Third Person POV:
"Wait! What about me? I'm going to get Percy too! There is no way in hell that I'm missing out!" Grover complained. And he has every right to. He and his best friend are literally connected. The quest says that they are going to go and save Percy. He is the son of the sea. Right? They have four members already with Triton, Thalia, Annabeth, and Zoe. "There are two spaces left. No, you know what. One space. Because I'm going. And that is final." Grover put his hoof down and stomped out of the room to go and pack.
"We could use him to see the well being of Percy. That could help let us know the overall state of Artemis as well. He's a demigod, I doubt they'll force him into take extreme measures when she is probably with him. And he is a great tracker. I don't see the harm in it." Annabeth surmised.
"I see... That would seem to give us an advantage. Then we'll meet at the top of the hill tomorrow morning no later than five. If you are not there, I'll just have you replaced. We have five days until the winter solstice. Better not waste time." Zoe didn't like the idea of sharing her quest, but it seemed necessary to save Artemis. Even if it meant to work with them. She took her leave followed by present hunters. It's been a long day.
"Somebody better go and warn Grover. We don't want to have him to miss the meet up." Thalia chuckled beneath her breath. With Grover's excitement she doubts he will actually get any sleep. Or if anyone will for that matter. Worry has a way of sneaking up the crevices of a mind and forcing alertness. With that pleasant thought seeping through each of them, it was time to hit the hay. It's going to be a long night.
All color had faded leaving only a matte black canvas with no stars to be looked upon. The darkness was thick and the torched camp hardly lit their respected paths to their cabins. The matte black night allowing them to see at most an arm's reach in front of themselves, and the jumbled mess of feelings that clouded their minds only made their sight worse. Other than the darkness and themselves, all that seemed to exist was the chilly wind that's harsh bite could be felt through the stacked up layers. They could feel the hairs on their arms raised and the bite of the wind had left its mark in the form of small bumps that were tingling throughout their limbs, but its bite was more than flesh deep. Their blood ran cold through their veins and their bones were chilled. The flames and the magic of camp, plus the ingenuity, may have looked as though they burned warm, was nothing more than an illusion. For each had their own reasons for a cold blooded night. Nothing seemed to warm them up.
Triton on the other hand didn't need such trivial things. Like warmth for instance. He doesn't need it because the depths of the sea are a cold place to begin with. This was nothing... Plus he was a god, so he has that going for him. He was one the last entities to leave the Big House and instead of taking the same path to the cabins, he went to the hill. He could stay in his father's cabin, but he doesn't want to intrude on anyone who might be using it to sleep. If anyone is using it in the first place.
So for the time being he could wait until the quest officially starts. The hours ahead won't seem like much time has passed at all. Time for a god is a whole different concept.
There is something about a fragment of warmth that can show the coldness, something in the memory of something brilliant amid the cold winter wind. In that moment, it was Triton's bones that felt the chill, as if he was frozen by Khione instead of treading down to the deep depths of his home. It was as welcome as war to a soldier, even to a well trained warrior. Nobody wants that call; saying the battle has come to find you. Yet at the same time there was a pride under the sorrow, a glimmer of metal to face what was to come, his anger like cheese-wire under snow. Whatever took his brother was going to have him to reckon with. In the coming days he knew he would have to fight and fight, that his path was set, his warrior-self burning with a strength that only came with the promise of war.
His thoughts came and went, his determination stayed solid, his will unwavered. He was going to bring his brother back. Thus his thoughts dawdled until he felt the nuzzle of something against his neck and upper back. Triton swiveled his head around and was met with a gorgeous black stallion with wings just as stunning. "Blackjack?" He asked.
The horse neighed and shook his head up and down saying yes it is indeed him. Sadly, unlike other children of Poseidon: he cannot actually understand horses. Which was never really a problem because living underwater and all made it pointless. Though now it could be useful. Maybe. Blackjack laid down and tucked in his wings just behind Triton. He snorted and Triton took it as given permission to lay down on him. So he placed his head on Blackjack's side and listened to the even breaths of Percy's animal friend. Perhaps he wanted to help? Triton wasn't sure, but he wasn't going to deny the company.
