.

Annabeth sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Yeah, you're absolutely right, but I know Percy."

Dasha smirked. "Do you now?"

"Yes, I do," Annabeth replied, her voice firm. "And whether or not he's 'indulging' in daddy time, it isn't like him to not stay in contact with us."

"By 'us,' you mean you, right?" Dasha gave an all-too-smug grin that greatly irritated the daughter of Athena.

"What's your point?" Annabeth snapped, quickening her pace.

Dasha matched her stride, her long legs making it easy. "Look, I can see why you might find it odd or alarming that Grover was found knocked out deep in the woods, dreaming of Percy as a pirate. But take it from me, someone who frequently forages out here in the wild wood—there are various plants and fungi out here that, if consumed, can cause, you know, hallucinations."

Annabeth stopped abruptly, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the tall blonde. "So, you think Grover was tripping off shrooms?"

Dasha threw her hands on her hips, glaring right back. "As a matter of fact, I do."

Annabeth just shook her head and continued moving forward.

Dasha followed, "Think about it, Annie—"

"Don't call me that."

"Grover is half a goat, and goats quite literally will eat anything. How far-fetched is it that while Grover was chilling under his tree, he just so happened to pick up a special little piece of fungi and…"

"Have a weird dream about Percy," Annabeth finished, her hands clenched at her sides. Frustratingly, the witchy demigod had a point. Grover truly had a habit of eating anything and everything. It wouldn't be surprising if he somehow ate some bad mushrooms.

"Look," Dasha said, catching up to the shorter demigod. She held out her hand, revealing a bundle of brown mushrooms with long white stems. "Psilocybe Mescaleroensis. Not sure how they got here on the East Coast—they're typically found in the Northwest—but it's proof, or a potential explanation, for what happened to your satyr friend."

Annabeth looked at the fungus and her walking pace began to slow until she stopped once again. Kids' voices could be heard not far off from where they stood, signaling they were close to the main cabins.

" I can admit that this is solid evidence of what potentially caused Grover to black out in the forest yesterday and have weird dreams about Percy. But even so, something in my gut—something in my heart—is telling me otherwise. It's possible Percy is just caught up having a good time at the bottom of the ocean, but I know that kid. I really know him, and no matter what anyone says, it's just not like him to be this quiet."

The blonde could tell by the look in Annabeth's eye that she was serious, determined, and absolutely smitten with the son of Poseidon. Nothing would convince her that Percy wasn't in some kind of danger.

"Alright, I can tell this boy means a lot to you," Dasha said, her tone softening.

"He does mean a lot to me," Annabeth admitted, her voice steady.

"So, I'm going to attempt to help you."

Annabeth's face immediately lit up, her pretty brown eyes growing twice their size in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, but it's gonna cost you."

Annabeth grew wary at the taller girl's remark but nodded. "Name your price."

"You're pretty close to Chiron and one of the main demigod leaders here at Camp Half-Blood, are you not?"

"Sure, you can say that."

"Well, as you must already know, I'm the first claimed child of Hecate."

"Right. So…?" Annabeth was slowly losing her patience.

"I currently don't have my own cabin."

"Okay, and what exactly do you expect me to do about that?"

"I need you to use your influence to get me my own cabin—"

Annabeth grabbed the bottom of her chin as she contemplated the request. "I might be able to do something about that."

"Deep in the woods past the meadow," Dasha quickly added.

"Who are you, the witch in Hansel and Gretel?" Annabeth scoffed.

"Can you do it or not?" Dasha said, throwing out her hand.

Annabeth took a deep breath. "Consider it done," she replied and gave the blonde a tight handshake.

…

As the two demigods reached the main campgrounds, Annabeth's mind was already racing with the next steps. She knew she needed to inform Grover about the plan and prepare for the meeting with Dasha under the tree where Grover was found unconscious. Despite Dasha's doubts, Annabeth was determined to get to the bottom of Percy's disappearance, and involving the daughter of Hecate seemed like the best course of action.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Annabeth busied herself with camp activities, all the while planning and strategizing for the midnight rendezvous. She checked in on Grover at the infirmary, ensuring he was recovering well and subtly hinting that she had a plan in place. Grover, still groggy and confused from his ordeal, trusted Annabeth's judgment and agreed to meet later.

As the sun set and the camp quieted down, Annabeth felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The air grew cooler, and shadows lengthened, casting an eerie calm over the camp. She knew that the night would bring answers or, at the very least, new clues.

