Triton's POV:
No one other than Khione, Amphitrite, and I could contact Percy or get a sense to where he was at at any given time. It was an unspoken contract we all agreed to. Mainly because Percy was definitely prone for getting into trouble. Poseidon is specifically left out because he is his father and can't really interfere with the lives of his children. Percy definitely knows. Not only that, but he asked for some time to get his head straight and to take a break. He definitely needed it if anything he mentioned was to go by.
Soo, the second he fell of grid I mentally freaked out. As did Khione and Amphitrite. None of us knew anything which led all of us to do some drastic measures, for a god at least. Over a mortal. Khione went to the spot he vanished from and searched the area. Amphitrite took it upon herself to visit his family and see if they knew anything. Which left me to be foolish enough to violently go to camp. I was seeing red. I was definitely not going to be polite. They made the mistake of assuming shit about him when they know absolutely nothing about his life. And it pissed me off. Percy had it a lot worse than any other demigod... But can I really blame them though? I mean I was fooled by his cheery attitude. He hid behind a mask of fun and laughter, but had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He really is strong.
And now he is gone. Like really gone. Someone always knew where he was... Not anymore it seems. I'm still pissed. The beach should be all rounded stones by rights. The tide washes up and down does it not? How many eons has it been doing that. But when I come close to their camp, I see the useless chatter of two demigods. They weren't doing anything. The anger I tried to hold down bubbled up like a raging storm. Ahead the waves crash as if they had real power, white and foamy. The sea acted on my anger and exploded upon the shore. The air has that salty, seaweed smell just like father did and it reminded me all the more of my missing brother. It was cold then, it will be cold now. Cold and smelly. I slip past the breakers and stalk my way onto the shore. Their look panic and unease didn't do anything to ease my sense of dread. I expect them to run, even though that wouldn't do them any good.
Zeus's daughter struck her weapon into the air and called forth her power... But, she wasn't fully committed. Her eyes closed early and she struck down too soon. The bolt zapped the ground in front of me and the tingles tickled my skin. It hurt, but that wasn't going to stop me. She looked pleased with herself. Maybe she thought she got a direct hit in. How foolish. Assumptions like that are going to get you killed you day little girl.
I kept moving forward. She fell and in an instant I stared down her electric blue eyes emitting pure unadulterated fear. "Where is he!?" She gawked, "WHERE!?" I tossed her aside and yelled at nothing. I flailed my trident and struck the ground. Then I saw her, Annabeth. She must know something. As a daughter of Athena she can not afford not to. "WHERE. IS. MY. BROTHER!?" I shouted once more.
As I drew closer an arrow struck the ground an inch in front of me. "Stay away from her!" I looked up and saw a bunch of little girls in silver threatening me. How pathetic. I couldn't care less about them at the moment.
"Stay out of this! Or I swear on my father's name you'll never be able to go near so much as a puddle!" I threatened, "Now you." I pointed back to Annabeth, "I'm not leaving until I get a straight answer. No one is going to stop-"
'Triton! Listen! Come quick! It is urgent!' My mother's voice rang through my head. Instantly every possible scenario ran through my skull. Each one more terrible than the last. "Oh gods..." What could it possible be? Did we miss something? But what!? " Don't worry." I spoke aloud. I looked up around me and saw their gazes of confusion.
There is no point in staying here. I flashed to my mother. Nothing registered as the only thought on my mind is my brother. "Mother! What is it!?" My foot splashed into a lake and it was the first time it hit me. I was in the place my little brother grew up in. Where he trained in. Where his life had the intentions of good, but evolved into a monstrosity. Poor Percy.
The area was a small clearing surrounded by lush forests and a lake. The lake is the finest of mirrors, never showing exactly what is above, but converting it to a image so beautifully smudged and broken. The weeping willow, the clouds above, all become a Monet – all free for the looking. Sure, it is transient, changing by the day, but that's what makes it all the more precious. I bet the view in the summer is even more beautiful. Everything now is covered in a light coat of snow. I look at the flat lake and watch the beginning crystal markings of ice. This. This was his home.
I stare past the view and see my mother talking with Khione. I flashed next to them and saw their faces. Next, the nymphs and naiads melting out of their respected places and gathered. All around us are the concerned faces awaiting the news of Percy, of his whereabouts and of how much trouble he may be in. Phoebe is there too, grinning like an idiot. She most definitely doesn't know. I close my eyes, letting my mind clear up and for the first time today think rationally.
Brothers can hate, tease, annoy the hell out of each other, fight, and throw punches. Yet, one thing they can and will never do is look down at each other. The only time they do is when they are helping their brother stand back up... Percy is down and I'm here. Not helping him. I wonder what's going through his mind right now?
"We have good news and bad news... The good news is that we have an idea where Percy is... The bad news is there is nothing we can do about it. Not unless the fates are willing to do what they did for the last quest... That isn't very likely." Khione said solemnly.
