The light through the water

Chapter 4

(Lee's POV)

CHAPTER 4
Jaycen, Sadie, and I enter the amphitheater side by side, ready for today's training. At least I am. Jaycen and Sadie shared a skeptical look once I informed them of the powers that other campers have, including Damian's. Electricity. I figure he's the one Jaycen fought with yesterday, as he's the only demigod (other than his half sister) I know with that power.
"I'll see you guys," I say to the siblings as I walk towards my dad, who will be training me today. Just me and him summoning skeletons from the ground and sneaking around in shadows. Like normal.
"Lee," Papa greets, his hands behind his back. "Oh, hey, it's the Jacksons' kids. Are you guys friends?"
"Um, yeah," I guess, even though I haven't even known them for a day. Well, I've known Jaycen for a day. Him and his grey eyes and cheeky smile. Heat rises to my cheeks just thinking about it.
"That's good," Papa smiles. "I think moving from where they grew up and into someplace new would be hard on them, but I'm glad you've made friends."
O-kay. What do I say to that? I settle for: "Right." Good enough.
  "All right, campers, when you are ready, feel free to start training," Chiron says, the Centaur Activities Director. He leaves after he says this, leaving us to our own individual training regimens. I can feel static electricity tingling in the air. I turn back to Papa.
"Let's start," he says, holding his hands out in the air in front of him. "You remember what we were working on last week?" He easily pulls a bone out of the ground.
"Of course," I say, copying his motion, and holding my hands out, palms down. I look at the ground and feel the bones rising through the dirt. After two weeks, this has become easier. The skeleton rises, holding a sword and shield whilst grappling with the ground to lift itself from its earthen tomb. It's bones click together, not loud but not especially quiet either, as it draws many other campers' attention. Or maybe that's just what I get for being able to summon the dead.
I look up, proud of my work. Papa smiles, proud of my progress as well. A couple feet away, Sadie and Jaycen stare, mouths agape, like many others around me. When they see they're caught, they quickly close their jaws and at least try to pretend that they didn't see a thing. Jaycen even whistles idly. I smirk.
"One-upper," Papa mutters under his breath, but the proud smile that he is giving tells me he's not really annoyed by my show-off. Another couple feet away, I see Damian beaming at my victory. I grin back. Of course, then Jaycen has to say something.
"You know how creepy skeletons are, right?" He mocks. My smile falters. Sadie smacks him. "What? I'm just saying, of all the powers you could have, summoning the dead just seems like the creepiest of them all." Jerk. I know he didn't really mean anything by it, but still. Jerk.
All of a sudden, Damian's face changes, taking a more furious tone. Hairs on the back of my neck stick straight up and electricity crackles. Clouds stir and darken overhead. Water sprinkles down from the sky. Moisture fills the air, and water forms droplets that slip down my wrists. Oh, gods.
"What the hell is your problem?" Damian demands, staring daggers at Jaycen.
"What," Jaycen instigates, clearly talking to the storm that is glaring in his direction. "Are you actually mad that she's got more attention than you for once?"
"Jaycen, don't," Sadie warns. At least she can be smart and keep her mouth shut, which I can imagine is difficult, seeing as she is just as quick and sarcastic as her brother. But Jaycen really does need to shut up if he doesn't want to get electrocuted again. Damian's eyes narrow even more, as he pierces his glower into Jaycen.
The siblings tense, their hackles rising. Everyone hovers, stopping their training to watch the drama unfold. A bolt of lightning flashes and lands on the other side of the arena, making everyone jump.
"Damian, don't," I tell, but I don't think he heard me, as he doesn't even acknowledge me.
Lightning blasts in between the siblings and Damian, causing the rest of the campers to dissipate. The three of them don't even flinch. They are now the center of the arena, holding everyone's attention. Fear runs through the crowd, and the adults are too scared to do anything that might endanger anyone further. Water gathers around Jaycen's hands, gathered from the rain. Sadie does the same, the water around her wrist and hands not quite as strong as Jaycen's, but I can tell she's trying to settle this with words and not powers as she speaks to Jaycen quietly, a steel look on her face as she says one word carefully and clearly: "Stop."
