Daughter of Neptune

Shrivelled Up Like A Prune

Kronos harshly pushed me towards the River Styx.

"Bathe in it." I looked at him with wide eyes and my heartbeat quickening. He wouldn't, he couldn't, expect me to go into the flaming river and take a dip. Only 3 people have survived, countless others have shrivelled up like a prune from the heat.

I knew that if Kronos wanted me to do something, I had no say in the matter. So I took small steps down the riverbank. The flames licked at my feet and I cowered from the overpowering heat.

I glimpsed behind me to find Kronos impatiently waiting on top of the hill. He gestured for me to hurry up and I knew there was no way I would get out of this. I took another step into the river and flames engulfed my right leg.

I wade out into the burning river until I was deep enough to dip myself under. I stood with the lava-hot water at my waist as the flames engulfed me and I left myself sink.

If I told you I felt like I was burning in a volcano, I would be lying. The pain was so much more intense then that. It felt like I was being burned alive, which technically, I was.

I wanted to die right here and now, the pain Tom had put me through was nothing like this. Tom, he told me he loved me and then he betrayed me. He gave me to his father, Kronos, king of the Titans.

And Leo, he was by my side in the cells. We took care of each other. No, I would survive, even if it were only to tell Leo how I felt about him.

To survive I have to choose a spot on my body that will anchor me to this world. I consider my shoulder but my battle armour might not cover it.

I think about the sole of my foot, it will be covered in battle and won't get attacked. Even better, how about between my big toe and my other. That will be better protected as it is more covered.

No one would guess it as my Achilles' heel and it seems like the best spot to pick. I focus on the spot in between my toes. Flames seep into my lungs I surface from the River Styx panting.

The flames that burned my skin now fell like a tickle. It doesn't hurt at all which means I succeeded. I lived through the almost unbearable pain the River Styx threw at me.

I confidently walk back to Kronos, luckily with my clothes still intact and he grabs my arm. He says something under his breath and a portal opens up beneath us.

The wind whips at my face as I fall and I feel myself land in the same room as before. Tom and my eyes meet for a second and I see relief in his dark, black eyes. Kronos pushes me into the chair and I sit down with newfound strength. It must help that I now have the Curse of Achilles.

Kronos walks straight up to me with a blank face and hands me a cup of water.

"Drink." He orders. I grasp the cool glass and raise it to my lips. I down the cool liquid with one drink and fiddle with the cup in my hands. Kronos looks at me and waits patiently.

Tom stands a few steps behind me to my right. The glass occupies my hands and my eyes watch as the glass tips from hand to hand. I feel my eyelids begin to droop and feel heavier the more I keep them open.

The glass smashes on the floor with glass flying everywhere but I didn't notice. For the second time today I was knocked out with a sleeping drug.

~~~~~

Ben had woken up 5 minutes after Hannah had dragged him to a park bench. Jason's head lulled to the side and rested on Hannah's shoulder. She pushed him back roughly and he stirred in his sleep.

Esme handed out a small amount of Ambrosia to the three and they slowly chewed it in silence.

"What happened after I was knocked out?" Ben voiced his question.

"Jason kissed a siren." Esme said bluntly. Ben choked on a small piece of Ambrosia and started coughing.

"What?"

"You almost did too, if it weren't for Hannah." Esme added making Ben look at the two dumbfounded.

"Did you get the lyre?"

"Yeah, we wouldn't be stupid enough to leave it behind." Hannah said gruffly. Hannah knew she shouldn't be angry with Ben but she didn't know how Brianna was. She didn't even know if her half-sister was alive.

Bruce sat next to Ben on the park bench and Ben patted the hellhound. Bruce barked which caused Jason to open his eyes. Bruce barked again and leapt off the seat and onto the gravel path.

He ran off into the forest of trees and tall bushes.

"Wait here." Esme pointed to the three of them in turn and then ran after the dog. Ben could see her running in the direction Bruce went and successfully dodging the tree roots.