Percy's POV:
The cruise liner was absolutely massive! And it is only getting bigger as my brother and I approach it. At this point the sun is setting and we plan on getting on once the lights passes the horizon. Since we assume it is filled with passengers, it will be a better idea to get on during Artemis riding the moon in Nyx's domain than relying on the mist to maybe protect us. I mean I know it's strong but. what if a clear sighted mortal sees us? I don't want to deal with that right now. Plus it isn't like we're actually gonna take them into the Sea of Monsters, we're just gonna ride it as close as possible then take a life raft in. Either through the Clashing Rocks or the Straight of Scylla. We haven't decided it so, we'll make do with what we can.
As my brother and I approached the ship I've gotten a taste of how big it really is. It was easily ten stories tall and had dozens of other levels that shared bright lights that lit up the portholes and decks with ease. It even gave us a clear sight of the name, Princess Andromeda. How ironic. The last person who had that name was saved by the person I'm named after. And is the only person who got a happy ending. I wonder... Is that the reason I got my name? I can never be sure, with her being gone but, I'd like to think that's why. I may have a rough start, however this isn't the end. Not even close.
The ship also had a huge masthead attached to the bow. A three story women wearing a white chiton, sculpted to look as if it was chained to the front of the ship. Young, beautiful, and flowing black hair. Scared out of her mind. That was Andromeda, no doubt. "Percy." Triton said in a tone of warning. Not at me but, at the ship.
"Got it." We knew what we had to do. Enter at different spots and find our way towards each other while gathering info on the way. It isn't full proof but, this mythological figure is no mere coincidence. Triton decided to try his luck from the rear which means I get to start from the princess.
Over the crash of the waves against the hull, I used my control of the sea and lifted myself up to the main deck of the cruise liner. It took a hot second but, once I landed without making a single noise something felt off. I didn't even need to find a spot to hide. It was completely desolate. Not a single sign that there were people aboard. No murmurs, sounds of plates or glasses, nothing as much as a squeak of a floor board. I tried to pry every door open I came across with no luck.
The even stranger part was that the cabin themselves were as silent as death himself. It's hard to understand that this ship has no passengers and even more so when I can't hear someone snoring when they should be asleep. This is a ghost ship...
Since it seems that the doors leading down below are a bust, the might as well hit the upper decks. I went past the pool, putt-putt, climbing wall, and even a restaurant yet, nothing.
However that dangerous and eerie feeling that kept creeping up on me hasn't left. I don't like this. Not one bit.
I ran into Triton on one of the upper decks, "Anything?" I asked him.
"Nothing good. I can sense a bad presence but, other than that this ship seems abandoned. How'd your search go?" So he felt it too. Good, at least I'm not going crazy alone.
"Same. I didn't see nor hear anything which is quite strange considering the size of this place."
"Agreed. For now let's just find some place to rest while we guide the ship in shifts. Are you up for it?" I smirked at his stupid question and punched his shoulder.
"Of course I am. Who do you take me for? This'll be a breeze." I think.
"Gotcha. In that case I'll take first watch." Technically he doesn't need to sleep so I don't see why not. I nodded my head and went into pool to take my long awaited nap. To bad I was sent right into another nightmare.
Again, for what seemed like the thousandth time I was standing on the edge of entrance to Tartarus. Again, I was met with the same steely laugh that across the chasm. 'Wellll if it isn't the young hero. No doubt trying to save those precious little friends of his.' The voice was like a blade scraping across a marbled floor. And worst yet, I couldn't move or shout to shut this man up. 'Go on, keeping playing the part of a hero. Maybe once you lose, you'll begin to wonder if any of it is worth it? If being a slave to those pesky gods is worth it. Tell me, do they care? Or is this all just to make sure they stay in power? Am I worse than they are?' His laughter filled the cavern and then the scene changed.
This time, I was in a separate cave. The prison that Grover was kept in. This time though he was in a panic trying delay the cyclops that held him. 'Percy please hurry!' He desperately called out. Though this time he was heard. The cave's foundation shook and a cry came from the other end, 'Who was that? I heard you talking!'
'It wasn't anyone. Just myself. I promise everything will be ready in a jiffy.' Grover quickly stumbled out.
'How long is that?' I swear he's a moron.
'A little over a week.' Quick thinking there buddy.
'No! There have been too many delays! You've got one week.' With that final shout he vanished behind a massive boulder and Grover was losing time. I looked him dead in the eyes and gave a simple gesture. I'm coming to save you, no matter what.
I awoke to a slap in the face and Triton standing above me with a grin. "Come on you really need to check this out." He pulled me up and I realized the sun was already out which means it's morning.