"Where's Percy?" I believe his mother asked. One of his mother's. Nasaea I believe.
"... I may have been too optimistic on saying we know where. I do know that he is being held by a titan in the west." Khione shook her head and I bet I can guess what she is thinking. That she feels useless... I feel useless.
Damn it. There must be something I can do... I can go to camp. Well go back there... They deserve to know as much as we do. They are close to him as well. What would Percy make of me now? Heh when did I care so much about what he thinks? Brotherhood is really a strange concept.
Annabeth's POV:
What in the hades just happened?! Triton, Percy's brother, attacked. He attacked camp. Just how close have they become? Seriously! I know Percy has a strong affect on people, but gods too!? He didn't care that this place was a refuge to demigods. He fully intended to come here and force information out of us. I... I was terrified. Just. Just- UGH! What in the hell!?
"What was all that about!?" Now Zoe wanted to know something. This is absolutely infuriating!
"That was Triton, Percy's brother, on a war path!" I shouted because- I don't even know what to make of this!
"What!?" Thalia screeched. I guess she didn't know that little detail about her crush. Damn it! Why does she have to like him too!? "I attacked a god!? Oh gods please help me." She heaved. She was lucky that Triton just tossed her aside. I don't even want to know what else he would do. I'm not the jealous type. Am I? No of course not!... UGH even my thoughts are all jumbled up!
"Calm down! Why did he come here? What did he want?" Of course Zoe had a calm demeaner. Of course she would! It's not like she was targeted by a god with issues.
"He wanted to know where Percy was! Come on keep up." I shouted in dismay. I am absolutely shook and my legs won't stop shaking. Damn it! I wish Percy was here.
"Why would a god care about that?" Oh wow, Zoe knows how to ask the big questions. Good for her.
"They are close. Somehow, somewhere, a demigod and his godly sibling have actually bonded. Now with Percy gone he's gone completely mad. Just look at what he did!" I gestured to the beach around us. It could hardly be considered a beach at this point. Where was Chiron when you need him? Actually? "Hey where is everyone?" I asked. The commotion itself should have raised some alarms and caused what little campers present to show up and ready for battle. Even Chiron would be one of the first down here.
"Those guys? We told them we could take care of it. And it seems we have. That good for nothing ran running when he saw us." I'm pretty sure her name was Phoebe. How completely ignorant.
"You're wrong. He didn't run because of you." Thalia scowled up at them.
"And how could you possibly know that?" The same huntress sneered back.
"He said 'oh gods', waited a little and said 'Don't worry.' Like he was talking to someone. Plus I doubt that someone with his rage would care about you over the safety of his brother." Thalia neatly wrapped it up. Woah.
"It matters not. We shall notify Chiron and head back to our cabin." Again, Zoe basically ordered. I still don't care. My adrenaline is still pumping and my legs still won't stop shaking. They turned around and left. I swear, they just keep giving us headache after headache with their superior attitude. Even Bianca held her ground. I guess she was just trying to fit in. Still stupid though.
I sighed and walked over to Thalia and held my hand out for her to grab. "So you like him too?" Thalia sheepishly asked.
"This is so not the time." I said with a light chuckle in my voice. There is no way I'm talking about this right now. "Come on and let's fill in Chiron. I doubt they will do it proper." Thalia nodded and we slowly strolled towards the Big House.
Once we got there, we were greeting by Charles, the Stoll brothers and a few other campers. Well... Greeted doesn't actually seem like the right word. More like bombarded with questions about what the hell happened. Thankfully Chiron managed to finally settle them down and thus we told them what happened. "We succeeded in saving Nico and Bianca, but... Unfortunately it seemed to be at the cost of Percy. We had no idea he was even there. And he just up and left willingly with the manticore. He barely said anything." I couldn't say anymore. I was about to snap.
Chiron placed a hand on his chin and rubbed his beard, "We must launch a quest immediately to find him and bring him back." Chiron ordered.
"Woah, woah, woah, absolutely not. I'd call even. We gained two brats and lost the worst brat of them all. Win-win in my book." If looks could kill, Mr. D would be a pile of ash with the gazes he received from everyone present.
"With all do respect, I'm not asking permission. I'll make the announcement during dinner. Until then you're all dismissed." Chiron was awesome. He ushered us out and we all started discussing the plan. Who would go and whatnot, when, and the little details. It seems no one really cared about the game that was gonna happen tomorrow night. Even if it was tradition. Some things were bigger than tradition. This mission. I believe it is.
After an hour, more campers showed up and it began to look like a real operation... Damn, Percy is really influential. I still don't understand how. He hasn't even been here, at camp, much. And yet, nearly everyone wants to do something.