I want to help, but I don't know how to. I can't get in the middle, for fear of being electrocuted, and I don't want to pick a side, also for fear of being electrocuted. If I were going to choose the most harsh and damaging power between the three descendants, it would definitely be Damian's. Although, I don't think Damian would intentionally ever hurt me. We grew up together. But the look he's giving Jaycen right now makes me uneasy. He would intentionally hurt Jaycen, and if I did get in the middle? That would only make things worse. I fidget with the bracelets encircling my wrists, a nervous tick I have been trying to break since the fourth grade, around the time Damian started getting into physical fights at school. There are two of them: one of them has two beads, a yellow one, and a black one, strung on a tweed string and joined by a metal clasp; the other is made of ghost beads.
Jaycen and Damian circle each other, waiting for the other to attack first, like wild dogs. I hope neither of them does. Sadie stays by Jaycen's side, but she doesn't look happy about it, sending more glares her brother's way than Damian's.
"Enough!" A voice intercedes, before anything gets more out of hand. Everyone turns around, and a collective gasp runs through us all. Zeus and Poseidon stand at the entryway of the arena, both seething with maddened looks on their faces. The two boys let their powers go, and the clouds above us lighten and give way to sunlight once again. Sadie, however, lets the water gathered around her hands linger, hesitating, a weary look on her face as she looks at the two gods, before the water dissolves.
I don't know why we think they are gods, let alone two of the Big Three, because they look anything but. Poseidon wears a blue Hawaiian shirt with flowers on it and khaki shorts, along with a worn hat that says "World's Best Fisher" and flip-flops. Funny. Zeus wears a button down shirt with a stormy grey blazer, paired with matching pants. He looks like he works in an office. Even better.
"What in Hades are you doing?" Poseidon growls, the ground giving a slight shake in mention of one of my godly grandparents. Papa and I meet eyes, unsure of what to do.
"Jaycen started it," Damian yells.
"No, I didn't," Jaycen says in defense. Fantastic. We're dealing with toddlers. Sadie stands off to the side, trying to escape everyone's attention.
"Stop it," Zeus says. His voice alone causes the murmurs going through the crowd of frightened campers to instantly stop.
Jaycen stares at the ground, sheepishly kicking the dirt, his jaw working as he scowls. The rest of the campers are standing still, unsure if they are allowed to move even a muscle while standing under the piercing gaze of Zeus. Waiting. Mr. D shows up, walking into the arena through the entrance behind Zeus and Poseidon.
"Let's discuss this in the Big House, father, uncle?" he offers, staring daggers at all of the campers. He probably thinks it's all our faults that Zeus and Poseidon have suddenly appeared on camp grounds, him being the chauvinist that he is. Zeus nods and follows Mr. D out of the arena, along with Poseidon, Damian, Percy, and Jaycen. Sadie tries to stay back, but Mr. D calls "You too, Sally Johnson."
Percy snickers and jerks his head in the direction of the Big House, gesturing for Sadie to follow. It would seem with all the power Percy Jackson holds over this camp, being a legend and all, he doesn't really use it that much. If he did, he probably could've ended this fight before it had even started, and we would all be looking at a different outcome. Sadie rolls her eyes at her father but follows, bracing herself for whatever comes next. She glances at me and I flash an apologetic and encouraging smile.
"Good luck," I say as she passes me, not really sure of what else there is to say.
"Yeah, thanks." She pauses as though she's about to say something, her hand hovering over her pocket. But she seems to change her mind and walks out of the arena, not even looking back.
Suddenly, the arena feels empty and quiet, even though only a few had left. We all turn to Chiron, who had magically appeared again once the gods had made their grand entrance.