"What's the point of shifts, if you don't use them?" Seriously, I thought we had an agreement.
"Get over it. Nothing happened during the night but, now there is quite a lot going on." I saw senior citizens, couples, and kids all lined up in a precise fashion waiting for breakfast. Crew members were tipping their hats and greeting passengers like one normally would.
Then it got strange. Nobody asked who we were or how we got on or shown any sign of suspicion that were suddenly appeared out of thin air. Not only that but, every sentence seemed rehearsed entranced. "No wonder it was eerie last night. Everyone is in a trance." Triton agreed with me. What's really going on? After wandering around for a couple minutes we saw our first monster. A cyclops smashing his face into a plate of breakfast next to a couple who were way too interested in each other.
Triton looked at each other and just shrugged. Right now, it'd be better to not put the lives of mortals in danger. "Four more joined yesssterday." Clearly a Dracaena spoke to someone else. We didn't even bother to hide, if there are this much monsters we couldn't just let them be on their merry way.
"Yesss, he drawsss to the causssse." The other spoke with glee.
"The cause that is surely to lose." I turned around and uncapped Riptide within a second and Triton materialized his trident.
"Intruderssss!" They shouted in a high pitched squeal alerting every one on board that we were here. We could have stopped them but, my brother and I needed to let loose. We haven't had a good fight since our little expedition east. Once they were done shouting we severed their heads from their bodies with ease and watched as they were turned to dust.
In a moment's notice we were surrounded by Cyclops, Dracaena, Hellhounds, Agrius, Oreius, and Empousa. And sadly enough there were a few demigods in their ranks. "Brother, I think we may have a problem." I told him sternly.
"What would that be?" Triton asked back in an equally shared tone.
"It seems that we are being underestimated." I lightly laughed then formed a sword of ice in my other hand.
"Is that so? Then let's make things perfectly clear. Shall we?" Triton twirled his trident and slammed the butt end on the deck floor. Immediately the waters from the pool stormed towards us in a flash flood. It knocked over and tossed about half the monsters overboard in an instant. This gave us plenty of room to charge with no worry about something stupid happening. Triton charged the brother bears and I went for the demigods. Which was only about four but, that is only what I can see.
I ducked underneath the first sword and hit the back of one of their knees, making them fall into each other. That was easy. Before getting the chance to get up and fight back I knocked them out. Sadly, I can see why they chose this side. However, that is all the more reason to bring a real change to this world. I'm not gonna kill them.
My instincts kicked in and I jumped high into the air avoiding a couple spears and a bent sword. I spun kicked and nailed two Dracaena in their faces, easily dazing them. Once I landed I brought both of my swords up and blocked a slash from a hellhound. In this moment I decided to look towards my brother and dear gods... He was decimating the bears and any monster unlucky enough to get close to him was turned to dust.
I spotted a sneaky Empousa and lobbed Riptide towards it face as it jumped at Triton's back. Triton didn't even flinch as he continued to fight every monster in his path. Though the bears got scared off, it didn't stop my brother from reading every move carefully and attacking accordingly. He never got a speck of dust to touch his flawless technic.
I, on the other hand, kept ducking, weaving, and hopping like a maniac. With every slash or stab I was caked with another layer of dust. They tried being smart and used mortals as shields but, it didn't take. We were skilled enough to take them by surprise. I would grab their attention and Triton was stab them. Or vice versa. They didn't know who to focus on and that was their downfall. They had the numbers but, that doesn't mean anything if they can't decide on who to attack first. It didn't take us long to reach the Stateroom, which was probably where the leader was set up. As we reached the door it was opened from the inside...
"Luke..." I glared at his figure.
"Percy... Do come in." He politely gestured. What's his plan? I wanted to raise my sword against him but, Triton placed a hand on my shoulder which meant wait. I sighed a little and capped Riptide while melting freezy. The room had windows carved along the black wall, looking out over the stern of the ship. I loved the view of the green sea melting into the horizon but, now wasn't the time to get cozy. A Persian rug covered the floor, two plush sofas occupied the middle of the room with a canopied bed in one corner, and a mahogany dining table in the other. The table was loaded with an assortment of junk food as well as some hefty looking meals. It looked quite nice until our attention was drawn towards the thing in the back.
On a velvet dais lay a ten-foot-long golden casket. A sarcophagus, engraved with Ancient Greek scenes of cities in flames and heroes dying in anguish. I squinted a little and couldn't help but, think one them looked like me. Even though the sun was gleaming, the room felt cold.