As five A.M. neared Triton still sat in a comfortable silence. He, nor the Pegasus, haven't moved for over four hours. It was nice. Yet, the nearing presence of other members shook him out of it. He snuck a peak and watched calmly as five figures made their up way up the hill. It was still too early for the sun to make it's appearance. Thus it left the other's bundled up and shivering in the winter air.
Triton stood up and crossed his arms over his chest. The sudden lack of weight woke up Blackjack and he too stood up. He shook his body from any snow and stood gracefully overlooking his friend's brother's shoulder. This would be his first meeting up the campers.
Zoe and for some reason her newest recruit were the first to reach the top followed closely by Thalia, Annabeth, and Grover. Everyone was looking uncomfortably at the prospects of their group. Two members who don't work well together, all emotionally compromised, a god, a rookie, and no idea where to start. Except for the vague concept of west. They were off to a great start.
"Why bring her along?" Triton his best to not sound condescending.
"Is thee questioning my judgement?" Zoe shot back quickly. Maybe her time with an Olympian goddess has shot her sense of respect with other deities.
"Yes. She is a rookie and with the quest we're taking we can't afford such mistakes. There is no reason why you can't bring a more experienced hunter over her. So tell me why you chose her." Triton was quick to explain. He had good judgement. He was a warrior after all.
"I don't have to say such thing." Zoe scoffed.
"Yes, you do. Or are you willing to stake Artemis's life on the line because of a bold decision?" Or Percy's for that matter.
"...Just a feeling."
"Well alright then. Where to goat boy?" Triton turned to face the stunned figure of Grover.
"Hey! I'm the leader of this quest! I'm going to be the one giving orders!" Zoe practically screamed.
"That title holds no meaning. It's just that; a title. In addition, you're far too emotionally jumbled to do such a thing."
"And is thou not?" Zoe was reaching her limit. Who does he think he is? He attacked them for crying out loud!
"We all are. Which is why we're going to complete this to-get-her. This will not turn into a dictatorship. Not when my brother's life is on the line. Or an esteemed goddess that can finally force that stick out of her father's ass." Scratch what was said earlier, now they are off to a great start. "Now where to?" Grover was completely lost at the moment. He didn't want to defy a god or make the hunters mad.
So he quickly formed a spell that would lead them down the path that Artemis took. It was a good a place to start as any. Once it was finished it pointed southwest. Strange. "Let's get going then." Annabeth basically shoved everyone. Even the horse. "Wait. Can't you just teleport us to where we need to go?" A very valid argument.
"In a normal circumstance, probably. Now? No, because quests are notoriously unpredictable and I'm not willing to force anything. Plus, a god on a quest is extremely rare and must always tread carefully."
"Yeah, but won't this be your second one?" Annabeth of course knew the answer.
"Yes. Yet, on the last quest, I was basically a demigod. A powerful one, but I followed the same steps as any other demigod. So I'm afraid I must do the same this time." And this time he won't have Percy as a companion.
"What about the Pegasus?" Thalia mentioned. Truth be told, they've never seen anything like it. They never saw it before or have any idea why it would come here.
"This is Blackjack. Percy's friend. I think he just wants to help." Triton mentioned. He doesn't know the full story, but he knows enough to know that they are close.
"Alright, southwest it is!" Bianca clapped her hands together. She felt like she needed to contribute something. Even if it was stating the obvious course of action. "Wait, how are we gonna get there? It's not like we can all fit on the Pegasus. And we don't have a car."
Triton brought a hand to his chin and thought about it, "I could try using Percy's technique." He completely forgot about it. It's not like it is a vastly known source of transportation.
"No!"
"Absolutely not!" Grover and Annabeth shouted in sync.