Finally, as the fire in the amphitheater glowed dimly and the campers settled into their cabins, Annabeth slipped away from the common area. The amphitheater, usually filled with laughter, songs, and the camaraderie of campers relaxing before bed, now fell silent as the night deepened. The stillness of the night was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. Annabeth made her way to the infirmary, where Grover was waiting outside, looking slightly better but still shaken.

Annabeth approached him, her expression resolute. She explained the plan to meet Dasha close to midnight under his favorite napping tree. Grover nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Together, they set off into the woods, the moonlight guiding their path, ready to uncover the truth about Percy's mysterious disappearance.

...

"Come ye all who seek thine answers to thee heart's call," Dasha greeted in a mockingly playful tone. She spread out her arms and pretended to lift the end of an invisible skirt to bow with a curtsey.

Grover, unsure if the older female demigod was joking, shifted his eyes nervously and bowed in response. Annabeth just rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Cut it out," she scoffed and gave a light knock to Grover's chest.

"Umph. I'm just trying to be polite," the satyr frowned, slowly lifting his head up.

"Okay, we're here five minutes till midnight, just like you said," Annabeth stated, her gaze steady on Dasha.

"Good, good," Dasha replied, opening up her foraging bag to pull out a jar of what appeared to be fluorescent green pixie dust. It glowed softly, illuminating Dasha's pale face with a limeish light as she peered at the contents.

"Um, may I ask what exactly that is?" Annabeth questioned, taking a small step toward the taller girl.

"Not too close, darling," Dasha used her other hand to keep the brown-skinned girl at a distance. "What we have here is homemade sleeping sand. With a little Hecate touch."

"I really don't like the sound of that," Grover gulped. Considering Hecate was more or less connected to death and necromancy, it was hard for the goat to imagine this 'sleeping' sand doing anything less than putting a victim into an eternal slumber.

"Sleeping sand?" Annabeth, the ever-curious daughter of Athena, raised an eyebrow.

Dasha nodded, her expression serious for once. "So, I've dabbled in the dark arts since I was ten, so I know a little bit about sleeping spells. But dreams and interpreting them? That's another story. So, I went through some of my own books, borrowed a few from other campers, and did some online research on Hecate. Turns out, Hecate has an aunt named Asteria who is a titan goddess of dreams," she added with a smirk, glancing at Annabeth.

Annabeth crossed her arms. "Actually, Asteria is Hecate's mother, not her aunt."

Dasha rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Grover didn't look too confident in Dasha's work, his eyes darting nervously between the two girls.

Annabeth sighed. "So, how does it work, and what's in it?"

"Well, I wanted to make sure this sand would help Grover recall and relive the dream he had about Percy. I used a few key ingredients. First, I ground up some valerian root for its calming properties—it helps induce sleep. Then, I added lavender for its soothing effects, which ensure a deep, uninterrupted sleep. Finally, a touch of mugwort, known for its ability to enhance dreams and memory recall. I enchanted the mix with a blessing from Hecate to connect it to dream magic, ensuring Grover not only falls asleep but re-experiences and remembers his dream about Percy when he wakes up."

Annabeth nodded slowly, processing the information. "And you're sure this won't, you know, kill him?"

"Relax, If I wanted Grover dead, I wouldn't be wasting my precious sleeping sand on him," Dasha teased, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Besides, I've tested it on myself. Had some wild dreams, but I'm still here, aren't I?"

Annabeth was genuinely impressed.

Grover thought the girl was nuts.

"Alright,. Let's give it a try. Grover, lie down under the tree where you were found." the older female directed.

Grover hesitated but eventually complied, lying down on the soft grass and trying to get comfortable. Dasha carefully sprinkled the glowing sand over him, muttering an incantation under her breath.

"Sweet dreams, goat boy," Dasha whispered with a grin, stepping back.

Annabeth watched intently as Grover's eyes fluttered closed. She glanced at Dasha, her expression a mix of hope and concern. "You really think this will work?"

Dasha shrugged, crossing her arms. "If it doesn't, at least we tried something. But I have a good feeling about this."

…

When Grover opened his eyes, he found himself in a dark room. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and aged wood, mixed with a faint hint of mildew. Shadows danced across the walls, cast by a lantern swaying gently from a ceiling beam, its dim light flickering with the rhythm of the ship's movement. Grover's heart pounded in his chest as he realized he was back on the ship from his dream, the one where Percy had commanded monsters and pirates to fight.

The room was the captain's quarters, richly decorated but with a sinister edge. Heavy, dark wood paneling lined the walls, and intricate carvings of sea creatures twisted and writhed in the wood, seeming almost alive in the flickering light. Maps and charts were strewn across a large oak desk, their edges curling and yellowed with age. A tall bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, their titles obscured by dust. The floor was covered in a thick, ornate rug that muffled Grover's hesitant steps as he moved deeper into the room.

