Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 90: Kampê and Braires

Annabeth Chase

"Okay, which way?" I ask as I look to the two different exits.

"Left," Grover and Tyson almost say in unison as they look wearily to the right exit.

"Why? Something you smell?" Percy asks them. Both nod in response.

"Yes, something big is coming! Definitely not good!" Bianca says as she starts to push everyone to the left exit. "Don't have to tell me twice," Percy says as he walks eagerly to the left exit.

We all run through the tunnel which is for once not giving us a hard time. No side exits, no traps, no winding, and sharp turns. The only downside that came from going this way is that it was a dead end. At the end of the tunnel, a large and bulky boulder was in our way.

"Tyson?! Can you-" Percy asks before Tyson answers quickly. "Yes!" He says already shoulder charging into the boulder.

It causes dust and small rocks to trickle down from the ceiling. I find it more terrifying to be buried under hundreds of kilos of stone than whatever is coming for us. Bianca shared my opinion as she pushes herself to the front.

"Stop! I am not ready to be buried alive!" she exclaims. "You are stronger than me?" Tyson asks curiously.

"No, but equally capable," she says, touching the boulder. In barely a few seconds, the boulder starts to push forward. "Everyone in!" Bianca calls out. We hurry inside as the rumbling from behind us got louder and louder. Bianca soon pushes the boulder back into place using her powers.

"Gods, I don't like that place..." Percy mumbles out.

"Stating the obvious again, Percy?" I say as I look around the room.

"Is it like a rule to belittle me?" Percy asks with a slightly hurt voice. His eyes dart between his friends. I think he hopes the answer is no.

"Yes," Zoe and I say in unison.

"Okay, I'll be the poster boy..." he says softly.

"Don't worry Percy, it's a joke. But where are we?" Zoe asks. Percy was mumbling something under his breath as he looked around as well. I know this building. The prison Alcatraz. Typical prison design for that place, but why are we here?"

"This is the prison Alcatraz, Zoe."

"Alcatraz. How are we here?" Nico asks but is shushed by Grover. The goat boy points upwards with one of his fingers.

"Listen. Do you hear it?" He says softly. We became as still as the night as we listen carefully. From above us, soft sobbing sounds emanate through the floor. Words are also said, but I do not understand them. These words are not spoken in Ancient Greek, let alone English.

"The Ancient Tongue. The tongue of the Old Times. It is spoken by all the children of Gaea, Titans are one of those beings," Zoe says, "But I can't speak or understand it."

Tyson listened carefully as he hears it. A shock goes through him as he walks to the entrance of this cell. "It can't be!" He says in surprise. He bends the bars so wide as if the thick steel bars were made out of candy. Tyson slips through as he goes in the direction of the sound.

"Come on, we can't let him out of our sight. He'll be spotted and who knows what will happen," I say and rush after Tyson. Gods, now I am protective of a Cyclops. Aileen is really rubbing off on me.

We all rush after the cyclops. Slowly but surely another prison cell comes into view. The sobbing sound only increased. A horrible sight slowly comes into our view.

"Stop, Annabeth! Do not let her see you. It's Kampê!" Aileen warns me. What?! Kampê!? Gods...

"Everyone stop!" I say as a warning. Everyone did, but Tyson was adamantly going forwards. Grover pulled him back with all his might. "Careful, Tyson. Do you not see it?!" Grover says, pointing to the fierce monster.