"Excuse me, but what technique?" Thalia questioned. As did Zoe however it was all in her head. She can't let anyone know that she was curious about a boy's skills. That would be outrageous!
"Water travel. Since Percy is a demigod then I shouldn't cause any problems by using it... Though I may not be as proficient as he." Triton mumbled at the end causing a few cautious glances being tossed his way. He wasn't gonna say that this would be his first time using it. Now that would definitely lead to something that he doesn't want to deal with.
Zoe grunted. She doesn't want nor need the help of a man. "Don't delude thy-self, we'll be just fine without-" The water envelops them as closely as their own skin. Every new sore stings with the salt being washed in, but it is the only way for the process to work. Annabeth and Grover already wince as it swirls without mercy, penetrating to the cells that should be protected by smooth skin but lie open and raw. The water crawls and etches it's way into every pore and melts them before reassembling them in a different location safely... Maybe... After the initial surge of shock it ebbs, they can even enjoy their newfound weightlessness for a while, before Triton comes through and begins the same process, but in reverse. The water doesn't seep into the skin, but sucked out. Their bodies return and as their vision clears the water breaks and they collapse onto the ground.
Winded and breathing heavily against the shock of the new experience. It felt as if their lungs were slowly filled with water, as if there was just less space in them for the air. Inflating them felt like pushing up a lead weight on their chests. They sucked in the air as if it were treacle, yet they were standing by a truck stop on a pristine winter's morning. Without actually knowing how far they went. The feeling of melting into the water and reemerging once more was scary enough. "We are not... doing that... again..." Zoe heaved and grunted while feeling lightheaded and only slightly nauseous.
"Just try and stop me." Triton felt offended. He stood up as straight as a whistle. It couldn't have been that bad. Could it? Even Blackjack swayed and buckled from that little trip.
"Please... No more..." Now Bianca and Grover did throw up after their little plea. Thalia and Annabeth clutched their knees and their stomachs forcing their breakfast to stay down. Annabeth and Grover have done this before, but it didn't make it any easier. The sensation of dissolving was just too much for them. It didn't feel natural. It wasn't natural.
"Let's just go..." Zoe shook out of her nausea, "Now where are we?"
"Just east of D.C." Triton threw out.
Percy's POV:
The burden That I am carrying is so great that I can think of nothing, but the growing pain in my shoulders as I struggle to adjust my hands above my head. If there was a single unnecessary reason for my current predicament, I wouldn't have have come willingly. The things I'm willing to do for my family. Damn it, all of this happened because of my flaw. Loyal to the bitter end. Nothing is more important to me than them. The weight was a burden on my whole body, but I knew I had to push on - for them. I gazed toward the expanse of ocean that lay beyond the mountains edge, determined to find peace within myself. At least I think it's the ocean. My eyes blur through the strain. Every single fiber and cell in my body screams for me to let go. To just leave it all. The moonlight somehow got brighter - nah, I'm just going delusional. I edged closer towards the brink of collapse. Until the cold wash of sea water splashed against my back. Again. Never have I hated water more than I do now. Every time my body almost gives up, the energy giving water just forces me to keep going.
A grunt to the left of my vision gave me something else to focus on. Through my blurred vision, I witnessed the moon chained to the ground. Unable to move and get back to her rightful places in the sky. Her eyes met mine and a small gasp escaped her lips. Either from my predicament or her captor. It doesn't matter. However, she was still as cold as ever - her blank stare came back, I'm assuming, as she refused to talk. Our captor was having a blast and kept trying to probe something out of her. I didn't have the energy to hear what he was saying. Or know how long it's been since he stopped yapping his mouth.
I heard not a thing because all my energy focused on not falling; not the sweet choir of the birds nor the swish of the wind blowing through peek; not the distant crashing of waves, nor the swaying trees. "..r.." I can't see, nor hear, nor feel. Maybe someone was calling out to me, but I can't understand a damn thing. It still won't change much. I longed to stop, but I can't. "..r..y.." I want to be able know that through my sacrifice my friends would laugh once more, cry once more but for a good reason. "..erc.." I want to be able to know that they would let loose the soft lilting harmonies of music, and the rumbling roar of the ocean. Well... It could be a lot worse. I could be in Tartarus. "..Percy."