"Continue training," he says, and walks out of the arena, presumably to follow the small entourage that left. Well, more like trots, as he is half horse. As soon as the gods and instructor leave, it gets quiet. Not like it was when Zeus and Poseidon had appeared out of nowhere, and there was shocked silence. No, this quiet was a lot more unsettling. I looked around as a heavy breeze blows past, giving me goose flesh on my arms and causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up, stick-straight. I shiver and grip my arms across my abdomen, clutching my winter jacket to myself.
Nobody else seems to feel the temperature drop, like we just stepped into an igloo. They just go on with their training, already forgetting what happened in the past few minutes. But something's wrong. Why can't they feel it? There should be more people shivering, because my teeth are already chattering. Instead, they seem to be moving slower, like they're walking through water. Soon, they stop moving altogether. I wave my hand in front of Papa's face, and wait for a reaction that doesn't come. A shadow flickers in the corner of my eye. I turn towards it, sure I had seen something move. What looks like a ghostly reflection appears in front of my eyes and I feel the blood drain from my face. Not as a sign of fear, but as though all the air has suddenly been sucked out of my body. The form solidifies into a woman. She stands in front of me wearing a chiton, with a golden rope tied in a knot around her waist and dark ringlets dropping over one shoulder. Golden laurels lace through the hair by her temples and sandals lace up her feet and calves. She looks like a daughter of Aphrodite, with her dark eyebrows, striking green eyes, and full lips.
She stares at me warily, as one might look at a wild animal. As though I might attack her. I stare back, my chin up, also wary of the ghost-like person in front of me. I think I act more confident when I am in situations like this. I mean, obviously, strange Greek women don't normally approach me out of nowhere, but the feeling of unpredictability tends to bring out my more confident side, or at least make me seem like I actually have one. I look to see if anyone else can see her, forgetting that they are currently not moving. She seems aware of this, as she doesn't even give them a second glance. Did she do this? I extend my powers to feel her aura, or life force, but find that she doesn't have one. Everyone has a life force. Well, everyone living.
"Maria Bianca di Angelo Solace," she states, acknowledging my full name. "You are she?" Who talks like that? And how does she know my name?
"And who are you?" I retort, sass finding its way out of my mouth before I can stop it. The woman doesn't look like someone who would appreciate sass.
"My name is Pandora." No reaction to the sass. Okay then.
"As in... Pandora's Box?" I ask, remembering the ancient Greek story of Pandora and her box of evil. Well, actually it was a jar, if I remember correctly. Zeus had created her as a punishment for Prometheus, who had stolen the fire from the gods and given it to humanity. Or something to that effect. Legend has it she was the very first woman on Earth. But that was centuries ago. She should be dead. Right?
"It was a jar," she snaps, irritation rising from her voice, her gaze becoming steel. A jar it was. No need to be mean about it.
"Okay, well, nice to meet you, Pandora." I figure if I want to stay on her good side, I might as well align myself with social norms and politeness.
"I have a request," Pandora states, making it sound less and less like a request and more like she's going to demand something. It might have something to do with the fact her face is in a permanent glare. "Something that belongs to me is missing." Wait, isn't this how demigods get quests? I've heard stories from my dads of the missions they went on and traveling across the country and world. I have always adored these stories, and hoped that when I grew up, I'd get one of my own. However, as I got older, that became less and less likely, since the last generation defeated both Kronos and Gaia, leaving all of the monsters in the Underworld. Well, except for when a demigod or descendant left the camp, or had yet to find the camp to begin with. But why else would Pandora be here, other than to hire someone to take up the quest?
"Let me guess, someone stole your precious jar?" My fake confidence takes over my mouth, it seems. Somehow, her eyes narrow even more. She steps closer to me, so close I can see through her translucent ghost skin. I shiver again, thinking I should be a little more freaked out by this experience than I actually am.
"My precious jar held the malicious evils in this world, and yes, it is missing," Pandora growls, staring me dead straight in the eyes. "So, maybe, instead of mocking me, you could help me look for it. Deal?" The "request" feels more like a threat now, and I don't think even my snarkiest remark could get me away from this ghost. Cold sweat rolls down my back.