"Isn't this nicer than my old cramped cabin?" Luke spread his arms proudly despite the fact that the numbers of monsters on this ship dwindled in comparison to what it was. He's changed. Now he wore a buttoned down shirt, khaki pants, and leather loafers. His hair was clipped short and he no longer had that crazy beam in his eye the last time I saw him. I noticed his scar and subconsciously placed my hand on my side. The spot where my own star shaped scar was placed. Triton nudged my shoulder and it pointed me in the direction of his weapon, propped against a sofa. "Ah, I see you noticed Backbiter. Part steel, part celestial bronze. Quite an astonishing piece of equipment if I do say so myself. But, that isn't why I let you in here. Sit." He waved his hand a couple chairs scooted towards and being the polite person I am, I sat down along with Triton.
"So how do you like playing the villain?" I asked and Luke was still acting like his stuck up self. He didn't seem to take it and made himself comfortable on the one of the sofas. He even propped his feet up on a coffee table.
"Percy, how does it feel surviving a year of banishment? I was gonna take that opportunity to hunt you done and see if you were gonna join us but, it seems that you found a little loophole. You must feel quite pleased with yourself hiding in your father's palace and making buddies with him. How are your moms doing? I can't help but, think they are deadly worried about you." I know he's trying to get under my skin.
"I can't help but wonder what Thalia is feeling right now. You know, after poisoning her. The shame, pity, and dishonor you bring upon her."
Luke snapped, "I didn't bring dishonor! The gods are to blame! They dishonored her! If she was alive, she'd stand by my side!"
Triton leaned slightly forward in his chair, "You really believe that, don't you? In that case you know nothing of Thalia Grace. Or her upbringing." Triton said with supreme confidence.
"Who are you to say such a thing?! You don't understand anything!" Luke shouted back.
"We understand that you became the monster that demigods are born to fight." Triton again stated. I love how he doesn't mince words.
"The both of you are nothing but, blind against the abhorrent things the gods have done. What good have they done? If someone were to stand against them then they were cursed or tossed aside like it was nothing. The Olympians are rotten to the core, the west is rotten to the core. And the two of you are choose not to see it. Join me! Your prowess is beyond compare. We can make a new world." Luke stood up like he rehearsed the speech countless times in front of the mirror.
"We aren't blind. In fact, I wanted to learn everything the gods have done. From the good to the straight up evil or even petty. They aren't the best but, you have chosen to fight for the wrong side." I told him.
"Annabeth knows better. She'll see reason and join us. That camp you're so fond of will be overrun within a month by monsters. Demigods will be hunted to extinction or forced to join us. You can bet on that... Do you really want to be on the losing side? I have friends at camp and more will be joining us. You will beaten from both sides. Though, I believed more would be willing."
"I am not worried about them. Are you sure that the demigods you've recruited are on your side? I doubt you have any idea of what I've been up to the past year. Oh, and Annabeth... I have complete trust in her." I could see the shimmer of doubt fade past his face.
"You are nothing but, a pawn, in the gods' games. Do you have any idea of what's instore for you when you reach sixteen?... Join us! You'll have everything you want and more! My friends are powerful, Percy. No more dread or dying friends."
"I'm ready to die. Are you?" I don't really want to die but, for the sake of others? No doubt. "Oh and one last thing. Your father still cares about you." Before the discussion could continue Triton and I jumped from our seats and lunged forward. We flew right past Luke, who was frozen stiff and through the wall behind him. We landed on the deck and our instincts were correct. Every monster was gathered around the door that we entered through. I doubt they would've planned on something as ridiculous as this. "It's been lovely. But alas our time has come to an end. Don't go being a stranger now!" I shouted back.
Triton and I just continued to laugh as we ran to the nearest life boat with monsters nipping at our heels. Triton and I slashed at a couple ropes holding a a raft in place and watch as it plummeted to the sea. "Ha! You're trapped!" A cyclops beamed as if we were.
"Oh no what ever shall we do?" Triton and I said asked in a stale voice. Before we quickly laughed it off and fell backwards into our domain. Arrows and javelins were thrown or shot at us, too bad their aim isn't as good as they thought. Splashing into the clear waters we swam back up and flew into the undamaged raft. "Ready?" Triton asked as we began concentrating.
"Yep!" The two us focused on our control of the sea and synced it together. Before they knew what was happening, a massive wave hit their starboard side and knocked them off course. All the while shoving monsters overboard. Next we focused on the propeller and caused it the malfunction as we pounded it with water. It wasn't going to move any time soon. We hope.
You may be wondering why we didn't kill Luke right then and there. The truth is, I want Annabeth and Grover to be there with me, when we prove that he was on the wrong side.