Raised from the Depths: The Apple of Their Eyes [A Percy Jackson FanFiction]

Twenty: And then there was one

Onyx landed on the cloud, with was actually solid under his weight. I gulped, scared to try and stand on water vapor, but when my toes touched it, I didn't sink what-so-ever. I jumped off of Onyx, followed by Sol, who had his bow out and ready.

"So, do we, just, you know, walk in?" Sol asked, unsure.

"I don't know, maybe we're supposed to knock?" I suggested, and stroked Onyx one last time before stepping forward towards the grand palace. I tentatively approached the front door, and knocked rapidly, before stepping away.

The door remained closed, and I frowned, looking back at Sol. "Looks like no one's home." I sighed, when suddenly, the doors behind me swung open, pushing me forward with a rush of thick, humid wind, before I felt light hands grab my shoulders, before pulling me into the darkness.

🔥 🌙 🔥

I woke with a jolt, my head pounding in pain and fear. I panted, looking around wildly, trying to find Sol, Onyx, a familiar face somewhere. But it was only darkness. I stood, finding balance, trying to find my way through the darkness, but it didn't matter, for as I took a step, the lights flashed on, blinding me.

"Speak quickly, child of Hades, or your friend will receive a slow and draining death by blade." A gentle, yet powerful voice boomed, and I looked around, my fists clenched around a weapon that wasn't there.

Standing in front of the door was a strong statured man with curly black hair and a young, inviting face, despite the look of disgust in his eyes, which were kaleidoscopes of pink, purple, and orange. He wore a bright green robe that ruffled tightly around his waist.

"Zephyr." I breathed, bowing.

"Hm. Interesting. I always like to hear what people think my name is." Zephyr pondering, leaning back on the door. "Some call me Zephyr, some call me Zephyrus."

"Oh, which one do you prefer?" I asked, afraid that I had already royally screwed up.

"Either is fine. But I can tell a lot by a person by what they call me. Zephyrus is what knowledgable, dangerous, powerful demigods and gods call me. People who are the most innocent, the kindest, call me Zephyr." He explained, taking a step forward. "Usually, my dear, I'm a little more tolerant than my brothers, but, alas, it is fall, the opposite of spring, and therefore I am the opposite of my usual pleasant self." He explained, his colorful eyes churning. "You should have gone to Eurus."

"Lord Zephyr, I apologize for interrupting you in this horrible time, but I was sent on a mission by Eros." I explained quickly, keeping my head bowed slightly.

Zephyr paused, raising a brow. "Eros sent you here?" He wondered. Then, his eyes widened in realization. "Oh, dear me! You're Affinity! You are to complete the Tasks of Psyche!" He smiled, flashing brilliantly white teeth. He snapped his fingers, and out of no where, a floating, transparent girl with elf-like features. "Nimbus, please make sure the male demigod of Apollo is well tended to, treated like a guest, and that the gryphon is well fed and groomed, incase the child of Hades makes it out successfully." He ordered, and Nimbus bowed her head, disappearing in a flash of speed.

As I sat there, eyes wide, Zephyr turned back to me. "Alright, Affinity, time for you complete your quest." He said, grabbing my hand.

"Where are they?" I asked, my nerves causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand up.

Zephyr laughed, "I keep them close to me, incase Eros requests it. They're simply in my backyard."

Suddenly, with a shoulder popping pull, we were in a different place, outside the palace, standing in front of a vast plot of land. In the distance, she could see a river filled with reeds, and across the water were golden sheep, who's wool seemed to reflect the sunlight. A few hundred feet away, standing tall and menacing was the scariest thing I have ever seen; a giant pile of beans and seeds of different grains, all mixed together in a big mess.

It was terrifying, considering the fact that I remember what the first task was. I had to sort this pile by sunset, or the quest was lost. Aphrodite would kill me, Mico would be trapped with Eros, and to save every mortal in America from famine, Sol and Onyx would have to retrieve the Apple of Discord by themselves.

Talk about pressure.

"First task, my dear. This here is a pile of kidney, lima, and green beans, along with barley and wheat. I need you to sort all of these into separate piles by sunset, or I'll have to give you to the Lady of Love." He explains, and turns, ready to escape back into his castle, before turning to me, his eyes sympathetic. "Good luck, girl." He wished me, and zipping back into the palace.

And then there was one.