Nervousness gripped him, his hooves clicking softly on the wooden floor as he edged closer to the center of the room. The only sounds were the creaking of the ship and the distant crash of waves against the hull. His eyes darted around, searching for any sign of danger. In the corner, a small table held a collection of navigational instruments, all polished brass and gleaming in the lantern light. The air felt heavy with the weight of countless secrets.

Then, Grover's gaze landed on a large, canopied bed against the far wall. There, amidst the tangled sheets, lay Percy, fast asleep. His face was relaxed, a stark contrast to the fierce commander Grover had seen in his dream. The sight of his friend brought a mix of relief and confusion. What was Percy doing here? Why was he commanding monsters and pirates? Grover's mind raced with questions, but his immediate concern was ensuring Percy was safe.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. The soft glow of the lantern highlighted Percy's face, casting shadows that made him look both peaceful and troubled at the same time. Grover felt a pang of worry. He knew he had to find a way to wake Percy and get some answers, but the eerie atmosphere of the ship and the strange, almost magical quality of the room made him hesitate. Every creak and groan of the ship seemed amplified in the stillness, adding to his anxiety.

Gathering his courage, Grover stepped closer to the bed, his eyes never leaving Percy's face. He reached out a trembling hand, ready to shake his friend awake and hoping that whatever answers Percy had would help them both make sense of this strange, dream-like reality.

"Who are you?" a voice suddenly called out in the darkness. Grover's heart immediately stopped, his hand hovering just above Percy's blonde curls.

Very slowly, the satyr retracted his hand and turned his head to see who was standing within the dark shadows of the room. At first, all Grover could see were glowing golden-green eyes, Cheshire-like in nature and definitely not friendly. Gradually, the eyes turned into a pale face as the person stepped into the ray of moonlight shining through one of the windows. Grover immediately recognized her as the beautiful red-headed girl who had been standing next to Percy at the helm of the ship just as the crew members began to fight.

"You, you can see me?" Grover finally responded, unsure when his heart decided to beat again but somehow finding the strength to speak.

"Φύγε!" the girl suddenly yelled, and Grover felt a deep pull in his gut. Just as he opened his mouth to yell, he found himself back at Camp Half-Blood, sitting under his napping tree, his mouth agape and sweat trickling down his forehead. In a panic, he glanced at his surroundings, only to find Annabeth and Dasha staring down at him with confused expressions.

"Are you alright?" Annabeth immediately crouched down and grabbed Grover's shoulder, her brow furrowed with concern. "You were asleep for about an hour!"

Grover was still catching his breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Dasha tried not to look worried but nudged Annabeth's shoe, beckoning her to make her satyr friend talk.

"Hold on a second, just give him a moment to breathe," Annabeth said, placing the back of her hand to Grover's head. "You're burning up," she said, a hint of guilt in her tone. Grover wasn't fully recovered, and she had forced him to undergo this experimental spell.

Grover took a few more deep breaths, then finally managed to speak. "I… I was back on the ship. The one from my dream. It was real, Annabeth. I'm sure of it."

"What did you see?" Annabeth asked, her eyes widening with concern and curiosity.

"I was in the captain's quarters. The room was dark, filled with old maps, books, and strange carvings. And Percy… he was there, sleeping on a bed. But then, there was this girl. She had these glowing greenish gold eyes and red hair. She spoke to me."

"What did she say?" Dasha leaned in, her curiosity piqued.

"She asked who I was, and then she said 'Φύγε,' which means 'leave' in Greek. But it was weird. Her lips didn't move with the correct pronunciation. It was like she wasn't really speaking the words, more like she was projecting them," Grover explained, shivering slightly at the memory.

Annabeth's eyes narrowed in thought. "That is strange. It seems like Percy might be using your empathy link to send out a distress call. He's trying to reach us, Grover."

Grover nodded vigorously. "Yes, I think so too. It didn't feel like a normal dream. It felt too real, too vivid. Percy's in trouble, I'm sure of it."

Annabeth stood up, her face set with determination. "We need to find a way to help him. This is more than just a dream. We have to act quickly."

Dasha crossed her arms, her face thoughtful. "I'll see what other spells or resources we might have that can help us locate him. There has to be something we can do."

Grover, still a bit shaky, managed a small smile. Annabeth placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out together." She then looked at Dasha. "Let's get to work."

The three of them stood there, united in their mission, knowing that the journey ahead would be challenging but determined to bring Percy back safely.