Huh, the moon wishes to speak to me. I guess my ears do work after all. That's a relief. The moon is calling, but I can't say anything. Not in my current predicament anyway. "No talk... Heavy..." I tried to vocalize with clenched teeth, however the weight made anything else extremely difficult to do.
"What in gods name happened to you?" Was that worry I detected? A flash of Luke's face penetrated my memory. His face was feel of pain and anguish. Yet, it wasn't for himself. Even his apology through me off guard. And it was all so sincere. He was sad for me.
"No... Choice..." I still can hardly let anything come from my vocals. Damn, I wish she could just talk to me through my head.
'What does that mean?' Well speak of the devil. I didn't think that would actually happen.
'A threat. I got threat.' It's not like she needs to know more than that. The less people know, the better.
'And that caused you to drop everything and take this curse?' Why did she have to probe my life now of all times. It's not like our situation is gonna improve because of some babbling.
'Yes. They more important than this curse.' Even my thoughts are coming out completely clear. Damn weight.
'They?' Just please drop it.
'Don't matter who... Had to.' I was foolish enough to believe that everything would turn put alright. That my nightmares wouldn't come and bite me in my butt.
'How long?' Gods it feels like an eternity.
'Hold since capture. Threat... longer.' It doesn't feel like so little time has passed. Gods, this sucks. I swore I heard a gasp or something emitted, but she doesn't care about my well being. Does she? The moon doesn't care. She didn't say anything else. I guess that's alright.
After the long hours of being so alone, the pain ebbed. I thought I would feel the knives in my body forever, the long blades slicing into such sensitive flesh. There were moments my brain felt electrocuted, so violently defocused and the pain, the physical pain, was so all encompassing I simply existed as a matter of will power. They say you come out of these things stronger, and I guess that's true, but you come out wiser too. I still have my loving heart, I am proud to say. I still have my idealism and courage. I still take forward leaps whether I can see the ground or not. But this heart, it's not for everyone, it's not for the ones who threw the knives, forgiven though they are.
A strong body used to be a sign of either excessive leisure time or a professional athlete. Who else had time for it? For people like me? It's just a necessity. If you can't run, you're dead. If you can't jump a low level wall without reducing speed you're dead. If you can't make your own weapon and fight with it...well, you get the idea. But now? Honestly that strength coming back is nothing more than a curse that keeps me imprisoned under the sky. The longer I hold on, the longer I live. Once I fail, I'm as good as dead.
Wait... Why is my strength coming back? Panic. The panic starts out as thin cellophane, something my fingers can pierce breathing holes in. In another minute the panic is a deluge of ice water surrounding every limb, creeping higher until it passes my toes and settles at my knees. That's when the attack becomes absolute, shutting my body down as fast as punching a biochemical reset button. I could swim forever, dive forever, be here in this pool of water forever and never grow tired. As a son of Poseidon, this is my world. I always felt at home in the water, to feel the saline water wash over my skin and through my eye lashes, but there's a reason I was sent here. And so, I'm in a strength giving prison, one that forces me to endure this hell. There are times I want to be saved, to give up and await strong arms to pull me from this struggle, then I remember who I am and keep going. I'm not doing this for me. It was never about me. Funny how water turns my imprisonment into torture. The fates really do hate me, don't they?
"We can't have you dying when I'm not here. Now can I?" I heard his voice clearly for the first time I let took the curse away from him. He laughed. Atlas. He nodded his head and the water settled into a pool around me. The sky is too dam heavy for me to try anything with my powers. I'm stuck. Just like Atlas was and he is a Titan. What hope do I have to try anything?
That's right... I don't. At least I have company. Actually... That isn't so good either. I don't anyone else stuck here with me. Not when they are needed else where.
My everything was on fire.