Triton's POV:
I flashed myself into the Big House and directly into a heated staring contest. Dionysus had purple flakes of fire roll off his eyes and Chiron didn't dare back down. This was probably not a good idea. "Ahem." I coughed into my fist. "Sorry to interrupt, but this is urgent." They didn't budge. I guess I should have expected as much. "This is about Percy Jackson. My brother." That apparently warranted their attention.
"Oh not you to? What's it with all of you and your obsession over the sea spawn?" Dionysus sighed and sprawled over his chair.
"That sea spawn, as you so nicely put it, is a key piece of the great prophecy. Whether you believe it or not." I knew Dionysus was a giant air-head but this is completely ridiculous. How can he be so senile?
"It's just a brat. They live they die." He said it so nicely.
"Yes, but no one else has went through what he went through. You may not care, and that's up to you. But, if you think for a second that we're the same as you? Then you're sorely mistaken." I argued. "Now Chiron, I would love to have a more civilized discussion with you over a cup of tea?" I know how pretentious gods can be. Especially ones that demand respect. I should know.
"Of course, I feel as if I'm done here anyway." Chiron spoke confidently. Then he decided to escort me to the dining pavilion. I saw no campers, but that didn't seem to off considering it was winter and cold.
The torches and the braziers kept the place warm and lit. I have to say, they got a nice place here. Not as nice as the palace, but it is nice. We sat at the head table and before I knew it, we were discussing ways and ideas to get my brother back. The one that came up the most was a quest. I should have known that to be the case.
I love talking to Chiron, he's more like me than anyone I know, but still is different enough to make our conversation interesting. Honestly our conversation had strayed a bit, but when was the last time I had a conversation with someone nearly as old as I? I can't run my brain in nihilistic thought patterns, I need freedom to move in any direction in search of real solutions. That was what Chiron managed to get out of me. Real solutions. In the eons of history and the business of duty it was hard finding someone competent enough to converse with. Every conclusion we've drawn out led to another question or idea that let us continue well into the evening. Every conversation I ever had revolved around the topics of the day - fear, terrorism, money, petty disagreements, duty - no-one ever focuses on the real puzzles of our age. I want to talk to someone who knows our intellectual walls are artificial, I want to converse with someone who can see the cages of the mind like I can. But I guess that's the point of talking, to get what's in your head out there, to start new lines of thought and hope they ripple out into our collective "pond." I want to have a conversation where I feel invigorated afterwards instead of disturbed by the lack of mental flexibility people have. If the brain is like a computer, then the way our minds work is an operating system built by family and environment. My operating system is very different to everyone else. I want to talk philosophy, I want to explore brand new concepts and new blends of old ones. I want to be optimistic about the human mind and soul, optimistic about the future of the earth. Talking with Chiron has been a nice change of pace.
That is until some huntress raced into the pavilion in a panic. You can feel it, building like an unstoppable snowball in the pit of their stomach. She cannot concentrate on anything else that she's doing. The next step is her heart starting to beat harder and faster, adrenaline levels rise, her throat tries and crawl up inside her body and her brain starts to fire out negative thoughts like a machine gun. As sweat starts to happen all over the body. It feels like your skin has another hot skin on the outside, like a bin bag, it moves over your body and never releases. The negative thoughts keep coming like waves on rocks. She starts pacing or moving around irrationally. The arguments in her head get so fast and so disturbing that her brain shuts down her body. The sweat has completely covered her body and her heart feels like it's going to explode.
I know what she is going through because I just got off that high myself.
Someone in her life is missing. Someone important. Artemis. I glance over at Chiron and he seems to understand as well.
He abruptly stood up and carefully made his way over to her, "It's okay. We're going to get through this." He turned to face me, "I believe it is time for another quest. Would you kindly escort her to the Big House while I gather the campers?" I nodded in agreement.
It didn't take long for everyone to show, which to say wasn't very much. Anyway, it was anonymously agreed upon that it be Zoe's quest. So we waited. Waiting is easier for me than demigods with ADHD. I've had all the practice in my younger days. To them a day is a long time, a week even more. My concept of time is so different, I sit, let my mind empty and enjoy the peace. Or what little peace my mind can have. They come up with a million different "we're screwed" scenarios and needs feedback on every single one. Waiting on my own is simple, with her in tow it's exhausting just lying on my back.
The moment Zoe came down she looked better than before. And without letting anyone interrupt she spoke the prophecy.
Six shall go west to the goddess in chains,
To withstand the Titan's curse for a sake known to one,
Olympus's bane to show the trail,
Campers, hunters, and god together prevail,
To survive is up to the sea,
The sea and the moon to share the tides.
"We're leaving tomorrow." Zoe ordered.
"And who exactly is: we?" Thalia, Zeus's girl, was quit to respond.
"As much as I hate to admit it, two or three hunters, two or three demigods, and a god." When was she so quick to compromise.
"It's simple. Thalia and I for sure. Zoe and whoever you choose, and Triton." Annabeth planned out. I have to say two quests for a god? Interesting.
Merry Christmas!