"Or what?" I ask tentatively, not really wanting to know what "what" might be. You know, for being the first woman on Earth, Pandora's a little mean. At least, in the five seconds that I've known her, that is.
"I don't know if you've noticed," Pandora says, looking around at the frozen, animated-looking campers. "But your friends aren't exactly in the best shape, being frozen and vulnerable and all. So, it wouldn't really be that hard to... cause an incident?" I swallow the lump in my throat as Pandora openly threatens my friends, my dad. Instead, I look her in the eye, with eyes that I'm sure that can purvey my fear clearly, and say:
"What exactly do you want me to do?"

After giving me my "mission," Pandora left, dissipating into mist, before evaporating into the air. At least, that's what it looked like. Although, after she left, the world still seemed black and white. I stand in the middle of the amphitheater, waiting for something else to happen. What seems like minutes of slow silence turns into ten minutes, thirty minutes, an hour and the world turns grey. I don't know why I don't move, just that I can't. It's like my feet are glued to the ground and if I move even a muscle, my knees will buckle and I will fall, not being able to get back up. I feel helpless. I can't breathe. I feel like just standing here is like someone putting their hand around my neck and choking me. Hours pass. So, this is what Pandora can do. I'm not sure if this act alone is a threat, or merely a taste of what she will do if I don't help her. My legs burn from standing for so long. Eventually, color returns to the world, and I can breathe. I gasp, taking in as much air as I can possibly hold. Everyone suddenly starts moving again at their normal pace and I stumble to my knees as they buckle beneath me. Papa catches my arms.
"Whoa, you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." I did. Pandora's voice echoes in my head. Go to the lake. Use your new friends. Find me my jar.

"Shadow travel to Mrs. O'Leary?" Papa says, apparently oblivious to the fact that I am freezing out of my own skin, despite being wrapped in a wool jacket, scarf, and sweater.
Mrs. O'Leary is the hellhound on the other side of the arena and she was given to the camp by Daedalus (but that's another story). Although she is a hellhound, she doesn't tend to bite people. Much. Usually, she's inside the arena, probably tearing an armed mannequin to pieces or playing frisbee with other campers who are daring enough to play with her. I understand why others are afraid of her, but the fear's unnecessary. She's a real sweetheart. I nod, confirming the task.
I concentrate, grabbing Papa's arm as he holds it out for me to transport him with me, and gradually feel myself sinking into the shadows, closing my eyes as my body "becomes one with the darkness," as Papa likes to say. I focus on popping up next to Mrs. O'Leary and almost transport myself and my dad to her. However, I miss by a couple hundred feet and somehow land in the pavilion. Okay, more than a couple hundred feet.  I feel the shadows slip away as I open my eyes to see the unlit bonfire and the groups of tables and benches. A dull pain throbs in my temples. Papa laughs.
"Oh, well, close enough," he says as we start walking back towards the arena, in silence. I notice, as we walk past the statue of Athena, that dark clouds are gathering, centering around the Big House. I wonder how the conference with Zeus and Poseidon is going. Probably not well, considering all the dark storm clouds.
When we arrive at the very big dog house, located behind the arena, specially made for the hellhound by the Hephaestus cabin, Mrs. O'Leary practically pounces on top of Papa, begging for attention. She probably hasn't been getting a lot of loves after being kicked out of the arena for the training session. Papa yelps as he's pushed to the ground and his face is slobbered all over as the hellhound licks him with her giant tongue.
"Hi, pretty girl," I say in that babyish voice. She prances over to me, tongue hanging out of her mouth. "Sit, down, roll over." She does as told . I reward her by giving her a belly rub. "Good girl."
"You ready to get back to training?" Papa says after a few more minutes of tricks and dog loves.
"Yeah, I guess." I don't really want to go back to the arena, though. Not if she comes back

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